Hermione walked down the corridor deep in though and absentmindedly thanked the Gods that everything was back to normal. Clutching her books to her chest she continued down the corridor she made her way to her next class. Harry approached her with a small smile as he adjusted his leather messenger bag and walked alongside her.

Hermione continued in her little world as Harry greeted her, but when no reply was heard he snapped his fingers in front of her face, "Mione' you alright?" he asked, clearly worried for his friend.

"Oh Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, "yes of course, just a bit tried from the other night." She explained.

He looked at her knowingly and nodded, "it was a fun night. Did you enjoy the party? I barely saw you." He asked. After they finished cleaning ad repairing the Great Hall they held a party for all the students and teachers, though to Harry, Hermione seemed to disappear a few times throughout the night.

"Oh yes, it was lovely," she spoke softly, "I sat with Luna for a great deal of the night," she explained simply. Knowing that's not all that she did.

"Ah." Harry nodded. As they continued their way down the corridor Hermione's eyes wandered ahead, where who else but Malfoy stood, rummaging through his schoolbag. He looked up and their eyes met, if even for a moment, he felt his heart drop before he put his shield back up. He didn't acknowledge her presence, and simply went back to his bag as they walked by.

Hermione felt her body tense but continued their way down the hall, as if they hadn't just spent only a week ago saving each other's lives. As if nothing had happened last night. She sighed as they walked into class and kept her head down, trying not to think about the events of the last twenty-four hours.

Hermione sighed as she kneeled on the floor in front of her trunk at the end of her bed. She tilt her head back towards the celling in frustration, letting out a groan.

"Hermione Granger, why aren't you dressed?" Ginny gasped, stepping out of the Bathroom, full hair, makeup and dress on and ready to go.

"Because Ginny, I cannot find anything to wear," she sighed deeply, turning to face Ginny, "why do I even care, it's not the Yule Ball, it's just some party, I'm not even going with anyone." She stated simply, leaning her back against her trunk.

"Yes but you might meet someone," She wriggled her eyebrows in a playful manner.

Hermione groaned in reply.

"C'mon Mione! We still have time! You can borrow something of mine!" Ginny squealed in excitement, heading over to her trunk by her bed, next to Hermione's.

"No! I am not wearing something of yours." Hermione said nervously.

"Why?"

"Because..." Hermione twisted a stray curl around her finger with a skeptical look on her face.

"What?" Ginny demanded, "what's wrong with my style?"

"It's just, a little more, um, revealing than what I would wear." Hermione worded carefully.

"Oh shut it, and get your arse over here." She narrowed her eyes at Hermione dragging her over to the selection of nicer dresses. "We'll do your hair with magic and we won't even be late!"

Another groan was heard from Hermione.

-*-

Hermione and Ginny made their way out of the Gryfinndor Common Rooms, by 7:15pm. "Oh Merlin! We're late Gin I'm sorry! Fifteen minutes late!" Hermione apologized, knowing if it wasn't for her Ginny would have been on time.

Ginny laughed, "Oh stop apologizing, it's called fashionably late," Ginny smiled at the bushy-haired girl, who's hair tonight, wasn't so bushy. "Besides, this way I don't have to wait around for ten minutes before leaving to be fashionably late." The two girls chuckled.

"You look really nice Gin." Hermione said whole-heartedly, looking at the redhead. Her hair was straight as usual, but pulled back in a pony tail. She wore flats and sported a short navy blue strapless dress, which looked fantastic on her.

"I look nice? Have you seen yourself? That dress really looks good on you!" Ginny beamed as she looked at the borrowed black knee-high dress. It was a simple fitted dress, with nothing in particular on it. But it was dressed up nicely with a red gem necklace with a gold chain, given to Hermione by her parents for Christmas last year to represent her house colors. Hermione wore black shoes with small, practical heals. "And look at your hair!" She said proudly, knowing she was responsible for the soft curls that framed her friends face.

Hermione smiled and they entered the Great Hall, people talked over the music that played from the platform where the teachers stood mingling. Students of all ages stood in the main section of the Great Hall. The tables and benches had been moved out of the room to allow for all the kids. There was a large food table with never ending goodies, a section of the hall was even a dedicated dance floor, but the majority of the kids sat and talked with friends at little round tables or stood near the food table.

"I'm gonna go find the boys, wanna come?" Ginny asked as she headed down the stairs.

Hermione began to nod before noticing Luna, sitting at a table alone. "No, I'll come find you later, I wanna check on Luna." Hermione stated, following Ginny down the stairs before parting ways and heading off to her Ravenclaw friend.

Hermione weaved through the crowd of people until arriving at Luna's empty table. "Oh hello Hermione." Luna gave a friendly smile.

"Hi Luna," Hermione always thought the girl was sweet, a bit odd but sweet. "May I sit?"

"Of course! I love your necklace, you know that red gems keep away Wrackspruts?" Her blue eyes seemed to twinkle as she gave Hermione a piece of knowledge.

"Oh, I didn't thank you! I like your dress Luna." Hermione smiled seeing the light blue dress that complimented her eyes. It was bedazzled around the top and the skirt was made of complete feathers.

"Thank you! The lady at the store said the feathers were fake, and I certainly hope so, I'd hate to be wearing an owl... Or a Hippogiff! Oh Merlin I hope not..." Luna began rambling on, "Oh pardon me." The girl sighed and continued rambling as she up and walked away.

Hermione shook her head and stood up, she looked around for Ginny or Harry, but couldn't spot them anywhere. She sighed, she didn't like parties very much, especially not alone. She sat back down and continued looking around, deciding if she didn't find them, she'd turn in early.

"Hermione!" She heard a voice call. Hermione turned over her shoulder to see Ron.

She internally groaned and stood, making her way over to him. "How's your night so far?" She asked pleasantly.

"Alright I suppose, saw you sittin' alone, you okay?" He asked with little concern in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine thank you."

"Wanna dance or something?" He asked, he looked away with a sigh.

She knew what he was doing. He felt obligated to ask because she didn't have a date. "I'm okay thank you though, you should probably get back to your date, yeah?" She didn't try to be rude, but she thought it sounded it a bit.

"Fine, I'll get out of your hair!" Clearly he thought so too.

"Ron that isn't what I meant!" She sighed, instantly regretting it.

"No I get it. See you around." He snapped turning on his heal and heading the other direction.

Hermione sighed, she had already had enough. She made her way up the stairs and out of the Great Hall. She didn't really want to go back to Gryfinndor Tower and so she headed outside into the Courtyard. It was cold, and dark, but the torches by the door illuminated it enough for her to see, she sat down on the cold stone stairs and looked up. It was a clear starry night. She decided this would be a good place to stay for the time being.

-*-

Draco sighed as he sipped on a glass of punch. He stood in the far corner, as far away from human contact as possible. After people asking him to dance, wanting to talk and offering him drinks, he was done. Most definitely done, he finished his punch and he threw the glass in the wastebasket.

After loosening his tie he headed towards the exit, he was ready for a good nights sleep. Or at least to lay in bed awake all night. He left the Great Hall and headed down the hall towards the dungeons. To his right, he noticed the doors to the courtyard, as usual were open, and sitting on the step was a girl with brown curls.

He continued walking down the hall, but something stopped him. Curiosity? Maybe. He sighed deeply and backed up, looking at the girl again. Her hair was mid back length and tumbled in flowing curls, but it was a bit frizzy. Magic couldn't hide that, it was Granger.

Of course, it just had to be Granger.

He bit the inside of his cheek as he stood there, deciding what to do. Why did she have to be sitting there all alone. By herself. In the cold for Merlin's sake. He sighed again, and made his way to the door. He rolled his shoulders and ran a hand through his hair, then leaned against the wall behind her.

Keep it cool he begged himself. "Fancy meeting you here Granger." His voice was smooth.

She turned around, her eyes lighting up as they caught his, but only for a moment, before they were filled with a bit of pain, "What do you want Malfoy?" Her words cut like knives. He felt a tugging on his heartstrings as he realized what he had done. He'd pushed her away. But it was for the better, wasn't it?

"Oh just wondering why the Gryfinndor Princess is sitting out here all alone in the cold." He shrugged.

"I'm not alone," She said simply.

"Imaginary friends keeping you company?" He teased with a slight sneer to his voice.

She sighed and pointed up. In confusion he looked up to the sky. "The stars." She spoke quietly. "I have millions of stars to keep me all the company in the world thank you." She sneered back, harsher than him.

He was about to snap back, but didn't, instead he walked over and sat beside her, a safe respective distance away. He leaned back on his hands and looked up at the clear sky. "What are you-" She began but she was cut off.

"Oh shush." He raised an eyebrow.

"But-"

"Do you want me to go?" He asked simply.

"Not particularly." She looked down at her hands nervously.

"Then shush." He looked at her before looking back at the stars.

She nodded, prying her eyes away from him and looked back to the sky.