A/N: Wow, it's been too long! This chapter took me forever to type. It was nearly 30 written pages, and nearly 9 typed. So i've been trying my hardest to get it up for you. I actually like this chapter quite a bit. So I hope you enjoy. Many thanks to Jess who helped me out a bit in this chapter, you're my angel, see you tomorrow :). Read, review, etc. Comments, critisism, questions, anything you ask, I'll answer!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He didn't have time to answer, and he didn't realize what he was doing until it was too late, until he was so wrapped up in his emotions that he did something he would have never thought of. He kissed Hermione. He grabbed her and kissed her hard, with malice in him, for as long as he could until she had the chance to push him away roughly.

"Who's blind now?" was what she whispered before walking away and breaking into an angry sprint down the alley.

Draco stood for a moment, feet planted, still in shock from what he had done. And he didn't know why he did. He hadn't even really enjoyed it, he felt guilty now. But not in a pitiful way, just confused. He spoke quietly to know one, "Both of us."

Chapter Six

Normality Check

Run, run, faster. Just find Ginny and get to the castle. Hermione moved quickly through the people on the narrow street, her eyes stung as she shakily said 'excuse me' over and over as she looked for her sixth year friend. Good God, Hermione. He just kissed you. Over in a corner, near a shop window, she spotted her with some friends.

"Ginny!" she called through the crowd as she approached them. All her friends said hello. Now knowing her as one of the representatives.

"Hi everyone," she kept her voice as steady as possible, "Um, Gin, I'm going back to the castle, would you mind going with me?"

Ginny immediately saw her weak and watery smile and obliged, "Sorry guys, I'm going to go," she said to her friends and liked her arm with Hermione's.

"Hey, what happened?" she asked once they were far enough away. Hermione searched her mind for the right choice of words. Oh, not much, Draco Malfoy kissed me. I'm furious…even though it wasn't the actual kiss that was horrid; it was the meaning behind it….

"I-uh. I had a fight. With…someone who, up until recently, I thought was a friend."
Ginny nodded, understanding, but not prodding, as Professor Sprout approached them.

"Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, can I help you with anything? You look distraught."

Ginny piped up, "Hermione isn't feeling well, Professor. We were heading back to the castle, is that all right?"

Professor Sprout seemed to notice Hermione's look on her face. "Of course, dear, and if Miss Granger is physically ill, I suggest taking her to the hospital wing."

Both girls nodded, "Thanks professor."

"So," Ginny said as her and Hermione came up the long path to the castle, "You want to tell me what's going on?"

Walking in silence was far too heavy, and after fifteen minutes, someone had to talk.

"Too many people wondering what's wrong." Hermione said quietly. Quietly enough, Ginny could only have heard mumbling, so she went on talking, "Maybe there's something I should tell you now." She thought of where to begin. Quicker is less painful, she thought, maybe you can just blurt it out…

"Hey! Wait up!"

Hermione looked down the path and saw Ron coking their way. She turned to Ginny and spoke at super speed.

"Ever since last year everything I've told you I was going to the library to study, to be on my own, I've been lying to you. I've been seeing someone, secretly." Ginny dropped her jaw, a frown on her face.

"Who?"

"I don't want to tell you. Once I do, you'll write me off, but you're the only one who won't despise me for the rest of our lives." She took in a deep breath and let it out. "Malfoy." She whispered.

"Who?" Ginny pulled away and frowned.

"Malfoy." She said a bit louder.

"Who?"

"Malfoy!" she exclaimed, Ginny stood wide-eyed, shaking her head.

"What about Malfoy?" Ron came up behind her. Hermione turned to face him.

"Oh, nothing!" she shook her head. "Gotta go." She said before she ran away in the opposite direction.

"What was that about?" he asked his sister.

"I'm not at liberty to say." Ginny sighed and left him standing confused.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The dorm was empty when Hermione reached the top of the stairs. She gratefully accepted the silence and flopped face first onto her bed. She half expected herself to be terribly heartbroken and wallow in her own sorrow for the next week. But she also soon realized that he wasn't worth the depression and hibernation.

"Hermione! There you are!" Ginny came bursting upstairs. Behind her she could hear Ron tumbling after trying to approach the girls' dorms. ("Don't worry, I'm all right!")

"Ginny, don't start…" Hermione sat up and scrunched her legs under her.

Ginny began pacing and then stopped, "First, don't tell me when I can start, second, are you all right?"

Hermione nodded, "Fine. No sorrow here. I'm not going to waste good time that could be spent in the library." Her face went into a frown. "Or not."

"Or not what?" Hermione rolled her eyes and stood up, leaning against the wall. "Don't tell me you're actually considering…"

"I can't go there, he knows that's where I go when I need to relax."

"So what's your game plan? Avoid him at all costs?"

No. I'm going to go to his dorm and snog him senseless.

"Pretty much." She nodded. "What else can I do? This school doesn't allow you to stay away from people."

"You can't do that Hermione! Do you realize how much time you could waste trying to avoid him? Good-bye life!"

"I know that Ginny. But that's better than having to deal with humiliation for the rest of the year." They were silent for a moment.

"Why Malfoy? Why him Hermione?"

"Because, he doesn't know me."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"What he doesn't know, he won't tell." She sighed. "I've gotta go Ginny."

Hermione entered the library the next evening at exactly six thirty-five. She was trying to be late. It would save herself the energy of anger and yelling that would occur if her and Malfoy were alone. When she reached the only occupied table, she set her eyes upon Adele and Malfoy, who were closely whispering about something other than school dances. Hermione cleared her throat loudly, "Sorry I'm late…. where's Janice?"

"Oh, she's not feeling well." Adele said, "I told her I would fill her in."

Hermione nodded and pulled out a chair, putting her things in the empty space next to her. She sat across from Malfoy and Adele (who were actually sitting rather close) and began to address them, but Malfoy beat her to it.

"So, first dance. I vote for new years."

"Why not Christmas?" Hermione interjected, "It's classic."

"Too classic." Adele said, "I think Draco's new years Idea is perfect!"

"Fine, new years it is. Okay so do we agree it should be formal." They nodded, "Good." She began to jot down notes in front of her.

"You writing a novel about our meetings, Granger?"

Hermione glared at Malfoy. "Someone has to know what's going on."

He ignored her comment, "So, should be have an age bracket, fifth years and over?" he offered.

"Oh, come on. It's the first dance." Hermione said.

Malfoy shrugged, "Your point?"

"My point, Malfoy, is that just because some students are younger shouldn't mean they're excluded. What about having the dance from six to one…and the first and second years can leave at nine and party hard in their dorms until twelve-thirty. Third and fourth years can stay until midnight, and then go to their dorms until the dance is over at one."

Malfoy spoke, "One condition. The dance is from six-thirty to two."

Hermione stared angrily and surrendered. "All right, six-thirty to two. Adele?"

"Fine with me. Just don't finalize until we meet with Jan, okay?"

Hermione nodded, "Of course."

"How about music? Do you mind if I work with that?"

"Sure. I mean we'll all have to confirm with each other on topics. Music, entertainment, food."

"Food, you should put your two cents in there, Granger. Can't you get your little friends in the kitchen to pitch in?"

"For you information, S.P.E.W. was a very respectful organization."

"Am I missing something?" Adele asked.

"No." Hermione and Malfoy said.

"All right. I think that this was a successful meeting. Same time and place in a week?" Adele stood from her chair, obviously wanting to get out of the tension.

"In a hurry Adele?" Hermione asked her. She shook her head and dropped back into her seat, "No."

"Good. Now, speaking of food. I thought it would be nice to have a feast as well. A whole celebration!"

"Don' you think that's a tad outrageous?" Malfoy asked, skimming his own notes.

"Hardly," Hermione replied bitterly, "I think that the first dance should be big. Lots of colour, but still classy as well as fun. Maybe enchant some candles to have different colours, and have the courtyard open and decorated. There should be snow by then."

"Slow your roll, Granger."

Hermione's happy spirits dropped, but only momentarily. Stupid anti-celebrators.

"Well, I think they're good ideas." Adele said.

Hermione perked up, "Thank you. At least somebody appreciates the finer things." Before Malfoy could respond she continued, "So I think we could start decorating around noon on new years day. So that gives us…just over six weeks to plan this."

"What's today?" Adele questioned.

"The Seventeenth"

"We have to get it into the teachers by the twenty fourth? So even less, just five weeks Well, how about four, four in case."

"Good idea. So one month. Lets meet Wednesday, and next Sunday after dinner. Then we'll increase meetings as much as we need to." Hermione said as she drafted more notes.

"Will I have any say? Or is this strictly a girl thing?" Malfoy asked.

"Oh don't fret, I'll include you plenty." Adele told him sweetly.

Ew. Single, double, triple gag.

"Adele, walk with me?" she asked her, attempting to pry her away before she got herself into trouble, "We can toss ideas around."

Adele glanced at her briefly, "Next time? I promised Draco here that I'd stay after for a minute."
Bitch.

Hermione smiled, "Okay, sure, next time." She felt slightly sorry for Adele, being sucked in by Malfoy like that. But on the other hand, she didn't seem too sorry about it. She turned on her heel and rolled her eyes as she walked out of the library through the corridors.

Hermione walked into a busy common room at only fifteen minutes to eight that night. Most of her fellow students were finishing their weekend homework. She decided to mingle briefly and took a seat near the fire, just as Harry came down the boys' stairs.

"So, how's our star party planner?" he asked her, taking a seat on the back of the couch.

Hermione turned around swiftly to look up at him, "You're talking to me?"

"I talked to Ginny." He said simply.

"Oh." Hermione said quietly, "So, you know it's over then, all of it…"

"I would have talked to you sooner, but you've been so busy with your meetings…you've been hard to get a hold of."

It's called an owl, Harry.

"Do me a favour," she told him, "Don't say 'I told you so'."

He smiled, "I won't. But I will say that Malfoy is a very large piece of shit."

"I can finally agree with you on that." She laughed as Ron approached them.

"You two finally made up? Thank God. How's the dance coming, any ideas?"

"You know I can't tell you, Ronald. Top secret."

Ron nodded and Harry swung his legs over the couch and landed in a sitting position.

"Malfoy given any headaches yet? I saw him pretty close with that Ravenclaw girl today." Harry told Hermione.

"Adele? Poor girl. He must have slipped her something. I don't think she's really that thick." Ron sighed.

"You should have seen them today. It's sickening. Like too much syrup on waffle morning." Hermione cringed. Repositioning herself on the couch, she turned to her two best friends, "Honestly though, you think she would have heard rumours about him, you know, practically being a Death Eater and all."

"Never underestimate, Hermione." Harry said with a warning finger, "Malfoy is an evil, devious, cunning genius." Harry's face stood still with complete seriousness.

Ron couldn't help but laugh, "Oh yeah? Why don't you have him prove it."

After five weeks of rigorous planning, sleepless nights, and heated fights, Hermione, Adele, Malfoy and Janice all sat in the headmistress's office. Hermione spoke first, being obviously prepared.

"We have everything set, Professor. Food, decorations, music, other entertainment."

"And we thought we would send each student their own invitation, depending on their year." Janice said.

"What do you mean, their year?" Mcgonnagal asked, seeming somewhat sceptical. Could they really pull off having three different end times?

"The whole dance will be from six-thirty to two," Adele said, "Seeing as it's New Years, of course. First and second years will stay until ten, and can celebrate until midnight. Third and fourth years can leave after midnight, and stay up until two in their dorms. Fifth though seventh years will say for the night."

"They're will be a feast too. From six-thirty to eight-thirty." Malfoy contributed, for a good measure.

"Well," Mcgonnagal sighed, "It seems this has been very well thought out. At this moment, I approve. Be forewarned, if anything I see goes on that I do not approve of, things might change."

Hermione beamed, and the rest exhaled a sigh of relief. Apparently, Hermione's hard work really did pay off for everyone. Details were discussed with their Headmistress for another twenty minutes; the announcement would be made that night at dinner.

Hermione walked between Janice and Adele as they made their way to the great hall for dinner.

"You two finish your shopping yet?" Janice asked casually.

"Christmas is day after tomorrow isn't it!" Adele was obviously excited, "I almost forgot. But I finished weeks ago.

'How about you Hermione?"

Hermione had no idea why they were acting as her new best friends. They had gotten along, sure. But she found Janice rather dull, and Adele was far too full of herself, and for adoration for Draco. "I'm done." She said simply.

At last, the great hall came into view, "See you later girls," Hermione said quickly and slipped away to her table. She took a seat across from Harry, just as Ron came in and sat next to him. He was clearly eyeing the food, "Mm, I'm starving…" he began to fill his plate, "Just out of curiosity," he asked Harry and Hermione, "What was it you two were fighting about again? I mean you haven't really talked about it…"

The fact that I've been seeing Malfoy secretly for the past six months, and I could have a huge infatuation with him. Oops, you didn't know that, did you?

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, and began speaking quickly in a language filled with 'well you see' and 'how it happen was, um'.

"Well, that was informative." Ron grumbled.

"So, Ron, Christmas is in two days." Hermione said as she helped herself to some food.

"Why, yes Hermione, it is! A gold star for you." He said as he picked up his fork.

Hermione crossed her arms. Party pooper.

"What's the matter with you?" Harry frowned.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

Hermione looked at his plate, "You don't look fine." She pointed to the pile of food that was mashed together.

"I'd rather not talk about my pathetic existence at the dinner table."

"Well that's fine." Hermione said tensely, "Mcgonnagal is just about to announce the dance."

Most students too notice their Headmistress standing from her seat to address the school.

"As you all know, four of our students have been hard at work for weeks to produce you with your first dance of the year. On the eve of the New Year, the school will gather here in the great hall to celebrate. You will all get official invitations in your houses this evening according to your year. The whole of the dance will be from six-thirty to two in the morning. But don't get excited, only fifth years and over will be allowed the whole night."

She ended her speech abruptly and the students resumed their meals, but chatter still filled the air.

"So Ron, about that pathetic existence of yours." Harry said.
Ron glared at him. Hermione turned to Ron," Oh, it can't be that bad." She said, nudging him to tell.

Ron rolled his eyes, "Okay, maybe I asked three different people to that dance, and just maybe…they all said no."

Ginny, who had recently found her seat next to the group tried hard to stifle her laughter, making her shake violently, and Ron blush a deep colour. Hermione elbowed her in the ribs and she quieted.

"Maybe they've already got dates." Hermione offered sympathetically.

Ron looked at her, "I don't think so, Hermione." His voice was thick and monotone.

She frowned, and felt honestly sorry for him. What were those girls thinking? Hermione actually thought him quite attractive now that he'd grown up. She thought of an idea and brightened. She couldn't…. well, why not?

"Ron." She began slowly, "Why don't I go with you?"

He was surprised, completely shocked in fact.
"Y-you? Me? Her-Hermione-"

"Sure, why not? I mean we're…friends." She said carefully, "Maybe it'll be fun!" she smiled at him hopefully.

"Okay, sure." Ron said finally.
"Great! Okay, well I have a meeting to get to, final details and all." Hermione said and found herself on her way out of the great hall. She was glad to be going to the dance with Ron. Sure, they secretly fancied one another for years, but she hoped that she would finally be past that; that they would both be finally past it.

Hermione woke early on Christmas morning. The rest of the dorm was still sleeping soundly. As she looked out the nearby window she saw snow, on the ground and falling. She suddenly missed the ski attempts with her parents. She stayed as school this holiday, for the dance. But also because of the tension that would be apparent if she went home.

A pile of presents decorated the foot of her bed. She wasn't very keen on opening them, but took the nearest one anyways. Inside shining red gift-wrap was Ginny's gift in a narrow box. A small card was signed, and the box held several sugar quills. In true Ginny fashion. Hermione thought it ironic, the fact that quills, and the very symbol of studious, upright Hermione is what would drive her parents up the wall. She couldn't help but laugh. However, Harry's gift was quite different. He only signed a card after writing four words, "I told you so."

Smart-ass. She did ask him not to say it, and he didn't. So she couldn't complain. And for the next half hour, she opened her gifts from Ron, Hagrid, her usual sweater from Mrs. Weasley, and even her parents.

Hermione let out a breath; hardly aware she had been holding it in. What she had really wanted, she knew she wouldn't receive. What if she wanted her life to be normal for once? No mad evil murderers, no parents fighting, no almost evil classmates pining for her. In a perfect world, none of these things existed. And her best friend wasn't the chosen one. She could finally live in peace. Closing her eyes, she imagined this world. Normality. But then again, she was reaching back to normal. Her and Harry made up, her grades were fine as usual, and her secret life was finished. She was more and more well known, and she was helping plan the biggest events of the year. The only weight on her heart was her parents. That dark cloud followed her for the whole year. But, it seemed, the sun was on its way back thought there too. She received a joint present from them. It nearly made her giddy to think of them making up, and she does not get giddy…nor did she want to actually imagine them making up. That made her want to gag. But even still, the rain seemed the stop, and the thunder was left rumbling in the back of her mind where the sky flashed brightly, just every few seconds. So even if she was to see him on the other side, why not enjoy the normality while it lasts? You never knew when the winds will change on you.

And change they did. The afternoon before the dance had everybody high strung and Hermione's peasant and pensive mood from the week before was buried in food, music and sparkly decorations. Herself, Malfoy, Janice and Adele began decorating at noon as they had previously planned. But by three o'clock, between streamers, balloons, lights and table settings they were nowhere near done.

"We are never going to finish in time," Adele whiled. Hermione rolled her eyes.

We will if you and Draco stop snogging and get to work. "Why didn't Mcgonnagal get us some kinds to help? Like petty first years who are so scared of us they'll do anything…"

"Because we're supposed to be responsible, remember?" Hermione said from atop a floating stood, "That's also why we had to limit magic use. Now, hand me that, on the table. Whatever, just give it to me." She was referring to a small silver box sitting on a table below.

Janice picked it up curiously, "What's in it?" she asked as she handed it to Hermione.
"Watch." She lifted the small lid and put it underneath the box in her hands. She reached into her wand pocked with her other hand and with a small wave, what looked like a million multi-coloured fireflies few out.

"What the bloody hell are those?" Malfoy jumped from his sitting position across the room.

"Mcgonnagal gave them to me. They're what they use to light the Christmas trees." Hermione sent the small glimmering lights very quickly to various places around the great hall, "I thought they'd look nice."

Malfoy frowned and swatted at a group who clustered near him. "Actually, Granger, they're rather annoying."

"So, we finally know what make up your chromosomes, then?" Hermione dropped her arms and hopped off the stool, a strange surge of agitation travelled through her. This wasn't going to be pretty. Stress plus Hermione was already disorganized, but toss Malfoy in…

"Well, everyone already knows that you're not made of!"

Oh, no he didn't.

"You want to call me a mudblood Malfoy? Go ahead, don't let me stop you. We could argue and toss insults all day, but it won't get the decorations up in time!" Hermione slammed the box on the table nearest her, causing the silver and china to clatter momentarily.

"Damn the decorations! That's not what this is about and you know it. I'm so sick and tired of you-"

"Guys," Janice began, "How about you do this later?"

Malfoy ignored her, "you and your hero friends. You're the one who's avoiding things! You know what happened and you want nothing to do with it!"

"Well for once you've got something there. I want nothing to do with it, or you, anymore! Don't you get it? That was it it's over! I sure hope I don't need to spell it out for you!"

"Wow Granger. I'm sensing some real sexual tension here. Weasel not living up to the hysteria? Or is it Potter this week?"

"How in the world can you be so impossibly rude?"

Malfoy leaned against the table near him, "It's a gift really."

Hermione groaned loudly and mentally shut him out. She turned to straighten the silver on the table. Malfoy eyed her, "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" she said, whipping around suddenly, looking around, "Where'd they go?"

Adele and Janice were nowhere to be seen. Malfoy shrugged and made his way to the doors.

"You know what Malfoy? I really hate you!" Hermione called after him.

"It's about time!" he called back just as the doors closed behind him.

"Stupid, unreasonable, unreliable, UNBELIEVEABLE!" what started as a low mutter under her breath turned into an echoing chorus throughout the great hall. She turned on her heel briefly and she was indeed alone once again. Once again, she required her own company to console herself. Once again, there was nobody there at the exact moment she actually needed them. Defeated, that was how she felt. Around her nearly three quarters of the decorations were up and with nearly three hours until the dance and her committee nearly falling to pieces, she could only surrender.

The chair behind her suddenly became very welcoming and she slumped into it with a very audible sigh. Her furious breathing returned to normal as she hung her head in her hands. But she could still feel the beginning of a migraine approaching. And as if it wasn't bad enough…

"Finally cool down?" the doors opened again and that same cold voice had returned.

"You've been gone not fifteen minutes and you insist on coming back to harass me more?" Hermione said, not moving from where she sat.

"No," Malfoy said crossing to where he sat before, "Left my tie." He picked up the scrap of fabric that Adele, undoubtedly, removed earlier and waved it at her.

"Great. You've got it. Now go away." She told him sourly. Her brain told her not to move and just stay where she was. But apparently she didn't want to listen. Instead, she lifted her head ever so slightly.

"Touchy, touchy today Granger. I really don't have to go anywhere." He came over to the table where she was, "I can stay right, here" he sat sharply in the chair two feet away from her.

"Malfoy…" Hermione groaned, shaking the hair from her face, "What do you want?"

"I'm going to stay and annoy you until you talk."

Man, he knew how to get under her skin.

"About what?" However, she knew very well what. The fight; the kiss.

"The quidditch final." He said somewhat sarcastically, "You know what."

Truth; she knew. But it made her sick with unexpressed anger to think about it, let alone talk about it. The last month of dealing with Malfoy was entirely too close to Hell. And at this moment he was hardly two feet away, and just staring. But Hermione kept her gaze straight ahead, away from him.

"I'm not talking to you," she told him, an evident amount of fury in her tone. Malfoy didn't speak, and didn't move. S Hermione did. She stood and turned away, talking loud enough for him to hear.

"We can't do this you know. You know it, and I know it. It goes against everything we know and believe in. And there's nothing we can do to change that. I don't know why that is, and I don't pretend that I do. After that day…I was welcomed back into reality. I don't want to risk leaving it again." She felt hot tears threatening to spill.

Malfoy's jaw was tightly clenched, "Why's that?" he asked slowly, yet fiercely.

Hermione turned back to face him, "because I might not come back." She could feel her heart drop when Malfoy's eyes found hers. He wasn't happy.

"Just get out of here, Granger. I don't think I can even look at you." He spat angrily. Hermione had expected it. What else was she to expect? A mutual apology and for them to skip off happily ever after? Not likely. The blatant truth was that they really did despise one another. At the core, Hermione felt nothing except loathing, honest go goodness hate for Draco Malfoy. Even nine months ago, when she felt as if they started to be kin, her insides turned out with guilt. She wasn't supposed to want to know him. And even after they'd been in each other's company, she didn't know him, and he didn't know her. And she hated him for ever being kind, because he wasn't supposed to be. And she hated herself for accepting him. She was stronger than that.

"I hope you fully comprehend this time." She began calmly as she made her way to the doors, "I won't go back."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: In the next two chapters...the dance! Yayyy aren't you excited?! I am. Seven is a good chapter as well, and I'm molding eight as I type.