Hermione walked into the Great Hall with pride and with more self-esteem than she's had for a while. But then when she found Draco at his table. She walked over to tell him goodmorning, but when she stopped and overheard what he was saying, she sighed. How could she let her guards down around him? She was so foolish for thinking he actually wanted to be her friend. She felt even more foolish when she noticed her growing crush on him. She sighed and shook her head as she turned away and headed to the Gryffindor table. Harry and Ron pretended as if she never passed as he sat down in her now-usual spot and ate her breakfast in response, suddenly feeling horrible. She wiped her makeup off with the back of her hand and pulled her hair up into a messy ponytale.

Ginny looked at the boys, looking at Hermione, then to Draco and huffed. 'Oh this is not going to be like this' Ginny thought to herself and looked to Hermione. "Hey Hermione, can I talk to you?" Hermione had sat next to Harry like normal, so Ginny stood up going to the other side of the table looking at Harry and not even saying anything to move him as she just scooted herself in between almost knocking Harry to the floor. Then she smiled brightly at Hermione as if nothing had happened there.

Harry stood up not happy with what Ginny just did but Ron gave Harry a look to ignore it. Knowing Ginny she would deck anyone or use a hex on someone if they tried something against her. She may not be the strongest or the smartest, but, she was known quite for using spells against others with great force. Harry walked around the table and sat next to Ron as they quietly whispered to one another.

Draco had realized that Hermione was in the room, he also knew that she heard what they were talking about, seeing her walk away and making herself look almost like a wreck. Draco frowned, he couldn't just keep doing this to one of his friends, could he? He was able to treat Pansy like crap, he was able to treat anyone else not his friend like crap. Blaise took notice of this and looked at Draco with a stern look thinking 'What is going on' Draco shook his head thinking 'don't worry about it' "Draco, I have to talk to you about something important" Blaise stated trying to get Draco to talk to him privately.

Draco shook his head "Not in the mood Blaise" the other Slytherins were just ignoring them, they hadn't even noticed that the boys were talking, they did however notice Hermione. Draco was wondering where that determined, strong willed Hermione that he found, had gone. "Slytherin Prefect, can we talk?" Blaise was going to talk to Draco one way or another. "Fine, prefect room" Draco spoke standing up as he led the way. They made it to the forbidden hallway instead of the prefect room.

McGonagall had saw that something wasn't write, Draco was about his own business though something was off, and how Hermione had acted, this showed that something was very off. Snape was next to her saying something quietly saying it was teen drama or something the teachers couldn't possibly come to understand so McGonagall had let it go, for the time being that is.

"Draco what is wrong with you two? First you hate each other for years, then you become friends like nothing is wrong or close to it, and now you are letting others say BS about her" Blaise took a second to let it sink into Draco's head, then he added quickly sighing "You know, you would almost think you had something for the girl" "Shut up! I don't like her, how can I? She is mud blood, a know it all, nothing to me. I am a Malfoy, high standards, pure blood, nothing alike." Draco spoke though this didn't catch him off guard.

"You know, it would almost seem like you guys were a couple with how you act and hide things. Maybe you should get your feelings sorted out before talking to anyone at all" and with that Blaise left as Draco slid down against the wall of the forbidden hallway.

(Okay I wasn't planning on writing that but its cool...I hope you like the length)

Hermione looked over at Ginny and forced a smile back. "I'm really sorry, Ginny, but...I'm not really in the mood to talk to anyone right now," said Hermione as she glared harshly over at the two whispering boys. She downed the rest of her orange juice and shoved the rest of her breakfast in her mouth as she stood up and with her books, left the Great Hall. Class wasn't supposed to start for another half hour, so Hermione thought that before her class of Care of Magical Creatures, she would just sit and read on the bridge.

The morning was brisk with a high-chill that sent Hermione obvious of her breath before her. She had made sure she had grabbed her Gryffindor cape today, pinning the Prefect's badge just above her Gryffindor house crest. She stared down at the lake below her and sat her books down on the floor of the bridge. She took out the Prefect's rule book and read more. 'No matter what, Prefects are expected to work together and stick together no matter what happens and what the situation may be...' Hermione read that line and snickered sarcastically at it. Yeah right, she thought to herself.

(I thought it was saturday? okay so confused now, but wahtever going with flow)

The weekend had gone by so quickly, Draco was too busy with trying to figure things out when classes actually came around. He didn't speak to any of the teachers, he ignored his friends, and everyone knew something was wrong. McGonagall even called his name out to stay after class but he ignored her and just headed to the next one.

'Why does everything have to be so bloody confusing, I don't understand any of it' Draco thought to himself and then spoke out loud but only to himself as he sat in the prefects bathroom alone during his break time before potions class would begin and he would have to sit with Hermione in there within silence since they had to sit next to each other. "I can't believe I didn't do anything, those girls were such b*tches too"

(Crap! Sorry! I forgot! I'm so sorry! D: Do you want to just pretend that never happened or...?)

By the time Potions began, Hermione sat down where she was expected to be seated, planning on keeping her mouth shut around Draco. They had nothing to discuss being that the Yule Ball was all taken care of now for the weekend. Hermione had her hairstyle, dress, shoes, and makeup style all planned out and all was well to be expected.

(I just made it so that the weekend went by quickly, saves us time from writing out)

Draco knew his father would want him to go, that and he had to now that he was a prefect. His tux was already picked out, he had made sure of that himself, though it wasn't going to be a full tux. His attitude while sitting in class was odd even for him. So when class started, Snape called upon him to answer one of the basic questions, Draco didn't even care to pay attention until Snape came by dropping a book on the desk loudly making some jump as Draco glanced up. "After class Draco, stay" Draco shrugged and laid his head down. Others began to whisper until Snape told them "Quiet, you have a pop quiz thanks to your Slytherin Prefect" the class groaned, Draco just went to sleep, still tired from all the hours he had missed.

(Haha alrighty. xD )

Hermione looked over at Draco when Snape had come by and made him the center of attention all of a sudden. And when Snape had announced the pop quiz, Hermione strangely didn't feel the exciting feeling she usually got. She used to be excited for pop quizzes being that she saw them as extra credit. She was always ahead of the class, but the fact that she hadn't been reading ahead lately, made her back in the same spot as the other students for the first time ever here at Hogwarts for her.

She when she got her paper, she looked over at Draco for a moment. Secretly, she put her hand on his knee as if to ask, 'Are you okay?'

(Haha, I'm only replying to this one and my yaoi one lol I like this now, no one is bugging me yay)

Draco just slept away until he felt someone's hand, probably Hermione's since she was next to him, on his knee. That was something different, normally people just woke him in this mood, or similar moods that is. Draco looked over, turning his head as he still had it lying down on his arms. His eyes showed too many emotions being hidden, however, you could tell he wasn't the same as he normally was with high pride. Draco placed his hand over hers, and his eyes showed 'I'll be fine' eventually he would be too. Taking his hand off of hers, he looked at the pop quiz reading it and actually doing it, when he was finished, he just put his head back down.

(Bugging you? -tilts head-)

Hermione was shocked when she felt Draco place his hand over his. She gave him a secret half smile and looked down at her pop quiz. In an instant, it was finished. And when it was, she took out this new book called Scribbler of Dreams. It had suddenly become her favorite. It was a more modern and realistic version of Romeo and Juliet. She thought of Mary E. Pearson as actually a pretty great author. When the bell rang, Hermione closed her book, marking her page, and grabbed her books as she headed for her study hall in the Great Hall.

(yea lol if I dont reply to a rp even though they know I'm on and they are anxious to write more, I get bugged about replying to the thread. I really hate that too, cuz I can be bugged twice in one day)

Draco was glad he had no more classes during the day, he hadn't any reason to stay anywhere, and so he chose to follow Hermione into the study hall. He was going to go lie down some, however, it seemed like a better idea to actually talk to someone. No one knew that he could be so quiet and Snape had realized that Draco left after the other prefect. "Mind if I study with you?" Most of the time draco would doodle or just talk to his friends. Otherwise he made Potter's life a living hell.

(I sure hope I don't bother you! But yeah, I know the feeling. :))

Hermione found one of the tables empty. Not many people wanted to use their free period as a study hall. But somehow, she seemed to feel overwhelmed with all of this homework. It was just mostly answering questions out of her books, but it still felt like so much. When she heard Draco speak, she looked up at him and looked back down at her parchment, quill, ink boat, and her opened text book for Herbology. "Sure, unless you want to keep avoiding me," Hermione said in a way that a friend who's upset about something would tell their friend.

(no no, you dont bother me)

Draco sat down next to her, maybe a few inches apart, whispering as he spoke to her so only the two of them could hear. "I'm sorry, you shouldn't have heard those things today, I should've done something, I didn't, I'm sorry" Draco spoke, he wasn't looking at her, but, pretending to look at a book he pulled out from potions class randomly. He had more work to do now that he didn't do the classwork. Nonetheless there was other things to do. Professor Snape had moved in to talk to Draco, but, when he saw him talking to Hermione, for once, he just walked away to let things get settled. "Look let me make it up to you" Draco stated, his voice meaning he wouldn't stop until he could.

(Relieved to hear that! :))

Hermione looked at Snape's now-turned back and rolled her eyes. Hermione just sighed stressfully and put her forehead in her hand. "I bet it was Professor Snape who told you to stop associations with me. And don't worry about what those...people...said. I'm used to hearing things like that so it doesn't bother me," said Hermione. When Draco told her to let him make it up to her, she looked at him, surprised. "How?" she asked, suddenly curious.

(You and Angeal Pureheart, are my favorite rpers)

"Allow me to escort you to the Yule Ball" Draco stated, his somewhat coolness act had kicked in just a little bit. He wanted to ask her before this morning started drama, however, he was a little late on that account. What he did this morning wouldn't be easily forgivable, but, he was hoping that she would allow him to.

(Really? O_O I'm so happy to hear that!)

Hermione stared at Draco for what must have seemed forever. Did she hear him correctly? She had somehow felt herself loose all knowledge of speech. "Uh...I...uh..." she mumbled as she just stared into Draco's eyes, suddenly lost. Her heart was beating uncontrollably and she palms were sweating, she put her hands on her lap so Draco wouldn't see them rubbing against each other in a very nervous way. When she gained the intelligence of speech back again, she blushed, looked down, and tucked a strand of her fallen bang behind her ear. "I would love to."

Draco thought instantly that he would be refused, someone as smart as Hermione, well it just seemed to be natural that she would be repulsed by him for any means. Draco's eyes widened with happiness and excitement mixed together. "Really?" he almost blurted out and then smiled gently "I'm glad" Draco added standing up "I have to tell father, trust me, he has to know everything from me or I could get grounded" Draco laughed a little and stood up. Before he left, he kissed Hermione on the cheek as a few people that were in there turned to look. Some of them saying "Woohoo, go Draco" others cheered on Hermione "Woah, you go girl" Draco turned to leave and back to the prefect room where he would call his father by the fireplace.

When Hermione felt his lips on her cheek, her face turned beat-red. And then she heard others cheer them both on. She smiled a really big smile. She looked down at her books, suddenly unable to do them with such excitement. She chuckled and shook her head, still blushing somehow. She could hardly wait. Draco Malfoy just asked her to the Yule Ball.

Draco went to talk to his father, luckily, his father was in one of those 'moods' which meant he had a talk with Snape before Draco's call. Of course the call ended quickly and Draco knew what that meant. Time passed as Ron eventually walked up to Hermione asking her out for the yule ball in the hallway in front of others, some whispering, some talking, and some giggling. Draco had walked up upon that scene and even saw Lavender not too far away. So he walked up next to Hermione asking "Whats going on?" "Can't you leave, I'm asking Hermione to the dance"

When Ron had come up to Hermione and deliberately asked her to the Yule Ball. Twice asked out in one day? This is definitely a new record for her. She stared at Ron, instantly infused with anger. Ignoring Draco, Hermione glared at Ron, putting her arm on Draco's as a reassurance. Snappy Hermione was now on. "If I do recall. You and Harry were the ones who were definitely treating me like crap." She snickered and raised an eyebrow at Ron as she took back her hand from Draco's arm. "Now...about your proposal. The answers no," said Hermione as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I already have plans to go with someone else."

(WOW I am loving how Hermione is acting, so cool)

Draco watched Hermione in action, he wasn't showing much of it, however, he was quite surprised. He was thinking 'Wow, not only is she going off on the weasel but she is also doing it with a determination' Draco didn't bother saying anything, he heard Ron say "Who? Who would you accept to go with that isn't me?" Now Ron was being full of himself and Draco wondered if maybe he should intervene or not, though he chose to wait.

(Haha thank you!)

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Please. Like there's not anyone more trustworthy than you to go with," she said, seriously thinking about giving him the hand. "Draco asked me. And I said yes. Now do I have to break down what I just said so you could understand it better or...?" she asked as she trailed off and smiled. "Besides. What happened to you and Lavender going to the ball? Shame." Hermione turned around and walked away, hoping so much that Draco would follow.

(Welcome :D)

Draco smirked before walking away with Hermione "That was amazing" he spoke when they were far enough away, the dance wasn't that far away. Draco was getting excited, any dance he had done before, he either went alone or with Pansy, lately Pansy hadn't been around. Though he knew she would be back, but, he didn't care.

Hermione was smiling big. She couldn't believe she had just told off Ron like that. But besides...who was Ron to think that after all the crap he's made Hermione feel like, he could just ask her to the Yule Ball? She stopped and looked up at Draco. "I feel amazing! Like remember two years ago when I punched you? That how I feel..." she said as she then stopped smiling. "Bloody hell, I'm so sorry I punched you," she said, shaking her head as she gave him her apologetic look.

Draco laughed "Don't worry about it, I deserved it for everything you went through because of me. How about we go get something to eat?" Draco was hungry and it was almost dinner time, he had been more of himself throughout the day. Ron of course would be sulking, Lavender would be glaring or helping Ron feel better. And Harry well Harry would just be listening to Ginny constantly getting onto them about how they treated Hermione.

Hermione smiled. "Sounds like a good idea," she said as she suddenly realized she was hungry. "We could grab some dinner and go eat it in the Prefect's common room," she said with a smirk. She was hoping he'd say yes. What she needed was alone time with her only best friend right now. Even if that best friend was a Slytherin named Draco Malfoy.