A/N - And so we have the ball where the wizarding world finds about about Draco and Hermione. Oh and all those people who are miraculously alive. No real concern with the "bug" - Now that Hermione reminded them of her lies from the triwizard tournament, Narcissa & Draco implemented some tighter rules on her stories. She isn't happy. Narcissa may have given an empty glass jar to the editor-in-chief and told him to display it where anyone walking into the office could see it.

Disclaimer - Still don't own of the players, scenes or world.

Happy Wednesday morning and hope this helps you get over the hump!

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Two hours later, the last guest had just entered the Malfoy grand ballroom.

"Hermione you did an excellent job! I am so proud of you." Draco picked Hermione up and spun her quickly. Hermione laughed at the carefree manner Draco reacted while Narcissa chuckled lightly.

"Now Draco, please set Hermione down; it is time for your first dance." Narcissa walked into the ballroom and shut the doors behind her. Draco and Hermione heard the bandleader announce the first dance and the doors opened. Hermione and Draco entered the room with all eyes on them. In years to come Hermione would be amazed at how she handled this night. Draco led her to the dance floor and pulled her into his body. Before nodding to the bandleader Draco leaned in and whispered for her to enjoy this dance. It would be their first, of many, public dances. With a quick nod of his head the music started and Draco led them in the dance. At the end of the dance, the guests applauded and began to whisper even more about why Hermione was hosting this ball.

"Welcome to the annual Malfoy Holiday Ball. Please take your seats as dinner service will begin shortly."
Draco led Hermione to the head table. The others at the table were Narcissa and Anna, Blaise and Pansy, Harry and Ginny, Theo and Louisa. Hermione had not expected dinner to be so succulent. After finishing the sixth course Hermione felt as if she would burst. Ginny had only heard about these balls and read the stories in The Prophet. She could not believe she would be able to tell her children that she had attended one of them. She loved her dress. Harry had told her that she would not be dancing with anyone but him that night. He was afraid she would run off with some smooth talking wizard. Harry amended his oath later saying that she could have one dance with Draco and only while Harry was dancing with Hermione. Ginny laughed knowing Draco would be watching when any other wizard was dancing with Hermione but that Harry was probably the safest wizard that Draco would allow near her.

Draco stood and cleared his throat.

"Again welcome. Before we open the floor for a night of fun and dancing it is time for the press." There was a light groan throughout the room.

"Yes, we all dislike this portion but it does allow us to all have a little freedom afterwards. Please open the doors and allow the press to enter."

Draco motioned for Hermione to stand and he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"As you all know the press will be allowed to stay for twenty minutes and photo the proceedings. After that they will be escorted from the grounds. Now, I will continue the rest of the announcements." This was unexpected. Normally the press was given free-reign and they asked all sorts of inane questions.

"As we are all aware, in the last few weeks there have been some actions that have caused the Ministry to enforce rules for all of our safety. Hermione and I have been the target of two such actions. As you can see we were not harmed; however, as a result Hogwarts has been placed on secured lock down. As I am sure those of you with children are acutely aware. I am happy to announce when the lock down has been lifted the students will be allowed to spend a week with their families. While this is shorter than our typical mid-year holiday it is to allow the families some time together. More details will be provided once the threat has been neutralized."

There was an appreciative murmur from the guests. Students had been allowed to receive mail but none were allowed to leave. For those that would ask how Hermione, Draco, Harry, Ginny, Anna, Blaise, Pansy and Theo were at the ball, it was stated the students had been off the grounds when the school was locked down with Hermione and Draco, as they were professors. Unfortunately they were not back before the lock down occurred and no one was allowed to access the school afterwards. It was not mentioned the only other student who was not currently on the school grounds was Ron Weasley. The press did noticed Ron absence and that Gryffindors and Slytherins appeared to be getting along. Especially the hosts of the party.

"I promise I'm almost done. A miracle occurred a few weeks ago. As we all know the wizarding world has been put through much stress and heartache over the last three decades. There have been many lost. Every family has been touched by this tragedy. I would like to take a moment to remember those who have been lost."

Draco dropped his head. There was silence for two minutes. None of the members of the press corps were brave enough to snap any pictures.

"As I mentioned there has been a miracle. Miracles typically do not occur in our world; but what I am about to announce can be called nothing but miracles for six individuals who we thought were lost to our world are, in fact, alive."

There was a chattering running around the room. No one knew what was to come.

"I will ask that everyone remain in their seats and maintain the level of dignity that has always surrounded this gala."

Draco turned and a table appeared directly in front of the head table. Everyone could tell that there was something more but couldn't be seen. At this Draco started to call out names, the disillusionment charms ended.

"Severus Snape"

"Albus Dumbledore"

Draco paused as the sight of the two Hogwarts professors had everyone in shock.

"Now please everyone remember what has been asked of you. James and Lily Potter." There was an audible gasp as the forms of James and Lily appeared next to Albus. Harry was smiling broadly when he noticed that everyone in the room was happy to see that his parents were alive.

"Finally I am honored to allow Hermione to announce the next couple." This was not the plan and Narcissa looked to the couple before relaxing to enjoy the rest of the announcements. Hermione took a steadying breathe before opening her mouth.

"My parents, Percy and Stephanie Phoenix." With that simple announcement the room was aghast. The individuals invited to this event would have been those invited to the fabled Phoenix wedding. After seeing James and Lily it wasn't a large leap to believe that Percy and Stephanie had survived; what did surprise everyone was that Hermione Granger, pride of the muggleborns, was in fact a pureblood. A pureblood whose family line was more storied than anyone, including the Malfoy family.

Draco quickly drew everyone's attention back to him. He had timed this. Since he had not granted the press permission to roam the room they were stuck on the stairs; he had been tracking the time and knew there were only a few moments left before he could send them away. He decided that now was the time to inform those in attendance of the last bit of news.

"I would like to thank my mother for allowing me the honor to begin my duties as the new Lord Malfoy. I was granted the title at the end of the last wizarding war. I would also like to thank Hermione Phoenix for agreeing to host at my side. This has been a large undertaking and she has handled it with intelligence and grace."

Draco leaned into Hermione and gave her a chaste kiss. There were several camera clicks as he ended the kiss. With a quick wink and smirk, Draco's attention was returned to his duties as host of the ball.

"I believe the twenty minutes allotted for the press has now expired. Please escort the press from the property." With a quick flick of his wrist all the media were expelled from the room and the grounds. Hermione watched as the bug was removed with the rest of them.

It became chaotic as friends rushed the miracle six. Albus had slipped off with Kingsley. He had been granted permission to floo to Hogwarts. He wanted to be the one that told Minerva. He stayed at the school and Kingsley returned.

The ball was a great success. After the last guest had left and those staying in the Manor had gone to bed; Hermione and Draco stood together.

"That was amazing Draco." Hermione cooed as she leaned into Draco's chest.

"I could not agree more. I should be getting the proof copy of The Prophet shortly. Would you like to review it with me?"

"Of course."

Hermione made a few suggestions and some required changes before allowing Draco to sign off on it. Their relationship was slowly beginning to feel natural. Neither made a major decision without discussing it with the other. Being together was more comforting than being with their friends. Their friends had truly become friends with each other.

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Another two weeks would pass before Hermione and Harry were at their wits end. They knew where Ron and Lucius were but didn't know what to do. Neither could be apprehended. This left figuring how to destroy them. Lucius should be vulnerable to a basic killing curse assuming Hermione or Draco could get him to show himself. Ron was a different case entirely. She could kill Ron but that would just allow Voldemort to escape like he did the last time. As long as they could keep Ron occupied the hope was they would find a way to destroy both the body and spirit. Hermione continued to search the library for what spell was used when Voldemort buried himself in Ron's head. Only then would she figure out how to destroy them both. Hermione knew Ginny had claimed the first right; however, it was going to take someone much more powerful.

Draco didn't mind being at the Manor as it gave him unlimited time with Hermione. He had suspected this was his mother's original plan and it was working out better than she could have ever dreamed. Since classes were canceled there was little to get in his way. They would sit in the library everyday reading and being together. He loved the nights the most. She would sneak into his room and they would spend the time exploring each other's body. Draco knew they could not consummate their relationship, even if Hermione was ready. At this point the best thing would be to wait until their wedding night. Hermione agreed and as painful as it was to wait, Hermione did her best to assist Draco in relieving his pain.

He had spent his time memorizing her entire body. She was amazing and reacted to the slightest touch. He had learned what caused her to moan, growl, whimper, beg and squeak. He loved the squeaks the most. He had to stop thinking or the tightness in pants would become very obvious to everyone. Hermione had noticed and subtly moved her hand into his lap and opened his zipper. As her hand slid into his boxers she turned the page of the book she was reading and grasped his cock. Draco hissed as he fought the urge to buck his hips as she began to stroke him. Hermione looked around and realizing they were alone she placed gentle kisses on his lips as she rubbed against him with more urgency. She swallowed his moan as he came. As quickly as she had started she had cleaned Draco's pants and resumed reading. He could not believe how unbelievably amazing his sexy little witch was.

That night Hermione was unable to sleep. Instead of visiting Draco, knowing he needed sleep, she paced her room. A couple of hours later, Hermione had stopped pacing and was silently staring out her window into the moonless night. Ginny was quietly snoring while Hermione continued to ponder the riddle in front of her. There had to be something she was missing with Ron. She decided the only place with the answer was the one place she had spent too many hours but there was nothing she could do but continue to research. She tightened the belt on her robe, grabbed her wand and headed toward the library. Before leaving she warded the rooms once more, just to be safe.

Hermione spent three hours reading before sitting up to stretch. She had found an old spell that was used to keep someone's spirit alive long enough to say goodbye to loved ones before crossing over. It was very ancient and again similar to the one she saw in the Phoenix family book. Hermione wondered if the spell could be modified in order for the spirit to have an unlimited length of time, assuming there was a physical body to support the spirit. With a couple more hours of reading Hermione was formalizing her hypothesis. It seemed very plausible. With a slight pop Twinky came to her with a cup of tea.

"Twinky you are amazing. How did you know this was just what I needed? I may have to get you something to wear with your pretty skirt now."

"Misses Herminniny loves Master Draco. Twinky loves Master Draco too. Twinky loves Misses Herminniny now."

"Yes Twinky I love him and you." Hermione smiled and knelt to hug the small elf. As she went down a sudden shattering of glass behind her cause her to scream.

"Get Draco now!"

Twinky popped away as Hermione stood in the darkened library with her wand drawn.

"MASTER DRACO!" Draco shot up suddenly awake.

"Twinky what is wrong?"

"Misses Herminniny is in the library someone is there. She needs you." Before she could say anything else Draco and his wand popped out of the room.

"Hermione where are you?"

"Draco, I'm to the left someone blew out the windows and is in here."

Draco knew that she would not give up her location so easily. Draco focused on her scent and moved toward her, tracking it and her the entire way. Hermione stood in the corner watching the dark shape move toward her. As she leveled her wand she felt a breeze and a nose full of Draco's scent. She lowered her wand and reached out her hand. He silently grabbed it and stood by her. From the hallway they heard the others coming and not wanting to risk losing anyone the library doors were slammed shut and warded. No one was using that door and the only way out was the window. The same window the pair were currently standing next to and waiting for whomever to attempt to make their escape.

A noise from the other side of the library startled them. The intruder fell for her lie about being to the left. The person realized the trick and started to move quickly back toward the window. At the same moment Draco and Hermione yelled 'Stupify' and the person fell to the ground. While Hermione quickly fixed the window and shielded it so that no one on the outside could see in; Draco bound and gagged the intruder before flicking his wand to turn on the lights and open the doors. He turned his wand back towards the intruder.

Harry ran into the room followed by Ginny with drawn wands. Draco and Hermione waved them toward the back of the rows to discover who it had be apprehended.

"Draco, how did he get through the wards?"

"I don't know can you check yours first while I make sure he doesn't move and then I'll check mine."

"Good idea" with that Hermione checked her wards to find that they were still there as where Narcissa's.

"Mine are there as are Cissy's. I've got him covered." Draco made the same sweeping motions and came up with the same results. Harry and Ginny flipped over the motionless intruder and realized that it was Couch. Harry sent a quick patronus to Kingsley. Within a few moments Kingsley was waiting to be allowed into the Manor. Narcissa had appeared and stood with Hermione and Draco as the aurors started to come through. The elves had spread themselves throughout the main level to protect their family.

Hermione was feeling very uncomfortable and she realized quickly something wasn't right. Her body was trying to hold onto something. Her magic was crackling but not from anger. This feeling was different. She was feeling insecure about her surroundings or those people who were in her immediate vicinity. Hermione slowly looked at each individual and noted that a couple of the newly arrived aurors seemed very uncomfortable.

And it clicked.

"Stop" there was an authority in her voice that rang in the Manor. Draco noticed that Hermione's hair began to look like fire again. This time he was very nervous. Last time that amount of power coursed through her the nursery blasted open. Draco moved to flank Hermione and grab her if need be. He began to look at each of the aurors in the room as she slowly backed toward Kingsley. As soon as Draco got to the second to last auror a shot of recognition went through him. At that same moment, the last two aurors, that Hermione had also noticed, along with Couch, were suddenly thrown against the wall unable to move, speak or think. With a quick flick of her wand the sleeves on all three were removed and a black tattoo was on each forearm. Hermione's eyes were on fire. Draco confirmed the auror on the right had been the one that he and Severus assumed was responsible for Hermione passing out the morning Brown attacked Pansy. Draco was focused on them when he heard Hermione.

"Finally." With that Hermione disappeared with a pop.

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A/N - What has Hermione figured out? Sorry for the little bit of a cliffhanger, it was a good place to break the chapter. See you Saturday.