Draco had somehow convinced Pansy to go with him. He gave himself a once over before he left the dorms. He looked elegant in his black robes with elegant silver embroidery around the collar. The cape was black on the outside and green inside, he looked every bit the gentlemen his mother had said he was.Just as he was about to leave an unfamiliar owl landed in the window with a later addressed to him. He plucked the letter from it, gave it some treats and it took off without a response. Curiosity got the better of him...Blaise peeked his head into the dorm just as Draco was about to open the letter"Come on Draco, the pansy is getting antsy..."I was ready an hour ago, she can wait a few more minutes"So be it, on your head..." Blaise muttered as he ducked outDraco decided against opening the letter and hid it in the false bottom he had magicked into his bedside drawer.————Draco had to admit, the great hall looked spectacular. Narcissa Malfoy would approved of these tasteful decorations for the ball. He looked around to see that Hermione wasn’t with Ron, for some reason that made him feel like a small victory had been won. However, he looked around the hall once more and didn’t see her anywhere.Had she not come? He was still craning his neck to look around. The dinner was served and of course it was well done. Draco chanced a look at the head’s table, Potter seemed to have gotten a date and it was not Hermione, so good. Krum was busy talking to his date, not Hermione again the smiled with relief, probably some girl from beauxbatons he thought. He noticed Ms. Delecour was busy ranting as usual. Maybe Hermione really hadn’t come. The thought made him slightly sad.Mulling over it, he went back to his plate when suddenly pansy exclaimed"Is that Granger?" The shock was evident in her voice"Gosh! Yes! You’re right it is!" Daphne joined equally stunnedDraco followed their line of sight and saw the beauxbatons girl Krum was talking to. It took him a minute, but there it was. The warm brown eyes. He was transfixed for a minute and then he decided instantly, he hated Krum.————Much to his chagrin, the girls had not finished gossiping about Hermione."I wonder how much sleekeazy's hair potion it took to tame those curls"Forget the hair, could that neckline plunge anymore? Typical mudblood, ready to whore herself out"Oh please, Krum’s just using her for practice, you know how boys are..."With each sentence Draco’s ire was rising and he didn’t know why. They were all true, she had probably put a ton of potion to tame her curls, her neckline was far too low by pureblood standards and Krum had many women all over, that was common knowledge. Maybe if she’d just read one quidditch magazine, she’d never have said yes to him.He saw that Krum was leading her through most of the dances but she seemed to be doing quite well. She was not as elegant as the trained pureblood girls but she was not a bumbling idiot either. The orchestra struck up the chords to a famous French Waltz. Draco all but dragged Pansy to specific spot. As they danced he kept his eyes on Hermione. Krum Spun her out and Draco was there. They were face to face, she raised her hand to meet his and was surprised when he actually touched it. They completed the circle looking intensely into each other’s eyes. Just before they had to step away, he said"Seventh floor at 11:59"Hermione was lost in thought for the rest of the dance. She was dancing with Krum but her eyes were always searching for him. When they found him, she saw them piercing through her very soul.————A couple more dances later she told Krum she was feeling a little unwell. He offered to walk her to her dorm, which she politely declined on account of the several stairs. He gallantly kissed her hand and thanked her for an enchanting evening.She all but ran to the seventh floor, passing many a snogging couple along the route. She was flushed as she found the door to the room of requirement ajar. She stepped through it and closed it behind her to find herself in the most magnificent ballroom ever. A high ceiling with elegantly carved pillars and a massive french window on one side. A glittering chandelier in the middle. Beautiful works of art hung on every wall and large staircase leading up to somewhere. The only light was from the chandelier in the center casting a dim glow across the floorStanding in the middle of it was Draco.As she stepped on the dance-floor, he stretched out his hand inviting her to join him. Magically music began to waft through the air. He spun her around a couple of times making her smile."This is your home..." She whispered"Very astute..." he repliedThey danced in silence, terrified that if they spoke it would all become far too real. After a couple of dances the music stopped and the large French window opened up leading them to a patio where it was snowing gentlyDraco closed his eyes and suddenly the rest of the manor gardens appeared in the endless magical room. Hermione sucked in a breath at the beauty of the gardens. When she turned to face him he was was already watching her. Their eyes were drinking in each other. If a moment could have lasted forever, this would be it. Draco dipped his head just as Hermione lifted her chin. Their lips met and their minds withdrew from the far off places they were at. His arms wrapped around her waist as her’s went around his neck. He bent her back deepening the kiss and she felt herself surrender to him.They were both panting as they came up for air but they had forgotten how to be apart. She pulled him down, her hands in his silky blonde hair as their tongues battled for dominance. He realised she could fit in just one arm as he pulled her close to him, his other hand rising to grab onto her neck. They stood in the moonlight kissing deeply.They broke apart breathing heavily. They were both blushing and breathing heavily. Hermione was looking up at him hopefully. He was just drinking her in with his eyes. He realised that he was still holding her close to him with one arm. Her hands were resting lightly on his chest. He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. His finger touched her cold earring and suddenly he blinked. The trance was broken.What was he doing. He was Draco Malfoy, the pureblood sicon. He had no business kissing a mudblood and especially not Potter’s mudblood. He stepped back abruptly leaving her cold. Hermione’s looked at him questioningly. He bowed to her and said "You look lovely tonight granger... "Draco..." Hermione said reaching out but he took another step back.."I’m sorry... I have to go..."With that he all but ran out leaving her there...Hermione watched his back shut the door, she waited but he never came back. Just like that one of the best night’s of her life had become one of the worst nights of her life.Tears prickled her eyes. Why was she even crying about the stupid bastard. He probably had a bet that she was a part of, he’d probably be humiliating her all day tomorrow. She just sat there in her dress on the floor in the middle of Malfoy Manor’s ballroom replica crying. The room considerate as it was produced a Hogwarts monogramed hanky for her.