Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter…and I think there will be only one more chapter after this one, because with this small little plot, I won't be able to drag it on much further than that (haha sorry). Just keep in mind that Harry and Hermione have known each other for more than 6 years, so if it seems rather sudden, it's just because the dream spurred everything on. And thanks again for all of those reviews! Now on with the show:

"Psst…Weasley. Weasley! OY, YOU!" Draco rolled his eyes. That Weasley obviously had an earwax buildup in his ears. Striding quickly forward, he rapped the red-haired boy on the soldier. Finally, finally, the boy turned around.

"Yes, Malfoy? You do know that in most countries, it's good manners to call out people's names in order to get their attention, rather than inflict bodily harm."

"Weasley, I've called your name three times already," Draco said. "But that's besides the point. I need to talk to you about Hermione and Potter."

"What about them?" Ron asked, not quite sure if Malfoy had already noticed his friends' predicament.

"Relax, Ron," Draco said, ignoring Ron's look of incredulity at being addressed as 'Ron.' "I just wanted to talk to you about -" here he took a furtive glance to see that nobody else was around "about Hermione and Potter, um, together." Ron was immensely relieved that Malfoy hadn't been planning to curse them, or something.

"Well that's all right then," he said cheerfully. "Because I wanted to talk to you about that, as well. We need a plan, because they're obviously not going to do anything if they're left to their own devices."

"Yes, I've already formed a plan with Granger. I told her that she should…" Malfoy proceeded to tell Ron about the love notes, and the two of them began to formulate a plan of their own.

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"Practice transfiguring your tea kettles wordlessly for homework tonight, class, and - wait, before you go! I have another announcement!" Professor McGonagall called to her class, which was already half way to the door. "Next Saturday, we are having a ball."

"For what occasion, Professor? I don't think there are any holidays around this time!" Seamus asked.

"You will have to inquire that of the Head Boy, Mr. Finnegan. The ball was his idea, so he will field any questions you may have about it. Anything else? Then you may go." The class turned and trooped out of the classroom, but Hermione held back.

"Yes, Miss Granger? How can I help you?"

"Well, I was just wondering when Draco planned this ball, because we haven't discussed anything of the sort. It just seems very sudden that he's just planning things without me," Hermione said, and to her surprise, felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

"Why, Miss Granger!" McGonagall exclaimed, surprised at the girl's tears. "Whatever is the matter?"

"N-nothing, Professor. It m-must be a l-lack of sleep," Hermione choked out.

"I can assure you, Miss Granger, that Mr. Malfoy meant nothing against you by setting up this ball. He mentioned to me that you thought he should take a more active role as Head Boy, so he decided to take the initiative in this case. But now I must dash, for I have an appointment with Professor Dumbledore. Are you sure you will be all right, Miss Granger?"

"Yes Professor," Hermione nodded. McGonagall swept out of the room, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts.

"Why am I so upset? This is stupid!" Hermione berated herself. She couldn't figure out why she had started crying at the mention of the ball…but she felt that it had something to do with a certain boy and the thought that he would be surrounded by girls asking him out. And once again, she would be overlooked.

It was time she do something about that.

----------------------------------------------------

That evening, Harry was startled by a tap on his window. It was Hedwig, with a note tied to her talon. Harry unburdened his owl, and then gave her an Owl Treat before she flew off. He had a hunch as to what this note was, and unrolled it slowly:

"Well that's great," Harry thought sarcastically. "That really narrows down this secret admirer thing." Harry dreaded balls because he dreaded being hounded by people, and a ball usually meant that girls were looking for a date. And who better to ask than Harry Potter himself? He hated the fact that the only girl who didn't seem to throw herself at him was the one person he wanted to: Hermione (even before he had realized he loved her, Harry had known that Hermione was the girl he would most rather attend a ball with). Well, and Ginny. She didn't throw herself at him, either.

But he was really worried about this letter…it meant that he would have some girl throwing herself at him. This letter was obviously not from Hermione, because she didn't like him (Yet, he told himself), so who could have possibly sent him this? Harry had to admit that the two notes he had received were rather sweet. He liked the fact that this girl had allowed him time to process the information of a secret admirer by himself, without hitting him in the face with it.

Not sure what he should do - should he accept? Refuse? And how exactly would he do either of those, when he didn't even know whom to address the letter to? Harry decided that it was high time to ask Ron for advice. Ron may not have had much experience in the romance department, but two brains were better than one.

As though he had read Harry's mind, Ron entered the room at that moment.

"Harry? Are you O.K.?" he asked. Harry was staring at a letter that was clutched in his hand. Three guesses as to what kind of letter it was.

"Oh, um. Yeah. I just wanted to ask you about what I should do with this," Harry replied, handing his friend the letter. Ron read it over quickly.

"This is the best Hermione could do? And here I thought that she was a sensitive, intelligent witch. Obviously, intelligence doesn't combine with the sensitivity to make for a good love letter," Ron snorted. "But at least it's better than her last one. What?" he said, turning to Harry, who was gaping at him.

"D-did you say H-her-hermione?" Harry gasped. "Hermione wrote that?"

"Of course, mate," Ron replied cheerfully. "She loves you." He pounded on his friend's back to prevent him from choking.

"Wh-what did you say? She loves me?" Ron was exasperated at this point.

"Look, mate. If you keep repeating what I'm saying, this conversation is not going to get anywhere. So shut up, stuff your eyeballs back in their sockets (I didn't even know eyes could do that), and listen to me." Harry did as Ron said, and the latter nodded in a businesslike fashion.

"Now. Down to business. Apparently, Hermione went to Malfoy and asked him for advice about what she should do with her newfound love for you. Though honestly, what witch wouldn't fall in love with a bloke like you," Ron added sarcastically as Harry's jaw dropped and eyes bulged out again at the mention of Malfoy's name. "Yes, she did go to Malfoy. And he helped her. He told her that you would be too thick if she just told you straight out, and suggested that she send you love letters to soften the blow a bit. "So obviously, she's followed your advice. I'll have to speak to her about her poetry skills though…but that's beside the point. Draco - I mean, Malfoy - and I decided that a ball would be a good way to get you guys together. Hermione doesn't know that you know that she's been sending you letters," he paused to allow Harry to process this rather confusing sentence, "So what you have to do is surprise her at the ball."

"Surprise her? How?" Harry asked, looking confused.

"Well, if we keep it a secret that you know about her little plan, then you can tell her at the ball that you love her, and all of that mushy stuff."

"But why at the ball? Can't I just do it some other time?" "No, Harry," Ron said patiently. "This is why Malfoy set up the ball. I mean, what better place or time could there be? You're going to be in your oh-so-lovely dress robes, and she'll be dressed up, and there will be no backing out, because Malfoy and I, and the whole student body (which has, by the way, been waiting for you to get together) will be right there. Plus, you won't have to fend off any crazed 3rd years that are desperate for a dance." Harry nodded, realizing that resistance was futile. It was, after all, a pretty good plan.

"But hang on, how can you be sure that Hermione will be there? If I'm not going to ask her, then there's no reason for her to go, is there?"

"You leave that to me, mate," Ron said, winking mischievously.

A/N: I think this chapter is longer than usual…how I love Meg Cabot and The Princess Diaries. Without them, I wouldn't have any more ideas for this story and I'd disappoint you guys…

Love, the-greatest-author-ever-who-is-now-addicted-to-Gilmore-Girls:
Kaye.