Ello, ello, ello! I have been gone for the longest of times, but now I'm back and with a new story? I don't know I've been meaning to write something like this in a long time, I haven't seen a lot of them around, but hey I thought why not trying yourself. You have a small platform, but you can still try. So here I found myself, writing this very long prologue. Hopefully you read all of it, because what happens after this prologue will be explained in the following chapter ;).

For now enjoy!

Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, so obviously I do not own any Harry Potter characters.


Chrysalism

Prologue

She had felt almost completely alone after the Battle of Hogwarts. That must have been the main reason why she had accepted being Ron's girlfriend two weeks after the Battle. Looking back on it now, she didn't know what she had been thinking. Ron had just lost his brother, and she had just lost her parents.

She didn't doubt, in her mind, that she needed help. She hated being in crowded places, she was bothered by how the people around her tried to ignore the fact that nothing had changed, especially when Fred's chair was always empty. She preferred to be in her room, curled up in her bed, reading about someone who was trying so desperately to find his or her happy ending.

Ron, Ginny, and Harry always made an effort to bring her downstairs for dinner, which was always loud, much to her dislike. She hadn't touched her wand ever since she had set it down on her drawer in the Burrow. She didn't like it when Ron would come and ask her if she was okay. She hated being asked that, she was skinnier, paler than usual. It was obvious that she wasn't.

Two months after the Battle, she began scratching her arm, the arm where her "mudblood" scar should have been, but thanks to Madame Pomfrey's skillful magic, she has nothing but a memory of it. Her scratching had come to the point where there were scratch marks on her skin. Of course nobody noticed, she always kept it hidden with a long sleeve or sweater.

Six months after the Battle, the Hogwarts renovations began, and Hermione stayed in her room. Harry had asked to consult with her, but she had denied talking to him about Hogwarts, she wanted to prevent herself from thinking about that place, for as long as possible.

She and Ron had started talking more and had come to the stage in their relationship where they were starting to go to the next step. Hermione wasn't stupid. She knew Ron was only using her to get his "relief." She knew about his escapades to Lavender Brown's hospital room, where she was still healing from the werewolf bite.

Three months later, Harry and Ron had accepted their positions as aurors and had begun their very short training. Being the war heros, they were, they didn't need much training. A short while after that, the whole house had become lit up with the news that Harry and Ginny were to get married. Much to Hermione's relief, they didn't have a date set, but they knew it wouldn't be in the upcoming months.

Harry had begun looking for cottages in small wizarding neighbourhoods in Scotland, somewhere far away from the loudness, that was London.

Exactly a year after the Battle, the Hogwarts letters were sent out and Hermione got hers. She had gotten Head Girl duty. She had debated about going back, back to Hogwarts. It was filled with both memorable and terrifying memories. After hearing that Ginny was planning on returning, she sent her acceptance letter, but declining the Head Girl duty. If she were to return, she didn't need another job, being back there. Ron and Harry weren't returning, they had just begun their Auror jobs, a week before the letters came.

Now, she stood in the empty room, that had once been her hiding place, her trunks filled with books, robes, quills, anything that you would need to survive the school year, or at least the first semester. She wore black jeans, a white tank top, and a black cardigan. Her loose curls fell over her shoulders hugging her face. Besides the obvious lack of food, she was still beautiful.

She didn't bother going downstairs and saying goodbye, grabbing her trunks she disapparated to Platform 9 ¾, which at the moment was completely empty, except for one family. One family that had also been through a lot, but she hadn't heard off until now. Narcissa Malfoy was hugging Draco, while Lucius stood protectively behind them, making sure that no one was coming. They all met her eye as she stood there, looking back. She loaded her things, giving them a small nod, and got into the train. Hermione could understand them. She knew if she had been in their position, she too would have done anything to keep her family safe.

She didn't immediately get into a compartment, she walked around looking to see if anything had changed. Absolutely nothing had changed. Everything was exactly the same. She finally decided to get into one as people began coming.

She almost gasped when he came in, pulling the blinds down after locking the door. She didn't know if to be afraid and scream for help or sit there and wait for whatever is to come. Like the idiot, and ill minded she was, she stayed there. And he just sat there as well, reading a book in his lap, the blinds closed, nobody to disrupt them. She curled up in a ball, watching London fade away behind them as the train started. She didn't know exactly when, but she had fallen asleep.

When she woke up, she expected to have a neck ache, but instead she found herself, comfortable spread on her side of the compartment, a quilt covering her. It wasn't until then that she noticed, it was pretty cold for the summer. Draco still sat next to the compartment door, looking at his wand, the tip of it glowing.

Hermione laid there, hoping he didn't notice she was awake. "I know you're awake," he said, but didn't move towards her, instead he sat there looking at his wand.

To her relief, there was a slight tapping at the window. She sat up to see Ron's new owl, Crane, a letter tied to his leg. She opened the compartment window and it flew into the compartment, the letter landing on her lap. Crane didn't wait for the her response to the letter, instead it spread it's wings and left the compartment with a little hoot.

Hermione ignored Draco Malfoy's stare as she opened the letter.

Mione,

I know it's been hard for both of us this past year. I've been busy with my Auror training and you've been busy doing your stuff.

I just feel that our relationship isn't going anywhere and that it would be better if we saw other people at the moment. I don't want to end our relationship on a bad foot, but I feel that it would be best if I told you the truth. I've been visiting Lavender at St. Mungo's and I think we're going somewhere. You have been an amazing person and there will be no one like you ever in my life again, but I need to move on. I hope you do as well.

Best wishes,

Ron

Hermione rolled her eyes. She wasn't annoyed or mad, least of all sad. She was relieved. Now she didn't have to worry about Ron, about writing to him, and lying that everything was great and cheerful at Hogwarts.

She looked up and saw that Draco has returned to looking at his wand, nothing interesting. She sat down and wrapped the quilt around her shoulders, snuggling into it.

The train ride soon ended and he left. He didn't bid farewell, he didn't look at her as he left. Hermione was completely in awe. This had been the longest she had been in a room with Draco Malfoy, and they hadn't fought.

She got off the train quickly putting on her robes and went out to where Ginny and Luna were waiting for her. Ginny gave her a nervous smile, as if she knew what Ron had said in the letter. Luna gave her a small hug. "Ready?" Ginny asked. Hermione gave her a small nod as she pulled on her robe, becoming cold.

They got into the carriages and headed to Hogwarts. Hogwarts looked as if nothing had happened, as if a battle hadn't taken place there. Sitting down in the Great Hall, she felt ill, and she could see in her fellow classmates that they too felt the same.

McGonagall had arranged for the returning 7th years, technically 8th years, to have their own table for themselves. There were in a round table, sixteen of them; five Slytherins, four Ravenclaws, one Hufflepuff, and six Gryffindors. Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Seamus, Dean, and Padma. As they sat down in the round table, she felt her stomach flip as she saw Fred's name engraved on the seat before her. The date of his birth to the date of his death. Ginny too saw his name, but ignored it and sat down.

There it was again, the thing Hermione hated the most. She hated that people ignored the fact that the person they had loved so dearly was dead, gone forever, and was never to been alive again.

It wasn't much longer before McGonagall, the new Headmistress took the head of the Great Hall. "Welcome, both new and returning students. I am happy to say that Hogwarts has finally returned to its former glory. At the moment we are still going through some changes. The years will be much larger in this generation of Hogwarts students, we will have students doing house interactions to help with the peace between house. Nonetheless, we still will have our Quidditch games and house cup. This year we will be having a group of eighth years. Several of our former students have either moved on to careers and others have long passed."

Hermione didn't finish hearing the speech, she didn't have much interest in it either way. She had looked around for a split second, and his eyes had been the thing that caught her attention. He hadn't been turned around, trying to look at the Headmistress, or at least pretend that he was. He was looking at her. Not with the hate he had the previous years. They were curious, looking at her, searching for something, something that was long gone.

After McGonagall had finished, the feast began. The students surrounding her dug right into the feast, Hermione slowly grabbed a piece of chicken and some mashed potatoes. She forced the mashed potatoes down her throat...mashed potatoes had been one of the few things she had, had to eat when she was with Ron and Harry, horcrux hunting. She was tired of them, but nothing else looked more appetizing.

She could feel Ginny's worried eyes on her as she slowly bit into her chicken. She held herself from looking up and rolling her eyes at her.

After the feast finished, McGonagall dismissed everyone except the 'eighth' years. Everyone made their way towards McGonagall. Hermione didn't know exactly why Ginny was among them. She had slightly overheard the fact that she was returning but as an eight year. McGonagall gave them all a warm smile as they stopped in front of her.

"I'm so happy to see you here this day. Not many of your fellow classmates have decided to return to Hogwarts and finish their education. I know several of them were offered jobs and internships at high classed offices. Yet here you are, sixteen of you have decided to return. You will all be sharing one common room in the Northern Tower," McGonagall said. Everyone had confused expressions. She had never heard of a Northern Tower in her six years in Hogwarts. Seeing their confused faces she continued. "It was a new addition we added to Hogwarts when we were remodeling it. I know several of you have seen it but have not known the name for it. All of you will get your own headquarters in this tower. Hopefully you will encourage the younger years to have house unity by getting along...all of you."

Hermione could see Seamus and Dean glaring at Draco who was doing absolutely nothing to them. Hermione knew Ron and Harry had something to do about this, but she left it alone.

Hermione didn't pay much attention after that. Instead she stayed all the way in the back of the crowd as they walked towards the Northern Tower. Everyone was in front of her, chatting their time away. Hermione, on the other hand, began to scratch her arm unconsciously as they walked past several corridors. The corridors she had once considered home, but was nothing but more than an old castle and a nightmare.

Hermione jogged up to the rest of her fellow classmates as they stood in front of a portrait of Albus Dumbledore's portrait. Hermione was confused, shouldn't he be in the Headmistress office? "I should be Miss Granger, but I insisted to be placed here for the remainder of your stay, all of yours."

After that brief moment with Dumbledore, Hermione didn't remember what happened. She only remembered being assigned her room, saying goodnight to Ginny and departing for the night. She didn't pay any attention to the room she had been assigned. She slowly climbed out of her clothes and into the four poster bed, the comfortable sheets hugging her body and as she sunk under the sheets, and tears silently slid down her cheeks. She didn't know why she was crying. There was just a heavy weight on her chest that made her want to curl into a ball, scream her head off and cry her eyes out.


Fall

Hermione begun the year off as smoothly as it could be. Ginny sat down next to her in most of her classes which they shared with several seventh years much to everyone's disappointment. It didn't take much for the rivalry between the seventh and eighth years to begin. The first official duel was between Seamus and a seventh year Gryffindor who made it very clearly to everyone that the eighth years weren't wanted, even if they had saved the wizarding community.

McGonagall, as expected, wasn't pleased. She gave both men detention for the rest of the semester giving everyone else, who had the brilliant idea of dueling in the corridors, to not do so. Hermione stayed cleared of most of the drama. Padma and Ginny's relationship blossomed into something Hermione grew to appreciate. Ginny needed a friend to actually care about wedding ideas. She grew isolated from Ginny and began shutting herself in her room once more. She did her homework, but she didn't care much about studying ahead. Instead she spent evenings in her room, sleeping most of the time, her grades weren't the lowest they have ever been, but they weren't to standard like the previous years.

After a while Ginny left her and Hermione went to sit at the back of the room while Ginny and Padma quietly spoke about wedding plans during class, something Hermione couldn't bare anymore.

A week before Halloween, Hermione was walking up her stairs to her bedroom when she heard people talking in the common room. She wouldn't have cared if she hadn't found the conversation somewhat interesting.

"Harry is thinking about taking a week off before Christmas to come here, so that we can have some wedding planning alone without my mum butting in," Ginny said.

"Awww, that's sweet of him. Have you decided on a date then?" Padma asked.

"Yes! Well Harry wanted something clothes to his birthday, but not on it. It's confusing how his mind works sometimes. So we decided on July 21st. It's going to be perfect! The flowers would have already blossomed and it would be beautiful to have a garden wedding like the one we had talked about a few weeks ago," Ginny said, excitedly.

"Have you decided on your court?" Padma asked. Hermione knew why she was asking. Hermione wasn't surprised when Ginny said what Padma had been hoping she would say.

"Talking about that…I was wondering if you would like to to be my maid of honor. I would completely understand if you decided not to, but I would really appreciate it. You're the person who's been helping me plan the entire wedding and I couldn't think of anyone else being there."

"I would be honored...but what about Hermione, I would have thought you would ask her," Padma said.

"She had been in my mind, but recently she's been really distant and I don't think she would be too keen on the idea of being my maid of honor," Ginny said, a small frown on her lips. Hermione felt bad, she hadn't been there for her best friend, but it was for the best. She didn't need any of her negativity filling her, especially not when she was planning a wedding.

Hermione continued on up the stairs, it was late at night so she had one hand on the wall and one hand in front of her. She almost gasped out loud when her hand bumped into something, more like someone but looking up she didn't need any light to know it was Draco Malfoy. She hadn't seen him for a while now, she hadn't know if he was still attending Hogwarts at all.

"Sorry," he said, in a low voice. Hermione and he walked past her not saying another word. She didn't need him to say anything else, she could feel his sadness from where she stood. She didn't know how, but she knew when someone was sad. Maybe it was from her being sad all the time that she had gotten used to the feeling and could sense it in other people. She was thinking nonsense now, shaking her head she headed to her bedroom where she climbed into bed not caring that she hadn't done her homework.

She could feel everyone's eyes on her as Professor Flitwick stood in front of her desk, on his small stool, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Never in eight years did I think the day would come when Hermione Granger hadn't done her homework," Flitwick said, disappointment clear in his tone of voice. Hermione, herself, felt that he was overreacting. This had been her first time not turning in her homework for Charms class, and she had chosen the worst day to not do it.

"Sir, I'm sorry if it disappoints you, but I'm not the only person in this room who didn't do their homework," Hermione said, in a hard tone.

"Miss Granger do not use that tone in front of me," he said.

"I can do whatever I want," she said, standing up and crossing her arms. "It's not fair that you exclude me from others for not doing my homework."

She didn't wait for an answer, instead she got her bag and walked out of her class, not daring to look at Ginny in the front of the class. She knew this was going to get to Harry and Ron, either way it wasn't as if they wrote to her every week.

The tears began streaming down her cheeks before she even got to the common room. She stopped in the middle of the common room as she saw none other than Draco Malfoy, sitting crossed leg, several sheets of paper sprawled all over the floor. No one was going to come to the common room anytime soon, so she could see why he would get comfortable.

She saw a worried expression spread across his face as he stood up and went up to her. She looked up at him, eyes filled with tears. "What's wrong?" She heard him say. She opened her mouth but only sobs came out and without hesitation he pulled her into his arms and held her as she grabbed tightly to his white button up shirt and sobbed her eyes out.

She really didn't care who was hugging her, she didn't even care that of all the people in this castle, the only person who had offered her some kind of physical comfort, had been Draco Malfoy. She did know how strange and abnormal this scene would look from someone else's point of view, but she didn't care. Instead she let herself feel the emotions she had prevented herself from doing so, these last few weeks.

She didn't know she could have so much water in her. She wouldn't have lied if she said she could have cried a river. Tears were streaming down her cheeks when she pulled away from Draco and sat up from the couch where they had moved to after standing for what felt like an hour.

Looking at his shirt she frowned deeply. It was wet, from all the tears that she had cried. "Oh…I'm sorry," she said.

"Don't worry about it, Granger," he said, shrugging. She saw him double take, but didn't prevent him from asking her a question."What's wrong?"

Hermione didn't answer right away. She thought about what to say next. Should she tell him or should she stay quiet. She couldn't lie anymore, she was…

"I'm tired…" she began. "I'm tired of seeing other people happy. I'm tired of people pretending as if hundreds of people hadn't died a year ago. I'm tired of seeing everyone planning things for their future… I'm tired of feeling so empty inside…"

That was the first time she had said those words out loud and she couldn't even begin to explain how relieved she was to hear those words come out of her mouth. She immediately regretted. How could she be so stupid as to tell him of all people, about her true feelings?

He could see her regret in her eyes. "Join me tomorrow," he said. "Tomorrow is Saturday which means they let us eight years leave the grounds for the weekend. I'm going to be reuniting with some friends. I thought it would be nice of you got away from here for the weekend. Let you think more clearly."

Hermione sat in the living room thinking. Could she really trust Draco Malfoy, her once former enemy. She could see why he would like to get out of Hogwarts not only were eight years not liked but the eight years that remained weren't fond of him. Hermione nodded, without saying another word she got up and went to her room where she sat down and for the first time upon arriving at Hogwarts she read a book.

"I still don't understand why do you think going to a club with Slytherins will make me feel any better," Hermione said, shaking her head as she got into the black dress Draco had gotten her. It was short, shorter than anything she had ever worn. She didn't bother with makeup, she had curled her hair in light waves, and then there were the heals. How she dreaded to wear heels, but it didn't look too bad.

Draco himself was wearing a white button up and trousers. She got out of the bathroom and saw Draco by the door waiting. She could feel his gaze on her, but she ignored him. "Why are you so eager to go? How special is this club anyways? You seem to really like it."

They had come to an understanding. They were 'friends' now. It had taken a lot of convincing for her to finally agree on that term. Now there was standing in a hotel room, in a small dress, getting ready to go to a club with none other than Draco Malfoy.

When Hermione entered the club she didn't know what to expect, maybe a normal dark night club? Oh how naive she was. This was one of Paris' most famous wizarding night clubs. Everything was basically glow in the dark. Hermione stood there in shock as it rained down from the room making everything ten times more exciting. People were dancing among each other, their bodies closed together. She had never once stepped into a club, but now being inside she wanted to experiment what it was to be like those people dancing on the floor. Draco pulled her arm, turning to him, she saw Pansy Parkinson in an emerald dress, her hair down, already wet.

Hermione really didn't know what to say. Without hesitating Pansy took a step forward and embraced her, as if they had been friends for years now. "I'm so glad you guys made it," she said, over the loud music.

Hermione didn't say much after that. She only remembered drinking several shots and dancing on the floor. She remembered the feeling of Draco's hands all over her body was what seemed like forever. She had for once in over a year, felt stress less and happy. She was finally enjoying something and she didn't want to give it up for anything in the world.


Winter

"I promise they won't do anything to you. They just want to officially meet you," Draco said, as they walked to the common room. He was carrying her bag over his shoulder, his books in his hands. "Pansy will be there if it helps."

Pansy had been such an uplifting person in Hermione's life the past few weeks. They had been writing each other letters multiple times a week, meeting up together with Draco, during the weekends.

"I don't know Draco…" Hermione said, shrugging, unsure. She really didn't know. It had been such an unexpected question. He had asked last week if she would come over for Christmas break to meet his parents.

"I'll drop you off at the Burrow whenever you ask me too," he said. Hermione frowned at herself when she saw a frown on Draco's lips.

"Let me tell Ginny I'm not going and then we'll make plans," she said, giving him a bright smile. She didn't know, but for the past few weeks she had been nothing but looking forward to see Draco. Sure she knew she was being childish but sometimes she just didn't want to care and just let herself feel the feelings that should not be prevented from her because she had seen things she shouldn't have.

Her failed relationship had something to do with it. She had never been in love with Ron, but she wasn't either with Draco. But somehow she felt like taking a risk with him.

"Really?"

"Yes, now let me go inside," she said, taking her bag and giving him a small hug. She gave him a bright smile before walking in. On the couch was Ginny and Padma looking at several flower arrangements. Ginny turned to her and gave her a small smile. They had exchanged little to no words the past few weeks much to both of their disappointments.

"Hermione! Come I need your opinion. So Padma and I couldn't decide between two colors for the brides' dress color. We were thinking either lavender or baby pink. What do you think?" Ginny asked.

"Baby pink. It'll look more elegant," Hermione said, looking at the dresses Ginny had chosen, in both colors. Ginny nodded in agreement. "Um...Ginny I just wanted to let you know that I won't be going to the Burrow for Winter Break this year."

Ginny's bright expressions turned into a sad one. Hermione wanted so badly to want to take the words back, but she couldn't find any regret in them. It was really what she wanted.

"Oh...okay. I'll make sure to tell mum when I write to her later tonight...where will you be staying?" She asked.

"With a friend. I grew up with her in my early days and she wants to meet up with me since she found out about my parents. She wanted me to join her as her own parents had died in a car crash a few months ago," Hermione said. She hated lying, but it would be safer than to tell her that she was going to be staying with the Malfoys.

"Oh dear. Very well 'Mione I'll tell mum, but please drop by on Christmas, it would really mean a lot for us," she said. Hermione nodded and headed to her room where she threw everything on the ground and laid on her bed.

It wasn't much before she heard two slight knocks on the door. "Come in," she said, already knowing who it was. Draco walked in with a basket with various kinds of food.

"I have decided to ditch dinner in this room," he said, almost proudly. "I was wondering if a certain beautiful lady would like to join me on this wooden floor to eat the best food offered here in Hogwarts."

Hermione laughed. "I would love to." She got up from her bed and sat down on the blanket he had already spread on the floor. She watched as he took foods out of his basket a bright smile on his lips.

"See it didn't go that bad," Draco said. Of course it wasn't bad, she had to admit that much. Narcissa had been absolutely comfortable with Hermione staying over. Their resident was not as big as Malfoy Manor, the Manor they had left several months previous, to move to a house outside of a muggle town in Ireland. It was beautiful, the house and the land. The house was still pretty big, but nothing more than six rooms. Ireland, itself, was another subject.

Draco had promised to take her sightseeing, in the following weeks, something she had come to look forward to.

During dinner, Narcissa had acted as if they had, had no previous problems. For the first time, since the war, she liked the idea of forgetting anything had occurred. She didn't need to be reminded of what they had done, mostly because she didn't care anymore. Lucius, on the other hand, kept his distance and only talked whenever he was asked something. Narcissa and Draco had made sure not to bring up a subject they both had in common, for now anyways.

"I guess, it wasn't. Your mother is adorable," Hermione pointed out. "You should be really grateful that you have her in your life."

"I am," Draco assured her. "She's the best woman I have ever met."

Hermione gasped, dramatically, a hand on her chest. "I am insulted Mr. Malfoy."

"Oh, hush. You know your second to her," he said, leaning against the wall, next to her door. He gave her a goofy smile, that she couldn't help but laugh at. He straightened up and stood in front of her, closer than he ever had.

Hermione's heart skipped a beat, as he caressed her cheek, her cheeks flooding with blood. She knelt into his cheeks, encouraging. She looked up at him, not scared or embarrassed, but with a wicked smirk on her face. She knew he didn't like anything, then when she acted, not like a Gryffindor, but as a Slytherin. He gave her the same smirk, as he leaned down and pressed his lips against his.

It wasn't a mind blowing kiss, not like the ones in those cheesy novels, but it was close to them. They weren't the sweet kisses, she had Ron had ever exchanged. This was more of a hunger, something they had both been waiting for ever since they began seeing each other more than just friends.

He nudged her a little, with his mouth. She smiled against his lips. Her hands had gone up to his hair, stroking it as she opened her mouth. Their tongues danced, as his hands ran down her waist, and she pressed herself against him.

His hands went down to the hem of her dress, where he softly ran his hand up and down her thigh until it reached her hip, his hand resting on her panties. Hermione's eyes opened and she pushed him away.

"Woah, woah. Calm down!" he said. He could see her disappointment in her eyes. "It's okay, we don't have to if you don't want."

She rolled her eyes, pulling him against her. "Of course I want to…"

"But?"

"I've done it before, but for the wrong reasons. I don't want to repeat that, not with you anyways. I want it to mean more, than just having fun...I know it, it sounds stupid-"

"Don't say that. I understand, I'm not going to force you into doing something you don't want to," he said, kissing her forehead. Hermione slept dreamlessly for the first time in weeks.

Christmas rolled around and Hermione had never been more happy to wake up. At the end of her bed there was a red box with a white bow on it. She opened it and found a beautiful emerald green dress. It had lace on it, she wasn't a fan of lace, but looking at the dress in her hands, she couldn't help but rethink her idea on it. There was a note in the box.

Dear Ms. Granger,

It has come to my attention that you and my son, have become close. In the past year I have realized that in the last several years, I have put my needs in front of my son's. Now I all I want for him is to be happy, it seems your presence with us for the Winter Holidays has cheered him up, far more if he had invited his classmates.

We will be having a formal dinner tonight at a friends, a muggle, in his residence. I have selected this dress, hoping that you will wear it tonight. Draco really does mean the world to me, and if you make him happy, there is nothing I can do, but accept your relationship.

Sincerely,

Lucius Malfoy

Hermione was in awe. Never in a million years did she think she would ever get the approval from Lucius Malfoy. But she standed corrected. She quickly tried the dress on...and it fit like a glove. It had a long slit, starting from her upper thigh. The entirety of the sleeves, from shoulders to wrist, was made out of lace. It hugged her waist and hips perfectly. It was beautiful. Hermione saw the price tag hanging, but was scared to look at it. She ripped it out and incendio-ed it. She took a deep breath and looked at herself once more at herself before taking the dress off.

She spent most of her day with Draco and Pansy, walking around the muggle community. They met the hostess of tonight's dinner. He was a short chubby man, who seemed to a nice chap. He was nervous, since it was his first time hosting a party. Draco and Pansy gave him tips, making it weird between all of them since a forty something year old was getting tips from teens.

Hermione didn't tell Draco about the present his father had left in the morning, but once Draco was far enough away she spilled it to Pansy who demanded to see it. Upon arriving home, they rushed to Hermione's bedroom, where Pansy finally saw the dress.

"Oh, my god! Hermione! Do you know who designed this dress?"

"Um...no?"

"Elizabeth Newton, one of the wizarding world's most prestigious designers, the the fact that she's a muggle born is even better, considering that she always lied about her blood type when she changed her last name. She only recently admitted to it, but people knew. Her designs are just magic, even though the prices are extremely high. Let me see the tag- oh holy god! Hermione this is a special collection, she hasn't even released it. It not supposed to be released to the public until the day after tomorrow. It's her New Year's collection," Pansy said, without taking any breathes in between. Hermione would be lying if she said she didn't become scared at several times.

"So do you like?"

"Like it? I love it! It's beautiful. I can't wait to see you in it," Pansy said. Just as Hermione was about to answer Pansy, there was a tapping at the window. Hermione opened the window and Crane came in, bearing gifts.

There was a note attached to his wing. From Harry, Ron, and Ginny.

Merry Christmas 'Mione,

We wish you were here. But Ginny told me about your friend. I hope everything is okay and is getting better.

We would really love if you would come over in the morning or whenever. We wanted to give you some presents in person. Several of the presents Crane is taking to you is either from George, Percy, Bill and Fleur, or Charlie.

Hopefully you can make it,

Harry, Ron, and Ginny

P.S Harry loved the idea of pink rather than lavender.

P.S.S Lavender says Merry Christmas

P.S.S.S Hope your having a wonderful time

Hermione felt horrible. She truly did, but she knew they wouldn't understand her new friendships. "You'll have to tell them, one day. Better right now than later. It'll only make things harder when you have to tell them."

"I know, Pansy, but how can I tell them that i'm with all of you guys, when they only think so little of you," Hermione asked.

"If they reject you, then they aren't your friends. Your real friends will accept you as who you are and who you are friends with. I know Draco has learned to live with that the past few months. There are several people like Goyle who turned their backs on him. Obviously for you it's harder, since you consider each other family, but family has to stand with you."

Hermione felt inspired. Hermione nodded. "You're right. And you are coming with me, as well as Draco. Come on let's find him."

"Hermione I don't if us going will be such a good thing," Pansy said.

"We'll see. If they react so badly to you being there, you can leave," Hermione said. Hopefully they didn't. They found Draco in his room, reading a card in his hand. He looked sad, but Hermione didn't see it and quickly grabbed his hand. In a blink of an eye they were a few yards away from the Burrow.

"What the hell Hermione!" Draco exclaimed. "I was reading something important- where in the world are we?"

"The Burrow, now come on, there are people you need to formally meet," she said, pulling them towards the Burrow. They were outside the doorsteps when the smell of pie hit their noses. "You guys should wait out here. I'll call you when you can come in."

They both nodded, worried, as she entered. Hermione didn't know what to expect, but when she felt someone hug her around the waist, she immediately felt relieved. It was Ginny and Harry. The people she needed to see. "Hey can I talk to you guys. Also Ron, there's something I need to tell you."

They both were oblivious to her worried expression, and they nodded, bring Ron with them into the empty kitchen.

"What's going on," Harry asked.

"Well...as I'm sure Ginny has told you. I haven't been feeling the best since the battle. But I have found some people that have been helping me-"

"What kind of people?" Harry asked, confused.

"Friends of mine, friends that I have made in the past months at Hogwarts. I haven't told anyone because I didn't know how you would take it, but i think it's time for you to know. I don't like keeping secrets, especially not what we have been through. And I've seen the consequences that occurred for keeping secrets. I just hope you'll accept…"

"Of course 'Mione," Ginny said, nodding. Hermione gave them a small smile before going outside and opening the door for Pansy and Draco.

She didn't know what reactions to expect. Unfortunately, they weren't the ideal ones. At the same time she knew it wouldn't have changed a thing if she had done it sooner or later. They were still going to react the same.

"What the fuck Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, his hand going to his wand. Hermione lifted her hand in caution as she saw Harry push Ginny behind him in a protective manner.

"'Mione I think it would be best if we wait for you at the cottage, we don't want to cause any more trouble than we already have," Pansy said, taking a cautious step back, pulling a relentful Draco with her. She gave him a small nod, assuring him that she would be fine.

She waited to hear the apparation pop before turning back to her friends. Ron seemed about ready to blow up into a million pieces and Ginny seemed about ready to cry tears of anger, while Harry held a stiff hand on his fiance, begging whatever god he believed in that they wouldn't hurt each other.

"Cottage? You mean to tell Hermione, that you've been spending your winter holiday with these...people! Have you been lying to us?" Ginny said. Hermione looked down at her hands.

"I know its going to take some time to get used to it-"

"No! I'm not going to get used to this. How dare you think I'm going to get used to this. You've been lying to me these past few months at Hogwarts haven't you. Disappearing and not coming at night time during the weekends. You've been seeing them, haven't you?" Ginny snarled.

"Is this the truth?" Harry asked, stunned.

"Yes, but I can explain," Hermione began.

"What that you're seeing the ferret now," Ron said. "I saw the way he was looking at you, that's the way Harry looks at Gin. I'm not as stupid as you think I am. Hermione I care for you, but don't you think you're going a little crazy thinking that you can actually be friends with them? They tried killing us no less than two years ago. Hermione they tortured you in their house and they did nothing about it!"

"Can't you guys see!" Hermione said, frustrated. "I'm happy!"

"Hermione! How can you be so stupid! You're going to get hurt in this relationship if you think they want anything more than a good reputation, like the one they had before the war," Harry said, shaking his head.

They stood there in silence. All four of them, looking at each other. Everything that was needed to be said, was said, and Hermione knew that they weren't going to change their minds. Even if she tried changing every single thing about her, they still wouldn't be content with her.

"Very well then," Hermione said, brushing her blouse down. There were no tears in her eyes, as she said the next phrase. "Well, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Weasley, it was extreme honor making your acquaintances. I wish you all the best."

With a weak smile, she looked at the faces of her friends and turn, her smile turning into a deep frown. She could hear the silence creeping on, on her from the other rooms. She brushed the single tear that escaped her eye and apparated away.