Hermione POV
"Wow," Ginny breathed. "He really told you he loved you?" Hermione nodded once, and the redhead slumped in her seat. They were sitting in the kitchen, drinking hot chocolate to celebrate the first snow of the season, which had fallen that day. The whole world was covered with a white blanket, while soft, white flurries continued to float to the ground. Hermione liked the snow; not as much as rain, but she did like snow. And she loved this little tradition she and Ginny had started in fifth year.
"And do you love him?" Ginny asked.
Hermione scoffed. "Definitely not. I mean, I don't despise him like I used to, but I still don't think I could love him."
Ginny shrugged. "You never know, he may surprise you one day."
"Well, when that happens, I will eat my own words, but until then, I reserve the right to keep my opinion."
"Fair enough," she nodded, raising her mug. Hermione lifted hers, and they clinked them together, before each taking a hearty swig. Thankfully, the temperature had reduced so that Hermione could do without scalding herself. The same didn't seem to be true for Ginny, who squeaked, and nearly dropped the mug, and in the process spilled a bit on the table. She groaned, rolling her eyes, and cleaning up the mess with a flick of her wand. "Just my bloody luck," Ginny growled.
"Are you all right?" Hermione asked carefully.
"Fine, I guess," she grumbled. "I'm just feeling a little... cast off at the moment." At Hermione's inquiring look, she explained, "The other night, at the last ball, I was with a man—I think his name was David—and I really thought we'd hit it off well, but after about an hour, he started trying to find any excuse to get away from me, and by the time the night was over, he was outright avoiding me. And not subtly, either."
Hermione sighed; this happened rather frequently. Once Ginny found a beau who she actually felt had some merit, she would latch on, and become a bit clingy. And this, of course, would scare the poor sod away. Hermione knew Ginny didn't mean to be a nuisance. She just wanted to feel loved, important, like she was the only girl in the world. And not many guys were capable of that. Hermione could only think of one who had ever sought to give that to any girlfriend of his, and that was Draco. But he was a rare specimen, and her best friend. So, inevitably, when Ginny tried to be the only girl, it didn't work.
"He was probably a jerk anyway," Hermione told her friend. "You're better off."
Ginny gave a half-hearted smile. "Thanks, Hermione."
Just then, they were interrupted by the back door opening. Both girls shivered at the sudden cold, then looked as the door closed, to see Ron enter the kitchen. His cheeks reddened as his eyes met Hermione's, and she felt a little disheartened. She really wished he wouldn't be so shy around her. She would love to be his friend.
"Hello, Ron," she greeted cordially.
And for the first time that she could remember, she saw a tiny curve of his lips—a barely noticeable smile. And he said, clearly, "Hello, Hermione."
She felt herself grin. "How are you today?"
"Other than being cold?" he quipped. "Not half bad."
"Glad to hear it," she chuckled.
His smile grew—if only just a bit—and he turned to Ginny. "Is there any more hot chocolate left, or did you two drink it all?"
Ginny had to take a moment to pick up her jaw off the floor, before responding, "It's on the top shelf."
Ron pulled the container of powder from the shelf, and quickly made himself a cup, and without another word to either of them, left the room.
"What the bloody hell...?" Ginny whispered.
Hermione, however, was smiling. She was happy that Ron had opened up to her. It wasn't much, but it was a step, and she could tell already that she and Ron would end up being close friends. Her mood had improved considerably.
"So, should we start talking about the Christmas ball?"
She rolled her eyes. "Ginny, that's not for almost two months!"
"Hermione," the redhead groaned, "this is the most important ball of the year! Every magical official from across the globe is going to be there!"
"I know, Ginny, I've been to three of them, remember?"
"Well, then you know how significant it is. Come on!" she grabbed her hand.
Hermione sighed. "Where are we going?"
"Shopping, of course!"
"I see you've gotten over your recent rejection quite well."
"Oh, yeah, I'm all better. Now come on!"
She sighed again, knowing it was best to just go with it. Besides, a little shopping never hurt anyone, did it?
"What about this one?"
"Too pink."
Ginny sighed, putting the silky coral gown back on the rack, and picking up the one next to it. "Or maybe this one?" she asked hopefully.
Hermione grimaced. "Too sparkly."
"Oh, now, come on!"
"Hello, ladies," a familiar voice drawled, and the two girls turned to see Draco stroll into the shop, He gave each of them a hug. "Shopping for ball gowns already?"
"Blame this one," Hermione jabbed her thumb backward over her shoulder, gesturing toward Ginny. "I was perfectly content sitting in her kitchen drinking hot chocolate, and she just dragged me here!"
He laughed. "Sounds about right."
"I'm right here, guys!"
"Oh, Ginny!" Hermione feigned surprise. "Where did you come from?"
"Ha, ha," she deadpanned. "Now help me pick a dress!"
Hermione turned a pained expression to Draco, who just chuckled.
Draco POV
Half an hour later, the two of them were sitting on the chairs outside the dressing room, waiting for Ginny to come out. She'd finally picked a dress that all three of them agreed on—Draco had eventually decided to chime in—and now she was taking all day just to put the damn thing on.
"Ginny, come on!" Hermione yelled. "We've been sitting here forever!"
"You exaggerate," she pointed out from the other side of the door, "but okay. I'm coming out now."
The door opened, revealing the most stunning sight Draco had ever seen. She was wearing a long, black, halter-neck gown, with an extremely low back, and emerald lining at the bust and waist. He could tell Hermione wasn't fond of the back, and neither was he... in a way. Just looking at her now, he knew she would have boys all over her on Christmas Eve. She looked positively radiant... and almost...
"You look so Slytherin," Hermione voiced his thought.
Ginny scowled. "Fine thing to say to a Gryffindor, Hermione!"
"Oi!" Draco frowned, coming out of his stupor. "What's wrong with Slytherins?"
"Well, apart from you, they're a self-absorbed, manipulative lot, who care more about Ministry stock quotes than they do about the people they associate with on a daily basis."
Draco wanted to protest, but he knew she was right. Besides, she had said, "apart from you," so he was satisfied.
"So," she interrupted his thoughts, "this one's a winner?"
He nodded emphatically, while Hermione sighed. "Will you at least let me alter the back so it's not so... provocative?"
Ginny shook her head. "If I'm going to find a man, this is the way to go."
"I disagree."
"Me too," Draco blurted out.
"Oh, you too?"
He squirmed a little. "It attracts men, yes, but not the right kind of men. All that's going to do is draw the seedier guys, the ones just looking for a good time."
"Maybe that's what I want," she countered.
Draco felt himself growing warm. He should have just kept his mouth shut. Ginny tossed him a defiant glance, before disappearing back into the changing room.
Hermione POV
After Ginny had paid for her dress, she apparated home, leaving Hermione alone with Draco. They went to a nearby café, ordering coffees to go, and walking along the street in silence. Hermione pondered something that had been bothering her for a while; Draco's attempt at interference. He'd never shown much interest in Ginny's clothing choices before. In fact, it was a rare occasion for him to give an opinion on any girl's attire. But suddenly, he was offering advice, and warning against certain kinds of men. Granted, Hermione was in complete agreement, but she would never have expected him to give such a speech. He was always so detached.
"Knut for your thoughts?" he prodded.
She turned to him, narrowing her eyes, and a sudden wave of enlightenment washed over her. "You like her, don't you?" she asked quietly.
He frowned, but she thought she could see a slight coloring in his cheeks. "Who?"
"Ginny, of course," she grinned. "You fancy her."
Draco gave an overly-dramatic scoff. "Yeah, right. Good one, Hermione."
"I'm being serious."
"I do not fancy Ginny," he insisted. "That's just... just no."
She smirked. "Then why the sudden interest in what kinds of guys she hangs out with? Why the sudden interest in her clothing?"
His cheeks darkened. "I-I was just offering opinions," he stammered.
"You never have before."
"What, so a guy can't state his opinion without everyone assuming he likes a girl? I just... thought I'd do my part, as a friend, in helping her look her best."
She almost had him. "Yes, you did. And then, when she found a dress that—though I think it's a bit too revealing—was very flattering, you turned around and told her she shouldn't wear it."
"I did not!" he insisted, but he was beginning to look cornered. "I was just agreeing that you should alter it! That doesn't mean she shouldn't wear it!"
"To Ginny, that's basically the same thing."
He was losing steam. "B-but... I..."
"Give it up, Draco," her smirk grew. "You fancy her. Admit it."
At last, he heaved a sigh of defeat. "Yeah, I do."
Hermione grinned. "So tell her!"
"Are you kidding? She'd never be interested in me."
"How do you know?"
"She likes the rich, fancy, pretty boy type."
Hermione gave him a look. "Draco. You are a rich, fancy, pretty boy."
"Oi!"
"You also happen to have an uncanny sense of chivalry and respect for women, and you don't squander away your money like it's going out of style. That puts you a notch above the rest." She smiled, patting him on the shoulder. "I bet if you actually said something to her, she would fall at your feet."
"You really think so?"
"Well, you'll never know if you don't try, will you?" she pointed out.
He bit his lip and shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Hermione smiled, feeling satisfied with her mild efforts at matchmaking. Now that she thought about it, she could see Draco and Ginny being happy together. His calm demeanor would tame her wild, partying ways, and though Ginny was an incessant flirt, once she was with a boy, she saw no one else. And Draco wasn't the type to be disloyal. They would undoubtedly love and cherish one another forever.
"Hey," Draco said suddenly, "we never got you a dress!"
Hermione grimaced. "Oh, Draco, I don't need a dress just yet. I can wait."
"Nonsense," he grinned. "We're out, we've got the time, so we might as well do it now. Besides, if you get it over with, you won't have to think about it later, and you can enjoy the month of December."
She sighed, knowing the battle was already lost. "Fine, but no Slytherin colors," she added with a wink.
Draco groaned. "What do you girls have against Slytherin?"
"I can't begin to imagine," she teased.
A/N: Another lame ending. I'm good at those. But hey, I got another chapter out, didn't I? Yay! :D Please leave a review! The ball is next!