Chapter 18—The Shedding of All Disguises

The week following Hermione's release from the Hospital Wing was fairly routine. The only exception was her relationships with Harry and Ron. Now that they were both in on the big secret that had been tearing Hermione up for months, she found that she didn't have to try so hard around them. Their friendship had become nearly as effortless as when they'd first met, when their biggest worries were about grades and teachers disliking them, not about love and which one of them wouldn't make it through the final fight with the Dark Lord.

Hermione was sure she wasn't the only one who constantly thought about that impending battle. To be perfectly honest, she had no idea how Harry went to class, and played Quidditch, and just functioned in general when he knew that in a little over a month, he would either die or become a murderer. It wasn't something she would be able to live with.

But if that thought was constantly swarming around Harry's already too full mind, he showed no indication. Maybe he was trying to make it easier on both Ron and Hermione. Or maybe if he let himself think for a tiny little second about what lie in his near future, maybe he would just fall apart.

With everything already planned for the ball and the magazine edited to Hermione's high standards, she even had time to go to Hogsmeade with Ginny that Friday. It wasn't Hermione's first choice of activities for the day, but Ginny reasoned that too much time in the castle was unhealthy. When Hermione countered that she also spend time on the grounds, now that the snow had disappeared, Ginny simply rolled her eyes and muttered, "just stop being so difficult."

As it turned out, Ginny was extremely interested in Hermione's semi-secret relationship with Draco. Hermione swore that she could actually hear brain cells popping at the superficial conversation.

"But, I mean, what's he really like?" Ginny asked as they walked the daytime Hogsmeade streets. "He can't really be the way he is in classes, all snobbish and sarcastic and a complete prat. You would never want someone like that."

"I don't know, Gin," Hermione replied, inwardly groaning. She didn't have to suffer through this conversation with Harry or Ron. They wanted to know as little as possible. Hermione knew that they supported her decisions, but would rather sink back into the safety of pretending the relationship between their best friend and worst enemy never happened. "I don't know what to tell you. He's different behind closed doors. Nothing like how I expected."

Ginny, sensing her best friend's reluctance at the subject, dropped it at the sight of the newest dress robes in the window display. She issued a small squeal of delight as Hermione groaned and was dragged into the store.

"What color robes were you thinking of?" Ginny asked as they walked through an aisle that held every variation imaginable of the color red.

"I don't know, Gin. I don't even really need new dress robes. My other's are fine."

"Hermione," Ginny replied sternly, grabbing Hermione's hands. "Didn't your parents send you money for new robes?"

"Yes, but—"

"And is this or is this not your last year at Hogwarts?"

"Ginny, I don't really think—"

"And do you want me to be miserable for the rest of my days?"

"Honestly, you expect me to believe—"

"That's what I thought. So stop being so bloody difficult!"

Hermione sighed. There was no winning with Ginny. She let her overly enthusiastic friend go through the racks, every once in awhile holding one robe up to Hermione, muttering to herself all the while. After what seemed like an eternity, Ginny had narrowed the choices down to five different robes. She dragged Hermione to the check out desk where a young witch was reading a magazine, looking bored.

"Excuse me," Ginny said, holding the robes out to the sales girl. "She would like to try these on."

Hermione smiled sheepishly as the girl sighed in annoyance and took the robes. She led Hermione down a side hallway that contained no dressing rooms, only several mirrors on the walls. The girl whose nametag read "Wendy!" hung Ginny's selections on a hook beside one of the mirrors. Hermione gave her a confused glance as she looked from the girl to the mirror.

"Let me guess," Wendy said, boredom encasing her every word. "You're a muggleborn? You've never used a Dressing Mirror?"

"Er, no I haven't," Hermione admitted.

Wendy rolled her eyes and stood in front of the mirror, taking a dainty wand from her pocket.

"You stand in front of the mirror and point your wand at the dress you want to see on yourself." She pointed to the first dress robe, a soft pink. "Then you point at the mirror." She wasn't wearing the dress, but her reflection was. She waved her wand in a circle and her reflection turned, showing the back of the dress. The dress hugged Wendy's slender waist and was cut short to reveal legs that went on for miles. Hermione immediately decided that wasn't the dress for her.

Taking out her wand, Hermione stood in front of the mirror and the comparison between this bushy-haired girl and the silky-haired statuesque Wendy was embarrassing.

"Right. Thanks," Hermione replied and the sales girl left the room.

When she finally emerged, Ginny was sitting on a cushioned bench in the front, a Gladrags bag in her hands.

"So," the young Weasley asked, getting to her feet.

"The red," Hermione told her, holding up a satiny deep crimson robe.

"I knew it."

The Head Girl paid for the dress robe as Ginny showed her what was inside the Gladrags bag.

"My mother sent me some money also. Granted, I had to look in the sale items, but she understands what it's like to be a young girl. Besides, Ron doesn't realize he needs new robes until the hems are up to his knees." It was a metallic, silver-blue. "Flashy. Plus it matches my eyes."

"It suits you," Hermione laughed.

She knew how hard it must be for Ginny with six older brothers, and really, she couldn't blame her for wanting to stand out a little.

They walked back to the castle with their purchases, Ginny supplying the bulk of the conversation. This was why Hermione loved Ginny. Sure, she was observant, slightly shallow, and felt the need to butt into every aspect of Hermione's life, but other than that, being with Ginny was effortless. She didn't have to try as hard as she did around Ron and Harry.

Hermione suddenly felt a tear in her chest as she realized that in just a month and a half, she was leaving and Ginny was staying right here. Of course they would Owl, but it wouldn't be the same without Ginny's optimistically bright presence with her constantly.

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks and it was a minute before Ginny realized and came bouncing back to where Hermione stood.

"What's the matter? Did you leave your purse?"

Hermione shook her head and pulled Ginny in for a hug.

"Thanks Hermione, but, um, what's that for?"

"You're my best friend," Hermione admitted. "Thanks for doing this today. Merlin knows I would have never gotten through this without you. This shopping, I mean."

"That's what I'm here for," Ginny replied casually.

There was a second that Ginny's smiled faltered the tiniest bit and Hermione would have bet money that her friend had come to the same realization that Hermione had, that it was ending, that this carefree time was reaching it's close. There was an eerie feeling in the air that everything was about to change and quickly. A month and a half and Hermione wasn't even sure who she'd be.

But, just as quickly as Ginny's smile faded, it brightened and she was herself again.

"Now, come on! We only have three hours before the ball starts!"

After much consideration, Hermione decided it wasn't the best idea for her and Draco to go to the ball together. Sure, they would be wearing masks, but Hermione didn't want to risk it. Hogwarts may be slow, but it wasn't blind. And there was only one boy in the whole school who carried himself the way Draco did, who wore the most expensive designer robes, who had that almost reflective silver-blonde hair.

Hermione had miraculously been able to convince Ginny to let her get ready alone. That is, after Ginny bombarded her with hair and make-up tips. And after Hermione swept on some make-up, magicked her hair into manageable waves, and slipped on the satin red robe, she was ready to head off for the ball.

Instead of risking Draco cursing one of her friends for taking her to the ball, Hermione picked a considerably more easy-going date. Ginny.

Ginny had claimed she was sick of 'the whole dating scene' anyway, but Hermione suspected it was because the flirtatious girl was between guys and wanted to scope out her options at the ball.

Hermione stepped out of her bedroom and into the common room where Draco greeted her with a smile that seemed to make her heart leap into her throat. She attempted to swallow to lodge it back in its proper place, but had no such luck, not with Draco standing in his trademark black robes, his hair slightly messy, looking at her as if he'd never seen anything more appealing.

"Hey," he said, slipping an arm around her waist. Before Hermione had a second to respond, Draco had captured her in a head-spinning kiss, pulling her as close as their bodies would let them. After a moment, Draco broke off, kissing her cheek and whispering in her ear. "You look unbelievable. You don't know how hard it was to resist sweeping you off your feet and taking you right back into your room."

"Sweeping me off my feet? Since when do you sweep girls off their feet?" Hermione asked a hint of teasing in her tone.

"It's been known to happen once or twice." Draco bent down to give Hermione a light kiss, before taking her hand in his and running the other through his hair. "Ready to go?"

Damn, I knew there was something I was forgetting to do.

"Um, Draco? I was thinking that maybe it's not such a good idea for us to go to the ball together." Draco's gaze hardened slightly and Hermione grabbed his arms, placing them around her waist. "I mean, we never said we were going together anyway and I just think it's too much of a risk," she told him, her voice slightly muffled as her face was buried in his chest. "Yes, we're wearing masks, but who's not going to recognize you? What about all of your admirers?" Hermione risked a look up into his eyes, but they were focused on the wall behind her. "Please don't be mad. I'm not saying this in a bad way. I just… I think this night would be a lot better without added stress."

"Fine," Draco replied after a moment of silence. He took his arms from around her and picked up his mask from the couch next to him.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked as Draco fastened his mask in place.

"I'm making your night stress-free."

"Come on, Draco. Don't be like this. You're being ridiculous."

"Have fun," he replied and he walked out the portrait hole.

Since the ball had started at eight that night, Hermione had done nothing but sit at a table, rejecting offers to dance, while Ginny flirted shamelessly with a boy sitting next to her. Harry and Ron came to join them occasionally, Ron scolding Ginny for flirting with boys when she was too young to date ("Newsflash, Ronald," she told him, "I've been dating since I was twelve."). Harry continued to attempt conversation with Hermione but she wasn't in a talkative mood, more of a reflective, alone-time mood that was usually reserved for her journal (not that she'd written in it in four months) or her studies.

She knew that Draco wasn't really mad. By the time she got back to the common room, it would have all blown over and they would sit by the fireplace and talk. Or snog. This petty little fight would have been forgotten. Because Hermione was sure that this time he had to think about it would lead him in the same direction as Hermione. When Draco really thought about it, there was no way that he couldn't agree with Hermione, she was sure. It was just a matter of getting through the ball and getting back upstairs.

She would have left the ball a few hours ago if it weren't for the fact that she had been neglecting her friends lately and spending most of her time with Draco. It was difficult to fit someone new into this whole world she already had well before he had even been an option. So she stayed. And now it was just after 11:45 and Hermione was ready to call it a night.

"I think I'm going to turn in," Hermione told Ginny, Ron, and Harry, not realizing she was interrupting an argument between the two Weasleys.

"Are you feeling alright?" Ginny asked. "You've been awfully quiet all night."

"Just tired I guess," Hermione replied, getting up from her chair. "I'll see you all tomorrow. Quidditch tomorrow, right?"

"You're coming?" Harry asked, perhaps a little more surprised that he should have been.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. G'night."

As Hermione began to walk away, she could hear Ginny and Ron resuming their argument.

"Now, 35, that's a respectable age to start dating…"

Hermione exited the Great Hall and breathed a sigh of relief, and then someone grabbed her hand and began to pull her out the front doors to the castle.

"What the hell, let go of me!" Hermione yelled, trying to beat her capture's hand off of hers. He only sighed and turned to face her.

"Calm down, will you? I'm not trying to kill you or anything."

He proceeded to pull her outside and once the full moon lit up the darkness around them, Hermione noticed two things at once.

The first thing she noticed was that this boy was the mysterious stranger that she had met at every ball. The second thing was that he had strangely familiar silver-blonde hair.

"No," Hermione whispered as the boy stopped inside on of the outdoor gazebos and turned to face her.

Hermione couldn't believe she had been so thick this entire time. His voice, his clothes, his dancing, his eyes… It couldn't be, but all the signs pointed in one direction. Somewhere a clock was chiming Midnight, but Hermione was lost in the deep silver eyes that were opened deep down into his soul for the first time. His unguarded eyes watched her carefully, observing her reaction as she put two and two together, waiting patiently for her to make a move.

Unnoticed, the clock ceased and Hermione's mask fell carelessly to the ground. The boy carefully removed his mask.

"It's you," Hermione said, reaching up to stroke his cheek.

"You know, for the brightest witch of our year, you can be pretty thick sometimes."

"I wanted it to be you so badly. But the logical side of my mind said it couldn't. Draco Malfoy would never be so sweet, so nice…"

"Well, at least not when anyone's looking," he replied smirking. "See, that's the funny thing about the logical voice in our heads. It sees one-sidedly, yet it refuses to entertain the possibility that it's ever wrong."

"A sweet Draco Malfoy?" Hermione replied, raising one eyebrow.

"Stranger things have happened." Draco smiled the smile that always made Hermione's heart skip a beat. "And, now," he said, holding out a hand, "would you like to dance?"

Instead of taking his hand, Hermione buried herself into his arms, winding hers around his neck as he chuckled softly.

"I love you," she whispered, breathing in the intoxicating fragrance of his cologne on his chest. He simply lifted her chin up and kissed her, silencing any questions she may have had about whether he felt the same.

The next morning, Draco woke and attempted to stretch, but found that both his arms were occupied and extremely numb. He opened his eyes and looked down to see a slightly bushy-haired girl curled up in his arms. Instantly, he smiled and kissed her forehead. Her eyes flew open.

"Hey," she whispered, her voice slightly hoarse.

"Hey," he replied.

Hermione stared into his eyes, trying to memorize each fleck of color as Draco tried to store each curve of her face into his memory. For some unknowable reason, they had dreamt the same dream, of the near future, of Voldemort's final return. Draco was betting on the fact that either of them very well might die, what with Draco switching sides, throwing the entire plan out of order, and Hermione being The-Boy-Who-Lived's best friend, being a muggleborn, and being the very thing that made Draco turn around and ruin the Dark Lord's plan. And Draco wanted to memorize her face so that he could recall it flawlessly in his last hour, if need be.

Draco was the one to break the silence.

"I was thinking…"

"Were you?" Hermione replied, teasingly.

"Yes, I was. About you and I."

"What about us?"

"Well, I…" Draco took a deep breath. "I don't see any reason why we have to keep it a secret anymore."

Whatever Hermione thought Draco was going to say, this was nothing close to it. Her eyes widened and it was a second before she found words and even longer before she could express them coherently.

"But I—you—we… What?"

"I think we should come out."

"Of the closet?" Hermione asked sarcastically, not taking Draco seriously for a moment. Draco rolled his eyes.

"No, I think we should come out to Hogwarts with our relationship. I can't think of any reason why we shouldn't."

"Well I can! I can think of a million!" Hermione exclaimed, twisting out of Draco's arms.

"Now I'm starting to think you don't want me," Draco replied, smirking.

"Draco, be serious! Have you lost your bloody mind?"

"No, I think I've found it. Think about it: the only reason we were keeping it quiet was because I cared about what everyone would think if I was seen with muggle-born, book worm Hermione Granger. But I don't care anymore. I couldn't care less. Let them think what they want. They are meaningless to me."

"First of all," Hermione replied, sitting up straight, "that's not the only reason we were keeping it quiet!"

"Really? And would you care to enlighten me about why we were keeping it quiet, since I obviously don't know why I do the things I do?"

"Um, how about the Death Eaters, your father, Voldemort, the future Death Eaters at Hogwarts, and the entire Hogwarts population, just to name a few," Hermione replied, ticking names off on her fingers. "You're not the only one who has a reputation to uphold."

"Oh Merlin, what will people think when they find out goody-goody Hermione Granger is dating evil Draco Malfoy!" Draco replied sarcastically, scowling.

"Come on, Draco. You're Head Boy. And, it's not… I just want to end the year on a good note. I'm about to be first in our class and I'm Head Girl, and I… I just don't want people's memory of me to be tarnished."

"So, I tarnish your image?" Draco retorted, standing up from the bed.

"Draco, you know I didn't mean—"

"Look at the facts, Hermione. We're leaving here in a month and a half. A month and a half. And then, who the hell cares what happens here?" Draco began to pace back and forth while Hermione watched him from on top of his bed. "We're getting out and going straight into a bloodbath! Do you think people are really going to give a damn that you dated me? Do you really think people are going to spare you a thought? They don't even care about you! Who the hell cares what they think?"

"I do," Hermione replied, quietly.

"Oh dear Merlin. You're seventeen years old, Hermione. You're a god damn adult now. When are you going to start realizing that these shallow, fake people don't matter? When are you going to start living your life yourself?"

"You're right."

"And, honestly—what?" Draco stopped his pacing and looked at Hermione.

"I said you're right. Now stop that ridiculous pacing and get over here," Hermione replied, holding out her arms for Draco. He sat down beside her and slipped an arm around her. "Of course you're right. You're always right."

"Can I get that in writing?" Draco replied, slightly smirking. Hermione shot him a half-hearted glare and then sighed.

"I'm just scared. About the Death Eaters, about Voldemort, about everything."

"I know. Me too."

"Can I get that in writing?" Hermione joked, trying to ease the mood. Draco scowled.

"Listen, it doesn't matter. They already know. Lucius already knows. It's pretty pointless trying to keep something from them. They always have their ways."

"They already know?" Hermione squeaked, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"Yes. But I'll keep you safe. I'll even walk you to all your classes if you like. And I'm sure your friends Pot-head and Weasel can suffice when I'm not there. They have managed to scrape past Voldemort himself once or twice." Hermione shot him a glare. Draco chuckled.

"You know, if you're going to be involved with me, you're going to have to stop being so rude to my friends. They're all I've ever had. And they've always accepted me, no questions asked, no regrets." Draco's eyes hardened.

"They may have known you longer, but you saved my life once I grew out of my father's shadow," he replied, darkly. "And I love you more than they could ever even understand, no questions asked, no regrets."

"Draco… You don't have to like them, because Merlin knows that's never going to happen in this lifetime or any other. But, please, for me. Don't be so hard on them."

After a minute of staring forcefully into Hermione's eyes, Draco sighed and his gaze softened.

"Fine, as long as I don't have to like them, I'll ease up a little. But they've got to get used to the fact that I'm not going anywhere." Hermione smiled and eased herself into Draco's arms.

"I like the sound of that."

There was a long moment of silence before Draco broke it once again.

"So, lunchtime? Shall we come out with it?"

"Draco…"

"Hermione, look at me," he replied, forcing her chin up to meet his eyes. "The bottom line is, like it or not, we're leaving in a month and a half. Then nothing that happened here will matter. We'll be shoved off into the real world where no one cares who had the best gossip or who won the most Quidditch or who dated who. It's all ending here, so what does it matter if everyone knows about us? I don't care about my reputation or yours. There's only a month and a half left in the only place I've ever been able to call home, my comfort, my security. I want to spend this short time with you and not have to hide it. No regrets, remember? I don't have anything to apologize for. I love you, and no one else really matters to me."

Hermione sighed as she looked into his eyes.

"You promise we'll be careful, though? Like, body armor during Quidditch careful?"

Draco smiled before claiming her lips with his. And just as Hermione began to lose herself in this kiss, Draco pulled back slightly.

"I knew I would win," he said, his lips curving upwards into his trademark smirk. And before Hermione had the chance to protest, Draco pulled her towards him in another kiss. It was a considerable amount of time before either of them remembered the Quidditch match.

"So, I take it you're cheering for Gryffindor?" Draco asked Hermione as she walked him to the Slytherin locker rooms.

"Well, naturally, I'll have to sit on the Gryffindor side, but I'll be rooting for both of you."

"Hermione, you can't cheer for both teams. That defeats the whole purpose."

Hermione frowned and Draco took a quick look around to make sure no one was near before planting a kiss on her pouting lips.

"Good luck," she told him. "And, I know you're a Slytherin, but please, for once, try not to seriously injure any of the Gryffindors."

"Quidditch is a brutal game. I don't make any promises," Draco replied, smiling. Hermione glared and put her hands on her hips. "I'm only kidding. This is the last game, my last game playing on a real team for probably the rest of my life. I want to go out with dignity."

"Thank you," Hermione responded, before giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

"Mmm, thank you," he replied, pulling her in for another kiss.

"Oi, Malfoy!" They heard from across the lawn and immediately broke apart.

"Good luck!" Hermione repeated before ducking through the side bushes to the Gryffindor locker rooms.

"Hermione?" Harry asked as soon as Hermione was visible through the bushes. She blushed automatically and began to pick leaves out of her hair.

"What the bloody hell are you doing, hiding in bushes?" Ron asked, snorting.

"No, Ronald, I was not. It just so happens that the Slytherin locker rooms are on the other side of these bushes," Hermione replied matter-of-factly. Harry's face fell the slightest bit and Ron shifted uncomfortably.

Hermione enjoyed the fact that Ron and Harry liked her to keep that part of her life quiet, as opposed to Ginny who wanted to gush over every detail, but she was starting to get annoyed by them. They acted as if nothing had happened, and she knew they would have preferred it that way, but this was a major change in her life and it wouldn't kill them to acknowledge it. That's when Hermione realized that it would be a relief to come out with their relationship at lunchtime because she was tired of shoving it under the rug, of covering up her tracks.

"So, I take it you're going to be cheering for Slytherin?" Harry asked quietly.

"I'm going to be cheering for both of you," Hermione repeated, smiling.

"Hermione, you can't cheer for both sides. That defeats the whole purpose." Hermione's smile grew as Ron repeated Draco's exact words only moments before.

"Well I never really got Quidditch to begin with, so it really doesn't matter much, does it?"

Ron rolled his eyes and Harry smiled.

"Well, we've got to change for the match," Harry told her as they turned to walk into the locker room tent.

"Wait," Hermione said, biting her lip in nervousness. "There's something I need to tell you guys."

"Oh, Merlin not again. What is it this time, you're having an affair with Snape?" Ron asked sarcastically. Harry poked him in the ribs.

"Go ahead, Hermione. We're listening."

"Well, Draco and I have decided to come out with our relationship to Hogwarts. At lunch today, actually. We don't want to have to hide it anymore. And, really, what does it matter what they think? The only people I care about already know. Anyway, I think that it's going to be really hard on me. I have a feeling people aren't going to be very nice. So, I was hoping that you guys could help me out."

Ron's mouth was slightly agape, but Harry, who had changed and grown up so much in the past year, was surprisingly understanding.

"Sure, Hermione. What do you need us to do?" He asked her calmly.

"You mean you're okay with this? I thought you would say I was crazy and would give me to the clutches of Hogwarts."

"Well, I still can't say that I agree with your relationship, and I can't see why you guys won't wait a month until you leave Hogwarts, but it sort of makes sense if you think about it."

"Well, we know that Draco's father already knows about us. And if he does, then—"

"—Voldemort already knows," Harry finished for her.

"Exactly. He's coming anyway. And soon. We want to be together while we can, because… well, there's not exactly any guarantees in this. And why not have a united front?"

"Hermione, you know I don't expect you to—"

"Harry, you're my best friend. And I love you. Both of you. There's no way I'm letting you do this by yourself. I knew what I was getting into when I became friends with you. And I've lasted six years. Don't you think I've got another year in me?"

"Hermione, please, this isn't like the other times. It's going to be really dangerous."

"Like the other times weren't dangerous? Listen, Harry, I'm not going anywhere. I don't intend to for a very long time. We're doing this together, and I won't take no for an answer."

Harry broke out into a weak grin and by this time Ron had composed himself.

"Well good luck, then. You're going to need it. You're about to make a lot of enemies," Ron told Hermione.

"I don't care about that. All I care about is Draco, and you two, and Ginny. The rest I can take. With your help. So, will you help me?"

"With what?" Ron asked.

"Just looking out for me and things like that. I reckon I'm going to get it worse from Draco's admirers." She rolled her eyes. "And if things get bad enough, I might need two body guards to escort me to class and stuff when Draco's not around."

"I'm sorry to say it, but Malfoy's name sounds horrible coming out of your mouth," Ron replied and Hermione rolled her eyes again and waited for an answer.

"Of course we'll help you," Harry replied. "Right Ron?" He poked Ron in the ribs again to get his attention.

"Ouch! What? Oh yeah, right. We'll help you."

Hermione smiled and shook her head at the two.

"Thanks, guys. It really means a lot for me that you'll be there for me in this hard time." She pulled them into a hug.

"Alright, this is getting too mushy for me," Ron said after a minute, pulling away and looking slightly pink at the ears.

"Well good luck out there you two. Make us proud," Hermione told them, still smiling. And her two best friends, the best friends in the world she was thinking at that particular moment, disappeared behind the crimson curtain that waved to her in the wind.

Author's Note: Again, sorry for the long wait for this chapter. A lot has been happening in my life, but hopefully I'm back on track with these stories. Also, Masked Denial is reaching it's end! I'd say it's got maybe two or three more chapters in it. It's kinda sad, isn't it? But I'll still be working on Two Twisted Teens and Feed On Fear until those are done.

Anyway, Thanks:

AmericanIdiot252--I hope you forgive me again for this lateness, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! There's a lot of fluff, but I wanted to make sure that Draco wasn't all changed now that he's in love, that he's still the Slytherin Bastard we all love him to be, so I tried to make them fight in this chapter. Hopefully it was okay. Thanks for reading!

jnjnorris--I hope you liked the ball and just the chapter overall. Thanks for reviewing and keep reading!

Marguex--Thanks for the suggestion. I've actually already written the ending to this fic. I do that with every story I write, I write the ending like in the middle of the story, lol. Hopefully you guys will all like the ending, but I'm not giving anything away, so you'll just have to wait and see! Thanks for reading.

JenJen10143

ebm56 --Thanks! I hope I didn't change Draco too much once he realized he loved her. I don't buy that who, guy-changing-from-a-bad-ass-bastard-into-a-nice-guy-cuz-he-found-his-true-love bullshit, so i tried to make him not change so much. Thanks for reviewing and please keep reading!

And thanks to everyone else. Thanks for reading, all of you, and bearing with me through my unpredictable updates. Next is FOF and TTT, so keep reading and reviewing!

xDreamerx