Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter J.K Rowling does.

Chapter 17

Hermione, Draco and Conan stared at Ginny as she walked out the portal. They were silent for a minute until Draco swung his attention back to his girlfriend. "What are you suppose to ask me?"

She stared into his eyes and then to the floor. "Well, um…something happened today…and I-I, well…" She took a long pause. "Ithinkweshouldgototheballwithotherpeople!" She said it so quickly he barley heard her. "I mean we are suppose to be keeping a low profile on our romance and if we go to the ball together, that would lead to suspicion and," "Go ahead." "Our whole cover will be blown, beside you know how people in this school reac-"

She shot her head up and looked at him. "What'd you say?"

"I don't mind. You can go with someone else."

"Are you serious?" Both Hermione and the long forgotten Conan exclaimed in surprise.

"Yeah, sure, go ahead." He gave a sly grin. "Besides you aren't the only one who's been asked to the ball."

"So you're going with someone else?"

"Yup!"

"Really? Who is it?"

"You…may not want to know." He said stretching out the word 'you'.

Hermione folded her arms. "Try me," she replied in a challenging voice. Draco got closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

" It really doesn't matter who it is, does it?"

"Tell me!"

"Okay, fine. I'm going with Pansy."

"You're going with that pig nose bitch?" Hermione boomed. "Out of all the girls in Hogwarts, you have to go with her?" Draco sighed.

"Hermione, you're not making this any easier." He glared at her. "Who are you going with anyway?"

Hermione paused, deciding whether telling Draco that she was going to the Yule Ball with his mortal enemy since the first year they ever started Hogwarts. "Er… Harry?"

"And you're talking about MY date?" he replied, stretching the word 'my'. "You're going with scar head!"

"Uh, are you guys having an argument?" Conan's small voice was heard during their few seconds of silence.

"NO!" They both roared in unison.

"Okay, just checking…"


It was the night of the Yule ball and students were running around the castle trying to get ready. Draco felt almost sick about what he was about to do tonight. He absolutely hated Pansy. She ruined his life, and now he was going to the ball with her. That wasn't exactly something you would do with someone you hate. "That's my freaking life." He mumbled.

"Why are you talking to yourself?" Conan asked. He was on the couch looking at Draco who was fixing his clothes.

"Better question: Why are you here?" he shot back. "Isn't there some Slytherins that should be beating you up right now?"

Conan stuck out his tongue. "For your information, I want to see how Hermione looks. And she said I could stay here tonight."

Draco rolled his eyes and sat down in the armchair. "You're parasite I can't get rid of…" Draco muttered under his voice while Conan gave him a nasty glare, which he gladly returned.

"You better watch it!"

"Or you'll do what, half pint?" Draco shot back.

"I'll tell Hermione!"

The blonde shrugged. "I honestly don't give a rat's ass what you tell Hermione. She doesn't scare me!"

"Draco!" Hermione voice shouted from the room above

"Yes?" Draco said in a little squeakiest voice, afraid that Hermione heard what he said.

"I can't find my red necklace. Is it down there?"

Draco let out a sigh of relief. "Yeah. It's right here on the desk." He called back. He checked his watch. "You better hurry. Potter should be here any moment."

"His name is Harry," She said and was heard walking down the stairs, the sound of her heels clinking on it. " And I only need to put on my necklace and I'll be finish dressing."

Both Conan and Draco nearly dropped their jaws when they saw Hermione. She wore a long red dress that reminded him much of the dress she wore at the party Carmen and Jason held for them except this dress had the sleeves flare at the bottom and the dress went all the way down to the ground, a little train following behind her. Draco's eyes involuntary stared at he wonderful low-cut neckline where a hint of cleavage was shown. Her hair was up in a slightly loose bun with curls coming down and red and gold rhinestone hairpins were stuck in it. It was a fairly simple outfit, yet the way she worn it made both the outfit and herself look beautiful.

"Hermione, you look amazing!" Conan exclaimed. Hermione gave him a smile.

"Thank you Conan." Hermione turned to Draco who was still looking at her dress. "Well?"

Draco stared into her eyes and a little smile appeared on his face. "You look absolutely beautiful, Mione."

Hermione couldn't help but blush some. She loved it when he called gave her compliments!

Hermione grabbed the necklace off the desk and gave it to Draco. "Could you put it on for me?"

Draco nodded and she turned around, making it easier for him. The necklace was quickly applied on and Hermione turned back around. "Thanks." She said. Draco gave another nodded.

"Well, I should be going. Potter-"

"Harry." Hermione corrected him

"Whatever. He should be coming soon. Besides, I have to go get Pansy." Draco was about to walk away when Hermione grabbed his arm and gave him a light kiss on the lips.

"Be careful, alright? I don't trust Parkinson at all."

Draco started at her then broke into a warm smile. "Don't worry. There're plenty of witnesses around if she tries to kills me."

"I'm serious Draco. She could be up to something. She's going to do something that'll ruin ours lives, no doubt."

I'm afraid she has already done that Hermione… "I'll be fine. Don't worry." And with that, he left.

Hermione sighed as she watch the blonde exit out the portal.

"What do you see in him?"

Hermione turned towards Conan who was also watching Draco as he exited. "He seems so stuck up and obnoxious and a real smart mouth."

Hermione smiled and ruffled the young boy's black hair. "I know he is, but you can't choose the person you love. That's just the way it works." Hermione chuckled. "Besides, he reminds me of you."

Conan gave a look of disgust. "Argh! That's the worst thing you could possibly say! I'll never be like him." Conan argued.

Yet somehow, I think you look up to him… She thought, but decided not to say it, knowing first hand that a Slytherin is just as stubborn as a mule. "Well, I have to go. Be good and don't throw any parties while we're gone."

"Yes, mom." Conan said in a mocking tone. Hermione smiled and waved before she exited out of the portal, leaving almost exactly when Harry was coming.


"Hermione, you look great." Harry said once again.

"Thanks Harry, but you've already said that five times already!" she laughed.

"I know, but it's true. You really do look nice."

The Great Hall was decorated with beautiful decorations, all thanks to Draco and Hermione, and every one so far seemed to be having a good time. The band Hogwarts booked, Dragon Slayers (Hagrid at first had a problem with the band, but he was persuaded it was just a name and not something they did.), was bringing the house down. Everyone was dancing and socializing; even the teachers seemed to be enjoying themselves a bit more than usual.

"Great party, Mione." Hermione turned around to see Ginny with her date, Ricardo. The auburn haired boy had his arm wrapped around Ginny's shoulder, making them extremely close. Luckily Ron wasn't there to see.

"Good evening all." Correction…

The bad vibes that were radiating off of Ron would have giving everyone in the room nightmares for weeks, Harry, Hermione and Ginny could sense it, knowing him for so long, but Ricardo acted as if Ron was the happiest person alive right now.

"Ron. You're down here finally." He said in a cheery voice.

Ron gave a sarcastic smile. I vein almost popped in forehead when he noticed him pull this sister a little closer into the embrace.

"Well you know me. My outfit had to be perfect."

"Look over there, Ginny. There's one of our classmates. Lets go talk to her." he said completely ignoring Ron and left with Ginny by her side. No one knew if he really wasn't paying attention, or if he did that on purpose, but what everyone did know was that it pissed the hell out the Red head.

"That little-"

"Easy there, mate." Harry said. Ron grew red in the face, but he took a few breath and calm down.

"Are you feeling better now?" Hermione asked.

"No. But I'm not gonna kill that guy right now, so I guess it's just as good as being okay."

"So where's you're date?"

"She's talking up a storm with some other girls." He replied.

"Well that is what Lavender does best." Hermione said. The two boys agreed.

"Ron!"

The three turned around to see Lavender running their way. "C'mon, Ron. Lets dance!" she said and dragged Ron to the dance floor before he could answer.

"You want to dance too?" Harry suggested. Hermione nodded her head and was lead to the dance floors. The two best friends danced with each other and talked while they did, laughing occasionally. Hermione sighed. She really needed a break. It's been so hard maintaining things, even for her. What with schoolwork, Draco and the lessons she was getting from Reilly and Tori, her days have been stressful. This night was good to just relax and have a good time.

A slow song started to play. "Do you still want to-" Harry asked unsure, if Hermione wished to continue. She thought about it for a second and gave a slight nod. Harry slowly placed his hands on Hermione's waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck and they slowly danced together.

"Aren't teenagers so cute?" Rielly whispered into Snape's ear. The black-haired man grunted.

"So cute, it's sickening." He replied.

Rielly rolled her eyes. "Oh c'mon, Severus. This is a night to have fun and you're acting like a stick in the mud!"

"Say what you what about me, I don't care."

"I know what will cheer you up! Let's go dance!" she suggested in a cheery voice and grabbed his hand.

Snape snorted. "I don't dance." He replied trying to pull his hand out of the woman's grasp, but was unsuccessful.

"Of course you do! Everyone knows how to dance."

"Fine. How about this: I don't want to dance!"

"Severus…" Rielly whined. "Please?"

"No!" he said through gritted teeth. "And don't give me that look!"

Rielly lip was in a pout. "You've become such an old fart, Sevy."

Snape grimaced as he heard Rielly say the nickname she had given him long ago. "Don't call me that!"

"Aw, come now Severus." Tori said from behind them and patted Snape roughly on the shoulder. "The lady asked you to dance. It's rude not to accepted." With that, he pushed Snape with much force out onto the dance floor, Rielly quickly following after him.

She put her right hand on his shoulder and her left hand up in mid air for Snape to hold. Figuring he had no choice, he held her hand with his and placed his left hand on her waist. Together, they slowly dance completely in synch. Many of the students around them were staring in disbelief, which embarrassed Snape to no end. But after a while, he ignored them and kept on dancing.

See? I knew you could dance…

Snape rolled his eyes. Oh, shut up! He mentally replied back to her, but couldn't help but give a small smile as the two unconsciously moved closer together.

The song finished a minute later and the crowd applauded. Hermione had a smile on her face, but it was soon wiped off when a wave of pain hit her. "Ow…" she moaned and reached for her head.

"Something wrong?" Harry asked, noticing the look of pain of his best friend's face.

"Yeah. I think I have a headache." She said as she flinched from the pain. She was starting to hear voice. A lot of voices. They were coming from everywhere it seemed and Hermione couldn't stop it. She put her hands over her ears to make it stop but that didn't work. What's going on?

"Do you need something to drink?" Harry asked in a worried tone.

She shook her head. "No. I think I'll just step outside for a bit. I think I need some fresh air."

"I'll go with you then."

"No. That's alright. You go enjoy the party." She flinched again. "I'll be right back." With that, she left him were he stood and ran out of the party. Outside, she found a little stone bench that was blocked from view because of a few shrubs, which she sat down on. The voices in her head were dying down and now the only sound heard was the faint chattering of the students and teachers in the Great Hall. What going on? Is this another part of my power?

Hermione almost jumped when she heard voices from behind her.

"This has gone far enough, Pansy!"

Hermione raised an eyebrow. Draco?

Indeed, it was Draco along with Pansy. Something was wrong with Draco though. He looked very angry and sad at the same time.

"Well, this isn't only my fault, Draco!" Pansy snapped back at him.

Obviously, they didn't know Hermione was right there, and Hermione like it that way. This was probably the reason why Draco has been so upset lately and she was going to find out why. To be honest, she felt bad eavesdropping, but if it's the only way to find out, then so be it.

"Yes it is! You trick me, you little bitch!" Draco hissed to her, his fist in a tight ball.

"Oh please, Draco! You knew good and well what you were doing! Now you have to pay the price for your actions!"

"Why would you do this to me, Pansy?" Draco asked in an almost desperate voice.

"Because! Before that stupid Granger came along, you were all mine. Sure you flirted with other girls, but I knew that you would always come back to me! But now, not only did you turn your back on me, you turned your back on the Dark Lord!"

Draco glared. "Is he the one who put you up to this, Pansy? If he was, then there was no point."

"No. He didn't tell me to do this. I choice to do this for myself!" Pansy's eyes started to swell with tears. "I want you back, Draco."

Draco eyes soften just a fraction. "Pansy, you and I are no more. Hell, you and I was barely a thing. I'm in love with Hermione now and we're going to stay together for as long as she wants me."

Pansy gave him a deadly glare as the first of many tears came down her face. "You won't be together for long when she found out I'm pregnant with you're child!"


A/N: Yeah! I'm done with this chapter. I know, you guys are probably saying, 'finally'. Let me just tell you, I almost actually gave up on this chapter, because I could never decided what to do, but I have a sudden inspiration to finish this chapter a few days ago and I have to admit, I do like it. Hopefully, the next chapter won't take as long to update!

Okay, so we find out that Pansy is pregnant with Draco's child. How will Hermione react and will this be the end of their relationship? Who is this mysterious Ricardo fellow? Is Snape and Rielly getting together? Am I ever gonna finish this damn story? Stay tuned to find out!