When Draco and I arrived back at the Ball, everything was normal, as always. Everyone was oblivious to the fact that we even left. Draco took my hand.

"Care for another dance?"

I grinned and nodded. He led me out to the dance floor and we blended in with the swarming crowd of dancing couples. We didn't dance for very long a sudden tap on my shoulder cause us to stop. I turned around to find an irritated Ron glaring at Draco.

"Hermione, could I talk to you?"

"Sure," I replied.

Ron didn't move and continued glaring. "I meant…. alone."

I nodded to him before turning around back to Draco. I lightly pecked him on the nose and mouthed "it's okay". I could see the slight unnerving feeling that Draco had but he agreed to let me go. I turned back to Ron and followed him into a corner, away from the boisterous music. When Ron stopped, he didn't say anything and just stared at the wall.

I put my hands on my hips. "Well?" He didn't reply. I huffed.

"If you're going to say something Ronald, then just say it."

Ron continued to stay silent. "I knew this was a waste of time," I thought. As I turned to walk away, Ron finally spoke up.

"Wait."

I stopped in my footsteps and waited for another word.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I'm sorry for getting back with Lavender; I broke up with her by the way. I'm sorry for punching the ferret, I- I'm just sorry for everything."

A gush of sympathy washed over me. "I forgive you Ron," I replied, missing my best friend. Thinking that this was the end of the conversation, I gave him a hug and began to walk away.

Ron grabbed my hand. "Hermione wait. Doesn't this mean anything to you? I even broke up with Lavender for you."

"Of course it does," I replied confused, "I didn't want to continue being your enemy."

Ron immediately became relieved. "I'm glad." He pulled me closer towards him. Then, out of the blue, he started lowering his head closer to mine making his lips a couple inches away. Oh no I sent the wrong message to him. Quickly, I pulled my hand away from his grasp and stared at him, dumbfounded.

"N-no Ron… I-I don't like you in that way," I couldn't stop stammering.

Ron's face turned red. "I thought we were all good now Hermione. I thought that now that I apologised, things could go back to the way they were. Don't tell me that you're going back to that insolent little ferret." His voice became to rise, which attracted attention to nearby students.

"No Ron, you don't understand," I replied. "Things can't go back to the way they were because things change… people change."

Ron began to yell. "Hermione you can't go back to him! He's still the enemy! I can't believe you still don't believe that he's trying to manipulate you!" He stomped his foot several times.

I gasped. "Ron I knew you hadn't changed about this! This was all you were trying to do weren't you? Get me running back into your arms like a lost little girl? Well guess what Ron? I'm not going to!"

A crowd had mustered around us while we continued to argue. Draco, Harry and Ginny were at the front, staring at us like a bunch of gaping fish.

"HERMIONE FOR THE BRIGHTEST WITCH OF YOUR AGE, YOU'RE NOT VERY BRIGHT." Ron retaliated. A pang of pain was felt inside of me. "YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE WHAT HE'S DOING TO YOU. YOU'RE IN HIS EVIL LITTLE PLAN. WHY ELSE WOULD HE WANT TO GO NEAR YOU AND YOUR MUDBLOOD GERMS?" Ron roared.

I stumbled backwards and didn't reply. Tears filled my eyes and a massive lump had reached my throat. Ron immediately realised what he'd said.

"No, no Hermione I didn't mean it like that. I would never call you a M…" he drifted off.

I couldn't bear to look into his eyes. Suddenly all the tears came flowing down and I ran. I ran away from the massive crowd and didn't stop. How could Ron, of all people, call me that? Stupid stupid stupid! I thought as I ran with my blurred vision.

Draco's POV:

Anger boiled up inside me. That Weaslebee just called her a Mudblood! I could hear Ginny and Harry cursing and yelling at Ron. Suddenly I couldn't help myself. I took off my mask and lunged at that red-headed freak, giving him powerful blows.

"HOW… COULD… YOU…. DO THAT YOU…. BASTARD?" I roared within punches. "GRANGER'S NOW OFF CRYING BECAUSE HER BEST FRIEND CALLED HER THE UNFORGIVABLE. YEAH. SHE THOUGHT YOU WERE HER BEST FRIEND." I continued giving him what he deserved before Harry pulled me off him.

I stood up unsteadily and glared at him. Before I turned away to look for Hermione, I muttered under my breath.

"What a best friend you turned out to be."

*Hey guuuys! I know I haven't updated recently; I've had a serious case of writer's block and nothing came into my head. I've also had this annoying headache which caused me to give up trying to write for a few days. Yeah yeah I know you guys were probably wanting something to happen between Draco and Hermione tonight. But you know what else? The night's not over yet ;D

Please keep reviewing, I would love to hear what you'd want to happen in the next chapters! ~
sapphire-lights x