Chapter 7 The Run Up To The Ball, And The Ball.
The next day was Saturday and the whole castle slept late. When everyone finally awoke it was lunchtime. "I'm starving", said Ron, and started towards the great hall for lunch. "Let's go out and get brunch", said Harry. "Great", replied Hermione, "Sound's good to me", said Ginny joining them. "Oi, Ron, wait we're going to brunch". "Ok 'Mione", yelled Ron. The 4 of them walked towards Hogesmeade and went to a new café for brunch. They ordered French bread, coussiants with chocolate to dip in, fruit, cheese omelettes and glasses of juice. Harry ordered tropical juice, Hermione ordered peach and white grape, Ron ordered pineapple, and Ginny ordered cranberry. Harry then decided that he wanted Marmite on his French bread, unfortunately though this was a Wizard café and Marmite was only available in Muggle café's and shops. "Good job my parents are Muggles then isn't it", said Hermione grinning. Reaching into her robes she pulled out a large jar of the stuff, "ah, brilliant 'Mione", gasped Harry, grabbing the jar and spreading the black goo on his French bread. "What is that?" asked Ron. "It's a lovely savoury spread that Muggles eat on toast or in sandwiches", replied Harry, who was wolfing his French bread down. Ron and Ginny both decided they would try the Marmite which they both loved. "I'll get my parents to send you and your family some if you like", said Hermione kindly.
They spent the afternoon at Hogesmeade indoor swimming pool. Ron was an incredibly fast swimmer, "training for the Olympics Ron", grinned Harry, "olymp – what ?", spluttered Ginny. "Olympics", said Hermione, "they're a big sporting event the Muggles have every four years – there's swimming, athletics, javelin, discus, shot-put, long jump, high jump, triple jump, tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, football, diving, and loads more", she explained. "Sounds fun", said Ron, "it is and the winners get medals and money", finished Harry. They swam until 5pm, and then dressed and headed back to school, to get ready for the ball, which begin at 8PM.
At 8 o'clock everyone gathered outside Gryffindor Tower and met up with their partners who would either escort them to the ball or that they were escorting to the ball (the boys were escorting the girls to the ball). Hermione, however, headed to the library where she had arranged to meet Draco in secret. They had planned to arrive at the ball 15 minutes late and then make the announcement that they were together as everyone was settling down to dinner. This would give everyone enough time to calm down without causing any trouble. Dinner that night was to consist of 7 courses – a starter, a soup, a fish course, a sorbet, a main course, a dessert, and coffee, tea, or herbal tea with chocolates and petit-fours. So therefore eating would take about 3 hours, then the dancing would begin at 11 and last until 4AM. There was DJ and a karaoke system which Dumbledore had magically set up to use. Everyone looked stunning as they entered the great hall.
Professor Dumbledore called the students to order and then professors Magonagall, Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout called the registers for their houses. "Hermione Granger", called Professor Magonagall, no reply, "Hermione Granger" she called again. "Where is Miss Granger?", she asked the Gryffindors, "we don't know Professor", said Lavender. Meanwhile, Snape was calling the Slytherin register "Draco Malfoy", he called, "yes, sir", called Draco from the doorway. Several girls gasped Draco looked gorgeous in his tuxedo. He beckoned to Hermione and taking her by the hand led her into the great hall. They walked right to the front of the hall which had fallen silent as the couple entered.
Draco grabbed the microphone and speaking loudly and clearly into it he said "I have an announcement to make, Miss Hermione Jayne Granger and I have been seeing each other for a month and a half now. She is my girlfriend and I love her". Half the people in the hall remained silent, and the other half gasped in shock. The Slytherin table began to boo and jeer calling Draco horrible names. The Gryffindors were nicer, though questioned why, and then decided that Hermione could date whoever she liked, as she would never date anyone who wasn't right for her being so clever. Ron, on the other hand, was angry, although Harry already knowing was calm and accepted Hermione's decision. Ron shouted at Hermione as she sat down, "Malfoy – you're with Malfoy – 'Mione have you gone insane?, he's Slytherin, he's always horrible to you, me and Harry and all Gryffindors, and his Dad was you-know-who's best mate". "For you information Ronald Bilius Weasley", yelled Hermione "he is not like that at all once you get to know him properly – he's loyal, truthful, sensitive, kind, and err really shy. His arrogance and being mean are just a cover up, and his way of defending himself". With that Ron became silent and slowly he said, "well – if you're sure – I want you to be happy 'Mione – but if he does anything to hurt you they'll be trouble". "Thanks, Ron, I knew you'd understand and yes I'm very happy with Draco".
After that they ate their 7 courses of dinner happily and peacefully. The house elves had prepared a wonderful meal which was absolutely delicious. Whilst they ate the DJ played easy listening music which gave a most relaxed atmosphere. After the meal the dancing began, and the DJ put on Celebration by Kool And The Gang, and followed it up with Wake Me Up by Wham, and by the end of the second song everyone was up dancing the night away. At the end of the evening Dumbledore grabbed the microphone, "It is now time we all went to our bed", declared Professor Dumbledore. "'Mione", called Draco, "yes Draco", said Hermione, "can I walk you back to Gryffindor Tower so we can say a proper goodnight before I have to go back to the Slytherin Dungeon ?". "Of course Draco, I don't mind a bit", she replied.
Hand on hand the couple walked to Gryffindor Tower together. When they got there they said a long goodnight, "I wish I could stay with you like this forever", whispered Draco between kisses, "I know me too", murmured Hermione kissing him again. Eventually though they gave each other a final kiss and said goodnight, "I love you Mione", Draco whispered in her ear, "I love you more", Hermione whispered into Draco's ear. With that Hermione went into Gryffindor tower, and Draco headed back to the Slytherin Dungeon.
On the way back to the Slytherin dungeon Draco was thinking about just how much he loved Hermione. He made the decision there and then that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of her life with, the one he wanted to marry, the one he wanted to be the mother of his children. He was only 17 but he knew he loved Hermione a lot, and that he was truly, madly, and deeply in love with her (you can love someone but not be in love with them). He also decided that the perfect time to propose to Hermione would be christmas.