A/N: I haven't updated in FOREVER! I know. I had a major writer's block and hadn't written a word since before the Christmas holiday. But the other day I started up again and I"m on a roll! I typed up this chapter today to keep you entertained and faithfull. Eight is eventfull as well, and nine is in the works. Enjoy. I hope you all had a great holiday, and didn't eat or drink too much!

Chapter Seven

Our Parents Never Warned Us

Hermione stood on the stairs just before the closed doors of the great hall. Harry and Ginny were to her right, (they didn't actually "go together") and on her left, Hermione clutched Ron's hand nervously.

"Hermione, you're cutting off the circulation in my hand!" he said out of the corner of his mouth.

"Oh!" She looked down at Ron's hand, which was now turning purple. "Sorry! I'm just nervous."

"Hermione, relax. We have ten minute until the doors open, everything will be fine."

Hermione sighed slightly. She had been very much looking forward to going with Ron. Sure, they had been friends for a long time, but both their feeling had changed somewhere along the way. When? Hermione didn't know. She felt his continuing jealousy in their sixth year, and knew that keeping Lavender around was just to make sure she knew he was there. No matter how resisted he had seemed when she asked him, Hermione knew that he was just as glad as her on the inside.

"You better be right." She told Ron fiercely. "Professor!" Hermione spotted their school's headmistress coming down the stairs on her right.

"Ah, Miss Granger just the person I was looking," McGonnagal glanced at her friends, acknowledging them. "Potter, Miss Weasley, Mr. Weasley." She turned back to Hermione, "I hate to tear you away from your friends, but I must request that you join the other student in the great hall." She wasted no time in walking off. Hermione was hesitantly, but quickly behind her. McGonnagal ranted on.

"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Lock and Milton are all waiting." She said opening the door to the great hall. "The students will enter, find a seat, and I'll allow you to be with me when I welcome everyone."

Hermione beamed as she entered the great hall. Everything was nearly as she envisioned it. Many round tables replaced the four long ones. Each was adorned with a shining white cloth, clean cute china with the Hogwarts great, and solid gold goblets. The entire room was completely vibrant. Colored drapes fell down the walls, including one for each house. The only similar feature was the sky with the sun setting, and the long teachers table at the head of the room.

Malfoy, Adele and Janice were all nearby that table, all in their most expensive…everything.

"Hi girls." Hermione said to Adele and Janice. "You look…lovely." She observed the girls. Janice chose a yellow dress. Which was far, far too short for a formal, and no robe or cloak of any king. But at least her hair was elegant in a knot at the back of her head. Hermione didn't even want to see what Adele was wearing, but as if she couldn't. A blood red, way too tight, way to low cut, floor length dress. She apparently had the decency to wear a cloak, which was now carelessly on, a chair next to...where Malfoy was sitting. Of course they came together. Both swimming in pure-blood galleons, both much too good looking for their own good. They were perfect together.

Both girl complimented Hermione's choice of clothes as they examined her long dark blue dress, that had a straight neckline, an uneven hem just below her knees, and a lower back line which-

"You're not really wearing that inside, are you Granger?"

Anal prat.

He was referring to the ice white cloak Hermione wore over her dress. Adele and Janice retreated slightly.

"I think you're got plenty of skin to ogle tonight, Malfoy." She glanced at Adele, who clenched her fists. "No offence…" she told her half-heartedly.

"Offence taken! I paid good galleons for this dress!"

"Oh, come off it, your father paid good galleons for that dress!" Hermione said, crossing her arms.

Adele whined and slinked back to Malfoy, "Draco, tell the mudblood to stop being mean!"

Malfoy's arm slipped instantly around Adele's too-tiny waist. Her face frowned, but Hermione could see her eyes glimmering, 'Ha-ha. You know you're jealous.'

"Oh, I see. You start this mess and defend her." Hermione spat, now detaching her robe from the rest of her outfit.

"I started nothing. I merely made a comment." Malfoy said, with a mock apologetic look, "I was actually concerned with your well being-"

"Of course you were! Yes, and I just found out I've got millions of galleons hidden away and I'm adopted. Guess what! I'm not mudblood after all! You're a rotten liar Malfoy."

Both were about to get a second wind when McGonnagal approached again. "Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger, will you please save your antics for later? I'm letting the students in."

Hermione glanced around. She had nearly forgotten she was at the dance. Hell of a dance it was too. The colors and warmth were enough to momentarily relieve her from her anger. Draping her cloak over her arms in front of her, she stood next to Janice, who was a very welcome pillar between Malfoy, Adele and herself. The giant doors slowly opened and a mass of students stood, captivated. Hermione brightened as she heard whispers and 'oohs' coming from various students. She spotted Ginny, Ron and Harry and took note of where they sat.

When everyone was seated and finished fussing over the table sets, McGonnagal addressed them again.

"Welcome everyone to the first dance of the year. Now it isn't just any dance, but a celebration of the year to come. As you can see, your planners have worked very hard to put this together for you. So I will now leave you to eat, dance, and enjoy! First and second years remember to leave promptly at ten o'clock.

As soon as the mini speech was finished, Hermione wove her way through to the table where Harry, Ron and Ginny sat. Lavender, Luna and Neville joined them there.

"So…" Hermione rubbed her hands together nervously, "What do you think?"

"Hermione, you've really outdone yourself this time, it looks amazing." Ginny told her, admiring the spectacular display of color and sparkle.

"Well it wasn't just me. But I just hope everything goes well."

"It will – whoa!" Ron had been leaning into his plate when food blossomed onto all their plates and those surrounding them. He looked at Hermione with sarcastic fury. She blushed superbly.

"Sorry. Should have warned you about that."

Harry laughed, "Hey, food is food. Lets eat."

Hermione hung her cloak around the chair and took a seat. Dinner consisted basically of everything you could want including numerous different desserts at the end of the meal. Soon after the desserts appeared, Hermione leaned to her left and whispered quietly to Harry.

"There is something you should know."

Harry bent his head lower and swatted Ginny away politely.

"I know this isn't the best time. But I heard from a source that He is dead."

Harry looked at Hermione in disbelief; she knew what he was thinking. 'Okay Hermione, where's the April Fools?' and 'What the hell kind of a time is this to tell me?'

"I just thought you should-"

"Snow!"

Hermione craned her neck to see Ginny enthralled over the multicoloured snowflakes, which were falling from the now dark sky. The music that had been quietly playing in the background now played enthusiastically, urging students to the dance floor. Ginny leapt from her seat and began to pull Hermione's arm. "Come on, let's dance!"

Hermione pried her fingers from her arm, "Ginny!" she wined, "How about later? I promise!"

Ginny frowned, "Fine, Lavender?"

The blonde haired girl was out of her seat quickly, "You read my mind!"

"That's because I'm telepathic." Ginny giggled as the two girls ran to the center of the dance floor.

"More like telepathetic," Ron said once the girls were out of earshot. Harry laughed but Hermione hit Ron with the back of her hand, "Not funny!" she said seriously, but stifled her own laughter.

"I'm sorry Hermione, but you to notice what hanging around with that girl can do to Ginny. I should know, I dated her."

"Honestly Ron, your sister is much to smart to fall into the materialistic grasp of Lavender Brown. And even if she did, I'm sure she would realize it in time. She's not stupid." Hermione sighed. She was feeling slightly irritable. Although she didn't know why. She thought it could be nerves, it being the first dance and all. But it could also have a little to do with the fact that she was there with Ron who, she had to admit, still have her stomach butterflies, and who also often didn't have or give a clue. Asking him was almost and impulse action. She thought about it, but never actually intended to do it.

And now she had to make small talk. Small talk was her worst subject. Conversations are supposed to be meaningful. You've only got one shot.

"I'm going to get something to drink." Harry said suddenly. Hermione gave him a look, pleading with her eyes for him to stay. He shrugged innocently and darted in the other direction. Hermione made a mental note to holler at him later.

Ron and Hermione sat alone at their table, silent, and a very awkward silence at that.

"Everything really came out nice…" Ron said hesitantly.

Hermione nodded and glance around, "Yeah…I suppose it did."

The song which had playing in the background slowed to a ballad, and Hermione watched as the couples pair off and cling to one another with an unseen passion, something you couldn't know for real unless you experienced it first, and it was returned. More than just a puppy infatuation. Because they thought the war was still going on, they attached to one another quicker, fell harder. The upside was that they open up and find something amazing. The downside was that it hurt a lot more when they hit the ground. Hermione had seen too many broken hearts, still yearning for one another, to be the glue.

"So," Ron caught Hermione's attention from mid air, and nodded to the dance floor, "You want to…"

Her eyes lit up, "You don't mind?"

Ron shrugged, "One won't kill me."

Hermione nodded and they made their way to the floor. He was making an effort; the big gesture. Well, big enough for two seventh year students secretly crushing on one another. Except it wasn't too much of a secret as a silent agreement.

They joined the other couples on the floor in the slow dance. Ron looked down at Hermione, a smile creeping onto his face, "Sorry if I'm not the best at this but it's the thought, right?"

You're doing fine! It's not like we're waltzing or something." Hermione smiled up at him, "But it might be easier if we stood closer, here." She took a half step close, finding comfort in the familiarity.

"So, no regrets about coming?" Hermione asked him a few seconds later.

"No, no regrets. Everything amazing," Ron said, scanning the room, and turned his attention back to Hermione, "Everything."

Hermione was floating. Or falling, but she was suspended safely in mid air. And she couldn't speak.

"You know, I was sort of thinking something." Ron said, finally breaking the awed silence.

Hermione choked out a few words slowly, "Oh? What was that?"

Ron took a breath as if he was contemplating telling her or not. He lowered his voice a little, like he was telling a secret, "I was thinking…" he moved his face closer with every word. Hermione held her breath. He was hardly ever this forward. There must have been something in the punch to make him act this way. But she obviously wasn't complaining.

"We never really did try…I mean we never gave us a shot did we?"

He was serious. He was really finally making the gesture she had wanted those years ago. "No." she said quietly, "I suppose he didn't."

Ron seemed almost stunned to hear her speak. It was as if he expected her to run when he brought up the subject.

"Would," he stumbled over his words a little bit, "I mean, do you think you would want to-"

"May I cut in?"

Hermione nearly jumped from her skin at the voice. When she looked to see who was there, she narrowed her eyes angrily.

Way to ruin a moment, Malfoy.

Ron seemed to be thinking the same thing. "I don't think so, Malfoy. Get your own date."

"Oh, I have one, but she's preoccupied." He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder pointing out Adele deep in conversation with other girls.

"It's fine Ron, the song is almost over." Hermione whispered.

"Hermione, I don't think I want to hand you over to him-" Ron said seriously.

Hermione glanced to Malfoy who was standing by coolly.

"No, it's fine. I can take care of it."

"All right, if you're sure. Find me later."

Hermione nodded and let Ron go. Malfoy wasted no time slipping into position and taking Hermione's waist with one hand and grasping her other hand.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"You wanted to dance with me, Granger." He smirked.

Hermione choked a laugh, "Only so Ron wouldn't punch you in the kidney…"

"I've got two."

"And so McGonnagal wouldn't yell at us again…" she continued.
I've gotten detention before. And so have you, I recall. Face it, Granger. You wanted to dance with me. Or else you wouldn't have let Weasel on his way."

Hermione rolled her eyes and looked out toward the dance floor around them.

"I hear no argument, you must know it's true."

They turned in a graceful circle and moved across the great hall's makeshift dance floor. Hermione tore her eyes from the laughing, glittering scene and met Malfoy's slate colored stare. She didn't speak.

"Deny, deny, deny." Malfoy lowered his head to the side of Hermione's face. "It's a shame really," he breathed into her ear, "To be so afraid of the thoughts of others. What will they think?" He pulled her a step closer; Hermione took in a sharp breath, "Enemies. In more ways than one. I mean, it's all possible, opposites attract and all-" closer still; too close-"but people might talk." His voice dropped to below a mummer, Hermione struggled to just make out the syllables. She gripped his shoulder as if it would somehow change the volume of his voice. She could almost hear that annoying smirk playing at his lips. He loved this, seeing, feeling her distress. But he was too close. And Ron was probably nearby…watching, waiting…And Hermione was waiting. Waiting for anything, a resolution. Malfoy's hand burned into her skin, and she could only inhale his scent. She breathed harder, and the vision she had left became dizzy. Everything happened in a matter of seconds.

People might talk. Deny, deny, deny.

Words, stupid words. She had stopped moving her feet; they both had. Her eyes wandered, what to do…everyone was laughing, enjoying themselves…how long was the song exactly? Was it still playing? What time was it? A tunnel…she was in a tunnel…air, oxygen..

"I-I have to go, n-now." Hermione wriggled out of Malfoy's clinging grasp and sprinted, heels clicking. She ran through the couples, through the people, the tables, the smoke, streamers, falling show. And the icy courtyard covered in a shimmering blanket became a safe haven. The stone bench in the middle was something of solitary beauty. As she sat down, her arms wrapped around herself. She hadn't grabbed her cloak, and it must have been fifteen degrees outside.

Even after running, she was freezing. But soon her labored breathing returned to a half normal pace, and the tunnel vision she had earlier been experiencing had ceased. But the feelings she had been feeling were engraved in her mind. She repeatedly told herself that it wasn't her fault. But the way Malfoy had spoken to her with such spite, malice…jealously? The only reason he did it was to annoy her. And his technique had proved successful. But something inside Hermione got guilty again. As if she did something very wrong. She felt like she betrayed her friends, her beliefs, herself, Ron.

They were getting on so well, they had been discussing the 'we' factor. She swore he was going to kiss her. But he didn't. Because of Malfoy.

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