Hermione's POV

(Hogsmead)

"Ginny! We have hours before the ball starts, why do you have to be here so early?" Hermione exclaimed as she opened the door to her condo to see the redhead sitting at her dining table with a cup of tea. Ginny rolled her eyes and went back to drinking her tea and sorting through the piles of makeup set out before her.

"Do you want gold, silver, white or light green to go with your dress?" she asked idly. Hermione sighed as she looked at the piles to see which one was the smallest. Silver was the only one that didn't have a heavy blush, but the light green didn't have eyeliner. Taking out a coin from the money tin on the bench, Hermione flipped it.

"Heads, silver. Tails, light green." She said as Ginny snatched the coin out of the air. Looking into her hand Ginny smirked.
"Silver it is then. You'll match your date tonight." she said with a wink.

Scowling, Hermione went back to the shop to put up the closed early sign and wait for the last remaining customers to finish up. A young boy raced up to the counter with a small stack of books in his arms and placed them gently on the bench.

"Hello young man, are you with someone who can help you buy those books?" Hermione smiled at him and he nodded shyly.

"Now where did Leo go? Gracious Piper, can you see him?" the polished and gentle voice reached Hermione's ears and she looked at the boy in front of her.
"Is your name Leo, young sir?" she asked and again he nodded shyly. Looking around the shop she saw Narcissa hurrying towards her and Leo.

"Leo! What did I tell you about running off? Oh, hello Hermione." She said with a smile. Hermione returned the smile and put the books in a bag for them as Narcissa put a couple of galleons on the bench.

"These must be the kids that you were talking about the other day. I'm Hermione." She said to Piper and Leo. They both smiled and mumbled a hello. Narcissa looked closely at Hermione, she matched the description Blaise had given her about Draco's so-called blind date to the ball. Could Hermione possible agree to a date with Draco? Pursing her lips she decided to question Blaise about it later.

"Come on you little munch kins let's go so Hermione can get ready for the ball tonight. I'm sure she will look like, what were you telling me Piper? Cinderella?" she asked the small blonde girl who nodded enthusiastically.

"Miss Hermione you will look like Cinderella with all your pretty hair! You just need a handsome prince." she squeaked. Hermione chuckled.

"Well apparently I'm going with a prince, says my friend. But she won't tell me who he is! Isn't that mean!" Hermione said to Piper who frowned on her behalf.

"She should tell you. Do you know what he looks like Miss Hermione?" Piper asked. It was Hermione's turn to shake her head and Piper looked disappointed.

"Come on Piper, let's go! Don't you want to see Draco get all dressed up tonight? I'm sure he will look very handsome." Narcissa pulled the little girls hand and they walked out of the shop. Looking around, Hermione noticed that everyone had left so she returned to Ginny.

"Hermione, shower now. I have 3 hours to fix both myself and your makeup before our dates turn up to take us. Blaise is apparating them both straight inside, I've added his name to the apparition list for tonight." Ginny stated and Hermione rolled her eyes before heading to the shower. It was better to just do as Ginny told her in these situations.

Narcissa's POV

(Malfoy Manor)

Striding into Draco's bedroom, Narcissa found the two men having a glass of firewhiskey before they got ready for the ball. They were laughing about something and although she didn't want to intrude on the rare moment of laughter on behalf of Draco, she cleared her throat. Looking at Draco she smiled for a moment then turned to Blaise.

"I'd like a moment with you Blaise Zabini." She walked back out of the room with Blaise trailing behind her. Casting a silencing spell on the next room she entered and turned to face him.

Blaise raised an eyebrow as she studied him for a few moments.

"I know exactly who my son's date is and I think we are going to have a lot of entertainment. It's about time they got over their prejudices and got along. And if she ends up divorcing that idiot she calls her husband I hope you will push them together." she stated primly. Narcissa laughed at the look on Blaise's face.

"I knew I couldn't fool you for too long Narcissa. But wow, you really think Draco will fall for her in the end?" he asked. Narcissa smirked.

"I don't think Blaise. I know. I also know that it's not far until it happens." And with that she turned and stalked out of the room to get herself ready.

Hermione's POV

(Hogsmead)

RESPECT!

I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO ME!

RESPECT!

TAKE CARE, TCB!

Hermione sung along in her silk dressing gown as Ginny took her shower. The power of the woman shining through her as she belted out the girl power song as if she were on stage.

ALL I'M ASKING,

IS FOR A LITTLE RESPECT WHEN YOU GET HOME!

She was too busy dancing around and singing to realise that Ron was standing in the door watching her. Finally the song finished and Hermione, out of breath sat on the couch to flick through the CD for another song to sing.

"I didn't think you were this excited to go to the ball Hermione." Hermione jumped at the voice and spun around taking in Ron with his navy tux.

"Well I wasn't, but seeing as I now have someone to go with it has put me in a better mood. Besides, don't you look dashing" she smiled at him and got up to give him a kiss. Just as she got to him, Ginny came out of the bathroom in a towel and screeched at Ron to leave Hermione alone. Ron backed up slowly.

"I'll just go to Harry's then. By the way Mione, who is going with you tonight? You never told me you were going someone." He frowned. "You will wear your ring, you hear me? You're my girl and that is the end of it." Hermione sighed. She knew this would happen. Looking at Ginny, she motioned for her to go into the bathroom again, which she did with a huff and glare at her brother.

"Ron, don't you think you're being a little jealous. I don't even know who my date is. Ginny organised it. If you want, you can stay and find out who it is with me." sighed Hermione. She watched as Ron visibly relaxed.

"I'll just sit in the lounge and wait then. You go get ready." He said sitting down and summoning a butter beer from the fridge. Hermione went to the bathroom and sat down on the stool Ginny had transfigured. Closing her eyes, she let the other woman do her makeup and hair. When she finally opened her eyes, they popped right out of her face and looked dramatic and sexy. Her lips were a deep burgundy and the blush along her cheeks was barely there. It was a good look on her and Ginny had perfected it years ago. Her hair was left plain, falling along her back to brush her waist. Stepping into the dress that Ginny held open, she held it against her as Ginny zipped her up. The shimmering material shimmered and floated against her legs and the bodice clung to her figure just enough to show her curves. Looking in the mirror, Hermione felt beautiful. Arching an eyebrow at Ginny's satisfied smile, the other woman laughed and handed Hermione her own dress to help her into. The final part of Hermione's outfit was a powerful concealing charm to hide the reminder of her pain in the war. Once dressed, the two left the bathroom to confront Ron.

Twirling once so he could get the full view, Ron's face slowly got darker. By the time she stopped spinning, his face was murderous. Frowning at his expression, Hermione got worried.

"Do you like it Ron?" she asked nervously. Ron stood and walked around her to have another look.

"No. I don't want you going like that. Even if you do have your ring on." He snarled, grabbing her arms. Hermione stepped back in shock, tears springing to her eyes. Ginny's eyes narrowed.

"She is your wife Ronald. When has she even given you anything to be jealous over? She looks beautiful and if you're not going to appreciate that then the guy that is taking her sure is. Now get your head out of your arse!" she yelled. Ron's glower turned to Ginny's defiant face.

"Stay out of it. It is not your business." He growled.

Just then there was a pop, and Blaise and Draco landed in the doorway.

Blaise's POV

(Hogsmead)

Blaise took in the scene before him. Ginny looking completely enraged and a murderous looking weasel with his back partially to himself and Draco, hiding a woman partially from view. Draco looked at Blaise, whose face was suddenly as enraged as Ginny's. He watched as Blaise strode forward and pulled the weasel away from the woman and pushed him to the other side of the room.

"For Merlin's sake Weasley! You're married to her! Get off her!" He growled at the red-headed man.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE ZABINI?" Ron thundered.

"Your house Ron? You don't spend enough time here to call it your house. We may be married but it is my house." Hermione said quietly. Blaise just looked at him in disgust.

"I'm here to pick up my girlfriend and take Hermione to her escort. Now if you would excuse us we will be going." He said taking Ginny's hand and grabbing Hermione's as well.

"She deserves better than you Ron. I will be telling mum how you treat Mione." Ginny warned as she let herself be pulled along by Blaise. Blaise looked at Draco and motioned him forward.

"You can side along with Hermione. You're her escort tonight.

Draco's POV

(Hogsmead)

Draco watched the conflict with interest. He never knew Blaise was hanging out with Granger. But holy hell she had gotten beautiful. Wait he didn't just think that. She was muggle born. And she despised him. She was annoying, know it all, book-worm. Her shop proved that. But damn. She would be a nice fling, even sweeter if it was while she was unhappily married to weaselbee.

Draco took her arm as Blaise flung her towards him, apparating them away to the ministry function room that was set up for the ball.

"You know, you can let go of my arm now. You might get my mudblood germs from touching me." her voice was holding suppressed anger and hurt and Draco let her go, surprised to find that he was still holding her arm.

"I may have gotten over my muggle-born prejudices Granger, but you will always be a mudblood to me." Draco remarked. Hermione glanced at him.

"Well at least you haven't changed much. Why are you even being my escort?" she asked acidly.

"I'm only your escort Granger, because Blaise made me do an unbreakable vow to go on this "Blind date" so therefore I have to. Now if you don't mind, will you just shut your ungodly mouth." Draco snarled. Hermione glared at him but shut her mouth. It was going to be a long night with Ron hating her and her desire to just go home and forget the entire thing buzzing around her head.

Blaise and Ginny pushed past an elderly couple that were dancing, to stand next to them.

"That bastard. I am ashamed to call him my brother. I told him not to bother coming to apologise. He is here with Amartis Halso from Ravenclaw. She was in my year." Ginny informed Hermione.

"I expect some answers later Blaise, but for now I just want a bloody drink. The night has barely started and already I've had to put up the weasel. I'm not even married to him, why should I have to put up with the oaf?." Draco said sternly to Blaise who just nodded.

So, another chapter for you

I know I know, there wasn't much interaction between Draco and Hermione but we will get there. Just be patient? Please

I am going away next week but I shall try to update at least 1 more chapter before then.
There will be more interaction between our lovely pairing next chapter.

Also I want to know what you think of the Blaise/Ginny pairing. Do you think I should cause them some drama or make them fall in love and want to settle down together?

Tah! Tay Lupin xo