Disclaimer; Still after all this time I don't own it. And the Lyrics belong to Kelly Clarkson

A/N Finally finished!!! I would have updated days ago but the upload wasn't working on Fanfiction. So here it is, the final chapter. I may write an epilouge, but for now I'm going to finish the next chapter of 'Beautiful' and try to finish it up soon so i can take a break and write some new stories that will update more quickly. This chapter has some very ooc moments so be forewarned. Happy reading and don't forget to review! I'd like to break the 1000 review mark!

The Ball part two

In another part of the castle the boys waited, but not patiently.

"Bloody hell, how long does it take for them to get ready?" Ron sighed. He was dressed in an aqua colored tropical shirt, tan pants and flip flops. Hermione and Draco had made the ball a more casual tropical summer party.

"It takes as long as it takes." Harry said looking at his watch. He had opted for a white cotton button up and a bit darker tan pants with dress shoes.

Draco was pacing the floor, fiddling with something in his pocket. He wanted this night to go perfectly. His heart beat out of his chest. He was wearing a pale blue shirt with a white Hawaiian print and white pants, fine Italian leather sandals finished the look. He checked his watch again.

"It's nearly seven thirty. What could be keeping them?" he asked the others.

Blaise, who was the only cool, collected one answered.

"You know girls. Why don't we wait in near the staircase for them, that way we can go right outside to the party afterwards?"

Blaise chose a similar white cotton shirt to Harry's, but he wore khaki pants and sandals with it.

The other boys agreed and they headed from the room they waited in towards the grand staircase.

The other students were also gathered there, waiting for Dumbledore to open the doors that lead to the grounds where the party would take place.

Draco began to pace again. Blaise leaned on the staircase pole Harry and Ron looked to the top of the staircase every time someone began to descend. After only a few minutes of waiting the girls appeared. Four young men held their breath as four beautiful young women walked down.

Ron's mouth suddenly became very dry as he watched Pansy approach him. He had never seen her look as lovely as she did at that moment. Harry's breathing momentarily stopped when he caught sight of Ginny. Blaise smiled at Lavender who was the vision of perfection in her pale yellow dress. And then there was Hermione. Draco stopped pacing when he saw her walking down the steps. His heart was beating so loudly that he couldn't hear anyone around him. He couldn't swallow, he couldn't breath. He reached in his pocket and fidgeted with the item again before taking a deep breath and swallowing hard.

"Hermione…" he managed to get out of his mouth.

"Draco." she replied smiling. "You certainly look festive."

"The lady at Gladrags said it was appropriate. She said muggles sometimes wear them to summer parties." he said.

"Indeed they do." she grinned. "Thank you for the dress and jewelry. You didn't have to do that you know."

"I know." he grinned back. "But I wanted to."

"Shall we my lady?" Blaise asked Lavender holding his arm out for her to take it.

"Yes, lets." she replied grabbing hold of her incredibly handsome man and heading for where the crowd was starting to gather. Dumbledore was standing in front of the great doors that lead to the Hogwarts grounds.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, behind these doors is the plans of two outstanding young people set into motion. They planned this event, I merely made it happen. So please let's hear it for your head boy and girl. Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger!" Dumbledore said enthusiastically.

Draco took Hermione by the hand and led her to the step in front of the doors.

"Thank you professor. This has been an incredible year for us. Every single student here has made achievements and strides that have no doubt helped this school unify. I see couples and friends out in the crowd that would have never happened last year, or any year since we arrived here seven long years ago. So as we prepare to leave this school I am grateful for these new friendships. And for my old ones. And I hope everyone can enjoy themselves this evening. All the professors have gone through a lot of time and trouble to make this party to my exact specifications. I hope it's all you dreamed it would be. And now if professor Dumbledore will do the honors…"

Dumbledore stepped in front of the doors and waved his wand. They swung open and the crowd gasped.

"Class of 1998, your graduation ball." Hermione finished as she stepped aside and let the others enter the enchanted wonderland her and Draco had worked so hard on the past month. Fifteen or so tables that held 10 chairs each were set on the right side. Each table was covered with a white tablecloth and covered with another table cloth over it in bright colors. Aqua, yellow, magenta, pink, lime green, sky blue, grass green, purple, orange and melon colored cloths were scattered everywhere. Each table had what looked like a crystal ball but was actually a lamp that gave off a soft light. Other lights were scattered in the numerous bushes and trees. Live fairies flitted about as the students quickly found tables to sit at. A large wooden dance floor and stage was constructed on the left of the tables. Paths to private areas and gazebos went off in every direction. The sun was just setting casting a pinkish glow over everything. Huge bouquets of summer flowers and plants were placed in vases everywhere. Summer smells of roses and jasmine filled the thick warm air. Live palm trees had been brought in from foreign warmer climates. Fireflies had just started to appear in the warm night air.

"It's just lovely!" Hermione heard a Hufflepuff girl sigh. Others poured out into the large, but comfortably cozy areas. Hermione picked a table near a large palm tree. It had a melon colored tablecloth. Ten chairs surrounded the area.

"I said it was ok for Luna and Neville to join us." Hermione suddenly remembered. Just then she spotted the two.

"Over here!" she called out. Luna was holding Neville's arm and he looked prouder than he ever had. Luna's short pink sparkly dress shimmered as she walked. Neville was wearing a light tan button up shirt and white pants with sandals. His hair casually fell around his round face. He looked happy.

"You two look so cute together!" Ginny said giving Neville and Luna a big hug. "Sit down please!"

"Thanks Ginny." Luna said as Neville pulled out her seat for her. "This is the most beautiful party I have ever seen."

"Awww…thank you Luna." Draco said pretending to blush. "You know I did all the planning."

Hermione smacked his arm before she laughed.

"What he actually did was whenever I suggested something he would say 'whatever you think is best.'. That was what he planned." Hermione said.

"What could be more help than agreeing with everything you said?" Draco asked. "Look how good it turned out!"

"True…I guess you did help." she said kissing him on the cheek.

"Who would have thought we would ever see that?" Ron asked. "Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy, not only getting along, but kissing. Bloody hell!"

Pansy leaned over and kissed him as well.

"I never thought I would see that either, Ron and Pansy. The world's gone mad." Blaise laughed heartily.

Pansy swatted him across the table with her small handbag.

"It's not only us." Pansy said "Look around at the other couples."

And it was true. Inter-house couples were plentiful on the green lawn.

"I think it's sweet." Luna said in her usual dreamy voice. "Much more peaceful."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Anyone care for a drink?" Blaise asked the table.

"Sure." Hermione said.

All the boys including Neville stood up and walked towards the incredible ice sculpture that was filled with punch. They returned with glasses of ice cold fruit punch.

Blaise reached over and plucked a sprig of jasmine from a bush and handed it to Lavender as he kissed her hand.

"Show off." Draco said when all the other girls looked at their dates expectantly.

"Sorry mate, it's just the Italian in me." he smirked. Lavender looked absolutely mesmerized by him.

Just then Dumbledore took to the stage and used his wand to amplify his voice.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Please find a seat so that we may begin."

Students scrambled to find tables. Then all was quiet.

"Thank you. Students and staff welcome to your graduation ball. In a few moments we will start with the awards ceremony. Head boy Draco Malfoy and Head girl Hermione Granger will do the honors of presenting the first ever 'Hogwarts awards'. So without further ado, please give them a hand."

Applause reined through the silent summer air. Draco and Hermione looked at each other, smiled and stood to take to the stage. Draco grabbed her hand sweetly as they climbed the three steps up to the podium. Both of them used the 'sonorous' charm to amplify their voices so that the large crowd could hear.

"Thank you again professor. Well the year is nearly at an end. We graduate tomorrow and some of us will go off to jobs or on to further education. Whatever waits for us all I hope that when you look back on this night you will remember everyone fondly. We counted the votes last week and have kept the results in Professor Dumbledore's office so there would be no tampering. So Draco if you will hand me the envelopes we can get this party started!"

Draco handed her 25 envelopes before waving his wand and making a table of small golden statues appear.

"So my dear," Draco started. "Which one should we read first?" he said jokingly.

"Let's see, how about this one?" she replied randomly picking an envelope from the middle of the stack. "Our first award is for Most likely to have fun." she slowly opened the envelope "and the award goes to… Su Li of Ravenclaw!"

More applause as the quiet but fun Ravenclaw walked meekly to the stage and accepted her award.

"The next award is…" Draco started "Most Dependable."

"Terry Boot of Ravenclaw!" Hermione said happily. The dark haired boy walked onstage and shook Hermione's hand and Draco's before taking his small trophy.

"The award for most friendly goes to Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff." Hermione said.

"Best dressed is a tie… the Patil sisters. Pavarti of Gryffindor and Padma of Ravenclaw

The girls smiled and walked onstage in their matching dresses and accepted their awards.

"Best personality goes to Seamus Finnigan of Gryffindor!" Hermione reported. Seamus blushed and accepted his award loudly whistling and clapping for himself.

"Most school spirit goes to three girls. Mandy Brocklehurst, Morag McDougal and Lisa Turpin, all of Ravenclaw!"

The three best friends rushed up on stage and accepted their awards, shamelessly flirting with Draco as they did. Hermione shooed them offstage before reading the next one.

"The next award is for potions geek. And that award goes to Theodore Nott of Slytherin."

The serious looking Nott stood up, not at all amused by the crack on his potions skills. He took his award and sulked offstage.

"The next award is for Most talented." Draco said "and that goes to…Dean Thomas of Gryffindor for his drawing ability!"

Dean stood up and bowed as the applause roared. He accepted his award and bowed again before taking his seat next to his date Lillith Moon.

"Next is the award for Most Bashful. And that goes to Hannah Abbott of Hufflepuff!" she said. The blonde girl stood up shyly, ran onstage, grabbed her statue and ran back down, blushing the whole way.

"Next is the award for Best all around Quidditch player…and my name better be in this envelope everyone…" he joked. "Alas, it's not. The award goes to Harry Potter of Gryffindor."

Thunderous applause roared as Harry walked onstage. Chants of 'Harry, Harry, Harry!" could be heard though the noise. He took his award, smiled and waved before sitting back down.

"Well…I'm not continuing." Draco joked. "Potter better at Quidditch….that's a laugh." he smiled over at Harry.

"Okay then I'll read the next one. Longest friendship. That award goes to…oh goodness. Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and me all of Gryffindor!" she said shocked. Harry and Ron ran onto the stage and picked up Hermione between them. They both took their awards and Hermione set hers off to the side.

"My goodness, you had better read the next one." she said blushing deeply.

"Ok, here's a good one. Most spoiled. And no surprise here. The award goes to Pansy Parkinson of Slytherin."

Pansy's mouth dropped open before she walked onto the stage. Clearly she did not think she was spoiled. Hermione hugged her and handed her the tiny statue.

"Next," Hermione started "is Teacher's pet and Teacher's pest. The award for Teacher's pet goes to…oh my gods…" she started to laugh.

"Let me guess, you again?" he laughed.

"No you!" she said. "The award goes to Draco Malfoy of Slytherin!" she laughed hysterically.

"Hey…" Draco said. "I'm no teacher's pet!"

Hermione coughed and it sounded something like 'Snape'.

Draco grabbed the statue and put it next to Hermione's.

"And Teacher's pest goes to two individuals. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle both of Slytherin!"

Crabbe and Goyle, both dateless, lumbered onto the stage and took their awards. A few random claps echoed in the silence.

"The next award is for Biggest Flirt." Hermione said. "And this one had better not be you." she warned.

"Lavender Brown of Gryffindor!" Hermione chimed.

Lavender giggled and stood up. The male population of Hogwarts took notice. Her barely there yellow sundress left them panting. Blaise yelled out.

"And she's all mine gentlemen!"

Lavender giggled again as she walked back to him and planted a big kiss on his lips.

"The next award is for Best smile…" Draco smiled widely and pointed to his white, even teeth.

"Sorry, that award is going to Blaise Zabini of Slytherin." Hermione said clapping. Blaise stood up and bowed, waved and blew kisses at the crowd.

"Whatever he paid you to vote for him, I'll double it." Draco said as his friend stood on the stage hamming it up.

"Jealousy is an ugly thing mate." Blaise said kissing Draco squarely on the cheek.

Finally Hermione pushed him off, still waving and blowing kisses.

"The next award is for Drama Queen. And that goes to Daphne Greengrass of Slytherin!" Draco said. The petite brunette stood up and took her award.

"Gee I wonder who will win this one?" Draco joked showing the envelope to Hermione. She shrugged. "The award for Overachiever goes to…big surprise Hermione Granger of Gryffindor!"

Hermione's mouth fell into a big 'O' as she took another trophy and set it with her first one. Her face blushed deeply again.

"I'll take the next one Mister Malfoy." she said jesting him. "The next one is for Bad boy and Bad girl. Those go to Blaise Zabini and Millicent Bullstrode, both of Slytherin!" Blaise stood up again taking the stage over again, while Millicent, who was seriously misunderstood according to Pansy, walked shyly up next to Blaise and took her trophy.

"Well, what's left? Oh, let me do this one. Class Clown. This will definitely be me. And the award goes to…Ronald Weasley? Ron stood up and Pansy clapped harder than anyone. He took his trophy among the roaring applause.

"Well that does it. I am way funnier than he is." Draco pouted.

"There there, it'll be okay. I'll take the next one. Most Likely to Succeed."

Draco stood up straight and readied himself to take this award.

"The award goes to…Justin Finch-Fletchley of Hufflepuff!"

Justin stood up and walked confidently over to Hermione and Draco and shook both of their hands firmly. Hermione handed him his trophy.

"Cutest couple is next." Draco said "And the award goes to…Hermione Granger of Gryffindor and me of Slytherin!" he read happily.

Hundreds of glasses clinked so Draco leaned over and kissed Hermione deeply in front of the whole school. Catcalls and whistles filled the air above the applause. Draco raised their trophies above their heads as Hermione blushed furiously.

"Well, then…okay, next award…sorry…" Hermione said flustered. "Next one is for…uh Rebel. And that award goes to Quinn Rivers of Slytherin." she stammered. The redheaded Slytherin stood up and collected her award.

"The next one is for Class klutz, and that goes to…Neville Longbottom of Gryffindor!" Draco said smiling for once at the accident prone Neville. He stood up and took the award quickly so he could return to the table.

"And the final award and by far the most important…" Hermione said mockingly "Is the award for most attractive."
Draco straightened up again and smiled.

"And that award goes to…"
Hermione gave a long pause for dramatic effect.

"Draco Malfoy of Slytherin!" she said excitedly. She dropped the envelope and clapped hard as the humble…or not so humble Slytherin bowed over and over again.

"Oh get over it." Hermione said sarcastically as Draco blew kisses to the crowd.

"Ok, that's the last award. And that's a good thing because I think my dates head is about to float away. And now dinner is served!"

Just as Hermione said that the plates in front of the students filled with food. Hermione and Draco grabbed their trophies and left the stage so that they could eat with their classmates. They ate and chatted while the band set up on the stage. Hermione had found this local band in Hogsmeade to perform. They were young and played both wizard and muggle music. When dinner was finished the plates disappeared leaving new plates filled with different desserts. And when that was finally finished the band began to play. The sun was completely gone now leaving only a hint of pink in the horizon of the sky. The first few songs were fast and most of the students were dancing like crazy. It was their last night at Hogwarts and they planned to make the most of it. The students went wild when they played one of the newest hits 'Save a broom, ride a Quidditch player'. Then finally a slow song came on and all of the lights dimmed. Hermione didn't recognize it, but Draco requested it. It was a from a wizard group adapted from a muggle song. The female singer took to the front of the stage and the music started to play. He led Hermione to the dance floor and held her body close to his as the group started to sing.

What if I told you that it was all meant to be,

Would you believe me?

Would you agree?

It's almost that feelin'

We've met before

So tell me that you don't think I'm crazy

When I tell you love has come here now

A moment like this

Some people wait a lifetime

For a moment like this

Some people search forever

For that one special kiss

Ohh, I can't believe it's happening to me

Some people wait a lifetime

For a moment like this

Hermione laid her head on Draco's chest and felt the steady beating of his heart. School and tests were through. Her whole life was ahead of her. And she was dancing with the man she loved.

Everything changes

But beauty remains

Something so tender

I can't explain

Well I may be dreamin'

But until I awake

Can we make this dream last forever?

And I'll cherish all the love we share

A moment like this

Some people wait a lifetime

For a moment like this

Some people search forever

For that one special kiss

Ohh, I can't believe it's happening to me

Some people wait a lifetime

For a moment like this…

Could this be the greatest love of all?

I wanna know that you will catch me when I fall

So let me tell you this

Some people wait a lifetime

For a moment like this…

The music died down and everyone clapped, well mostly everyone. Draco and Hermione were lost in a mind-blowing kiss. Blaise was wrapped around Lavender and Ron was down on one knee in front of Pansy with a ring in his hand. When someone gasped Draco stopped kissing Hermione and looked over. Someone whistled at the couple.

"Will you Pansy? Marry me?" he asked nervously. First she cried. Then she laughed. Then she said yes and kissed him madly all over his face. Ginny looked both happy for them and also a bit appalled at having Pansy as a sister-in-law.

Pansy was absolutely thrilled at the idea of calling Ron her 'fiancé' .She walked around to the other girls showing off her ring. The band played some more songs, and everyone seemed to wish the night would never end. Halfway through another slow song more gasps and whistles interrupted the song. Blaise was proposing to Lavender. Tears were flowing down her face as she happily nodded, too emotional for words. Draco took a deep breath and the song ended. He led Hermione back on stage as the band took a break.

Using the sonorous charm again he took to the front of the stage, holding Hermione's hand tightly. His palms were sweating.

"Thank you to the Hobgoblins for the music. They are taking a quick break and I just wanted to make some announcements. In case you didn't hear Blaise Zabini just asked Lavender Brown to marry him and she said yes…don't know what she was thinking." he laughed. "And earlier Ron Weasley asked Pansy Parkinson the same question and she agreed as well. So it seems this really is a magical night. So why stop there?"

Draco was sure no one heard a word he said over the loud beating of his heart. He took another deep breathe and knelt down on the stage in front of Hermione, who for once was speechless.

"Hermione Jane Granger, would you marry me?" he pulled a platinum and diamond ring out of his pocket and presented it to her, waiting to hear her reply.

Hermione put her hand to her chin and pretended to think. She stuck out her hand and replied

"Deal!"

The End