A/N: Okay, here's another chappie! My utmost apologies for Spelling Gryffindor wrong and not abiding by my summary which I have changed by the way! The story is turning out to be something other than I had origionally planned. Hermione isn't being gullible, she is being tenderhearted and giving Malfoy a chance. Thanks to all who reviewed!!! I really appreciate it!
Dirty Birdy: OMG!! I can't believe you gave up time with your boyfriend to read my fic! that is so touching! sniff (wipes away tear) give him my sincerest apologies!
Marz: Please don't die!!.....I-I'll write more, I promise!!!

Chapter 12

The trio stood waiting at the bottom of the grand staircase for Malfoy whom they assumed was running late.

Harry looked at his watch and sighed. "Maybe he's not coming, we should go. If we wait any longer, we won't have much time to do anything in Hogsmead!"

"Do one of you want to run down to the Slytherin common room and ask if anyone knows where he is?" Hermione queried.

Harry gasped and Ron took three steps back, holding up his hands.

"No way, Mione! Yeah, I know Malfoy seems to have turned good guy, but I'm not about to risk my life going into the Slytherin common room to fetch him! I don't like him that much!" Ron protested.

Harry nodded in agreement.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

It was then that Malfoy appeared, still fastening his robes as he ran down the steps, cursing to himself. His father had taught him to be a strict time keeper and here he was ruining it all!

"Look who's finally decided to grace us with his presence!" Ron deadpanned.

Malfoy shot a glare at Ron as he ran a comb through is blonde hair to slick it back.

"Sorry I'm late, I overslept. I stayed up rather late last night." He said truthfully.

With that, the four of them left Hogwarts behind and began the long walk to Hogsmead.

As they walked, they chatted about various things, mostly Ron and Harry did the talking as Malfoy listened. He didn't have much to say, he wasn't feeling as cheerful about today as they were. He was thinking about what was to happen that night.

He watched the trio as they walked on, Harry and Ron were laughing about something, and Ron pushed Harry into a bush they were passing. Hermione scolded Ron for being so rude and helped Harry out of the bush.

Malfoy saw how happy and carefree they were, how they would always be there for one another and realized how just how wonderful Hermione really was. She was what Gryffindor was all about. Brave, kind and willing to give anyone the benefit of the doubt. She would forgive anyone anything, Malfoy wondered if she would even give Voldemort a chance if he said he wanted to change the error of his ways!

When he first started putting this plan into action, he had thought Hermione to be extremely gullible! But now, he realized that she wasn't being gullible at all, she was being kind and loving, bravely putting her heart on her sleeve to give him the benefit of the doubt. And then there was Harry and Ron! They were skeptical from the start, but just like Gryffindor's, they too had put aside their fear to extend the hand of friendship.

At these thoughts, Malfoy felt a wave of guilt rush over him, knowing he would have to end it all tonight. Friendship, loyalty and love, and for what?! So that he, Malfoy, could gain the Dark Lord's favour?!

Just then, was brought out of his reverie by Harry waving a hand in front of Malfoy's face.

"Eh? What?" Malfoy said.

"You were in another world Malfoy!" Harry accused.

"Yeah, we were just wondering what to get Snape as a birthday gift!" Ron put in.

"And we figured, since he is the head of your house, you might have some idea as to what he likes!" Hermione said logically.

Malfoy's brain finally caught up with what they were saying. "Oh, erm... right!"

"So have you any idea as to what Snape likes?" Harry asked him.

Malfoy thought for a bit before answering. "Anything to do with the dark arts, or potions!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well that's obvious!"

"We'll just look around and see what pops out at us!" Ron suggested.

"This is weird," Harry interjected "buying Snape birthday presents!"

"I'll bet his birthday has been ignored for years!" Hermione said in a sympathetic voice.

"He probably can't remember the last time he got a gift!" she added, looking like she was trying not to cry.

Harry patted her arm comfortingly. "You are the sweetest, most tender hearted one of us all, Mione!" he declared. "Only Hermione would actually want to get Snape a gift whereas we wouldn't have even thought about it! What would we do without you?"

Hermione laughed. "Have no concience?" she offered playfully.

Ron pretended to look hurt. "Aww that's cold, Mione!"

Harry laughed. "But it's true!"

Malfoy felt another pang of emotion. They were right, he had no concience! He tormented people for fun, he could watch his father torture someone without feeling any emotion whatsoever!

They arrived at Hogsmead and set to work searching for gifts for Snape.

"Let's start with Honeydukes!" Ron suggested.

So that was their first store to visit. When they were in there Harry turned to Malfoy.

"Does Snape like any particular sweet?"

Malfoy looked around Honeydukes, seeking the sweet that he had seen Snape eat before, and had seemed to enjoy. Finally, after some searching, he pointed to a jar of odd fiery red balls. "He eats those, not often, but that's the only sweet I've ever seen him eat!"

Ron, with help from Harry, bought the whole jar. Their generosity pleased Hermione so much, she kissed Ron and Harry each affectionately on the cheek.

Malfoy felt a pang of jealousy. He would have to earn the same gesture! So, he set off with determination to outdo Ron's gift.

He headed straight for a jewelers store and demanded that the clerk bring out their best choice of cufflinks.

It didn't take long for Malfoy to make a choice, he had a pretty good idea of what ones Snape would wear!
Hermione gasped at the price tag that came with the mother of pearl cufflinks and stared at Malfoy with awe as he purchased them. She looked like she would cry! She was amazed at his generosity towards Snape! With a cry of pride, Hermione engulfed Malfoy in a warm embrace and kissed him several times all over his face.

Malfoy grinned and smirked at Ron and Harry. He had won!

Ron scowled and Harry forced a weak smile.

Next Harry wanted to go into a store which sold all kinds of magical instruments. He bought a complicated looking set of glass spheres, tubes and beakers along with a cauldron and a gas burner, noting that Snape's current set looked worse for the wear and Harry decided he could probably use a new set.

Hermione then made a beeline for the bookstore and spent half and hour searching through various potion books.

She finally settled for the newest potions book she knew Snape didn't have, she had been clever in getting that information out of him after potions class a few days ago. She also bought him the latest defense against the dark arts book, she did this reluctantly, but knew that the strange potions Master enjoyed reading about Defense Against The Dark Arts, if his never ending requests for the job at Hogwarts was anything to go by!

Satisfied with what they had bought, they went into the Hogshead pub for a butterbeer before they headed back to Hogwarts.

By the time they got back to the School, the sun had begun to set and they had just over an hour to get ready for the ball.

Harry, Ron and Hermione rushed up to the Gryffindor common room and the two boys ran up their staircase and Hermione rushed up the Girl's staircase.

Malfoy went to the Slytherin common room and decided that he was going to make himself have fun at this ball and put away all thought of what he had to do after it.

Hermione flitted back and fourth between her wardrobe and mirror, fretting about which gown to wear. Finally, she chose a cream coloured gown with a hoop skirt made of satin covered with several layers of chiffon that cascaded down from her waist and trailed slightly behind her. It was strapless so to make up for the loss, Hermione wore elbow length cream satin gloves.

She had to ask Lavender to do her hair, which the eager girl was all to pleased to do. Lavender set to work on Hermione's hair while Hermione did her own make-up.

After half an hour, Hermione was ready. She inspected her appearance in the full length mirror and smiled. Lavender had done a wonderful up-do with her hair, leaving a few locks to fall in graceful ringlets down her neck and she had put a white rose in for decoration.

"Lavender I love it!" Hermione said embracing her roommate.

"Hermione you look wonderful!" Lavender gushed taking in Hermione's gown. "You look like a princess!"

"You look beautiful too!" Hermione replied surveying Lavender in a similar hoop gown, only hers was lilac and had straps and a bodice.

Hermione took out her perfume and sprayed some all over herself. Lavender did the same with her own perfume.

Just then, the two girls heard an anxious and frustrated voice calling up for Hermione.

"Hermione! Can you come and help tackle Harry's hair?" Ron shouted up. "It won't lie straight!"

Hermione giggled and excused herself, grabbing her wrapped present to Snape and thanking Lavender on her way out.

"Yes Ron, I'm coming!" She called as she descended the stairs.

When she arrived at the bottom of the stairs, Ron's jaw dropped. "Wow! You look....beautiful, Mione!" He said breathlessly.

Hermione blushed. "Thanks Ron! You look great!"

Ron was wearing a navy blue tuxedo and a victorian style Gentleman's cloak to match. He had gelled his hair into a side parting and looked very dashing indeed.

The two of them proceeded up the boys staircase and entered the dorm where Harry and Ron slept.

As soon as Hermione entered, there were a few yells of surprise. Seamus and Neville were standing in the room with their shirts and jackets on , but no trousers, staring at Hermione and blushing profusely.

Hermione quickly covered her eyes. "Sorry guys! I'm not looking!"

Dean was rolling around on the floor trying to get into his trousers before laying still. "Hey, Seamus, I think these are your trousers mate, they're too small for me!"

A beetroot red Seamus snatched the trousers from Dean and hurriedly put them on.

Neville made a swift dive behind his bed curtains to put his trousers on and Dean finally found his and quickly slipped them on.

"Okay, Hermione, you can look now!" they chorused.

Hermione peeked through her fingers just to be safe and then turned to Harry. Thankfully, he was fully dressed, all he needed to do was put his cloak on and do his hair.

Hermione frowned as she approached Harry, and raised one groomed eyebrow. "Ron, what did you do to his hair!?"

Harry looked at his reflection with a forlorn expression. "He killed it!" he said woefully.

Ron looked sheepish. I tried everything to tame it, gel, hairspray, the works, but nothing seems to have worked!"

Hermione patted Harry on the shoulder. "Don't worry Harry, I'll fix it!" she said reassuringly.

Harry nodded feebly. Seamus, Neville and Dean gathered around to watch her work. They knew she was the cleverest witch of her age, but was she clever enough to tame Harry Potter's unruly hair?

Hermione preformed a quick cleaning spell on Harry's hair, then set to work with a comb. She soon found that the comb alone didn't work, so she threw it aside and pulled out her wand.

Harry trembled slightly. "Mione, what are you doing?" he asked nervously.

"Don't worry Harry," She chirruped "That hair of yours will yield!"

Harry gulped and squeezed his eyes shut.

Hermione waved her wand and muttered a spell.

There was a powerful bright light that engulfed Harry's head. It was so bright that everyone had to shield their eyes.

When they could look again, they all gasped.

"Hermione!" Seamus said in awe "You've achieved the impossible!"

"We're not worthy! We're not worthy!" Dean said worshipping Hermione on his knees.

Harry still had his eyes shut. "Is it safe to look?" he ventured.

"Open your eyes and see, mate!" Ron said in awe.

Harry opened one eye, then the other. In the mirror, he saw a triumphant looking Hermione, her wand in her hand, and she blew on the tip of it. Then Harry looked at his hair and grinned. It was lying neatly in a middle parting and a few locks were hanging over his scar on his forehead.

"Wow, Mione!" he said breathlessly. "Thanks so much!"

"No problem Harry!" She replied "A simple hair taming spell sufficed! I'll teach it to you if you like!"

"Yeah, that would be great!" Harry replied enthusiastically "and Mione?"

"Yes Harry?" she answered.

"You look stunning!" Harry finished.

Hermione smiled and blushed as Seamus, Neville and Dean nodded in agreement.

"Thanks you guys!" she said shyly.

Finally, they were all ready. Harry and Ron picked up their gifts to Snape, and the trio made their way down to the Great Hall.

A/N: Review Please!!! The nice peeps keep me going with this thing!!!