A/N: Okay, so I admit it's probably corny and overdone to write A Cinderella story Draco/Hermione style, but Cinderella is my FAVORITE Disney Film and D/Hr and my favorite ship, so it only made sense. It's a oneshot, and probably won't be very long, probably around 8 chapters or so. Anyway, I also recommend reading my stories "A Winters Kiss" and its sequel "Unto the End, Into the Beginning". I just recently finished it and I think it pretty awesome, look out for the beginning of Part Three, "The Heir of Malfoy" by the end of the year. Anyway, enough advertising, lol. Please R/R. You don't know how much your feedback can help inspire a writer. As with all my stories, expect plot twists! :D

DISCLAIMER: As always, the story and characters of Harry Potter are the sole property of JK Rowling and Warner Bros. The version "Cinderella" that inspired this story is property of Disney.

"At the Stroke of Midnight"

By Heather Brewer

The story of how a pair of glass slippers, magical masks, and one enchanting night made Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy fall in love. But will this Prince Charming find his Cinderella? A few Slytherins and a certain Potions Master are going to do everything in their power to make sure this is one fairytale that doesn't end happily ever after.

Once Upon a Time…

"… In a land far away there lived a Princess who was kind, brave and stunningly beautiful. She was the brightest women of her age and had two best friends to see her through any difficult times she might have. Yet, her heart was missing something, a soul mate. Hard as she tried, the Princess just couldn't seem to find a suitor that she was satisfied with, and was very close to giving up her search altogether.

Not so far from the Princess lived a handsome Prince. He was dashing, smart and yet very lonely. Unfortunately, the Prince wasn't very brave and therefore unable to stand up to the Evil King. He was a young man who owned everything, and yet had nothing. He was seeking a beautiful Princess that could give him courage to face the King.

Unbeknownst to the Princess and the Prince, the answer to their problems was within their grasp, if only they could open their eyes. Stubborn as they both are, it will take something magical to bring them together. "

"At the Stroke of Midnight"

Chapter One: Aboard the Hogwarts Express

Draco Malfoy walked quickly through his large manor. His father had summoned him to his office, something he hadn't done all summer and Draco could do little to keep himself from sweating from nerves. He took a deep breath, straightened his robes and entered the office.

"You wanted to see me, Father?" Draco asked, somehow managing to keep his voice steady.

"Yes, Draco, have a seat please," Lucius offered, gesturing to the large chair placed opposite of his own.

Draco shut the door behind him and took his seat, already feeling his father's eyes burning into him.

"I don't have to remind you that you're seventeenth birthday has passed this summer. You're a man now, Draco, and there are certain duties you must fulfill. I fully expect you to pass your Apparition exam, receive NEWTS in the necessary classes, and practice especially hard in Potions and Charms, so that you may be an asset to our Lord when he is ready for you."

Draco swallowed hard before replying, "Yes, father. I understand. I will not fail you."

"I hope that very much Draco, for the sake of the Malfoys. You must keep our line strong Draco. Therefore, you have one more task this year."

"Father, will everything you are asking of me, as well as the duties I will have as Head Boy I doubt there is much else I can do."

"You will find a young girl who is beautiful and obedient to be your wife and give you a son. Merlin knows there will be families throwing their daughters in front of you this year. You must chose a Slytherin with connections, and bring her home for Christmas."

"Christmas?!" You expect me to have a fiancée' in four months?"

"You'll be surprised how fast you can find a wife, when they knew you are serious about looking."

"You aren't going to make me marry Parkinson, are you?"

"Of course not! Are you mad? She has connections, yes, but the girl is ghastly and weak. She is not Malfoy material. You need someone to give you a son, Draco."

"Yes, father. I understand."

"You may go." Lucius said, almost bored, as Draco rose from his chair and left the room without so much as a glance at his father. He knew that he would never please his father until he pledged his allegiance to the Dark Lord and made a family of his own. Draco wished he had the courage to stand up to his father and tell him he wanted a life of freedom, not a life of service. How did Potter keep fighting the Dark Lord? Probably those stupid friends of his…

Draco made his way into the garden before growling in frustration, "Is he mad?" he screamed at no one in particular. "He wants to me be Head Boy, get NEWTS, and find a wife??"

"I know it's unfair, Draco. But you must realize how fortunate you are…"

"Fortunate, mother? How so?"

Narcissa moved towards her son, embracing him in a tight hug. If it weren't for her, Draco would have never recognized affection. Although, thanks to Lucius he was sure of how he wanted to treat a woman; the exact opposite of how he treated his mother.

"That you haven't been forced to give your loyalty to our Lord yet, Draco. Many boys younger than you are already in his service. You have this last year at Hogwarts to be carefree, and I beg you to take advantage of it."

"Carefree? With all the assignments he's given me?"

"And you will excel at them all, my son."

"The Slytherin girls are horrid, Mother. None of them are as kind as you…they look at me and see galleons, a ticket to a good society life."

Narcissa stroked Draco's cheek softly. "My one regret is never having more children that could have turned out like you, Draco. I know you will find a girl who loves you, and love her in return. You will be happy in a marriage, and make a wonderful father."

"But how am I to find one in four months when I haven't been interested in anyone in six years?"

"Well, you just need to broaden your horizons. There's nothing wrong with finding a sixth year, or I suppose I could talk your father into a Ravenclaw, they are very intelligent girls…"

"A Ravenclaw? Mother, are you ill?"

"Oh come now Draco, it's not as if I'm suggesting a Hufflepuff, or a Gryffindor…"

Draco shuddered, for some reason when his mother mentioned Gryffindor; his mind instantly went to Granger. Stupid mudblood….

Hermione hit the snooze button for the third time and rolled over, wrapped tightly in her blankets. She had been having the most amazing dream, and didn't want it to end. She had been at a ball, and dancing with a Prince. Was she a Princess, then? Probably, she had been wearing a very extravagant gown. This dream was slipping away from her memory quickly; she couldn't even recall what her Prince looked like.

"It was only a dream…" she yawned, cursing herself for dreaming of fairytales all summer when she was going to be eighteen years old next month. She was an adult by Wizarding standards, almost one by muggle standards as well, and still dreaming of being swept away at a ball by Prince Charming. Before she could think about her dream anymore, the door opened. Her mother entered her room and drew her curtains back. Hermione instantly shut her eyes against the uninvited sunlight.

"Hermione Jane Granger! Wake up! Do you want to miss the train for your last year?"

"Oh mother, I'm nearly packed…" she said, burying herself further into her blankets. Her mother yanked the blankets from her back and pulled them away from her.

"Up! I've made you breakfast," Her mother demanded.

Hermione rose reluctantly, took a quick shower and made her way downstairs for breakfast. She had barely began to butter her toast when he mother cleared her throat in that annoying way she always did when she wanted to talk to Hermione about something important.

"Yes, mother?" Hermione asked, thinking she might as well get it over with now.

"Well, your father and I were thinking…you're going to be graduating from Hogwarts next summer, and since wizards don't continue their education…"

"That's because we go straight into our career!" Hermione said defensively.

"Without any training?"

"Hogwarts is our training, mother…"

"Yes, well, you could always come work for your father and I while you attend Oxford…"

"Mother, we've talked about this a hundred times! How would I go to Oxford without muggle grades? Besides, I'm getting a job at the ministry!"

Hermione sighed when she realized her mother was fighting back tears.

"It's okay, Mum…I'll...I'll think about it this year, okay?"

After Hermione finished her breakfast, she ran upstairs to pack a few last minute items in her trunk. She had carefully folded all her robes, her shining Head Girl badge in its protective case, her wand, schoolbooks…what was she missing? She spotted her Advanced Transfiguration book on her bed and was placing it in her trunk when she heard a loud thud. She looked down at the floor and noticed a very small, very old book bound in leather. Faded gold letters on the cover spelt out, "Cinderella" and Hermione gasped.

"Where did this come from? I haven't read this book in ages…" She thought for a moment, and then added it to the pile of books in her trunk and made her way downstairs to the car.

"Hermione!" Ron and Harry shouted in unison, running towards her and wrapping her in rather large hugs. For the first time in five years, she had spent the entire summer away from them with her ill Aunt in France.

"We got your letter about getting Head Girl!" Harry told her.

"Yeah, we're not shocked. But, uh, congratulations." Ron added.

"Thanks guys, I can't wait to get on the train and get back to Hogwarts. I was only home with my parents for a week and they've been driving me absolutely crazy!"

"Why?" Harry asked, because Hermione had never mentioned being annoyed by her parents. She'd actually hardly mentioned them at all, in fact.

"They're just going on about me moving home when I graduate, and working with them…"

Ron snorted in laughter and Harry nudged his elbow into Ron's side.

"No, it's okay Harry, Ron's right. The idea is absolutely absurd, why would I have spent all those years training as a witch just to move back to the muggle world and be a dentist?"

Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Ron found their way into a compartment they thought had been empty, but were happy to see Luna and Neville were occupying it.

"Heya Harry," said Neville, who was blushing slightly, which led Harry to mentally question what Neville and Luna had been doing alone in a compartment together.

The six of them shared their summer stories with each other to entertain themselves during the long train ride to Hogwarts. When it had become dark outside, Hermione excused herself to go change into her new robes.

"Oh, I can't wait to see your badge!" Luna exclaimed.

"Thanks, I'll be back soon…"

Draco grudgingly stopped at his usual compartment, already knowing that Blaise, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle would be waiting there to greet him. Before he opened the compartment, he heard a large amount of giggling come from the compartment across from where he was standing. He stood close to the door and cracked it open, pressing his ear to the door. He could hear Jackie and Rebecca, two Slytherins in his year, talking about the Yule Ball,

"Oh I wish we could have another dance! We haven't had one in ages and this is our last year!" Jessica said, almost pouting.

"I know, Pansy is so lucky she got to go with Draco. I hope he can get us a seventh year dance for Christmas, that would be so magical!" Rebecca declared.

"Yeah, but Granger is Head Girl and she'll probably never go for It." Jessica replied, folding her arms in protest.

"Ohh, I hate her!"

"Duh, we all do."

Draco quietly shut the compartment door and sighed. Why hadn't it registered until now that he would be working with Granger this ENTIRE year? Dealing with Granger on top of everything else he had going was not going to be pleasant, she was definitely going to push him. He let the idea of a ball sink in as he gained the courage to enter the compartment with his fake friends. It would be the perfect way to find a girl who would do well in society and was well connected, beautiful…and hopefully not as fake and vain as all the other girls he had met. Then again, the only girls he could think of who were real and didn't care what people thought of them were Gryffindors like Granger and the Weasley girl, and he couldn't stand any of them. Was he shallow after all?

Draco saw Potter offer his hand to Granger and helped her into one of the horseless carriages, which made him snort in disgust. Why was Potter wasting his time being a gentleman with her? Better yet, why did he care so much?

Draco quickly noticed Rebecca and Jessica approaching him. He offered both of them his hand to assist them into the carriage, earning a "thank you" and blushing cheeks from both of them. Draco hated that he was doing exactly what his Father told him to do without even thinking a second thought about it; he was trying to win over a girl to be his wife.

"Ah!" Said Dumbledore loudly, taking in a deep breath, "Our first years have been sorted and to them I say, 'Welcome to Hogwarts'! Joining us again this year is Professor Slughorn for Potions, and Professor Snape will remain teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. We will all miss Professor Sprout, but as many of you know she retired last year and so Herbology will be taught by Professor Swanson!"

Dumbledore gestured to his left and a young woman with long black hair rose and waved at the students before sitting back down.

"As always, our caretaker Mr. Filch would like me to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is off limits. There is to be no magic in the corridors in between classes, and please be so kind as to wipe your boots before entering the castle from your lessons on the grounds! I'll save any further lessons for your Professors, so let the feast begin!" Dumbledore clapped his hands and the tables and gold plates instantly filled with every sort of food you could imagine. There was a large amount of "oohhhs" and "aahhhss" from the first year students, which made Harry laugh. He remembered how excited that had made Harry and Ron in their first year.

Hermione stood in front of the mirror on the first day of class and sighed as she brushed her thick, almost unruly hair. She grabbed a large clip from her dresser and pinned it back as best she could with a little gel Lavender had let her borrow. She starred at her new gold Head Girl badge and thought of all the girls who had worn it before her. Why did they make Head Girl? Was it for their grades as well? Did they do fun things for their seventh years? How far did they go to enforce the rules? Hermione knew she had been a strict prefect these past two years, and it certainly wasn't earning her points with the school. Perhaps this year she could find a way to follow the rules and still have a memorable year, because after they all left the safety of Hogwarts, it was going to be a very different world, one she hoped she would be ready for.

The day seemed to go well enough, this year she was taking; Advanced Potions, Advanced Transfiguration, Advanced Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Experienced Care of Magical Creatures. There was also a special period set aside for meetings with Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape…and Draco Malfoy. It was going to be awful to have to see Snape twice a day and deal with Malfoy, who no doubt would be arguing with everything she said. Her only consolation was that she would have Friday afternoons off and be able to watch Harry, Ginny and Ron at Quidditch practice.

After Defense Against the Dark Arts, Hermione said goodbye to Harry and Ron, who were off to Divination, to make her way to the third floor for her first meeting as Head Girl. She stopped off at the Library to check out "Hogwarts, a History" for what was probably the hundredth time. She wanted to read specifically about what Head Boys and Head Girls had done and what they were remembered for. Hermione opened the door and took her seat and laid her exceptionally large book bag on the table with a loud thud, as she was expecting to be the only one there, since it was a full 30 minutes before the meeting. Apparently, the loud noise has startled the person sitting at the opposite end of the table, causing the book to fall from the end of his lap. Hermione was about to ask them why they were in an abandoned classroom, when Draco Malfoy stood up and straightened his robes, placing his book back on the table. His hair was in the usual slicked back style, and he looked rather flushed. Had he been blushing?

"You know Granger, I thought you of all people would treat your books better," he said as he took out of a handkerchief to polish his Head Boy badge before pinning it to his robes.

"What's the matter, Malfoy? Embarrassed to wear your badge around your friends?"

"Absolutely not, I just want to keep mine looking new."

"I can understand that. You've got to look presentable, being the first Slytherin to actually wear that badge…"

Draco pointed to the book Hermione was reading before saying, "You know Granger, you might want to read that book a bit more carefully, because I'm actually the 247th Slytherin to be Head Boy, and unfortunately you're the 514th Gryffindor to be Head Girl. Probably because most of the Headmasters favor Gryffindors."

"That's not true! Headmasters always remain unbiased! Besides, it's the sorting hat that chooses the Head Boy and Head Girl, so doesn't accuse me of being unknowledgeable about the subject, Draco."

Draco opened his mouth to reply, but thought better of it when he saw the door opening, revealing Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape.

"Oh, good! You two are early, we can start the meeting early then…"

"Yes, how fortunate for us," Snape muttered, taking a seat next to Draco.

Hermione pulled out a long roll of parchment and laid it out on the table. She also removed a large bottle of ink and two very nice quills.

"Oh, Miss Granger, you always take such thorough notes, would you mind being our Scribe, dear?"

"Of course, Professor. I would be delighted." Hermione replied.

Draco had to keep himself from commenting on what a suck up bookworm she was, maybe this year was going to be harder then he thought. Why did Granger always have to be so perfect? What? No, she wasn't perfect. She just pretended to be.

"Now, our first order of business is to go over the ground rules for you two, and then you'll be able to plan out the year…"

"I've prepared a list of the rules, Professor McGonagall, if you don't mind…"

"Of course, Professor Snape," McGonagall said through pursed lips. Hermione smirked, it seemed that the Professors were just as unhappy at the prospect of working together for the next year. This was going to be an interesting year indeed.

Hermione wrote down all of Professor Snape's absurdly specific rules, including their when they were or weren't allowed to interfere in rule breaking, give or take points, be out on school grounds, miss class for their duties, and how events could be cancelled at any time if the students were misbehaving. Hermione made a mental not to herself that this meant the Gryffindors were going to have to be extra careful this year, as Snape would be looking for any reason to cancel something fun and blame it on Gryffindor to make the school hate them. After what felt like an hour, Snape rolled up his parchment and Professor McGonagall perked up and cleared her throat.

"Thank you, Professor Snape. Well, now that we have the formalities out of the way, we can address some lighter topics. I would like to take this time to congratulate you on behalf of your Headmasters and the staff here at Hogwarts. As you know, you two were both chosen by the Sorting Hat, and we know you're both going to do an excellent job. Follow all of the rules that Professor Snape mentioned, and you'll make us all proud. You'll both get a chance to speak at Graduation next summer, so be thinking about what you want to say to the faculty, students, and their parents.

"Professor McGonagall, exactly how many events do you get to plan?"

"Well, that's up to you and Miss Granger, of course."

"Erm, well, I was talking to some students on the train, and I was thinking we should have another ball…"

Professor McGonagall and Hermione starred at him in disbelief. Hermione didn't know what she couldn't believe more, that he had been talking to students on a train, or that he was supporting the idea of a ball.

"I think that's a great idea," said Professor McGonagall, looking at Hermione.

"Oh, yes, I think we're long overdue for one." Hermione added approvingly.

"Yes, well, many students have had this idea before you, but could never get it together…" Professor Snape added.

"Well, I'm sure Mister Malfoy and Miss Granger are quite up to the challenge, aren't you?"

Hermione and Draco nodded in unison, although they refrained from making eye contact.

"Well, when were you thinking of having this ball?" Professor McGonagall asked, trying to move along the conversation.

"Halloween?" Draco suggested.

"I don't know if we could get it together by then," Hermione said.

Leave it to Granger to turn down my ideas. Draco thought.

"What about right before the Christmas Holiday?" Hermione asked, looking at her planner, "the 19th is a Friday, what about then?"

"Fine" Draco said, nodding in agreement. It was cutting it close, but it'd still give him time to bring someone home for the holidays.

"Well, very good! We've had an excellent first meeting. Why don't you two take the week to think of some ideas, and we'll discuss them all next week?"

The four of them nodded in agreement, happy to be free of each other for another week.