Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, sadly

Author's Note: I haven't updated this fanfic in forever, so I'm going to try to get this chapter done.

Chapter Sixteen

"So, how was it?" Ginny asked Hermione later that day.

"It was fine," Hermione said. "Draco and I played 'I Never,' like, the whole time. He even let me have the bed."

"Oh, that's so sweet," Ginny said.

Hermione smiled. "But there's something I don't get. Draco and I wished for food, and it popped up, but when we tried to wish ourselves out, it didn't work."

"That is weird," Ginny said. "Maybe we could go ask Dumbledore? He would probably know."

The two girls left the Gryffindor common room, and walked to Dumbledore's office, waving to friends as they went by.

"Can I help you ladies?" Dumbledore asked, after letting Hermione and Ginny into his office.

"When Draco and I were in that room," Hermione said, "we wished for food, and the food popped up onto the table. But when we wished to get out, it didn't work. Why?"

"Ah, yes," Dumbledore said, leaning back in his seat. "You were in what we like to call the room of sanctuary. Normally, two to at least ten people would get stuck in the room, normally people who weren't the best of friends, and they wouldn't leave until they all became friends, or the present Headmaster or mistress let them out. Now, you and Mr. Malfoy are quite good friends, so I was rather surprised to hear you two had gotten stuck. I believe the room thought that Mr. Finnigan was going to stay in the room, and so began it's process." Dumbledore smiled at Hermione's confused look. "I know everything, Ms. Granger, so it is obvious that I would know that you and Mr. Finnigan had a little altercation. Mr. Finnigan managed to get a way before the walls closed. Does that answer your question?"

"Yes," Hermione said, turning around. "Wait, one more thing. Where are our wands?"

"Oh, your wands." Dumbledore pulled open a drawer and pulled out to wands. "I trust you will return Mr. Malfoy's?"

Hermione nodded, and she and Ginny both left.

Hermione was very happy to have the mystery solved, but she was also very happy because the last dance out of the trio masquerade ball was coming up. Hermione, Ginny, Lavender, Parvati and Pansy (shocker, I know) decided to spend the Hogsmeade trip before the dance searching for the perfect gowns.

"Thanks a bunch for letting me come with, you guys," Pansy said, holding up a hot pink, frilly dress.

"No problem," Hermione said. "But please, not this dress," she added, snatching it from Pansy and putting it back on it's rack.

The five girls were at Young Blue, a new store that sold dresses and dresses and dresses. Lavender and Ginny were in the changing rooms, trying on dresses, and Parvati was already buying hers.

"Um, Pansy?" Hermione began fingering the hem of her skirt.

"Yeah?" Pansy asked, taking a blue dress off the rack. "This would look so hot on you," she added, holding the dress against Hermione.

"I was wondering if you wanted to get changed in the Gryffindor Tower, and then come with us to the ball," Hermione said in a rush.

Pansy looked up and smiled. "I'd love to."

"Great," Hermione said, taking the dress. "And you're right, this would look hot on me. I'll be back."

The girls shopped for about an hour longer, and each came out of the store with a glamorous dress. When they got back to Hogwarts, Hermione went in search of Draco, as she hadn't talked to him in a while.

She found him in the library, reading a book.

"I'm surprised you ever want to set foot in here," Hermione kidded, smiling.

Draco looked up. He smiled back at her, but it was half-hearted.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, concern on her voice.

"Nothing," Draco said. "It's just…if you want to go to the final dance with Seamus, then I won't care. We're not technically dating, I don't think, and I haven't even asked you."

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked. "I want to go to the final dance with you, not Seamus! How could you think something like that?"

"Well, I thought that, after we got out of the room," Draco said, "you would talk to him."

(A/N: I'm going to make them get into a fight, but it will all work out. This will be the last chapter, so sorry)

"So you're just assuming," Hermione said, "that even after we spent all this wonderful time together, I would just dump you?"

"Well, yeah," Draco said. "But not in that sense."

"How could you think that?" Hermione asked, tears forming in her eyes. "I thought you knew me. If you did, then you would know that I wouldn't do something like that!"

"Look, I just figured that you would make up with Seamus," Draco said. "So sorry if I was wrong."

Hermione sighed. "I guess, if you seem so sure that I'm going with Seamus," she said, "then I will. Later, Malfoy."

Hermione stood up, and left the library, Draco watching her go.

-&-&-&-

Hermione didn't actually think Draco could make her cry, but, when she ran into Seamus on her way to the Gryffindor Tower, she broke into pieces. He wrapped his arms around her, and made comforting noises, trying to calm her down.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Seamus asked.

"Just Malfoy being Malfoy," she said, wiping her eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked her. She nodded. "Then I should get going. I have some things I need…"

"Listen, before you go," Hermione said. "I just want to apologize about that night. I was just suppose to be helping him study, and it got out of hand…"

"There's no reason for you to be sorry," Seamus said. "You're allowed to kiss guys. And it was only 8:30, so you weren't late to our plans. I just overreacted."

"So are we friends again?" Hermione asked, smiling.

"Most definitely," Seamus said, smiling.

"Um, I was wondering," Hermione said. "Do you want to go to the ball with me?"

Seamus' face lit up. "I'd love to!"

"Great," Hermione said. "We're all getting ready in the Gryffindor Tower. I'll be the one in the pink."

-&-&-&-

The night of the ball came. The girls got ready in the girls dormitory, like before, and ascending the stairs, one at a time. Seamus, Harry, Viktor, Ron (Lavender's date), and Dean (Parvati's date) stood waiting. They all knew who was who, because they had agreed earlier it would be easier that way.

Pansy came down first, wearing a yellow dress, with spaghetti straps, and yellow heels. Her mask was yellow, and had a white circle pattern around the edge. Her black hair was brown, and cut in a short bob. She walked over to Harry, who was wearing a black suit. His black hair was also brown, and he wasn't wearing his mask, yet (none of the guys were).

Parvati was wearing a blue, silk dress, and a matching mask, with little butterflies on the corners, and blue flats. Her brown hair was a light red, and up in an intricate bun. She stood next to Dean, who was wearing a red suit. His hair was blonde.

Lavender was wearing a red, clingy dress, with red pumps. Her mask was also red, a dark, dark red. Her hair was brown, and curly. She stood next to Ron, who was wearing a black suit. His red hair was blonde.

Ginny was wearing a purple, knee-length dress, and black stiletto boots. Her mask was light purple. Her hair was blonde, and curly. She wore it down. She stood next Viktor, who had on a dark blue suit. His brown hair was blonde, and matched Ginny's.

Hermione came down last. She was wearing a pale pink mini-dress, with a halter top, and pink stiletto heels. Her hair was black, and pulled up in a bun on the top of her head. The rest of her hair was blow dried straight, and hung down her back. She stood next to Seamus, who was wearing a gray suit. His brown hair was auburn.

The ten friends walked to the Great Hall, chatting. Once there, they began dancing. Hermione danced with Seamus for most of the time, but found herself seated alone at one point, just like at the first dance.

And, just like the first dance, someone cleared his throat behind her. Hermione looked back, and saw a tall guy, with brown hair and a green suit, standing behind her.

"Would you like to dance?" he practically whispered.

Hermione nodded, and they walked to the dance floor. Instead of taking on of her hands in his, the guy put both of his hands around Hermione's waist, and she put hers around his neck. They danced in silence

"You seem familiar," Hermione said.

"So do you," he said.

"Do you want to tell me your name?" she asked him.

"Not yet," he whispered into her ear.

The song ended, and, with a kiss on Hermione's hand, the mystery man was gone. Hermione walked back to the table she had sat at before, and rubbed her hand. She had a feeling the guy she had danced with was Draco, but she wasn't positive.

-&-&-&-

The dance lasted until about one, when Dumbledore stood up to quiet the students. Hermione had danced with tons of men, but only once with her mystery men.

"I see everyone is having a good time," Dumbledore said, smiling. "Once I wave my wand, you will be pulled to that certain someone. You will get one dance, and you may talk, but you must not reveal your identities. Then, I will wave my wand again, and you may reveal yourselves." He waved his wand.

Hermione felt herself being pulled towards her mystery man. She smiled as he came near. She saw Seamus heading towards her, but didn't care. She fell into the mystery man's arms, and smiled.

They began dancing, not talking. She leaned her head against his chest, and breathed in his scent. Soon, the song ended. Dumbledore waved his wand again, and the masks disappeared.

Draco smiled down at Hermione.

"I was hoping it would be you," she whispered before Draco's lips covered hers.

-&-&-&-

Awwwww… I'm done, I'm done, I'm done! It's taken me, like, forever to finish this, but I like it. Thanks to all my awesome reviewers. You guys rock!

Love,

Josee