Hermione looked at the ceiling as she was laying on the couch in the common room. It was the day of the dance and she was dreading every minute. It was a time like this when she wished that she wasn't good at school that way she wouldn't have been made prefect and wouldn't have to dance with Malfoy tonight. She sighed just as Ginny came in from the portrait hole.

She walked up to Hermione and smiled.

"I take it that you aren't looking forward to dancing with Malfoy tonight, huh?" she said.

Hermione looked at her and shook her head.

"Would you want to dance with someone who judges you by what blood you have? He acts all high and mighty when really his personality is that of a frog." She said sighing again.

Ginny passed her some food that she brought up from the great hall. They ate in the common room and talked.

"You know there is always something good that can come out of this" Ginny said as she shoved food in her mouth.

"And what's that?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Well, how about this. I'll help you get ready for the dance. And when you walk onto the dance floor he'll be so amazed that he won't be able to say anything. Show him the true Hermione. Make him beg." She said with a somewhat dreamy look in her eyes.

Hermione smiled at the idea. She could use a night away from his snide comments. But did she really want to go through that much work for Malfoy? Then again it is only one dance. The rest of the night she could spend with Harry and Ron...right?

"Okay. Sounds good." Hermione told Ginny with a smile.

And with that they made their way to the girl's bathroom and started to work with what they were going to do for the dance.

The day went by with little ease. Ginny did Hermione's hair and make-up. Ginny used what felt like mounds of hair shining potion in her hair, and wouldn't even let her look at herself until she was done.

Hermione put on her dress robes at the end and walked up to the mirror to see what she looked like. When she saw herself she gasped. She looked even better than she did when she went to the Yule Ball with Victor Krum in her fourth year. She walked up closely to the mirror. She was wearing dress robes of deep green and her shoes matched. Her make-up was done wonderfully. It accented her eyes and it let the light and dark browns come out even more than usual. Her hair wasn't a mess of untamed curls anymore. They were soft and organized curls. There wasn't anymore frizz, either. Ginny put a headband in her hair that was lined with crystals.

Hermione touched her face and smiled. She couldn't believe that she was looking at herself in the mirror. She was so happy that she did this. Dancing with Malfoy was momentarily forgotten as she turned around in front of the mirror. Even she had to admit that she was beautiful.

She smiled at Ginny, thanked her and hugged her. She couldn't believe she was going to the dance looking so amazing.

Once Ginny was ready they made their way to the common room and met up with Harry and Ron. When they saw Hermione they all were amazed.

"WOW! Hermione...you look...GREAT!" said Ron staring at her.

"Yeah, you look amazing." Said Harry beaming at his friend.

"Thank you guys. You're so sweet." Hermione said happily.

They made their way to the Great Hall for the dance. They were all talking happily. Hermione even forgot that she had to dance with Malfoy for a while. They walked into the Great Hall and stood amazed. It was darkened and had tiny little lights floating all around, enough to see the people around you. There was music playing and everyone was busy looking for his or her dates.

"WOW! They really went all out this year." Said Ron.

Hermione stood mesmerized at the scene before her that she didn't even notice Malfoy come up and stand beside her.

"Granger?" He asked in a voice unlike any Hermione had ever heard come out of his mouth.

She turned and looked at him. He was wearing all black and his hair lay gracefully at the sides of his face. He looked...there was no other word for it...handsome. More handsome then usual that is.

"Hello, Malfoy." She said trying to keep her composure.

"You look..." he began.

"She looks what?" interrupted Ron who was stepping out in front of Hermione.

Malfoy looked at him and then looked at Harry, who was standing behind Hermione. He gave each of them a look of loathing before turning around and leaving. Hermione was staring at the spot where he stood a few moments ago unable to speak. She saw something in his eyes that she never saw there before. And she was sure that, before Ron interrupted, that he was about to tell her that she looked good.

She smiled to herself and walked into the Great Hall. She and Ron met up with professor Dumbledore along with the other Prefects. Hermione took a sideways glance at Malfoy and smiled to herself. 'He may be cruel and evil...but at least he's handsome.' She thought to herself.

"Okay, you will all pair up with your partners, please." He said.

Hermione watched Ron move over to Pansy with pure loathing on his face. She laughed to herself. Watching Ron get mad always made her laugh for some reason. Not a mean laugh. She just thought that the way he showed his emotions was funny.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around and looked at Malfoy.

"You ready, Granger?" he asked.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I guess."

They made their way to the middle of the dace floor and heard Dumbledore's voice once they reached it.

"Let the dance...begin." He said loudly. Suddenly the music started to play and Malfoy began to guide Hermione on the dance floor.

Author's Notes: I love cliffhangers. they always leave you wanting more. i hope you liked this chapter and please review. i love to hear from all of you.