Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling, for those of you who were wondering. Also, if you recognize any movie lines, which I'm not going to take the time to credit, they aren't mine either. Just so you know, don't want you guys to lose any sleep over it…

Chapter 7

"Please Stepmother, may I go…" Hermione began, when she heard a sudden banging against the wall behind her. Stopping in mid-sentence, she turned with the rest of the cast to see none other than Draco Malfoy beating his head against the solid stone. Rather unusual behavior, especially for him.

"Mister Malfoy, are you quite alright?" Professor Trelawney whispered, cautiously approaching him. One minute, he was standing there, composed as can be, and the next he's thumping his head against the wall like a lunatic. Who knows what he might do?

Draco stopped with a start and slowly turned to face the silent crowd. His trademark smirk materialized out of thin air as he made his smooth recovery. "But of course Professor, I simply had a bug on my forehead. Nasty little bugger too, took a great deal of effort to get him off." Ok, so his recovery was not quite as smooth as he had hoped. A bug on my head! Come on, a bug! Is that the best I can come up with? I can not believe how pathetic that is.

"Must have been a tough one, huh Malfoy, for you to bruise your pretty little head over it. Did you have the strength to squash it? Or was the itty bitty bug too much for you?" Neville replied sarcastically, shocking everyone. This was rather harsh, coming from such a gentle soul. He turned to the surprised faces and shrugged, not caring to explain himself to his peers.

"Funny Longbottom." Draco returned with a sneer. I really am losing my touch; that is honestly the worst comeback I've ever heard, or said for that matter. Merlin, I really do need some sleep. First Granger, I mean mudblood, and now Longbottom? Bloody Hell!

Finally after an eternity, which in reality was only an hour, Draco Malfoy trudged back to his room. He quickly stripped off his robes, pulled on a black t-shirt and some green and black flannel pants, and collapsed into bed. It had been a long day.

"Miss Granger, a word please."

"Yes Professor, I'll be with you in a moment." Hermione gathered up her script and books and turned to Professor Trelawney. For the first time since stepping foot into her classroom, Hermione saw Trelawney smile at her.

"As you may already know, Miss Brown will not be able to return to our production. You did a lovely job today, especially on such short notice. I would be honored if you would take the part of Cinderella."

Hermione let out a nearly inaudible gasp. Me? Cinderella? Oh my giddy aunt… Unfortunately, Trelawney mistook this gasp as one of horror. She assumed the blank look on Hermione's face was one of blatant refusal. "Well if you really don't want it, I'll guess I'll find some one else. But please reconsider, at least think about it for a day or two?" She was begging and she knew it. The disappointment in her eyes almost made Hermione's heart break.

"No, no, no, I would love the part. I was just surprised, that's all."

"Really, you'll do it? Wonderful!" She was nearly crying tears of joy. Embarrassed, Hermione mumbled a good bye and started down the stairs.

Hermione descended the stairs to the Gryffindor common room the next morning whistling Bibbity Bobbity Boo (A/N I don't really know what the song is called, but you get the idea.)

"Why good morning Hermione, I hear you have some good news," said a grinning Harry.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she replied coyly.

"Oh come on Hermione, the entire school knows you're the new Cinderella." Ron said, with a roll of his eyes. "And, as it turns out, we have some good news for you too."

Trying to rid her cheeks of the blush that was creeping up, she replied, "Oh, and what would that be?"

"You have the honor of meeting the brand spankin' new set designers for the one and only Cinderella."

Hermione stifled a cough. "Not that I doubt you two, but I can barely read your hand writing, let alone decipher one of you drawings. I had no idea you two were so artistic." She tried very hard not to be sarcastic.

"Oh, you'll see Hermione. We'll make art like the world has never seen." Harry said, a bit dramatically.

"I have no doubt of it," she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Ron asked.

"Uh…I'm sure I will love it," she replied with a reassuring look and a slight smile.

"Thanks Hermione!"

"Attention everyone! Tomorrow we will begin the ballroom scene, and I must know who can waltz."

Professor Trelawney announced and a hush came over the cast. Around half the students timidly raised their hands in the air. "Alright then, pair up. Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, you two need to be together so you can get used to dancing. Am I mistaken, or did you raise your hand Mr. Malfoy?"

"I could waltz in my sleep Professor," he replied with an arrogant look at Hermione.

"And you, Miss Granger?"

"I'm sorry Professor, I've never learned to waltz," Hermione muttered as she looked at the floor. For some reason, admitting this in front of Malfoy made her feel ashamed.

"It's no matter my dear. Mr. Malfoy, I do hope you are an adept dance instructor, because I am relying on you to help Miss Granger. I have no idea how long this will take, so you will need to practice outside of rehearsal. I expect an adequate dance by the end of the week, so I do hope the two of you get along." Professor Trelawney left them there gaping at each other. Hermione swore she saw the coy old lady wink at her as she turned and went on to the next unfortunate couple.

Draco was the first to break the awkward silence, "So…"

A/N: Sorry, another rushed chapter… I am such a procrastinator. Well, I hope to get some romance going in another chapter or two, let me know what you think!

Happy Reading!

Doulos