There wasn't anything better than Hogwarts at Christmas time, at least in Hermione's opinion. Garland was strung from every staircase and lights sparkled throughout every corner of the castle. There was a gigantic Christmas tree in the Great Hall and a more modest one in a cozy corner of the Gryffindor common room. Christmas time at Hogwarts was nothing but magical. Even after all the loss, and heartache that had plagued everyone from the past year Hermione finally felt a sense of healing.

Many things had changed since the final battle, the once bubbling new relationship between Hermione and Ron had fizzled out quickly. On the other hand Harry and Ginny's relationship never seemed stronger. People were moving on in the Wizarding World and it seemed everyone around her were coupling up not wanting to be alone the first Christmas after Voldemort.

It was the day before Christmas Eve and Hermione was enjoying her last breakfast with Ginny before the holiday.

"Are you sure you don't want to come to the Burrow?" Ginny asked for what seemed to be the tenth time this morning.

"I'm sure Ginny, I don't need to be there if Ron decides to brings home a new girlfriend." Hermione explained. "Besides this is the first Christmas without Fred it should be just the family."

"But you are practically family Hermione." Ginny answered.

"I just don't think it would be appropriate, besides it's my last chance to really enjoy a Hogwarts Christmas." Hermione said changing the subject, "I'm lucky that McGonagall invited us 8th years back to get a proper education."

"Well promise me you wont lock yourself up all break doing homework." Ginny chided, "I heard a bunch of 7th and 8th years are having a party at the Three Broomsticks on Christmas Eve, Harry wants to stop by after dinner, say you will be there."

Hermione took a deep breath, "I'll think about it."

Shaking her head Ginny started to protest. "No thinking, you need more human interaction. Ever since things ended with Ron you've thrown yourself back into old Hermione. You could have had any job you asked for instead you came back here."

"I wanted an education," Hermione countered back.

Ginny looked back at Hermione thoughtful, "You know you can not pause your life. You can't keep waiting around for Ron to realize he made a mistake."

"That's not what I'm doing," Ginny gave her a pointed look, "I promise."

"All I'm saying is it would be nice to see my best friend back, you know the confident, in your face Hermione that fights for the underprivileged, and put her enemies in a jar." Ginny laughed lighting the mood.

Hermione laughed, "Well there is always a chance of a Christmas miracle!"

"No, a Christmas miracle would be you getting laid." Ginny giggled as Hermione threw a piece of toast at her. These were the times Hermione treasured having Ginny around, in the last few months their friendship had grown into one you could only build with a fellow girl. As much as Harry had been there and nothing would break their friendship sometimes nothing beats having a girl as a friend.

"Ha, Ha." Hermione linked her arm with Ginny and pulled her out of her seat. "Come on I'll walk you out." They walked arm in arm enjoying the atmosphere of the holiday break that was upon them.

They walked out of the great hall as something or someone slammed into Hermione. Papers went flying and a sound on an inkbottle smashed to the ground sending ink right at Hermione.

"Bollocks." Hermione looked down to see Draco Malfoy frantically picking up papers.

"Just great." Hermione commented angrily after she eyed the side of her jeans. They were covered in ink.

Draco looked up at Hermione and gave a half smirk, "sorry Granger." Hermione just stared did he just apologize; she vaguely registered Ginny helping him with his papers as they both stood up. An awkward silence settled amongst them, "right, well thanks." Draco said before walking down the hall.

"What was that?" Hermione ask flabbergasted, "Since when dose Malfoy do school work?"

"Since when are you a snot?" Ginny asked

Hermione snapped her head back laughing nervously, "Are you serious, its just Malfoy."

"Maybe, we don't know the whole story."

"Ginny are you feeling alright, it sounds like you are defending Malfoy?"

Ginny gave a frown, "I would have expected a little more compassion from you." Hermione was confused, what was going on here? "I'll see you tomorrow night yea?" Hermione nodded and Ginny turned and walked out of the castle.

"Wait," Hermione called her voice fading. "I was going to walk down to the station with you." She stood there for a moment looking down at her ink stained pants feeling less in the holiday sprite and a little more lonely.

Hermione spent the rest of the day on her own. She acquired a space in the library where she began and completed most of her holiday schoolwork. To her annoyance Draco just so happened to be at the library as well. She hadn't thought much about him, he pretty much kept to himself all year. He was quite in classes and Hermione could not remember him saying anything nasty to anyone all term. When had he changed and why was she just noticing.

After the library Hermione made her way down to the great hall for dinner. There mustn't have been a lot of students here over the break because the four long house tables were replaced with one small round table. McGonagall and Trelawney sat at the table. The other professors must have taken leave to spend time with family. Only two other settings were place on the table. That only meant one thing, her and Draco were the only students left in the castle. She knew she was going to be the only Gryffindor here over break but she would have thought there be more students not able to go home. She sat down at the table greeting both professors and looked at the empty seat next to hers. The group began to eat and Hermione started to feel slightly bad that Malfoy didn't show up for dinner.

When Hermione got back to the tower she went straight to her bedroom, taking off her Christmas sweater and stained jeans she noticed a tiny box on her bed. Carefully she picked up the small box and opened it a paper note laid on top. It read:

The days will pass

Twelve like that

A lesson to be learned

The clock is ticking

Time is all you have

Take your turn

The clock is striking twelve

"Strange," Hermione whispered to herself. She put down the note and pulled out what look to be a large marble. Laying it out in her hand the marble seemed to glow. But before she had time to think about it, the glowing had stopped. Too tired to think too much of it she placed the marble back in the book and put it on her bedside table. She hopped into bed. Tomorrow would be better, it was Christmas Eve and nothing could go wrong on Christmas Eve.