Hello my faithful readers! Here is an extra long chapter just for you to makeup up for my long absence! Have we all seen the latest and final HP movie? Were tears shed? I certainly did. I hope to finish this story in one or 2 chapters at most. So enjoy these last few reads with me my fellow Harry Potter fanatics. Do leave a comment for just think how fewer a chances you have left to do so :(

Chapter 19

Draco POV

It would be fair to say that Draco was furious when he heard that Hermione had already been asked to the ball. To say that Draco was furious when he heard she was going with Blaise however would be a gross understatement.

Draco had been trying all week to ask Hermione to the ball. He had decided that he would have to get her alone to ask, however this had caused some problems, as it seemed the fates were conspiring against him lately. As it was he would only have a small window of opportunity between the last class and before dinner each day for as soon as dinner was over she would be in the common room and surrounded by people. However on the Monday he had had detention after school, on the Tuesday she went out to Hogsmeade with Potter and Weaslette. He couldn't find her at all on Wednesday. Thursday she was taking an extra class after school and by Friday he had earnt himself another afternoon detention, as he had been too preoccupied with thoughts of Hermione to get any homework done. Saturday morning came and he was desperate to find her when he ran into Theo who begged him to practise Quiditch with him. He would've refused without a second thought had Theo not looked so down. He realized he'd spent hardly any time with him or any other Slytherin's under 30 in almost three years save for the train ride and some meals now and then.

Guilty, he agreed to go all the time checking his watch to make sure they weren't gone too long. He practically sprinted back to the common room just before 12 only to be greeted by the news that Hermione had been asked to the ball by none other than Blaise Zabini. In a state of absolute disbelief Draco had remained frozen in place as everyone cleared out for lunch. It was not till the clock struck ½ past that he was shaken out of his stupor and events proceeded like this:

"Damn! Damn! Damn!" He cursed marching back and forth across the Gryffindor common room subconsciously grateful that no one was there to witness his tantrum.

"This is not how this was supposed to happen! Now who the hell am I going to take? Dam it Blaise!"

"My you are prone to throwing fits aren't you Drake." Draco tensed and immediately stopped his pacing. He slowly turned to face the owner of the voice cooling his features as he did so.

Blaise stood just inside the entrance to the common room and the smirk he wore dashed any doubt Draco might have held onto that the rumours had been false.

Draco was about to let him have it when Hermione came through the entrance after Blaise clutching a dangerous amount of books in her arms.

"Oh, hi Draco." Hermione greeted him with a look of surprise. Draco's fists curled and his jaw clenched as he fought back the urge to throw Blaise out the window. Why were they alone together? What had they been planning on doing?

"Hermione." He replied through gritted teeth. Hermione looked taken aback at his tone.

"Are you alright?" She asked gently moving towards him. Draco turned away from her slightly squeezing his eyes shut trying to ease the pain of seeing her with Blaise. "Are you alright?" WELL OF COURSE I'M NOT!

"I'm fine, Mione," he replied forcing himself to smile at her. She smiled back but this only served to sink him further into depression.

"We should go," Blaise broke in between Draco and Hermione. "We don't want to be late."

"Where are you going?" Draco asked with a hint of desperation.

"Heads meeting." Blaise replied sharply before Hermione could.

"Oh," the relief was clear in Draco's expression and Blaise looked annoyed with having afforded him it.

"I know, I've just got to drop these books in my room." Hermione replied making her way up the stairs. As soon as her door closed the smiles disappeared from the boys faces.

"You bastard!" Draco hissed at Blaise.

"Now, now, no need to use that intemperate language." Blaise replied mockingly.

"You think you've won just because she agreed to go to the ball with you? She probably just feels sorry for you!" Blaise's expression darkened and he opened his mouth to retort when Hermione came bouncing back down the stairs an angelic smile on her face. She stopped abruptly upon seeing their expressions.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing," Blaise replied quickly moving to open the door for her. He turned, a mocking smile on his face. "See you later mate."

Hermione gave Draco a parting smile and Blaise quickly followed her shutting the door behind them.

"Yep, see you later." Draco replied darkly, alone again.

Hermione's POV

The night of the ball was upon them before they knew it. It was, as Professor Trelawney had foreseen, a beautiful starlight evening and the castle seemed alive with anticipation.

"How do I look?" Ginny asked confidently, twirling around in front of Hermione. Hermione smiled at her friend.

"Too good for them." she replied warmly referring to both of Ginny's dates.

Ginny's dress came down to the floor with a daring slit up the side. It was midnight blue, strapless with a corseted top that gave way to a layered skirt. Her heels had to be at least a mile high and her ginger hair was done up in an elegant high ponytail emphasising her long neck and creamy skin. Hermione felt a pang of envy and looked at her own sad reflection in the mirror.

"Do you need help doing your makeup?" Ginny asked coming to sit on the bed with Hermione.

"I've done it." Hermione replied slightly hurt.

"Oh," Ginny gasped looking apologetically at Hermione. "I'm sorry Mione, it's just that that's how you do your day makeup."

"You didn't teach me any other way." Hermione replied hanging her head

"Well never mind," Ginny re-joined perking up. "Better late than never!" And with that's she got to work on re-creating Hermione. She had just finished applying the base layers when she realized Hermione hadn't even started on her hair.

"Hermione what have you been doing all day?" Ginny asked exasperated.

"I had a bath." Hermione defended herself. Ginny groaned. Getting up from the bed she crossed the room to the door.

"Where are you going?" Hermione called frantically.

"To call in reinforcements!" Ginny replied leaving the room.

45 minutes later Hermione was ready. After many warnings from Hermione not to over do it Ginny had allowed her to keep her makeup fairly natural. Her lips were a pretty pink, her complexion flawless and her eyes dark and wide. Lavender had done Hermione's hair, so that two plaits came back to form a high loose bun with a few escaping curls to soften the look. Padma buffed, cut and shaped Hermione's nails with a frightening array of tools Hermione had never seen before. At last all three stood back to admire their handiwork as Hermione slipped into her dress. There was a wave of compliments. Ginny announced her to look like a goddess; Lavender congratulated herself that she had done Hermione's hair very well and Padma thought Hermione looked very beautiful.

Hermione, though reassured by their words couldn't help the butterflies that flittered inside her. She looked down at her dress -so carefully chosen by Ginny the week before in Hogsmeade. It was scarlet red (for Gryffindor Ginny told her) and appeared dreamlike when she moved due to its light, flowing material. The dress had a sweet heart neckline, and the halter neck allowed the dress to be backless. There was a tight section around Hermione's small waist that then gave way to the skirt. Hermione was in a panic. It was a very conspicuous dress –not at all like Hermione- but Ginny was encouraging her not to be afraid of attention.

"One more touch!" Ginny told her leaving her room briefly and reappearing with a jewellery box. Hermione opened it and gasped. Lying on the velvet lining was a sparkling white gold and diamond necklace. It was simple and elegant- exactly like Hermione.

"Oh Ginny I can't!" She protested.

"You not only can but must!" Ginny insisted removing the dainty piece from its box and gesturing for Hermione to turn around. Hermione was now facing the mirror and she couldn't help beaming as she watched Ginny carefully fasten it behind her neck.

Ginny gave Hermione a reassuring hug before they made their way to the common room. Harry had already left to accompany his "date" to the ball and the Ravenclaw boy was waiting for Ginny outside the door.

"See you there!" Ginny called merrily as she left leaving Hermione feeling vulnerable. She heard someone wolf whistle behind her and she spun around like she had done a week earlier to see Blaise smirking at her. He looked dashing in a fitted and clearly very expensive black suit. His eyes sparkled as he took her in and Hermione felt herself involuntary blush.

"Well Miss Granger I hardly know what to say to you. It is most cruel of you to outshine every other girl in the school by looking so beautiful when you already surpass them in every other respect." Hermione smiled at his teasing tone and tried to look guilty.

"Alas it can't be helped." She replied in a mockingly remorseful tone. "I'm simply perfection." Blaise laughed and reaching her, bowed over her hand and placed a chaste kiss on it.

"The sad thing is that while you are joking you are perfectly right."

Hermione laughed off his comment deciding not to argue the point. She accepted the arm he held out to her willingly and he led her to the Great Hall.

Draco POV

Draco sat outside in the cool night air gazing up at the stars. Damn those stars. It was bad enough that fate had so decidedly turned against him but those stars mocked him.

What did I do to deserve this? Draco thought angrily glaring at the sky. Lots of bad karma I guess his conscious supplied him. Groaning Draco dropped his head down and looked at his gloved hands. He had denied to the last that he was dressing up for her tonight. He always looked good. It wasn't for her. When he had done his hair he hadn't left it deliberately slightly messy because she preferred it that way. No, he was just trying a new look that's all. And he hadn't not asked any other girl to the ball because he was too busy pining for her. No not at all!

With a sigh Draco walked back into the entrance hall just in time to see Hermione, escorted by Blaise descend the magnificent staircase. She looked -to be perfectly honest- stunning. Her dress swirled around her in a surreal manner. That colour, so passionate, so Gryffindor (he inwardly rolled his eyes), made her look so, so-

More sighs; Merlin he sounded like an infatuated schoolgirl. Blaise looked like an over made git and definitely did not deserve to escort such a girl- his girl- into the ballroom. McGonagall met them at the bottom of the stairs in a panic. He didn't hear what Blaise said but it obviously mollified the headmistress slightly. She bid them to open the ball and they easily made their way through the parted crowd who were staring agog at Hermione. She held her head high and confidently, which made him smirk as he could read in her eyes how nervous she was.

Draco didn't hear their speeches. He was too transfixed with both anger and admiration at the couple addressing him. He soon became aware that people around him were cheering and clapping. He also became aware of murmurs of what a great couple they made. Draco glared icily at anyone who stated this opinion until those within hearing were silenced.

The doors swung open and Hermione and Blaise were the first to enter whilst the rest of the students followed in their wake. A waltz was struck up and couples everywhere were following the example set by the heads of the school. Draco leant against a wall and tried to enjoy watching a horrified Theo being dragged onto the dance floor by a fierce Pansy Parkinson. He would not spend his evening lamenting over her. He would not he would not!

Hermione POV

Everything was magical. Well it would be of course -being a school of magic and all- but it was more than that. Tonight was a fairy-tale. People did stare as she entered but she didn't mind as much as she thought she would. In fact she felt quite exhilarated by it. Poor Headmistress McGonagall was clearly not as excited as she was. The poor women looked older than ever. Blaise immediately set about assuring her but Hermione didn't listen. She was trying as subtly as she could to find Draco. She had barely seen him at all this week. It was as though he had been avoiding her. When she had confided this to Ginny the girl assured her that no one had seen him much. This did not comfort Hermione. She wondered where he was, what he was doing. She found herself thinking about him more and more everyday. Not in a romantic way of course! She scolded herself. No it was pure curiosity that lead her mind to dwell on a certain blond haired Slytherin.

When Blaise took her in his arms as they began to dance Hermione felt warm all over. But the feeling was less than she had hoped. Blaise made her laugh, he made her blush, he made her relax and he made her mortified. But most importantly he made her feel special. He was caring, easy going and generous not to mention excessively handsome! As they danced she couldn't take her eyes off him. His smile made her smile, his eyes made her feel beautiful, his arms made her feel safe and yet-

With an inward sigh Hermione remembered how she could feel with him; that beautiful, aggravating grey-eyed boy. Only he could make her so angry she wanted to obliviate him from here to hell. Only he could make her so miserable that she could cry silently into her pillow all night. Only he could make her feel stupid (heaven forbid). Only he could -with one touch- send Hermione's poor heart into a fluster. Only he could with just one look make her feel more exposed than she would feel walking naked through Hogwarts. Only he could –just by being close to her- make the rest of the world disappear so that there was no one and nothing else but the two of them.

Hermione fought back these dangerous thoughts, extremely grateful that Blaise being the expert dancer that he was had been able to keep her uncoordinated self dancing with what she hoped was refinement -even as her mind unfocused. The dance ended presently and as Blaise led her from the floor Hermione finally spied Draco, at the back near the doors, his penetrating gaze directed at her and her alone. Suddenly breathless Hermione watched as, with a slight nod at her, he turned and exited the room.

Coming up: part 2 of the ball and Hermione makes her choice. Heart break, joy and snogging coming right up ;)