Recap:

"Ginny, he's my husband!"

"Yeah, so?" Hermione sighed.

"No, it's not true. Whoever said that was blind."

"So?"

"So what??"

"How long is it? A lot of girls I talked to say that its not very long."

"Sore, that's what they are. Lets just say that it's like two of his wands, ok?" Ginny's eyes were like dinner plates and Hermione laughed. "Ginny, STOP!!"

Hermione opened the portrait door to the Head Commons and smiled when she saw Blaise sitting in one of the chairs.

"Hey, love," she greeted, sitting down on the couch. He glanced at her.

"Muggle," he replied and she giggled.

"Where's Malfoy?" she asked. Blaise flinched and glanced at her again.

"Lucius came and flooed him out. Family business." Hermione frowned but let it go.

"She got your letter. It was really sweet, Blaise." He snorted. She smiled. "In fact, she sent something back." Blaise looked at her, confused. Hermione walked to the portrait door and opened it. Ginny stepped in, the envelopes in her arms. Blaise shot to his feet, face emotionless. Hermoine pushed Ginny into the room and than rushed upstairs, closing the door behind her. Ginny stared down at her shoes, putting the letters on the table. Blaise sank back into his chair, watching her closely. She chanced a look at him.

"Why...why me?" she asked, her voice soft as she began toying her her red curls. He shrugged, staring into the dying fire.

"I don't know," he muttered. "Why don't you try asking me why I breathe next, Red." She smiled and sat down on the couch.

"You knew who I was at the Masquerade?" Blaise nodded, still not looking at her. "Why didn't you say something?"

"Haven't you been reading any of my letters, Weasley?" She stared at him as he rose to his feet. "I'm leaving." He was halfway to the portrait when he felt her hand on his shoulder. He froze, staring at her pale hand. She bit her lip in slight fear as he turned around, facing her for the first time. He wasn't as tall as Draco but he was still tall, compared to Ginny's petit 5'4". Anything over six feet was tall for her. She tilted her head back to look into his eyes.

"Why did you think it would matter?" she asked quietly, her heart in her throat. He stepped closer, his face deathly close to hers.

"It does matter," he told her and she felt tears spring into her eyes.

"No it doesn't," she insisted. "If it did, then you wouldn't have ever sent those letters, and those roses!!" He shoved her into the wall, her arms pinned at her side. She bit her lip to keep from crying out loud. His mouth was next to her ear.

"I told you, Red," he hissed. "I told you that I'm not a nice person. I'm not a fairy tale prince. I'm a Slytherin and I won't change my ways for anyone, least of all for you. So why the hell are you here?" She stared up into his dark eyes, pain in her own green ones.

"Because you sent me those letters," she whispered. "Because I fell in love with the person who sent those letters. Because I fell in love with you..." He reached up, touching her cheek. Her pale skin contrasted sharply with his dark fingers as they caressed her lips.

"You're brother or Potter won't be too happy about this," he told her and she smiled wanly.

"Let them be angry," she murmured as his lips came closer to hers. "I don't care."

Hermione smiled as she saw them kiss, pulling each other closer to stay in the moment. Shutting the door, she crawled into her bed and fell asleep.

Blaise stirred and shifted around. His hand came into contact with skin and his eyes opened. The redhead lay next to him on the couch, still asleep. Smiling slightly, he looked towards the burned out fireplace. It shifted around and fire whooshed up. When it died out again, Draco Malfoy fell to the ground, shaking. He was drenched in cold sweat. Getting off the couch, Blaise helped Draco to sit up against the wall. The blonde was shaking violently as he struggled to get a hold of himself. Ginny rolled over and opened her eyes. Catching sight of Draco, she sat up.

"What happened?" she asked quietly. Draco stared at her in shock but Blaise nodded his head.

"It's ok," he told him. "She knows." Draco's head rested back against the wall.

"Get Hermione," he managed out. Blaise glanced at Ginny and she hurried up the stairs. Opening the door, she moved over to the bed.

"Hermione, wake up," she whispered hurriedly, shaking Hermione. The girl stirred and sat up.

"What is it?" she asked sleepily.

"It's Malfoy," Ginny told her and the Head Girl was out of her bed in a flash. She ran down the stairs and skidded to a halt in front of Draco's panting form. She kneeled down next to him, touching his face.

"Draco," she whispered. "Draco, what happened?" He didn't answer right away. Then he motioned to Blaise, waving away. Blaise took the hint and, taking Ginny's arm, he led her outside onto the balcony so that Draco could talk to Hermoine in private. Hermione watched them for a second and then turned back to Draco. He closed his eyes, reaching over and pulling up the sleeve of his right arm. She let out a small scream, falling backwards. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the grotesque skull and snake that leered out at her, looking like a ominous blight on his deeply pale skin.

"Hermione..." He didn't have strength to explain to her. She probably wouldn't have listned. She stared from his eyes to the Dark Mark and back, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Draco, how...why..." She burst into uncontrollable sobs and pulled away from him, curling up next to the couch to cry. Ginny and Blaise came in at the sound of her cries and Blaise clamped his hand over Ginny's mouth before she could scream at the sight of the Dark Mark on Draco's arm. Draco struggled to his feet and moved over to sit next to Hermione. She tried pulling away from him but he grabbed her hands.

"Hermione, listen to me," he growled. She shook her head and he continued anyway. "Whatever you do, you cannot tell anyone about this, ok?" He pulled her into him and she continued to sob as she nodded. "You can't tell a soul." He glanced at Ginny, who's eyes were wide in horror and anger. She pulled away from Draco, glaring.

"You traitor!!" she screamed at him. "How could you do this to her!! Don't you care about her? What the hell has she done that you have to make her cry like that!?!?!" Draco stood, stumbling a bit but glaring. He pushed his finger into her chest.

"Listen, Red," he snarled. "I know what I'm doing. And as for making her cry, I care about her more than you even know, so don't you even judge me. Blaise, get her back to her house and then bring me a potion." Before Ginny could protest, Blaise pushed her out the door. She turned to him.

"How long has he-"

"Last night, Red," Blaise snapped, taking her arm and pulling her along towards her common room. She yanked her arm out of his hand, staring at him. He stopped and turned around. She bit her lip.

"Are you..." She didn't want to finish the sentence. He stepped closer to her and cupped her face, kissing her gently.

"No," he told her, pulling away and turning back down the hall. She caught up with him.

"Why?" He laughed.

"Why aren't I a Death Eater?" She blushed and nodded, stopping as he turned to her. "Becuase I got lucky," he told her. "The Dark Lord is more interested in Malfoys, anyway. Always been helping him, that family, so it's only natural that Draco takes up position."

"No it's not!!" Ginny exclaimed. "Did you see the way he looked at her?! Have you been around them while their together? I've only known for less than a day and even I can see that they're in love! Why is he doing this to her?"

"Because he doesn't have a choice!"

"Everyone has a choice!!" He pulled her into him, kissing her fiercely. She gasped as they stumbled back into the wall. She bit her lip when he finally pulled away.

"That's why he did it," he whispered onto her lips. "Because he doesn't want her to get hurt."

"So becoming a Death Eater-"

"She's less of a target! Draco knows how to keep her safe from Death Eaters. He can keep a better eye out on who is being targeted and if they come after her, he can keep her safe. Besides, not everyone has a choice on what they can become, Red." She reached up and touched his lips, barely breathing.

"Am I a target?" she whispered.

"You're dad's a muggle lover, Red. What do you think?" She looked up into his eyes.

"Will you protect me?" He smiled and kissed her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer while deepening the kiss.

Back in the Head common room, Draco had Hermione in his lap as he sat on the floor. She finally stopped sobbing, but tears still fell as she looked up at him.

"Why?" she whispered. "Why now? Why you??" He stroked her neck and kissed it.

"Because I have to," he told her.

"No you don't."

"Hermione-"

"NO!!" She pulled away from him. "I care about you!! I care and if you died in that war, what would I do?! Draco, didn't you even think about what side of this war I'm on?" He watched her and leaned his head back against the couch, eyes closed.

"I don't want to have this conversation with you, Hermione," he told her and she slapped him. He stared at her and she slapped him again, sobbing. He caught her hand, crushing his lips to hers. She cried harder as she moved closer.

"I love you," she whispered into his lips. "I love you, Draco..." He pulled away, staring at her with obvious shock. She bit her lip. "Please...ple..." She fell into his chest, not able to finish as her throat closed in on her. He held her numbly, staring at the dead fire. I love you too, Hermione...he thought, pulling her closer. God, I love you so much...

"What do you mean, YOU CAN'T COME?!"

"Ron, lower your voice!! People are looking! Yes, I can't come. I have to be with family."

"Your parent are staying with us, too!!"

"Oh. Well, my family doesn't just consist of my parents, Ronald. I have cousins and such...Besides, Ginny is coming with me."

"What?!!"

"Yes, Harry. Hermione asked me to come meet her cousins and stuff."

"But...But you can't!!"

"Oh, Ronald! You're acting like a four year old. Look, I'll talk to you later when you can be a bit more mature about this. Come on, Ginny. The ball's tonight. I have to fix up my face." Ginny giggled and the two girls rushed off to Hermione's room, where they were going to get ready. Ginny had brought her dress along with her. Hermione was in the shower while Ginny was using the bedroom, plucking her eyebrows. She walked over and opened the bathroom door.

"Hermione, do you ha- AHH!" She slammed to door shut, eyes closed as she tried to get the image out of her head. Biting her lip to keep from laughing, she went back to the mirror. Hermione poked her head out of the bathroom, face red.

"Umm... what is it, Ginny?" Ginny giggled.

"I was just wondering if you had any lipstick in there?" Hermione disappeared and Ginny listened to a very pissed off Draco Malfoy yell at her. She reappeared and tossed over a makeup case. Ginny rose an eyebrow at Hermione. "No seperate showers over here, are there?"

"No privacy either," came Draco's voice. Hermione smiled and the door closed. She got back into the shower, arching her back slightly at the scalding water. "Stupid women," Draco continued to mutter. "Can't get privacy while they're over here."

Blaise and Draco sat in the Head Commons, waiting impatiently for the girls to come down. The door opened to Hermione's room and Ginny stepped out, wearing a blue-green chiffon with lace up high heels and her hair up in a bun with curls falling from it. Blaise smiled as she came down, picking up her bag and taking his arm. They turned back to where Hermione was now standing. Draco's lips parted but he couldn't speek. She wore a lavender gown that hugged her chest and hips and flowed about her legs. Her hair was done up intricately, with tendrils of honey hanging down the side of her face. She came down and faced him.

"So?" she asked. He only stared at her. "Draco, you're staring." His mouth closed and he turned on his heels and left the common room. She closed her eyes, sighing. He had been acting like this ever since he found out that she was going with Ron. Blaise whispered something to Ginny and left also. Ginny took Hermione's arm and smiled.

"Come on, Hermione," she said. "Let's go meet the boys."

Heading into the Great Hall, the girls swiftly found the boys. Ron gaped at Hermione.

"Wow, Hermione!!" he managed out. "You look...Wow!" She blushed and took his arm. Ginny took Harry's and they found a seat at a table with Seamus, Neville, Dean and their dates. Hermione looked around the Hall.

"They really out did themselves on this one, didn't they?" she observed. Parvati, who was with Dean, nodded.

"Did you hear? They're also getting a few Muggle singers in here!"

"No!" Ginny leaned in, eyes wide. "But they'll know about us!" Parvati shook her head.

"The Muggles will think that they're preforming for some birthday party bash or something. They won't remember how they got here or any form of magic that they see throughout the night. Just that they preformed." Ginny picked up a menu from the table.

"Is this going to be like at the Yule ball?" Hermione took a menu and leaned forward.

"Grilled chicken," she said to her plate. The food appeared on her plate and the others smiled and began ordering. After eating and chatting, the music began playing. It was Sir Mix-a-lot preforming. The girls got up and headed onto the floor.

I like big butts and I can not lie
You other brothers can't deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get sprung, wanna pull out your tough
'Cause you notice that butt was stuffed

Every guy was watching intently as the girls moved to the song. The Slytherins were howling with laughter, pushing and joking with Draco, who was leaning back in his chair, smirking as his wife was out in front of all the girls.

My homeboys tried to warn me
But with that butt you got makes me feel so horny
Ooh, Rump-o'-smooth-skin
You say you wanna get in my Benz?
Well, use me, use me
'Cause you ain't that average groupy
I've seen them dancin'
The hell with romancin'
She's sweat, wet,
Got it goin' like a turbo 'Vette

A groan went up amongst the boys as Hermione bent down low, coming up slowly while biting her lip and tossing her hair.

When the song came to a close, the boys got onto their feet, cheering as the girls, red in the face, hurried off the floor. Going to the punch table, Hermione ignored the looks several guys were giving her.

"Very nice, Granger," came Draco's voice. She turned around and raised an eyebrow at him. He leaned against the table, his black robes suiting him perfectly. She moved closer to him, making sure her lips were right next to his.

"Did I turn you on?" she whispered, eyes fluttering between his lips and his eyes. He nodded, unable to speak. She smiled coyly. "Well, too bad." She took a cup of punch and headed back to her seat, giggling with Ginny, who had watched the whole thing. Sitting down, she gulped down the punch. Ron was staring at her, wide eyed.

"I didn't know you could dance like that!!" he exclaimed and the other boys nodded. She blushed deeply.

"My mom taught me how to dance to anything when I was younger." A slower song had come on, Edwin Mcain with "I'll Be". Hermione smiled. "I love this song!!" Ron stood.

"Care to dance?" he asked. She nodded and they moved onto the floor, where other couples were already engaged. She rested her head on his shoulders, watching the other couples.

"Look, Ron I'm sorry about not being able to come out to the Burrow for Christmas. I know you were looking forward to it." Ron glanced at her.

"I was. You didn't come during the summer, so I was hoping you'd come this time." Hermione sighed.

"I was busy during the summer break," she told him. "I couldn't come."

"What were you doing this summer that was so important?" She turned to look at him.

"I know you and Harry know about me being at Malfoy's," she said. He looked alarmed. "Ginny let it slip while we were talking."

"Hermione, we were-"

"Yeah, I know, Ron..." They were silent for a moment, just listening to the music.

Tell me that we belong together.
Dress it up with the trappings of love.
I'll be captivated,
I'll hang from your lips,
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

She bit her lip, eyes watching as Harry and Ginny moved around the dance floor. They seemed to be in a heavy conversation, and Ginny looked slightly put out about it.

"Hermione, could you tell me why you were at Malfoys?" Ron asked. She sighed.

"I...Something happened this summer, Ron. Something that you and Harry won't believe if I told you." She immediately cursed herself for saying that. Ron stared at her in disbelief.

"You mean, Ginny knows?!"

"Ron, she's my best friend!"

"So are Harry and I!"

"Yes, but..." What could she possibly say that would make this situation better? "Look, Ron. Ginny is different from you and Harry. She's a girl. You and Harry apparently aren't so there are some things that are easier for her to digest than from you two. Besides, I know how you f..." She didn't finish the sentence, cursing herself again for even starting it. Ron's eyes narrowed.

"What? You know how I what?"

"Nothing Ron. Can we just forget it?"

"Damn it, Hermione! We always have to forget it! Why can't we talk about it?!"

"Because it's perso..." She trailed off, noticing something funny going on with a few of the students. Ron seemed to have noticed to, because he did not push her on the question. Instead, they both watched as several students began exiting the floor abruptly. Hermione immediately looked to Draco. He was whispering angrilly at a fifth year about something. The fifth year looked like he was in pain, but Draco had hold of one of his arms, keeping him from pointing to where the pain was coming from. The fifth year was pleading about something but Draco shook his head, glaring at several students who were about to approach him. Hermione's breath caught in her throat.

The Dark Lord was summoning them. The student Death Eaters were supposed to go, but it was apparent that Draco had no intentions of getting up and leaving just yet. He was now glaring a couple of students back onto the floor to dance and the others he was waving away.

"What's up with them?" Ron asked. Hermione glanced at him.

"I don't know," she responded.

I'll be your crying shoulder,
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older,
I'll be the greatest fan of your life.

Hermione stopped dancing, pulling on Ron's arm. She found Harry and Ginny and pulled them back to their table. She then grabbbed Ginny and yanked her to the Great Hall doors.

"Did you see..." Ginny nodded. Suddenly, Blaise showed up, back to the wall and looking around the hall. Hermione stared at him.

"What's going on? What's wrong with Draco?"

"He's saying that they can't leave."

"Well, they can't!!" Ginny told them. "Someone would notice if a lot of Slytherins suddenly disappeared." Hermione looked back at Blaise.

"But if they don't go..." Blaise fixed her with a stare.

"They can't. He'll just have to accept that."

"He doesn't accept anything," she murmured. She found Draco arguing with a bulky seventh year. "He's in pain. I can see it in his eyes..." Ginny gave Blaise a knowing look. Hermione sighed. "He'll be in more pain tonight, won't he?" Blaise merely nodded before moving away, leaving the two girls to their own thoughts.