A/N Well here you go I've tried to do a new chapter and make it quite long, I may or may not upload a chapter at the weekend because I have to revise for my exams next week. Anyway here you go I hope it's okay. Just 11 reviews from 100! Do you think you guys could help me get to 100 reviews? =D
Anyway feel free to follow me on twitter XMizzTuraX (without the space obviously =P)
The rest of the day went by quickly with Hermione's bad move never lightening. After her final lesson of the day Hermione walked out without a word ignoring the three people that were calling her seeing as she hadn't acknowledged their existence like she normally would come last lesson. She stormed up to the library and over to the shelf filled with books on general facts, she grabbed a midnight blue book with silver writing scrawled across it reading 'Hogwarts: A history, special edition,' Hermione sat back with the book and opened it easily. She got comfortable in the seat and began reading to calm herself. "Hermione?" A voice asked softly. Hermione peered over the top of the book. "What?" She snapped.
"Are you okay?" Draco asked slowly.
"What do you think?" She growled in reply.
"You've been in a foul mood all day after our Defence Against the Dark Arts. Umbridge is just like that with her mood, don't worry about it; she hates all Gryffindors and she's still probably ashamed that you, Potter and Weasley defeated her in the Ministry." Hermione smiled slightly as she remembered stealing the horcrux she wore successfully. "I guess." Hermione murmured softly. Draco smiled to her.
"Now what do you want to do for the rest of the evening?" Draco asked softly. Hermione thought for a moment before answering.
"How about going for a walk and then going back to the Slytherin Prefect's room?" Hermione suggested. Draco nodded in reply whilst Hermione stood. Hermione giggled as Draco's belly growled loudly. "Why don't we eat first?" She suggested. Hermione smiled as Draco nodded eagerly and the pair walked down to the hall.
When they got to the hall people were still arriving. Hermione kissed Draco on the cheek lightly before going over to her friends feeling slightly better. Ginny shifted along in her seat a little so Hermione could sit beside her whilst Harry and Ron watched her closely. "I'm fine." She said to the boys, guessing what they were going to say. Ron frowned a little before looking away and starting to eat.
"Won-won." A voice called, Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron turned to face his irritating girlfriend.
"Yes Lav?" Ron asked.
"Come sit with me." She whined.
"Fine." Ron sighed. He bid farewell to his three friends before walking off with Lavender. There was the usual tinkling on a glass as McGonagall got the students attention. "Now everybody. I would like you all to know first off a week on Friday there will be a weekend visit to Hogsmeade."
"That's Halloween weekend isn't it?" Hermione murmured to Harry and Ginny who nodded in reply.
"Also I would like you all to know that this year on the last Saturday of term before the Christmas holidays there will be a special Christmas ball, this will be a night for us all to put our pasts, rivalries etc. aside and come together as one. It will also be a celebration to show how even after the war Hogwarts has grown to his former glory once more." There was a low murmur and Hermione and Ginny exchanged excited glances. "A ball!" Ginny squealed, I can't wait we need to look at dress straight away Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed. Hermione smiled and nodded. She did think it was a good idea but wouldn't have started choosing a dress two months in advance; then again that was what she usually did. Prepare months ahead. "You should get a green dress Hermione! Show your inner Slytherin. Draco will be drooling and you would be the envy of all his Slytherin friends." Ginny gushed. Hermione giggled a little; that did seem like an extremely good idea. "You need partners first." Harry smirked. "You've not been asked yet." Ginny turned to her boyfriend and quirked an eyebrow. "Technically I do, I just haven't been asked but I know my partner will." Ginny teased. Hermione smiled at her two friends.
"What if your 'partner' doesn't ask?" Harry smiled.
"Then he won't be getting anything until he does." Ginny replied easily, giving Harry a smug smile. Hermione laughed as Harry groaned at her point. "Fine, Ginny will you go to the ball with me?" Harry asked. Ginny smiled and nodded.
"Told you I'd be asked." She smirked. Harry chuckled and kissed his girlfriend on the cheek. Hermione smiled at the couple before placing food on her plate.
After dinner Harry and Ginny retired to the Gryffindor common room and Hermione wandered towards the Slytherin table; ignoring the many people watching her. Without invitation she settled herself beside Draco and soon had his arms wrapped around her and a kiss planted on her cheek. Hermione settled against her boyfriend as he began speaking to his friends. "So Draco." Daphne purred. Hermione glanced towards the Slytherin girl with a frown. "How about going to the ball with me?" She asked.
"I thought you and Theo were dating." Hermione cut in giving the Slytherin daggers.
"Oh, no. I finished it ages ago." Hermione looked at Theodore who was nodding but rolling his eyes slightly at his ex girlfriend.
"No I'm not going to the ball with you." Draco said quickly before Hermione could reply.
"He'll be going with Hermione." Pansy piped up, defending Draco and Hermione easily. Daphne scoffed.
"He doesn't know what he's missing then does it." Daphne replied coolly.
"Nor do I care." Draco replied. "Hermione, do you want to go to the ball with me?" Draco asked. Hermione smiled up at Draco and nodded easily. She heard Pansy 'aww' lightly and Hermione smiled towards the nicer Slytherin girl.
"Panse, do you want to go with me?" Blaise asked slowly. Hermione looked at Pansy who was looking at Blaise in surprise.
"Sure." She replied happily. Hermione smiled to Pansy again before looking to Daphne and Theodore.
"Who are you going with Theo?" Hermione asked politely.
"There's a Ravenclaw girl I'm going to ask. I just hope she says yes." Theodore replied with a smile. Hermione looked to Daphne and smirked at her enraged look. "What about you Daphne?" Hermione asked sweetly.
"I'll find someone, mudblood." Daphne spat. There was a sudden scuffle as Draco made to dive at the girl and Theodore and Blaise dived to grab Draco. Hermione was taken aback by the sudden motion as Pansy grabbed her and tugged her out of the way. Hermione watched in dismay as Draco fought against his two friends to try to get to Daphne who was wearing a very smug smile. "Don't you ever call Hermione a mudblood you filthy slut." Draco yelled. Hermione looked to Pansy helplessly as the whole hall quietened down. "Draco!" A voice called, Hermione glanced over as Harry, Ron, Ginny and McGonagall all hurried over. Draco pulled free of Blaise and Theodore and dived on Daphne. "You evil cow! How dare you!"
"Mr Malfoy!" McGonagall cried.
"Draco, stop!" Hermione called. Draco stopped and looked to Hermione before stepping back.
"Mr Malfoy, what is the meaning of this?" McGonagall demanded.
"Daphne, miss, she called Hermione a mudblood." Draco spat, glaring at the girl at his feet."
"Is this true?" She asked Hermione and the Slytherin's who all nodded.
"Fifty points from Slytherin Miss Greengrass and detention every day for the next two weeks. Be grateful it isn't more." McGonagall snapped. "And you Mr Malfoy, 10 points from Slytherin for creating trouble when Dolores is around." McGonagall said, a little softer. Draco nodded and Hermione felt him wrap his arms around her as McGonagall walked off. Daphne huffed and moved back into her seat. "What happened Draco?" Ginny asked looking to Blaise and Theodore who were getting back into their seats looking very disgruntled.
"I turned Daphne down, everyone else has a partner for the ball, Hermione asked her she called her a mudblood." Draco replied as Hermione glared at the Slytherin girl.
"Blaise and Theo tried to stop Draco from lashing out." Pansy piped up awkwardly.
"And Pansy got me out of the way." Hermione continued smiling appreciatively to Pansy who smiled weakly in reply. Hermione then turned to Draco, "Shall we go for that walk now so you can calm down?" She asked softly. Draco fixed her with a piercing stare before nodding. Without a word he stood up and walked off. "I'm sorry about him." Hermione murmured to his friends unsure why she was apologising he deserved to be angry. They nodded and waved to her as she hurried after Draco.
Hermione caught up with him as he was leaving the Great Hall and hurried over to take his hand. Draco jumped but relaxed when he saw her and kissed her hair softly. "I'm sorry about Daphne." He murmured. Hermione smiled.
"I don't care, she's just a jealous cow and I don't care what she thinks of me. You're other friends see sense just not her." Hermione said earnestly.
"That is why I love you." Draco murmured kissing Hermione softly.
"I love you too." Hermione smiled and led the way down to the lake.
She peered up at the full moon and she thought of Remus before sighing sadly, at least he would no longer have to endure the full moon. The two walked in a comfortable silence until they reached the lake which shone eerily in the moonlight. The water looked like glass as it was still in the cool night air. "It's beautiful isn't it?" Hermione murmured looking across the water. She smiled when she saw a young merpeople couple surface, kiss then dive back into the water gracefully, making ripples spread across the water lightly disturbing it. "It is." Draco replied softly staring at where the water was beginning to settle. "Do you want to stay with me tonight?" Draco said slowly.
"Pardon?" Hermione asked looking to Draco inquisitively.
"Stay with me, tonight. I'll sneak you into the Slytherin common room and you can sleep with me." Draco said. "If you don't want to it's okay though." He said quickly. Hermione smiled softly.
"I'd like that. Nothing funny though." Hermione replied firmly.
"Nothing funny." Draco promised before giving his girlfriend another kiss. "Do you want to just go back up to the castle then, get your stuff together?" Draco asked Hermione. Hermione nodded but didn't look at Draco.
"This is a truly magical night." She breathed, her gaze locked on a white form that seemed to be glowing in the moon.
"Is that-?" She heard Draco ask.
"A unicorn." Hermione gasped. The unicorn raised its sleek head and looked around before slowly trotting forward. Hermione watched as the unicorn's silver horn sparkled in the dark. The horse sent his gaze over the lake and focussed on Hermione and Draco before turning and galloping back into the forest. Hermione watched as the glowing white fur slowly disappeared into the trees. "Let's go." Draco said softly. Hermione looked at him and saw he was still looking across the lake towards where the majestic creature had disappeared. Hermione took his hand and the pair turned and walked back up to the castle. Hermione shivered slightly as a light wind danced around her. Draco moved to hold her close to his body.
The couple walked back into the castle and headed up the marble stairs and to the Gryffindor common room. "Pigfarts." Hermione said as she approached the Fat Lady who swung forward allowing her entrance. "I'll be back in a minute, I'll just tell the boys and Ginny where I'm going and will get my stuff." Draco nodded to her and she turned and jumped in.
"Hermione!" A voice called to her, she looked around and saw Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan hurrying over to her with Parvarti and Padma Patil following close behind. "Yes?" Hermione asked.
"What was that what happened at dinner?" Dean asked enthusiastically. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I got called a mudblood and Draco flipped." Hermione replied simply, looking around for any sign of Harry, Ron, Ginny or even Neville. She eventually noticed a mess of black air and excused herself hurrying over to Harry. "Harry." Hermione greeted. Harry turned around and faced Hermione with a smile.
"What's up Hermione?" He asked curiously.
"Nothing, I just wanted to tell you that I'm staying with Draco tonight so don't wait for me tomorrow morning." Hermione replied. Harry quirked an eyebrow but nodded.
"Be careful and use protection." He said half playfully, half seriously. Hermione slapped him lightly with a smile before hurrying up to the girl's dormitory. Quickly she gathered together a fresh school uniform, changed into a pair of skinny jeans and a pale pink top before slipping into a baby blue hooded jacket. She hurried into the bathroom and picked up her toothbrush, hairbrush and deodorant and slipped them all into a shoulder bag which she'd cast a spell on so she could fit everything in before slinging it over her shoulder and hurrying down the stairs and out through the common room. She pushed open the portrait and hopped out. "Sorry I took so long, people wanted to know what happened at dinner. Let's go." Hermione smiled. Draco took her hand and the pair headed down to the Slytherin common room.
As they approached it Draco let go of her hand and murmured the password. The brick wall seemed to melt at the words and Draco allowed Hermione to go first before following her. Hermione looked around the room curiously. It was smaller than the Gryffindor common room and a large fire was roaring with three black leather sofa's circling the fire. There was a table near the window which showed a beautiful view of the lake and there was a small group of first years talking together. "Draco, over here." Blaise called from the sofas. Draco took Hermione's hand and they walked over. The group didn't seem surprised she was here, Pansy even moved to sit between Blaise and Theodore so they could both sit together. "Hey guys." Hermione said, feeling slightly at ease.
"Hey princess, I wondered how long it would be until you were here." Blaise said playfully. Hermione stuck her tongue out and laughed.
"Hermione is staying here overnight; I hope you two don't mind." Draco said to Blaise and Theodore.
"As long as you're not as loud as Theo and Daph. I'm fine with it." Theodore glared at his friend whilst Hermione giggled.
"Where is Daphne?" Draco asked Hermione didn't miss the sarcastic tone of his voice.
"Girls dorms." Pansy replied dismissively.
"Ah." Draco murmured in reply.
"So princess what do you think of the Slytherin common room?" Theodore asked.
"It's not what I imagined." Hermione admitted slowly.
"Did you imagine it to be all gloomy and dank and stuff?" Pansy asked with an amused expression.
"Honestly, yes." Hermione whispered. The boys laughed and Pansy smiled at her which Hermione returned easily.
The group continued chatting until late in the night when Hermione yawned widely. "Tired?" Draco asked Hermione gently. Hermione nodded and rubbed her eyes. "Come on then I'll take you to the dorm. I'll see you in the morning Panse and I'll see you boys in a bit." Draco said. Hermione waved and followed Draco up to the dormitory. Draco opened the door and Hermione stepped in, she looked around and gasped there was the same four poster beds but had silk green drapes hanging around the bed and silk emerald duvets. "These are beautiful." Hermione gasped. Draco smiled and led her to his bed. Hermione sat down and ran her fingers along the quilt, it felt like woven water beneath her fingers. "Bathroom is just there." Draco said gesturing towards a doorway leading out of the dormitory. Hermione smiled gratefully and hurried into the bathroom to get changed. She looked at the black marble covering the wall and the sinks and she smiled. Easily she changed into her pyjamas and walked out to find Draco already in the bed. Hermione slipped in beside him, slightly hesitantly and smiled as he pulled her close to him. She shivered as she felt his bare chest against her and began to trace patterns with her finger before yawning again. Draco smiled and kissed her gently on the lips. "I love you Hermione." He said softly. Hermione smiled widely.
"I love you too Draco." She replied. Without a word, Draco wrapped his arms securely around her waist, holding her close to him and buried her head into his chest before letting her eyes slip shut and drifting off into a light sleep. "Goodnight my little lioness." Draco murmured softly in her ear.