A/n: Okay, this may seem like it's going nowhere and it's all random, and it definitely is!! Sorry I'm not a good writer, boohoo!! Deja vu, isn't it? But I'm not exactly on a writer's block, I'm already typing chap 16! In my perspective, it just seems lame!! The plot's so messed up, don't you think? And it all comes down to the same thing; Vivien is evil and she loves Draco, Draco is repenting and he facies Hermione and Hermione is too busy helping Harry save the world from Voldemort to notice Draco's feelings. Too messed up after HBP. It has a tragic ending, though(sorry for saying it doesn't) but satisfying on the romance part later on!! (especially chap 16, hehehehe!!) I was just wondering about your opinions! School's almost starting so I better finish this fast! Pls. keep on reviewing ! I love it when you do! For those others who weren't satisfied in the last chapter, well, I hope this one does!!

Chapter 15: Utter Remorse

November ended with Hermione and Draco getting top marks in their Defense against the Dark Arts project, they were very satisfied indeed. Anyway, after all the awkward confessions and taunts, things were finally back to normal between Hermione and Draco. The usual sneering in the corridors and dirty glances in classes were back once again, but a little part of them just can't help smiling at each other during those times when people were too busy to notice anything. Although they weren't exactly in love with each other (poor Professor Vivien, boohoo!!) the endless feud between them was over.

However, unaware as they were, Professor Vivien was once again, hatching a brilliant plan to get them together. Clearly, she wasn't the kind of person who gives up that easily.

"-as I was saying the other night of our meeting, Hermione, it would be better if your partners in the Christmas ball would be random, you know, to add a little extra fun."

"Um, professor, I hope you wouldn't take this the wrong way, but I think the Christmas ball is not exactly a very good idea. I mean, not that it isn't enjoyable or anything, it's just, we already did a grand and really luxurious ball last Halloween, don't you think another ball is rather too much?" Hermione reasoned out.

"Nonsense! That ball was ages ago, everybody would've forgotten all about it now. Besides, it's Christmas! Don't you think everybody deserves a little fun before the holidays?" Professor Vivien stated incredulously.

"Well, it's not that, actually, it's just, the prefects can't really focus that much on their studies." Hermione rationalized. "I mean, with their O.W.L.'s and our N.E.W.T.'s coming up we're-,"

"Oh, I'm sure you'll have plenty of time during your holiday break." Professor Vivien insisted. "Don't you think you need a little fun every now and then before facing Him?"

Hermione looked down at her hands. She's been training for months now, she's learned quite a lot. Things normal Gryffindors don't even dream of knowing. She's gone beyond the art of combat, for she not only has knowledge, but also power.

"Do you think, we're, I'm, ready for him?" Hermione asked skeptically.

"Not yet." Professor Vivien replied seriously. "But I believe you will be."

"What about Harry? Do you think he's ready?"

"He's more than ready. He has the power to destroy the Dark Lord, and he can, with the right maneuvers and the right friends." She answered, smiling cheerfully at Hermione.

"Thanks, professor. I owe you a lot!" Hermione said appreciatively.

"And you can repay me by granting my Christmas ball request!!" Hermione laughed at her sudden switch of character.

"Okay, so that's how you convince people to do your bidding!" Hermione muttered between her giggles.

"Well, I was the one who persuaded Minerva to permit the Halloween dance wasn't I?"

"You were!?" Hermione gasped disbelievingly.

"Er…I didn't mean to let that slip to anyone. But I trust that you wouldn't blab that to your friends, would you, Hermione?"


Draco looked up at the ceiling of his four poster bed. The Christmas holidays were coming to a close. He wasn't really that psyched up like everyone else. He didn't have anywhere or anyone, for that matter, to go home to. His sister was staying, so he was too. Another thing that bothered him was the up-coming Christmas ball (which he was a 100 sure his sister was the one behind of). He didn't know what troubled him about it, it was just another stupid party his sister hatched up, but the memory of the last ball still lurched in his stomach.

"Stupid woman never knows when to quit!" he said to himself angrily. "Why can't she just mind her own business?"

"What the bloody hell are you ranting about Malfoy?" Blaise Zabini shouted from across the room. Since last month, the Slytherins were somehow speaking to him again, but rather coldly, he might note.

"Nothing you'd be interested in, Zabini." Draco retorted.

"Well, keep it down then! People are trying to sleep you know!"

"Go ahead and get your beauty sleep, then! You bloody bas-,"


"Urgh!" Sean cried out exhaustedly one morning. "Hermione!! I don't know what I'm supposed to do! I can't think of anything for the ball! Help!!"

"You're the genius, you go figure it out!" Hermione cackled uncharacteristically.

"But I've nothing left! Nix! I gave my all in the last ball!" Sean pleaded pathetically.

"Okay, okay. I'll help you plan, again!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Yes! That's what I'm talking about! So what do you have in mind?" Sean inquired seeming suddenly motivated.

"Hmmm, I was wondering about an icy background with falling snow…"

"But that's how the Yule ball looked like three years ago!" Sean protested.

"Exactly! We'll just have to make some improvements!"

"Like what?" Sean questioned her curiously.

"I don't know, maybe an ice-skating rink for a dance floor and an ice king and queen nomination." Hermione declared feigning an uninterested expression.

"Wow! That's bloody brilliant! You really think of everything don't you? Anyway, I love the ice-skating part!!" Sean said, sounding amused.

"I knew you'd like that! I always enjoyed skating during holidays!" Hermione chuckled.

"What are we waiting for, then? Let's start planning this ball!"


"Oh Hermione! You plan balls so ferociously! Who knew you had this knack of making wonderful parties?" Ginny stated happily, a week before the Christmas ball.

"Oh, it's nothing really!" Hermione said, faking her modesty. "It's just a little think this and a little do that, and voila! You have your most-awaited bash!"

"You are simply the most amazing person I've met in my entire life!! It's a shame I still don't have a dress, though. Do you mind going with me to Hogsmeade this afternoon?"

"Ginny! You still have a couple of days before the ball! Why are you rushing things?" Ginny blushed a dark shade of scarlet, which complemented her hair.

"Well, I really want to look my best for, for Harry." She stuttered.

"So you guys are dating again." Hermione whispered, sounding thouroughly interested.

"No, it's nothing,like that. He just asked me to go with him to the dance, that's all." Ginny flushed more vividly. "But of course, you can't forget your past that easily."

"I get you, Gin. Sure I'll go with you to Hogsmeade. I think I'll look for a dress too." Hermione replied with a devilish grin.

Later that after noon, the two girls made their way to Hogsmeade to look for the perfect dress robes. Ron and Harry were too busy finishing the towering pile of homework they left out during the week, so they weren't able to come.

"So, where are we going to start looking?" Ginny asked rather eagerly.

"How about we go to Élégant et Chic? It's a new shop with robes imported right from France! I bet we'll find suitable dress robes for the party." Hermione requested.

"Sure! It sounds nice!"

The two proceeded to the shop and was fascinated by their gorgeous line of dress robes. Ginny rummaged through her purse and tapped Hermione on the back.

"Do you think we can afford this?" Ginny whispered in her ear.

"Let's find out." They went to the counter where a pretty black-haired woman was doing some paperwork.

"Excuse us, but we were just wondering-," Ginny started.

"Désolé, quel était celui?" the lady replied. Then Hermione cut it.

"Nous nous demandions si les robes longues sont sur le prix fort." Hermione spoke in a perfect French accent.

"Ah ! En fait, nous sommes en vente de vacances. Vous pouvez obtenir les robes longues sur demi de prix." The woman answered once again.

"Merci beaucoup, Madame." Hermione thanked her with a smile.

"Oooh, you speak ze French very vell, Mademoiselle."

"Wait, you speak in English?" Ginny demanded. "Then you needn't have spoken in French Hermione!"

Hermione chuckled at her mistake and they proceeded to fit the dresses they had in their arms. After an hour and a half, they finally met their match. Ginny chose a stunning midnight blue, knee-length gown. Hermione opted for a forget-me not-blue dress robe with a silky white material that was designed with snow flakes.

"You're really 'all out' with this party aren't you Hermione? You think of everything!" Ginny cried out.

"Not everything! I don't even have a date for the stupid bash."

"Oh. Ron's going with Luna again?"

"Yup!"

Sean?"

"Please I'd rather date a troll. And he already has one."

Ginny looked at Hermione with utter horror, she looked really sad about the idea of Hermione not having a date for the ball.

"But you can't go to the ball without a date, with you looking really gorgeous!" Ginny cried out hysterically.

"It's okay. I can handle it. Besides, I'm supposed to patrol around for any mishaps, and that would be much easier without a date." Hermione reassured her.

"You're sure?" Ginny asked once more.

"Positive." Hermione had a finite tone in her voice, so Ginny decided to drop it. They purchased the dress robes and left the shop.