Chapter 6

The day before the mascarade ball arrived and students were running around like rabid pack animals. Hermione and Ginny decided to go into Hogsmede in search for a dress to wear. They had been to three dress shops so far and none of them had the dresses the girls had in mind. They were in the fourth shop, Ginny was helping Hermione find something for her, before finding something for herself. The brunette pulled a low-cut, knee length dress off the rail and caused her red haired friend to frown in confusion.

"Gin? What's wrong?" Hermione asked as she put the dress back on the rail.

"Mione. This is the sixth green dress you've shown me in the space of ten minutes!" Ginny said with a hint of humour in her voice.

"I know. But what's the problem?"

"It just seems odd, that's all."

Hermione laughed. "It's called trickery, if I wear green everyone will start thinking I'm in Slytherin."

Ginny smiled. "As long as you're not trying to tell me something."

The two of them broke into a fit of laughter as Ginny pulled the knee length dress of the rail again and handed it to Hermione. "Try it on."

"I thought you didn't like the green idea." The brunette asked cocking her head to one side.

"I don't care! It will look good on you." And with that she ushered Hermione into the changing room.

***

Later that afternoon Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were all sat down by the lake on Ginny's request. She had requested that they spend some time together due to how much arguing they'd been doing.

"Harry don't look so uncomfortable." Ginny giggled.

"I think he likes you, Gin!" Hermione laughed.

"Hermione!" Harry whined, turning bright red.

"Aw! Harry I think it's sweet that you like me." Ginny cuddled into Harry's chest.

"Ewwwwwwww!" Ron gagged as he pretended to throw up.

Ginny nudged Hermione and pointed to something behind her causing the brunette to look in the direction the red head had pointed. Hermione almost choked at the sight, she hadn't expected to see him all day. In all truth, she had been avoiding him since the incident the other night. Hermione had told Ginny about that incident and she was very understanding.

"What does he want?" Ginny whispered to Hermione as Draco walked over to the four of them.

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know."

By the time Draco had reached The four of them, Ron and Harry had already seen him and were ready to tell him to back off.

"Miss. Granger." Draco stepped forward holding out his hand. "I believe I owe you an apology."

"There's really no need for that, Mr. Malfoy." Hermione said warily trying to suppress her laughter.

"Can I talk to you?" He asked. She felt his hands snake around her waist, causing her to nudge him in the ribs.

"Take your hands off my waist and then maybe you can."

Ron stood up and marched over to them. "Mione! What are you doing?!"

"It's called: Forgive and forget, Ronald!"

"The girl has a point."

"Oh shut up, Malfoy!" Harry scowled.

"Honestly, boys! Leave them be!" Ginny sighed with a huge grin on her face. "Hermione knows what she's doing!"

"You've got to be kidding!" They boys said in unison.

Draco looked at his silver wrist watch and sighed. "You know what. It'll have to wait, I have to go. See you later."

He kissed Hermione's cheek and walked off.

Ginny looked at her best friend in shock. "Well you could've told me!"

"Told you what?"

"About that!"

"Oh that!" Hermione laughed, causing Ronald to clench his fists in anger. "That was nothing."

"Nothing compared to what? Snogging him in the corridors last night!" Ron shouted.

Hermione fell silent. He saw that? She didn't know what to say! Instead, she stood up and walked back into the school, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall down her rosy cheeks.

***

That night Hermione couldn't sleep. She couldn't stop thinking about the way Draco tried to apologise to her, or about how Ron yelled at her for even considering forgiving Draco. Eventually, she gave up trying to force herself asleep and logged onto the chatroom.

Draco: Anyone there?

Hermione Granger signed in.

Hermione: Hey Draco

Draco: How are you?

Hermione: I would be great, if I could actually sleep.

Draco: It's the same my end too.

Hermione: Draco, about that little thing by the lake today.

Draco: I know I was pushing it, trying to apologise while you were with your friends, but it wasn't that bad! Sure kissing your cheek was too far I know that! But the rest of it?

Hermione: I'm not mad, just please don't do it again. Ginny is convinced that we're dating!

Draco: It's not a bad thing!

Hermione: Not funny! Are you off to the ball?

Draco: Perhaps. What's it to you, Granger?

Hermione: Just wondering Malfoy

Ginny Weasley signed in.

Ginny: Do you mind! I'm trying to sleep and all I can hear are the notifications on my laptop going off like crazy!

Hermione: Gin you're not even asleep!

Ginny: Well I could've been.

Draco: Hello? I am still here you know!

Ginny: Malfoy since Mione keeps lying to me. Perhaps you can tell me something.

Draco: Hermione?

Hermione: Honestly, Ginny! Nothing is going on!

Ginny: Lies! 'Tis all lies!

Draco: Fire away, Ginevera!

Ginny: I will ignore the fact you just called me that and ask you my question: Are you and Hermione dating?

Draco: Jesus Christ! I thought you were joking!

Hermione: No I was being serious! And here's the proof.

Draco: What are you doing for the ball then, Granger?

Hermione: If I tell you, then I'd have to kill you!

Draco: Oh please! You wouldn't hurt a fly!

Hermione: Need I remind you that I fought in a war, Draco Malfoy!

Draco: As did I! But you didn't kill anyone purposely.

Hermione: Likewise!

Ginny: You guys are so cute!

Hermione: Ginny. Go. To. Bed.

Ginny: I bet tomorrow you guys will be kissing! Malfoy?

Draco: Weasley.

Ginny: Do you love Hermione?

Hermione: Ginny!

Ginny: Well? Do you?

Draco: Night girls!

Draco Malfoy signed out.

Ginny: Well that happened.

Hermione: I can't believe you!

Ginny: What? All I did was ask him if he liked you!

Hermione: Exactly! You can't just ask him that!

Ginny: Why not?

Hermione: Because... That's like me asking Harry if he loves you!

Ginny: But Harry doesn't love me - he likes me.

Hermione: Sure...

Ginny: What? What is it?

Hermione: Nothing, Gin.

Ginny: Please bare in mind that my bed is next to yours, which makes it easier for me to tackle you!

Hermione: Once again - Sure...

Hermione Granger signed out.

That night as the Gryfindor Princess was about to shut off her laptop, she received and e-mail from Draco.

From: Draco Malfoy

So what are you doing for the ball? Do you have plans?

She smiled as she read it. She never knew he cared so much. Instead of replying she simply ignored the e-mail just to torment him. After all, she didn't want him to know what she was planning on doing.