Disclaimer: I own nothing and I do not make money off this story.

Chapter 7

The Ball

As the five friends walked into the Great Hall they could not believe their eyes. The hall had been beautifully decorated. The tables had green table clothes with silver and gold confetti sprinkled on the tables. The chairs are all covered in black clothes cinched on the back with black and silver balloons tied together. The normal star light ceiling had spooky gold chandeliers linked together by silver chains.

"Oh my gosh Hermione the Great Hall looks like a haunted party. Look even the ghost are having a good time." Pansy said excitedly.

"It's absolutely beautiful. I'm so proud of my prefects." Hermione said hugging the girls and Ron.

"Well it looks like it's time to start the ball…" Hermione said not sounding excited at all.

"It'll be ok just go and dance with him and everything will work it's self out." Pansy whispered in her ear hugging her shoulder comfortingly.

As the doors to the Great Hall closed Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Welcome to the Halloween Ball. And I must say that the prefects have done a magnificent job don't you all agree." He began to applaud the prefects and the rest of the hall joined. "Now I do believe it is time to start of the ball with a dance our head Boy Mr. Malfoy and his partner have practiced to perform for us. So if you will please Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore ended motioning to the dance floor for the performers to take their places.

Hermione made her way to meet Draco in the center of the dance floor and heard many oh and ah and people saying how beautiful she was. Hermione inwardly smiled think if only they knew it was really her they were all drooling over.

As Hermione walked up to Draco he could not believe his eyes. Even though he could not see her face he had this strong feeling that he knew exactly who this girl was. The way she held herself and the way she walked. There was a confidence in her stride as she moved closer to where he was standing that left very little doubt that this girl was none other than the marvelous Head Girl.

'Well shit I'm screwed.'

Why are we thinking that?

'Really you again? Why the hell else would I be screwed?'

You mean for other reasons than your psychotic blow up at her? Ha ha yeah you're screwed.

'Fuck off'

As soon as Hermione was in front of Draco he started shaking hoping that she would not notice. Unfortunately for him she did notice. Though unfortunately for her she noticed how attractive Draco looked dressed up as the Phantom of the Opera complete with the white mask, flowing cape, and all kinds of debonair the title included.

"Are you ready?" Draco asked removing his cape and handing it off to the first girl to come runny up for it.

The only thing Hermione could do was nod her head as she and Draco stepped up to each other. As the music started Draco pulled her close so that they could begin the routine they had worked so hard on to perfect.

As they dance together to the music Hermione was having a harder and harder time not feeling a need to forgive him.

'What am I going to do? He looks so nice and hasn't dropped me once. But what about his blow up this morning, what the hell am I going to do?'

Stop thinking to yourself before you screw up and get hurt. Also if you still trust him enough to dance with him, you trust him enough to forgive him so bite the bullet and keep him at arms length if you must. Just get the hell over it.

'Screw you.'

Almost every bit of doubt on whether Hermione would forgive him or not disappeared almost immediately as Draco spun her out holding onto her waist with one hand while her hand was holding onto his upper arm as she was lifted off the dance floor with her other hand still held securely in his. Ever after the rehearsals she still couldn't believe the amount of trust she had in him to not drop her or make a fool of her. And at that point she decided that she could forgive him but still keep him at arms length.

Draco could not believe how well the dance was going or how much she trusted him. At this point he prayed that she was the Head Girl and no one else.

The entire school from third years and up were watching with anticipation wondering what the finale would be hoping that it is worth it. The music kept playing and the Heads kept dancing. Then as if on cue with the music Draco spun Hermione out and while pulling her back to him lifter her backwards over his head. At that point the crowd gasped as if on command.

Once he placed her back on the ground Draco spun Hermione out again as the music was coming to its dramatic end, as Hermione spun back towards Draco leaned his leg out so that Hermione could wrap her leg around his as she wrapped her other leg around his waist while she bent backwards as his hands held her legs in place behind her knees. The crowd couldn't believe their eyes and as Draco helped Hermione stand the Hall broke out in excited applause. The other students slowly made their way onto the dance floor as Draco led Hermione off and back to her friends. Once there he bowed, kissed her hand, and thanked her for dancing with him and congratulated her on a job well done.

Hermione stood there in almost complete shock. "Oh my god Hermione that was fantastic. I had no idea you were such a wonderful dancer. And that ending I mean wow. How could you get your legs to do that?" Ginny flooded Hermione with compliments and questions as soon as Draco was out ear shot. Hermione hugged Ginny and told her to calm down.

As the night went on Hermione and Draco shared a few more dances but so were Ron and Pansy. Hermione was watching those two closely in hopes that they could find some kind of happiness together. At a quarter to twelve Ron decided to make his move or more so a move in order to make a move.

"Pansy you look absolutely beautiful tonight." Ron began nervously.

"Thank you Ron. You look quite nice yourself tonight." Pansy said smiling.

"Pansy I know we've only been friends for a short time but I was wondering if you'd like to make the next Hogsmeade trip a date. If not then I'll understand." Ron started shaking wishing that he hadn't said that. "You know on second thought forget…" Ron tried to retract his date idea just as Pansy leaned in and kissed him.

"I'd love to go out with you Ron." Pansy said as she kissed his cheek.

Hermione watched this while still dancing with Draco and was excited that Pansy returned Ron's feelings for her. As the time got closer to midnight Hermione got more apprehensive about Draco knowing it was her that he's been dancing with.

Before Hermione knew it the clock was striking twelve. And when the final bell tolled Draco was standing right in front of her waiting for her mask to come off…

Oh no a cliffy what will happen next? Reviews and ideas always welcome.