Disclaimer: I don't own it! I really wish I did.

Author's Note: Thanks so much for your patience and support. I now have use of all 10 fingers! Enjoy!

George, recognizing how hard it was for Hermione to confess her big secret, moved towards his friend and wrapped his arms around her. She began to sob then and he could feel her body shaking. He was not entirely comfortable with crying women. He was a man after all. At a loss, he led her back to the bench and held her.

"So, the man you love is Harry?" George sighed. He expected it really but the reality was still difficult. He knew his sister would be crushed because he suspected that Harry felt the same way.

"Yes." Hermione mumbled into George's shirt.

"How long?"

"Forever. For as long as I can remember." Hermione sat back and wiped her nose with the handkerchief George handed her. "It's always been Harry."

"Why didn't you ever tell him? Why didn't you make a move?"

"I couldn't! By the time I figured out I had feelings for him he had completely fallen for Cho and then it was all about Ginny. Ginny is -or was- my closest female friend. I couldn't do that to her. Plus, why would I set myself up for humiliation as Harry clearly doesn't feel the same way?"

"How do you know he doesn't feel the same way?" George asked, knowing full well he was going to regret this conversation.

"He loves Ginny. He wouldn't keep going back to her if he didn't." Hermione sniffed, wiping her tears again. She never should have worn mascara.

George didn't reply to her comment. He had long suspected that Harry went back to Ginny only because he didn't know he had other options. Harry had confided to him that he hated dating. He didn't trust many people, but Ginny was safe.

"Were you in love with Harry when you were dating my brother?" He finally asked.

"Yes, but I really did love Ronald too. I felt that Harry was lost to me and I had genuine feelings for Ron. If we weren't so different, I could have had a happy life with him. I'm glad we broke up though, it was for the best."

"What are you going to do Hermione?"

"Nothing. Avoid Harry until after this potion wears off and try not to kill your sister. I really don't want to hurt her even though what she's done is killing me."

"You'll do what's best I'm sure, but you can't avoid the truth forever." George said wisely. Hermione gave him another hug, waved goodbye and walked to the apparition point. Neither was aware that Ginny had heard the whole conversation.

()()()()()()()()

Hermione was just getting ready to head home on her last work day before the ball when Draco stopped by to see her.

"Granger."

"Malfoy." She smiled up at him, once again amazed at their new friendship.

"Would you like to go out to dinner with me tonight?" He asked, slipping into the chair across from her desk and looking entirely too sexy for his own good. Hermione took a long look at him, trying to figure out his motives.

"You want me to go out to dinner with you?"

"Yeah. Remember Miles Bletchly? He was a couple of years ahead of us in school."

"Yes, didn't he hit Katie with that curse one year?"

"Yeah that was him." Draco chuckled at the memory. "Anyway, believe it or not, he married a muggle and opened up a restaurant near Oxford Street. I thought we might go check it out."

"Are you asking me on a date?"

"Yes I am. What do you think?" He winked at her, gearing up for major flirtation if need be. "I know you are pining away for some mystery man but you do have to eat, and who better to eat with than the most eligible bachelor in London."

"Actually I think the most eligible bachelor in London happens to be Prince William but I wouldn't mind eating with him, even if he is a little too young for me and has a lovely girlfriend." She smiled at his scowl. "I'd love to have dinner with you Draco."

Draco gave her a genuine smile and told her what time he'd pick her up. Before leaving he leaned down and lightly kissed her cheek. Hermione couldn't help but grin stupidly as she packed the rest of her belongings. Her heart may belong to Harry but she was still flattered by the attention.

At exactly seven o'clock, Draco appeared at her front door and made all the appropriate comments about her appearance while she blushed and stumbled out the door. She'd already had a few drinks just for courage, and it certainly helped with her nervousness. Hermione wasn't sure what was going on with her but she was enjoying every moment with Draco. She felt giddy and actually giggled several times over dinner. Miles was welcoming and didn't appear to be anything like the rude Slytherin that she remembered. His muggle wife was lovely and obviously pregnant. Draco told her that this baby would be the first non- pureblood born into the Bletchly family for two centuries. Apparently Miles was actually hoping for a non-magical child as he was enjoying living as a muggle. Hermione loved hearing the new attitudes that even pureblood Slytherins had taken after the war. She was thrilled with the changes in the wizarding world and proud to be a part of it.

Draco was attentive and flirtatious, nearly the perfect date. Hermione was definitely attracted to him and this caused her to be completely confused by the end of the evening as Draco walked her to her door. She stunned herself when she turned to him and grabbed his shirt. "Kiss me again Draco?"

Draco of course didn't hesitate, pulling her into his arms and moving his lips slowly over hers. It was when he whispered her name that she stepped back. Tears sprung to her eyes and she covered her face with her hands. "I'm sorry I can't do this!" she cried.

"Why not Hermione? Why not?" Draco asked, frustrated with the abrupt end of the kiss.

"You aren't him! Why did I have to fall in love with him? Why did he have to save me from that troll? Why was he always so brave and loyal?" She was ranting now as she unlocked her door and threw her coat over the chair. Draco, unsure whether he should follow her or not, closed the door and followed her into the kitchen, still listening to her arguing with herself. "What was so good about Cho anyway? Sure she is beautiful and smart but she was such a whiner back in school. Ginny's gorgeous and everything but she can be very selfish. What does he see in her? Why was he never interested in me Draco? Why?" She sobbed the last word and slid down onto the kitchen floor.

Draco sat down across from her after grabbing the box of tissues from her table. She took the one he offered and noisily blew her nose.

"So, it's Potter then? He's the man you love, the one you've been avoiding?" Draco saw her slight nod as she looked at him in horror. "I'm guessing you didn't want to tell me this?" Again, her head moved slightly telling him that no, this was not a secret she planned on spilling to him of all people. Draco sighed and leaned back against the cabinet. Once again he was coming second to Harry bloody Potter. He was not thrilled with this new development. He was hoping that it would be someone simple, like one of the Weasleys or some poor Hufflepuff. He couldn't compete with the Boy Who Kept on Living. He didn't even want to try.

"Ok Hermione. I've got something to say and you need to hear it. Obviously, you have a history with Potter that is going to prevent anyone from taking his place in your heart. I'm not stupid, I get that. I'd love to go out with you again, I'd love to try dating you but I think you need to figure out if Potter is truly the man for you before we go further. You need to kiss him, get it out of your system and see how he feels. Don't keep him in the dark about this because I've heard rumors he isn't that thrilled with Ginny lately. You might have a shot, but unless you take that chance you'll never know. Kiss him the next time you see him, don't run away and fight it. If he doesn't love you back, you'll know and can move on. I wouldn't mind it if you moved on with me, but you've got to start living your life one way or another. If you really love him you owe it to him to give him a chance as well." Draco stood up and helped a stunned Hermione to her feet. "Now, I'm going to say goodnight but I'd like to ask you one more thing. If things don't go well with Harry, I would be honored if I could escort you to the ball."

Hermione stood for a moment, still shocked by everything that had happened that night. She'd gone from a lovely dinner, to a really good kiss, to an angry rant, to tearful embarrassment and was now being asked to the ball. She needed a drink. Shaking herself back into awareness, she leaned into Draco and gave him a hug. "Thank you. Thank you for understanding and telling me what I needed to hear. I would love to go with you to the ball Draco." She pulled back and gave him a weak smile.

"I'll plan on picking you up the night of the ball unless I hear from you. If Potty Potter comes through, just send me an owl, no hard feelings. I am after all Draco Malfoy, I can easily find a date." He gave her another hug, his trademark smirk and was out the door. Hermione sat back down on the floor and reached for the bottle of firewhiskey she hid behind her waffle maker. Draco was right of course, she needed to get it over with. She needed to face her fears and find out once and for all if she was ever going to have a chance with Harry. She'd do it. She'd kiss him as soon as he was back from New York and then move on. She took another swig from the liquor bottle before hauling herself up and heading for bed. She was confident now, she knew what she had to do.

()()()()()()()()()

Ginny knew what she had to do as well. She needed to keep Harry away from Hermione at any cost. She had long wondered if her best friend felt more than friendship for Harry but she convinced herself that was just silly. They were like siblings. Sure they were affectionate, but never inappropriate. She had heard the whole conversation that Hermione had with George. She was hidden under a disillusionment charm and with the help of a silencing charm, she had climbed a nearby tree. Add some extendable ears and she heard every word. She wasn't angry at Hermione. How could she be? Hermione had basically said that she'd never made a move on Harry because of Ginny. What bothered her most was George's question. How was Hermione sure that Harry didn't feel the same way. What if he did?

She didn't want to face the idea that maybe, just maybe, Harry didn't really love her. She couldn't let him go. She had built her whole future on him. She wasn't about to start over with someone new now. She'd spent too many years waiting for Harry to propose and she knew he was getting close. He'd better be. She wanted a ring on her finger before her next birthday or there would be hell to pay. She needed to make sure that Harry would come straight to her and then she'd keep him busy, maybe even too busy to go to the ball. She could fake an illness and keep him home with her. She didn't need to wear that fabulous dress. She'd make sure Hermione's lips never touched his. Once the potion wore off, everything would go back to normal.

()()()()()()()()()()

Harry knew what he had to do too. He had to pack his bags and head home. New York was an amazing opportunity for him to get away from the daily routine but he knew he couldn't stay and run away from his problems. He missed his home, his friends, and even his job. He should have gone home three days ago. His assignment was over but he had the time off to prepare for the ball anyway so he decided to play tourist a few more days. He felt bad about leaving Hermione to do all the work but she assured him that he shouldn't worry and to take his time. It was Ginny who didn't like that he was delayed. She threw a fit about him not coming home until the day of the ball. He assumed that she was worried he wouldn't have time to make himself presentable but he was a wizard after all. A few spells and he'd look fine. He was going to surprise her by coming home now though. It was the day before the ball and before he saw Ginny, he had something important to do. He'd made a decision about his future and he had to take care of one thing before going to her flat. He also had a bit of last minute shopping to do.

()()()()()()()()()()()

Hermione spent the day before the ball getting the banquet room at the ministry ready. The room looked like it came direct from a fantasy. She, Neville, Katie, and Angelina had worked all day to get it perfect. It was gorgeous and she knew all her hard work would be worth it. It was certainly made for fairy tales. She only had to send a few owls in the morning and then she had all day to get ready for the ball. She felt great satisfaction in her hard work.

As she walked the few blocks to her house, enjoying the warm evening, she thought back to her conversation with Draco the night before. She had gone to bed resolved to face Harry but sometime during the night her mind changed and she found herself imagining different avoidance tactics all day. She even went so far as to look into a temporary blindness charm so she wouldn't see anyone at the ball. If it weren't for worrying about walking in her heels without her eyesight, she might have considered it. She knew that kissing Harry was the last thing that could happen. She didn't care what Draco said, Harry would be happier not knowing how she felt.

As she walked to her door she was alerted that her wards had been breached. It was a friendly breach and she figured it was probably Ron looking for food. She was already in the entryway before she felt the nausea and the sweating. She turned in her place and looked directly into the eyes of the one person she was hoping to avoid.

"Harry!"