Chapter 5: Judges and the WINNER!

"Okay, thank you, Draco. Now, let's hear your pathetic plan, Mudblood," Pansy had simpered at Draco, but turned vicious once more as she turned, glaring, at Hermione.

"My plan is that the girls dress in gorgeous floor-length dresses and the guys dress in tuxedos instead of dress robes. But instead of having a refreshment table- as Malfoy had so originally thought up- I thought we could have cocktail waiters walking around to offer us whatever we would like," Hermione told her friends and the Slytherins. Pansy tried to hide her enthusiasm for this ball instead of Draco's and almost succeeded, but Draco caught her with a light gleaming in her eyes. Before he could be sure of what he saw, it had disappeared and her smirk was visible once more.

"Stupid plan, Mudblood," Malfoy smirked at her.

"Is that the best you can do, Malfoy? Insult my cough BLOOD? You're pathetic," Hermione hurled at him. "Anyway, guys, here's the voting box. Once you've decided whose plan you want, put their name and yours- if you want them to know who voted for them- and put it in the box," Hermione told everyone.

Turning his back on the rest, Malfoy 'whispered' to Crabbe, "Organized? Granger? NEVER," Even as Malfoy insulted her, though, a slight smile crept onto his face.

Blaise, seeing the look on Malfoy's face, came rushing to his side, saying, "Did you think of a way to torture the Mudblood again?"

"Muggle-born, Zabini. Muggle-born. If I ever hear you say 'Mudblood' again, then you will be the biggest loser in this whole school," Malfoy told him angrily. "Now pay attention!" Malfoy said, turning back to the rest of the group.

"What is up with him?" Blaise asked Goyle darkly.

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"Okay, Gin, count the votes!" Hermione said eagerly, ten minutes later.

"Keep your knickers on, Granger. The votes aren't 'gonna run away!" Pansy giggled at her own joke.

"Aren't you going to laugh, Drakie?" Pansy pouted, looking over at Draco.

"I only laugh at things that are funny, Parkinson," Malfoy said coldly.

"Okay. One for Hermione, One for. Malfoy," said Ginny with hatred showing plainly on her face as she said Malfoy's name.

"Two more votes for 'Mione, One more for Ferret," Ginny announced, deliberately going slow to get some frustration from Malfoy.

"Hurry up, Red!" Malfoy said angrily.

"Sorry Gin, but for once he's right. Let me count the rest and announce the winner," Harry said, taking the box from Ginny's hands as she glared at Harry. He smirked back at her as he declared, "YES!"

"I won! Get ready for hot girls, Blaise!" Malfoy said with excitement edging in on his features.

"Yeah right, Malfoy. Hermione won. Good job, Hermione. I can't wait to see how this ball turns out!" Ron congratulated her, grinning.

"I. a Malfoy.. LOST?" Malfoy muttered, more to himself than to anyone else in the room.

"Yup, big surprise there! I'm sure we're all really shocked," Lavender said perkily.

"Oh, shut up Brown," Malfoy said, storming away.

"Malfoy! Wait!" Crabbe said, as he, Goyle, Blaise, and Pansy raced after their leader. Once they were all out of sight, Harry and Ron slapped Hermione on the back, saying, "I knew you could do it!"

"Congratulations. Since you won, we can go SHOPPING!" Lavender said excitedly, jumping up and down.

"Yes!" Ginny exclaimed, catching Lavender's enthusiasm.

"Whoop-Dee-Do," Hermione said moodily. Hermione hates to go shopping.

"Let's go RIGHT NOW!" Lavender said, not hearing Hermione's sarcasm.

"Yes, right now! Follow me, 'Mione!" Ginny said, leading the way.

"Girls..." Ron muttered darkly to Harry.

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Four hours and 9 shopping bags later, Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender arrived in the common room, pleased with their purchases but exhausted, "I don't think ANYONE'S ever shopped that much," Lavender said.

"Lavender, no one's supposed to shop that much! Two hours should have been long enough, even for you," Hermione snapped.

"Crab-apple, isn't she, Gin?" Lavender asked Ginny as Hermione suddenly walked up to the girls' dormitories.

A/n: Hello, all! I am so pleased with all of you that I am going to update even sooner than I planned before! BTW, Soooo sorry about the long wait on this chapter. I got banned from the computer. it's a long story. If you really want to know, pm me. Lol. Okay, I have a huge authors note today so sorry about this. One thing, though. I'm going to go slowly with this so I can ease in Hermione and Draco's friendship, and then eventually romance. If anyone has ANY clue how to do that, please tell me! J

I'm going to put all the stuff I need to tell you guys in bullet points, and if you don't like it, don't read it.

1) I have a new story! It's called a 'trip' into time, but the author (me and a friend) is 2iNSANEMiNDS. It has 3 chapters, and there really funny (I think) so please read that story!

2) I want to thank all of my reviewers. Since this is kind of a short chapter, I'm going to thank you all, one by one.

Aznchic2009: Thanks for reading my story; I'm glad you started reading it. Yes, I do have two incredible betas, but thanks for offering! If I ever fire them, I'll send you a pm. Lol.

Tia Ormsby: Hi! I have noticed that you reviewed 3 times, which is great! I really appreciate your reviews, they touch my heart. You're really sweet. Anyway, I do have a beta already. I apologize. But if I fire them, I'll ask you about it. Lol. Anyway, to start writing a story, you kind of just have to think of what you like. Let's say you enjoy Fred/Hermione stories. Write from your heart! Write what you think should have happened. I admit, it is really hard to start writing, but once you start, it's incredibly difficult to stop! So, don't lose hope, but if you ever get an account and make a story, I will review because I bet you're gonna be an amazing writer. GOOD LUCK!

Mugglegirl07 (Nicky): YOU ARE THE BEST. You have reviewed since the beginning, and your reviews can be really funny. Lol. I really enjoy reading your reviews, so thanks. Have you ever written any stories? If you have, please tell me the title so I can read and review! Thanks so much!

P.E.E.V.S.Y: Hmm. No wonder you're my best friend. Even though you aren't a Hermione/Draco shipper, you still read my story because I ask you to. That means the world to me, Nicky. Don't ever stop being who you are (a crazy nerd). Love you lots!

xX-Rupert-Has-My-Heart-Xx: You're a fantastic beta, Hannah Grint. I couldn't ask for a better one. (Well, I probably could, but I'm supposed to compliment you, not insult you! Lol) I really really really hope to see you in England! YOU'RE THE BEST PEN PAL EVER! RUPERT RULES! DON'T EVER FORGET THAT!

Hgwrts'mstr262: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Sorry, but if you've read the other notes, I already have two. My sincerest apologies.

Hotkat144: Hey! I love your enthusiasm! You are a great reviewer, cuz when I don't update, you pm me about it and remind me to update! (sorry about the long wait) You have reviewed for awhile, and it really touches my heart. Thanks a million! (A beta is someone who reads over your story, makes sure that it makes sense, makes the necessary grammar changes, and tells you what to change.)

Alexandragurl: Hello! Thanks for reviewing my story, and much love! Lol, (this is what you said) you write really well. Just keep on trying and you'll be good in no time! (Here is my reply) gee, thanks. Lol, I'm just kidding. But could you tell me what you mean?

Rain-ix: Thanks for reading and reviewing. You're a really great author, so write more of your stories. Thanks! Lol, Malfoy is totally ah-mazing. Totally drool worthy.

PlEaSeD.tO.mEeT.yOu: Hey! Thanks for reviewing my story, I like reading them! YOU'RE AN AWESOME WRITER!

And, last but not least, Theonlywitchwritingtomuggles. Thanks a ton for your review, that was my very first review and it really got me going. Thanks a ton. J