Chapter 19: The Ball

Ginny and Hermione were out dress shopping for the ball.

"Ok, you can pick but you can't pick something too tight! I'm pregnant over here and I might not be showing a ton, but enough that a tight dress would make me look fat," said Hermione.

"Do you honestly think I'd pick something bad?" asked Ginny, "I've never failed."

"Right. Sorry," said Hermione, "What about your dress?"

"I have something in mind but you first," said Ginny.

They flipped through the racks. Ginny wouldn't let her look at all.

"Oh, Hermione. This one is SO perfect!" said Ginny, "And no matter what you say you're trying it on."

"Uhh that is not what I want to hear," said Hermione.

Ginny handed her a red dress. Hermione took it into the dressing room with her. Hermione hung it up and looked at it. There was NO way she was wearing this. It was a full length strapless sequined gown with a sweetheart neckline and with a slip all the way up to her thigh

"Ginny! No way! It's going to be too tight!" said Hermione.

"I don't care! We can stay here all day," said Ginny.

Hermione made a frustrated sound but then listened. She put it on and didn't even turn around to look at herself. She didn't want to see how horrible she looked. This was so not her. She stepped out and heard Ginny gasp.

"Draco is going to die when he sees you in this," said Ginny.

"He's not going to see me in it! I'm sure I look horrible!" said Hermione.

"Uh no. Actually you look amazing. Beyond amazing. Did you even see?" asked Ginny.

"No… "

Ginny turned her around and made her face the mirror. Hermione's mouth widened at the sight of herself. It really didn't look that bad.

"Told you," said Ginny.

"Yeah ok but this isn't me. Let's find something more conservative," said Hermione.

"Absolutely not! That's the whole point of this now… to look different and eye catching," said Ginny.

"But I'm being honored. I don't need to attract the wrong attention," said Hermione.

"It'll be fine. Trust me. You have to wear this and I have to be there when Draco sees you," said Ginny.

Hermione just rolled her eyes at Ginny. She went back and changed her clothes and helped Ginny find her own dress.

"So did you find something before then that caught your eye?" asked Hermione.

Ginny nodded, with a wicked look on her face. Hermione followed Ginny directly where she wanted to go. Ginny picked up her dress and quickly went to try it on. She came out with a short strapless that was white on the top with a white bow across her chest and the rest was black.

"Ginny! You're such a hottie!" said Hermione appraising her.

"You think it's ok?" asked Ginny turning around looking at herself.

"It's so perfect," said Hermione.

"Thanks. I'm hoping to catch Harry the same way I hope to catch Draco on you," said Ginny.

"He'll love it," said Hermione smiling.

Ginny changed back and they both looked around buying some shoes and jewelry.

The day came for the ball and Ginny went to Hermione's house to get ready. She brought the dresses with her after she had taken both because she knew Draco would try to find it before the ball. She locked them in the room and started on Hermione's hair.

A few hours later Ginny had finished getting both of them ready.

"Perfect!" said Ginny surveying the two of them. Both had similar make up and hair – loose curls and smoky eyes.

"Wow," said Hermione looking at herself. She could hardly see the real Hermione.

"I know," said Ginny excitedly.

"Are you guys ready yet?" asked Harry through the door.

"Just a second," said Ginny back. She turned to look at Hermione, "Ready?"

"I guess so," she said.

Ginny opened the door and Hermione followed. They found their men sitting in the living room. They were both talking and were completely oblivious to their arrival. Ginny cleared her throat and the two men turned around. Ginny watched as Harry's mouth dropped open at the sight of her. Draco smiled at her.

"Ginny, you look absolutely amazing," said Harry as he got up to kiss his wife.

"Thanks. No one has said anything about Hermione…" said Ginny.

Ginny turned around and noticed Hermione was hidden in the hallway.

"And that would be why. Hermione get out here. You look amazing," said Ginny.

Hermione nervously bit her lip and took a few steps forward gradually coming around the corner. She looked nervously at Draco – nervous because of her own appearance and now his. Ginny was always right… he had to be one of the sexiest wizards alive.

Draco felt his mouth go dry and his heart speed up at the sight of her. All he could do was stare. He wanted to run up to her and kiss her senseless among other things… but he couldn't move.

Ginny watched Draco excitedly. Yep. Mission accomplished.

Finally Draco regained the ability to walk and speak and he walked over and took her hand and kissed the back of her hand, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You're the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen in my life," said Draco, "That dress is… really something."

Draco took a deep breath having to calm himself down again.

"Thanks," said Hermione blushing.

"Told you," said Ginny smirking at Hermione.

"Shut up!" said Hermione.

"Told her what?" asked Draco.

"Nothing!" said Hermione. She did not need him knowing about that.

"Nothing is always something," said Harry. He wanted to know too.

Ginny got the evil look on her face before saying, "I told her that I was going to find a dress so gorgeous all you would be able to think about was wanting to rip it off her."

"Ginny Weasley Potter!" yelled Hermione, turning even redder.

"Sorry I couldn't help myself," she said, "It just slipped out."

"Slipped out my…"

"OK!" said Harry, "I think it's time to go."

Harry took hold of Ginny and apparated them to St. Mungos. Draco took Hermione's hand and did the same. When they arrived Hermione couldn't even look at Draco she was so embarrassed. He squeezed her hand to calm her down.

"Don't be mad at Ginny," said Draco.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because it's Ginny. She's your best friend. And we're married it's not like I don't have those kinds of thoughts anyways," said Draco winking at her.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him but inside her stomach was doing flip-flops. She didn't want to admit that even though she was embarrassed she wanted him too.

They sat down with the Potters right on time. They were served a very nice and elaborate dinner and then were shown a short program. It consisted of a short biography and short blurb about their current work and why they were being honored. Hermione wanted to die though as they made them all come up to the stage where everyone could see them.

After what seemed like hours of torture, Hermione was set free to leave after too many rounds of clapping. The rest of the night was for the ball.

"Hermione you put all of them to shame up there you looked so good," said Ginny as Hermione reached the table.

Hermione just laughed.

"Anyways, let's dance," said Ginny grabbing Harry's hand and dragging him onto the dance floor. Hermione laughed at them but then felt sorry for Harry. He was a terrible dancer.

"She's right you know," said Draco who couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"What?" asked Hermione.

"Out of all the people up there you look the best," said Draco.

"And I think you're a bit biased," said Hermione smiling at him.

"Absolutely not. I speak only the truth," he said smiling back at her, "But anyways I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks," she said halfheartedly, "I still don't know what I did."

"Well, maybe you should go try to figure it out. I bet it will come back to you," said Draco.

"Yeah I was thinking the same. I get bored at home anyways. Until I have a child home is so not the place for me and even then I'll probably still have to work a little," said Hermione.

"Do what you need. I want you to be happy," said Draco.

Draco stood up and held his hand out to her," Dance with me?"

Hermione looked unsure. She was ok at dancing, but it wasn't her favorite.

"Please?" he asked looking her in the eye.

She couldn't turn that down… ever. She took his hand and he led her out onto the floor. Just as they reached it a slow song came on. Draco pulled her close to him and held her close and they started dancing to the music. Hermione smiled to herself. She loved being in his arms and being with him. He was absolutely amazing. In fact, she admitted it to herself. She was madly in love with him. She felt a kiss on her forehead. Her smiled widened and she looked up at Draco.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"You," she said.

"Yeah? And?" he asked.

"Thank you for being so patient with me. I know I was incredibly horrible in the beginning, but now I'm glad it's you who I'm married to," she said.

Draco smiled and leaned down and kissed her lips softly.

"Wait I wasn't finished. There's something else," said Hermione.

Draco looked at her curiously.

Hermione's felt her heart pound. She didn't know why she was so nervous. He was already in love with her. She took a deep breath before speaking again.

"I love you, Draco," she said.

Draco stopped dancing and looked at her. He hoped he heard right.

"Did you just say…?"

"I love you?" Hermione interrupted. She smiled at him and said it again, "Yes I did. Draco, I'm in love with you."

Draco broke out into a smile and picked her up twirling her around in excitement.

"Draco!" said Hermione excitedly. It was supposed to come out in a scolding manner but she couldn't help but be excited when she saw his face.

He put her down and then wrapped his arms around her and rested his forehead on hers looking at her.

"I never thought I'd hear you say those words again. Thank you for giving me a shot. I love you so much Hermione Malfoy. I always will," he said and then pulled on hand up to cup the back of her neck while the other still held her tight against him. He leaned down and kissed her full on the mouth again. At this point he didn't care who was watching. He loved her and she loved him and he wanted the whole world to know it.

They broke the kiss breathing hard and fast.

"Wow. Quite the show," said Ginny who had appeared next to them.

"Sorry," said Hermione laughing but then she changed her mine, "No. I'm not actually. I love him and I love kissing him."

Hermione gave him another quick kiss.

"You love him again?" asked Ginny, "Aww! Harry! They love each other!"

"Good. I'm happy for them. Now let's leave them alone," said Harry smiling as he dragged Ginny away.

"Do you want to leave? I mean I know this is for you but…"

Hermione kissed him again to interrupt him.

"Yes," she said smiling at him.

Draco smiled back and quickly apparated them back to their own house.

Draco pulled Hermione close to him and then in a deep voice whispered in her ear, "Good. Ginny was right. I love that dress and think you look incredibly sexy in it, but I can't help but think it might look better off you…"

Shivers went down Hermione's back. Draco kissed her passionately and then picked her up and carried her to their room.

And the teen rating now applies lol. I think possibly one chapter left and an epilogue of course :) Hope you guys are enjoying this!