(sorry late reply)

Draco listened to Hermione, hearing what she had to say, and wasn't all that shocked about it. It was more of how happy he was about it, how he felt about her, it wasn't a total waste, he realized it a long time ago, though, he kept quiet about it. "Hermione..." Draco whispered near her ear, just waiting for her to look up towards him.

(You're fine. :))

Hermione hesitated. With a quivering lower lip and a heart afraid to be refused, she looked up, suddenly aware of the closeness of her and Draco. She heard her heart clearer than every in her ears as she crossed her arms over her chest as if to show that she was feeling insecure at the moment. Maybe I shouldn't have said that... she thought to herself as she met Draco's eyes, suddenly feeling as if she needed to look away, but she didn't.

(nice avi :D)

Draco slid off her mask, along with his, and then placed his hands upon the sides of Hermione's soft, face as he pulled her in slowly and placing his lips upon hers while closing his eyes. It would be weird to kiss someone if they were glaring right back at you. After a moment the kiss was broken, Draco pulled away to say "I understand, I have liked you since a few years ago"

(Shank ya! :rofl:)

Hermione watched as he slid off his mask. He wasn't supposed to do that, but then again no rules were made against that. She watched him as he drew closer and closer. When she knew he was about to kiss her, her eyes drifted shut. As if right on cue, she felt the soft touch of his lips on hers. It was entrancing and gentle -- something she's never known before. Her arms dropped to her side for a moment before her hand went up to rest on his chest. She kissed him back equally as she took a step closer.

She had been kissed before. By Ron. But Ron wasn't like this. Ron was sloppy and careless. He was agressive and carefree of how Hermione felt. And yet Draco, the one that Hermione once hated with a burning passion, had kissed her in the way she had always wished to be kissed. It was basically a dream-come-true for her.

When Draco stepped back and their lips departed, Hermione waited a moment before she opened her eyes, savoring the electric charge that still roamed her lips. She opened her eyes soon and found that Draco was still there, just like she had hoped. The last thing she wanted was what had just happened to be just a dream. She worried that he wouldn't be there when she opened her eyes...but he was there. He was there indeed with so much love in his eyes.

Her heart swooned just enough to cause Hermione's eyes to tear up happily as she heard Draco speak. "Y-you...youhave?" she asked, shocked that she had just heard that. Before she could stop herself from making a fool out of herself, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Draco's neck as her lips crashed against his.

(Welcome)

Draco nodded though during that time he felt her lips against his once more, not as gentle as before, more with passion and excitement. Draco had kissed Pansy before and a few other girls, but, to him they were boring so he didn't kiss very often. Draco wrapped his arms around her waist kissing her back with the same passion almost and the area around them started to feel hotter.

"Ehem" Snape responded standing there, his arms crossed, he was slightly tapping one foot waiting for the two to break apart. Draco groaned in his head, not in real life, he wasn't going to just stop because Snape was there. No way on that account.

Hermione felt so complete when Draco wrapped his arms back around her in return. She couldn't remember ever feeling this happy. When she heard Snape clear his throat nearby and the tapping of his foot, Hermione's eyes opened. When Draco didn't let her go or pull away, Hermione's eyes could hold back from fluttering shut once more. Her hands raked to the back of his neck and stop as she gently pulled him away from her. She looked to find Snape. A gasp came from her throat as her hand went to cover her swollen mouth. Her eyes widened as she realized what she had just done.

Draco looked at Hermione, raising an eye brow though ignoring it as he slipped her mask and then his back into place. "Hermione, I have to speak with the professor alone, do you think you could allow us to talk" Draco asked as Snape just stood there waiting impatiently.

Hermione's eyes darted to Snape, showing obvious frusteration. She then looked at Draco. Well since he asked so nicely... "Yeah, no problem," she said as she blinked. She picked up the skirt of her dress and headed back into the Great Hall. She walked up to the dance floor and stood there, watching to make sure ones were behaving. She crossed her arms over her chest as she sighed. When was Draco going to return?

(Okay, my creativity is the best during the fall and winter, and since its fall, I should be writing more)

"What do you want 'professor'?" Draco asked using the word 'professor' in a colder tone. Draco clearly thought maybe his father was trying to keep him from his date, however, that was beside the point. "Your father wishes to speak with Ms. Granger, he says that if she is the girl you chose, then he must meet her to see if she lives up to his expectations, let alone yours" Snape answered hating the fact he was going back and forth between the two Malfoys. Couldn't they have just talked between each other in private rather than result to something like this? Snape and Draco talked back and forth, however, the younger Malfoy said "To end this quickly, because I know that she is waiting for me. I haven't chosen anyone yet"

Lucius Malfoy made his way over Hermione, not yet knowing whom it was behind the mask. Ballroom dancing returned, each 30-45 minutes the music would change back and forth as it was styled to do. "Good evening miss, may I have this dance?" Lucius was going to find one way or another to talk to Hermione alone without Draco yet knowing about it. Snape was keeping Draco preoccupied at the very least to keep him away from the room Hermione would be in.

(Yay! ^.^)

Hermione was shocked as Lucius put out his hand to him. Shakily, she put his hand in his and let him lead him out to the dance floor. Her heart pounded fast. It was Draco's father. Probably going to tell her to stay away from Draco. But she already planned on not giving up on Draco. she was falling fast for him and that kiss even made it better. She just couldn't. Draco said it himself that he basically felt the same way.

"Of course," Hermione murmured.

Lucius gracefully and slowly danced around the dance floor with Hermione, both had masks, though it was easy to tell that it was Lucius as people gawked at the two dancing. It was odd to see Lucius being nice to anyone let alone a Granger whether or not he knew about it. "I saw you dancing with my son, Draco earlier. You two look astounding tonight, may I ask for your name?" he was being polite as high ranked social person should be.

Hermione blushed and looked away from Lucius. But when he asked for her name, she panicked. What would she tell him? The last thing she wanted was to be treated like the Mudblood she was known as when it came to the Malfoys. She obviously chocked on her words. "Um...it's...Hermione, sir. Hermione...Granger," she murmured, looking very embarrassed. Now her heart waited for what Lucius had to say about it. But no matter what, she was prepared for anything Lucius could possible throw at her.

"Ah a lovely and interesting name" Lucius of course sounded as if he was up to something but that was soon swept away as he then asked "Are you having a good time tonight, miss Granger?" Lucius asked once more, his a smile hiding his sly thoughts.

Hermione blinked at Lucius. He sounded as if he was up to something. Maybe Hermione was right? Maybe he was going to try and tear Hermione and Draco apart. She looked all around her as she swayed across the dance floor in the arms of Lucius. Where was Draco. When Lucius then asked her a question, she turned her eyes back to his cold eyes. She gulped harshly at the air and nodded her head. "I'd have to say that this is the best night yet," she then said, suddenly regretting that she had said that. What are you, stupid? He's definitely going to try and make this night hell!

Hermione was instantly taken by the waist away from Lucius by someone else whom had kept her close to them. Surprisingly, Draco was walking in through the doors of the ballroom finally done talking to Professor Snape. Draco calmly walked over quickly to Hermione and Blaine, Lucius took a step back, and bowed slightly "We shall talk again soon miss Granger" and Lucius left. Draco was trying to get through the crowd but it was difficult. "You okay Hermione?" Blaine asked making sure as Draco walked over to the two of them. "Whats going on?" Draco asked as Blaine explained a bit of the evening when Draco's father and Hermione danced while speaking.

Hermione was ever so grateful when Blaine had saved her. She looked at Blaine and smiled, nodding her head as she let out a relieved sigh. "Yeah, thanks Blaine," she said in earnest. When Draco had finally returned to her, she sighed and looked down to the floor. "Your father had forced me to dance with him. I didn't want to be rude...," she trailed off, avoiding eye contact. "Draco, he knows..." she then said. "And the last thing I want is for him to hate me, as a 'mudblood', anymore than he does." She said as she sighed once more and shook her head, forcing herself to look up at Draco. "But never mind about that. I'm not going to let anyone ruin the best night of my life yet," Hermione said with a big smile as she then turned her head to Blaine. "Thanks again for saving me, Blaine," she said.

"You're welcome, I would've saved you sooner but Pansy wouldn't leave me alone" Blaine responded as Ginny came over. They came in together after all. Draco shook his head "Don't worry about it, I will deal with him later" and nodded as the music kept playing "Lets dance" the night went by and everyone had fun, it was better than those years before with all the dances. Now it was time to sleep after everyone had left to go to bed. "Hermione, I think that's everyone"

Hermione nodded her head, finding herself yawning. "So do I. Let's get some sleep," she said as she slid out of her shoes, ignoring the cold and dirty feeling of the stone flooring beneath her feet. They weren't even in the dorm area yet. As they began to walk, Hermione wrapped her arm around Draco and lazily rested her head on his shoulder as they walked. "Thank you...for such a wonderful night," she murmured.

When they got to their rooms, Hermione sat on the edge of her bed, her hand wrapped around the bed's post, trying to find the energy to change out of her dress and jewelry and into her pajamas. She had a long week behind her. After legit fifteen minutes of just sitting there, Hermione got to her feet as she unzipped her dress and sat her Prefect's pin on the edge of her night stand. She unhooked her bra and pulled the pins from her hair. She found a loose tee shirt and some soft sweat shorts as she soon collapsed under her covers. She was asleep before her head hit her pillow, dreaming of Draco and her kissing.

Draco nodded watching Hermione, he had planned something, but, had backed out of it at the last moment. Going into his room after Hermione had went into hers, he walked over to his window looking out, after awhile of unknown time standing there, he had moved over to his bed. Sitting down he slipped off his shoes, changed clothes into pajama pants, and just went to bed. Luckily, with the dance, everyone would be too tired to run around and so they would be able to sleep all night without being disturbed.

The next morning came, Draco got up at seven am, unsure of why he was even up that early, and just ignored the fact it was too early. He grabbed his clothes, he didn't have to stay in this time, and was going to go to Hogsmead. He had some plans with his Slytherin buddies, one mainly, and that was Blaise. Blaise asked if Hermione was coming but Draco shook his head knowing Ginny would be by later on late morning to go out walking and talking with her.

Hermione's eyes opened to a pounding on the door to the Prefect's common room. Slowly getting to her feet, she moved to open her bedroom door. She then walked over to the common room and opened up the picture. "She's been bothering me all morning!" exclaimed the painting.

Hermione rolled her eyes and showed Ginny into the common room. Ginny looked around and nodded her head. "Impressive. Guess being a Prefect has its perks after all," she said as she then looked at Hermione, suddenly a straight face. "Why aren't you dressed?"

Hermione looked down at her pjs. "Because it's morning?"

Ginny gave her a face that said 'you retard'. "'Mione, it's after noon. You just missed lunch."

Hermione sighed and face-palmed herself. "Great," she murmured. "Give me a few minutes," Hermione said as she hurried to her room. She undressed and hooked on a simple tee shirt bra, pulled a teal tee shirt over her head, slipped her legs into jean capris, brushed through her hair and pulled it up into a pony tale, tied on old sneakers, and sprayed on a bit of simple perfume. She then hurried out into the common room and then faced Ginny.

"There, better?" asked Hermione.

Ginny smiled. "C'mon. Let's head to Hogsmead to grab lunch."

(Sorry, I've been in that mood where I don't know exactly what to write)

Draco looked at Blaise "So where are the others?" "They aren't coming, mostly everyone is sleeping in from last night" Blaise answered. They had their butterbeers in front of them while talked about the evening last night, Blaise eve explained a bit of what he could hear from the conversation with Lucius and Hermione.

(It's alright. :) I understand. It happens.)

After Hermione and Ginny had grabbed a simple tuna sandwich from the local cheap restaurant in Hogsmead, Hermione suggested some Butterbear. "I haven't had any for a long time," she told Ginny. Happily, Ginny said as they walked out of the restaurant and headed down the small brick street to the Three Broomsticks. They walked into the little inn just as the doorbell rang. Hermione looked around the crowd naturally only to stop her eyes on Blaise and Draco. She blushed at the memory of her and Draco kissing. Did that really happen? Hermione asked herself.

She looked away just to pretend as if she didn't see him. Not yet. She felt Ginny's eyes search the empty seats. "Look! The spot by the fireplace is open!" So the two walked over to the table by the roaring fireplace and unwrapped their scarves and took off their hats just as one of the waitresses came over. They ordered two Butterbears and sat there gossiping about how a new Ravenclaw had flirted with Ginny last night. Ginny sounded so sure that there'd be something good coming out of this. "He's so cute! I saw him at lunch and he smiled and waved..." Ginny ranted on. The entire time, Hermione couldn't help wandering of Draco had seen her as she kept sneaking small glances at him.

Draco was talking to Blaise about the whole ordeal and then it started over something dealing with the homework that they were given. Tonight Draco and Hermione would have to go around to patrol the halls. "So like I was saying..." draco listened to Blaise but noticed Hermione at another table and glancing over at her. Draco smiled a bit.

(sorry so short)

Hermione sipped on her Butterbear as she just so happened to glance up at Draco for the hundredth time. When she caught him smiling at her, she sucked in a breath as her stomach did multiple back flips. He was so handsome at that moment. She wanted to go over to talk to him, but she didn't want to intrude. So when her and Ginny finished their meals off, they headed back to Hogwarts to study for an up-coming Herbology test.

Night came before Hermione knew it as she sat in the Prefect's common room. She laid on her stomach, in front of the fire with an opened book in front of her. The fire casted off a warm feeling so that Hermione could take off her robes. She read her book as she rested her chin in her palms of her hands. Her feet, which were in the air, kicked back and forth beside each other.

Draco was with Blaise all day, he wanted to hang with Hermione, but, he knew it wasn't healthy to be around someone you like 24/7 even when you get married. It would sometimes become too much. Draco just let it slip his mind for a bit that he was thinking about her and so he thought more of what would Blaise and him do all day. Blaise just wanted to talk, Draco was able to get him to walk outside and talk with him.

Draco hung out with Blaise and once done he returned to the common room he looked as if he was wiped out. Draco saw the fire and moved closer to it wondering where Hermione was, Draco wasn't sweaty, just more of smelled like outside. He laid on his stomach while leaning towards her and kissing her on her cheek "Hey 'Mione" Draco spoke in a whisper like tone near her ear.