Sorry for taking forever to update...there is no excuse...i'm going to try to get more updates out closer together...thanks for the lovely reviews...they made me want to get this out quicker...everyone who check out my myspace is cool...everyone who commented and added me is great...lol...and now I have a blog for my poetry...so check that out...lol...

Disclaimer: How does JK (who owns Harry Potter by the way-not me) do this?

Silver and Gold

"You look amazing Hermione." Marie said smiling at her. Marie's sheer cover was draped over Blaise's arm. Hermione wondered if there was something between them.

"Thank you." Hermione said softly. Her mind was still racing from the realization that she was beginning to like Malfoy. She couldn't think straight least of all with him standing so near to her.

"Let's go sit down at the table. I want to eat my cake." Goyle said turning away from the group and leading them away.

The rest of them followed finding seats around the table. Draco pulled out a chair for Hermione and pushed it in after she sat. She kept her eyes on the table not knowing how to act anymore. Things were different now that she had feelings other than hate for him.

"So Happy Birthday then. You're finally of age." Blaise said smiling wickedly. Draco smiled back something that hit Hermione like a ton of bricks. His smile was amazing.

"Thanks. It won't be much different though." Draco said nonchalantly.

"Sure it will. Now you can do magic whenever you want. Curse someone if they act up. You have more power now." Blaise said. "I wish I were seventeen."

"It's only three and a half weeks away Blaise. It's not like an eternity." Marie said shaking her head. She turned to Hermione; "Boys are so strange about time aren't they?"

"Don't start Marie or I'll have Draco here curse you good." Blaise said giving Marie a look that said he wasn't serious but might be.

"I've never really understood boys myself." Marie said turning away from Draco and Blaise.

"They are difficult sometimes. But others they're so simple."

"Granger you have no room to talk, girls are the most difficult species on the planet. I had a better time understanding that damn hippogriffe in third year than I do girls." Draco said laughing with Blaise.

"That's because there is more than one thing involved with girls, something boys can't comprehend." Hermione said smiling.

"You two fight like you're already married." Blaise said laughing. Marie couldn't help it and laughed as well.

Draco on the other hand scowled. He looked put off and offended. Hermione blushed furiously. Her cheeks were such a deep red colour it seemed as if she'd been dancing for hours.

"Well what's with you two then?" Draco asked looking for a way to get his friend back.

"What do you mean mate?" Blaise asked looking at Marie.

"Are you two an item. You were awfully close on the dance floor earlier." Draco said leaning forward his elbow resting on the table, his chin resting on his hand.

"No!" both Marie and Blaise said at the same time. They looked at one another immediately Marie looking scandalized Blaise just surprised.

"Uh-huh." Draco said in a bored tone.

The rest of the night continued on like that. Hermione stayed at Draco's side for every moment, yet she wished that she could just leave. He got up to make his rounds of thanks yous and hellos clutching Hermione's hand in his own.

When Draco walked up and greeted people that he knew the first thing Hermione noticed was that their eyes immediately flew to her. It was almost as if she weren't a human but some interesting animal that Draco had discovered. Then they noticed his hand clutching hers and their noses lifted in the air a little more and their eyes narrowed on her, fixed with a hateful stare. She hated being in that room having to put up with all those horrible stares filled with loathing.

At close to midnight a voice rang out through the ballroom. The music halted the dancers stopped. All movement ceased as everyone looked up at the high table. Hermione moved a bit closer to Draco not knowing what to expect at all. He looked down at her for a second and saw her eyes widened and focused on the table.

"Everyone return to your seats." Came the order from the same voice that had announced Draco's entrance.

Draco led Hermione back up to the high table. He pulled out her chair and pushed it in when she sat, like a true gentleman was supposed to. He sat himself beside her and noticed that there were two tables set up along the wall. Tables that were completely empty. Voldemort beside Draco stood motioning for everyone to remain seated.

"The party will now come to a end. I would like to thank you all for attending. In two days time a wedding will be held here at my mansion. Draco and his fiancee will become husband and wife. Everyone here is expected to be their and any guests will be welcome." He paused, turning slightly to the tables. "There are empty tables set up for you to place your gifts on as you depart. Ladies please rise and allow you gentlemen to put on your covers."

Hermione stood and turned her back on Draco. Just like before everyone seemed to be watching them. It was like they were curious to see how close they would get. Everyone wanted to know just how close he and Hermione had become.

Draco picked up the weightless cover and opened it up. He helped Hermione slip one arm in, then the other. She turned to face him and he looked at her beautiful face for now he couldn't deny that it was in a tiny way attractive. He reached over her shoulders and placed the hood over her hair and her eyes. Then his hand reached into his pocket and took out his wand. Starting at the bottom he slowly slid his wand upward the buttons fastening as the wand passed them.

She looked at him through the thin black fabric wishing all the while that she hadn't. When their eyes connected she trembled. She looked down at where her hands started to wring nervously. Movement told both Hermione and Draco that all the guests had begun putting on the covers. When the rustling stopped Draco and Hermione turned to face all the people.

"Draco please lead your fiancee out. The honoured guest will depart first."

Draco took Hermione's hand in his own and led her away. They passed through the many people toward the doors. Hermione watched to little house elves pull open the large heavy doors before she and Draco passed through them. He turned her and they started down the hall toward the stairs.

When they were far enough away, Draco walked quite a bit faster pulling Hermione along behind him. She was confused as to why they were hurrying and wanted to ask but wasn't sure if she was allowed to speak yet. She just kept up with him as he made the sharp turn and started up the stairs.

It was a moment later that Draco closed the door to his room panting slightly and turned to face Hermione. She was standing there silent as he approached. His fingers worked quickly on the buttons and he hurriedly pulled off the cover throwing it onto a chair.

"Why'd we run up here? And why'd you take it off. I could have done it myself you know." Hermione said trying to calm down her beating heart from his touch.

"No you wouldn't have. The covers are enchanted. Only I can remove it."

"Are you serious?" Hermione said her mouth agape.

"Yes. The Dark Lord enchanted them so women couldn't disobey him. Whenever you're wearing that cover you are silenced as well. But it's better to not try to talk because if you do the Dark Lord will know and you'll be punished. He makes sure that only the male that brings a certain female can take off the cover. Only I can remove yours since I am your fiancé." Draco said as he collapsed on the bed.

"But then why'd we hurry up here so fast?" Hermione asked. "Was it just so you could get the cover off?"

"No Granger. I came up here quickly because as soon as we were out of sight people would start for the exit. We can't be seen after we're dismissed. It's one of his rules."

"There are a lot of things I'm going to have to learn aren't there?" she asked sitting beside where he was currently lying.

"That's for sure. Since you won't be a Death Eater I'll have to teach you everything. If you became one you'd be taught in Death Eater training. That's where I learned everything, well there and my father." Draco said moving further on the bed so that his head rested on a pillow and his feet rested on the end of the bed.

"Did you enjoy your party?" Hermione asked softly as she looked at the floor. She couldn't bring herself to turn and look at him.

"Yeah for the most part. It was all right." He said in a tired voice.

"When will you get to open all your presents?"

"You really do ask too many questions." He said closing his eyes and stretching his arms above his head.

"Sorry." She said making to stand.

"Where are you going Granger?" he said sitting up.

"I was going to go back to my room. I'm exhausted." She said only half lying to him. She really was tired but really she wanted to get away from him because she didn't want to nurse these feelings that she had for him into something bigger. She didn't want to fall in love with him.

'That would be impossible really.' She tried to reassure herself. 'Liking him is all right because he is being nicer to me. But I could never fall in love with him. We have a history of nothing but pure malice toward each other. That would never allow us to fall in love.'

"But don't you want to help me open my gifts?" he asked smirking at her.

"They're coming tonight?" she said turning and catching the tail end of his smirk.

"Yeah they should be. I was only going to open a few. Save the rest for tomorrow." He got up and walked to where she stood. They'll be here any minute. Just stay for a little while longer."

'Why does he want me to stay so badly? It's like he actually wants to be around me.' Hermione thought as she looked at Draco. He stood before her still wearing his dress robes. His hair was a little tousled from lying on the bed. His eyes were staring through like he was trying hard not to really see her. There was so much about the man before her that confused her.

"Fine Malfoy I'll stay but only for five minutes." She said sitting herself down in a chair beside the desk. She didn't trust herself to be so close to him.

A moment passed in silence while Hermione looked at her shoes. She wished she were in her room fast asleep so that she could escape from this immense embarrassment. But as she was about to rise and tell him that she was exhausted and wanted to go to her room the door burst open and in walked Lucius Malfoy. He was being tailed by at least five house elves each carrying a stack of gifts.

"Here are your gifts. More should be up in a few minutes." He looked between the two a questioning look sent to his only son.

"Thank you father. Granger and I will open a few now and I'll open the rest in the morning."

"Goodnight." Lucius said as he turned and left the room.

Hermione watched as Draco removed his wand from his pocket and flicked it. The presents soured in the air and began to sort themselves. He was arranging them in a special way. Hermione wished so badly that she had her wand. She missed magic and wanted to do it herself though she knew she wasn't allowed to.

The smaller of the two piles landed on the bed before Draco. The packages were wrapped in brightly coloured paper. It shimmered in the dim light of the room before Hermione's very eyes. She wondered what those people had gotten her.

"Come on Granger you can help if you want." He said not even trying to hide the excitement in his voice as he stared at the gifts.

Hermione walked over and sat on the bed beside him her dress robes rustling softly against his hand. He looked at her as she reached for a gift. He stared at her skin, the longing coming again. He wanted to touch her, caress her back and shoulders with his experienced fingers. But he fought off the feelings and turned to take a present.

The present Hermione held was small and rectangular. It was wrapped with green and silver paper. She was sure that it was from Blaise and when she read the tag she was right.

"This one's from Blaise. Should I?" she asked holding the box away from her slightly in case he decided to snatch it away from her.

"Sure." Draco said watching her fingers.

Hermione ripped the paper off and revealed a small heavy black box. She turned to Draco who was staring at it with confusion. A card had been sitting beside the box when it was on the bed so Draco picked it up and read it.

"What do you suppose it is?" Hermione asked.

"It's a box Granger." Draco said as he read.

"I know that Malfoy you prat. What's inside? Does the card give a hint?"

"No it just says happy birthday."

Hermione handed Draco the box and he undid the little gold latch on the front. When he opened it the Golden Snitch flew out. Draco watched as it zoomed around in a small circle before him. Hermione had seen it fly out but couldn't seem to see it any longer Draco could tell by the way she looked all over the ceiling for it.

He watched as it moved. It flew quickly as lightning to hover above Hermione's head. He reached out and snatched it. Hermione's head turned his hand clutching the struggling snitch an inch from her right cheek. Her eyes connected with his and he couldn't help but be blown away again by her appearance in that set of dress robes.

"So that's what it was." Hermione said reaching for the box. Draco slipped the snitch into the box and closed the lid.

He picked up another present and saw it was from Crabbe. It was a box of the finest candy in Diagon Alley. He smirked. Draco had known that Crabbe and Goyle would probably get him something edible since that was basically all they knew. But he was curious to see what was inside the package that Hermione now held.

He had seen her face become like stone. Her eyes widened. She was staring at the tag on the gift. It was the strangest look he'd ever seen almost as if she were frightened and surprised at the same time. She looked up and he watched as she extended the package toward him.

He read the tag. It said: To Draco my son and Hermione my daughter to be. Love Mum.

Why was his mother presenting a birthday gift to him and Hermione?

Draco slowly ripped the paper from the object. Underneath what had once been wonderful red paper and a black ribbon was a silver box. Draco looked amazed. The box was made of pure silver. It must have been quite expensive. It had what seemed to be vines carved in the lid. It was very detailed and Draco wondered where his mother got it as he ran his finger over the top.

Hermione handed him a heavy envelope. He stared at it a moment then looked up at Hermione but she was staring at the box. It was almost as if she knew what was coming. He thought nothing of it however as he opened the envelope and dumped the lumpy contents into his lap. It was a large golden key. Hermione gasped beside him. He looked at her and saw her eyes were wider than ever as she stared in horror at the key.

"It's the same one." She mumbled.

"What on Earth are you talking about Granger?" Draco demanded fed up with her staring at his present like they were truly that important and not telling him why.

"Open the box Malfoy." She said softly.

"Don't tell me what to-"

"Just open it Draco." She said her eyes clashing with his. She did know something.

Draco picked up the key and picked up the box. The key seemed all wrong for it. A small silver box didn't go with a large gold key. It was just odd. But the key slipped into the lock with no effort at all. He turned the lock and heard it click. He pushed open the lid another gasp escaping Hermione's lips.

I'm sorry the chapter is so short but I wanted to get something out...lol...another should be coming soon...thanks

Starry