Hermione

Classes were finally over for the term, most of the younger students had already gone home for Christmas, and we were on our way to Professor Sprout's study to give a final update on Yule Ball preparations (Professor McGonagall had come down with a nasty cold, so she was standing in).

"So now Blaise knows too?" I sighed, adjusting the strap of Draco's bag so it was sitting higher up my shoulder. One darkened cupboard and secrets had just started spilling out all over the place.

Draco was walking beside me, as usual keeping a careful amount of distance between us so it didn't seem as if we wanted to be on patrol together.

"Technically yes" he said.

"What do you mean technically? He either knows or he doesn't".

"Well I want it stated for the record that I didn't tell him, in case you were going to get cross with me. He figured it out by himself, using his creepy powers of deduction".

"All right then, I'll note it down for the record" I said, smiling.

To be honest I wasn't overly surprised that Blaise had worked things out. I knew my acting skills had been good enough for him not to realise that Draco wasn't really Draco (and in fairness, the truth was also the last thing that anyone would suspect), but he had definitely clocked on to the fact that his partner in crime wasn't behaving quite as normal. By which I mean, didn't want to participate in any of his nervous-breakdown inducing crimes. But despite his talent for annoying anybody in a three mile radius and a frustrating inability to sit still, Blaise was actually a caring and perceptive friend, and I didn't mind that he knew. Although I did suspect I had a perverted interrogation in store for me when I returned to the Slytherin common room.

I wondered whether I should be more insulted that Harry and Ron seemed completely oblivious to the fact that it wasn't actually me they had been spending time with over the past weeks. Ron, of course, was one of the most unobservant wizards on the planet so I was inclined to let him off the hook, but Harry I was mildly disappointed in. I would have hoped that he, at least, might have guessed something was up the way Ginny had.

"And he didn't even try to kiss you?" I asked, somewhat disgruntled that after the various gropings I'd been forced to endure during spin the bottle and under the mistletoe, Draco hadn't even been marginally fondled. Ginny and I had stood watching the locked door of the cupboard for the full seven minutes, dying to know what was going on inside and trying to stop ourselves from erupting in fits of giggles. Giggling was a definite no no in terms of keeping up Draco's reputation.

"Of course not. He's not the kind of guy who hits on his best friend's girlfriend. Once he'd finished asking me about a million questions about our sexual exploits…" he correctly interpreted the horrified look on my face and grinned, "don't worry, I didn't tell him anything – he actually wanted to know about Ginny".

I was intrigued by this. "Do you think he might genuinely like her like her?"

I tried to imagine Blaise and Ginny in a relationship, but the sheer energy, sass and boisterousness that would arise from the two of them together made me feel slightly queasy. They were like the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object in human form.

"I'm not sure" Draco considered, "but he'd be a much better match for her than Harry. Although obviously if they did start dating that would mean I'd have to carry on hanging out with her after we've switched back. I'd never have another bloody moment's peace".

"You're going to have to anyway" I pointed out. "She's my friend and you're my boyfriend, so you'd better get used to the idea of her – and Ron and Harry for that matter – as permanent fixtures of your life".

He groaned. "At least give me a month off for good behaviour before I have to start having sleepovers with Harry and braiding each other's hair".

"You're sure that he seemed ok when you saw him this morning?" I asked for the umpteenth time. I was worried about how he was coping with the break-up, even though Draco had assured me he was ok.

"Does he usually just lie on the floor like that without breathing?"**

I rolled my eyes. "I'm being serious! It's not as if Ron is going to give him the emotional support he might need, so I'm relying on you to behave in the way I would".

"He seemed fine" Draco shrugged nonchalantly. "Honestly, I think he's relieved more than anything. And other than the fact he looked like he was going to shit a niffler when Ginny walked through the common room earlier and shot him a death stare, he's just being his usual, deeply annoying self".

I nodded, content that Harry wasn't on the verge of bursting into tears over his morning pumpkin juice. "It does sound like them splitting up was probably for the best, although I don't think it was entirely on of Ginny to hook up with Blaise literally on the same night".

Draco smirked. "Well you know what they say, the best way to get over someone is to get under somebody else".

"You are such a Slytherin" I told him. "Do all of you always have to be so crass? It's like the when the Sorting Hat is trying to decide where to put people it must think brave and chivalrous – Gryffindor. Loyal and hard working – Hufflepuff. Innate gift for turning everything into a sexual innuendo – has to be Slytherin".

"I can only extend a sincere sorry on behalf of my vulgar, uncouth house" he said, though the smirk still hovering at the corner of his lips undermined the sincerity of the apology.

I was on to a losing battle if I wanted him to be any different, and honestly, I loved him just the way he was, moral wonkiness and all.

"You know what I've been thinking?" Draco mused, as we arrived outside Sprout's study. He knocked on the door then leant back against the wall with folded arms, waiting to be called in. "How surprised I am that Cho hasn't spread gossip all over the castle that we're an item".

"Perhaps she's biding her time for a moment that will inflict maximum damage" I muttered, not inclined to think well of her.

"If I know Cho she'll want to create a bit of drama in front of the biggest possible audience".

"The Ball then?" I suggested nervously.

"Maybe. Why'd do you think she went after Diggory and then Harry? She's a classic attention seeker. And being the one to break the news that everyone's favourite war heroine – and may I add, the undisputed sexiest third of the Golden Trio – is going out with the prince of Slytherin, former mortal enemies turned star-crossed lovers…that's right up her street. Plus I think she's pissed off that I'm not interested in her anymore and wants to cause a stir".

I made an unhappy sound and he turned to look at me, his eyes serious. "You know there's not much we can do about it if she does, Hermione. And I've already told you that I'm not bothered if or when people find out about us. I'm getting tired of pretending not to care about you".

"I know" I sighed. "And I don't want to pretend anymore either, it's just Harry and –"

Sprout's door suddenly swung open, cutting me off. "Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy. Come in, come in. Take a seat".

We traipsed in and sat down in the two mahogany chairs opposite her large desk. I placed Draco's bag carefully on the floor by my feet while he unceremoniously dumped mine down with a clunk. I winced, thinking of my ink vials.

In just over 36 glorious hours' time I would have my bag back, my wand back, my friends back… and then it wouldn't even matter if the rest of the school found out about us, because I would be in my own body. And however difficult it might be telling Harry and Ron that I was involved with our old nemesis, the thing I dreaded most was Draco having to explain the situation to them as if he were me.

He didn't have the patience or the years of experience I did knowing how to calm Ron down. Though I knew he wouldn't want to create problems, he also wouldn't be able to prevent himself from enjoying their reactions – and in all likelihood would overshare something crude that would probably cause Ron to spontaneously combust. He wouldn't phrase any of it in anywhere near the calm and careful way I was intending to, and even then I knew they weren't going to take it well. To them, Draco was still the same arrogant prat he'd always been and it was going to take time to convince them otherwise.

I really didn't want to hurt Ron especially and was starting to think that Draco taking him to the Ball had been a bad idea, as it seemed only to have encouraged his feelings for me.

"Now then" said Professor Sprout, breaking me out of my reverie.

I looked around, noting that her office was decorated for Christmas with a small potted fir tree festooned with stars and yellow and black baubles. A fire was crackling away merrily in her grate, which filled the room with cheerful light and warded off the gloom of the snow flurrying past the windows.

"I know it's the holidays so I won't keep you long. Minerva has asked me to check that all the preparations for the Ball are going to plan and that the prefects have been pulling their weight helping out?"

"They have" Draco said politely. I appreciated the effort, although not so much the sanctimonious expression he'd fixed on his face which he clearly thought was a spot on imitation.

"The house elves know exactly what the timings are for the feast, do they?"

"Yes".

"And the entertainment and the music is all sorted?"

"Yes" Draco replied again, his tone verging on sarcastic as he grew irritated with the questioning.

"I must say you seem to have done an excellent job with all the arrangements" Professor Sprout said with a smile. "And you've worked very well together by all accounts. It's good to see that you've been able to put aside old differences".

"Thank you professor" we both said in unison, careful not to meet each other's eyes. Dumbledore hadn't expressly said it, but we'd long ago assumed that other than McGonagall the rest of the teachers didn't know about the switch.

"Off you go then! I'm sure you still have plenty to do. And kindly close the door on your way out".

Dismissed, we picked up our bags and left.

"Well that was a colossal waste of time" Draco announced as we set off for the Great Hall. "She really should stick to potting shrivelfigs or all the other scintillating activities I'm sure she gets up to in her spare time. Five points from Ravenclaw" he added idly, as we passed a fourth year who for the life of me didn't seem to be doing anything wrong.

"Really?" I said. "Earlier we saw that group of Slytherins trying to flush Peeves down the toilet and you did literally nothing! Are you sure you're not just arbitrarily docking points because you thought that guy's hair was rivalling yours or something stupid like that?"

"Don't be ridiculous" said Draco, with mock indignation. "Nobody's hair rivals mine. I just happened to notice that our hour glass was a few jewels behind Ravenclaw's this morning, so thought I'd give things a little helping hand".

I shook my head, unable to stop myself from laughing despite this flagrant abuse of position. "You are honestly the most ill-suited head boy I can possibly imagine. And five points back to Ravenclaw" I said, with a flick of my wand.

"You should count yourself lucky. If I hadn't been made head boy you'd have ended up in some other guy's body. Which wouldn't have been anywhere near as god-like and chiselled".

The thought startled me for a moment. I could have switched with Ernie Macmillan or Terry Boot, who'd seemed likely other candidates. The term would have turned out very differently… probably with fewer attempts made on my life, but equally fewer steamy make-out sessions.

"You could have ended up as Padma Patel" I told Draco, bemused. "Or Susan Bones".

"There was never going to be any other head girl but you" he said with a sidelong smile that made my heart flutter. He really did know exactly how to sweet talk me, damn him.

As we walked down the marble staircase and into the entrance hall, a strange shiver ran up my spine. I wasn't sure why until I looked round and focused in on Xavier Knott, the sixth year that Draco's father had used to spy on us. He was leaning against the wall, his dark head bent, and it felt ominously somehow as if he had been waiting there for us. As we approached my suspicions were confirmed as his head snapped up and he broke into a nasty leer.

I elbowed Draco in the side, nodding in his direction.

"Look" I murmured. "What do you think he wants?"

Draco's eyes narrowed. "If he tries anything, anything, I'm going to curse him into oblivion. I always knew he was an idiot, but I didn't believe he was such a pathetic low life that he would do the bidding of any old Death Eater the second they clicked their fingers".

I was surprised and a little bit unnerved by the vehemence in his voice. I knew he had wanted to take matters in to his own hands in terms of Xavier's actions, but to my relief hadn't wanted to confront him in my body and put me at risk. He'd been forced to settle for Professor Dumbledore giving Xavier a series of detentions and, I assumed, a serious conversation about the dangers of communicating with Azkaban inmates.

"His own parents died during the War didn't they?" I asked hesitantly.

"I'd have a lot more sympathy for that fact if he hadn't fed information to my father that nearly got you killed" said Draco coldly, his gaze locked with Xavier's as we passed him.

Entering the Great Hall I couldn't help looking back once over my shoulder, to where Xavier was still standing, sneering at our retreating figures. I wondered how he had got mixed up in it all and what Draco's father had offered him in exchange for doing his dirty work. For the first time I couldn't help worrying whether we had been foolish to assume that Lucius being out of the picture meant it was the end of the matter.

But then Padma was calling me over to discuss where we should position the band and Ernie was chattering on incessantly, and all thoughts of Xavier were pushed to the back of my mind as I set to ticking off all the final items on my master list.

Draco

Had I imagined that this was what my last Yule Ball would be like? No.

Was I pleased about the fact that I was wearing heels and had glitter in unmentionable places? Also, no.

Somewhere, someday, Dumbledore was going to pay for this. I was holding him and his crooked nose directly responsible for the fact that not only had I been forced to endure a full goddamn hour of Lavender Brown giving me a make-over (the novelty of being around girls getting ready together in their underwear had started to wear off and I was more concerned with the pain of a mascara wand being poked in my eye), but here I was in a floor length emerald dress being paraded round on Ron fucking Weasley's arm.

''You look beautiful'' Ron told me earnestly as we entered the Great Hall.

Oh Jesus Christ, I was actually going to vomit.

''Thanks'' I ground out, because granted, Hermione did look stunning.

When Lavender had held up the mirror so I could admire her handy work, I'd had to remind myself that there was only 24 hours to go until I was back in my body and I could finally do the things to Hermione that I'd been dreaming about.

But first, an entire evening of listening to Ron simpering on about how gorgeous I was. The one silver lining was the fact that it was a masquerade, so his face was partially obscured.

The Great Hall looked fantastic, obviously, because I'd been in charge of the decorations. The oohs and ahhs of everyone coming through the doors and seeing it for the first time just confirmed my suspicion that I was great at pretty much anything I turned my hand to.

There were old fashioned candelabras floating under the enchanted ceiling and burning tapers fixed to the walls, next to a number of impressive mounted horns and antlers. Hagrid had dragged in a load of greenery from the grounds which we had draped artistically over everything. There was a magical stone fountain gushing butter beer in one of the corners, and a large fire blazing in a hearth in the very centre of the hall where people could roast marshmellows and various other confectionary we'd gotten in from Honeydukes. The four long tables had been placed at one end where we would have the banquet, leaving enough space for dancing.

I squinted over at Blaise, who I was 99.9% certain would have a hip flask on him. I might need industrial quantities of alcohol to get me through the night, especially as I'd just spotted Professor Sprout heading on to the stage to invite the head boy and girl and their partners to open the dancing. Salazar give me strength.

As she made her announcement to a smattering of applause and a couple of wolf whistles, the band struck a few rippling chords and I sighed, reluctantly allowing Ron to lead me on to the dance floor.

I would never, never live this down if it got out. Vince, Greg and Theo would probably have it inscribed on my gravestone – "Here lies Draco Malfoy, twinkle-toed ballerina, Yule Ball 1999".

He put his hand on my waist, which took all of my willpower not to punch him in the face, and the music started.

After a few spins round the floor, I decided that it wasn't so bad. Ron was a truly abysmal dancer so all of his attention was caught up in trying to remember the steps rather than getting carried away with the – I nearly choked on the thought – romance of the moment, his tongue poking out in concentration. I grimaced as he trod heavily on my foot for the hundredth time, wondering what the hell his mother had taught him growing up, and glanced over to Hermione and Daphne.

Hermione's dress robes had a midnight blue trim which matched Daphne's gown (and really did compliment the colour of my hair fantastically), and I had to admit she was doing a good job of steering. I noted with approval that at least a dozen girls standing round the edges of the hall were shooting Daphne sour looks and that Pansy's face was scrunched up in displeasure. I bit back a self-satisfied grin.

"Thank God for that" muttered Ron, sounding as relieved as I felt as the music finally flowed into a new song and other couples began to join us on the dance floor.

His palm was disgustingly sweaty in mine and I deliberated how soon I should initiate my twisted ankle plan – on reflection it had felt like a better and less violent strategy than doing something to his ankles – when I spotted Harry's messy black hair through the crowd, sitting on his own near the fire. Here was a perfect get out excuse and bonus boyfriend points to me for looking like I actually gave a damn about his emotional state. I mean, maybe he actually had started to grow on me a bit, but I wasn't about to tell Hermione this in case she made us all wear friendship bracelets and talk about our feelings.

"Hey, why don't we go get some butter beers and sit with Harry?" I suggested casually. "Don't want him feeling left out now that he's all depressed and single and everything".

I then mentally cursed myself as Ron's eyes lit up. As per fucking usual he'd gotten the wrong end of the stick and seemed to have interpreted my statement to mean that the two of us weren't single.

"Just three friends having a friendly drink, as friends…" I added hastily, before he could get too carried away.

"Good idea" he said, the disappointment tangible in his voice.

I dropped his hand quicker than it takes Longbottom to give a wrong answer in class.

"Hi guys" Harry greeted us cheerfully as we joined him at his table. He indicated the empty chair next to him. "What do me and my patronus have in common? We both go stag…"

Ron snorted and flopped down, while I groaned.

"You are never going to get another girlfriend carrying on like this" I told him. "You need to capitalise on being the saviour of the wizarding world before anybody discovers your personality".

"Ouch Mione, that's harsh" he grinned, clutching his heart dramatically. "Have you been spending too much time with Malfoy?"

"Something like that" I smirked, sitting down too.

I was soon distracted pretending not to be watching Hermione, while Harry and Ron got into an argument about whose jokes were worse.

"You can't grow up around Fred and George without having an excellent sense of humour" Ron reasoned, accio-ing himself a plateful of sweets from the nearby table and tucking in.

Over by the fountain, I'd noticed that Ginny was standing very close to Blaise, whose hand was wandering down her hip and on to her arse.

"Same with the Dursley's" Harry argued, "having a sense of humour was the only way of getting through".

Ahh the Dursley's. I really would have to send them a bunch of flowers one of these days.

"Dean and Seamus definitely think I'm funnier" said Ron through a mouthful of marshmallow.

"Says who?" Harry demanded.

I was about to tell them that neither of them were about to win any comedy prizes, when I realised with a sinking feeling that Cho was weaving her way through the crowd towards Hermione.

She honestly was the definition of basic and predictable. As much as I was ready to deal with the fall out of her dropping the bomb that Hermione and I were together, I knew this was the last thing Hermione wanted until after tomorrow.

The music was too loud for me to hear what was being said at this distance but I could see the tense set of Hermione's shoulders as Cho held court, Daphne retorting with her hand on her hip, and people stopping dancing to watch what was going on.

I started to rise out of my seat, not sure what it was I was going to do. Going over there might just make things worse.

"What's Malfoy up to now?" Ron asked, clocking the commotion and nudging Harry in the ribs so he glanced up too. "How is that git so popular? I don't know why the hell even one girl would be interested in his ferrety face but it looks like there might be a cat fight".

Indignant from the insult and distracted worrying about Hermione, I reacted slowly when somebody screamed.

I didn't see the curse being fired until it was too late.

Hermione

I was actually having a surprisingly good time with Daphne, chatting away while I steered her round the floor, when Cho appeared out of nowhere like some sort of noxious gas.

"I didn't take you for a beard, Greengrass" she said loudly, stopping directly in front of us and putting a halt to our dancing. She was wearing a figure hugging strapless silver dress and matching mask, and looked incredibly beautiful apart from the malicious glint in her eyes.

"What do you mean?" Daphne asked, dropping her hand from my shoulder and turning to look at Cho.

"The fact that Draco is secretly seeing Hermione Granger" she said with a sly smile. "Are you his decoy date, or did he not even tell you?"

"You don't know what you're talking about" I said automatically, while my heart plummeted. A few of the couples around us had already slowed down and were hovering nearby to listen in to what they were clearly hoping was going to be a scandalous showdown. A fifth year Slytherin girl had actually gasped and I could see Seamus and Lavender with their heads bent together talking excitedly. I was just grateful that Harry and Ron were nowhere nearby.

"We're here as friends" Daphne said calmly. "So whoever Draco is or isn't dating doesn't bother me".

I felt a surge of affection for the other girl and the fact that she genuinely seemed unconcerned by the news that Draco and I might be together.

"I just thought you'd like to know" Cho went on unperturbed, her voice rising above the murmurs. "That's the reason he hasn't slept with a single girl all term. We all thought he might be losing his touch, but really he's smitten with the people's princess. Wonder what they get up to in their heads dorm…"

Marietta and her loyal band of Ravenclaw cronies had come up behind her and they all tittered at this.

"Seems like Hermione has finally got bored of being a goody goody trailing round after Harry and Ron" Cho went on, speaking now to the circle of onlookers that had formed round us. "And opted for slumming it with our resident bad boy. Although I'm surprised you wanted Weasley's sloppy seconds" she said directly to me.

Anger was bubbling in my stomach. I knew Cho was deliberately trying to get a rise so I would prove her point, and I willed myself to stay calm. I could see Blaise and Ginny heading over towards us, and maybe he would make a stupid joke and diffuse the whole situation before I had to think of something to say... when all of a sudden a scream rang out from the other side of the hall.

Turning round to see what was happening along with everyone else, my blood ran instantly cold.

Draco, Harry and Ron were sitting round one of the small tables and Xavier was moving intently towards them, his wand out.

Draco was half out of his seat, looking at the girl who had screamed rather than his attacker.

Without knowing what I was doing I started moving through the crowd, frantically pushing people out the way. I was scrambling for my wand but my fingers felt clumsy and stupid, my brain foggy. Time seemed to slow down, yet before I had even got a few steps I thought I heard Xavier yelling "blood traitor" through the loud buzzing in my ears and there was a sickening flash of red light.

My heart froze in horror as Ron dived in front of Draco, his body crumpling to the floor as the curse hit him square in the chest.

A/n: So I always knew that Xavier was going to pop up again at some point, I just didn't quite know how…

**an homage to one of my favourite Magnus Bane lines from City of Ashes!