Students are getting more excited the next day. From the Gryffindor towers to the Slytherins Dungeons people are talking about the Christmas ball. This is after all the first ball at Hogwarts after Voldermort final downfall.

When Hermione enters the Great Hall the next morning, every body in the hall stand up and gave her aloud applause. Hermione's face has turn into bright weasly red. Seeing Draco's waving hand, Hermione quickly walks towards the table and sit beside him.

"Morning Draco, Thanks." Hermione says ignoring faces that is looking at her.

"Not a problem at all, although it is not fair. They don't applaud to me like they did to you." Draco gave her a wide grin.

"What can I say, they like me." She gave him a smirk.

~***~

Both of them sit together at a table by the corner of the hall. Their intimate friendship attracts a lot of attention. Rumors are widely spread and the girls began to gossip whether Draco and Hermione is a couple.

Not far away, Ginny was watching them. She saw Hermione burst out laughing when Draco whispers something at her. They were halfway eating their meal when Ginny decided to join them.

"Don't look 'Mione but I think you have just receive glares from our Mr. Popular fan club."

"Where? Let me see them." Draco says. His head is looking through the hall when he comes across a group of girls looking at him. He gave them a flying kiss which make the girls giggles happily.

"Problem settles." Draco gave Hermione a smirk.

"You're disgusting Draco. Are you going to do that to every girl that glare at me?"

"Why not? But you're right, I should kiss you instead." Draco lean towards Hermione and give her a peck at her check.

"Eww Draco, I just wash my face." She pushes him away playfully.

"You don't like it 'Mione, I 'm very disappointed. Ginny she don't like it, maybe I should kiss you instead." He leans towards Ginny.

"Not a chance Draco." She pushes him away and gave him a smirk.

"Maybe my luck has really run down, first I just lost the competition now two of Hogwarts most beautiful girl has just turn me down."

The three of them laugh together.

~***~

At the other end of the hall. Ron and Harry are looking at the three of them.

"Look how close he is with Hermione. Look he kissed her!" Ron says jealously.

"Yea, but I have never seen Hermione smiles like that it is just as if she is happy with him rather then with us." Harry says without breaking contact with the three of them.

"What ever, look he is about to kiss Ginny that bloody bastar- good there Ginny."

They continue looking at them.

"I just don't understand. Why Hermione is mad at us. It is just a bloody- damn bet." Ron says looking confusedly at Harry.

"You know it's not right. I think 'Mione's mad because we are supposed to be her best friend.

"But we are-"

"I'm not finish Ron. What I'm trying to say is, as her best friends we should know her talent beside her know-it-all- thing. Bloody hell, I don't even know what is her favorite food."

"It's easy; her favorite food is.err. "

"You see what I mean? I'm feeling guilty right now, I need to go and apologies to her." Harry begin to walk when Ron block him.

"Not now, we don't have time Quidditch remember. I know how you feel but maybe later, we'll do it together." He gave Harry an assurance look.

"Okay."
~***~

Meanwhile Draco, Hermione and Ginny are still talking.

"Ginny you are the emcee, do you know anything about the special performance."Draco asked with a mouth full of muffins.

"Draco finish up you food first before you talk.But since you ask, I don't know anything about it.. Dumbledore keep his mouth shut. Like yesterday, I heard McGonagall asked him about it, he just gives her his odd twinkling look."

"Well from my experience when he gives THAT look, it must be something big tonight." Hermione says after sipping her pumpkin juice.

"What ever it is I'm sure looking forward for it. Look at the time 'Mione, we are going to be late for our date with the library "Draco give her a smirk. "Can I join you two?" "Sure, now let's go." Draco says while taking his last bite. The three of them pack their things and walk to the library

~***~ Later that day,

Snape has just finishes his chores.

"That stupid Longbottom, have to blow up cauldron everyday, who is left to clean the potions? Me, bloody me." He mumbles.

After finish cleaning up, Snape walk out from the dungeon and went straight towards the staff rooms. As he steps in the room, he heard the female staff talking. He walk straight towards his usual chair by the fire place and decided to listen to their conversation.

"Who do you think going to win the competition?" Firgie Hooch asked Poppy Pomfrey.

"I don't know, but between the two of us I think Hermione will win it." Poppy answered.

"Well I prefer Mr. Malfoy." Angelina Johnson interrupts. Angelina is the new History of Magic teacher. She replaces professor. Binns who decided to go haunting around the world.

"Don't tell me Angie that you are one of those members of Mr. Malfoy's fan club." Professor McGonagall who just joins in says.

"I can't help myself. He becomes even more gorgeous every day. We just cannot resist him .He is after all a star, with Quidditch and all." She says shyly. Her face turns a bit red.

"What do you mean WE?" Poppy asked as she raises an eyebrow.

"You know me and another hundreds of girls." Her face becomes redder.

They all laugh together.

"Speaking of him, did all of you saw him this morning at breakfast?" Firgie Hooch says.

"What happened?" Ask a concerned McGonagall.

"He sits with Hermione; it looks like something happened last night. She has been avoiding the wonder boys all day." Poppy Pomfrey answered.

Snape smirk at the thought of using the term wonder boy instead of their name. He continue listen to their conversation while helping himself with some tea.

"The both of them have become quite close these days. Hermione went to Hogsmade with Mr. Malfoy instead of Harry or Ron." She continued.

"Well it's understandable since both Harry and Ron are busy changing girlfriends every week." Angelina answer. She received an odd look from the other women." Well it's true." She defends herself.

"Well I've been observing Mr.Malfoy these past few days. Do you see the way he looks at Miss. Granger? I've noticed he always stare at her. Somehow I think he fancied her." She answered cheerfully." I saw him kissed her too!." She added.

Suddenly the women heard Snape choking noise. The women look at him "Are you okay Severus?" Poppy asked.

"I'm okay. Just ignore me women." He gave them a very dreadful glare. The women quickly continue their conversation.

"You're right Fergie but I don't think Hermione fancied him too." McGonagall says.

"Why is that Minerva?"

"Well I know they are quite close but she don't have that look in her eyes."

"Let's change topic, Minerva do you know anything about the so called special performance tonight?" Angelina asked irritated by the topic.

"Hmm, why suddenly change the topic? Never mind. Now that you have said it, I'm actually quite angry at Albus. Yesterday I have asked him about it. He just gives me that odd twinkling look."

"The look, oh my" Fergie look a bit shock

"I must be prepare tonight. I hope I still have my heart attack potions." Poppy Pomfrey says.

"What are you talking about? What's with Albus look?" Angelina asked confusedly.

"Well my dear, the last time Albus give that look something happened." Poppy answered

"Is it good or bad?" Angelina asks.

"Neither one, just a VERY shocking thing. I don't think you want to know." Fergie answered.

"But I remember he always gave that twinkling look when I was in school?"

"Well my dear don't get confused, that is his optimist look, and the look I'm talking about is another look. It got this.how should I say.plan behind it." McGonagall answered with a smirk.

"Well then I will be looking forward tonight." Angelina says with a wide grin.

That moment Snape decided to leave the staff room.

~***~

The night have finally come, at the Gryffindor tower the girls including Hermione and Ginny are busy dressing them self .Hermione is doing her last touch up when she a knock. "Come in."

Harry nervously comes inside the room. Lavender and Parvarti has already gone to the Great Hall so it is just Hermione and Ginny inside the room. Knowing Harry's main purpose, Ginny decide to excuse herself and went down to the common room.

"Hi 'Mione, You look beautiful." He blushes. Harry sits at her bed...

"Thanks Harry, what can I help you?" She went and sits beside him.

"'Mione, I'm sorry. I have not been a good friend to you this past seven years." He looks down.

"I know." She gave him a smirk.

"I shouldn't bet on you, I-I'm"

"You don't need to explain Harry. I don't even know why I'm mad at both of you in the first place."

"Thanks 'Mione. Just a question, what IS your favorite food?" He gave her a wide grin.

"Hmm let see, I think I like cheesecake."

"One down and a lot more to go."

"Huh?"

"I'm going to find out what you like and what you don't. I'm also going to make sure I know what you can do besides being a Know-it-all." He grins again.

"Okay then. Friends to the end?" She hands out a hand.

"Yeah, best friend no matter what." He shakes her hand back.

"Let's go."

They walk together to the common room where they meet Ron. He mumble something about 'sorry for being an idiot' to Hermione. She hugs him the four of them (including Ginny) walks together to the Great Hall where they met Draco, Hermione's date.

"Who is your date Ron?" Draco asks

." Oh, a Ravenclaw. Aha, there she is." With that Ron left them.

Draco turns his head to Harry." What about you?"

"I prefer to look around."

"In another word you're dateless." Draco gives him a smirk. Harry look a bit embarrass.

Hermione turns her head to Ginny. "What about you Gin?"

"Oh my date is over there." She shows her hand to a tall handsome Hufflepuff.

"Handsome. Good for you Gin." She gave her thumbs up.

Ginny gave her a wide smile. "See you later 'Mione."
~***~

Ginny and her date was the emcee for the night. The ball started as soon as the tunes were played. Most of the song played was muggle's music.

Hermione is enjoying herself. Wearing a red leather dress robes, the boys are stunned with her beauty. The boys scrambled to have a dance with Hermione.

Hermione was in a mid of having a dance with Dean when the music started to slow down.

Moments later Ginny went up the stage with her date. "Hi guys, sorry to interrupt. It is now time to announce the winners."

Whispers can be heard around the hall and Hermione can feel the excitement.

"Who do you think is going to win Gin?" Her date ask.

"I don't know Eric, but I for sure have a favorite in mind. Don't you agree with me Gryffindor's?" A loud cheer can be heard from the Gryffindors. Hermione walks towards Draco. He held her hand tightly.

"Okay everybody, I have the result here. Before that Eric, what is the prize?"

"Well Gin, the third prize winner will receive 50 Galleons. The second prize winner will receive a hundred Galleons and the first prize will receive two hundred Galleons."

"Let's welcome our very own Professor Dumbledore to the stage to give away the prizes. Dumbledore walks up the stage and stands beside Ginny.

"Okay without further interruption, the third prize winner is.Dean Thomas!" Dean walks up the stage and received his prize from Dumbledore. He waves his hand towards the crowd and stand beside Dumbledore.

"Congratulation Dean. Who is our second prize winner Eric?"

"Hmm interesting, the second prize winner is the girl's favorites. Draco Malfoy!"

Draco gave Hermione the I-told-you look before he walks to the stage. He waves his hand to the girls before standing beside Dean.

"Congratulations Draco. Now the moment have come the first prize winner is.." Ginny shows the result to Eric before they say together." Hermione Granger!" Nervously Hermione walks to the stage and received her prize. Draco kisses Hermione which make her receive glares from the girls for the second time in one day.

'Sing, sing, sing' the crowd shouted. Ginny was about to do the same when professor Dumbledore whisper something to her.

"I'm sorry you guys, but our winners can't sing right now." The crowd gave a loud 'boo'.Ginny just smile before asking the winners and Dumbledore to go down.

Hermione and Draco walks to the middle of the hall where they join Harry, Ron, Lavender, Parvarti and Neville.

"Okay guys, now for the special performance lets welcome." Ginny look the parchment she is holding. Her expression change suddenly. She looks back at the crowd." Err. Lets welcome I don't know if I've read this right. Professor Snape?!!"

The hall turn silent as Snape suddenly appeared from the side of the stage. He is wearing a loose white shirt with black pants. His hair was tide into a ponytail and it is not greasy at all. He sits on a stool in the middle of the hall and smiles at Hermione. He gave the signal for the music to start and like Hermione, he close his eyes and began to sing.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~~^^~^~^~^~^~^^~ Who can say for certain

Maybe you're still here

I feel you all around me

Your memories so clear

Deep in the stillness

I can hear you speak

Your still an inspiration

Can it be

That you are my

Forever love

And you are watching over me from up above

Fly me up to where you are

Beyond the distant star

I wish upon tonight

To see you smile

If only for awhile

To know you're there

A breath away's not far

To where you are

Are you gently sleeping

Here inside my dream

And isn't faith believing

All power can't be seen

As my heart holds you

Just one beat away

I cherish all you gave me

Everyday

Cause you are my

Forever love

Watching me from up above

And I believe

That angels breathe

And that love will live on and never leave

Fly me up to where you are

Beyond the distant star

I wish upon tonight

To see you smile

If only for awhile

To know you're there

A breath away's not far

To where you are

I know you're there

A breath away's not far

To where you are

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

The hall still stunned. Then Dumbledore stands up from his seat and clap his hand the hall burst with cheers and clap loudly. Snape just smile and give them a bow.

Hermione give him a smirk before she giggles. He walks down the stage and went straight to her.

"Surprise." He smiles
~***~ A/N what do you think. The song is by Josh Groban.I would like to apologize if you think Snape character is OOC. I will explain latter why he behaved like this.