A.N. Hey guys, I just wanted to say hi and give you the next chapter. Not sure what to say so yeah...

Here ya go!


The door closed with a resounding snap as the fire place when out. Draco pushed himself up off the floor. 'Bloody females are bad enough, but this one's a Mudblood... I hope father comes for me soon... Could she at least have bothered to clean up?!'

He sat on the bed running his fingers through his sliver hair. It had come down in the battle and now cascaded down his shoulders, he had grown it out just like his father had. Even though Draco modeled his appearance after his father, did not mean he idolized him, he was not what you would call fond of his father. Draco did what was necessary to keep him happy, but left unto his own, he wouldn't even speak to the man.

'I wonder what they're going to do to me? If they had put me in the dungeons I would be long gone by now. But why in Merlin's name do I have to stay here?! Couldn't they have left me with one of the Professors? Or should I even consider them Professors anymore? Why not Snape? Well, he would get caught then wouldn't he? But... but... ANYONE other than Granger!'


"Where is he?" Ron asked coming in the doors of the Great Hall.

"He's locked up in my room Ron," she said, casting a healing charm on a cut on his head that was bleeding profusely.

"I want to see him, now," he said grabbing her hand and stilling it. His eyes were alight with a bright blue fire, a rage that was more vibrant than his hair. His body was shaking with the effort it took to remain under control. "Please, Hermione."

Hermione was glad that at that moment Dumbledore came sweeping down the stairs. "How did the battle end?" he asked, his hands entwined.

"We drove them back, but I don't know for how long. We won't last if they attack within the next day, there are just too many of them," Harry said, as Madam Pomfrey wrapped a bandage around a burn on his wrist. There was a bluish-white salve on the inside of the wrap and also a light coating on Harry's arm.

"Ron, you know I can't! Dumbledore said no, he said to let you calm down first," she whispered hurriedly.

"I don't care what Dumbledore says, that ferret's father killed my brother! I deserve some penitence for that!" he said, in a fierce and quiet whisper.

"I don't think it's a very good idea, you're angry, you have to calm down! You'll regret what you do later on!" Hermione pleaded, standing closer to him.

"I don't care if I regret it later, I want it now!" Ron said, his voice rising.

"No, and that's final," she said, crossing her arms.

"She's right Ron. Com'on we have a little spare time, let's go relax," Harry said putting a hand on his shoulder and trying to steer him away.

"I won't be able to stop or sleep until I wring that ferret's bloody neck! Do you hear that Hermione? I won't!" Ron said as Harry drug him away.

Hermione sighed and turned back to the other wounded people, 'He can't blame me for what Dumbledore wants me to do! Honestly I don't know why Harry trusts him so. I hope he is not leading us down the wrong path.'

"Hello Hermione," Bill said softly.

"Hey," she said just as quietly, setting to work on the gash on his arm.

"I apologize for my brother's behavior, he tends to be a bit.... Eccentric," Bill said his head down. "I understand your position, and... umm... Sleep with the door locked and lots of wards on the room. Ron's not one to just lay down and let lie. He will try to get to him."

"Thank you for the warnings. I had best get up there. I bet Harry's already trying to tie him to statue of some sort." She giggled at the mental picture her brain came up with.

Bill chuckled along with her. "It has been too long since we last laughed."

"Yes it has."


Flashback


"Hey Harry, what do suppose Mum's doing right now?" Ron chuckled, slouched on a couch in front of the fire.

"Well, since it being Christmas Eve and all, I suppose she's at your house, wrapping presents and making those toffees she always sends us," Harry said, rolling his eyes.

"Last year we were at Grimmauld Place, but after what happened during the summer..." Hermione trailed off.

"Yeah, not much left of that place anymore," Ron mumbled his face down cast.

"But, look at this place! I mean, we're at Hogwarts, for our last Christmas here! Tomorrow we're going to wake up with presents, at our beside! Tomorrow let's just laugh and have fun, alright?" Harry said, tossing a pillow at Ron, covering said boy's face.

"Yes and Hermione can bring all her presents and we'll all open them!" Ron said, childishly.

"But girls aren't supposed to go in the boy's dormitories," Hermione said mimicking a three year old.

"Yeah well, we're exceptions!" Ron said proudly.

"I don't think a child could pronounce that," Harry said, chuckling slightly at their idiotic behavior.

Hermione stuck her tongue out and blew raspberries at the other two. They all collapsed into giggles in the common room, as the fire light danced behind them.


End Flashback


"Hermione, are you alright?" Bill asked leaning forward a bit.

Hermione smiled a faint, almost non-existent smile. "I'm fine, but you're right, we should laugh more often."


Draco's eyes got rather wide as the door to Hermione's room opened. He backed up into the back of the space sitting on the bed. "Who's there?"

A mirthless laugh floated through the room, "I thought ferrets could see in the dark?"

"Granger? Is that you? Stop this, I find it not in the least bit amusing," Draco said, standing on shaky legs.

"Why does it matter, we're all nameless and faceless, worthless compared to you, your grace?" the voice spat.

Draco trembled on the bed he had been provided as a very large figure walked up to the barrier. Because of the lack of light, all that could be seen was an outline. The outline was large and most defiantly male. Both Draco and the figure jumped when the door opened and Hermione set the fire to start again.

The figure shifted over and stood behind the bathroom door as Hermione walked in unaware of the predicament she had just walked into. She looked towards Draco and found him paler than usual, which, for Draco was saying something. She walked towards him with a determined stride.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Hermione asked, as she stepped into the barrier.

Draco's grey eyes lifted to her own, his form curled up, knees to his chest on the bed. He pointed a shaky finger to behind the bathroom door. Hermione lifted an eyebrow at him, giving him a strange look. "What? What are you saying?"

Draco remained silent staring at the darkened corner in horror. "Malfoy, I don't understand. Am I supposed to look? What's over there?"

Draco simply nodded, only a slight response, seemingly numb for the time being. Hermione grumbled and walked over to the bathroom door. She swung it so that she would be closing the bathroom door and revealing what would be behind it. A very guilty looking Ron hung his head as he came into view.

Hermione's glare was worthy of setting Fawkes on fire. "I told you not to come in here! Come with me," she growled leading him out of the room.

Once they were outside her room Hermione turned on him in a rage. "I told you to stay out! Do you realize you had a Death Eater scared out of his bloody mind! I understand you are hurt, but I will not sit by and watch one of my best friends destroy themselves. Pull it together Ron! Think about it, you've been obsessing over this for too long. Fred died! It's done and over with, there is no going back and fixing it! But you can show what others will not!"

Hermione stopped herself in mid-sentence, 'So that's what Dumbledore was talking about. I feel rather foolish now! Although, I have no plans of going soft on Malfoy, he won't enjoy the time he is given here, but he will remember it!'

Ron nodded, "I'm sorry 'Mione, I just... I just had to you know?"

"No you didn't and that's the point," she said rubbing her temples in frustration.

A tear glistened on Ron's cheek as he turned away from her. Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist, since that was all she could wrap her arms around due to Ron's rather large size.

"You must first grieve, before you seek vengeance. Dumbledore intends to let you have Malfoy, but not until you are in your right mind, you understand?" she asked, gently stroking the fiery hair.

Ron nodded, sniffling slightly.

"I'll go out to the astronomy tower, a ride on the Firebolt would do me some good," he said, as his complexion settled, his blue eyes sparkling with an unusual light. "I really am sorry. I think I did go a bit over the top, huh?"

"I understand, or else I would have hexed you," she said a smile lighting her face.

"Lucky for me, I happen to be one of the most dashing blokes in England," he asked, a hopeful hint in his voice.

Hermione's snort was unmistakable.


Sweat slid off the porcelain skin as Draco shook from head to toe. 'If Granger hadn't shown up... Who knows what he would have done. I'm alone, everyone who would even care is... is gone...'

Hermione walked back in to her room, and immediately knew something was out of place. There was a rasping sound coming from in the Draco's space. She swept over to him with haste, nearly fainting from what she saw. He was drenched in sweat, holding his throat and gasping. If Hermione had not seen as many panic stricken people as she had, she would have panicked.

She stepped into the barrier and knelt down to him. "Malfoy, look at me breathe. Ron didn't get to you. You're fine and no one can even get inside here but me!"

Draco was now turning a faint color, his ashen face fading to purple.

"Draco," Hermione said turning his face. "Breathe."

Draco inhaled as Hermione felt like doing the same thing. That had been overtly close, too close. He just lay on the floor breathing for a moment, relishing in the air filling his lungs.

"Ron scared you that badly?" she asked, genuinely concerned. She may hate Draco, but she did not wish death upon him.

"I am not scared," Draco said defiantly, trying to rise to his feet. His head swam and he settled for just sitting up. "I am alone. I have never been alone."

Hermione nodded, "If you expect pity, you are going to sorely disappointed."

"I don't expect pity, and I don't want it either!" he said, as he lowered his head slightly.

"But," Hermione said, gently. "You will get the mercy, Voldemort does not bestow us."

Draco looked up, as his brows furrowed. "Why?"

"Because, to the best of my knowledge, you have not killed anyone, nor took anyone captive. Coincidence?" she pried.

Draco looked away.

"That's what I thought," Hermione said rising, her features very schooled.

"What?" he asked, watching her previous movements.

"You are not your father, petulant, annoying, and spoiled, yes. You, however, are not your father."


A.N. So yeah, I had to soften things or it was going to become a dark fic rather quickly and I don't want this one to go there. It will have dark moments, yes, but not a dark fic. That's for the Hermione/Ron I've got in the works. R&R plz!