A/N Thanks for the reviews. Keep them coming with any ideas you have!

Chapter 5

The day of the ball arrived and Hermione wondered if she was going to have any time to get ready at all. First she helped to decorate the Great Hall, while Draco oversaw the decoration of the rest of the castle. Finally by four in the afternoon it was transformed. Orange lanterns hung from the ceiling, there were black and orange banners and streamers and on the tables at the back there were pumpkins that had been cut out by Hagrid to give them faces that grinned evilly in the candle light.

A stage had been constructed at one end and the Weird Sisters were setting up amongst floating candles. Hermione stood at one end and admired the work. It looked very good and she was sure the ball was going to be a big success. Hermione, looking at her watch realised what time it was and rushed off to get ready.

When she got to her room she immediately laid out her dress, shoes and mask before having a long hot shower. As she blow dried and curled her hair she thought about how nice Draco had been in the past week. How he always smiled at her and gave her a hug when he said goodnight. At the thought of Draco and the ball tonight her stomach immediately filled with butterflies and she couldn't stop smiling. Her heart kept flipping every time she thought about him. Of course she hadn't told Harry and Ron about who she was going with. Harry would say it wasn't a good idea and Ron would just get very angry and probably try to hurt Draco.

Having finished curling her hair Hermione tied some of it back with a discreet silver clip but she let most of the curls hang loose down around her shoulders. She applied some gold eyeshadow and also a very thin line of eyeliner, but didn't put on any blusher because she would have a mask on. Noticing that it was half seven and with the ball starting at eight she quickly slipped on her dress and shoes, applied some red lipgloss and then tied her mask around her head. Before admiring herself in the mirror.

She was wearing a red strapless dress that had a fitted bodice and then the skirt fell to the floor in a cascade of silk. Her mask was red with gold embroidery that matched her eyeshadow and she had a pair of red high heeled sandals that peeped out from underneath her dress. To complete the outfit she wore a simple gold chain with a star on it and studs that looked like diamonds in her ears. Satisfied with her look she made her way to the entrance hall where she was to meet Draco.

Nervous about the night ahead she cautiously peered round the corner of the staircase and saw Draco waiting at the bottom looking very handsome in his black dress robes. She lifted the hem of her dress and walked down the stairs and tapped Draco on the shoulder. He turned round and his mouth dropped open.

"Wow Hermione you look amazing" He managed to get out. Hermione smiled and said

"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself" Draco grinned, took her hand and kissed it before putting her arm through his and walking into the Great Hall. As soon as Hermione entered people stared at her. She looked beautiful and many of the boys were throwing her admiring glances which made Draco hold her arm a bit tighter to show everyone that she was with him.

For the first hour or so Hermione danced with Draco and her jaw was beginning to ache from all the smiling she was doing she was so happy. Finally Draco led her away from the dance floor to some chairs saying he needed a rest and Hermione readily agreed. Draco kissed her hand one more time and went off to go and get drinks when Hermione was joined by Ginny who was fanning herself.

"So here with Draco Malfoy" She said smiling.

"Yeah" Hermione said smiling back.

"But I thought you hated him?" Ginny said amazed

"I did but I don't anymore he really is a very sensitive guy" Hermione said her heart skipping a beat.

"Well I can't really judge look who I'm here with" Ginny said giggling.

"Blaise Zabini" Hermione giggled as well. "What on earth made you go with him?" she asked amazed.

"Well I guess it's like you and Malfoy. When we've all been at your common room we got talking and he is a nice guy really." Ginny said.

"Well you do seem to be getting along very well. I saw you two dancing. Does Ron know?" Hermione asked.

Ginny frowned and said "No I think he's too busy with Lavender to notice. However I think he saw you and Draco."

"Oh dear. Well he'll just have to deal with it" Hermione said.

"Deal with what?" Draco said handing Hermione a glass. He was accompanied by Blaise.

"Oh nothing just Ron" Hermione said. Draco raised one eyebrow but said nothing.

"Well if you don't mind Ginny and I are going to dance." Blaise said pulling Ginny from her seat and leading her onto the dance floor. Hermione stood up and took Draco's arm intending them to follow suit when Ron came up to them.

"Hermione what are you doing?" He asked angrily.

"Well I'm going to dance with my date" She said coldly.

"He's your date?" Ron said disgustedly pointing at Draco.

"Yes why is something wrong Weasley?" Draco asked.

"Yes there is. You. Why are you with him Hermione?" Ron asked

"Well I am the Head Girl so isn't it natural that Draco should ask me as Head Boy and we have been getting along rather well lately." Hermione said and she led Draco onto the dance floor leaving Ron with his mouth open.

Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione waist while she wrapped hers around his neck and they swayed to the music.

"Are you alright?" He asked. Hermione looked up into those piercing grey eyes that well full of kindness.

"Yes I'm fine. If Ron doesn't like us together then he can deal with it" She said smiling.

"Us? Does that mean you like me?" Draco asked.

"Yes it does. And how about you, what do you feel?" Hermione asked. Draco said nothing but took off his mask and then untied hers. He then stopped her swaying by taking her head in both his hands and kissing her full on the mouth. Hermione was surprised at first but soon she was kissing him back her arms around his neck and his wrapped around her small frame. Her heart was beating very fast but it kept skipping beats and the butterflies in her stomach returned. She was so happy at this moment in time. When they broke apart Draco said "Does that answer your question?" Hermione nodded and smiled.