AN: It's been a tough week for me, but I am determined to get this out and posted asap. Writing this story seems to help calm me down a bit, and for that I am grateful for. I am also grateful for all of you guys, my readers! You have no idea how much your reviews mean to me and cheer me up on my bad days. Send me more pretty please! :D Read and enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling. I am not JK Rowling. I am not JK Rowling.

Draco growled when he noticed the redhead lead Hermione out onto the dance floor, his eyes practically burning a hole into Ron's head. Blaise noticed his reaction, and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Remember the plan, mate," he whispered, glancing down at Draco's clenched fists.

Draco snarled and reluctantly searched the room. To make his first move he had to have a pawn, this was a game after all. His eyes spotted her on the far-left side of the room talking to a guy dressed like a seeker, and he slowly made his way over to her.

"Draco!" She cried, a mixture of surprise and excitement in her voice.

"Pans," he spoke, trying to sound happy to see her. He added a smile to seem genuine, and she soaked it right up, oblivious to his facade. Easy as always.

"Oh Draco, this place looks amazing!" She squealed, grabbing onto his arm. "You look amazing," she cooed, brushing a single finger across the same arm she held.

Draco immediately stopped the disgust he felt from surfacing on his face and replaced it with another fake smile. "Would you like to dance?" With an excited squeal, she practically dragged Draco behind her as she eagerly made her way to the dance floor.

The next song started to play, but Ron didn't let go of her. He wanted to keep dancing all night, never letting Hermione go. I won't let you get away, 'Mione. She looked at his face at that moment, and Ron stiffened thinking he had spoken his thoughts aloud. Her eyes were brimming with questions, but she didn't speak.

Draco and Pansy were dancing to the slow song that drifted through the air, Pansy laying her head on his shoulder. He felt like pushing her off but fought against the urge, inhaling sharply. Carefully, he guided them over towards Hermione and Ron until they were beside each other. He was so close he could smell her perfume, and his body ached with a sudden longing he had never felt before. Pansy sighed happily into his shoulder, but Draco didn't notice, his eyes never leaving Hermione.

Feeling that familiar blush rush up her neck, Hermione knew he was looking at her. Her heart thudded loudly inside her chest as she moved her eyes away from Ron, to stare back at his silvery ones. She gasped as she noticed the pure desire they held, seeming to burn with an unashamed intensity. Then her gaze fell upon Pansy, her head laying on his shoulder and her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. Jealousy coursed through her veins, and all she wanted to do was hex the smile off of that witch's face. He's mine. She stopped swaying, and dropped her arms from Ron at the thought.

Ron's face fell at the movement. " 'Mione," he spoke, eyes pleading. She looked up at his face, and shifted uncomfortably in her heels. Fear spread throughout his body as he noticed her stance. She was going to leave. He grabbed her arms and pulled her to him, then cupped her face and pressed his lips urgently into hers. Hermione's eyes bulged as she pushed him away.

"Ron," she spoke sternly, tears in her eyes. She could feel anger build up inside towards the blushing redhead before her. "I don't feel like that towards you anymore," she spat. Ron flinched, and a nearby Draco smiled wickedly.

"Bloody hell!" He yelled, face turning red. Nearby people turned to look at him at the the volume of his voice. He ignored their stares as he continued. "How can you be all over me and then decide you don't like me the next month?"

Hermione's anger took complete hold of her. "I was never all over you, Ron!" She longed to run up and slap him, but didn't want to cause a scene. She glanced over at Draco who's stare never let up, but the corners of his mouth twitched into a smile. She blushed furiously and couldn't help but smile back, her rage melting away. How does he do that?

Ron's eyes followed hers, and he blanched. Impossible. Hermione and Malfoy? Never..., but the longer he watched them, his thoughts changed. They seemed to be holding a conversation with only their eyes, and it wasn't full of hatred but...No. No. No! No! "No," he whispered aloud. He felt as if his whole world were crumbling. Turning his eyes to Hermione one last time, he stalked off. Coming here was a big mistake.

Hermione watched Ron leave and couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He was one of her best friends after all, and she did love him. It just wasn't the way he wanted. She turned to Draco and realized Pansy had lifted her head and was talking with him. The jealousy she had felt before doubled in its intensity, and her fists clenched at her sides. I have to find Ginny.

She searched for what seemed to be a half an hour, but to no avail. Sighing and giving up she headed over to the refreshments table when she tripped on her own heel, bumping into a snogging couple.

"Oh I'm so-," Hermione began and then her eyes grew wide, staring at the missing fiery redhead in front of her. "G-Ginny?"

"Oi Granger!" A smug Blaise called out. His hair was disheveled and his lips were bloody red, matching Ginny's. Ginny shot a glare at him, and bit her swollen bottom lip.

" 'Mione...I um..hey," she weakly said, shooting her eyes back from her friend to Blaise.

"Hey?" Hermione put her arms on her hips and pursed her lips. "I catch you snogging the bloody daylights out of Blaise, Blaise, and all you say is hey?"

"Are you jealous, Granger?" He grinned, folding his arms across his chest.

"Never!" She cried.

He nodded. "Well, I guess that makes sense seeing as how I don't have snow white hair and-" Ginny smacked him on the back of the head. "Bloody hell woman." He rubbed the spot and stared at Hermione with a smirk that told her he knew everything.

Her face instantly turned two shades of red. "I'll...uh...talk to you later, Gin," she spoke quickly and ran off, trying her best not to fall in her high heels.

Hermione made her way through the crowd until she stopped in front of one of the huge windows. Leaning up against it, her hand brushed up against a handle. Oh, it's a door. Touching the silver handle again, she opened it carefully, and instantly the cool night air reached a welcoming hand to touch her bare shoulders and lift her curly locks. She walked a few feet until reaching a huge old oak. Letting out a sigh she brushed a hand across the bark. She stood there just staring at the tree, wondering about the years and times it had stood through itself. Pulling her arms against her chest, Hermione shivered and felt a coat being placed on her shoulders.

"You'll catch a cold," a smooth voice whispered into her ear. Her heart beat fast at its familiarity, and she turned to face him. A stunning Draco Malfoy filled her vision, and her heart seemed to stop at the sight. His hair was glowing in the light of the moon and so was his face. The light seemed to highlight his sharp features, and his eyes were magnificent in all of their haunting glory. Her eyes roamed his body taking in his costume, which consisted of tight-fitting white trousers, a high-collared white shirt, a deep emerald silver-buttoned waistcoat, and black boots. She looked at the coat on her shoulders. It was the same deep emerald as the waistcoat, with the same silver buttons. Very intricate silver stitching ran along the collar, sides and bottom. It appeared to be a Victorian era tailcoat.

"You look like a prince," she smiled, blushing like mad.

"And you a princess," he replied stepping closer and brushing a long finger against her red cheek. Hermione looked up into his eyes and felt a strong urge to kiss him. Before she could even think about acting on her impulse, Draco's lips found their way to hers.

His lips were soft and sweet tasting, sending shivers throughout her entire body. The kiss started out soft and sweet, but after a few minutes it became passionate and lustful. Hermione's arms found their way around his neck and ruffled his hair, while Draco's pinned her against the giant oak. Their heads spun, and hearts soared at the intensity of being entangled in one an others arms.

Panting heavily, they finally broke away red-faced and beaming. "Hermione," Draco breathed, his forehead resting on hers. She closed her eyes.

"Say it again, Draco."

"Hermione," he whispered, grinning. She grinned as well and kissed his cheek, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning her head against his chest. She listened to his heartbeat, thinking to herself that it was the best sound in the world.

Draco rested is head on top of hers, and ran his fingers through her thick brown hair. She called me Draco. He couldn't stop smiling and thought that this was the most he ever had smiled in his life. He never felt this way before about anyone. Sure, he had kissed many girls. He had also done much more, but those were just flings. Something told him in his gut that this wasn't one of those. Hermione wasn't just a one night stand or an object to lust after and then throw away. She was special and fragile. He had to treat her with care and keep her from breaking. I will never hurt you, love. You're safe with me.

"I'm sorry," Hermione mumbled into his chest. Draco raised an eyebrow at her sudden confession.

"Sorry? What could you possibly be sorry about?" Hermione mumbled incoherently, and Draco strained to hear her. He lifted her chin until her eyes met with his. "Speak up, love. I don't understand gibberish," he spoke softly, a chuckle escaping his lips.

She gasped at his use of the endearing term, and her heart seemed to melt. That much more guilt seeping in. "I-I feel absolutely horrible about not realizing how much I hurt you when I didn't respond to your note." A few tears dripped down her face, and Draco pressed his lips to each one, kissing them away.

"Don't be. It wasn't your fault," he reassured her, but she wasn't convinced. She looked into his eyes, her own begging for him to say the words she desperately needed to hear. He sighed. "Fine. I forgive you, Hermione Granger, for what you think you did to me."

"Good," she smiled, and brushed her lips against his. As soon as their lips met the same spark from their earlier snogging session returned. Hermione let out a small moan at the force of the kisses Draco gave, and all she wanted was his mouth on hers. They couldn't seem to get enough of each other, clawing and grabbing a hold of hair, necks, waists, and arms. It was intoxicating, and deliciously sinful. Hermione never felt so alive in her life.

For the second time that night, Draco and Hermione pulled away breathless, leaning against the others foreheads for support. "You're definitely good at what you do," she spoke, her heart begging to be set free from her ribcage.

Draco chuckled. "At what I do? So you think this is all I do...," he smirked. "Interesting."

Hermione stood straight and smoothed the wrinkles off of her dress. She touched her hair and frowned. It had come undone with all of the grabbing, and her clip was dangling on a lonely strand. "I'll help you," Draco offered, and she gratefully accepted. After he was sure he fixed it, he stood back and put his hands on her bare shoulders. "Gorgeous," he stated matter-of-factually, and bent down to pick up his discarded coat. Hermione blushed at his statement.

"You really think that?" Her voice was soft, and her eyes seemed to sparkle.

"A Malfoy never lies," he said straightening up tall and putting his coat on.

"That's a lie!" She giggled. He pretended to be hurt by her words, forming a scowl and lifting his nose at her.

"You wouldn't know, you aren't a Malfoy," he smirked, extending his arm out to her.

I want to be. She wiped the thought away. Slow down...you don't want to get ahead of yourself. Snogging doesn't ensure a marriage proposal. You don't even love him. Another smaller voice seemed to pipe up. Not yet. She linked her arm in his, and they headed back inside to the ballroom.

They were greeted by confused and surprised glances but ignored them as they moved to the dance floor, Draco leading the way. A new song began to play and without taking their eyes off one another, the unusual pair glided effortlessly across the floor.

"Who would've thought," Ginny chuckled, peering over at her best friend and late enemy.

"I certainly never did," Blaise added as he spun Ginny around. I never dare thought. He looked at the girl he was dancing with and smiled. "You know, you look quite ravishing in black." Ginny stopped and looked up at the smirking boy before her. She noticed the softness in his eyes, and a slow blush crept up to her cheeks.

"Um thanks," she spoke looking down at her shoes. Blaise chuckled at her sudden bashfulness. He bent down and placed a kiss into her hair, her head still facing the floor. When she jerked up he laughed, and they began to dance again.

Pansy was talking with a girl dressed like a cat, asking if she had seen Draco anywhere. He had told her he wouldn't be gone long, but it had been an hour and she was starting to worry. The girl said she hadn't seen him. Pansy sneered and walked away. No help, and what a ridiculous costume. As she headed to the refreshments table, she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was cat girl.

"I found Draco," She pointed a paw to the blonde on the dance floor.

He's probably waiting for me, she grinned. The crowd was huge, and it blocked out the girl he danced with. Pansy shoved through the people, impatient to be in his arms. As she got to the clearing, her breath caught in her throat. What is my Draco doing with the mudblood? A deep rage enveloped her, and she let out a scream. Everyone seemed to stop moving to stare at her. "Get your filthy mudblood claws off of Draco!"

Hermione cringed at the horrible word, and Draco practically flew over to where Pansy stood. His stance was frightening and his eyes were lit with an emotion Pansy had never seen in him before. "Speak that word again and watch what happens," he growled.

"What are you doing?" She tried to seem un-phased by his fury, but her voice was coated with fear.

"Get out," He hissed. This time she didn't try to seem brave and ran off as everyone stared.

Draco headed back to Hermione and hugged her as she quietly cried. "Shh shh," he whispered in her ear, placing gentle kisses in her hair.

"Show's over," Lucius announced. "I would suggest everyone to get back to having fun. If anyone agrees with Miss Parkinson, you should make your exit as well. We don't welcome such rude and cruel persons in to our home." He scanned the room for protests, but gladly found none. He smiled, and bowed towards Hermione as if he was saying he was sorry. She met his eyes and nodded back, a small smile on her own face.

"I can't believe it," she shook her head and looked at Draco. "He really doesn't care."

"He's changed," he smirked. "We all have." He brought his forehead down to rest on hers once more. Hermione let out a happy sigh and laughed as they swayed.

"Something funny, Granger?" He didn't lift his head from hers, but she could see a smile pulling at his lips.

"Never in my craziest dreams, have I imagined this," She moved her head and looked up at him, her brown eyes baring her soul.

"Are you insisting this is crazy?" That famous Malfoy smirk she had grown fond of gracing his features.

"Insanely so."

Draco laughed, and leaned in to kiss her smiling lips. "Agreed," he whispered before closing the gap.

Narcissa and Lucius watched their son from a distance, both beaming. He wrapped an arm around his wife and pulled her close. "Look at them," she whispered.

"I am, dear," He laughed.

"You think she's the one for him?" Narcissa's voice was hopeful as she glanced back at her husband.

"Maybe," he chuckled. "She just may be."

Piper Lestrange—Good! Thanks :)

Mercy'sFoundaWayforMe--Thank you! :) I did describe her dress, but it wasn't in great detail for her dress was very simple.

AnMarie10-:)

x-hermalfoy—I couldn't resist adding him :p I love Snape haha and thanks!

martshi3—Glad I could help! :)Thank you

bookgirl 121—Here's the update :p hope it was soon enough.

jessirose85—Thanks, hope you enjoyed the action :D hehee

kogasgirl14—Ohmygoodness! This was like the best compliment ever! Thank you times a bajillion :D Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Megara Spoiler—Hope it's to your liking :)