Nothing but the plot is mine.

Friday had come at last, and it was time for the slumber party that Ginny had planned. However, both Hermione and Ginny had decided to hold the slumber party in Hermione's dorm, where there was more privacy.

Hermione, who has been thinking about Draco's words the day before, found the slumber party to be a good way for her mind to wander from her problems. She was even looking forward to it. When Hermione heard the knock on the door and a shout out from Ginny at around 8pm, she went to let her friend in.

"Hey Gin," said Hermione, "come on in."

Ginny, of course, made herself right at home. She started a pillow fight, which Hermione lost. Without a doubt, Ginny was vicious. They hung out in the common room, which Draco made a point to avoid. Hermione thought it was a wise decision on his part. Finally, at around 1 am, Ginny began to talk about the girly things that Hermione dreaded.

"So, Mione," began the red-head, "who is it that you like?"

"Nobody," replied Hermione, hoping to fool Ginny but knowing that it wouldn't work.

"Don't you lie to me Hermione Granger, I can see right through you!"

"Fine, fine Gin, just calm down. You have to promise me that you wont tell a soul though. And especially not Lav." Ginny looked at Hermione skeptically.

"That hurts Mi. you need me to promise? I would never tell anyone. I just have to satisfy my own curiosity, which is very demanding right now."

"Okay," replied Hermione. "This may sound crazy, but I think I've fallen for…Draco."

"Malfoy?!" exploded Ginny in surprise. Hermione giggled and shushed her friend.

"No Gin, Draco Potter. I've fallen madly in love with your Harry's long lost brother," replied Hermione sarcastically. "Of course Draco Malfoy. And stop gaping like that, its rude."

"Draco Malfoy?!"

"Yes, Draco Malfoy. Now if you don't stop shouting his name, he's going to come out and see why someone's yelling his name in the early hours of the morning."

"Wow," said Ginny, obviously still amazed, "Draco Malfoy. Mione, this is great! Just think, you and Malfoy together. You two would make the perfect couple! Don't worry Mi; I'll take this to the grave with me. When you start dating, I'll cover for you. I'll even fend off your bodyguards for you! When you get married, I'll be your maid of honour, and when you have children, I'll be their Godmother…I will be their Godmother, right Mi? Right?"

"I take it I've got your support," murmured Hermione with a laugh.

"You've got my help if you need it, which you wont. As long as Malfoy's not blind and stupid, he'll be madly in love with you by the end of the month, tops."

"Ginny, seriously, shut up! He's going to hear you. I swear, if he hears you, I'm telling Harry about your crush." Ginny visibly blanched.

"You wouldn't."

"I would."

"I swear I'll keep it a secret. I'll never tell a soul…unless of course you want me to…" she trailed off.

"No, thank you Gin," replied Hermione. "Now go to sleep, you have to wake up early tomorrow, or else you'll miss the carriage into Hogsmead."

"Why they have the carriages leave so ruddy early on a Saturday morning is beyond me. And now you expect me to just fall asleep right after you've told me the greatest news of the year?"

"Exactly," replied Hermione. "Now go to sleep."

"Yes Ma'am," replied Ginny with a mock salute.

"And no running off in the middle of the night to tell a certain someone a certain something."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"No, you'll only dream of it."

Hermione woke up early on Saturday morning, cursing her internal alarm clock, and realized that it was past the time that she usually took her medicine.
She threw the blankets off of her and made her way to the bathroom, took out a single small white pill from the large orange bottle that she kept in the drawer, screwed the top back on and replaced it back in its place. She then filled her glass, which was kept beside the sink, with water and took a few sips. Hermione placed the pill, which tasted foul, into her mouth and swallowed it, finishing off the rest of the water.

She then went back to the common room, where they had slept, and snuggled up in her still warm blankets once again. She allowed herself to drift into a slumber, the anxiety over her doctor's appointment nearly, but not quite, forgotten.

When Hermione next woke, it was to the strange feeling of someone watching her. She sat up and looked around, only to find an amused looking Draco leaning against the frame if his door. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and woke Ginny.

"If this is what's going to greet me before breakfast when you have sleepovers," he said, a glint of amusement in his eyes, "perhaps you should have them more often."

Ginny, who was now awake, nudged Hermione discretely in the side. In response, Hermione nudged her back, with considerably more force.

"What time is it?" asked Hermione, wishing she were in her own room. She was quite positive that her hair looked terrible, and Draco standing there wasn't making her feel any less self conscious of her less than spectacular looks.

"Ten O' Clock," he replied, "The carriages leave in an hour." Ginny gasped, for she was not ready in the least.

"I've got to go Mione," she said, packing the belongings that she had come with. "It was fun. We'll have to have another one soon, in the Gryffindor rooms. Bye Mione, Malfoy." And just like that, she in the halls, no doubt receiving a few rather strange glances.

"So," said Draco, "did you have a pillow fight?" Hermione threw her own pillow at him. "I'll bet you lost."

"Hey, hey now," said Hermione, prepared to defend herself, "Ginny is dangerous. She can be quite scary when she wants to be." A moment of silence passed between them before Draco spoke again.

"Will you be alright today?" he asked in concern. Hermione looked up to him and nodded honestly, knowing that he would be here for if she needed him.

"I think," she said, "that I'll be able to do this. After all, its just a checkup, right?" she gave a nervous laugh, causing Draco to sigh and then smile at her effort to belittle her worries.

"Liar," he murmured before exiting the room with a slight wave. Hermione took a deep breath and went to get ready, ignoring the voice in the back of her head that told her that she should be scared. Draco would be here.

Draco entered the common room, still filled with excitement from the trip to Hogsmead, his face flushed from the wind outside. However, when he saw the scene before him, his excitement drained instantly, the color that had been there just moments ago washing from his face.

Hermione sat on the couch in a slump, her arms rested around her knees, which were drawn to her chest. Draco instantly knew that whatever the news the doctor had given her was most certainly not good news.

He approached and sat beside her trying to think of some way to offer her solace, but was only able to manage her name. The sight of her sitting there, the knowledge that he had failed her when she needed him, caused something to break inside of him. He had realized some time ago that he cared for her, that he wanted to protect her. And the fact that he didn't, hurt.

"I went to the doctors today," she stated, her voice void of feeling. She looked up to him and he saw the confusion and pain in her deep chocolate eyes, and suddenly he felt the overwhelming need to comfort her.

"I thought I was prepared for whatever news they gave me but...the tumor is to big, Draco. This means I've got even less time to live. I don't want to die Draco!" she exclaimed, the tears in her eyes spilling over. "I don't want to die."

"Come here," said Draco softly as he took her into his arms. She clung to him desperately, tears silently rolling down her delicate features and Draco smoothed her hair, whispering words of comfort.

He continues to hold her for some time until she had cried herself to sleep. He let a sigh escape his lips and he rested his head atop hers, allowing his eyes to close as he drifted into a peaceful slumber.

Hermione awoke and realized that Draco was still holding her, though he had fallen asleep. Contentedly, she snuggled closer, hoping not to wake him.

"You know what Draco Malfoy?" she whispered. "I think I love you."

"Is that a fact?" She jumped a bit in surprise at the unexpected words. She had thought that Draco was still asleep. A blush crept across her face as Draco's arms tightened around her.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No," replied Draco. She could hear the smile in his voice. "It's perfect."

"Good." She repositioned herself so that she could see him more clearly.

"You know what Hermione Granger?" he asked, his voice quiet as he leaned closer to her. "I'm going to kiss you now." His lips brushed against hers softly, and then again with more pressure. He lingered a moment and they broke apart, smiling. Hermione leaned her head against his chest and let out a troubled sigh.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Are you sure you want to do this Draco?"

"Do what?"

"Get close to me," she replied. "I mean, if we get close and I-"

"Of course," he said in reply to her previous question, "don't be absurd." His voice provided no room for argument. "Besides," he added, his tone mocking, "I doubt you'd let go of me regardless of the answer I gave you."

She pondered a moment before saying, "No. No, I wouldn't. After all, you are the infamous Draco Malfoy, hottest guy Hogwarts has to offer.

"Am I now?"

"Oh yes. According to one of Ginny and Lavander's ridiculous polls, you are the hottest guy in all of Hogwarts. As well as the coolest, most mysterious and most unavailable."

"You hold polls?"

"Oh goodness no, Ginny and Lavander do. I just hear the outcomes"

"Well, those polls must be wrong because those are all good things…well except for unavailable. I'll have you know that I-"

"Yes?"

"Never mind. But really, I would think that you women would find at least one flaw."

"Out of your own mouth!" exclaimed Hermione. "Now that's something worth recording! As it turns out, you do have a flaw. Your flaw is that you're too snooty for your own good."

Draco shrugged with a grin and said, "What can I say? I'm amazing."

"Oh, you're so modest."

"I'm only stating well known facts," he said smugly. "As it turns out, the guys of this school have their very own opinion of you as well."

"Seriously?" exclaimed Hermione in surprise. "You guys hold polls too? I didn't expect that."

"No, of course not. It's all just talk. But you're the hottest and most unavailable girl in the entire school." Hermione wrinkled her nose in disbelief.

"I am?"

"No, I'm lying to you," he replied sarcastically. "Yes, you are. You're also the most innocent."

"Are you sure about that? With all the other possible candidates, I get that title? And why am I the most unavailable?"

"Well," began Draco, "not everyone knows your devious side as well as I do. And 'most innocent' actually amounts to the same as 'least smutty', which I count as a good thing. You're the most unavailable because you've got two bodyguards, one of which happens to be the famous Harry Potter. Who wouldn't be intimidated by that?"

"You," answered Hermione with a playful grin.

"I don't count love, I'm fearless."

"Are you now?"

"Well, how many other guys do you see asking to date you?"

"None."

"See? I can face up to the big, bad Harry Potter."

"No, you look for chances to fight with the 'big, bad Harry Potter'. But seriously, is this the reason why I've never had a boyfriend? Because Harry and Ron scare them all off?"

"Afraid so love."

"And I thought it was me." Draco regarded her as though she had grown an extra head.

"Merlin Mione," he exclaimed, "for being the smartest witch in about a century, you sure don't have a very good self image! Have you already forgotten your first title? Hottest, sexiest, most stunning-"

"You're adding to the list," she noted with some amusement.

"And they're all valid additions. You're the kindest, most brilliant, loving, perfect, amazing-"

"You're going to run out of adjectives soon. Besides, I think you're just a little bit biased."

"Well," he mumbled, "there isn't much room for argument since it's all true."

"Oh! I just remembered," exclaimed Hermione suddenly. "When are we announcing the Halloween Ball?"

"Tomorrow," he replied. "Speaking of which, Miss Granger, most beautiful witch in all of Hogwarts, would you accompany me to the Masquerade Ball this Halloween?"

"Why of course, I wouldn't dream of going with anyone else Mr. Malfoy." She began to laugh and he followed suit. They heard a knock from the portrait, which Hermione went to answer as Draco went to his room, leaving the door open a crack. She opened the door, revealing Harry, Ron and Ginny.

"Hey guys, come on in."

"Thanks Mione," he said, holding out a medium sized paper bag. "Here, this is for you. We got you some ink and parchment."

"This way," said Ron with a smirk, "you can miss all of the Hogsmead trips and do essays instead."

"Once!" exclaimed Hermione. "I miss a Hogsmead trip once and I bet you'll never let me forget it! Just you wait until you do something Ronald Weasley. I'm not going to show any mercy."

"So," interrupted Ginny smoothly, "anything we should know about? Any news from the Head Girl? Like dances or other exciting events?"

"Yes, actually. Halloween masquerade ball. It's, as you've probably already figured out, on Halloween for the 5th-7th years and it goes until midnight. It gets announced tomorrow."

"You two can leave," said Ginny, dismissing her Harry and Ron with a wave of her hand. "We've got stuff to plan." She quite literally dragged Hermione to her room and closed the door behind them.

"So, has he asked you yet?" demanded the red head.

"As a matter of fact, he just did."

"Dating?"

"I would say so."

"Kiss yet?"

Hermione blushed.

"What are you going to wear?" Hermione's blush faded quickly as she realized that she didn't own anything.

"Don't worry, I've got just the thing." Ginny took out a clothing catalog from seemingly nowhere, a mischievous grin upon her much too innocent face.