Chapter 9: Draco's Dilemma

Draco finally got the courage to ask Hermione to Hogsmeade, and of course she said yes. Blaise had moved on rather quickly and was perfectly content with a French Ravenclaw he had encountered in the corridor on day. Hermione and Draco weren't a couple, but it wasn't odd for students (and even Snape on a couple occasions) to find them kissing if they passed in the hall. Hermione's only fear with Draco was that he would never get around to asking her out, either because he was unsure of himself, or unsure of how much he really liked her.

Of course that was just in her head. Draco was starting to build very strong feelings for Hermione and was just waiting for a perfect opportunity to ask her.

Because she is perfect and everything for her should be perfect, Draco would think.

"Hermione? Ready to go?" Draco asked.

"Hold on a second," she yelled from inside her room.

Draco was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. "We're already an hour late," he said calmly reminding her.

Hermione emerged from her room dressed and ready to go. Her hair was still wet, but already starting to curl and her light make-up looked fresh. She was wearing her favorite top, a chocolate brown cami with sequins and beading around the neckline. She was wearing a pair of comfortable jeans and planned on just wearing some sneakers.

"Sorry I took so long," she said rushing down the stairs.

"Oh, it's ok-"

The sound of tapping glass softly interrupted Draco.

"Oh look! An owl!" Hermione rushed over to it and grabbed the letter off its foot.

Hey guys!

You're already wicked late so just meet us in a half hour at The Three Broomsticks. Try to be on time…

Much love,

Daria, Ron, Ginny, Harry

"We have some time," Hermione smirked.

Draco looked over the note and then looked back at Hermione. "Imagine that."

TIMEHASPASTTIMEHASPASTTIMEHASPASTTIMEHASPASTTIMEHASPAST

"Hey Drake."

"Hey Daria."

Hermione smiled at Draco's obvious anxiety. Daria was sitting on Ron's knee and looked like she had been there for a while. "How's it going?"

"Not bad," they all answered.

Hermione nodded and flipped her hair out of habit causing both Daria and Ginny to erupt into hysterical laughter.

"I see it's going good for you too," Daria replied between laughs.

Ginny laughed even harder, and almost began crying when seeing the confused faces of everyone else. "Hermione," she said starting to calm down, "after you got our note what did you do?"

Much to his own surprise, Draco figured it out first. "Hermione," he whispered. He cleared his voice.

"Oh!" Hermione said in realization. "Oh- um. Nothing."

"Sure…" Daria said with a signature smirk. "Ok…"

"I don't get it…" Ron said puzzled.

Hermione flipped her hair a little to give Ron a clue, but he still didn't get it.

Just then Blaise walked in and went over to the group. "Wow Hermione! Nice hickey!"

"OoOoO!" Ron said. "That's what it was!"

Harry coughed loudly to hide his laughter. "Anyways…"

"Yes, moving on," Hermione said relieved, "what are we going to do?"

"My brothers said they had some free merchandise if we were interested," Ron suggested.

"Definitely," Daria said smiling at Ron.

"Uh, I actually have to talk to Hermione for a minute, alone. We'll meet you there," Ginny said.

Everyone got up from the table leaving Ginny and Hermione to sip on more butterbeer.

"Is everything alright?" Hermione asked in a concerned voice.

"Why don't you tell me?"

"What?"

"Hermione, what's going on with you and Draco? Are you a couple, friends; what?"

Hermione thought for a moment. "I- I have no idea."

"Have you guys talked about it?"

Hermione shook her head. "Too awkward."

Ginny smiled. "I know it's weird but you really have to ask him about it. Hermione listen, he really, really likes you but I don't want you to wait around for nothing. Do you understand?"

Hermione nodded her head. "I know. I keep thinking about it… about if he never asks me to be with him… just be his kissing buddy or something."

Ginny sighed. "I know that he really likes you, just wait a little. If he doesn't put any effort into you, just move on. If he likes you as much as he says he does, then he'll do it."

"I know. I just don't want to stay where we are. Some people like a relationship without the relationship, but I don't want it. I want Draco."

"I know Hermione. Why don't we go find them now, I was just curious as to what was going on after we saw- uh- your neck."

Hermione bit her bottom lip then sighed.

The two students found their friends with multiple bags drifting aimlessly outside. Ron had about three bags with the Weasley Wizard Weezes logo on them, and everyone else had two bags plus a few from Zonko's.

"Have a nice chat?" Draco said making a beeline toward Hermione.

"Lovely," Hermione said smiling into his silver-blue eyes.

"Glad to hear it." Draco reached into one of his bags and pulled out a chocolate rose for Hermione. "Watch…"

Hermione smiled as the chocolate rose bloomed in front of her. "Awwwww… thanks." She gave Draco a quick kiss on the lips, but was interrupted when an owl landed impatiently on Draco's shoulder.

"Hello there," he said removing the letter

Dear Mister Malfoy and Miss Granger,

I hate to call upon you during a beautiful day for Hogsmeade, but if you could report to my office at once it would be greatly appreciated. Hope I haven't interrupted anything.

Yours truly,

Albus Dumbledore

"We have head duties, I think," Hermione said to the group. "See you later guys!"

"Bye," Draco said to everyone.

"See you later."

Draco and Hermione went into the Headmaster's office and each took a seat.

"You wanted to see us Professor?" Draco asked politely.

Dumbledore smiled at the pair. "Oh yes. We have some head business to discuss I'm afraid. I hate to interrupt your social lives, but this needs immediate attention."

"What is it sir?" Hermione asked with extreme curiousity.

"We have to start organizing the Halloween dance and various other events you both will be in charge of."

"Excuse me sir," Draco said, "I don't want to be rude, but the dance is a month away."

Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, but procrastination is an extremely contagious disease, and I wouldn't want our head stuents to be spreading around Hogwarts."

Too late for Ron and Harry, Hermione thought.

"So," Dumbledore said rising from his seat. "Any ideas?"

"Masked ball?" Draco suggested uncertainly

"Too cliché," Hermione commented, "how about a good old-fashioned costume ball, that way people can dress how they want?"

"Sounds good to me," Draco said.

"Alright then," Dumbledore replied. "You are both responsible for decorations and entertainment, refreshments, everything. The prefects are to be of assistants, but you have complete control of this situation, alright?"

Both students nodded.

"You may leave, if you wish."

Hermione and Draco left feeling a lot more pressure than when then went in.

They walked in slow silence back to the tower and decided to go to the prefects to tell them about the ball. After everyone was on the same page, there were murmurs of who was going to ask who…

"Who are you going to ask?" Harry asked Ron.

"Maybe Daria," he said looking at Draco nervously.

"It doesn't matter to me. Just don't make me kill you," Draco asked. "You're going to go with, Ginny, obviously."

Harry nodded. "Who are you going to ask, Hermione?"

Draco sighed. "I want to."

"Just ask her. She wont wait forever," Ron commented.

"I know. I'm not good enough for her though."

Both Harry and Ron rolled their eyes. "Shut up Drake. You know every girl in this school loves you."

"Yea, you're right," Draco smirked. "But I just want to ask her on a special way. Something she'll remember, you know?"

"Draco," Harry said, "you're not proposing to her, just asking her to a dance is all."

Draco smiled. "I know. I want to wait for the right moment."

"I understand," Harry replied, "just make sure you don't wait too long."

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An: yay! review! once i get to100 reviews I'll update again... all i need is 3 more reviews for "Keeping Secrets" too! REVIEW! (i dedicate the hickey part to Zoe and Tom!)

xoxo, Jackie