~Finally on the day of the Ball, Hermione looked at herself in the mirror, admiring her work. The dress she and Luna picked out was indeed something new to her but daring too. Complete opposite look comparing to her Yule Ball dress all those years ago. Instead of the naive little girl stood a woman, with new but healed wounds, her eyes held a hard but gentle look at the same time, no doubt laced with mischief and power. Her black as midnight gown was floor-length, laced sleeves ending below her elbows and a bare back made her feel exposed a bit more than necessary but beautiful. Her long loose and neatly wavy hair covered most of her back, reaching her mid-waist. Small scattered diamonds shining on strands of her hair made her look magical. She felt powerful looking like this, ready to get a message across the whole school and even world if needed.Her nerves did built up about one thing though. As she walked down the staircase, she bit her lip, thinking about Draco's reaction to her look. She stopped at the last step, noticing his back turned to her. She cleared her throat, making him turn to look at her immediately.Her nerves completely melted at the look he gave her. His eyes were darker than usual and they held a look only a predator could have while looking at his prey. If someone would've have seen it, they would have to look away just form the sheer intimacy it held. He walked closer to her. Stepping off the last step she waited for him to close down on her. Hermione's black heels not giving her enough height to be eye-to-eye with him.At his silence and his eyes darting up and down her body she spoke up. "Well, do you like it ?" He looked into her eyes and smirked. "It would even more beautiful on the floor but I don't complain when I receive a blessing." His gaze got caught on her blood-red colored lips. She felt her cheeks flush and smiled at him, then she noticed a black box in his hand. He lifted it up and opened it, showing her what's inside. "Since we already completed our bond and now courting you is just a fun bonus, I thought it would be a nice touch to show that you're mine to everyone, finally." He shrugged and at her stunned expression he smirked. "As I said, a proper courting gift, nothing but best for Malfoys."He took out a beautiful silver bracelet, the form of it shaped a dragon, his scales moving slightly, becoming alive in his hands. Draco took her hand gently and moved the bracelet towards her wrist. The dragon moved and warped itself around, fitting her perfectly and breathing out actual smoke out of his nostrils. It looked ancient but modern at the same time, no doubt expensive and rich. Nothing but best for the Malfoys... She didn't miss the meaning behind those words and it made her stomach tickle.Hermione was still silent, her mouth slightly open and her eyes wide. It looked just right on her wrist, like it belonged to her all this time. She looked up at him and smiled, reaching up to kiss him. He wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her closer. "If this is a way of proposing in the magical world my answer is yes." She kissed him again and then pulled away, making Draco let out an annoyed sight. "I have something too."He looked at her weirdly and then replaced it with interest when she summoned a small ring box in her hand. Opening it she showed it to him and he felt that thing again in his chest. His heart beating. In the box lay a ring, shaped like a snake. It's eyes glowing with green emeralds in them. He took it out and slid it on his right thumb. It was big in her hands but on his thumb it looked just right. He swore with his heart to never take it off. Draco moved to kiss her, completely not giving a shit that they had to be at the Ball tonight. His intentions to get her back into their room were destroyed when she cleverly and swiftly moved aside and past him. "Come on, Malfoy, the show awaits us." She laughed at his irritated look but he followed her without any complains, hooking her arm around his elbow. They strode the hall and everyone moved aside to let them through, no questions asked. ~"You know, you should confront her, right now, while she feels safe beside her knight-in-shining-armor."How can I do that when every single move that I make is watched by that old hag. Don't be stupid as always."Since when does she order you around ? Come on, mate, you're a hero. No one can say no to you now."...She deserves to be hurt, right ? I mean, she ruined my life. That bitch."That's what I'm saying, she betrayed us. And the Ball is a great place to do it, think about it. The whole school is there, so many eyes and you're going to show them that you're innocent, she has to be destroyed."She's a dead girl walking with her little pet. That Death Eater scum."Humiliate her, show her who is the real hero, everyone will love you, Ron, they will worship the ground you'll spit on, trust me."Hermione will be begging for forgiveness."~The Grand Hall looked beautiful. It looked similar to Yule Ball but the space was more elegant and extravagant. The floor was enchanted to look like ice, reflecting back like a mirror but not slippery, of course. They don't need another death.Fake snowflakes landed on Pansy's shoulder and then disappeared, not leaving a wet spot like the real ones would. She stood next to Neville, who just ran to her, being a little late. Their hands conjoined and shy smiles on their faces.  But she felt happy for the first time in months, not thinking about the awful things that happened to her. Neville erased most of the hurt, being patient with her and she was grateful beyond the words. Damage was done but it was better.They stood there talking and blushing like fools. Merlin, they looked like pathetic children.Blaise and Luna, on the other hand, stood nearby and looked ready to pounce on each other. Especially Blaise who seemed like her puppy, following her every movement and obeying her every command. "Whipped" Draco mocked, ignoring the fact that he was the exact same.  All four of them got looks more than any other time, no one has ever seen them all together before, talking like they were life-long friends. Especially Neville who looked so softly toward the former Slytherin Princess, an adoring look reserved for her only.Harry, who looked outraged and with Ginny hot on his toes, came up to Luna, grabbing her arm harshly, not looking at Neville. He made Luna stumble away from Blaise. "What do you think you're doing with him ?" He threw a nasty look at Blaise who looked ready to kill. Blaise, in return, with a not-so-gentle force took Luna's hand out of Harry's grip and sneered at him, daring the scarred boy to touch his girl again. Luna just patted him on the chest and smiled at Harry and Ginny, who was busy staring at Neville and Pansy with a look of shock and... fear. "Both of you are traitors, you hear me. You dared to become some kind of Slytherins" whore and betray me ? You think I'm that dumb. " Harry was causing a scene, ignoring the whispers around them, people weren't happy hearing these threats from the hero. "I will have you thrown out-" He stumbled on his words when Ginny tugged harshly on his arm, making him spin to look at her, eyes on fire. "I told you before, Harry, you shouldn't have betrayed her." He stupidly ignored the blonde.Luna's gaze was fixed on the Grand door, exactly in front of them. He missed the snide smile on Luna's face and didn't notice when the four figures disappeared in the crowd. Ginny looked pale and felt like she was about to faint form the sight in front of her. Harry looked towards the Grand door, finally noticing that everyone focused on that couple that walked in. Harry's whole body went numb when he saw them walking in. Merlin, they looked like they owned the place, he even felt like he should kneel before them. Hermione was like a Goddess, darkly beautiful and enchanting, the matching black color of their robes looked elegant. Everyone felt the power radiating off of them, felt the admiration at the way he looked down at her and then pure hate when he looked at anyone else.They looked un-destroyable.He saw how satisfied Malfoy was, despite having a stone-cold face. Hermione, on the other hand, looked radiant, she walked confidently her eyes dark and unforgiving but a smile so shy and soft. Harry knew what hid behind that smile, he already knew the familiar venomous look in her eyes. And now, it was directed at him. ~