A/N WELL GUYS IM BACK! a long chapter to make up for missed time. for the people who have missed me imaginary galaxy chocolate shall be given!!

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HALLOWEEN

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The Great hall had been transformed into a dark room only illuminated by thousands of floating candles above them and placed on the tables which had also been decorated with cobwebs and the usual golden dinner wear. The school choir were singing their annual verses of 'bubble bubble toil and trouble' while the students of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry whispered to their friends in amazement and took their seats. All eyes were on Dumbledore whom was standing in front of the teachers table with a familiar twinkle in his eyes and a warm smile on his lips.

"Another year at Hogwarts, and another time in which we celebrate Halloween," he boomed. "Luckily. Hopefully, the prefects have learnt how to dance," he winked at a few older students "However it goes, I'm sure tonight will be very amusing and I hope you enjoy the feast as much as I'm about to." he said and the second he took his seat the food appeared and the great hall erupted with claps as students then began to eat and chat happily.

"Hey Nick!" Harry called seeing the Gryffindor house ghost float by with a dismal look on his face.

Nick turned sharply with an angry expression until he noticed it was Harry and he popped his head up through the table moments later. "You called." He sighed.

"What you so upset about?" Hermione said after she swallowed her mouthful of roast chicken.

"Cant you guess?" Ron rolled his eyes "He has that look every year."

"No need to be mean Ron." Harry said glancing at the ghost "It must be horrible to be excluded,"

"If this is what were taking about…then why not just cut your head off…" Hermione suggested.

Nick was gazing at the food "Two hundred and forty years my application to join the headless hunt had been denied." he sighed.

"Cheer up Nick," Harry said trying to cheer him up "There's always next year, you never know…by then you might just be headless. Enjoy the time you have while you still have your head."

Nick only nodded then floated away.

"So," Ron said turning to Hermione "You nervous?"

The Gryffindor only smiled "Not really, I don't want to do it but I'm not scared,"

"Well I'm glad your not, but I am, she's most definitely related to Satan," Ron said glancing over at Pansy, Harry and Hermione couldn't help but laugh.

"What did McGonnagal say?" Harry asked suddenly remembering.

Hermione smiled "She let me off, said it wasn't like me at all and not to do it again,"

The feast had ended two hours later and the shuffling of shoes began as students hurried to get into their scary costumes. Hermione had finally settled on a long black dress with wispy sleeves and little red glittery spiders dotted down her middle. It had taken some time to cast the spells but she knew that it was worth it. Just because she had to dance with Malfoy didn't mean she couldn't look nice. Screams echoed down the corridors as peeves came whizzing down, several balloons held in his hand which he was throwing at any random student and appeared to contain bright green goo. Hermione, who was too busy glaring at Malfoy as he swooped past, didn't see that the substance happened to be all over her shoes.

"Heads up!" Peeves yelled in a teasing manner as he swung his arm back and cackled with laughter as a loud splat was heard and everyone stopped to look at the green haired, sticky mess of a Malfoy whom was seething with anger. Everyone held their breath waiting for the Slytherins reaction, whether it was a jinx or a curse it wasn't likely to be nice. Peeves on the other hand only shook his head and threw yet another balloon at the boy below him, obviously thinking this was fun. If possible Malfoy's cheeks turned a deeper crimson red and he was about to grab his wand when a clear howl of laughter echoed off the walls. The sight had caused her to double over with laughter and she was now on the floor clutching her sides while she gasped for air. The crowd of people had turned their attention on her and so had the gooey Malfoy, students could not believe their eyes and nor could Draco. Hermione Granger was cackling with a contagious laugh as he stretched out an arm and pointed at Malfoy. Trying to draw breath she looked him straight in the eyes "They always did call you a slimy git!" she yelled then doubled over with laughter again and so did everyone else, especially Harry and Ron whom seemed to find it the funniest and ended up pulling Hermione off the floor with much difficulty.

Draco was speechless and could not believe her, how dare she laugh at him. Wiping the liquid from his eyes he quickly fled down the corridor and out of sight. This however sent Hermione into a fresh fit of laughter, tears now streaming down her face and her skin becoming pink from lack of air.

"Anapeno," Harry said trying to steady himself, wand pointed at Hermione.

Hermione was still grinning as she straightened herself. "Thanks," she giggled to Harry and held onto Ron's arm in case she fell again. "I think we had better go and get ready," Harry suggested as Hermione began to laugh again.

"Yeah, fast, looks likes she's gonna start again," Ron said glancing at Hermione but only ended up chuckling himself.

"You two get off," Ginny said grabbing Hermione from them "I'll get her ready, you two don't know about these things," she giggled and began walking Hermione down the corridor.

Ron knew better than to fight with her and Harry was looking like a love sick puppy so it was best to pull him away and do as she said; besides they only had a few hours till the party.

"Did you see it Ginny?" Hermione giggled as Ginny pushed her onto the bed and went to go and find their costumes. "He-he-was-all--slimy!" Hermione choked out "His-face!"

Ginny returned with Hermione's long dress, still gazing at it admiringly she walked over to the bed and sat down next to her amused friend. "Nice dress…"

Hermione stopped laughing and looked at the dress as if it was the wrong one. "Mmm," she agreed "Maybe to nice for Malfoy…"

"Nonsense," Ginny shook her head "It's a half hour dance and a three hour party, you'll be fine, just take his hand, move your feet, have the strongest drink you can get your hands on and smile." Ginny stood up and handed Hermione her dress "C'mon,"

Hermione took her dress and walked into the bathroom "If only it were that easy." Hermione sighed but the red head Gryffindor only smiled back.

"It is." she winked and shut the door on Hermione.

Her make up seemed to actually suit her, her dress luckily fitted her and made her look scary but beautiful at the same time. The tiny red spiders were magically spinning little webs and her hair had (after much taming and charm-casting) decided it would like to go the way she wanted. A high ponytail and a set of curls hung down that framed her face and gave her a scruffy but neat look, ideal for Halloween. Thoughts of Malfoy invaded her thoughts as she looked into the mirror. She hated him so much, his face, his name, his arse his Quidditch perfect body, his dangerous smirk. Him. She just hated him.

"Hermione? Are you ready? Time to come out!" Ginny called

The once bushy haired Gryffindor opened the door and received a broad smile off her Weasley friend. "Do I look ok?" she said nervously.

"You look lovely." Ginny agreed "Malfoy's a lucky guy…"

That sent Hermione into nervous giggles "Don't go getting any match-making ideas, remember how that worked out with Mclaggen,"

Ginny looked at the floor and sighed "I've said sorry about that…"

"And I know you were only trying to help, but me and Malfoy... we have nothing in common, perhaps except grades,"

"Fine," Ginny surrendered holding her hands up "But we do have to go now."

Hermione took a deep breath and smiled "Then let's knock them dead,"

Ginny frowned and Hermione corrected herself "Not literally," she giggled and linked arms with Ginny as they both climbed through the portrait hole and walked down the moving staircases until they stopped outside the Great hall.

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Draco Malfoy had had a every bad week indeed, he had failed his Transfiguration assignment, muddled up his ingredients in a potion, nearly killed himself while feeding the blast ended skrewits, failed to meet his father on time, had yelled at Pansy, had been attacked by a ghost and green-goo-filled balloons and now he had to dance a slow romantic dance with Granger. He had gone for a dark green shirt which he had left some of the top buttons undone, black trousers, black jacket and a nice smelling aftershave that his mother had gotten him from the previous Christmas. He could see Crabbe and Goyle standing near by and he could see Pansy with some of her friends looking rather sickly, a few Ravenclaw's were standing huddled together, occasionally glancing over at him, a bunch of Gryffindors were waiting for their partners, Potter and Weasley happened to be watching him too. However there was no sign of Hermione. Yet.

"No sign of bookworm yet?" Blaise Zabini asked as he stood next to Draco.

"No, maybe I've gotten lucky and she's drowned in the shower." he said smirking until Blaise pointed afar.

"You spoke too soon, isn't that her, with Weasley…"

Hermione walked over to Harry and Ron, both boys looking rather nervious. "Dont worry, you both look very handsom." Ginny smiled directing the compliment mostly at Harry.

"Yes Ronald, you look miles better with your new robes." Hermione smiled until she caught site of the Slytherin.

Draco's eyes followed Blaise's finger and felt like all the air had been taken from the world. Granger, if it really was Granger, had somehow managed to make herself look positively gorgeous. But then again she was a filthy mudblood and he did not want her, all he was saying was she looked nice…

The doors suddenly opened and Hermione walked over to Malfoy cautiously. Draco said nothing; he only offered her his arm. Hermione wrapped hers around his and they both walked into the dim, candle-lit, Halloween decorated room which in Hermione's opinion looked fabulous. "Wow…" Hermione whispered as McGonagall was running around frantically handing out quick drinks and making sure the prefects had their partner's and were prepared to dance when she gave the say so.

"This way, come on, hurry up!" Minerva was dressed in an emerald green dress which seemed to trail on the floor for ages and she was awfully stressed. "Now get into your starting positions, when the music starts, you begin and then the others shall join in as well." she said and then hurried off.

Hermione turned to Malfoy whom was obviously scanning the room for someone, or something. "Ready?" Hermione said nervously although she wasn't quite sure why.

Draco said nothing he only stiffly held her waist and held her hand.

Hermione would have yelled at him for not holding her hand properly if she hadn't noticed the fact that he was not wearing his trademark smirk and if she wasn't going nuts she was sure he was avoiding eye contact with her. Something must be up. "Malfoy? Are you okay?

Draco's head snapped around to look at her and glared "Of course I'm not fine, I have to touch you," he hissed then felt a stabbing pain in his stomach as he saw the look of hurt on her face.

"Fine." Hermione said and snatched her hand away and stood backwards from him "If you really cant just hold my hand for ten minutes than I'll go!" she said and pushed past him trying to reach the door but felt big hands grab her arm and pull her back.

"I didn't mean that, I've just got other things on my mind and I don't particularly want to dance despite the fact that it's with you." he said "Now you can go if you want, but then we both fail."

Hermione glared at him but gave in because no matter how much she wanted to just slap him and leave this was for grades and Hermione Granger never looses grades if she can help it. "Fine." she muttered and walked back to her starting position just in time as Dumbledore was begging to speak.

"Well I have to say that you all do look positively excellent, this year you really have put much more thought into your costumes! I'm sure you will agree Professor Flitwick had done a marvellous job on the decorations. For you whom are seventh years, you are allowed Champaign, although I'd appreciate it if you didn't go crazy. I don't particularly want to have to ask professor Snape to start brewing hangover potions," he smiled warmly "I'd like you all to put your hands together for the amount of work that went into this party, and for how hard the prefects have worked, on top of rounds they have managed to learn a fifteen minute dance in a mere four lessons, so all there is left to say is I hope you all have a very happy Halloween!" he said then flicked his wand at the walls and suddenly a the music was playing and everyone scuttled towards their partners.

Draco and Hermione were looking over each others shoulders not wanting to talk they both moved swiftly and in time not faltering once. "You scrub up nice Granger," Draco said breaking the silence.

Hermione a taken back moved left instead of right and ended up standing on his foot making him wince. "Sorry," she apologized the swallowed her nerves "I just assumed that was a compliment…"

"It was," Draco replied stiffly.

Hermione went quite again and spun around gracefully then folded into his arms, making her feel rather uncomfortable.

"So how are things?" she said resting her hand back on his shoulder and trying to make this more bearable.

Draco looked at her with a mixture of confusion and hate. "How are things…"he repeated "Great, things are are just perfect." he said sarcastically.

"Oh fine if you're going to be like that I wont bother." Hermione bit back realizing who she was talking to and how could she have been so stupid.

Draco sighed and looked at her "If you want the truth Granger then I have to meet my father tomorrow," he whispered in her ear.

Hermione's head shot up and her eyes filled with worry "Your not going to-to," she couldn't finish the sentence.

"Not yet," he offered her.

"But when you get the change, is that what you want?"

"What do you care about what I want?" Draco said coldly "You know too much already, so can we just drop it?"

Hermione attempted to smile but instead just nodded and went silent. She dare not say anything about his previous encounter with peeves…

Should I tell someone? Would he forgive me? Wait, he's the enemy here why should I care, besides he hates me already…

She had better not go blabbing to Potter and Weasley, father would definitely have something to say if that happened. Maybe I should threaten her…

A swift few steps to the right and a few back steps entwined with elegant turns and it was the end of the dance. Hermione curtsied and Draco bowed the Hermione turned on her heel and walked straight towards Ginny whom was gesturing her over and holding out a glass of punch for her. "Phew…" Hermione said almost swallowing her drink in one.

"Your alive then?" Ginny smiled

"Just." Hermione replied giggling slightly.

"Ron's been injured," Ginny smiled evilly glancing over at her unfortunate brother whom was sitting on a chair with an icepack held to his face, leg and foot. "I'm sure he will tell you about his dangerous moves when he can walk." she snickered slightly then refilled their glasses. "It's a bit hot in here; want to get some fresh air?"

Hermione had just bitten into a pink cauldron cake when she had noticed Malfoy sneak out through the doors. "Sure," Hermione agreed linking arms with her best friend. It was rather stuffy in here and she could watch Malfoy too.

The night air was crisp and a cold wind blew through her hair which she let down. Sparkling orbs shone in the black sky and the moon seemed to reflect on the water of the lake. It was still hard to believe that it had been seven years ago that she had first received her Hogwarts letter, met Harry, Ron and Ginny and set eyes on the giant squid. Hermione sighed "I'll be sorry to go,"

Ginny nodded "It will be a dismal last year without you three to hang around with."

Hermione put her around Ginny's shoulders "We have a while yet and I'm pretty sure we have a lot of dangerous adventures ahead of us,"

"Yep," Ginny smiled "When has a year at Hogwarts been a quiet one?"

"True," Hermione agreed and walked down to a bench but an old oak tree and sat down. Ginny took a seat next to her and cast a small warming charm on the both of them. "Malfoy's another problem…"

"Why? Has he said something?" Ginny said looking alert.

"No…" Hermione lied and turned her eyes to the floor as to try and hide it. "He just seems a bit quiet to me…"

"Quiets good," Ginny replied "I've had enough of the daily insults and name calling,"

"…"

"How's Harry been?" Ginny asked "He won't tell me about his nightmares, says he doesn't want to worry me,"

"Better, Snape's given him a potion to take," Hermione replied "I sit with him some nights…" she added "'I'm sure he'd prefer you but he really doesn't want to bother you or worry you when you have your O.W.L.S coming up and everything…"

"He thinks I see him as the boy who lived, the chosen one and the boy who can do anything and everything on his own. But he doesn't understand that to me he's not Harry Potter, he's just Harry. A sweet, loving, compassionate, brave wizard who I love no matter what."

"Then tell him," Hermione replied

"I will, if I get the time of day…"

"You're his girlfriend and I know that if you say you need to talk to him then he will put out all the stops to make that happen,"

Ginny nodded "Perhaps,"

Soft music playing in the background and silence made Hermione think about the Yule ball which had occured two years ago.

"You miss him?" ginny said looking at her friend, sensing the thoughts just by the way she was staring into the distance.

"Awfuly, i dont even know where he is...or if he's alive..."

"I could get dad to look." ginny offered.

Hermione shook her head "No thanks, besides it would break Rons heart if he found out."

The rustling of trees could be heard and the hooting of owls, a bunch of giggling, obviously drunk girls piled out of the hall and stumbled across the corridors. Hermione who was feeling rather tired after the dance got up and pulled Ginny with her. "One last drink to a quiet year?" Hermione smiled.

"Might as well," Ginny sighed and they both walked back into the clammy room. More lights had been lit, a fair amount of the food had been eaten and a few loved up partners were dancing slowly in the middle of the room. Harry and Ron were sat on chairs at the teachers table snickering about something while holding up their glasses to rubber ducks and flobberworms.

Hermione and Ginny began to laugh as they approached them "What on earth are you two doing?" Ginny said taking the glass away from them both.

"Were-were-"Harry turned his head "What are we doing Ron?" Harry asked confusing himself.

Ron who apparently didn't know either spread his arms wide towards Hermione and shouted "I LOVE YOU MIONE GRANGER!"

Harry thought this was a great idea and did the same. "AND I LOVE YOU GINNY WEASLEY!"

"That's nice," the girls giggled "But I'm just your friend Ronald," she corrected him but he wasn't listening instead he was looking at Harry.

"That means-"he slurred pointing a drunken finger in Harry's face "That you're with my sis-sister…"

Harry fell silent waiting for him to shout and throw things, instead Ron threw his arms around Harry and began to cry "MY sister and my best friend! I'm so happy!"

He girls laughed harder and hauled them both up "Bed time," Hermione said finding it hard to carry a rather heavy Ron all by herself.

"I'm only going if you come with me." Harry moaned.

"And read us a bedtime story," Ron added.

"Yeah bout a slimy git called mal-Malfoy and a hero called Harry pott-potter who gets to kill him,"

"I knew a Harry once" Ron said

"Really?" Harry asked now interested "Was he nice?"

"Yes, he had black hair and a lightening bolt scar, great wizard he was, looks like you!" Ron said nodding.

"Like to meet him sometime…" Harry agreed.

The girls found this rather funny and once they managed to haul the boys through the portrait hole and into their beds they found themselves rather exhausted. Hermione never got to find out where Malfoy had gotten to and right now she didn't care.

"Night," the boys yawned then promptly passed out.

Ginny and Hermione collapsed on the sofa in the common room by the fire "Only those two could get that drunk on Champaign," Hermione laughed.

Ginny yawned "At least you've done this dance…"

"Mmm…no more Malfoy…"

Ginny's eyes flickered shut "Night Mione…"

Hermione yawned and snuggled down with a pillow "Night Ginny…"

"Happy Halloween…" Ginny added sleepily

"Mmm." was the reply as the land of dreams took over.

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A/N REVIEWS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED THE MORE I GET THE MORE ABLE I AM TO WRITE FASTER!! HEHE