Disclaimer: In this will I bequeath Harry Potter and the Princess Diaries to… what do mean you can give something you don't own away in a will? Why not? Oh well then I can't "bequeath" Potter or the Diaries to anyone! Bummer…

September 28

1:04 am

My Room

What an awful, disaster of a quasi-date!

It started out badly, my alarm didn't go off (never again will I buy something just because it's fuzzy!), I completely missed my first class and half of my second (charms and transfiguration, luckily, if I'd had potions then it'd be detention instead of a quasi-date for me!).

After that was lunch, so I scurried along to the Great Hall only to remember that Ginny said we should work through lunch so she'd bring something up to her room for us.

Since I was all but starved (I missed Breakfast!) I hurried up to Gryffindor Tower, all the way up the flight of stairs to the girl's dorms and then, not at all gracefully, through the Room and to Gin's bed. I flopped down on the bed and when I landed I heard the crunch of parchment under a slightly too big, bookworm butt. I've put it here to help me remember to possibly kill Ginny if this ruined my chances with Malfoy.

Mione,

Guess what! Harry asked me to study (or possibly "study") with him! Squee! So I won't be able to help you with your dress. I am so sorry Mione! I've left a few of mine out that I thought might fit you, if not feel free to raid the closet! Good Luck on your non-date!

Ginny

P.S. If the ferret gets to handsy hex his slimy, Slytherin self, ya hear!

Can you believe it? Whatever happened to sisters before misters? Well after I read that I knew all hope was lost but I gathered my "happy thoughts" and tried the dressmaking spell solo, no little mice and birds included, it didn't go so well.

The dress was, I threw it away, so so so bad. There were two sleeves, a neck-hole (even though it was supposed to be a halter), a skirt and some beads, yeah, but the two sleeves where of different lengths, the neck-hole was off (like a-symmetrical, 80's-esque off) and the beads (oh the beads!) were all down the back and buttocks! In short it was horrendous.

So I looked at the ones Ginny left out for me to try. There was a light pink one not dissimilar to the one I wore the Yule Ball all those eons ago, a little sparkly (totally inappropriate) mini-dress, and a lovely Gryffindor (it's greatest fault) red dress with a rather low neckline. I tried the pink and silver on (the red just seemed too Gryffindor, you know?) thinking that maybe Ginny knew something I didn't. She doesn't. The pink barely fit over my hips (Ginny is hipless and so I was very worried I'd break her dress) and once it did I wished it hadn't. I was more….ruffle-ly than it looked lying down, the stomach and chest ruffles fell okay (if you like ruffles, which I don't) but from there it got worse, floor length ruffles are an always don't! The mini was definitely not much better, I will tell you only this: girls with hips like mine should never ever wear this mini of a mini-dress…EVER (we're talking underwear-visibility, another always don't).

I despaired. I had class in a lot less than an hour, my date in 5 hours 31 minutes and 22 seconds, there seemed to be no dress and no way. Then I noticed the red dress. I pulled it on quickly hoping desperately it would fit. And it did. Don't get me wrong there was no duckling-to-swan, bookworm-to-nice-apples moment but there was me in a dress that fit me shockingly well, in a color that made my hair look dark and my body look fit and really that's all I was hoping for.

I took off the dress carefully, as not to rip it (never know with my luck), and, after dressing, ran it back to my room and made it back just in time for double potions before freedom (which if you ask me is a nice way to put it, you have to put up with Snarky Snape for two hours but then you have all weekend to recover!).

Potions was usual(ish), took my seat next to Harry and Ron (who I still hadn't told about my date) and got my things out. Then Ronald passed me a note (Snape wasn't there yet). It read (I'll just rewrite it that'd be too many papers for one entry): Her (he has to write it like that because Harry's letter is H), Wizard's chess with Harry and me in the common room? 7:00. R

I figured then was as good as any other time to tell them so I wrote back that I was sorry but I couldn't I already had plans. He asked what it was that I was doing. I told him I had a date, by now Snape had come in a started his lecture so I also told Ron to drop it and stop sending me notes before we lost points. Since I didn't hear any swearing, laughing, choking, or yelling I assumed he handled it well. You know what they say about assuming though.

Once we were released from a grueling two hour long lecture on the properties of vampire fangs in various forms, a very interesting lecture may I add (so interesting I kind of forgot about telling Ron about my "date" before class). As soon as we were in the corridor Ron and Harry both start up asking me why didn't I tell them, who it is, do they know him, do they like him, why didn't I tell them, would they approve, how long have I known him, why didn't I tell them, do I like him, when do they get to meet him, how long have we been dating, why didn't I tell them, etc… I told them I was sorry I didn't tell them, it was new, this was in fact our first date, and I didn't want to jinx it, I asked them to forgive me but I had to go get ready (if had told them I was going to the kitchens first because I missed lunch they would've wanted to go). They were very gracious about it and released me but not before telling that they wanted all details tomorrow on my "mystery man" (their words not mine).

When I got to the kitchen all the elves except Dobby shied away from me (even though I mostly gave up S.P.E.W. over two years ago) but after I asked Dobby if he wouldn't mind terribly to bring some food and tea up to my room in about twenty minutes they seemed much more eager to help me, since I wasn't giving away socks. Dobby was totally thrilled to help and said it would be there shortly (and called me "friend of Harry Potter, Miss Hermione Granger" twice), I thanked him and headed up to my room thinking I could get my shower in before the food got there.

I was wrong. I forgot that today I didn't just have to shower I had to exfoliate my face and body (to get glowing skin), shave my legs (twice because I always miss the spot on the back of my thigh), wash my hair in normal shampoo, then this honey rinse, then shampoo again, then condition but before I could even start on all that I had to paint my nails on fingers and toes (I decided on a French manicure) so I could take mistakes off in the shower. All that took almost an hour and a half, luckily Dobby put my food in warming dishes so it was all still really good when I got time to eat. Then I took off all the teas and the pot and Scourgify-ed the dishes left on the tray.

I decided to whiten my teeth before the quasi-non-date too, nothing impresses more then a white smile, but I botched the spell (I told you I'm rubbish at home and make-up spells!) and turned my teeth the whitest white that ever was! I had to swish and gargle the blackest tea in the selection for over an hour just to get them to human white. Needless to say that cut back on my time severely, I was down to just over half an hour! So I said the spells for my hair which turned out beautifully, thank Merlin, and then applied my own make-up because I couldn't afford the time if I botched another spell. The fact I had to apply my make-up meant that there was no beautiful smoky eye or red, red lips just a bit of brown eye liner, a little eye shadow, some mascara and lip-gloss (which I shrunk down so it'd fit in the dress' wand holster with my wand, I love Ginny's dresses she's so prepared). I slipped on my dress and shoes and was just taking a look (an almost duck-to-swan worthy moment to be sure) when Draco knocked on the door.

He was gorgeous, with an all black suit and tie ensemble and his hair hanging loosely around his ears in that artfully messed up way he does it. I swear I almost swooned! I said "hello" but he was silent I suddenly got very nervous, would he like it? The lack of make-up? The straight hair? The calve length Gryffindor colored dress with long sleeves?

Then he said the most perfect thing, "Must you always be an over achiever, Granger?" and he said it with a cute, nice smirk.

I blushed a bit.

"I do try ever so hard," I said with a little fake sigh.

He chuckled under his breath and offered me his arm, which I accepted. When we walked down everyone was at dinner so no came across us, which I think is for the best since I didn't tell Harry or Ron who it was I was going out with tonight.

That was the second closest to perfect that any part of the night came because as soon as we opened the door out onto the lawn I saw it was pouring rain. Draco had an umbrella, sure, but do umbrellas help with humidity? Not so much. I could, literally, feel my hair curling though, luckily, it stayed in its French twist (sort of, some of the shorter front hairs fell out around my face). One thing the rain did though was make me glad I hadn't worn much make-up (Great brightside, huh?).

It hadn't been raining long, I could tell because my heels didn't sink into the ground much, thank Merlin, but I still had to release Malfoy's arm in order to hold up the hem of Ginny's dress, this pathetically made my arm feel quite cold all of a sudden.

As soon as we exited the grounds of the school Malfoy turned to me and said, "Just for tonight, Granger, I think we ought to call each other by our first names," I opened my mouth to agree but he wouldn't let me speak, "Don't worry it doesn't mean we hate each other less, it just means we don't want other people to know."

I nodded and, "Okay, Draco, that's fine with me."

"Good, Hermione, because you didn't really have an option," with that and a smirk he took my hand and apparated us to the Hotel in whose ballroom this function was being held.

To say the Ballroom was anything short of spectacular would be a lie. It was all white and gold, marble floors, a huge dome ceiling with a Vatican worthy moving mural all across it, there were tables everywhere and large wooden dance floor all lit up with thousands of real Fairy Lights and candles. It was a sight to behold but I was definitely the only one of the two of us enthralled with the glorious appearance.

I breathed the word, "beautiful" and Malfoy leaned to my ear and said, "It gets old fast, trust me."

That seemed cynical to me but the way he said it left no room for argument, so I simply walked along next to him politely smiling at people and taking it all in.

The first thing we did was follow our place cards to our table our table (there are place cards in the wizarding world too, but you get them at the door and they lead you to where you sit, it's so cool). When we got to the table Lucius and Narsissa Malfoy were already seated there.

"Mother," Draco glided over to her (with me still on his arm) and kissed her hand, "stunning as usual. Father," Lucius gave Draco a curt nod while looking at me as though trying to place where he knew me from, "Mother, Father this is Hermione Granger, Hermione these are my parents, Lucius and Narsissa Malfoy."

"Mrs. Malfoy we only met so briefly at the World Cup all those years ago, it's a pleasure to see you again! And Mr. Malfoy, impeccable as always I see," I said all this in a light, social tone and with a bright (but humanly white) smile on my face.

"Miss Granger," was Lucius strained response as he as he shook my offered hand as though it were infected.

"Hermione Granger," Narsissa gave "the Look", the Look every mother gives their child's potential partner where they are testing whether or not you're good enough for their progeny, "Hm," I think I passed, "Lovely to see you again dear," she actually (get this!) AIR KISSED MY CHEEK! I am totally in with Malfoy's mum!

Malfoy and his parents, mostly just his mum, chatted amicably for a moment then Draco led me over to our seats.

He pulled out my chair and mutter, "You handled that well, how many times did you practice in front of the mirror?"

He seated himself and I leaned over, putting a hand on his knee, "14," he smiled the most genuine smile I've ever seen from him (that one night aside), it made him ten times as hot! His smile is a bit lopsided and devious and much nicer than his evil smirk.

The food came out shortly after and that went well, especially seeing as the other couple at our table was the Parkinson's (Mr. Malfoy must've assumed Draco would invite that pug-faced chit Pansy!). The most catastrophic thing that happened was that Mrs. Parkinson shot a grape off her plate and STRAIGHT INTO LUCIUS MALFOY'S EYE! He looked scornful and disgusted and she apologized profusely, Draco and I tried not to laugh.

The music started and almost immediately Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were off. Once they left to "do the rounds" as Draco said he asked if I'd like to dance with him.

I said, "I'd be glad to but I warn you I'm less than proficient at it."

"Maybe you've simply never had the right partner," his eyebrow went up and his perfect, large, porcelain hand extended towards me. I took it, the hand I mean.

We twirled around the floor, Draco's a powerful and experienced dancer apparently (who would've guessed?). But those first few dances ended all too quickly then Draco also had to "work the room".

I followed him from person to person saying a polite "hello" then standing quietly unless spoken to. I talked to several elderly witches about a variety of things, many of whom appeared very protective of Draco. Malfoy smiled, and chatted, he was a hit with all (especially those old women, I almost got jealous of the attention he was doting upon them!).

After a solid two hours of that, and having Malfoy whisper any number of snide things into my ear about various guests and their clothes and families, we were dancing again.

This was when the absolute highlight of the night came upon me. As we danced Lucius Malfoy also was dancing with a lovely old women Draco had introduced to me as his Grandmother.

"Lucius," she told him briskly in a tone I swear I've hear Malfoy use, "Don't let that boy lose her. She is Malfoy material that girl."

I know! How completely awesome is that?

Malfoy heard what she said as well and smirked brightly as Lucius commenced to turn twelve shades of purple and choke out some gibberish his mother took as an assent.

After that there was a good deal more dancing but we had to be back at school by twelve thirty and the time simply escaped me.

After we apparated back, we had a long trek to castle in which we laughed and talked and joked and I trip over my heels several times. He was charming and cute and perfect (Darn him! Darn him, Darn him! Why couldn't he've been an awful date? That would've cured my crush quick)!

The only weirdness was once we got back to our common room. It seemed to dawn on us both that we were supposed to hate each other and we both got oddly quiet and tense.

"Good night, Granger," Malfoy said, collected as always.

"G'night, Dra- er Malfoy," I said smiling at him timidly.

"You can still can me Draco if you want to. I wouldn't be adverse to it."

"Thanks," I'm not sure why I thanked him but it seem important so I did, "You can call me Hermione if you want."

"Is that what Potter and Weasly call you?"

"Yes, that and Mione sometimes."

"Then I think I'll stick to Granger. It's our thing." He smirked and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

"Yes?" there went the eyebrow.

"Thanks for a really lovely night, Draco," and I kissed his cheek and then I walked away.

I had such a good time (particularly given the fact that everything I wanted to go exactly right went… well apparently it went right. Just not the right I wanted it to go!) And I think I succeeded in being a truly, positively memorable quasi-non-date. JOY!

Maybe this will lead to a non-quasi-real-date!

Or maybe not.

Oh, no.

A/N: Sorry this took forever! It's the Big Date and I wanted it to be as perfect as possible. Plus I kept getting mini writer's block! And it was like attack of the plot-bunnies, I only wrote one but I thought of like a million! Anyway, thanks to my Mommy (who had the brilliant Lucius and his Mommy idea), and thanks to all my reviewers (who just rock my socks!)! Pretty please with anything you want on top! Review for me, I love it. And I love you all – Quik

A/N: re-edited