AN: The most I can say for myself is…at least it hasn't been a full year yet. I'm so sorry for the large gap. But my life has been a giant adjustment. I started university last August and I haven't had much time for writing since then.

However, I am hoping to get to at least chapter 90 this summer and finish this completely in the spring. Why? Well, for one, you've been waiting long enough. And two…I want to write a new story. However, the only way I'll let myself make another commitment is if I finish this one.

If you're still with me, thanks so much for your patience and understanding. I'll try not to let the gap get this large again. To refresh your memory on this little plot line, here's a three-sentence summary.

The Yule Ball is coming up and Hermione needs to learn how to dance. McGonagall assigns Draco to teach her the week before the ball. Let the fun begin!

WEDNESDAY (8:30pm) —Draco

"As much as it pains me to say this, you are actually showing improvement. You aren't as much of a hopeless cause that I thought you'd be." It was true. I didn't really want to tell her that, but I didn't think I could keep it from her. I'm sure she figured it out on her own already anyway.

"Was that a compliment or an insult?"

"Both, actually."

She smiled at me for that. I didn't see that one coming. I expected a sneer or an eye roll or…I don't know; just not a smile. That wasn't the effect that I wanted, so I backtracked. I couldn't have her getting the wrong idea.

"But it was really more of an insult." If anything, her smile got wider. Bugger. That isn't what I wanted either. I will never admit it to anyone, especially to her…but her smile is quite nice. It makes her look almost pretty.

"As a result of your unexpected growth in skill, I've decided to do something a little different than what I had planned originally. I'm going to see how you do on your own."

"What exactly do you mean by that?" The confusion on her face was evident and it made her more attractive. It's not a look often seen on Granger. It's probably more common on the Weasel. I doubt an hour goes by where he doesn't have a confused look on his face.

"This time, you're going to lead. It'll be with music, but I won't help you at all."

The confusion quickly morphed into something akin to worry. "Not at all?" She looked at me with some hope in her eyes that maybe I had been jesting.

"No, Granger, not at all." Her face paled. "However, I will play music while you lead so that you have a crutch of sorts to lean on. But don't get too dependent on it."

She nodded. I've noticed that she does that when she's focusing her mind on something. She'll stop giving verbal answers and rely solely on nonverbal communications to get her point across. She's done that to me several times so far…not that I pay attention to anything she says or does.

We stood there awkwardly until I cleared my throat. The color rushed back to her face when she realized that when I said leading, I really meant for her to lead. No, when I said for her to lead I meant for her to stand there and stare at me. Although, that option doesn't sound bad either.

She offered her hand to me and with a smirk, I took it. I could have sworn I saw more color go to her cheeks at my touch, but that could just be another lapse of sanity. It's not uncommon for me at this moment. Even my hands are lapsing in sanity, they're suddenly clammy and my heart is siding with them by skipping a beat when our hands touch. It must be pretty stuffy in this room for my body to react that way.

Her hands are soft and feminine. I don't know what I expected, really. Perhaps a little dusty and worn from always being in the library and reading old tomes that nobody really bothers with anymore.

With her delicate hands, she led me quite gracefully, around the room. She was by no means a professional and she couldn't pass for one, but it was leaps and bounds away from where we began on Monday. She wasn't awkward; she wasn't stepping on my feet or tripping all over hers. I had actually made a respectable dancer out of her. Good for me! If I had a free hand, I would have patted myself on the back. But it's a good thing I didn't because I suppose that would have looked rather peculiar.

Before I knew it, she took her hands away and looked at me unsurely. "Are we done? It's already quarter past nine."

Was it really that time already? That's odd; last I checked it was only half past eight. "Yeah, whatever," I muttered.

She walked out of the room at a considerably slower pace than the previous two nights. Before she was completely out the door she turned and smiled slightly in my direction. "Goodnight, Malfoy."

I suppose I should have had her lead earlier in the night because I can't really remember how she did during the last half an hour. In fact, I can't even remember if I said anything. The only thing that stuck with me after she left was the feel of her hands in mine. Maybe if she would have been in charge from the beginning my mind wouldn't be so curiously blank. I don't know what the reason could be. I didn't eat much for dinner. maybe that's it.

Hm, I wonder what type of soap she uses to keep her hands in such good condition. I lifted my hand and smelled where hers had been not more than a minute ago; mango and pomegranate. I have no real appetite for either fruit, but together they smell heavenly and make me wish I had one of each to eat right now. And those fruits mixed with the faint trace of musk from books, it smells like Hermione Granger. How interesting.

THURSDAY (8pm) —Hermione

I'm not sure when it happened, but somewhere between Monday night and tonight; this became less of a dreaded period of time and more of an anticipated one. I love learning and I've always wanted to dance. Yes, it is obnoxious that it's Malfoy teaching me, but I can't lie: he does know what he's doing. And if all the obnoxious comments he likes to throw at me are put aside, he can be somewhat pleasant…when he wants to be.

I can't fathom the levels of my improvement. I am already loads better at ballroom dancing than I ever thought I could be. Viktor is going to be so pleased. I still cannot even believe he asked me. ME. That's definitely an ego boost. It's much more appreciated than Ron acknowledging that I'm a girl. Really, Ronald? I wanted to slap him so hard. Even Malfoy noticed that I'm a girl. He tried to feel me up. Not that that was flattering in the least, but it was true. If he thought I was a guy, he wouldn't have done that? Right?

Well, not like it matters. I have never cared about what goes through Malfoy's head and I never care to. Speaking of him…he's trying to talk.

"…wearing a dress and heels."

What? What is he on about now?

"Granger? Are you even listening to me?"

"Pardon?"

He rolled his eyes at me. Prat.

"I said, will you transfigure your clothes into a dress and heels so you get practice in clothes similar to what you will be wearing at the ball?"

Oh. That's sensible. It doesn't make it any less of an awkward request. Nobody, not even Ginny has seen me dolled up yet. It seems odd that Malfoy is going to be the first one. Why does it even matter? I don't care what he thinks.

"Is it really necessary?"

He pauses. "No, but it might be helpful for you."

I was hoping he'd say something rude so I could just snap at him and say no. But, curse him, he was honest. And, I do think it will help me. On my best days I still have trouble walking gracefully in high shoes. So I suppose dancing will be even more of a challenge.

Without a word, I pull my wand out of my pocket and consider what to transfigure my clothes into. Before I even had time to question my decision, I waved my wand at myself and murmured the spell. When I was finished, I looked at my outfit and smiled. Perfect. It wasn't my dress, not by a long shot, but it was light and elegant. I twirled in it and had to stop myself from laughing. If only Ron could see me now!

It was a strapless pink chiffon dress with an empire waist. The dress fell to just below my knees and with it I wore cream-colored heels.

I looked at Malfoy again, waiting for the insults to fly, but they never came. He looked at me for an awkward amount of time and swallowed. Nervously? I think he likes my dress. Good. That means Viktor will like it and Ron will be furious and jealous.

Malfoy swallowed again before speaking. "I'm going to have you lead again this time."

Ha, challenge accepted.

"…however, this time there won't be music. You'll have to rely on the steps you already know."

He smirked, having regained his cool confidence after my wardrobe change.

I didn't let my nervous energy show. Instead of hesitating, I grabbed his hand and led him around the room as elegantly as I had been taught. It's weird how easy it was. After only a few days I knew not only my part, but I could lead as well. Obviously, it wasn't perfect, I stumbled a couple times, but it was a far cry from the uncoordinated Hermione Granger that started on Monday.

After what I thought was an acceptable amount of time—perhaps the length of three songs—I dropped his hands and stepped away from him.

"I really want to thank you, Malfoy." I said, calmly. "I know it's been tough to help me out considering how different we are, and I know that had you the choice, you would be working with someone else rather than with me, but I appreciate you sticking with me."

"Draco," he said suddenly.

I wanted to unleash some sarcasm on him. We'd been strangely civil and I felt like I owed him some snark. Just because that's how our relationship was. I wanted to say something along the lines of: 'Yes, that is your name. And my name is HerMYowNEE.' And I would take great care in emphasizing the syllables. But of course, that would undermine the low-insult ratio progress that we've made this week, so I opted for the polite option.

"I'm sorry?"

"Call me Draco."

Talk about coming out of left field. That was basically the last thing I expected to come from that. I felt my face turn a light shade of pink that matched my dress quite nicely. I seem to be blushing around him quite often lately; a little too often for my liking. Why would I be blushing? It was a compliment, really. We've been on an alternating surname/insult basis for years. It shows much progress to use proper names when addressing each other, I think. It is most definitely a step in the right direction—a show of respect. Maybe McGonagall wasn't experiencing a streak of sadism in her decision to put Draco and I together.

I've been silent too long and it is worrying him, I can tell. He's starting his nervous fidgeting thing. That bothers the bloody hell out of me when people fidget loudly, but he is a bit different. It's more restless shuffling than fidgeting. I can't help but find it a tad bit adorable.

"One condition," the moment he looked up at me, the fidgeting ceased.

"What would that be?" He ventured. It's funny how he seems almost nervous in asking. I wonder what he thinks my condition is. It isn't anything bad. I'm not going to ask him to go streaking at the next Quidditch game. …although I won't lie, that's a pretty genius idea. I highly doubt he'd be willing to do that, but I would certainly pay money to see him like that. Streaking that is, not naked. I wouldn't pay money to see him naked, which sounds inappropriate and wrong.

Again, too long of a silence. He must think that I'm counting to ten in my mind before answering him—as if I'm trying to play hard to get or something. No, I'm just distracted by picturing him naked…and by naked I mean streaking…during the next Quidditch game.

"Only if you call me Hermione." His face lightened and I could swear he seemed relieved. I really wish that I knew what he was thinking I would say.

"Is that all?"

I nodded, not sure of what else to say to that. "As I was saying, Draco, I truly am grateful that you..."

Why does Malfoy—I guess I should call him Draco now—keep moving closer to me?

He smells really nice. A mix of cinnamon and something else I can't describe.

I am now backed against a wall. Why isn't he stopping?

Is there something on my face? In my hair? What is he going to do?

I can feel his breath on my face. What is he doing?

Oh.

Oh.

…

…

…

…

…

Yes, so tonight I learned three things:

One: I can dance fairly well now.

Two: The part of my brain that focuses on my dancing skill clearly overpowers the logical part of my brain because after being thoroughly kissed, the stupidest thing to do is to flee. And that is exactly what I did.

Three: Draco Malfoy sure can kiss.

AN2: I must say, leaving out fluff detail is very unlike me! I can't believe I did that. But some special moments can't be accurately described with words. I'm sure you lovely readers can fill in what happened!And don't worry, there's more Draco/Hermione fun in the next/final chapter! That is if you review. ;)

Hermione's dress: www(dot)prlog(dot)org/10633473-tea-length-chiffon-pink-bridesmaid-dress(dot)jpg

Again, sorry for the wait. Please, please review. It would mean so much to me.