Chapter 1

It's nearly midnight. While everyone was sleeping, Hermione was still in Common Room, reading books, alone. She usually sleep earlier – unless there was a sudden 'quest' to do with Harry and Ron. She couldn't stop thinking about the Yule Ball. One day left, she thought. And somehow it made her wide awake all night.

And not only the Yule Ball she has been thinking about, but also her date, Viktor Krum. She was afraid if he wasn't the right choice. She wondered if Draco Malfoy was her partner. Since she punched his face last year, Draco often appears on her mind. Everytime she met him, she shuddered from the head to toes. Still, Hermione loathed him. But if only...

She heard footsteps, and then the one who made the sound sat beside her. It was Ron. He brought lots of tasks to do.

"Have you done Potions homeworks?" Ron asked.

"I've finished it a week ago," Hermione answered proudly.

"Ah, great. I don't even know the answer of number 5," Ron said.

Hermione took his paper and puzzled it out. "Blimey, Ron, it's definitely Sleeping Draught!"

"Oh yeah, thanks, Hermione," Ron withdrawed his homework. He looked at Hermione's books. "We never learn these before."

"It's for OWL next year," Hermione said.

Ron saw the books again. They weren't even subjects for fifth year. A sketch of a couple dancing together on the cover... there must be something related to the Yule Ball.

"These," Ron grabbed all the books. "Are for OWL. Yeah, right."

"Okay, I got caught! she confessed. "I never dance with someone before, you know. I'm afraid I look awkward dancing with him."

Ron was insanely shocked, whereas he was going to ask her out. "Wait – you've got partner?"

"Did that really surprise everyone here?"

"Well, it's just... quite shocking, really."

Hermione couldn't help her feelings. She didn't want Ron to found out that she'd be with Krum, not now. "May I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What would you do if I my date was Malfoy?"

Ron gasped, "I'd completely punch him and kick his arse out – wait, don't tell me it is really him!"

Hermione smirked, "No, of course not! Everybody knows he would rather ask Pansy than spending time to ask mudbloods like me..."

"Don't call yourself a mudblood!" Ron protested. "Don't even think to grovel!"

"Calm down, Ron. I was just...wondering," Hermione said.

"Better you don't, next time. Four years and Malfoy and his filthy friends couldn't stop doing bad things on us!" Ron said a bit angrily.

Hermione stood up. "But what if he changes? Don't you think that there's a better side of him we haven't known yet?"

Sudden silence began. Ron was trying to figure out why on earth Hermione could say that. Malfoy? Really? Bloody hell, what's wrong with her?

He sighed. "Shut it, 'Mione. It's already late, we should go back to sleep. Good night, sleep well."

"Good night, Ron."

They picked up their stuffs and went to their own room. Ron might wished her to sleep well, but she couldn't. Hermione's eyes still opened widely, even when she already laid in her bed. Maybe she thought too much, but no. There was nothing on her mind, except him – that blonde-Slytherin guy – if it wasn't considered as 'much'.

Hermione remembered when she saw Draco asked Pansy Parkinson if she wanted to be his date on Yule Ball. They looked so happy together. She tried not to care, yet she often seemed so annoyed every time people talked about them. That's why she chose to accept Viktor Krum's offer immediately, as a distraction. But it didn't change anything.

Meanwhile, in Slytherin dormitory, Draco was looking at the mirror, trying a suit given from his mother for the Ball. He was nervous. He supposed it wouldn't be going well if he went to the upcoming party with Pansy. Somehow, she was always considered things too serious. What if he told her jokes and then she got mad, especially when they showed up as a couple and there was nothing to talk about?

Then he thought about Hermione Granger accidentally. It just always come to his brain. All the time. He couldn't help it either. He imagined himself dancing with her, having fun together, and there were no boundaries between 'pureblood' and 'mudblood', not like what his parents had told to him.

What were you thinking, Draco? You and Granger? Not a perfect match.

He touched wounds on his nose caused by Hermione's punch, and he looked back to that time, when she attacked – even touched him for the first time. Draco smiled. Then he hid his smile by keep looking at the mirror when Pansy came in.

"You're not asleep yet, Draco?" Pansy asked.

"Yeah, I still doubt this tuxedo would suit me," Draco lied.

Pansy laughed. "Well, it really suits you, darling, and as a matter of fact, it would look much better when you wear it while attending the dance ball with me!"

What's the point? And 'darling' stuff? He thought.

"Haha," Draco smirked awkwardly.

Pansy went closer to him and took off the tuxedo. "I suppose you should take a rest for now. It's only the ball, don't worry."

"Yeah, you're right," Draco agreed. He muttered softly, "Unless Hermione anger stared and laughed at my suit."

"What?"

"Nothing," Draco lied again. "You should take a rest, too, Pansy."

"Tomorrow's going to be a big day, right?" Pansy hugged him, left him and closed the door. "Good night, honey."

He was relieved that Pansy finally went out of his room. He almost thought he would probably spent the rest of night with her. He went to his bed, but he wasn't sleepy yet. A girl named Hermione Granger keep coming to his mind, and Draco didn't even know if it was a bad thing or not.

Maybe not. No, that was good, though.

Pansy and Ron didn't realize what was really going on. There was a mind-connection between Draco and Hermione, somehow. Hermione was still awake, same as Draco. They both had been thinking too much, and even though it was disturbing, they couldn't stop it.

Hermione whispered to herself before she slept, so did Draco. Not really.

"Sleep well, Draco."

"Sleep well, Hermione."