The Error of My Ways

 The following week seemed to fly by faster than a Firebolt. Hermione could not understand how she managed to get through Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Every time she looked at Professor Lupin, she turned red. For his part, Professor Lupin seemed to be smiling an awful lot.

 "This is so embarrassing," she thought to herself, "But it could have been worse...it could have been Professor McGonagall. I would have had a lifetime's worth of detention."

 Thankfully, the nightmare had not resurfaced and she had been able to sleep in relative peace. Even so, she could not get it out of her mind. It had been a frightening dream and she could still remember it so vividly, not like the others which quickly blurred with time. This one was different. She could not shake the feeling that it meant something...something important...something terrible.

 "I am being ridiculous. This is a dream. Nothing more. Honestly, if I really thought there were more to it than that, I would never have dropped Divination back in third year."

 Maybe it wasn't even the dream that was giving her that sense of foreboding. Maybe it was a feeling that people were watching out for her, keeping an eye on her and making sure she was never too far out of reach. She had seen Professor Snape keeping a close eye on her during breakfast. She had noticed Professor Lupin come into the common room much more frequently. She even realized that Professor McGonagall's nightly chats after the study group was done were a pretence of making sure that she got to her dorm in one piece. It seemed as if everyone thought she was in danger, which did not make her feel much better.

 One night, she was sitting rather morosely in the common room, surrounded by the active chatter of her friends. Looking around, she saw Harry and Ron engaged in a rather violent game of Wizard Chess, judging by how loudly the pieces were yelling. Lavender and Parvati were goggling over a new catalogue of dress robes that Fleur had sent to them. Neville, Dean and Seamus were playing Exploding Snap. She noticed that Draco was talking to Percy.

 "Wonder what they're talking about?" she thought to herself.

 Percy nodded to Draco and the younger boy walked over to her. Percy walked over to watch Ron and Harry play another game of Wizard Chess.

 "Hey Granger," he smiled.

 "Is it your turn for guard duty?" she asked somewhat testily.

 Draco smiled rather mischievously.

 "I just thought a game of Exploding Snap would be fun. Unless you want to read an exciting chapter of "Hogwarts: A History" to me."

 Hermione laughed, her moodiness forgotten.

 "You've come a long way, Malfoy. I never thought I'd see the day when you would make me laugh."

 "I take that as a compliment."

 "Don't be such a prat. I mean it. Even Harry and Ron are starting to treat you like another Gryffindor. It isn't so forced anymore. I can tell."

 "Well, I have to tell you, this past while in Gryffindor has been much better than my previous six years in Slytherin. The only good things about Slytherin were the couple of real friends I had and, of course, Snape."

 "Professor Snape puzzles me."

 "Why?"

 "I haven't figured out what puzzles me. His whole attitude has changed over the summer."

 "You know, we could discuss this while we play."

 "Okay."

 Draco quickly fished out a deck from his robe pocket and began to deal.

 "Percy must really care for you, Granger."

 Hermione turned to Draco in some surprise. He was looking at her in that way that made her think of Professor Snape.

 "That's a surprising thing for you to say, Malfoy. What made you say that?"

 "Because he doesn't feel threatened by...by anything."

 "Well, there is nothing for him to feel threatened about."

 "No, I suppose not."

 "Are you all right, Malfoy?"

 "Sure. Why?"

 "You look a bit flushed."

 "I'm fine...really. Hey, I was wondering...could I join your study group? NEWT's have me worried a little and the extra studying would help. Besides, I've seen how it's helped Longbottom in Potions."

 "True. Professor Snape is letting him use the good cauldrons now."

 They were both smiling now as they played. Draco watched Hermione...the way she bit her bottom lip and furled her brow slightly when she was concentrating. He almost shook his head in disbelief...she and Percy really were a lot alike...both taking things so seriously.

 "Including each other," he thought to himself somewhat wistfully as Hermione happily won a round.

 As she collected the cards to deal them again, she looked up at him and grinned, "Are you going to the Yule Ball?"

 For a moment, Draco was speechless. Then he smirked and crossed his arms over his chest and tried to look very smug.

 "I'll be there on one condition," he drawled very dramatically.

 Hermione looked at him curiously but with laughter in her eyes.

 "And what would that be?" she asked.

 Draco leaned forward to pick up the cards that she had dealt him.

 "Save me a dance," he said quietly, smiling nervously.

 Hermione nodded.

 "On one condition."

 "Yes?"

 "Don't step on my toes or I will set fire to your robes," she smiled back, "Just ask Professor Snape...I'm pretty good at that."

"Are you ready to come out yet, Hermione?" Ginny asked for the hundredth time. The youngest Weasley was sitting on a chair while having her hair done by Parvati (who was very good at that sort of thing).

 "Just one second. This fastening thingee is stuck," Hermione's voice filtered through the closet door.

 "Thingee?" Lavender said to Ginny. Ginny shrugged.

 "You look so nice, Lavender. Ron is going to be left speechless. Parvati, Neville is going to be floored," Ginny gushed.

 The two older girls smiled at the compliments.

 "Well, what do you think?" Parvati asked Ginny as she handed the younger girl a mirror.

 Parvati had chosen a simple yet elegant updo for Ginny which was sleek and polished but had a crazy bunch of ringlets at the nape of her neck.

 "Wow...I hope Harry likes it," she sighed at her reflection.

 Lavender smiled as she took the mirror away.

 "If he doesn't like it I will personally place the Full Body Bind spell on him until he comes to his senses," she said in a tone of mock seriousness.

 "Okay, I am coming out now. Please refrain from laughing," Hermione's voice interrupted them.

 The three girls saw the closet door open and watched Hermione step forward.

 "You look beautiful," Parvati said in a hushed voice. The others simply nodded.

 Hermione blushed as she looked at her reflection in the mirror on the wall. Yes, the colour of the robes really brought out the highlights in her hair and the design made her look...well...very feminine.

 "Are you sure the neckline isn't too low?" she asked.

 "It's just where it should be," Lavender assured her, "Now, why don't you sit yourself down and let Parvati work her magic on your hair."

 Hermione nodded and Ginny got up to stand by the door while Parvati worked quickly and efficiently on the masses of brown hair.

 "With a gown as classic as this, you want to have a classic hairstyle. I am going to do a simple french roll. It's elegant and really shows off the neckline of your dress. I can tuck in some flowers, if you like."

 Hermione reached over on the table where the gardenias that Percy had given her lay spread out. She handed them to Parvati.

 "Perfect. Now, just give me a second...just one more over here...all done. Now, tell me what you think."

 Hermione looked at her reflection in the mirror that Parvati handed her and smiled. She turned to give the other girl a hug.

 "Thank you so much."

 "Don't worry about it. Come on, we have time for a quick game of Exploding Snap before we have to go down," Parvati pulled out a deck.

 "Besides," Ginny grinned, "We are supposed to be fashionably late."

 The other girls laughed as they settled into the game.

"Do I look all right to you, Ron?" Harry asked nervously as he stood in his rich auburn coloured dress robes.

 Ron frowned at him.

 "You are asking the wrong Weasley, my friend."

 Draco stepped into the room, wearing a set of tailored dress robes in a smoky charcoal colour.

 "Those are new," Ron commented.

 Draco shrugged, "What about you...don't remember you wearing those last year."

 "The twins seem to think that they are obligated to buy me a new set of dress robes every year," Ron said in a bemused tone as he looked over his burgundy dress robes while Harry tried not to grin.

 "Well, they can certainly afford it, their joke shop has done phenomenally well," Draco reflected, "Do you think you'll join them in that venture after you graduate?"

 "I've thought about it loads of times but my first career choice has always been an Auror. What about you?"

 Draco grinned.

 "Would you fall over backwards if I said the same thing? Father would kill me...well, I suppose he has already tried," Draco's voice faltered slightly.

 Harry walked over to him and clapped a hand on his shoulder.

 "We're going to get you through this, Malfoy,...you've got our word on that. You've proven yourself to us over the last while, especially how you've been helping Percy and Hermione, and we'll stand by you whenever you need us."

 Ron nodded with a determined look in his eye as if he half-expected Lucius Malfoy to suddenly jump out of Harry's trunk and wanted to be ready when he did.

 Draco smiled.

 "You are such a bunch of Gryffindors, you know that?" he laughed.

 "Thanks for the compliment," Harry and Ron said in unison before joining in the laughter.

 "Care to let me in on the joke?" Percy stepped into their room wearing a rather nice set of black dress robes.

 Draco looked at Harry, who looked at Ron, who looked at Draco.

 "What?" Percy asked.

 "You are not wearing black robes to the Yule Ball," Draco said firmly.

 Percy looked somewhat puzzled at the serious expressions of disapproval on the faces of the three younger men.

 "Why not? These are very good quality robes...the fabric is imported."

 "Black is too...funereal." Ron stated.

 "Do you have anything else?" Harry asked.

 "Well, I have a new set of blue robes...but..."

 Harry, Ron and Draco had grabbed Percy and were walking him back to the common room, out the portrait door and towards the professors' quarters.

 "Open it up," Harry directed Percy.

 Percy muttered the opening spell quietly and soon found himself sitting on a chair in his room while Draco went into his closet to fish out the new robes which were a deep shade of midnight blue.

 "These are really nice, " he commented, "Why would you want to wear the other ones when you have these ones here?"

 "Get changed," Ron ordered.

 Percy realized he did not have much choice and so, sighing, picked up the robes that Draco was holding.

 "I'm just being paranoid," he told himself as he walked into his private bathroom, "There is simply no way that anything is going to happen no matter what Severus Snape says."

When he stepped out a short while later, he still looked unsure of himself.

 "Well," he said in a patently false show of sarcasm, "Does this meet with your approval?"

 "Much better," Harry nodded.

 "Yeah," was Ron's original comment.

 "Pity we can't change the colour of your hair so easily," Draco smirked, "Oh come on, I'm not serious. You just look too tense. Lighten up. You look fine."

"Really?" and with that one word, the other three realized just how nervous he was.

 Ron walked up to his older brother and gave him a warm smile.

 "Really."

 Percy smiled at his younger brother, then ruffled his hair affectionately causing Ron to splutter about how long it had taken for him to get his hair just right. Harry just laughed as Ron frantically tried to put his hair to rights again.

 "Ron's pretty lucky to have an older brother like Percy...and Fred and George and Bill and Charlie. Well, I guess I'm pretty lucky he has a younger sister," he thought with a shy grin.

 "Come on fellow Gryffindor men. They'll all be waiting in the common room for our grand entrance. Let's dazzle them," Draco grinned as he opened the door with exaggerated flourish.

 They hurried past the other professors' doors and made it to the common room in record time. Neville, Dean and Seamus quickly joined them and they talked about quidditch while they waited for the young women to come down.

 Parvati came down with Lavender and Harry almost laughed at the expressions on his friends' faces.

 "Honestly, you'd think they'd never seen them before," he thought to himself in amusement.

 But then Ginny came into the common room and he stopped thinking as well.

 Percy stood nervously, wondering when Hermione was going to come in. He checked for his wand...again...and tried not to look as awkward as he felt.

 Some of the younger Gryffindors were looking at him a little strangely, wondering what a professor was doing in the common room on the night of the Yule Ball. It seemed too absurd to think that he had a date...didn't it? Some of the other seventh year women were deliberately trying to catch his eye but to no avail.

 "I hope she's all right," he thought to himself anxiously.

 "Here she comes," Draco whispered to Percy.

 Percy turned and couldn't help but smile at the vision of loveliness that stood in front of him. She shyly walked up to them and Percy noticed that she had put his gardenias in her hair.

 "By the stars, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," he thought.

 "You look nice, Granger," Draco said with a small smile on his face.

 "You don't look so bad yourself, Malfoy. Black was never your colour...too funereal," she grinned.

 Draco shot Percy a patented 'See, I told you so' look which made Percy chuckle.

 "Listen, three is certainly a crowd. I'll catch up with you in the Great Hall. Remember, Granger, you owe me a dance," he said as he headed towards the portrait door.

 Percy turned to Hermione.

 "You look so lovely," he said quietly.

 Hermione smiled at him.

 "And you, my dashing professor, look most handsome tonight. I am quite honoured to be your companion for the evening," she said lightly although the expression in her eyes left no doubt as to the depth of what she felt for him.

 He reached for her hand discreetly.

 "My companion, yes, but not just for this one evening," he whispered meaningfully.

 Hermione blushed.

 "Now," he said in a louder voice, "we must head down to the Great Hall where I am told a sumptuous feast awaits us. Come along. Last year, Peeves hit all the latecomers with water balloons."

 Hermione laughed at the horrifed expressions on the other Gryffindors as they suddenly were scurrying to get out the portrait door.

 "You really do have a devious mind, Professor Weasley," she giggled.

 "You don't know the half of it," he whispered as he pulled her close to him.

 "Whatever do you mean?" she asked in a soft voice as she put her arms around his neck.

 "I managed to empty out the common room, didn't I?" he leaned down to kiss her.

Professor Lupin was standing by the entrance to the Great Hall watching all the students coming in. He was smiling somewhat as he saw the nervous young men and women, all dressed in their finest robes.

 "It's always the same no matter how much time passes. The women you see everyday suddenly transform themselves into these utterly lovely things and the men, well, we are reduced to rather incoherent lumps," he chuckled.

 "I'm glad to see someone is enjoying babysitting duty," Professor Snape said with a rather dark smile.

 Professor Lupin grinned.

 "Come now, Severus. It has not been that long since we were in their shoes. Don't you remember the last Yule Ball we went to?"

 "I remember Sirius putting a spell on the punch...levitated everyone who drank it," despite the surly voice, Professor Snape was smiling at the memory. It had been rather funny to see Lucius Malfoy floating upside down with his robes...well, succumbing to the effects of gravity.

 "Served him right," he thought to himself angrily, "Pity he did not land on his head."

 Professor Lupin looked pensive.

 "Something the matter, Remus?"

 "It's a funny thing, Severus. Not a lot of time has passed. Not really. But so much has happened in the last couple of years that it seems like those last few days at Hogwarts took place ages ago."

 Professor Snape looked at him in sympathy.

 "You have had a hard time of it. I know I did not help much...especially..."

 Professor Lupin turned to him quickly...

 "I will not have you feeling sorry for yourself, Severus. I know you do that far too much...it doesn't take my heightened senses to notice that you feel guilt for what happened to them. It wouldn't take anyone much to realize what you wouldn't give to have them back. You can't continue to live your life in the past, my friend. There is too much at stake. The past is done. The future is what we fight for now."

 Professor Snape looked at his colleague and sighed, shaking his head.

 "I hate it when you are right."

 Professor Lupin laughed and patted his colleague on the should in a congenial way, "You always did, Severus."

 Professor Snape chuckled.

 "Look. There are Harry and Ginny."

 Professor Snape looked to where Professor Lupin was pointing.

 "He looks more and more like his father everyday."

 "You do not say that with the same bitterness anymore."

 "No, I suppose not."

 "Did James ever know?"

 Professor Snape sighed.

 "I never had the chance to tell him...that's the worst of it. That is what has haunted me all these years. For the first few years that Harry was here, I could not even look at him without seeing James and it made me ill. I know I lashed out at the boy. I know I was merciless. I just did not know how else to react...I hated seeing him because it reminded me why I hated myself so much."

 "I wish you had trusted me sooner."

 "As do I, Remus."

 Professor Lupin decided to change the subject.

 "Severus, where is Percy? I haven't seen him come in yet."

 "I am sure he is coming."

 "There he is. Who is that with him?" Professor Lupin stared at the lovely young woman on the professor's arm. He was not the only one staring. 

Professor Snape looked at Hermione and smiled.

 "That, my dear Remus, is Miss Hermione Granger."

 "With her hair like that and the flowers in her hair, I almost thought she looked like someone I once knew...a long time ago."

 Professor Snape turned to him suddenly with a sudden flash in his eyes.

 "Like whom?" he asked abruptly.

 Professor Lupin was taken aback.

 "I'm not sure. I can't seem to remember the name."

 Professor Snape relaxed somewhat.

 "I'm sorry, Remus. I'm just worried. Have all the safeguards been put in place?"

 "Yes. I double-checked them myself."

 "Well, let's go sit down. Dumbledore is waving us over and I feel like I could eat a Hippogriff."

 Professor Lupin laughed as they headed over to the professors' table

 * * * * *

 Instead of sitting at the head table with the other professors, Percy had arranged to sit at one of the Gryffindor tables. Harry and Ginny and Ron and Lavender joined them. The Great Hall was simply lovely, decorated to look like a magical underwater kingdom. Everywhere you looked you could see beautiful castles made of multicoloured sand. The enchanted ceiling looked like the ocean with fluorescent fish swimming through the air, casting rippling lights on the diners below. It truly was a spectacular sight.

 Percy smiled as he watched Hermione eating her meal. She was the most beautiful woman in the room tonight but it had not been her beauty that had attracted him. No, there was so much more to her that he found so appealing. She was brave. She was loyal. She was hard-working. She was intelligent and she had talent when it came to magic. In fact, for someone who was muggle-born, her level of magicking ability was truly astounding. She was a credit to her family but, he thought soberly, it was her talent that had made her a target. Severus had told him what he had overheard one night in the old abandoned house they knew Voldemort was using as one of his bases. Since then, they had been keeping a close eye on her.

 "I will not let anything happen to her," he thought decisively.

 "You okay, Percy?" Ron asked.

 "I'm fine. Why?"

 "You speared that potato as if it were You-Know-Who himself," his younger brother grinned.

 Hermione looked at Percy in understanding and placed her hand over his as if to assure him that everything would be fine.

 "I hope you are right," he thought to himself.

 * * * * *

 Draco was sitting at a table with Neville and Parvati, Dean and Seamus and their dates from Ravenclaw (very pretty girls in his opinion). At first, he felt a bit awkward because he felt like the lone man out but the others made a sincere effort in involving him in the conversation and he greatly appreciated that. He found himself talking to Dean and his date about muggle football and greatly enjoyed hearing Seamus talking about his family. Even Neville was talking to him without cringing in fear.

 "Poor fellow," he thought in sudden remorse, remembering how his father had told him what had happened to Neville's parents so many years ago...remembering how the older Malfoy gloated over it as if it were something to be proud of...

 He listened to Seamus' date talk about her travels to Egypt which reminded him of that encounter with Granger...Hermione in the Gryffindor common room. She had been working on an essay about ancient Egyptian wizards or something like that. He looked over to the table where she was sitting.

 "She does not realize just how beautiful she is," he thought to himself.

 He noticed that Percy looked somewhat pensive and then saw how Hermione gently placed her hand over Percy's. He looked away quickly and tried to focus instead on the conversation at hand.

 "Well, at least she promised me a dance," he thought with a small smile.

 * * * * *

 "Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have but a moment of your time."

 The meal had ended and Dumbledore had stood up to address everyone.

 "I hope that you have all enjoyed your meal. My compliments to all the chefs involved in preparing such a gastronomical paradise. The tables will now clear and the dancing will begin. Please enjoy the rest of the evening. There will be refreshment stands set up in the main lobby just outside the Great Hall if you wish to obtain something to drink."

 The music started and, as Hermione stood up, she felt Percy's arm go around her waist.

"May I have this dance?" he asked shyly.

 She nodded and they made their way to the dance floor where they started swaying to the music together. They were quickly joined by Ron and Lavender as well as Harry and Ginny and many other couples.

 "I don't think I have ever seen Percy so...happy before. Thank goodness the twins aren't here," Ron thought to himself as he held Lavender close to him.

 Harry was looking at Hermione and smiling.

 "They do make a sweet couple, don't they?" Ginny asked with shining eyes, "I never would have predicted it but now..."

 "Now you're wondering why you never saw it coming?" Harry asked with a smile.

 "It's definitely marriage for you two, Potter," Ron said with a knowing smirk.

 "What?" Harry asked with a slight pinkness staining his cheeks.

 "You're already finishing each others' sentences."

 Harry and Ginny looked at each other and smiled.

 * * * * *

 "Remus, where have you been?"

 "Calm yourself, Severus, I just met with Padfoot and he tells me he has not seen any sign of Peter in the area."

 Professor Snape relaxed somewhat. If anyone were on Hogwarts property, Sirius Black would certainly have known about it.

 "We should have asked Harry for your map," he said quietly.

 "Now, Severus, we don't want to panic the boy. We are not even sure if anything is going to happen tonight."

 "I will bet all the gold in my vault at Gringotts that something will transpire tonight. I have no idea how with all the safeguards we have put up but my thumbs are pricking and...well, "it" is hurting somewhat tonight."

 Professor Lupin's face immediately saddened.

 "Is it a summons?" he asked gently.

 "No...it is simply to alert us...but as to what is anyone's guess."

 "Well, since the safeguards are intact and since Padfoot is out there patrolling the grounds, I think we can relax a little. I am going to ask Minerva to dance. I suggest you do the same."

 Professor Snape laughed, "As capable as she is, I think she would find it difficult to dance with two partners."

 "You know perfectly well what I meant. I'll meet you at the main entrance in about a few minutes to check the perimeter spells."

 And so Professor Lupin went off in search of his dance partner.

 "Hello, Professor Snape," a voice suddenly broke his train of thought. Turning around, he saw Hermione standing in front of him.

 "Good evening, Miss Granger. You look lovely."

 She smiled at the compliment.

 "Thank you."

 "Where is Professor Weasley?"

 "He is having a dance with his sister."

 He looked out onto the dance floor and, yes, there were the two distinctive heads of red hair dancing together.

 "It's strange to think that, after Miss Weasley graduates, there will be no more Weasleys at Hogwarts."

 "Well, I wouldn't say that," she said casually and then, realizing what she had just said and how it might be interpreted, blushed furiously, "That's not what I meant."

 "There is no need to apologize and I do agree with you although it will be several years before that happens."

 Hermione looked relieved. Another piece of music had started and she noticed that Ginny and Percy were still dancing and she smiled.

 "Well, Professor, it looks as though they are going to be dancing to this one as well. Would you like to dance with me? This is a particularly nice piece and I would hate to waste it by sitting out."

 If it were possible for Professor Snape to look even more pale than usual, he did.

 "You want to dance with me?" he asked incredulously.

 "Why not?"

 He looked at her with that strange expression she found so puzzling.

 "I haven't danced since...well, not for a very long time," he said awkwardly.

 "It's like riding a broomstick. Once you learn, you never forget," she placed her hand on his arm and they walked towards the dance floor.

 Feeling as if all eyes were on him, he put one arm around her waist and brought her slightly closer to him. He took her free hand and they began to move to the music together.

 "Why...he's a very good dancer," Hermione thought to herself in shock.

 The two of them moved together flawlessly and Professor Snape expertly negotiated around the other couples. Hermione found herself enjoying the dance, much to her surprise. She was almost sad when it was over.

 "You give yourself far too little credit, Professor. You really are quite an accomplished dancer," Hermione said with a smile as Percy came to join them.

 "Thank you, Miss Granger. Dancing is always easier when one has a lovely partner. But, I think I should find another before Professor Weasley becomes jealous."

 "Yes, I suppose you must," Hermione answered with a sparkle in her eye.

 Professor Snape walked out of the Great Hall in somewhat better spirits. Professor Lupin came up to him.

 "Are you all right, Severus?" he asked.

 "Certainly. Why wouldn't I be?"

 "I was watching you dancing and...it triggered something and I remembered who Hermione reminded me of and...well, I was a little worried."

 Professor Snape looked at his colleague with kindness.

 "I am fine but thank you all the same for being concerned. Now, let's go check those perimeter spells."

 * * * * *

 Hermione was enjoying her evening so far. She had danced a rather lively dance with Ron and a somewhat more sedate one with Harry but, other than the one dance with Professor Snape, she spent the time exactly where she wanted to be, with Percy.

 "I wish tonight would never end," she thought to herself.

 "Are you enjoying yourself tonight?" Percy asked her.

 "Very much."

 "I am too. What are your plans over the Christmas break?"

 "I don't have any. I am going home over the holidays but I haven't set up anything specific. How about you?"

 "I am going home as well. Actually, I was thinking that we might get together over the holidays. Mother wants to invite your family over for Christmas dinner...she's been meaning to for the last couple of years. I think Harry will be coming as well...he doesn't really have much choice in the matter."

 "That would be lovely," Hermione said with genuine happiness.

 The music ended and another one started up. Percy noticed Dumbledore motioning for him to come over to where he was standing with Professors Snape and Lupin.

 "Hermione, Dumbledore is calling me. I'll be back as soon as I can."

 Hermione smiled at him.

 "Don't worry about me...I'm not running off anywhere. Besides, I have a promise to keep."

 Percy gave her hand an affectionate squeeze and then walked away quickly. Hermione scanned the room until she saw who she was looking for. She walked up to the silver-haired youth, who was chatting amicably with Neville, Parvati and Padma.

 "I owe you a dance, don't I?" she asked innocently, pretending to consult a parchment.

 He laughed.

 "That's not very sporting, Granger."

 She smiled at him and he held out his hand.

 "Shall we?" he asked.

 "Absolutely," she answered with a grin.

 Hermione had to admit that Draco was a very good dancer as they whirled around the room together. He held her comfortably close but didn’t say anything. She didn't either. It was not an uncomfortable silence in the least. It just seemed that words were unnecessary.

 Draco was very aware of the scent of gardenias in her hair, of the closeness of her body and the artless way she turned her head to reveal the beautiful lines of her neck. When she looked at him, her eyes sparkled...but only with friendship. She was not his. She never would be.

 When the dance ended, Draco released Hermione somewhat reluctantly and his expression was wistful. The reason for that suddenly hit Hermione and she felt a pang of sympathy in her heart. Touching his cheek gently, she searched for something to say.

 "You don't need to say anything, Hermione," he said quietly, "Being your friend is more than I expected to be."

 She smiled slightly through shining eyes.

 "I'll always be your friend, Draco. You can count on that."

 Draco nodded.

 "You had better go with Percy. He's waiting for you."

 Hermione turned to where Percy stood, waiting patiently.

 "Take care of yourself," she said as she walked away.

 Draco watched her retreating form pensively for a moment. He had felt something while dancing with Hermione and it had nothing to do with his feelings for her. He had felt something...evil.

 "I'll be fine, Hermione,...it's you I'm worried about right now," he thought to himself as he hurried over to where Professor Snape was talking with Professor Lupin.

 Percy watched Hermione as she came over to where he was standing.

 "I thought you might like to take a little walk with me," he offered her his arm.

 "And where are we going?" she asked, taking his arm and following him out of the Great Hall.

 "Just a quiet little spot I know," he said mysteriously.

 They walked out of the Great Hall and they chatted about a number of things while Percy took her up one corridor and down another, passing statues and portraits alike. They finally reached a plain-looking doorway which was covered by a rather ragged curtain. Percy went up to the curtain and drew out his wand. He tapped the curtain three times and said a few words softly. The curtain rose by itself, revealing a small room within.

 Taking her hand, Percy brought Hermione into the room. It was rather plain with a table, a few chairs and a number of bookcases filled with old textbooks. There were torches on the walls which had sprung to life as soon as they had entered the room. In one corner was a music stand, a small stool and a somewhat decrepit looking violin.

 "I don't mean to sound rude, Percy, but what is so special about this room?"

 Percy smiled and went over to another door. He opened it.

 "Out here," was all he said.

 Hermione stepped through the door and gasped. They were standing on a balcony somewhere on the upper floors of Hogwarts. From here she could see the entire grounds, the Forbidden Forest and the lake. The sky was clear but dark as it was the night of the new moon. The numerous fairy lights on the property rivaled the twinkling of the stars in the sky. In fact, one could almost fail to distinguish where the sky ended and the ground began. It was a lovely sight.

 A gust of cool air blew by her and she shivered slightly. Her dress robes were very nice but they were not particularly warm.

 "Cold?" Hermione felt warm arms encircle her waist from behind and she smiled.

 "This is such a beautiful spot, Percy. How did you find it?"

 Percy laughed.

 "Fred and George are not the only ones who explored Hogwarts in their spare time."

 Hermione smiled.

 "I learn something new about you every day it seems."

 "I have a surprise for you. You have to close your eyes."

 Hermione pouted.

 "Please?"

 Hermione grinned and closed her eyes tightly.

 "No peeking?"

 She shook her head, still grinning.

 Percy reached into a pocket of his robes and pulled out a small silver box, intricately carved and quite beautiful. He opened the box

 "You can open your eyes now."

 Hermione opened her eyes and saw Percy shyly holding out an open silver box with a ring inside it. The ring was made of silver and had a small gardenia, also crafted in silver, as its only ornament. He took the ring out of its box and, taking her right hand, placed it on her finger. When he looked up at her again, her eyes were misted with tears...happy tears.

 "It's what the muggles call a promise ring. It's my promise to you that I will always love you and always be there when you need me."

 Hermione could not say anything so she took Percy's face in both her hands and kissed him. Percy embraced her tightly and returned the kiss with a passion that surprised them both. The young couple stood there, in the dark of the night, silently declaring their love for one another in a way that words could never hope to express.

 The sound of a nearby grandfather clock started booming and they reluctantly parted.

 "It's midnight. Perhaps we should head back" Hermione said hesitantly.

 Percy kissed her on the cheek.

 "I would like nothing better than to stay out here with you and watch the sunrise together but I suppose you are right."

 "Thank you, Percy. This ring is the most precious gift I have ever received."

 Percy smiled and went over to the door, opened it and held it for her.

 As they entered the room, the grandfather clock boomed one last time before retreating in silence. The room was still vibrating slightly from the sound. Then the room was vibrating from something else...something dark and sinister...

 Percy suddenly grabbed Hermione and, pulling her, ran for the curtain to lead them back to the hallway. It wouldn't move. He pulled out his wand to perform an opening charm. It didn't work.

 "Percy? What's happening?" Hermione's voice trembled slightly as she looked around her and pulled out her wand, going through her arsenal of spells in her mind.

 "I don't know. Stand back, I'm going to try to break through the barrier."

 Suddenly they heard a sound that made their blood ran cold. It was the sound of a violin being played, a horrid scratchy sound that immediately made the hairs on the back of their necks stand up. They looked at each other and slowly turned to face the musician. Percy pulled Hermione to him when he saw who it was.

 "My dear Professor," the voice hissed, "I would not bother trying to escape."

 Hermione watched with horror as the dark shape stood up and calmly returned the instrument to its resting place. As it stepped out of the shadows, she realized that she was looking at Voldemort. Her mind whirled in panic and she almost cried out in pain for how tightly Percy was holding her.

 "Well, well, my dear Mudblood," Voldemort chuckled, an evil light dancing in his snakelike eyes, "it would appear that, much like the muggle fairy tale of Cinderella, the clock has struck twelve and your time has run out."