Things returned to their version of normal after that. They alternated bedrooms, rarely sleeping alone, they shared tutoring, and walked to classes together. He also managed to convince her to tell him who she believed where targeting her. It had ended up being a whispered confession one night after they'd finished talking about how they wanted their kitchen set up in their pretend country house on their pretend piece of land. Draco had slipped the question into their nightly game but she'd surprised him when she finally answered.
"It's a group of Gryffindors," she'd whispered, "They were first years during our fifth and sixth."
He'd sat up suddenly and towered over her, "Names, Princess."
She'd given them voluntarily as to not end their game prematurely and he'd swore it would end. Sure, enough it had. She didn't know what he'd done but she'd seen him talking to Ginny the day after and she hadn't fallen victim to an attack since.
It led to a very peaceful couple of weeks.
The day of the ball Hermione, uncharacteristically, woke Draco up before their alarms so they could put the final touches on the hall. For the past two days, meals had been served in the respective common rooms throughout the school before exams because the Great Hall was under construction for the event. Draco and Hermione were the only ones apart from the staff who saw the room before the event.
When patting his face didn't do the trick, Hermione conjured a glass of water and poured in on him.
Sputtering he glared at her, "What the fuck Granger!"
"We need to get up. We have work to do."
Sitting up he wiped his face, "And you couldn't wake bloke properly?" Hermione smirked and crawled over her lap, "A gentle caress or a gentle 'Draco, wake up lovey' would have been far better than a glass of water! Why are you in such a hurry anyway?"
"Because," she retorted as she pulled on a pair of jeans, "some of us have to go off the grounds to get ready for tonight."
"Why in heavens name do you have to leave the grounds to get ready?"
"I need to pick up my dress and by the time we get out of our final exam, I won't have enough time to bring it back and get ready in time."
He frowned at her, "I guess. Though I'm curious where your dress is that they will allow you to get ready there."
Hermione grinned over her shoulder as she arranged her hair, "That is my business Malfoy. Now go get dressed."
Wandlessly she sent a minor stinging hex at his leg causing him to yelp but he got up. Throwing his pillow at her he ducked out of the room before she could retaliate. While she waited for him to get ready, Hermione made tea and conjured to-go tumblers. Thirty minutes later they were working in the Great Hall and finished two hours after that just before his wand alarm sounded for them to start cleaning up.
They stood in front of the door observing their work. Him with his hands clasped behind his back. Her with her hands on her hips, one popped to the side.
"Not too bad, Granger."
"You out did yourself with the drink fountain."
Draco shrugged, "When in Rome. Or should I say, when in a forest's winter wonderland."
His wand alarm sounded again telling them it was time to go to their exams. Hermione turned to him as he silenced it.
"So, I suppose I'll see you this evening?"
Reaching down he tucked a curl into her bun, "I'll save you the first dance."
Amber eyes smiled up at him and he felt his heart stutter. He let his fingers graze her cheek as he dropped his hand back to his side. They just stared at one another before his wand alarm rang again, snapping them out of their staring. Draco opened the door, poked his head out before ushering her out of the Hall. They walked together until it was time to head in different directions but even in the mad dash of students, he stopped her with a hand on her wrist before she could turn away completely.
"Do you have a date?"
Her face gave nothing away but he saw her eyes dim just the slightest bit even as she smiled, "No."
"I heard you got quite a few invites."
"You also know none of them mattered," flushing she turned away from his wide grey eyes, "Good luck in Astronomy."
Draco watched her disappear into the crowd, fighting every molecule in him telling him to haul her back to their rooms and prove to her that he saw her. Those thoughts plagued him throughout his exam and well into the evening as he got ready. Blaise and Theo showed up to keep him company but also to utilize the extra bathroom space, claiming the ones in the Slytherin dorms were crowded with girls trying to fix their makeup. Both of his friends saw his mind was elsewhere but knew better than to bring it up. Theo accidently did when he asked where Hermione was.
"I don't bloody know, I'm not her keeper."
Surprised by Draco's outburst Theo grinned as he tucked in his dress shirt, "You actually are, in a way. But for when she is with her Gryffindor's and you are with Astoria, you've practically attached at the hip."
Draco huffed while trying to knot his metallic bronze tie, "She had to go get her dress and decided to get ready wherever that is."
Blaise appeared in the doorway to the bathroom in only his boxers, towel drying his hair, "That's odd, isn't it?"
"She said she wouldn't have enough time to pick it up and come back to get ready after exams."
Shrugging Blaise disappeared again only to reappear moments later donning a black dress shirt, "She's a curious one that witch."
Theo laughed, "Says the man bringing Luna Lovegood to the ball."
"At least I have a date," Blaise countered with a smirk, "And Luna is lovely. It's not my fault you lot can't see past her...quirks."
"I'll have you know I prefer going stag. I can snatch up willing witches this way. Poor lonely witches whom others overlooked. But alas, I have a date." Grinning he glanced at Draco and saw his ears tint at his words. "Say you think Granger will dance with us?"
"I'm sure," Draco ground out.
"If her own date lets her out of his grasp," Blaise added having seen Theo's grin. "I wonder who plucked up the courage to ask her. I know Avery wanted to, so did that Evans bloke in Ravenclaw."
Draco's clinched his jaw to keep from saying anything otherwise, he would start ranting about the fact that who she wanted hadn't asked her. But he was just as guilty. He'd been a coward and backed out of his invite and while he'd seen plenty opportunities to do so anyway, he went with the safest route, Astoria. And she was a lovely witch, he did find himself attracted to her but at the same time he couldn't stop the voice in the back of his head reminding him that she wasn't Hermione.
"I talked to Potter," Theo went on, oblivious to Draco's inner thoughts, "He mentioned Hermione was being rather silent about her dress, hasn't even let the lady Weasley see it."
"Well have you seen her? She's not the buck toothed little witch we first say all those years ago. She's a woman now. I can only imagine the gowns little Weasley and Pans tried to put her in."
Draco scoffed, "Are you two done?"
Both looked at him with wide grins, "Something wrong Draco."
"No," he snapped, "Blaise can you help me with this bloody tie, my knots are crooked."
Blaise sent an exasperated look at Theo but went to assist Draco before pulling on a black set of robes with horizontal yellow stripes. He didn't bat an eye at their comments, he just smirked and said Luna picked them. Draco's robes were a dark midnight blue and paired with the bronze of his tie and his cufflinks, he was the perfect representation of Ravenclaw. Theo made the most of his sorting. Of the three of them he drew the short straw and was sorted Gryffindor. Rather than Weasley red, he chose maroon robes with gold threading and embroidery.
"This is just plain bloody weird," he smiled at the mirror, "but I like it."
Blaise and Draco both laughed before Theo pushed them out of the common room claiming they needed to find their dates. Stealing himself Draco wandered to the dungeons where he met Astoria. She looked beautiful wearing a blue dress that matched his robes, the skirt of which was made of dark blue feathers that appeared to be dipped in bronze. The bodice was flattering silk and the feathers traveled up the back to create a collared effect at her neck. Just under her collarbone sat his necklace, the necklace Hermione had picked.
She was beautiful and yet Draco couldn't help but wonder what the necklace would have looked like with the topaz stones, seated on Hermione's neck, protected by her waterfall of curls.
Shaking his head he returned his attention to his date, bowing politely and escorting her back up to the main castle. They spoke in hushed tones, familiarizing with each other until they reached the Hall.
They waited patiently with everyone else until the bells chimed on the hour and the doors swung open. Draco wore a pleased smirk as he listened to the 'ohh's' and 'aww's' around him. Even Astoria was taken with the wonderland he and Hermione had managed to conjure. Unlike the yule ball their fourth year, they had opted to do a warm and inviting woodland winter.
The moment you stepped into the Great Hall you were transported outside, under a canopy of trees with glittering lights. Soft snow was falling though there was no chill and a blanket of snow covered the ground. The tables were what Hermione called 'farmhouse style' and covered in center pieces of fresh foliage, more glittering lights, and candles. There were fours giant pine trees around the room, each on dedicated to represent a house. The refreshments table sported the ice sculpture he'd made, a realistic vision of the houses mascots intertwined together in harmony. In the corner of the room, almost hidden amongst the foliage and tree's was a large gramophone, charmed to play music people requested.
As they waited for the remainder of the student body to arrive Draco guided Astoria to his friends, who both had their own witches on their arms. Luna greeted them airily while Theo grinned wickedly and introduced Daphine Greengrass as though they'd never met her.
She playfully swatted his shoulder, "Theodore Nott, you are too much."
"He is your date," Astoria giggled, "I should have known."
The elder sister pointed a manicured finger at her sister and threatened her around giggles, "Tell father and I'll tell him you have Malfoy on your arm."
"I'd rather not get married right after graduation, thank you."
The wizards chuckled knowing that is exactly what would happen if any of their parents caught wind of who their dates were. The war might be over but for the older pureblood generations, a pureblood spouse was an optimal arrangement.
Pansy arrived not long after with a handsome wizard from Ravenclaw Draco didn't recognize.
"Has anyone seen Hermione yet? Red says they haven't heard from her." Theo laughed while Blaise whispered in her ear making her smirk at Draco, "Gottcha."
Thankfully Astoria was still bickering with her sister and didn't notice the looked his best friends were giving him.
Luna was whispering in Blaise's ear making the Italian blush, a rarity as he had no shame, when she suddenly smiled and looked at Draco.
"Hermione's here."
A hush followed her statement as people throughout the Hall began to turn to the entry way. Luna kissed Blaise's cheek and disappeared through the crowd taking Pansy with her. They reappeared seconds later alongside Harry, Ginny, and Ron, who were all crowded around Hermione.
From their vantage point, the group of Slytherins couldn't see her but their curiosity grew as they saw the expressions of those who could. Luna, gods bless her, cleared a path to Hermione and drew her into a hug before turning her just enough that she was visible. Blaise absently wondered if she did it on purpose and seeing her briefly glance at him, he knew she had.
Draco for his part sucked in a sharp breath he would later regret while Theo whistled lowly and both Greengrass sisters gasped.
Hermione Granger has been sorted Slytherin. Not only that but she made a breath-taking spectacle as such.
Her gown was black as night with subtle silver accents that drew your eyes as she moved. It hung off her body like a work of art, clinging to her in all the right areas before flowing to the ground. The neckline was a daring but modest 'v' that stopped between her breasts as to not show too much. Her hair was pulled up and held in place in its intricate design by a silver snake that weaved in and out of her curls. The only jewelry she wore was a pair of tear drop emerald earrings that Draco thought he recognized.
Then she turned, at Seamus Finnegan's prompting, and Draco felt his world tilt.
He and Hermione had shared a bed, near every evening for three months. He'd seen her long legs countless times as she wore only knickers to bed but he'd never seen anything above where her night shirts started at her thighs. Now as he openly stared with everyone else he could clearly see her exposed back. Her dress seemed none existent from behind, the fabric disappearing at her shoulders and reappearing just over the curve of her back. The only thing connecting the fabric was a silver chain, except the chain was another serpent, one that was repeatedly writhing along her spine.
Her only imperfection, if you could call it that, which Draco didn't, was a jagged scar that touched the center of her back and stretched up to her shoulder and disappeared under the fabric of her dress. How he'd never noticed it before was beyond him but in that moment he didn't see the scar, he only saw her.
It didn't go unnoticed by those around him that his stare lingered longer than anyone else's either.
Eventually he pulled himself together with a cough and returned his attention to their group who all took to pretending like the last few minutes hadn't occurred. Luna rejoined them shortly after in her own yellow and black striped dress. Pansy stayed over by Hermione, summoning her date with a wave.
The Headmistress chose that moment to magnify her voice and call the ball to order.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I am very proud to see the amount of enthusiasm in which you have all embrace your houses, if only for the night," a collective chuckle answered her from the crowd. "Now as much as I would like to begin the evening I would first like to thank our Head Boy, Draco Malfoy, and our Head Girl, Hermione Granger for the effort they put into this evening. It is truly a wonderland of their own design."
She paused until the applause subsided. Theo clapped Draco on the back while Daphine shushed him with a smile.
"As per tradition, I now ask our two Heads to please take to the stage and open this lovely evening. Be merry everyone and enjoy your evening."
There was more clapping while Draco turned to Astoria, "I'll be right back."
She smiled perfectly, "I'll be here."
After taking her hand and gently kissing her knuckles he relinquished her to the care of her sister, Luna, and his childhood friends. Hermione met him on the cleared floor with a smile that he couldn't help returning with a smirk of his own.
A gentle song began to play and Draco bowed only to be answered by Hermione's curtsy before taking her into his arms. They waltzed, as per tradition, while the rest of the school watched, mesmerized by the pair.
Draco was the first to break their silence, his voice a hushed whisper.
"You know how to make an entrance."
Hermione began to doubt herself mistaking the huskiness in his voice for disapproval, "Is it too much?"
"It's too little," he let the fingers of his right hand and graze the skin of her back making her shiver. Where this jealousy came from he didn't know but he didn't not like how every wizard in the room was looking at her. "Remind me to owl a grievance with the dress maker."
She looked up at him and frowned but let her gaze fall with a small shake of her head, "I actually thought you might like it."
"It's stunning," he conceded, "Why were you sorted Slytherin? We weren't supposed to be put into our own houses."
"The hat said I need to accept it and sorted me in hopes I would embrace it." She noticed others had begun to join them and tried again, "At least we don't clash horribly. Take away the bronze and the emerald and we would have been a fit pair." His eyes finally touched hers, but she looked over his shoulder, "But you and Astoria match perfectly. I dare say that necklace is beautiful."
Draco was sure he heard a touch of regret in her tone but said nothing.
Hermione, not understanding his unwillingness to talk masked her hurt while they finished their dance. When the music died she gave him a small curtsy that he returned with a bow. Standing he looked directly at her amber eyes, accentuated beautifully by her smoky makeup, turned on a heel and walked away. She wasn't alone long as Harry snatched her making her laugh.
A sound that only served to rattle Draco even further.
Throughout the night Draco stayed with Astoria aside from the occasional partner swap with Theo or Blaise. Hermione danced endlessly, never getting a break until she decided to call it a night. Ever observant Blaise and Theo were the only ones to notice Draco's sideways glances at Hermione. Towards the end of the evening, after Theo had retreated with Daphine to the refreshments table and while Luna was dancing with Longbottom, Blaise sought out the Head Girl. He found her saying goodbyes to the rest of the golden trio. Curious he watched her as she stepped back and scanned the crowd. She seemed to find what she was looking for because she smiled, a genuine and beautiful smile.
Draco was doing his best not to let it be known that he was keeping track of every wizard Hermione danced with and every one that lingered too long on her form. He paid proper attention to Astoria as well, she never knew of his occasional glances elsewhere, but it was when he was distracted that they found themselves under charmed mistletoe. He and Hermione had agreed to none of the blasted plant but it would seem someone snuck at least one in.
Astoria tugged on his arm pulling him from a chat with mush for brain Goyle. Smiling at her he excused himself from his conversation and turned to her.
"I'm sorry, I got carried away."
"I don't mind at all. But I was hoping we could dance again."
"I would love to."
He went to guide her to the dance floor but she kept him from moving and pointed up. He almost cursed aloud when he saw the white berries dangling above them. As he lowered his gaze he saw Hermione look at him and smile. It was a heart stopping smile. Astoria, not noticing, gently cradled his face so he would look at her, reached on her tiptoes, and kissed him. It happened so quickly Draco let himself get lost in it. Putting an arm around her waist he pulled her a little bit closer to deepen the kiss and forgot, just for a moment, that he'd just been staring at the witch he wished he had spent the evening with.
Only Blaise saw Hermione step away and discretely wiping her eyes as she walked out of the Great Hall. He moved to follow her but saw Luna slide out the doors to catch her. Trusting his date, he went to find Pansy for a dance.
Luna caught her on the stairs. Hermione had been trying to keep from outright crying on her way to her room when she heard the soft footsteps run up to her just before being pulled into a hug. The blonde witch cooed to her, rubbing small circles in her back.
"Luna?" she sobbed, "What, you should be with Blaise!"
"Blaise understands. I won't be gone long. You just needed a hug."
Looking at her big vulnerable eyes Hermione felt the damn inside her break. She didn't understand him. He gave her conflicting opinions on her gown and had refused to so much as look her way the entire evening apart from right before snogging his date and she felt it like a stab to the chest. Standing there in Luna's arms she allowed herself a brief moment to cry while the Ravenclaw whispered comfort in her ear.
"He knows not what he does Mione."
"He doesn't understand."
"Give him more time, wizards don't develop as fast as witches. A bit dumb really."
The last one made Hermione laughed unexpectedly as she pulled out of the blondes' arms, "Thank you Luna." Wiping her eyes she smiled, "Go enjoy the rest of your night. I would hate for Blaise to think you disappeared on him."
"Blaise knows," she answered cryptically before giving Hermione a kiss on the nose and prancing away.
Hermione watched her go feeling a little more lighthearted at Luna's carefree attitude. Taking a deep breathe she finished the journey to her rooms without any more tears. Inside she called for Darcey who was all too happy to get her tea while she moved to her room and slipped out of her dress. Because of the back she wore a backless bra that clung to her with the assistance of a charm. Hearing the pop of Darcey's apparition in and out Hermione gently pulled the serpent from her hair and cancelled the charm keeping it mobile. After shaking out her curls she slung her robe over her arm and walked out on sore bare feet to fetch her tea.
A smile touched her lips as she heard another pop, the bath water start followed closely by another pop. Picking up her tea she took a long slip and sighed before starting back towards the bath Darcey had started for her.
Meanwhile Draco pulled away from Astoria to find himself completely unphased by the way she licked her lips afterwards. Instead, he led her through a final dance before making an excuse about rounds and offering to escort her to her common room.
Draco stepped in their room just as Hermione picked up her book from the coffee table.
"Granger! What if I'd brought Blaise or Theo back with me?"
Hermione screamed, her hands flying to her chest as her book fell to the floor. "Draco Malfoy! Don't do that!" Then she registered his words and laughed, "They have the password so I suppose they would have gotten an eyeful."
Rolling his eyes, he let himself take her in as she pulled on her robe. The scar from her back mirrored her front and he didn't stop himself when he felt his hand rise of its own volition. Hermione shivered when his fingertips first touched her skin.
"When did this happen?"
"Fifth year, the Department-"
"Of Mysteries," he finished for her, looking horrified, "Did my..was my father the one.."
When he couldn't seem to finish his question, she tipped his chin up so his eyes were no longer on her cleavage.
"No. This one was Dolohov. Even if it had been your father, I was at the trial, I know he was under an imperius."
"Not the whole time," he chocked. Finally noticing her smudged eye makeup he felt a pang that drew him to her. "What happened? Did someone hurt you?"
"Gods you're going to give me whiplash," she mumbled. A little louder she told him, "Nothing, I am fine."
One of his hands found her hip while the other ran a thumb along her jaw, "Except you look like you've been crying."
Momentarily shocked by their contact, his fingers unknowingly grazing her mark sending a shiver through her, she shook herself and stepped away from him, "These things never go quite how I expect. I was just about to have a bath." Summoning her book she gave him a tiny, pained smile, and walked to the bathroom. His voice stopped her though she knew she couldn't look at him.
"Hermione."
"Yes..."
"You really did personify Slytherin."
Squeezing her eyes shut she tried to keep her lip from trembling, "Thank you. You looked very handsome tonight as well," then she disappeared into the bathroom. In front of the mirror she used a washcloth to clean the makeup off her face before dipping into the warm, bubbly water, her book forgotten on the counter. She took a long time washing her curls. After winding them into a makeshift bun she started on her legs. They were already bare but the comfort of the routine made her feel better. So, she shaved again, the muggle way with a razor, slow and meticulous.
When she was done and wrapped in a towel she heard a soft knock on the door.
"Yes?"
The door cracked and a guilty looking Draco appeared with his own robe in his hands. "Hermione."
Uncurling her hair to dry it with her wand, she bit her lip, "Yes?"
"I'm sorry."
She finally looked at him, her heart in her chest. Had he put it together? "For what?"
His eyes were suddenly piercing her, she almost couldn't breathe, "I should have said something else."
"What are you talking about?"
"When I saw your dress. I realize my reaction was less than appropriate. Tonight, I should have given you more time. We spent so long decorating for the blasted thing and only ever spoke at the beginning."
"Draco, you," she took a breath to try and calm her racing heart, "didn't have to. You had Astoria with you, you spent your time with who you should have. The shower is yours."
"Hermione wait," she paused in the doorway, "Will you come to bed?"
Her heart hurt, "Draco-"
He could hear the rejection and couldn't bare it. He didn't understand what had changed, she'd been so happy during the ball and he did regret not having her on his arm. If only he'd been honest with himself and her.
"Hermione, please, it's going to be at least two weeks before we return to school," she looked over her shoulder at him with a frown, "I doubt we'll have a chance with you at the Burrow and me back at the Manor."
Hermione closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side. She knew she might regret it but sighed, "Yours or mine?"
She heard him make a relieved noise, "Wherever you're comfortable."
Turning to look at him she gave him a half smile seeing him already in his boxers, "Mine. But not until you shower."
Summoning his wand Draco walked directly to the shower, tossing his robe on the counter as he passed her making her laugh as she retreated into her room to get dressed. She had pulled on a pair of knickers under her towel and a t-shirt that was big enough to be a dress by the time he manifested in the bedroom in his own sleep pants. They watched one another as he moved to perch on the left side of her bed and she plaited her hair by hand. Draco found he could do nothing but continue to watch her shamelessly relishing in how her cheeks flamed seeing him.
They stared at one another when she finished, her lips between her teeth. After a few moments she moved, crawling over him to get into her spot between him and the wall. But he stopped her with his hands on her hips when her knees on either side of his hips.
"Draco?"
The breathless way she said his name has his blood rushing to all the wrong places. So she wouldn't notice he sat up.
"May I see it again?"
She frowned, "My scar?" He nodded, "Why? It's hideous."
"Nothing about you is hideous," he growled.
"We both know that is not true. You saw enough of it to know that, so did the Great Hall."
"And yet, princess, you wore it proud for the everyone to see."
Her eyes widened and her heart started to race.
Shifting her shirt up, Draco gave her time to put her own hands under her shirt so when he lifted her it completely with her hands were covering her breasts. Replacing one hand on her hip, making her shudder when his thumb grazed her covered mark again unintentionally, his other hand started to trace her scar up her body. He started where it ended on her front, it looked like the same point it ended on her back. Slowly, as if to memorize the entire jagged thing, he followed the line up her diaphragm to the curve of her left breast, to her collarbone, and then her shoulder until he couldn't trace it without turning her.
"You survived an impossible curse, love. This tore you in half.." his grip on her hips tightened so she was flush against him, only her hands keeping her breasts from touching his bare chest. "I've seen it happen, Dolohov loved to make others suffer. He designed his severing curse did that. How did you survive it at sixteen?"
Bravely wrapping her arms around his neck, she nuzzled into his throat, "When I was hit, Professor Lupin was right beside me. He managed to stanch the bleeding long enough for the Order to get me to the infirmary. It was a long few weeks."
Draco heard every word she said and while it was long over, they triggered his memories. Her screams echoed in his mind, bleeding in with his demented Aunts laughter, the iron scent of her blood clouding his nostrils again. So he just held her and when his ears stopped ringing he noticed three things.
One, Hermione had her hands in his hair, tracing calming patterns on his head.
Two, her pert breasts where pressed against his skin.
Three, he never hated himself more starting this game again. They had officially crossed the line into too close and he couldn't bare the thought of stopping now.
Tightening his grip, he carefully moved them down so she wouldn't feel his erection and pulled the blankets over them, not once looking down. When she laid her head on the pillow he leaned forward so his forehead rested on hers. Her wonderfully addictive scent clouded his nose.
"You're perfect."
"Barely," she breathed, "But I'm yours."
"As I am yours."
Hermione had to close her eyes and remind herself that this wasn't real despite the truth of her words. Instead of letting herself think about how totally screwed up it was, she held him tighter silently coming to the decision that this would be their last night together. They would spend the holidays with their families and when they got back, they would establish a new normal.
One where they didn't sleep beside one another or play this game.
It was just too much.