"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

An earsplitting shriek erupted from Granger's room, piercing through the still silence engulfing the Malfoy Manor. Hermione rushed into the room, only to be greeted by the sight of Granger rummaging madly through her closet, flinging article after article of clothing onto the already cluttered floor.

"Ohmy, what's wrong dear girl!" She asked, slightly light-headed due to the mess made by Granger.

"I can't find my dress! The dress for the Christmas Ball tonight!"

"Oh, that. I had it put in my closet for safe-keeping."

"THANKGOD."

"Actually you should thank her, Granger" Malfoy cut in, emerging from under the duvet of the King sized bed in the middle of their room. "God, Granger, how loud can you get?"

"Whatever Malfoy, get back to dreamland and start kissing Cinderella."

"Well I- How'd you know I was kissing-"

"Well honey, I thought that we might have a girls afternoon out together. To you know, get ready for the Ball and all. What'd you say?"

Malfoy was cut short by Hermione. He grunted a little and buried himself under the duvet once again.

"I'd love that!"

"I just knew you would. Come along now. We don't have much time to spare. Oh and Draco, make sure you get yourself ready for the Ball. We leave at 7 sharp, don't be late."

"Mhhmmm…" His muffled answer barely audible from under his duvet.

Hermione and Granger made their way over to Hermione's room. Girls have more fun with muggle make-up. There just wasn't the thrill of dressing up and giggling with girlfriends if you did everything with magic.

Time flew as Hermione and Granger giggled like little schoolgirls, fussing over each other, trying on new and outrageous hairstyles for each other, applying makeup for each other, giving each other pedicures and manicures.

Finally, Hermione settled on straightening out her wild curls and bunning them up in a tight elegant bun, topped with a Japanese chopstick stuck in between it, giving it a classier look.

Granger decided to go for the 70s flipped hairstyle, adding on her vintage diamante drop earrings from MiuMiu, completing her look.

Hermione made her way over to her massive walk-in closet. After a few seconds, she emerged holding a gorgeous dress in her right hand and a pair of the loveliest heels in her left.

Flash

"This is IT!" she declared.

This time, she was wearing a short sliver dress with slightly capped sleeves. It had a plunging neckline which showed off quite an amount of cleavage. The dress reached only to her mid-thigh when she put it on. She looked more closely and saw that on the many sequins that were sown onto the dress, there was a single diamond embedded in the sequin, adding to the angelic glow of the dress. There was a thin line of diamond on the dress, at the hip level, that separated the dress into two sections. The top was a little tight and hugged her figure perfectly accentuating her curves. The bottom was a little wavy, swinging along with her hips when she walked. This dress hugged her figure perfectly, showing off her long legs too. It was right in the middle of "sweet" and "sexy". It was the perfect dress.

"Perfect!" agreed Hermione, turning Granger around to examine the dress even more closely. Granger went back into the changing room and changed out of the dress.

She paid for the dress and headed out of the shop with a satisfied smile.

Flash

Granger picked out a pair of, shiny sliver and a little glowing white, stilettos that were about four inch high. Contended with her choice, she paid for it and headed out of the shop.

Granger had the most stunning ball outfit that anyone could have wanted. Her gorgeous dress from Versace was the wildest dream of every girl. Her Gucci stilettos pumps were striking and accentuated her long legs.

She stood before the oak mirror in Hermione's room, scrutinizing her reflection. Almost frowning at it. Little did she know, she was going to be Cinderella tonight's Christmas Ball.

"Honey, do I look okay in this?" Asked Hermione worriedly, tugging at the hem of her dress.

She had emerged from the toilet wearing a beige halter dress with a dramatically plunging neckline. Her dress was simple with beads and crystals lining the hem of her knee length dress. Paired with strappy heels from Salvador Ferragamo, she was indeed the perfect epitome of elegance.

"Oh, you look lovely! Draco is sure to fall flat on his face when he finally sees you!"

"Aww sweetie, thank you. I'm sure your Draco will too."

Both woman did the final touches to their makeup and stepped out of Hermione room, making their way towards the steps.

At the top of the steps, Granger stopped. Her heart palpitating furiously.

"Go ahead. Draco's waiting for you." Cooed Hermione.

Granger inhaled a long deep breath and took her first step down.

At the bottom of the stairs

Where the hell are those two? It's been half an hour and they're-

Malfoy's thoughts were cut short and he inhaled sharply.

There coming down the stairs, was the loveliest creature he has ever set eyes on. A burning sensation erupted in the pit of his stomach as his eyes traveled from Granger's shapely legs, to her slim torso fitted with that gorgeous dress, to her pretty face.

She looks dazzling.

Granger was reaching the bottom of the stairs. But Malfoy still stood rooted to the floor, mouth agap, watching her every move.

"Well Draco, are you just going to stand there and ogle at her or are you going to take her hand?" Smirked Draco, looking approvingly at Granger.

"Oh right." He shuffled across the room in a few quick steps.

And viola, he took her hand in his, gave a little bow and pressed the back of her hands to his lips.

"You look gorgeous." A compliment was definitely in order, he thought. It was of course the truth, even if he didn't say it, someone else would. But he wouldn't take the risk of losing her smile to someone else.

And he was rewarded. Granger flashed her megawatt smile at him and cocked her head a little.

"You too."

Malfoy gave her a puzzled look.

"I mean not gorgeous but stunning. No... I mean pretty. Wait, what am I talking about? You look dashing." Granger babbled. Babbling wasn't new to her, especially when she was nervous.

Hermione made her way down the stairs and was immediately swept into Draco's waiting embrace.

Both couples made their way out to the driveway of the Manor. There awaiting them were two magnificent looking carriages. Each with two majestic horses at the reign. They were to take the carriages to Hogwarts.

Malfoy led Granger to one of the carriages and helped her up, before climbing in after her.

I don't want a lot for Christmas, there's just one thing I need.

Sitting side by side in the carriage,

I don't care about presents, underneath the Christmas tree.

There wasn't going to be any awkward silence or quarrels between them.

I just want you for my own, more then you could ever know.

During the few weeks they had spent in each other's company,

Please make my wish come true.

Both had learned to co-exist and had even came to a small truce.

Now baby, all I want for Christmas...

"So Malfoy, ever thought of what you want for Christmas?"

Is you.

"Yeah well, I have."

"What do you want for Christmas then?"

He gave her a small smile.

"That's my secret."

"Aww come on!"

"Nah-uh. What about you then?"

"I'll let you know when you let me know."

"You little prat."

"Aren't you one yourself, Draco!"

Shocked by the fact that Granger had acknowledged him by his given name. Malfoy kept quite.

Granger shifted closer to Malfoy. The temperature had dropped to a 10degrees Celsius outside and Granger's skimpy dress wasn't going to keep her warm. Malfoy instinctively wrapped his arms around her shoulders and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

There, she felt so safe. Like nothing else mattered in the world. Here under his arms, she was at home, like she really belonged. Soon, she began drifting off to sleep.

"I'll let you know, when the time is right." She vaguely heard him mumble.

Was he talking about his Christmas wish?

She barely thought anymore before she drifted off to sleep on his shoulder.