Remus sat there in shock. She had just agreed to go to the ball with Sirius, his best friend. Why would she do something like that? She had even agreed to dance with him at the ball! Angrily, he threw down his books and stormed out of the pub.

Sirius watched him go, smiling slightly. His best friend had just proven that he really did like Hermione, no matter what he said.

Hermione watched him go, biting her lip guiltily. What have you done Hermione? You like Remus, not Sirius!

She made to go after him, when James stopped her. She rounded angrily on Sirius, "Why did you ask me? Moreover, why did I say yes!" she all but yelled at him.

James interrupted her tirade gently, "He did it for your own good. We can all tell that you have feelings for him, and that he has feelings for you." Hermione paused, and looked around at the smiling, slightly apologetic faces of her friends.

"Is it that obvious?" she asked, slumping in defeat.

"To everyone, but Remus himself. That boy is seriously dense when it comes to matters of the heart." Lily muttered. "What Sirius just did, was help Remus realise his feelings for you. I can guarantee that he will come to understand this feeling by the ball. Just carry on as usual. Sirius will have a different date, but Remus won't know it, am I right?" She looked at Sirius expectantly.

Sirius pouted. "How do you know me so well?"

Lily grinned. "Seven years of your antics, you'd think I'd know you."

Sirius smiled, and pulled the group closer to him, and whispered his plan to them quickly.

Hermione stood nervously at the top of the steps leading to the Great Hall. "Are you guys sure about this?"

James and Sirius nodded. "It'll be fine." They looked at her appraisingly as she came into the light. "You look gorgeous. Don't forget to put your mask on, and we'll lead Remus right to you. He won't be able to resist."

Hermione took a deep breath and pulled the mask over her eyes. She felt a strange tingling sensation around her face. "Well? How do I look now?"

Lily smiled and conjured a mirror. Hermione gasped as she took in her new appearance. Her ivory skin had tanned, her brown eyes had turned violet, and her usually chocolate brown locks had turned blonde, with a hint of honeyed streaks. "Wow. I look so different."

"Yet you're the same person. Don't worry. This evening will go perfectly." Harry said from her left. "We'll see you in there."

Hermione stood there and watched her friends walk into the bright lights of the Great Hall.

Taking a deep breath, feeling her heart pound a little faster, Hermione ventured in after them. She paused, momentarily dazzled by the bright lights. Blinking a few times, she gasped as she took in the condition of the Hall.

The walls of the Hall had been charmed a pale cream, while the ceiling had been charmed to snow at random points during the evening, there were silver snowflakes charmed to hover around, while sparkling with different colours, reds, greens, blues were seen as spotlights on the dancefloor, which was charmed to look like ice. She smiled as she saw people dancing together, and everyone having a good time. She saw Harry and Ginny, Ron and Erica, James and Lily all dancing together laughing happily. She looked around for Sirius and Remus when she bumped into a large body.

"Oh, sorry." she apologised quickly, noticing that her voice had changed slightly as well.

The stranger looked at her and smiled, "Not a problem, would you care to dance?"

Hermione shrugged. "Okay," and she took his hand as he led her to the dance floor. She knew he wasn't Remus, because Sirius hadn't given her the signal, but she might as well have fun whilst waiting.

The stranger happened to be an excellent dancer, he knew every move of the waltz, spinning Hermione around expertly, making her laugh. The song ended a little too quickly for Hermione's liking, who was enjoying herself thoroughly. "Thank you for this dance, you're an excellent dancer considering your mind is elsewhere." the stranger gave her a little wink before walking off. Hermione frowned in confusion.

"Orion!"

The stranger turned around and tipped an imaginary hat. Hermione chuckled to herself, shaking her head in amusement.

Finally, she saw Sirius pushing a reluctant Remus towards her. She steeled herself and casually looked away.

"Oof." Hermione landed on the floor with a thud.

Remus' eyes widened as he started to apologise. "Oh merlin, I'm really sorry, but my friend pushed me. Are you okay? I'm so sorry." he rushed.

Hermione grinned. "It's okay, I should have looked around to see what was happening instead of daydreaming."

Remus grinned. "Do you want to dance?"

Hermione shrugged nonchalantly. "Sure." Yes! He finally asked me to dance. It would be better if he knew who I was, but this is a good start.

Remus led her onto the dance floor, and held her close as the music started to slow down. "You know, I have this odd feeling we've met before."

"Really? Maybe we've bumped into each other in the corridors, or even sat next to each other in classes."

"Hmm. So you're a Seventh year like me. What house?"

Hermione laughed. "Not so easy Mr Lupin."

Remus smiled. "I'm guessing you're not a Slytherin, as I've never sat next to a Slytherin before. Actually. I've only ever sat with Gryffindors. So you could be Lily, Hermione, Ginny, or any of the other Seventh Years in my house."

Hermione nodded. "That's me. I'm one of them."

Suddenly the bells rang, signalling midnight had arrived.

Lily stood up on the podium. "Alright ladies, it's time to reveal yourselves! If you want to." she added as an afterthought.

Hermione sighed and raised her hand to her mask. Remus watched her in anticipation, wondering who it was that had captured his interest.

"Hello Remus." Hermione said softly as her features returned to normal.

Remus' jaw dropped. "No way. I thought you were going with Sirius?"

Hermione shook her head. "It's a long story, just ask Sirius later." she smiled.

Remus decided to act. It was time for him to share his feelings. He reached forward and grabbed hold of Hermione's hand.

Hermione's breath hitched.

"Hermione... I have to tell you something..." he started.

Sirius danced over to them grinning like a madman. "Mistletoe!" he sang.

The two looked at him in confusion. Sirius gestured above them. They looked up and laughed, hanging above them was the biggest bunch of mistletoe they had ever seen.

Remus shrugged and looked at Hermione with a crooked grin. He leaned forward slowly until his lips touched hers. He pulled away quickly, unsure of Hermione's feelings. Hermione frowned and pulled Remus closer to her until she had engaged him in their very first kiss with each other. It was nothing like they had ever felt before, it was the most perfect, blissful thing, as though there was nothing around them, just the two of them in the world.