Chapter 12

After the infamous pulling sensation they landed in front of the Ministry itself. Hermione was instantly grateful for Draco who had hold of her waist the entire time. She knew she couldn't have possibly landed safely in those shoes without him.

"Ready?" asked Draco.

"You already asked me that. Of course I am. I'm a Golden Trio member. I think I'm used to it," said Hermione feeling suddenly unsure of herself… especially because of this dress!

"Ok then let's go," said Draco giving her a smirk.

Hermione gave a confused look to Ginny and Harry who had landed behind them. They just shrugged and followed them.

The minute they reached the inside they were bombarded with flashes in every direction. Hermione really didn't even realize where she walking. She went to shield her eyes, but instead Draco grabbed her hand and pulled her even closer to him. She didn't know she could get closer. Then she felt his hand on her side and her immediate reaction was of course to glare. She looked up and saw him smiling at her and she couldn't do it. Instead of a glare she smiled back.

"Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy? Is that Hermione?" they heard a few ask. Hermione didn't look like herself of course. There were many comments in that direction.

"Yes those are our names. Good job," said Draco.

"Is this a new relationship?" asked a reporter.

Instead of answer Hermione looked up at Draco again.

"Well that's for Hermione and I to find out," said Draco with a wink.

Hermione couldn't help but smile again. This was absolutely perfect. Completely overwhelming as they could hardly even walk 5 steps without another flash and another question, but perfect. Draco was truly a natural and he was doing exactly what he said… making them look like a couple but leaving that mystery that maybe they weren't. Ron was sure to notice now!

"Hermione, your dress is very different than your usual style. Any particular reason?" asked Rita Skeeter who stepped directly in their pathway.

"What are you insinuating?" asked Draco jumping to her defense.

"And where is Ron Weasley? Isn't he your boyfriend?" she asked.

Hermione was infuriated by this woman yet again. Always meddling where she didn't belong!

"For your nosey information Ron is no longer involved in my life and that's all I'm going to tell you on the matter," said Hermione.

"Replaced by a Malfoy? How very interesting," she said.

"And completely none of your beetle business. Print any type of speculation and you'll regret it," said Hermione sternly, "Come on Draco."

Hermione dragged him away from all the reporters and finally entered the ballroom of the ministry.

"Wow. I didn't think Hermione Granger was capable of hating anyone that much other than myself. I was going to help you out but you didn't need help," said Draco.

"That woman is absolutely despicable," she said.

"Well you handled her well. And the rest of them too. Maybe I underestimated you," he said.

"Thanks but I didn't really handle anything. I let you do everything so I should be thanking you probably," said Hermione.

"No if you think about it you could have reacted completely different to my hand holding," said Draco giving her hand a squeeze.

It was then that Hermione realized he still had her hand and she promptly let go.

"See. Exactly like that," said Draco. He felt his stomach clench at the disappointment of her letting go.

She was about to defend herself when Harry and Ginny walked up.

"I don't think I've ever had so many name suggestions for the baby thrown at me at once," said Ginny, "Oh and I hope the goal was to make everyone think you were a couple because they do."

"It's not that it's the mystery of it. No one accepted or denied it," said Draco.

"Good point. Mission accomplished then. Can we go in? My feet are killing me," said Ginny.

Hermione felt relief at not having to justify herself to Draco. Instead of taking her hand he gently touched her back as they walked inside.

After mingling for a while so Draco could make some new contacts he realized all he wanted to do and all he could think about was holding her in his arms. Even if she wasn't ready for another step forward in their friendship he could still take advantage of this opportunity. Draco took Hermione's hand and lifted it up to his lips. Hermione looked up questioning.

"Dance with me?" he asked.

Hermione immediately turned bright red and said, "Oh. I don't know Draco… I'm really not the best dancer."

"Well good thing I am then. Trust me. I won't let you down," he said giving her a wink.

"And if you do I'll hex you into the next world," she said.

"Like I said, just trust me," he said and pulled her out.

He pulled her into his arms and close to his own body. Hermione felt her heart start to race. She was much closer than she had thought dancing really needed.

"Relax," he said into her ear.

She took a deep breath and let him lead. He was an absolutely amazing dancer and expertly guided her around the floor. She was of course expecting that because he was a Malfoy and seemed to be perfect at everything but just because someone says it doesn't actually mean it.

"Where did you learn to dance?" she asked.

"My mother. She told me she secretly wanted to be a ballroom dancer but of course her role kept her in the background," said Draco.

"Well she did an amazing job. I don't think I can picture your mother as a professional ballroom dancer though," said Hermione.

"Exactly. It would kind of ruin the image she built so keep it quiet," said Draco smiling down at her.

Then the music changed. It became slower and more… dare she even think it… romantic. She looked up at Draco wondering if he would want to keep dancing. Her answer to her silent question was him tightening his arms around her. It was then that Hermione couldn't help herself. She melted into his body letting herself finally completely relax.

After feeling her relax Draco felt his heart soar. He wasn't expecting that at all. He felt maybe this was an opportunity to tell her he liked her and they could go from there.

"Hermione?" he asked.

"Yes?" she asked looking up at him. They just looked at each other for a while.

"Did you know your grey eyes have flecks of blue in them?" asked Hermione.

"Isn't that what the man says to capture the woman?" asked Draco.

"I don't know if you haven't noticed but I'm not traditional," said Hermione with her own smirk.

"I did notice, thanks," said Draco. With all this flirting Draco wondered if maybe she did feel the same. Now he wasn't backing out. He'd take that chance if it meant being with her.

He started again, "Hermione, I…"

With them concentrating on each other no one even saw it coming… Hermione jumped out of Draco's arms as she felt something cold run down her back. They both turned to look at the source… Ron Weasley.

"You whore," he said as he spat at her.

"Excuse me?" asked Hermione glaring at him. She wasn't quite sure what to do. She was stuck in between hurt and furious.

"You heard me. I think you look like a…"

"Don't say another word Weasley," said Draco holding his wand at his throat.

"She's the one that asked," he said holding up his hands like he was the innocent one.

"Draco don't. He's not worth it, remember? He's not going to hurt me," said Hermione putting her hand onto his arm. He reluctantly put his arm down.

"It's Draco now? You're worse than a whore! You're his whore! You're the ferrets whore! You're just trying to turn this into a show so you can get me back. You never will!" yelled Ron.

"Ronald, you don't know anything!" yelled Hermione.

"I know you'll never find anyone who could ever love you," said Ron.

"You tell her Won-Won!" said Lavender kissing Ron.

"Oh Merlin help me," said Hermione annoyed. Her annoyance for Lavender pushed her anger towards Ron away.

Harry stepped up.

"Ron it's time for you to leave. You're obviously drunk and not yourself. Don't make things worse," said Harry.

"Fine. I will. I just wanted to prove Hermione she's not worth it or anyone else. Everyone can see through that. You can't change, Hermione! Don't bother trying!" he yelled and stormed out with Lavender in tow.

I don't know why but I really do not like Lavender... haha. Anyways hope you like my chapter :)