Late Spring. Hogwarts Students' Prom, 1998.
The Great Hall of the Hogwarts Castle was almost full of graduates from all houses. The prom gathered so many different young wizards and witches together to celebrate their graduation. Each of them was sharing a personal feeling about this big event of their lives. Someone was nostalgic about all beautiful moments spent at Hogwarts, someone was happy to begin a new way in life, others were busy to display their looks. Draco Malfoy was sitting alone and watching at all his fellows. He was lost in thoughts. It seemed to him that something was missing, but he couldn't understand what. He didn't receive any letter from Hermione those 3 years. Draco was still trying to forget about her, but he found out he couldn't forget her chocolate eyes, her adorable curly hair and the heady vanilla smell of her letters. He was almost sure her silky skin had the same vanilla flavour. He touched only once in life Hermione's hand feeling a delicate touch and after that he dreamed every lonely second of his existance about holding her hand once again. Draco didn't like to think Hermione didn't write to him, he was almost sure that something happened and sometimes he was afraid to know one day that she was dead.
That was what was missing – Hermione's presence. Draco was desperately waiting for an ashamed girl to step once again on his robe. This time he won't let her go!
Hermione didn't ever like to be late at any event, but she had just a day to arrive in London and get ready for the prom, so at that moment she hurried to the castle. She could avoid to go to the prom, but she was missing Hogwarts and wanted to know what happened with Draco, as she didn't receive any letter from him the last 3 years.
Hermione became smarter and she finally understood what was the feeling which defined her attitude towards him. She loved him with all her heart and was decided to know if her feeling was reciprocal.
When she entered the Great Hall all the glances were for her. All discussions were finished and everybody was looking at her. Draco was warned by a fellow to look at the door and his eyes met a girl wearing a tight black dress with a beautiful opened back, who was looking down being so ashamed for her lateness. Her shiny brown hair gathered in a natty hairstyle was so familiar to Draco and he exclaimed with a large smile: "Hermione, is it you?". She raised her head and smiled. Draco addressed to the staring public: "Why do you all look in this way? It's our Slytherin Princess from Prague!" The earlier noise returned in the Great Hall and Hermione was somehow greeted by her fellows.
Draco took Hermione's hand and directed her to the Slytherin table. "I'm so happy to see you here!" Draco expressed his feelings.
Hermione was looking at him wordlessly. He looked the way she imagined, or much better than that. Looking at his smile, meeting his silvery grey eyes she felt the same cool air passing through her veins, which she felt at their first meeting, 7 years ago. Actually she felt it everytime she looked in his eyes. Finally Hermione concentrated on Draco's words: "Why didn't you write to me the last 3 years?".
"What are you talking about? I sent you a lot of letters and didn't receive answers!", said Hermione.
"I didn't receive your letters, I was almost thinking you're dead!".
After some seconds Draco continued:"Summer, 1995, me and my parents came in Prague for a visit! I sent you a letter which announced the place and time to meet, I've waited for you a long time in the Franciscan Garden, but you didn't come!".
Hermione was shocked, she din't know anything about that. With tears in her eyes she said:"I didn't receive…I can't believe you were so close and I lost the possibility to see you!".
"There is something strange with this and I think it's not about the Muggle Post! Someone is up to separate us!", he looked at Hermione:"Don't cry, now we are together and we'll find out what's or who's behind all your tears!". Draco took Hermione's hand feeling the same delicate silky touch, then she careful kissed it and felt the vanilla flavour filling his whole being with an incredible tenderness. Her innocent smile determined him to forget about all the time he lived knowing nothing about her. The Slytherin Prince and Princess were in the spotlight, but they didn't observe.