AN: Thank you to all who have reviewed so far - I really appreciate all of you.

"Malfoy, are you planning on going to the ball next week?"

He looked up in surprise – it was unusual, possibly even unprecedented, for Hermione to start a conversation that wasn't related to one of their projects.

"As Ministry employees, we don't really have much choice, do we? We're expected to be there."

"I know you've probably already got a date and you're going to laugh at me but I don't have one any more and…" This all came out in a rush.

"Granger, slow down. Your mouth might work at a mile a minute but my ears don't. In answer to the first part, no, I don't have a date. I haven't exactly thought about it much, seeing as I've had… we've had… so much work lately." He stopped, looking at her. "You don't have a date any more, do you?"

"I had been planning to go with Ron, but I think we both know that won't be happening any longer, seeing as he's taking Lavender."

Draco visibly shuddered. "Don't know what he sees in the girl. I'll pick you up at seven, if that's acceptable?"

Astounded wasn't a strong enough word to describe how Hermione felt at the time. "You're asking me to go with you?"

"We both need dates, Granger." He was speaking very clearly, as if explaining something to a rather slow child. "You don't have one, I don't have one. Neither of us are the sort to grab some random person off the streets, so this seems like the best solution."

Stunned, she collapsed into her chair. She'd never expected Malfoy to ask her, though it was indeed the best solution.

Now, she just had to find a dress. And for that, she needed Ginevra Weasley.

……………………

"Hermione, you're hopeless." She is. She really is. If it were left to her, she'd show up to this event wearing a sack instead of a dress. "You want to show my stupid brother what he's missing, don't you? The answer, by the way, is yes."

"I'm just not used to wearing…" she indicated the dress I'd chosen, and was holding out to her.

"Try it on. Just try it." I forced it into her hand, then shoved her back into the fitting room. She's going with Draco Malfoy, who's used to witches in expensive, fancy clothes. She needs to look the part. Plus, it'll be a fantastic kick in the pants for Ronald, who is still fuming about my revenge. This ball will be Hermione's revenge.

She poked her head round the curtain. "Ginny, I'm not sure about this. It's a bit too low cut for me."

"Let's see it." Her ideas of low cut are nothing like mine. She walks out, slowly, obviously worried. She doesn't need to be – she looks absolutely stunning.

"You're getting that dress, even if I have to force you."

Despite everything she's complained about, this makes her smile, and she doesn't put up any more arguments.

You might be wondering why I'm supporting Hermione instead of my brother – believe me, if you knew them, you wouldn't have to ask.

…………………

The day of the ball, Malfoy was surprisingly polite to her; not using a single insult for the entire day. That had never happened before, so Hermione had to ask, simply out of curiosity.

"I'm practising for tonight. It won't do for the Weasel to watch us arguing when we're supposed to be making him jealous."

"True. Though I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to start a fight with you."

"I can handle it."

……………………

To her surprise, he arrived to collect her at precisely 7pm. She'd expected him to either be late or not show up at all.

"I must say, Granger, that dress really suits you."

"Thank you."

They entered the room when there was a lull in the music, so everybody present heard Ronald Weasley's exclamation of "Bloody hell, Mione!"

When they all turned to look, Hermione wanted to run and hide. She wished she'd never let Ginny talk her into buying this rather revealing dress; that she'd never agreed to attend with Malfoy. Knowing she couldn't show her insecurities, she tossed her hair back, held her head high and walked in, proudly. At her side, Draco Malfoy smirked. That had been exactly the reaction he'd expected. Hermione was taking it well, though.

"I can't believe you'd stoop so low as to consort with the ferret."

"Says the person who dumped me, and therefore has no right to tell me what I can and can't do, or who I can and can't date."

"I thought you had better taste."

Hermione simply raised an eyebrow and looked at Ronald Weasley very pointedly, before Draco whisked her onto the dance floor.

"He's got a nerve, saying those things to you."

"He thinks that it's ok for him to run off with someone else, while still telling me what to do. Well, he can't."

"He's watching us."

"He's jealous. Good. Serves him right."

AN: Chapter 4 should be up soon - if you review, that is!