For the first time ever, Hermione's eyes happily opened before her alarm went off. She felt-well rested, realizing she had fallen asleep before 11:30 last night. She sat up in her bed and yawned, stretching her hands up above her head as she slid her feet over so that they were touching the Gryffindor rug. She got to her feet and slugged over to her closet where she picked out a simple white blouse (but this one was her best-fitting blouse), simple gray skirt, gray stockings, black flats, her latest vest she had bought, and her thicker robes to keep her warm throughout the school day. She curled her hair into beach waves as she buttoned up her blouse and rolled up the sleeves to her elbows -- unusual for her. She pinned back her bangs as she slid her vest over her head and slid her feet into her shoes. She grabbed her robe and her books as she pinned her Prefects badge to her vest. She stepped out of her room as a small strand of her bang fell from her clip.

She sighed and eyed the strand in a frustrating way. She then looked ahead of her to find Draco waiting for her. She smiled, suddenly nervous and shaky. "Good morning," she said in a sheepish voice. She was hoping they'd have French Toast for breakfast this morning. She was oddly craving her old-time favorites. Today was going to be a very good day. She could just feel it in her heart just by looking at Draco. Two days left until the Yule Ball and Hermione could legitimately not wait.

Draco smiled "Sleep good sleeping beauty?" Draco somewhat joked but it wasn't meant as an insult "I figured as heads, we could walk to breakfast together" It had been awhile since everyone was picking out dates and things for the ball. Surprisingly, everyone dropped the subject of Hermione and Draco. Ginny on the other hand had complained to the Weasley's mother about how Ron and Harry had been treating Hermione.

Hermione smiled and draped her robe over her arm that hugged her books to her chest. "Shockingly, yes!" she exclaimed in an impressed-with-herself way, still smiling at Draco, suddenly over-heated from how fast her heart was beating. So she didn't really need her robes for now. "Sounds good. I hope they have French Toast today," she said as she quickly repinned her fallen strand of hair...but it soon fell back out, not working. She huffed another angry sigh and shook her head. Whatever. I give up, she thought to herself as she dropped her hand to her side dramatically as she began to leave the Prefect's common room.

Draco stopped her before hand and fixed the strand of hair so that it may stay in one place, they were so close, however it didn't seem to bother Draco at all. Then he smiled and they walked out together. Walking past those in the morning, some tired, groggy, and even some bright along with cherry. A lot of the students probably weren't even up yet at this time. "I believe they will have french toast today" he himself was looking forward to the quiche today, he liked different ones, but, only a few of them since they were breakfast pies. "Did you have any dreams?"

When they entered the Great Hall, Hermione's eyes instantly roamed the plates presented. French Toast as hoped. She smiled and sort-of bounced up and down happily as she grabbed his hand-absentmindedly and found a place to sit down. She quickly let go, hoping that she hadn't made him angry or anything like that. As soon as she had sat down and placed her stuff beside her, her mind quickly roamed her memories. "I think I did. But I only remember a small piece of it," she said as she blushed and began piling the French Toast on her plate.

She wasn't lying. She really only could remember one piece of it. And the only thing she could remember was that the dream had to do with her kissing someone. Whoever that someone was, she was completely clueless. She chomped happily on her French Toast, eyeing the plate of cinnamon swirls that were drenched in the best icing she ever knew. She quickly reached for one and sat one on her plate as she filled her goblet up with milk. "So how did you sleep? Any dreams for you?" she asked, wanting to change the subject to his direction.

Draco shook his head "No, but, I think something interesting is going to happen" he looked over to Ron, now this was going to be a wake up call, because no one knew that Ginny had anything to do with this. Ginny walked over to Hermione and Malfoy "Mind if we sit with you?" the twins were with her as they popped up next to Malfoy like they always did to get around. "Its up to Hermione" Draco said not caring if they did or didn't.

A small dash of anger ran through Hermione. But when she realized it was more of a dash of selfishness than anger, she calmed down. I wanted Draco and I to sit alone, but whatever, she thought as she looked at Draco and then up at the two. She shrugged her shoulders. "Go right ahead," she said in a casual tone, as if it just wasn't a problem period. She went back to happily munching on her French Toast, sipping her milk here and there.

"Its only until Ron opens his letter" the twins spoke not wanting to be apart of that over there or have the attention upon them. "Hey Ron isn't that a Howler?" Neville asked looking over at the envelope. "Again? But I just had one a couple years ago" Ron complained. "I would open it Ron, its not good to ignore them, Neville said so those years ago" Harry spoke not knowing it would be towards him too.

Ron opened the letter as it took a mind of its own "Ronald Weasly! Harry Potter! You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves for treating poor Hermione like that over her choosing her friends! I have half of a mind to pull you out of Hogwarts and give you straight to the dementors myself! If you EVER treat anyone like that again, even the ministry can't save you from the things I have planned!"

The letter spoke as it turned to Ginny and the twins "Thank you Ginny for the heads up and Hermione congratulations along with Malfoy on being heads of your houses" and the letter spit out its tongue ripping itself to pieces. "Fred, George, its time to go" and the trio left Draco and Hermione alone again as others laughed, looked shocked, and congratulated the trio.

(That was so funny! I loved it! Haha)

Hermione just sat there, her body frozen as she her eyes stared at the ripped-up pieces of the howler. When they had got up and walked away, Hermione took a while before she shook her head and just blinked. "That was...weird," murmured Hermione, avoiding contact with Draco. "Why does everyone have to know?" she then said, a bit upset about it as she put her forehead in her hand as she picked at her last two pieces of French Toast. She sighed and then let her her fork drop to her plate with a loud clang.

(Thank you :) I didn't think Mrs. Weasly would like the way they treated her :D)

"Have to know what? And I do agree that was weird" Draco stated, since when did a Weasly compliment, or even acknowledge a Malfoy? Malfoys made their lives even more like hell on a normal basis. He thought it was pretty funny though, however, he also agreed with the letter and would have to one day thank Ginny Weasly.

(I think so too)

Hermione shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. "That we're going to the ball together. Also, we're actually friends," replied Hermione as she then just realized something. "How thick could I get?" she asked aloud. She slid from the bench and got to her feet. "I still have to make a mask!" she exclaimed as she gathered her books. "I'll see you in Herbology. I have to go and make the base of my mask before class starts so I can take my time with the colors afterwords. The Yule Ball is Saturday. SATURDAY!" she exclaimed, suddenly so nervous and shaky all over again. She put her hand on Draco's shoulder for reassurance and walked away.

Draco blinked not sure what to understand about the whole mess. Pansy sat across from him at the Gryffindor table "What do you want Pansy?" Draco asked "I want to go to the ball with you" "Someone already asked me Pansy" "Who?" now pansy was angry "Not you" Draco grinned heading off to class early.

When Hermione got back to her room, she quickly made a glass base for her mask. Clear and not plastic. Later she would gather glitter glue and paint to brush on. Her classes passed by in a breeze. Remarkably, she would sneak a glance at Draco whenever he was in her class and whenever he wasn't looking. Draco was just so...handsome. It was the color of his eyes. It reminded her of the sky on a beautiful cloudy day. And it was the platinum blonde color of his hair, going with his complexion and his eyes so perfectly. His high cheek ones and the way he held himself. She knew it all too well by now. She was falling for Draco. She was falling for him hard.

The days went by, Draco and Hermione had spoken and hanged out, even Luna, Ginny, and the twins hung out with them in the prefect room. When Saturday evening came, it was time for everyone to finish up getting dressed and arrive down stairs with their dates. Draco had finished putting his hair the way he had planned along with a dark green and white outlined mask to set upon his face. Later throughout the night the masks would be tossed into the air towards the end of it. 'Too bad this isn't a play, I would love to see her be Juliet' Draco thought to himself finishing up his outfit. He had already been waiting for Hermione to descend the stairs and show her beauty to everyone. He was standing just before the grand ball room.

Hermione looked at herself in her mirror, ready. Her hair was curled perfectly into beach curls, half up with a beautiful red pin. Her gown cupped her chest perfectly, the seam making a orange v-line covered with matching orange ribbon just under her chest. The waist-part fit her like a glove, stopping at her waist in a v-line that soon descended out into a medium and gentle fluff of lace and silk of transcending colors of red and orange. Bits and pieces of navy blue sat here and there, a navy ribbon wrapped around the seam at her waist, a navy choker, navy earring, and soft navy eye shadow. Navy studs stuck to Hermione's sleeves that flowed astride her shoulder blades. She took her mask and put it to her face, tying the navy ribbon behind her head so that it sat atop her clip perfectly. She sighed. Was she perfect-looking enough? Nervous at what Draco would think, she finally descended the stairs as she pinned her Prefects badge to her dress.

When she found Draco, she stopped at the sight of him. He was so handsome in his dress robes and his hair...his mask. It was almost as if Hermione felt like she was Cinderella. She smiled at Draco, glad her mask was hiding her burning red cheeks. "Well, you sure do clean up nicely," said Hermione in a joking voice.

Draco waited patiently, he looked up in time to see Hermione appear at the top of the stage, as others looked over her way. Most of them were saying 'who is that' 'she is so beautiful' it was then that Draco realized she was an angel from a dream and wondered if he was dreaming or something. "You look like an angel" Draco spoke taking her hand, slightly bowing a bit at the waist, and kissing it gently.

"Shall we go in?" Draco asked hearing others confirm that it was Hermione Granger, some gawked, Ron sulked even with being with Lavender, and hearing was surprised. Ginny was with no one, however, she hung around her best friend Luna whom had accepted to go with Neville.

(sorry you had to wait until today for a post but if I posted last night, you wouldn't have liked it lol)

(It's fine. Don't worry about it. :))

Hermione's eyes darted away from Draco as she looked down, her cheeks going umbarably red. She gave him her forced-back smile. She looked down at her perfectly-polished toes that were peaking out from her skirt. Her smile broke through when Draco kissed her hand. She just couldn't help but smiling. Excitement sent her stomach into tight little knots as she nodded her head, suddenly with loss of words. She allowed Draco to lead her into the Great Hall in which was completely perfect. Everything that her and Draco had planned. It wasn't cold and lifeless. It was all a glowing wander, so full of life and joy. "It's perfect," whispered Hermione as she looked all over the room.

(I love your avi, was there a theme you were going with?)

Draco led her in, everyone was whispering, talking, and chatting as it was slowly beginning. Gowns, Dresses, formal outfits of all different colors and styles. Masks were designed or bought to match the outfit and colors of the hair as well. The room was dimly lit, ready for dancing, the moon was high in the room and a full, blue moon with stars covering the sky like sparkles. Draco nodded "Yes it is, I'm glad we were able to pick out the theme" it was wonderful, though there was something that Draco didn't like, his father was there. A few of the parents who could come, had arrived to see their children on this one, rare, occasional night to dress up, and possibly even fall in love. Lucius Malfoy stood off to the side, his eyes on Draco's date with her mask on.

(Alice in Wonderland. :) I've been so indecisive with my avi lately, I know. :/ But in the marketplace, i've been watching the top that she's wearing now. It wasn't listed until recently. So I bought it happily and was like "YES! I can take my avi where I want to take her!)

Hermione looked around until she felt a pair of cold eyes. Her eyes immediately looked off to the side to find Draco's father, his eyes killing through her skin. She squinted slightly. If only looks could bring pain. She leaned over, whispering into Draco's ear, "Your...father's here? Draco..."

Deciding to put on an act and to not let someone such as Lucius Malfoy to ruin a perfectly good evening, she smiled at Lucius, showing him that she wasn't as afraid of him as she knew he thought she was. She looked towards the dance floor. No one was dancing yet. Boldly, Hermione moved in front of Draco so that she was facing him. "No one's dancing yet. I think they're waiting for us to start..." Once again, she thought of how glad she was that her mask was able to hide her flustered face.

(I can never chose either lol and yours looks better than my did :D) (I still feel like trying to make Hatter :D)

"I know, but, he doesn't know who I was taking to the dance, just be yourself and be calm" Draco spoke up and nodded "Alright, then" he bowed to her like any gentlemen would with the waist and came back up holding out his hand to take hers "Might I ask your hand in a dance, my dear Juliet?" he was playing the part of the theme, besides how often did they get a chance like this.

(You should do it! I bet you could totally do it. :))

Hermione just let out a shaky sigh and nodded her head. "No problem," she said. She somehow felt completely flattered when Draco referred to her as 'Juliet'. She laugh and nodded her head, curtsying in return. "But of course, my lord," she spoke in return as she let Draco take her to the dance floor. All around eyes were watching them closely. When she knew that they saw that they were about to dance, she saw people start to squeeze through the crowds to get to the dance floor, taking their time as if they were scared to share the dance floor with Draco and Hermione.

(Well that gives me a reason to dress my avatar now :D)

The music started playing, a soothing waltz tune, the music flowed between the two as Draco followed the steps he remembered. He placed his left hand on her waist, his right hand within hers as it was held up and they danced around the room. Draco was smiling, but, not grinning, more like a gentle smile. Draco only saw Hermione right now, even when they turned towards his father, whom seemed to be pleased honestly.

Luna and Neville had stepped out onto the floor and started dancing. Luna of course was leading even though Neville knew how to, he seemed a bit scared or unsure of it. Ginny stepped out onto the floor with Blaze, at the last minute Blaze changed his mind and asked her to go with him and she said yes. Ron didn't want to go on the dance floor, so she asked Crab to go on the floor with her but he refused yet she didn't take no for an answer. Everyone else started coming onto the dance floor moving in the same rhythmic steps.

(I like it. :) It goes together.)

Hermione felt a shock from Draco's touch through the fabric of her dress. Her hand felt shaky as he took her hand. And then they began to dance. Hermione felt as if the room had disappeared into an empty space. It was almost as if her and Draco were the only ones in the room. Hermione looked into Draco's eyes, unable to look away as it was. When the dance had ended and the two had stopped spinning, Hermione remained where she stood. The room clapped for the ones who had danced.

Hermione felt it the right time to finally tell Draco of her feelings. "Draco, can I talk to you? In private?" asked Hermione, breathless from the dance and contact. It still felt as if they were the only ones in the room. A new song began and more people came on the floor to dance.

(I tried doing the hatter thing but it didn't work out well)

Draco nodded slightly leading her out of the dance room and into the hallway far away from anyone else near. "What is it that you want to talk about Hermione?" Draco asked waiting on a time for her to speak, no one really saw them leave as a new song had began, everyone was caught up in their own worlds even the teachers.

(-shrugs- Fair enough. You do what you want with your avitar. :))

Hermione fumbled with her hands, nervous about what she was going to say. She took in a deep breath and let out a shaky breath. She closed her eyes for a moment. Come one, idiot. You can say it, she thought to herself. When she finally found the words, her voice came shakily and obvious to how she was feeling at the moment. "I'm...falling for you," she murmured as she looked down, staring at her feet as she avoided eye contact with Draco.