Disclaimer: unfortunately, none of this stuff is mine!

A/N: Thank you to those who reviewed! Those few extra reviews made my day – and I'll most definitely do my best to keep writing. And I'm so happy that you all liked the last chapter.

LadiePhoenix007 – I'm glad you liked the sibling banter! I'm planning a chapter where there's a reunion with the Weasley bunch in the future – hopefully it'll be full of family goodness.

thatharrypottergeekychick16 – Don't worry, there'll definitely be some Draco vs. Ron moments.

Grovek26 – I actually laughed at the way you described Draco 'peeing round Hermione'. It's exactly what I was going for! And I'm glad you like the way I've written present-day Ginny – I've always imagined her as a ball of energy.

Thank you also to LadyBug5859, Kermit 304, dutch potterfan and smileyk.

Chapter VIII

Professor McGonagall was desperately trying to hide her smile as she overheard Hermione chastising Draco for upsetting her friends. The pair were getting on fabulously much to her surprise but then again, Dumbledore had told her to expect it – she should have known better than to doubt him. Coming to a stop in front of the large gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office, she muttered the password with mild embarrassment. "Curly-wurly".

Draco and Hermione made their way up the spiral staircase behind the poised professor and into the expansive circular office. The Headmaster was seated behind his desk, waiting somewhat patiently for their arrival, quietly chatting with Snape. He welcomed them into the room, his face echoing the seriousness of the conversation to come.

"Good evening Mr and Mrs Malfoy. I know that you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow with the commencement of classes, but there is something of the utmost importance we must talk about. I am sure that, since your wedding, the pair of you have experienced the heightening of your emotional connection." Draco sat silently, paying strict attention to the older man, whilst Hermione nodded fervently in response.

"I regret having to burden you both yet again but it is of the utmost importance that you begin to master your physical powers and using your connection to enhance your skills for combat. I know you will both be busy with your school work and duties as Head Boy and Girl but Professors Snape and McGonagall will hold weekly sessions with you both in order to train. You will focus on Occlumency, performing wandless magic, harnessing your ability to fight as partners and trying to tap into the powers that come as the Golden Disciples. Any questions?"

The first week of the school term flew by as the students of Hogwarts readjusted themselves to their work. Hermione and Draco found themselves spending less time together, trying to juggle their conflicting class schedules, responsibilities as school leaders and simply catching up with their friends. Whenever they had been able to steal a moment together, they were interrupted by something that needed to be done or someone seeking them out.

And oddly enough, it was beginning to make them ache. Not ache in the way that lovesick teenagers ache for their lovers but a deep, raw ache in the pits of their stomachs. It felt as if their organs had been battered and bruised and only just beginning to heal. It wasn't an ache of want but of need.

The pair had been awfully puzzled by it, but the moment they were together, any remnants of the pain ebbed away and they were filled with an overwhelming sense of peace.

Even now as Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, that bloody niggling discomfort was simmering inside of her. Her fork was lazily clasping in her hand as she stabbed aimlessly at her plate. Both she and Draco had passed the last few meals in this way, their aching stomachs rebuking the taste of food. She stole a glance across the hall, a feeling of warmth bubbling through her body as his steel grey eyes met hers.

"Everything okay, Mione?" Harry was studying her with concerned eyes. It had not gone unnoticed that Hermione had barely eaten in the past few days and had become increasingly sullen.

She flashed him a reassuring smile. "Of course, Harry. I think I'm just a little overwhelmed right now."

Harry nodded sympathetically. Hermione had been adamantly avoiding the topic of her parents' deaths; he had noticed the uncharacteristic storm behind her eyes and for once, he understood the torment she was feeling. It was something that Ron and Ginny would never understand; their parents were alive and well and with the horde of siblings they had, they would never be truly alone. But he and Hermione, well they were orphans…with no true family.

He was shaken out of his thoughts as a hush fell over the vast room. Dumbledore had risen from his seat and was patiently waiting for the students' attention.

"I hope you have all enjoyed a delicious dinner as I have." He began, his infamous smile adorning his face. "Our delightful Deputy Head Boy and Girl came to me with a rather fantastic idea. There will be a Commencement Ball to embrace the start of a new year. Unfortunately for our younger students, the ball will be for those in fifth year and above as per school regulations. There shall be more details to come!"

The hall exploded into excited roars and uninhibited whispers. "Oh my gosh, Mione! This is so exciting!" Ginny was clutching at her arm, a deep blush erupting through her cheeks as her eyes met Harry's.

Hermione couldn't help but grin at the girl's enthusiasm; Ginny had always had an infectiously cheerful personality. And it would be wonderful to have something carefree to look forward to, especially with all the pressure that was on Draco and her this year.

Draco.

She glanced back over to the table underneath the green and silver banner and was rewarded with a subtle wink that sent butterflies coursing through her body. Would she even be able to go with him? Merlin, she needed to talk to Sabrina.

Anthony and Sabrina were pretty damn pleased with themselves. The past few weeks had been tremendously trying on the newlywed couple with an abundance of challenges and tasks. The pair really did deserve a light-hearted evening and of course, they were going to ensure that the couple would attend together. Dumbledore had wholeheartedly agreed that the Head students would be 'obliged' to attend together in the spirit of school unity and inter-house harmony, and that he would eagerly support them if anyone questioned it.

It was set to be on the Saturday evening in exactly two weeks and it was going to be a magical evening. Having been granted access to Hogsmeade for the weekend, Sabrina and Ginny had dragged Hermione along with them to prepare for the upcoming ball.

Entering Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, they were pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't quite as crowded as they had expected, having managed to avoid the rush of students earlier that morning. They could only hope that there would still be some decent robes for them to browse.

Hermione couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips, earning scowls of annoyance from her companions. It was well known that Hermione wasn't your typically feminine girl and had never been one to get excited about shopping and such frivolous things. If anything, the past few weeks had only worsened this; she had far more important things to worry about than ensuring she had the most fashionable outfit for the ball.

"Oh, come on. Try to enjoy this for me?" Ginny pleaded, sending Hermione her most pleading look. The Weasley clan had always managed to get their way with a simple flash of their baby blue eyes.

The brunette girl sighed again, this time giving her friend a slight smile. "Oh alright. I suppose I can do that."

Ginny squealed excitedly, embracing Hermione in a quick hug before rushing over to where Sabrina was already engrossed in a rack of robes. Hermione found herself rather amused watching at the girls pored over the racks, their emotions ranging from delight to disgust and back again in mere seconds. Though she had never been one to spend her day in a store, she had to admit that it was fairly relaxing.

She strolled down the aisles, letting her fingers graze the soft fabric as she passed. Despite her trepidation, this would be the first year she would be attending a ball with someone she truly had feelings for, whatever those emotions may be. She honestly did want to look her best, but she wasn't quite sure that she was the right person to do so.

"What do you think?" She spun around and felt herself gasp as her eyes landed on her dear friend.

Ginny was standing in front of her in a deep blue strapless dress that clung to her shapely figure and pooled at her feet. The bustier had subtle gold embroidery that seemed to ignite a spark in her turquoise eyes. The girl had released her hair from the elastic that restrained it and her waved locks cascaded down her back.

Hermione felt ashamed as a pang of jealousy shot through her. Her friend had always been rather beautiful and puberty had allowed her to grow into a stunning woman. She was so slim and yet had curves in all the right places and seemed to always have an abundance of boys chasing her.

She swallowed her fleeting envy and smiled widely at her friend. "Merlin, Gin. You look positively gorgeous! You have to get it." She exclaimed, causing the redheaded girl to squeal with excitement as she turned back into the changing room.

"Hermione Granger. Please tell me you've found at least one dress that you like."

She turned around in time to see the exasperated expression on her new friend's face and had the decency to smile sheepishly at her. "Sorry. I'm hopeless at this!"

"Here. Try these." The Hufflepuff girl demanded, dumping a ridiculous amount of dressed into her arms, before pushing her into a change room.

What had to be at least a half hour later, Hermione was still trying on different outfits and was beginning to become rather disappointed in herself. Clearly she just wasn't as pretty at her two friends were.

Sabrina had managed to find a dress that was equally as stunning at Ginny's. The sleek maroon dress had capped sleeves and a rather low-cut front, clinging to her body until it reached her waist from where the fabric cascaded to the ground. It was so simple and yet the hazel-eyed girl looked like an eye-catching siren in it.

Feeling defeated, Hermione groaned as another bundle of dresses were tossed over the fitting room door. "Can we just give up already?" She asked, hopefully.

She was answered with a stern refusal. Selecting one of the new dresses, Hermione struggled into the dress, patting the fabric against her body. She begrudgingly opened the door again and was met by a pair of gasps.

"That's the one."

Ronald Weasley was pacing up and down the Gryffindor common room whilst Harry watched him with amusement. Ever since the announcement at dinner the other day, he had been a bumbling ball of nerves. Despite what Hermione believed, she had caught the eye of a handful of boys at Hogwarts, and he would be damned if he let one of them ask her before he did. After all, he was Ronald Bilius Weasley and she was Hermione Jean Granger – they were supposed to end up together.

He had been endlessly practicing his short speech to Hermione for the past hour, much to the dismay of a certain Lavender Brown. Ever since their 'fling' in their sixth year, she had begun to develop strong feelings for the boy who was quite oblivious to them.

"Hey Hermione. I know that we've been best friends for a while now, but it's not enough for me anymore." He recited. "I really like you, as more than friends, I have for a while now. And I was just wondering if you would do me the pleasure of being my date to the ball?" Much to his unawareness, Lavender stormed past him in a fit of fury.

He gulped visibly as the portrait swung open and Hermione and Ginny entered the Gryffindor common room. They were chatting about something or rather, probably some silly girly nonsense, and erupted in a fit of giggles, their arms overloaded with bags.

"Oh hey Ron, Harry!" His beloved crush exclaimed as she noticed them in the room. Her eyes were mixed with delight and exhaustion. "We've been in Hogsmeade all day shopping for the ball!" She explained, indicating towards the bags that were now pooled at their feet.

Ron felt his heart leap when she mentioned the ball – surely she was telling him that in the hopes that he would ask her, right? A wave of confidence ebbed over him as he moved to sit beside her and encased her hand within his.

Hermione's eyes widened, a surprised gasp escaping her lips. Ron felt his confidence grow further in the second before he opened his mouth and delivered his well-practiced spiel.

The brunette girl gulped visibly, quickly withdrawing her hand from his. Out of the corner of her eyes, Hermione saw Ginny shift awkwardly in her seat as she muttered a quite 'crap' under her breath.

"Oh…um…I…I'm sorry Ron. I'm already, uh…Dumbledore has asked Draco and I to go together for House Unity. . She whispered, averting her eyes from his shocked gaze as she continued on before she lost her confidence. "But…but I'm not just saying no because of that. I don't see you like that anymore. I'm sorry."

Her eyes seemed to bulge as Ron jumped up from the couch, his face flushing with anger. "Malfoy?! MALFOY?! You're going to go to the bloody ball with Malfoy instead of me?!" He exclaimed, his voice reaching a rather shrill tone as he attracted the attention of the rest of the occupants in the room.

"Ron, you're being unfair."

"Unfair?! You've got to be bloody joking, right? Unfair is me loving you for as long as I can remember and you rejecting me for freaking Malfoy!" He continued, knocking over a nearby vase with his wild hand gestures. The other three winced as the vase shattered.

Hermione grimaced as she stood up and tilted her head to meet his livid stare. "Ronald, this has nothing to do with Malfoy. I see you as a brother; I wouldn't have agreed to go with you even if I weren't going with Draco. It wouldn't be fair to lead you on like that." She was deeply hoping that her words would serve to somewhat sate him.

"A brother?! How am I a brother to you? I know you liked me last year – what the hell happened since then?" He ranted, leaning over her short stature in an attempt to intimidate her

Hermione shifted nervously under his gaze. "Ron…it's not something I can explain. I just don't see you like that anymore. I…I'm sorry." Harry and Ginny shared a nervous glance at the incredibly awkward situation grew.

Ron crossed him arms over his chest and eyed her suspiciously. "Is there someone else?" He questioned, his voice dropping to a dangerously low level. Hermione couldn't help but avert her gaze as she struggled to find the right words. Of course there was someone else – she was bloody married for Merlin's sake – but she couldn't really explain that to him, could she?

He let out an outraged snarl, narrowing his eyes at her. "Well, that's all the answer I needed."

Hermione felt her heart drop as Ron stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him. Ginny grimaced as the girl sunk back into the couch beside her and wrapped an arm around her. Harry winced as he stood up from his seat. "I'll calm him down."

Draco was sauntering down the corridor, rolling his eyes at the spectacle he had just witnessed. Blaise Zabini was renowned for his overly-flamboyant mannerisms and so, of course he had asked his dear girlfriend to the ball in what could only be described as a performance. And though Pansy Parkinson wasn't quite the frivolous girl that she used to be, she had been enthralled at the show he had delivered.

Despite it all, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. Hermione deserved a fanfare; and even if he did give her one, there would be no one to see it or show off to! He would make it up either way. Though it was yet to be announced, the students would be given the day to go to a special 'destination of choice' and he would make sure that he would give her a day to remember.

"Hannah! You'll never guess what just happened in the Gryffindor common room!" His curiosity piqued, Draco threw himself into a small alcove as two girls passed by.

"Ron Weasley asked Hermione to the ball and she said no!"

"Seriously?" He heard the second girl reply.

"Yeah! She said something about not feeling the same way and that she is going with Malfoy!" The first girl exclaimed, her voice squeaking with the excitement of delicious gossip.

"Malfoy? As in Draco Malfoy?!"

"Yes! THE Draco Malfoy!"

"Then what happened?!" The second girl squealed, her eyes sparking with curiosity.

"He completely lost it! Blew his lid and stormed out!"

Draco stopped following them at that moment; he had heard more than enough. A wide grin spreading across his face, he continued his slow stroll back to the Heads Commons. Today was a good day.

A/N: So I just realised that my page breaks to indicate a change of scenery haven't been working! So annoyed! I'll try to make sure they come up from now on. Please read and review!