When I woke up the next morning, I wasn't covered up in my usual adequate blankets. I was sleeping on something better. I looked up and saw Draco still fast asleep, his chest moving up and down from taking soft calm breaths. His arm was wrapped around my body, keeping me close. I smiled at the sight of him and looked around. Then I remembered what happened yesterday.
After Draco and I left the Gryffindor Common Room, he took me by the hand and dragged me up to the watchtower. There, we talked for hours, not bothering to realise how late it got.
"I guess that's why we fell asleep here," I thought.
I sat up on one of the steps and straightened out my clothing. As I stood up, Draco was beginning to awaken from his slumber. He stood up and grabbed me by the waist.
"Morning Hermione," he purred into my ear. He turned me around and kissed me lightly on the lips. I blushed and turned away. Suddenly I remembered the shopping date I had with Ginny.
"Merlin!" I cried. "I've got to meet Gin!"
I began casting a bunch of spells to get me ready. I only had 10 minutes before I had to meet Ginny at Hogsmeade. Draco watched me fuss about amusingly with his captivating smirk. I ran here and there before I could finally head out. "I've got to go," I yelled to Draco. "See you later."
When I arrived at Hogsmeade, Ginny was already there. She had a very mischievous grin on her face.
"Sorry I'm late Gin, I got caught up."
Ginny nodded casually and said, "Oh no worries. As long as you're here." Then she paused. "Hermione, I do recall you not showing up last night in the Gryffindor Common Room. Did you lose track of time studying?" She smiled cheekily.
Crud, I've been caught. Ginny continued. "Or… did you lost track of time because of a certain somebody?" I lightly punched her in the shoulder.
"Nothing happened," I replied. I could feel my face heating up. "Let's just get this shopping thing over and done with."
Ginny laughed and agreed. First we went to Hogsmeade then apparated to Diagon Alley. We browsed through many well-known stores. Ginny already found her costume; it was a light blue dress with a bit of lace, perfect to match with her Chesire Cat mask. Ginny was going completely "Alice in Wonderland" for the ball. I lent her the novel of Alice in Wonderland a few weeks ago and she fell in love with it immediately. However, as we passed many stores, I still had no idea what to wear for the Ball. We finally arrived at a new shop opened in the corner of Diagon Alley. Gin and I both decided to check it out as we were running out of places to go to. In there, Ginny ran away at once to a rack of dresses. I circled around many shelves, uninterested, tracing my finger along the edge of each shelf.
Suddenly, an impetuous scream made everyone bounce right into the air.
"HERMIONE HERMIONE, COME HERE!" Ginny squealed.
"Shh Ginny! You're drawing too much attention to us," I whispered.
"Oh shush and look!" She pointed towards one of the dresses in the rack she was looking in.
The dress was the most exquisite dress I ever saw. The design was flawless. It was white and the hem was cut down so it'd fit just above the knee. I was so mesmerised by it that I didn't realise the shop assistant standing next to me.
"It's my finest piece," she said. I jumped nervously and smiled. Ginny was in a fit of uncontrollable giggles. "If you're interested, I have the perfect mask for it if you'd like to see."
"Oh that'd be lovely, thank you," I replied. She then led me to the front counter and pointed her slim finger above a white mask. The mask also caught my attention.
"I can pack them both in a bag for you now if you'd like," the shop lady said.
Before I could utter a word, Ginny pushed me over like a bulldozer and grinned. "We'll take them!"
The shop assistant beamed and we were out of there as soon as possible, with the costume all ready in a bag.
"Ginny, why did you get that costume? I thought you already had one."
"Oh Hermione, it's for you, silly!" She expressed all of her joy into her words.
I was stunned. "M-me? But I…."
"Oh hush you," she interrupted. "This is perfect for you! You can be that girl from the muggle story you told me about. What was it again? Cin… Chinder…"
"Cinderella?"
"That's the one. And who knows, at the ball someone might goggle over your perfection. Oh I don't know… someone with bright grey eyes… white-blond hair…."
"Ginny!" I pouted and she went into another fit of uncontrollable giggles. I laughed with her and we both agreed to head back to Hogwarts, before it got too dark.
The day of the Ball soon came around and everyone was buzzing. Ginny, Harry and Ron were all discussing their costumes and such. I sighed and looked out of the window. After I came home from shopping with Ginny, I didn't get to see Draco. In fact, there was no sight of him all week. Ginny comforted me though. "He'll come to the ball tonight," she said. "I know he will."
"So Hermione, what are you going as?" Harry asked, interrupting my cloud of thoughts.
Ginny gave me a hush. "No way Hermione, you're not giving away your identity. They'll just have to see you when you get there tonight."
"Aww Ginnnn," Harry complained. I smiled at how much fun things have been with everyone. Of course, Ron and I haven't spoken but we still manage to stay together as a group, without being civil to one another.
Suddenly, Ginny grabbed me by the arm and said to everyone, "Sorry guys but we must be leaving. Hermione and I have to get ready."
Everyone said their good byes and we went up the stairs towards my bedroom. Ginny let go of my arm and I ran away. I jumped onto my fluffy violet blanket and dug my head in.
"Oh get up you lazy donkey," she ordered. I lifted my head up and giggled. Ginny ran her hands through her long red hair.
"Right," she said, "let's get you ready for the ball, shall we?"
Hey guys ~
Hope you like the story so far. Sorry about only having little Dramione parts. Next chapter's about the ball, yay! Thanks for your support and sorry if there are any grammar mistakes T_T sapphire-lights x