Rumours had started going around about Draco Malfoy as soon as the school year had commenced. Hermione was aware of them because she had been unfortunate enough to hear snippets. Some people said he had murdered his parents in a rage and that he was found lying passed out in a pool of their blood. Others said he had spent the Summer in St Mungo 's under careful observation after he'd tried to end his life. That he'd left a note asking to be buried in his quidditch robes and that under no circumstances was anyone to play anything by the Weird Sisters at his funeral.

Blaise Zambini was going around telling anyone who would listen that it was a load of Hippogriff dung. He'd seen Draco over the Summer; he'd even been best man at the wedding. If anyone had any sense, they'd know that the half-year anniversary of his parent's deaths was approaching and they'd stop spreading vicious lies. When asked about Astoria, he'd walk away angrily and tell them to sod off.

All anyone knew for sure was that he went from being the first Slytherin prefect in years to top every subject, to the first prefect to be temporarily suspended.

On the night of the last quidditch game of the season, Ravenclaw Vs Hufflepuff, at exactly half past midnight, Draco had gotten out of bed, changed into his uniform, and systematically flooded every student bathroom in the school. They eventually found him sitting on the great steps, in direct view of the professors quarters, smoking a pack of muggle cigarettes and doing his Divination homework.

When McGonagall had asked Draco what he was doing, he said he had a Divinations quiz the next day.

And that's when he'd left school. It had been three weeks before finals and he hadn't been seen again until earlier that week when he was spotted leaving the Hogwarts express, hand in hand with Astoria Greengrass.

Hermione was grateful for Blaise's unyielding support of Draco. He needed someone to talk to, and she was no longer the first person he came to when he had a problem. They hadn't spoken more than a few words to one another the past few days, and Hermione sorely missed his company. Thinking back to how much of a fool she had been that night made her bury her head into her hands in frustration.

Draco had been nothing but kind and she'd let her ego get the better of her, almost blowing their cover. She was cruel and stupid and she knew it.

She didn't know why she'd been so hung up on hurting Ron, but what she did know was that it had been a mistake. Seeing the look of pain on Draco's face made her feel squeamish. She wished that she could take it all back but it was far too late.

Hermione had grown so accustomed to having Draco around and now that he wasn't she felt like she was missing a part of herself. She missed the way he'd find excuses to touch her and she missed the look of excitement in his eyes when he was explaining something interesting he'd just learned. She would sit and listen with rapture, even though she'd probably already read it somewhere before, just so that she could hear his voice a little longer. She even missed his snoring. Draco hadn't slept in their room for a number of nights and had taken to sleeping in the boy's dormitory instead.

Hermione may have been blind to it before but now she knew with absolute certainty that she was falling for Malfoy.

Missing Draco was like being held underwater against her will. He had become her oxygen, and she was dying for a breath.

Breaking her out of her reverie, Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder and lifted her head slightly to see a heavily calloused hand resting on the desk. She knew that hands could only become that calloused from handling a broom extensively; all experienced quidditch player had hands like that. A glimmer of hope shot through her and she looked up hoping to see a certain blond Slytherin standing above her, but her hopes were squashed when her eyes, hoping to be met with Draco's steely grey ones, met with a pair of green ones instead.

Harry was standing next to her with a determined look on his face, catching Hermione entire off guard. It took her a moment to register what was happening, and she wondered why he was approaching her when she clearly looked like Astoria.

"Hi I'm Harry, we met once briefly last year," he said politely, "I've seen you sitting here in the library a lot recently and I was hoping you could help me with something."

Hermione hadn't seen him in months and she tried to hide her suprised at how much he had changed. Harry looked slightly thinner than usual and there were dark circles under his eyes, which gave her the impression that he hadn't been sleeping very much. Whatever his reason for approaching her, Hermione was grateful for the chance to converse with someone after having spent so long with no one to really speak to aside from Draco. He was the person she most wanted to talk to and he was avoiding her.

Looking like Astoria meant that she was limited with conversational partners. Hermione was so starved of company, especially since she hadn't been able to speak to any of her friends without it seeming unusual. She was keen to keep the conversation going as long as possible, so she nodded enthusiastically.

"Sure," she told Harry.

"There's this passage in 'A History of Magic' that contains a letter from Grindelwald to his Aunt and I was just wondering if you could help me find it?"

Harry was staring at her intently, but she barely noticed because she couldn't believe he had made such an obvious mistake. Hermione silently reprimanded herself for writing so many of his and Ron's history papers for them over the years. It was no wonder he had made such a blunder.

"Well, first of all, you've got entirely the wrong book, because Bathilda Bagshot doesn't write about anything that happens after the 19th century. Which is odd, admittedly, because she was the Aunt of Grindelwald and one would expect her to have written at least something about his rise to power. You're thinking of chapter 21 of "Magical history and Musings", that's the only book containing his correspondences." Hermione was about to recommend another book alongside it until she saw Harry break out into a giant grin. It left her feeling slightly perplexed.

"I knew it was you, Hermione!" He said excitedly, and a little too loudly for Hermione's liking. She anxiously darted her head around to see if anyone had heard, but those within earshot were far too busy studying or gossiping most likely about another Draco related rumor. Hermione grimaced.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Potter. You should go and visit Madam Pomfrey if you're imagining things" she tried to sound as obnoxious as Astoria would, but her gut wrenched and she struggled to be rude to Harry.

"You can cut the crap, Hermione. I know it's you" Harry said, "Beside's Madam Pomfrey isn't here,"

Hermione exhaled, letting out a quick gust of air in realization. Harry had been testing her, and now her guise had been discovered.

"Shhh- not so loud" she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the seat next to her eying him suspiciously.

"How did you know?" Hermione asked.

"For Merlin's sake Hermione, where have been? Dumbledore only told us you were on a mission" Harry looked putout and clearly worried. Hermione couldn't help feeling softened by his concern and she made a mental note that she should at least try to leave her friends with some evidence that was okay.

"I've been with Draco. The Ministry's been hunting Muggleborns down, Harry, it's gotten really bad," she said hurriedly, darting her eyes around the library. She was scared that someone might happen upon them and didn't know how long their conversation would last.

"I know. It's good to see that you're alright" Harry gave her hand a quick squeeze. Hermione wanted to hug him senseless and tell him how much she'd missed him, but there were too many people around.

"How did you figure out it was me?" she asked, truly wanting to know what had revealed her. If anything, it would help her disguise herself better in the future and she would work harder to impersonate Astoria. It would help her do a better job in playing her role.

"I'm your best friend Hermione, I know you like my own hand." Harry gave her a pointed look but gave in after she raised her eyebrows suspiciously, "Alright. After Ron kept bragging that Astoria was giving him the look, I got suspicious. I've been watching you ever since trying to figure out what was off and I think I know what it is... you've really got to stop hanging out in here." Harry said looking around the library in distaste.

"I know, I feel terrible. I shouldn't have done it Harry" Hermione shook her head furiously, " Poor, Ron. Is he alright?"

"Ron's fine, I told Ginny and she's planning on deflating his big head later this afternoon. I know I probably shouldn't say this because he's my best friend, but he had it coming to him after the way he treated you. You could have done worse and gotten away with it" Harry's lip twitched. "He'll be alright, don't worry about Ron."

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione bit her lip to fight back the tears that were brimming in her eyes, "I've made a right mess of things with Draco. I don't think he's ever going to forgive me."

"Who cares about Malfoy," Harry said looking confused as they sat huddled at the table speaking him hushed tones. He was always the more reasonable of her two best friends, and she couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed in his reply. She had hoped that he would understand, if only a little.

"I do. I care about him" Hermione admitted, "I care about him quite a lot, actually. You could be a bit more sympathetic, Harry"

"Okay, maybe I was a bit harsh, but come on Hermione, the guy's hard to like. He's just so pompous and he's always saying 'my father this' and 'my father that' "

"Draco's not like that. Not anymore" Hermione said defensively, "He's been really good to me Harry."

"Hermione," Harry gave her a look as though she'd gone mad, "how can you say that after called you all those horrible names. Draco's from a family of death eaters, in fact he's probably one himself!"

Hermione shook her head furiously, she couldn't explain it but Draco was a different man to the boy he had once been. She needed Harry to understand and she tried to convey how important this was to her.

"He's changed, Harry. He's fighting on our side and he's trying really hard to redeem himself."

"Fine, okay. You know him best out of all of us," Harry surrendered. "So what have you done"

"The thing Ron happened and I got carried away. He must have overheard us and we go into a huge argument," Hermione admitted, going slightly pink in the ears.

"So apologise" Harry gave her an incredulous look. "If you care for him as much as you say, then nip that pride of yours in the bud and tell him that you're sorry."

Harry had always been her voice of reason, and she knew he was right in saying she had been too proud. It had taken her many years to notice her tendency to be haughty, it was something she struggled with. It was the thing she disliked about herself the most.

"It's not that simple. He's disgusted with me, he said as much the other night…"

Harry chuckled and gave her a sympathetic smile. He shook his head in earnest and patted her lightly on the hand.

"You're clever Hermione, but I forget sometimes how slow you are about certain things. He's not disgusted with you, Hermione. I think Malfoy might actually like you"

He stopped to watch her thoughtfully, as though he was piecing together a puzzle.

"Don't forget the power of a heartfelt apology, Hermione" he added, giving her a sympathetic smile.

Her heart gave a resounding thud and she felt as though there might be some truth to what he had said. Hermione let her thoughts wander, and she thought back to the time he had seen her in McGonagall's awful nightgown and what he'd said to her. She remembered the look of sheer panic on his face when he thought she'd gone missing from the wedding party and recalled all the times he'd carried her books and waiting for her outside of class, and reassured her.

Could it be true? Did Draco Malfoy really like her?

As though he had been summoned, Draco sauntered into the library scowling. He placed his book onto a table not far from where Harry and Hermione had been sitting and sat down. As he was opening his books he took a quick glance around the library and his eyes fell on Hermione. Almost immediately his scowl disappeared and his face seemed to soften.

Harry was right. She really needed to apologise and now was a good a time as any other. She thanked Harry, told him that she would catch up with him later, and hurried over to Draco.

With each step towards him her breathing quickened and her mind raced wondering what she would say.

Her mind was still buzzing when she arrived at the table, and she bit her lip not knowing exactly where to start.

"I'm sorry-" they blurted out at the same time.

Hermione paused and studied Draco, who's face was riddled with such remorse that it made her feel even guiltier.

"Me first," Hermione said, she took a deep breath before continuing, "I shouldn't have flirted with Ron. I put you in an uncomfortable situation and my excuse for what I did was poor. I've regretted it ever since, and I want you to know how truly and deeply sorry I am."

Draco nodded and opened his mouth to say something, but she cut him off wanting to add just one more thing to her apology.

"I want you to know that I only care for Ron as a friend" she said.

Hermione held her breath and waited for some sort of a response from Draco, not knowing what to expect. The hint of a smile that had been sitting in the corner of his mouth had broken into an unhindered smile.

"Thank you," he murmured, "I should apologise as well. I said some things that were horrible. I didn't mean them, they all just sort of came out because I was jealous... I thought you wanted Weasley" Draco shook his head and a silvery strand of hair flew into his eyes dangling back and forth everytime he moved his head.

The mixture of fear and doubt that Hermione had been feeling melted away and she let out a deep shuddered sigh of relief. Not only because he'd accepted her apology but also because he had admitted openly that he had been jealous. Her mind raced and she knew now for sure that he had feelings for her, however slight they might be, they existed. Unable to tear her gaze away from him, Hermione leaned against the desk to face him better. The edge of the table pressed into the back of her thighs uncomfortably by she didn't mind it if it meant that she could get a better view of him. She looked into Draco's eyes and noticed the strand of hair that was dangling in his line of vision. Gently, she reached over to push it away but she felt hesistant to remove her hand and let it linger against the side of his face.

"He's not the one I want," she said softly.

Draco beamed. His reaction made her want to bottle it up and guard it close to her heart.

Hermione noticed from across the room that Harry had given her a thumbs up sign in encouragement and mouthed the word 'Butterbeer?' at her, and she grinned back at him nodding in response to his quesiton. They could sneak off to the Three-Broomsticks under Harry's invisibility cloak while the other students were still in the castle and avoid any unwanted attention. She could hardly wait. They could finally talk in peace without worrying about drawing unwanted attention and what people would think if they saw Harry spending time with Astoria.

Draco had caught the exchange and gave her a puzzled look.

"Before you say anything, Harry figured it out for himself" she whispered hurriedly, "besides, it's been really hard without my friends and you've got Blaise who knows basically everything…"

"Hermione," Draco cut her off as he rose to a standing position, "it's fine if Potter knows, but we don't tell anyone else, agreed?"

"Agreed" she stuck her hand out enthusiastically to seal the deal with a handshake, and he took it, laughing. Instead of releasing her hand he gave it a slight tug so that she would stumble into him. Draco rested his arms around her shoulders, she could feel his chin settle on top of her head.

"If you're going to Hogsmeade with Potter just make sure you're not seen. And make sure you're back in time for dinner. I think we ought to spend Christmas-Eve together" he murmured.

Hermione's eyebrows shot up. With her mind on other things, she had completely forgotten that it was almost Christmas. She hadn't had the opportunity to buy any gifts and knowing Draco he'd probably taken the time to pick someone out for her days if not weeks ago.

"Alright," she said, breaking free from him, "I won't be too long."

The relief she had felt from their reconciliation quickly subsided and she was now worried about what she could possibly get him that he didn't alreayd have. It would have to be the perfect gift, something that conveyed her feelings and something that he would surely like. Hermione bit her lip. It would not be an easy task and would certainly take up a considerable amount of time and she was already running out of it. Hermione glanced outside of the window at the almost setting sun. She had better get going soon if she wanted to make it back in time for the Great Feast.

As she made her way towards the exit where Harry was waiting in hiding, she heard Pansy call out to Draco from across the room.

"Draco, is it true you're having marital problems? Goyle's been telling my Vincent all about it. He says it's been days since you've slept in the same room as Greengrass." Pansy's voice was gleeful and loud enough to resonate around the library. The other students grew quiet and perked up their ears, greedy for another Draco-related rumour. Hermione's knuckles turned white and her mind raced for the perfect come-back but Draco had beaten her to it.

"Lay off, Pansy" She heard Draco drawl behind her, "You're awfully excited at the idea. Just dying for another chance, aren't you?"

Hermione didn't have to turn around to know that Pansy was fuming at the fact that Draco had defended his 'wife' with such deft. Pansy's plan to embarrass them had failed and had backfired on her instead. Perhaps there was some hope after all Hermione thought to herself, feeling rather pleased with how quickly Draco had come to her defense. Maybe Harry had been right, maybe he did fancy her.

She didn't think she could feel any happier until she heard Draco add, "and it's not Greengrass anymore, it's Malfoy."

With that one simple sentence, Hermione's heart threatened to leap out of her chest and she suddenly felt like she was soaring and that nothing else in the world mattered except for her and Draco. She thought that she might burst with happiness. On her way to the stature of the one-eyed witch, she had to remind herself repeatedly that it had meant very little in the grand scheme of things. He had, after all, said Greengrass not Granger.

Still, she couldn't help feeling just a little bit hopeful.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

They sat in the Three-Broomsticks sipping happily on Butterbeer and warming their frozen hands against the steaming tankards. Hermione listened eagerly to Harry as he recounted what it had been like at the Burrow in the midst of preparations for Bill and Fleur's wedding and who had all been present at the event. They spoke briefly about their respective missions, the terrible state the wizarding world was in, how dangerous it was to be a muggle born and how lucky Hermione was to have the type of protection she did. Harry had whispered to her in hushed tones that the end was nearing, the fight was almost upon them and he urged her to be ready. They had to enjoy every moment of happiness while they still could, and Hermione couldn't help but agree. They both grew silent and thoughtful and Hermione thought it might be a good occasion to lighten the mood and present Harry with his gift. Another opportunity to be alone might not come again, and if it did it would most likely not be soon.

His eyes lit up as they fell on the book in his hands, 'Quidditch Moves for the Modern Player'.

"Wow, Hermione, thanks! I should have known it would be a book." He joked.

She was very pleased with the beautiful necklace he had gifted her, and it had given her the idea for Draco's present. Hermione was counting sickles while Madame Rosmerta was taking the empty butter-beers from their table and she noticed how Harry's ears had gone slightly pink when the busty beer-maid had leaned over.

"Come on, Harry," she told him, "Stop blushing and put on your coat. I've just got one more gift to buy."

Hermione was eager to get Draco's final gift and she was already bundled up in preparation for the snow-storm which raged outside, but she waited patiently while Harry fumbled with his gloves.

The other two gifts she had bought Draco had been jokes and she knew they would result in a chuckle but she was nervous about the third gift. She thought that it would be perfect for him, and hoped that he would think so too.

The afternoon had been a welcome distraction from the obstacles Hermione had been facing these past few months and she had forgotten how much she enjoyed Harry's company. Nevertheless, she could hardly wait to spend the evening with Draco. The small time that they had spent apart had really taken its toll on her and she missed his easy-going manner and the way he made her feel. Having finished their Christmas shopping and crawled back to the castle through the Honeydukes passageway, Hermione bid her friend goodbye and gave him a quick hug, thanking him for the great afternoon.

Despite sitting at the Slytherin table, Hermione had spent the Christmas Feast in good spirits. Draco had continued heaping trifle onto her plate and Hermione continued shoveling spoonfuls of it into her mind absentmindedly while listening to Blaise recount a Christmas his family had spent with the Malfoy's. Both boys had snuck off to go sledding in the early hours of the morning and had crashed the enchanted sled into a group of muggle Christmas Carollers. The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes had been called to rectify the situation and alter memories because the boys had had trouble explaining why their sled had begun doing loop-de-loops before speeding away up the mountain.

Hermione chortled heartily and watched as the two friends chatted about their childhood adventures.

The feast had finally come to an end and Hermione and Draco said their goodbyes and made their way back to their room, with full stomachs and even fuller hearts. It had been a good day.

When finally back in the confines of their room, Hermione was astonished to find that Draco had managed to find a fir-tree and had squeezed it somehow into their sleeping quarters. Bundles of tinsel and intricate decorations lay strewed at the base of the tree. They were far too fine to be found anywhere in Hogsmeade and Hermione guessed that he had had them derived from the Manor.

"I thought we could decorate it together" Draco's voice was hopeful but he had trouble maintaining her eye contact. Hermione was far too mesmerised with the beautiful decorations to formulate an answer and she noticed how quick Draco was to dismiss his suggestion.

"It was a silly idea," he said nervously, "Just something I've never done before. My mother always supervised the house-elves with the decorating. I never really got to touch them…"

"No, it's a wonderful idea." Hermione turned towards him and smiled reassuringly, "You did good Draco."

As they handled the decorations with great care and found them homes in the lush branches of the tree, Hermione couldn't help wondering what a similar childhood she and Draco had had. It seemed to her, that despite the luxury and the great expenses his family had gone to in keeping him comfortable, it must have been very lonely. She was an only child herself and understood why some of his fondest memories of growing up had been ones he had spent with friends, like the reckless sledding with Blaise.

She watched him curiously and felt an unexpected warmth toward him, something akin to compassion. In her gut she felt that had they not initially ben sorted into different houses and had the wizarding world not be plagued with prejudice towards Muggleborns, she Harry, Ron, and Draco would have surely been friends. Harry would have keenly taken his hand when he had offered it in first year.

Hermione was twirling the glittering silver star between her fingers and reaching for her wand so that she could magically levitate it to the top of the tree when she suddenly felt two sturdy hands on either side of her waist. Before she knew it, Hermione had been lifted into the air and was hovering close enough to place the star on the top. Enjoying the sensation of his hands on her waist and the strong grasp with which he held her, she took her time in arranging the star.

"I knew the trifle was a bad idea" Draco joked beneath her.

"Hush," she reprimanded him, "am I really that heavy?" she added nervously.

Hermione couldn't hide the concern in her voice, and Draco was quick to assuage her that she was not.

"Stop worrying Granger, I'm happy to stay like this a little longer," he told her, "I have an exceptional view from this angle"

Hermione had forgotten that she was wearing a dress, and had taken her stockings off because of the heat that the fireplace was providing. No doubt he was enjoying himself.

"Put me down" she urged him, growing steadily redder in the face.

"That's an interesting choice in knickers Granger. Another one of McGonagall's borrowed items, I assume?" he teased her.

She had worn the cotton briefs because everything else she had procured with Draco hadn't been quite as comfortable, but now Hermione worried that Draco thought she was a prude or just downright ungrateful for the gifts. She was determined to show him otherwise, and she would sleep in the splendid nightgowns and lingerie she now had at her disposal. That would show him.

With that, she turned on her heel grabbing her affairs and retreating into the bathroom. The exchanging of gifts could wait, seeing Draco Malfoy eat his own words was far more important.