A/N: Hey, guys! I'm so sorry about the wait on these chapters! School got crazy during midterms. (: I'm writing as fast as I can, but my spring break is almost over and then I'll have to focus on school before this story! ): Just bear with me and thank you SO SO SO MUCH for reading and reviewing! If I get ahead of myself or the story becomes confusing, please let me know! I try to go back and read over what I've written before I start a new chapter, but I don't always remember to do that. Thank you guys so much for reading! You're all awesome.

Chapter Eight

"Oh, give it a rest, Malfoy!" I snapped, "It's a Christmas Ball, for Merlin's sake! You can't have bloody strippers! Especially at a school function!"

"Come on, Granger! Everybody loves strippers!" Malfoy pouted

"I do not and I'm sure McGonagall would agree with me." I stated, huffily

Malfoy heaved a large sigh and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, "Well, then, what is your suggestion?"

I cleared my voice and sat up a little straighter, ignoring Malfoy's eye roll. "I was thinking we could enchant the floor to look like ice and have enchanted snow falling, melting before it reaches the ground. I want it to look like a snowy night lit by a bright full moon. Wouldn't it be beautiful, Malfoy?"

"You are such a girl." He muttered

I just smiled cheekily at him, "Well? Can we do that? You can throw in a few modifications and extras if you'd like."

"Fine. We'll go with that for a basic plan. What about attire? Formal, masquerade, casual?"

"I was thinking formal. We can do masquerade for the final ball. Girls can get dresses from Hogsmeade and guys can wear dress pants and a nice shirt or dress robes."

Malfoy nodded, "You know we're expected to go together, right? McGonagall stopped me in the corridor today and asked how we were coming along with the plans. She said we had to have the first dance together and for all intents and purposes, be each other's date. Something about setting an example for the lower years."

"Oh." I said quietly, "I didn't know that. But no matter, that'll be fine. It's not like we have to spend the evening attached at the hip, right?"

"Right." Malfoy muttered

"What's wrong?" I asked hesitantly

"Nothing, Granger. It's just been a long day." Malfoy said with a sneer

I was slightly taken aback by his tone and, being a Gryffindor, I snapped back, "I know. I had to endure it, too. No need to take a snappy attitude with me."

"Whatever. At least you still have friends who stand by you! Mine have disappeared and I'm completely alone."

"You think my friends are standing by me? They're absolutely disgusted with me. They think I've gone and betrayed them by fraternizing with the enemy! This is entirely your fault, Malfoy! Why did you have to go and kiss me in public? Just to prove a moot point!" I yelled

"You weren't complaining when I did it, Granger! If I recall, I had to hold you up so you didn't fall to the ground!" he said angrily

"You are such an infuriating git!" I screamed as I stood up quickly.

"And you're an infuriating bushy haired know-it-all!" he responded as he stood up as well.

We stood glaring at each other for a few moments before I turned and stomped to my room. I heard Malfoy doing the same. I slammed my door and walked quickly toward the bathroom door. I yanked it open and saw that Malfoy had just done the same thing.

"Get out!" I said

"No! You get out!" he argued

"I was here first!"

"We were here at the same time! And as I am a Malfoy, I demand that you leave!"

"Oh, that's rich. As I am better at hexing, I demand that you leave before I make you!"

"Do it, Granger. I dare you."

I growled as I pulled out my wand and cast a bat boogey hex in Malfoy's direction. I laughed in satisfaction as he retreated into his room and slammed the door shut just in time. I'd have to thank Ginny for that later. With a satisfied smirk, I prepared to take a very long, hot bath.

"Harry, for the last time, drop it. Malfoy and I are not dating or snogging in secret. He was simply being an infuriating prick and you guys just happened to wander by at the wrong time." I explained for what felt like the hundredth time.

"But, Mione, he had his arm around you and everything! That didn't look like he was infuriating you. You looked like you were enjoying it!" Harry protested

I slammed the book I was trying to read shut and pushed myself away from the table, "I said to drop it, Harry!"

"Hermione!"

I was already walking away. I was done trying to explain myself. Malfoy was a git. End of story. Everywhere I went, people were whispering and pointing in my direction. The rumors were getting a bit out of hand. I felt my temper rising as I noticed a group of third year Ravenclaws glancing in my direction as they whispered behind their hands.

"Do you girls have something to say?" I asked scathingly as I halted in front of them.

"As a matter of fact, we do." One girl answered as she stepped forward, holding her head high, "What made you decide to turn your back on your friends? Why would you go and snog your best friends' sworn enemy like a common whore?"

I raised my eyebrows at her audacity, "Excuse me, but did you just call the Headgirl a whore?"

The girl's smirk faltered and she began to fidget. With false bravado she answered, "Well, that's what it seems like."

"Thirty points from Ravenclaw for lack of respect and spreading rumors." I said coldly

The girl gasped, "You can't do that!"

"Another ten for arguing with an authority figure, McKinley!" a deep voice said from behind me

The girl wisely closed her mouth and began to walk away angrily, the rest of the girls following behind her. I turned to see Malfoy scowling after them.

"Bloody third years." He muttered.

I turned on my heal and stalked away. I had no desire to interact with the ferret today. I was still fuming from last night.

"Oi! Granger! Come back here!" Malfoy called. I could hear his footsteps as he followed behind me.

"No." I said simply as I glanced over my shoulder.

"Hey! Granger! Can I have a word?"

I looked up from my essay in surprise. I glanced around the library, trying to see if there were any Slytherin's hiding amongst the books.

"What do you want, Zabini?" I asked quietly

"Just a short word. No jokes or tricks, I swear." He held his hands out in surrender.

I nodded and closed my book gently, "Well, what is it?"

"Why is Malfoy sulking around the corridors?" he asked bluntly

"Why are you asking me? I am not his babysitter." I snapped

"He likes you, you know." Zabini said softly after a few moments.

"He has a rotten way of showing it." I answered grumpily

"You like him, too."

"Why are you here, Zabini?" I answered as I pinched the bridge of my nose

He shrugged one shoulder, "He's my best mate. I watch out for him just as he watches out for me."

I could only stare. Malfoy has a friend? A close friend?

"And what do you suggest I do? It's not my fault if he's sulking around the school."

"Oh, but I think it is, Granger. You see, the only other time I've ever seen him sulk like this is when he's had an encounter with you. Like in third year when you broke his nose? He sulked around like a baby for the next two weeks."

"He bloody deserved it, the git." I mumbled with a small, prideful smile

Zabini chuckled lowly, "He probably did. But that's not my point. Can you be the bigger person? Draco won't and we both know it. You're the only person who's not shunning him, aside from myself. Talk to him. If you care for him at all, talk to him."

I pressed my lips together as Zabini walked away. I guess I've always been the bigger person in every situation, why change that now? I sighed and stacked my books neatly before beginning the trek to my common room.

"Hey, Malfoy?" I slowly approached the sofa where he sat, his school books and parchment littered all around him.

He grunted his acknowledgement. I stood in front of the sofa, unsure where to begin. After a couple minutes of my shuffling, Malfoy looked up irritably, "What, Granger?"

"Um..I- I just.."

"Spit it out, Princess. I'm trying to do homework here and I find it hard to concentrate when you're making all that racket with your fidgeting."

"I'm.. sorry." I muttered

"What was that?" Malfoy asked. I could hear the smirk in his voice.

I narrowed my eyes and felt my muscles tense up. I was no good at apologizing and he was not helping the situation.

"I said I was sorry, Malfoy! Wipe that bloody smirk off your face before you make me regret that apology!" I stomped my foot angrily

The smirk stayed in place, but it didn't reach his eyes. He slowly moved his text books to the side, creating a space for me to sit. When I didn't move he reached out and wrapped his long, slender fingers around my wrist, "Sit down, Granger. I won't bite you."

I sat down and yanked my wrist from his grasp. I was finding it hard to focus on anything other than his skin on mine when he touched me, "Why am I sitting here? Did you have something to say?"

"Touchy, touchy." He mumbled

When I huffed and went to stand up again, he leaned over and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me back down. He didn't remove his arm when I tried to wiggle out of his grip, but only pulled me up against his side and held me there. I blushed as I tried to focus on anything other than the fact that I was pressed up against him.

"What do you want?" I asked stiffly

"I'm sorry, too." He answered quietly

I looked up at him in surprise. I'm never going to get used to the Malfoy who apologizes. I was instantly captured by the sight before me. The fire danced across his aristocratic features, softening them. His eyes slowly slid over to rest on my face. They seemed to dance and flow like molten lava as I stared into the silvery depths. I slowly leaned up and pressed my lips to his cheek. I watched his eyes widen in surprise as I pulled back just enough to see his face again.

"What was that for?" he whispered

"I don't know."

He didn't reply, but leaned in and pressed his lips gently against mine. I didn't fight it this time. I wanted this. I pressed myself closer to him, deepening the kiss. Malfoy tangled his hands into my hair and tilted my head back slightly. His lips trailed from my mouth, down my neck, and to my collar bone. After nipping it gently, he pulled back. I blinked my eyes open to be met with the sight of Malfoy's swollen lips and flushed cheeks. His eyes swam with emotions and his hair was tousled. He'd never looked more handsome to me.

"Hermione.." he whispered gently

"What?" I answered, just as quietly

"I'm tired of fighting this. I know you still have doubts about the fact that I've changed. I know your friends won't accept us. Hell, I don't even know what to do about my family's acceptation of this. I'm tired of caring about other people. I want you.. Just you."

I closed my eyes against the onslaught of emotions that hit me right then, "Draco, I don't know. I want this, I do-"

"Then what's the problem?"

"The problem?" I asked incredulously, "The problem is that you're an ex-deatheater! The problem is that you've bullied my friends and myself for all the time we've been at school! The problem is that I'm confused and I don't understand why I had to fall for you of all people! I'm scared, Draco, and I don't know how to handle it."

"Just trust me! I'll prove to you that I'm worth it. When everything seems to be falling down around you, when you can't stand up against the world anymore, when you've reached your wits end.. I'll be here. I'll be right here to hold you up and give you something to keep going for. Please, Hermione.. Just give us a chance." He grabbed my hands and pulled then up to his mouth, kissing my knuckles

I felt the butterflies building in my stomach, nervousness and lust mixed together. I took a deep breath, "Alright. There's no turning back on this, you know. We're going to face hell out there."

"Just keep your chin up, doll. I'll be there to hold you up."

I smiled and leaned forward once more, pressing my lips to his cheek, "You'd better be worth it, Malfoy."

"Oh, I will be."