Support system numero quatre

Authors note: I had trouble describing Hermiones dress so think Keira knightleys green dress in Atonement, if that helps.

Hermione adored Ginnys' flat. It was a three story town house in Notting Hill. Walking in was like entering a Pemberly in Pride & Prejudice, impeccably romantic and classic in every way. She gushed for at least ten minutes every time she came to visit, a very un-Hermione like trait, Ginny however never took credit for her home.

"Hermione please, how many times have I told you? I bought the place like this." Hermione blushed she was completely enamored with the place. "Tea?"

She smiled gladly taking the steaming cup as Ginny rummaged through her large refrigerator. Ginevra Weasley, to everyone except close friends and family was a traditional beauty. She was tall and gracefully long limbed, she had less freckles then when she was younger and her aqua eyes were always shining. She split her time between London and Paris since she was a free lance writer for an international wizarding publishing company. For the past few years she had been working on her first book, a recent history of the wizarding world.

Hermione got ready in one of the spare bed rooms. The whole time she couldn't shake a feeling in the pit of her stomach. She tried to shake it by busying herself with taking a long shower and getting ready but she only made it half way till she rushed in to Ginnys' room. She threw on Harrys' or Rons' she couldn't remember whose old Gryffindor Quidditch jersey when she had almost walked out in her skivvies.

As soon as she entered however she blushed furiously. She felt completely ridiculous. Ginny looked stunning in a long silver gown her ginger hair twisted in to an ornate bun and large emerald and diamond earrings dripping from her ears. She smiled sheepishly feeling foolish in a grungy jersey and messy hair.

"Hermione? Well heavens sake you're not even dressed!"

"Ginny, I cannot go."

Ginny had been, adjusting one of her earring and nearly lost her balance. "Excuse me? Hermione, are you off your rocker? This is your ball, you have to go, there is no I cannot anything." Walking over to her she placed her handed on Hermione's petite almost boney shoulders and stared her straight in the eyes. "You're Hermione bloody Granger, the next head of the Auctorius Firm, there is nothing you cannot do." Hermione nodded not quite convinced but she didn't have a chance to protest, Ginny marched her back down the hall and helped her finish getting ready. With a lot of assistance from Ginny she was remarkably ready on time. They had only moments until their escorts arrived and Ginny rushed back to her room for some final touches.

Hermione was left staring at her reflection in a full length mirror, her nerves creeping up from her stomach to form a lump in her throat. All too soon her friend was in the door way beckoning her to join her to greet their escorts. With one last deep breath she went with Ginny downstairs. Draco looked remarkably dashing. He wore a black military style dress uniform that was accented with green cuffs with silver lining with a silver sash and green and silver medals. He even had a sword slung at his hip; it had a silver hilt adorned with large emeralds. What really struck her was his pale blond hair. It was tussled and hung slightly in his burning granite eyes. They stopped at the foot of the stairs and were quickly greeted by their respective companions. Hermione noticed the man with whom Draco stood with; a tall dark and handsome man she could only assume was Ginny's' date as he kissed her cheek.

The young Malfoy did all he could to keep his jaw from hitting the floor. Hermione was a vision in the darkest shade of blue. Her gown was a v neck cut in the front, with long thin straps running to the very low back and a long flowing hem line. She wore a bracelet on her right arm that looked like a single bronzed raven feather. Ginny had kept her make up simple just a peachy lip, bronze eye shadow, and bronzer over her cheek bones. The silk seemed to flow over her smooth alabaster skin like deep blue ink. She had trouble breathing already, and with the way Draco was gazing at her she felt as though she would faint.

Draco took her hand and bowed lightly kissing her hand just above her knuckles, never breaking their eye contact. She could feel the blood rush to her face as he straightened back up, she stepped down as they interlocked arms. Ginny introduced the pair to Xavier Coravos, a Greek wizard who was very famous for his immense fortune. As they stepped out of the flat Hermione whispered "Is my ensemble satisfactory Mr. Malfoy?" Looking up at him, she was met by something not often found when in the presence of a Malfoy, warmth.

He smiled charmingly without a hint of a smirk,"Miss Granger you look," he paused searching for the right word, another rare occurrence "exquisite." She smiled but her anxiety hadn't waned.

The small group of the young and powerful entered the grand foyer of the building where the ball was being held to see many influential wizards and witches mingling. The group split to greet acquaintances and friends, Hermione and Draco made their way in to the main ball room where two hundred tables were set up for the meal. They found Titus already at his table, he wasn't the mingling type, people came to him. He turned from some head of a foreign wizarding firm he was talking to when he saw his apprentices approaching. He politely finished his conversation and made his way to them.

"Hermione! You are truly a vision." He took her hand and squeezed it then turned to Draco "I think Mr. Malfoy, you have acquired the most captivating company this evening." he shook his hand and gave him a wink. They stayed and chatted with Titus until it seemed time to begin the meal. They were seated a few tables over yet they still had to make their way through the throng of the international wizarding elite. The two of them constantly being stopped by witches and wizards; They were almost at their table when she saw him. His back was turned to them but as if he could sense her presence, he turned. It happened slowly; he turned his eyes immediately meeting her own. The look that passed between them almost threw Hermione off her feet and it took all her strength not to let it show.

Harry Potter looked so handsome. He was dressed very much like Draco only with gold and crimson, she didn't even need to ask to know he was dressed as Godric Gryffindor. The young wizards of them obviously went to the same costumer for their more modern costumes. His hair was slightly less messy then usual, he'd obviously made an earnest effort to tame his raven locks. His green eyes sparkled, a small shy smile coming across his face. She was brought back down to earth however when Draco stepped forward to greet Harry; the two young gentlemen where rather friendly as they shook hands smiling and talking. She was soon swept up by Ron who was dressed as Lord Edward Prewitt, his ancestor from the 15th century, who was famous for being very powerful and intimidating but he a truly ridiculous moustache. Prewitt had been a wizarding Magistrate but strangely disappeared on his 38th birthday never to be heard from again. Ron took both of her hands and kissed her on the cheek, she giggled as his moustache tickled her cheek.

"Miss Granger you are a knock out."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley; you really are the spitting image of old Eddy Prewitt." His ears flushed bright red. She quickly noticed there was no young lady accompanying the young Weasley. "Ronald how much longer are you going to go stag to all these events?" This made his ears turn even more scarlet.

"Come, come Hermione, Harry's my date. I must say he is quite a catch." They both laughed this caught Harry and Draco's attention. The pair looked at Hermione and Ron with quizzical looks.

"All right, what are you two girls giggling about?" Harry inquired as they joined them. Draco once again linked arms with Hermione, garnering a pause in which Ron and Harry were fixated by their intertwined limbs.

"Harry, did I see the minister surrounded by eight aurors?"

"Eight? That's ludicrous," Scoffed Draco as he played with the hilt of his sword with his gloved free hand.

"It may be ludicrous but it's true." Harry said nodding at Hermione.

"Blimey is he ever paranoid. Who is he worried about the leprechauns?" joked Ron.

"That's very likely knowing him." Said Harry, suddenly their conversation was interrupted by the light tinkling of bells signaling dinner. They sat down still chatting happily as they were joined by Ginny followed by Xavier and Neville with his wife Lydia. Hermione smiled politely and chatted amicably but inside she was being torn apart. She was seated directly across from Harry and was finding it impossible not to steal glances at him. She became flushed however when she stole a glance Harry's way while talking to Neville. She was about to look back to Neville when his green eyes turned her way catching her gaze. Panicked she quickly turned back to Neville nodding furiously.

Dinner went smoothly after that but she was having trouble meeting Harry's gaze again without blushing. She hadn't even noticed her streak turned jet black. The food was phenomenal, and their champagne flutes never seems to empty. Their plates gold plates disappeared as Titus stood up to begin the dancing as was tradition. He thanked everyone for attending and said how much he looked forward to this event the whole year. He then made his way over her table and held out his hand to Hermione.

"May I have this dance Miss Granger?" She nodded and took his hand. People stood as the tables evaporated along the chairs. Small little baubles of golden and silver light seemed to float down from the ceiling hanging in the air. They waltzed across the floor gracefully; Hermione was a very competent dancer as was Titus to say the least. When the song finished the two bowed to each other and Titus took her hand and kissed the top of it. The large crowd clapped as a faster song started up and other couples joined them on the dance floor. Titus then left, he never stayed past the first dance. Hermione had barely turned around to leave the dance floor when she was scooped up by Draco. He was an excellent dancer, moving her across the floor effortlessly with spins and dips here and there. At the end of the song she was flushed from keeping up with him.

He escorted her off the floor then left her to get them some champagne. They laughed and talked for a couple of songs sipping champagne with others from the firm. Ginny and Xavier soon joined them as well.

"Hermione I envy you, you've got yourself the best dancer in the room. Xavi here has two left feet!"

"I do not! Here I will show you." With that Xavier grabbed Hermione's hands and led her on the dance floor. Ginny smirked and looked at Draco.

"What do you say? Let's show 'em what's what." He took her offer with a smirk.

Xavier was a good dancer, not nearly as good as Draco was however. "You know Xavier I don't know what Ginny's going on about you're a good dancer." Hermione said as he spun her out then twirled her back to him.

"Thank you Hermione, I'm very pleased you think so." And with that he lifted her up off the floor as the song ended. He brought her back down gently the two of them laughing as they clapped. She was surprised however when she felt a tap on her bare shoulder. She turned to see standing behind her.

"May I have the next dance, Hermione?" speechless she nodded, Xavier saying he was going to find Ginny but neither of them were really listening. Harry took her up in his arms he placed his hand on her bare back pulling her body up against his. She was caught off guard by his bold actions and deep down inside so was he. The song was fast and filled with heat, and that's exactly the way they danced. Before they knew it the song was over and the couples around them clapped but they were still embracing gasping for air.

"Harry I did not know you could dance like that." She said breathlessly.

"Neither did I, honestly." He smiled down at her. The next song was much slower yet sexier in it's own way but without a word they began dancing again. Slower but still filled with passionate tension. Unlike the previous song where time seemed to slip away, now time seemed to have slowed to a snails pace. Harry lowered Hermione in a dip as the song ended. They stayed like for moment frozen gazing deep in to each others eyes. When suddenly from not to far away came the familiar 'Oi!' jolting them back in to reality, taken aback Harry lost his once firm grip on Hermione and she crashed to the floor.

Embarrassed Harry tried to find his words as Hermione was helped up by Draco. But before he could apologize she was being taken away by Draco to get Champagne. With his arm around her waist he led her toward the bar. Harry watched them for sometime inwardly cursing his stupidity, and as fate would have it turned to Ron as Hermione looked back at him wishing to be back in his arms.