Hello! (: My very first Dramione fic, so I do hope you enjoy reading! Its based on Challenge 11 at dramionechallenge [dot] tumblr [dot] com
I tried my best incorporating Cinderella with Harry Potter and it was definitely... a challenge hahaha!

I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, JUST USING THE CHARACTERS FOR MY CREATIVE OUTLET.

Hermione Granger had scarce bit of time for herself. Though she never faltered in performance, selflessness came naturally to her. Less is said of her stepfamily. Petunia, her stepmother, succumbed to sweet murmurs from less suitable men. Pansy and Lavender, her stepsisters were, lack of better term, dimwitted. Hermione never allowed them to dig under her skin, as much as she wanted to retaliate their poor attempts to outwit her. She merely bit her tongue and abide their commands.

The morning of the Ball arrived. Hermione rose out of bed and tended to her morning routine in an elated mood. She opened the door to find her stepsisters hovering over her, their eyes too mischievous. "And why are you so happy, dear sister?" Lavender questioned. Her high pitch rang in Hermione's ears. "I've been invited to the Ball, I must prepare." Pansy's laugh slightly quashed Hermione's good mood. The prat had finesse quelling anything happy. Hermione's dry sense of humor suggested Pansy a Dementor in her past life.

Lavender glanced quickly down the hall and smiled at Hermione too sweetly. Petunia strode down the hall with eerie grace, her robes engulfing her every step. Hermione winced at the invasion of her personal space. Petunia raised a thin eyebrow impatiently. "We've no time for quarrels. We must prepare for the Ball tonight and the finest gentlemen will not tolerate less from you lot," Petunia addressed Pansy and Lavender strictly. It came to no surprise Hermione's existence was, well, nonexistent. Her surprise, however, were Petunia's eyes on her. She cleared her throat and Hermione braced herself. "Hermione. The errands have been neglected. See to it they are tended too immediately. Time is running short," Hermione was bewildered. "Mother… if I were to do the errands, I won't have time to prepare for the Ball."

Petunia laughed lightly at the very idea. "The Ball is of pureblood. You, my pet, are not to attend. Your filthy blood…" Petunia trailed off, her frown deepening to a hideous scowl, "enough of this nonsense and attend to your duties at once." Petunia left no room for Hermione to argue. As Petunia walked down the hall, Pansy and Lavender followed before glancing smugly at her. She will not allow them to win.

The bustling of people at the Market Place brought her peace of mind as she drowned deeper in the talk of the streets. A quick glisten from an alleyway caught her eye. Curiosity bested her better judgment once she stepped out the alleyway. She easily spotted the spill of light in the crowd. 'A gentleman', Hermione thought. His nearly silver hair shone against the sunlight and a peek at his gray eyes was daunting. Never has she met someone so… unusual. She didn't feel alone in that aspect, but it undoubtedly piqued her fancy.

As if sensing her eyes on him, he turned slightly to acknowledge Hermione. Captivated by his eyes, she mustered all the willpower she could and turned to leave through the alleyway. Halfway through, she felt a hand on her elbow. She nearly jumped out her skin. "Forgive me… do I know you? Your eyes tell me we've met before." His voice was pleasant to her ears. "My name is Draco and you are?" He said in a rush. She carefully turned to him. She couldn't help, but stare into his eyes. A few minutes passed before she answered, "I don't believe we've met. I'm sorry if I so rudely stared at you," she spoke softly. He hummed in response as he released her elbow. "Don't be. It was refreshing to have someone see me instead of looking through me." She exhaled in humor, smiling at the irony. He glanced at her and smiled too. He held his hand out for her to take. She stared at his hand and hesitantly took it. "Hermione. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

He bent low to kiss her hand, keeping his eyes on her. Heat rushed to her cheeks at the intimate gesture. "I do hope I'm not limited as an acquaintance, but more if you allow me," he said with a hint of mischief. She exhaled sharply and broke her gaze upon him. "I-I… suppose it's alright." Air rushed back into her lungs, as Draco's other hand tipped her chin towards him. "Very well. Will you come to the Ball? Tonight? I will not take no for an answer." Draco was not a man of shy mannerisms. He must have seen the slight hesitation in her eyes once he leaned his forehead against hers gently. "Please, Hermione." He spoke her name so delicately. She swallowed and closed her eyes, suddenly remembering her stepfamily.

"I was told I was not invited,"

"By whom? I want to see you again,"

"Draco—"

"Hermione, there isn't one good—"

"I'm of different blood…"

Hermione dared not open her eyes. Draco gazed at her more intently, willing her to open her eyes. He took her other hand in his and pulled them close to his chest, drawing her closer. Her eyes snapped open and she felt his body against hers. She glanced at his lips, then his eyes for answers. "Don't speak such rubbish! I assure you I do not believe in prejudice. I choose to further my acquaintance with you, not judged by blood, but…" Draco trailed off, smiling softly. He pulled back to kiss her forehead, "to have those beautiful eyes for myself." Hermione smiled. She gave his hands a gentle squeeze before leaning on her toes to kiss his cheek. "I hope to see you the moment I enter through the door," she whispered. He chuckled and craned his neck to kiss her bare shoulder. "Not a second later, love. Not a second later."

'So, this is what makes life divine.'