Pure As Blood?

Conversation was nonexistant at the Slytherin table, mainly just the loud sound of slurping as Crabbe helped himself to fourth serving; scooping up more mashed potatoes as Goyle tried desperately to catch up.

Then, a feminine voice spoke, breaking the long silence: "So Draco, darling," Pansy purred from across the table, "about the Winter Ball, what color dress robes will you be wearing? Afterall, I must make sure mine matches yours - or are you wearing black - again?" she asked him, making no attempt to hide the silent disgust spreading quickly across her face.

"What do you think I'm wearing?!" Draco snapped. "A pink robe with fluffy white bunnies on it? Of course I'm wearing black!"

Draco was still irritated at Pansy for not only managing to corner him, outside Potions class, but also blackmail him. Nobody had ever dared blackmail a Malfoy and now Pansy had done just that to go to some stupid Ball.. To be honest she was the last person he wanted to go with, Draco would have rather gone with somebody else, anybody else, even Moaning Myrtle seemed like a better choice. But right now he didn't have a choice and that only helped in fueling his anger.

"The Winter Ball is going to be one long night," Draco thought bitterly to himself .

Pansy sat, looking slightly annoyed at Draco's sharp words, but said nothing in response. Instead, she tried to change the subject.

"Well, fine then Draco. Why don't you tell Crabbe and Goyle about your latest plan to ruin Mudblood's chances with that dreadful Weasley boy or perfect Pot-"

"Pansy, would you shut up just for once!" Draco hissed between clenched teeth, "There are too many people here! And besides I'm not 'ruining her chances' I'm simply - forget it - Time would be wasted explaining it to you. Tomorrow we'll meet in Hogsmeade. All of us," he said casting a warning glare at each of them, "You know where, at nine o'clock, got it?" With that he rose from the table, robes swinging from side to side with each quick step. And then he was gone.

___ __ _ __ ___

Hermione watched the flames dance in the Gryffindor fireplace, which had begun casting dark shadows on the painted walls, as she tried to settle the pacing Ron down.

"Who does she think she is? Acting that way!" Ron asked Hermione back in the common room.

Hermione let out a low sigh. "Ron, she's your sister and she's getting older-"

"Yeah, so what?" Ron replied childishly.

Hermione began again. "She's getting older Ron, and she's going to have to grow up sometime, you know that. And you're-" she paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully, "-you're going to have to let her grow up."

"I know that! I really do, 'Mione. But why can't - why can't they just leave her alone?" he asked her as he fell into a worn armchair.

Hermione smiled. It never ceased to amaze her at how much he cared for his sister. But then again, Ginny was the only one he had.

"Listen, Ron, you have to be happy for her. She likes that, well, guys like her. And she is old enough to know right from wrong. She'll pick a good guy, don't worry!"

"I guess."

"And besides you'll always be there to beat up any boy who breaks her heart," Hermione said reassuringly, but knew in her heart that Ron wouldn't do that sort of thing, "Anyway, I have to go."

"What? But this is a real problem! Life or death you know," Ron protested.

"Really, life or death?" Hermione repeated a bit amused, "Look. I'll. Talk. To. You. Later," she said, "Right now I have to go meet Harry in the library. I'm already late as it is."

"Ohh, you're meeting Harry. Right then, I'll talk to you later," Ron replied.

"Wait, what does that me-" Hermione began.

"-I'll. Talk. To. You. Later," Ron repeated, smirking.

"Okay, fine. Bye Ron," she said eyeing him suspiciously.

"Why did he stop when I mentioned Harry? Does he know something I don't? Probably. Harry must have already told him before me. Boys," Hermione thought as she climbed out of the portrait hole.

___ __ _ __ ___

In the library, Hermione spotted Harry sitting towards the back of room, engulfed in a thick leather-back book. This gave her hope. Maybe he would start studying with her, for once, instead of practicing Quidditch with Ron. But to her disappointment as she walked closer Hermione saw he was holding a copy of "Quidditch Tips and Tricks". She sighed. "At least he's devoted to something."

"Hello Harry."

"Oh. Hello 'Mione!" Harry said, looking up from his book. "I was just reading a bit before you got here. Very interesting book this is. I thought I could use a few of these moves against Malfoy."

"That's great Harry! See the library's not that horrible, so maybe," Hermione slipped in, "you could come more often.... to read more about Quidditch I mean."

"Yeah, I suppose I could," he said, setting the book down.

"Is this what he wanted to talk about? Quidditch? Doesn't he know I usually read during those games?" Hermione thought.

"So... you wanted to talk about Quidditch then? I think Ron might be more useful there."

"Well no, not really. Actually what I wanted to talk to you about was...," Harry stopped mid-sentence and looked down, almost fondly at his shoes, "....well the Winter Ball."

At that thoughts began floading into her head, but the main one was:

"What?"

Going slightly pink around the ears, Harry said, "I was just wondering if you, um, had a date for the Winter Ball yet?"

"No, not yet," Hermione said, oblivious for once to what he was getting at.

Harry was amazed. He had thought for sure that someone would've asked her by now. For Hermione looked so different this year then last, like a whole another girl. Her hair was tamed and slightly wavy at the ends. And her eyes were a deep cinnamon brown that sparkled when she spoke or laughed. Hermione had gotten gorgeous over the summer, at least that was what Harry thought.

"Then, umm, would you like to go with me?" he asked, looking up from his shoes and into her eyes.

"Oh," she laughed, "I thought you wanted to talk about something serious... wait. What did you say?!"

"Would you like to the Winter Ball with me? Not that you would want to go, I mean if you don't want to it's completely up to you, I'd be okay with that. I...," Harry rambled on.

Hermione fell silent. For the majority of the five years she had spent at Hogwarts this was only a dream to her. Hermione had thought about this happening many time, more specifically of how she might react: what she would say and do down to the little hair twirl, which Lavender swore guys liked. But all that vanished, she could only stare, shocked. What about the thoughts she was having for Draco? Hermione found herself wondering if it would it be right to go with Harry, if she was still thinking about Draco.

"Of course," said something in the back of her mind, "Of course it'll be all right. These thoughts of Draco mean nothing. They will pass, they will pass."

She hoped that was true.

Putting a finger to his lips, Hermione silenced his rambling. "Yes, Harry, I would love to go to the ball with you!"

___ __ _ __ ___

The silver moon stood high in the night sky when several cloaked figures made their way off Hogwart grounds. Pushing aside the tree branch that blocked the hidden path, they walked on. Unknown to all but the three of them, it was a short cut that proved useful in not only taking them where they wanted to go, but also getting them there without being spotted.

The moon above lit their path. And the wind blew hard, throwing custers of clouds around the night sky and threatening to block their only light source. Finally they immerged from the path. Right next to it say the wooden inn - Hog's Head. The leader of the group pushed open the door and proceeded in.

"'Bout bloody time you three got here," said the blonde boy with a butter beer in hand.

They walked over to him and took a seat.

"We had to get past Filch, he kept walking down the Slytherin corrider," Crabbe muttered.

"Yeah! It was like he was expecting us," Pansy told him, "but you wouldn't know anything about that, would you Draco?"

"What are you getting at Pansy?" Draco asked innocently, "That I made sure you three were in the common room, then anonymously tipped him off before I left, just for a bit of... amusement?"

Pansy eyed him, not quite sure if that actually happened, or if het had too much time to think up a story while he waited for them.

"So what's the plan?" Goyle asked randomly.

"Right, the plan," Draco said thoughtfully, then snapping his fingers he ordered three more butter beers, "Oh, and after that could you go outside for a bit?"

"Go outside for a bit?" the man hesitated.

"Yes. That'd be great, thanks."

After filling the drinks the bartender left, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, "Damn Malfoys. If Lucius wasn't his father ..."

"He's a wonderful friend of the family.God bless his cheery soul..." Draco said, "Anyway about the plan. It's nothing special I was just thinking that Potty, Weasel, and Granger are becoming a bit too confident." As he said this he remembered running into Hermione on the train and getting no reaction out of her. "They need a reminder of who's in charge."

"Like what?" asked Goyle as he hit one fist into his overly plump hand.

"Calm down Goyle, I didn't plan on getting expelled," Draco said and took a sip from his butter beer, "At least not on our first week back. Anyway I was thinking this plan would cause a much deeper pain than simply scrapes and bruises. Emotional pain, you know? I think one of us should to earn Granger's trust, then use that against her. But when I say 'earn her trust' I don't mean small things, I mean her secrets, deep secrets, ones she hasn't even told Potter."

"Who'd do that?" Crabbe asked.

"Well me, since we are both Prefects now. It would just be easier than, well, you three. And I know I can get Snape to partner us up for the potions essay."

"And you'd make her like you?" Pansy scrunched up her nose, repulsed.

"Well that was the plan," Draco said.

"Draco, I don't know I'm beginning to have second thoughts about this plan," Pansy whined, "I mean she's a mubblood."

"Relax Pansy! I have to get her to like me if this is going to work," Draco said, "What is she going to have a crush on these two?" Draco pointed to Crabbe and Goyle, smiling.

___ __ _ __ ___

Hermione awoke the next morning feeling unusually rested. Her usually tired eyes seemed wide and alert. She layed there few a minutes trying to find out why that was. Then looking across the room Hermione noticed all the beds were empty; no one was in the dormitory!

"Oh no! I'm late for class! I don't believe this!" Hermione exclaimed as she scrambled to get out of bed, but instead got tangled in the sheet covers and fell to the floor.

"I don't need this, I really don't need this."

Untangling herself, Hermione grabbed her wand off the nightstand then rushed to her closet where she threw on a shirt and skirt.

"Peniculus." The brush that had been lying by the mirror began to brush her hair in long strokes as she grabbed her shoes and shoved them on.

"I can't believe I'm late!"

The dormitory door gave a creak. "Late for what?" asked Ginny from the doorway. "And why are you dressed for class?"

"Wh-what do you mean? It's Friday, isn't it?"

"Well yes, it is Friday, but remember classes are canceled today?" Still getting the blank stare Ginny continued, "Because of the Winter Ball."

"Oh, right. I'd forgotten that," Hermione said, a bit embarassed.

"Well Lavander, Parviti, and I are going to Hogsmeade for dresses. They're going to help me pick out one and I was wondering if you wanted to come?"

"Sure I'd love to go. I'll be down once I change -" Hermione looked down at what she was wearing, her school robes "- into something else."