AN: What can I say? Life has been crazy busy up until now. It was the last semester of my senior year and very, very hectic. But I graduated with flying colors! I was fourth in my class…with a tie for salutatorian. (So really, I call myself third. Haha.) I'm sorry for taking such a long time to update. I really am. But hopefully this chapter will make up for it. And I have a long summer, so that should mean much more regular updates! :) As always, thanks for your support!

I slowly opened my eyes and the harsh light that met them had me groaning and closing my eyes again. I wish that I had never opened them to begin with. In fact, I wish I was still fast asleep in the dormitories. The lights in here were truly much too bright. If I had a Time Turner with me at the moment, I would waste no time in using it—safety precautions be damned. There are few things that I regret in life; however, signing up for this dance class, I know, is now at the top of that list. Right below being healthy. If I were sick, none of this would be a problem. But alas, I am healthy, in good shape, and more recently, sprawled gracelessly on the floor. Did I mention it's a hard floor? It isn't very comfortable. I suppose I should rewind a little bit. Yes, well, how far? I guess I'll just start at the beginning of what I like to call...the end of sanity.

Begin flashback…


MONDAY (10am) —Hermione

It had been a normal day in Transfiguration until Professor McGonagall decided to announce the Yule Ball. Now, I knew it was coming; I had done my research on the Tri-Wizard Tournament and knew that a ball was one of the elements, but I didn't actually think that I'd be required to go. When McGonagall made the announcement, I listened attentively with the rest of the class, while at the same time my mind was in a happy state planning a night without any girls in the common room. McGonagall met my eyes and seemed to know exactly what I had been thinking for her next sentence brought me out of my imaginary bliss.

"I expect all students of age and above to attend. We are representing Hogwarts and I would hope that each and every one of you care enough about this establishment to want to present a united front of students to our sister and brother schools."

I seemed to be the only one to take that comment to heart because naturally, everyone else was quite eager to attend. Never mind that her remark was more than likely addressed solely to me. It looked as though I were the only one who dreaded the thought of parading about in uncomfortable robes in front of not just Hogwarts, but two other schools.

"However," she began again.

I internally groaned. Wasn't this bad enough? I don't think there is anything else she could possibly say to make this worse.

"For those of you less coordinated in the art of dance, see me after class and I will pair you with one of the students who has volunteered to assist in what I will call dance classes. They will start today and go through Friday of this week from 7-9pm. Then, Saturday of course, is the Yule Ball. Any questions?"

That wasn't as bad as it could have been. Maybe if I go quickly, I can choose who I want to help me and I won't be stuck with some rude prat like Malfoy. But the odds of that are infinitesimally low. Why on earth would he have volunteered to help anybody but himself? More importantly, even if he did, there's no way Professor McGonagall would do that to me.

End flashback…

MONDAY (8pm) —Draco

"Get off the ground Granger!" She glared at me with anger in her eyes and I smirked at her. I don't think she realizes that her anger and pain only bring me joy. All the better for me then, I suppose.

Salazar help me. I wish now that I had actually tried in Transfiguration instead of just messing around and making fun of Granger every time she answered something right. Maybe then I wouldn't have had to be forced to help a pathetic student learn to dance. But extra credit is extra credit, and apparently, I now need it.

"Were you even trying? That was the worst excuse for dancing that I have ever seen in my life." At this, she flushed.

"That's why I'm here," she hissed, "to get help from you. Must you make it impossible for me to work with you?"

I'd like to answer that with a resounding YES. Of course I must. This whole situation is her fault to begin with. It's her fault for answering so many questions right and being intelligent and therefore distracting me. If she wasn't so bloody smart, then maybe I would have spent less time paying attention to her and more to the old bag teaching the class.

The stupid Gryffindor seemed to gather a yes from my silence and she picked herself up and walked to the other side of the room, remembering to send another "ferocious" glare my way.

"I realize that you're book smart but I didn't think you lacked this much common sense. I can't help you dance if we're on opposite sides of the room."

It was quite humorous to see her stomp back to my side with her hands balled into fists at her side. If she wasn't so many social levels below me, I'd almost venture to call her cute. But, she, being of muggleborn descent, does not even appear on my radar as anything other than hideous. I should tell her so, but I don't really want her to slap me. We still have an hour of this torture before we're finished for the night.

"Though the fact is questionable, you are actually a girl," I started to speak, but she growled—actually growled!—at that. Did I hit a nerve? Good. But aside from her animal noise, she kept all of her other comments to herself. That's more restrain than I pegged her for having because I imagine she has a colorful vocabulary and I'm sure that in her mind it is all being released on me at this very moment. That's quite impressive actually. I've been baiting her all night and I haven't gotten one verbal insult from her. It seems like she's actually trying to learn to dance. I don't know why she bothers though, it's not like she'll actually get a date.

"And because you are a girl, you are going to be following the male. A true gentleman always leads. So now that in the first hour of this torture, I showed you the steps, you can try them in practice."

All anger vanished from her face and she turned a shade paler. "Practice?"

"Yes, practice," I said crossly. "Isn't that why you're here? Although if you'd prefer, I can just tell you everything and you can debut your dancing for the first time at the Yule Ball." She shook her head vigorously. "That's what I thought. Now I won't add music yet, I don't want to fry your little brain," she glared at me. What a shocker.

"Unless you want to be with me all night—and I wouldn't blame you if you did—I suggest you let go of your petty anger and just dance with me." I held out my hand expectantly and with much resentment, she took it.

"I will lead for tonight, so just remember your steps and follow my example."

For being stubborn and argumentative, Granger does know how to take direction. Granted, she screwed up many, many times even with looking at her feet every few seconds, but by the end she improved a tiny bit. All hope wasn't entirely lost. Unfortunately, I stopped paying attention to what I was doing and went on autopilot. My hand kind of went a little lower than it should have. I won't say where, but I will say that Hermione Granger has a nice bum.

"Watch yourself, Malfoy!"

"Trust me, I am! Like I'd want to touch anymore of your filth than I already have to."

She looked a little hurt at that, and I did feel a tiny bit bad, but not enough to take it back. I did mean it, I just didn't mean for her to take it seriously. It's not like I could tell her that she actually has a figure that even I can appreciate.

I stopped and took my hands back; it was finally nine o'clock. "That's all for tonight; I'll see you tomorrow at the same time."

She nodded and walked out the door without a word to me. All in all, it was not a terrible night. It was a total waste of time, but it could have been worse.

TUESDAY (7pm) —Hermione

I walked into the room, readying myself for another two hours alone with Malfoy. It's not exactly the way I want to spend my weeknights. I can think of several other things I could be doing. I have three books I want to get through before the month is over, there are four essays due next month that I could be doing research for, and I could use even a bit more sleep. But, no, instead of doing something scholastically productive, I get to work on dancing. As if that weren't bad enough, I got stuck with Malfoy as my teacher. He doesn't need more of an ego than he already possesses.

He thinks that he is Merlin's gift to women and that he can just go feeling someone's bum whenever he likes. Well I have news for him—he can't! At least not mine anyway. That was uncalled for. I tried so hard that whole night to be civil and leave my insults and curse words to myself. In fact, I think I did pretty well. But then he had to go and do that. It took every bit of restraint I possessed to not slap him for that.

Ignoring that part, I think that the overall lesson went relatively well. I actually learned from him and though I am far from being a good dancer, I think with his help, I can actually become halfway decent when the ball comes around.

"Good evening," I said coolly to him. I was going to leave the bum-feeling incident behind me and start fresh for tonight. There is simply no use in being bitter over what happened yesterday. He looked surprised that I didn't mention in or chew him out for it. Good, I'm glad. My name is Hermione Granger and I am full of surprises! Take that.

He let a mask of indifference quickly cover his surprise and became quite the mature professional. I won't lie; the first two hours went quite well. He had us warm up with stretches and then I had to demonstrate what I remembered from yesterday before teaching me additional steps. He must think I'm a village idiot. How on earth could I forget the steps he taught me just yesterday?

After the review period, he switched it up. "Today, I will still lead, but this time, we'll dance with music. Focus on what I taught you today and yesterday. And try not to look at your feet as much. I daresay you won't want to be focusing on your feet at the dance."

I nodded at him and took his hand when he offered. I didn't want to waste energy fighting with him when I had to focus on dancing. It works out better for me that way. With my mind cleared, I can think about the steps and the world around me can fade to nothing.

"Are you still with me here?" I shake my head and come back to reality. He looked a little miffed at me. Oops. I think I just stopped in the middle of the song, thinking it was over.

"Sorry, I was a little distracted."

He scoffed. "It must be hard for you to think in my presence. I'm sure it takes all of your concentration."

"Excuse me?" I honestly do not know what he means by that. It can't be good and I know I'm going to regret asking for clarification.

"Like every other girl in this school, I'm sure you want nothing more than to undress me and have your filthy way with me. I know it's hard for you to focus on anything other than your growing desire for my body."

I was struck dumb. Completely and utterly speechless. Was he serious? I don't think it was a joke, I really don't. And that's the sad part. I won't say anything though. I wouldn't dream of giving him the satisfaction of knowing that he does have a chiseled face. One that definitely rivals Cedric Diggory's, I'll give him that much.

"Too bad someone in as low of a class as yourself would never have a chance with someone as well-bred and handsome as me."

I will hold my tongue.

I will not say anything at all.

I value my pride more than my desire to strangle/punch/kick/maim him.

I want to learn to dance.

I will take a deep breath.

I will hold my tongue.

"You know, with such a handsome face, it's a shame that you have a big, foul mouth that takes away from it whenever you open it."

That wasn't what I intended. I tried to hold my tongue, I really did. But in all honesty, I could have gone off on him and said much worse. What I just said could actually be construed as a compliment or an insult.

He seemed to be thinking on the same track that I was. "Was that a compliment or an insult, Granger?"

Is there any correct answer to this? I don't want to start a word war but I definitely do not want him to get any ideas about me. Or any ideas about what I think about him. "It's whatever you want it to be." There. I made it his problem. It is no longer on me to decide what that comment was.

"I see, so you fancy me then, don't you, Granger? You think I have a handsome face. How charming. Is it more handsome than say…Diggory's?" My mouth dropped open. How did he know? Was that just a stab in the dark or did I actually say that out loud when I compared him to Cedric?

His smirk widened.

Oh, great. What have I done?

AN2: Sorry to cut it off, but I didn't want to overwhelm you with a monstrous chapter after almost six months of no updates. :) I didn't want this chapter to be as long as it could have been had I continued to the end. So this covered Monday/Tuesday, but the next chapter will be Wednesday/Thursday and then a third chapter Friday/Saturday if all goes as planned.

Please review! Tell me what you think of the plot. Berate me for taking a temporary hiatus. Be jealous that I'm done with high school. Just talk to me via review! :) :) I would love to hear from everyone again. I missed you guys!

The next chapter is almost done! I'll update soon.