(A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long! School is hammering us before the Christmas Break. They like to cram what they can before we leave. So yeah, I've been busy. The chapters will be delayed a little until Christmas vacation. But anyways, here's chapter 7. Thanks for all the great reviews. And hmm, here's a message for the flamer: Um, yes, I don't recall ever holding a gun up to your head making you come to my story. Now, if your flame had been critical and I mean that in a good way, I would've accepted it. Perhaps if you had given me advice or spotted out what you didn't like, like a good reader/writer, I would've taken it. But criticizing the shipping of the story? That's really very stupid. It's never really about the shipping; it's about the quality in which the writer writes about it. As far as I know, my quality is quite good. So, yeah…your comment is dumb, useless, and well…it looks pretty retarded inbetween all my other great reviews. Yeah, okay, thanks hun. Learn not to click on stories that obviously aren't your favorite shipping. Okay, anyways, sorry about that, lol. Had to get that off of my chest. Enjoy and don't forget to review!)


Hermione awoke in a beautiful room and for a split second, forgot where she was. Reality dawning on her, her eyes became watery. She was at Viktor's house because she felt she had no one else. She did indeed have her father, but he thought she was at Ron's for the holidays and she didn't want to burden him with her problems.

Hermione got out of bed and went into the bathroom to take a long, hot shower. Afterwards, she got dressed and went downstairs to look for Viktor.

"In here Hermione!" she heard him call. She walked into the dining room to find him and a delicious breakfast. "Sit, sit."

"Thank you," Hermione muttered, taking a seat by him.

"Now, tell me…what has happened to you at Hogwarts?"

She sighed. "Well, it all started a while back…I was in the library and…"

Viktor listened carefully as Hermione recapped the weeks starting from her argument with Draco in the library and finishing with the incident in the Three Broomsticks.

"That's very intense, Hermione. I thought Ron would be more understanding. Malfoy is a liar, how could he fall for that dirty trick?"

"I don't know! The only one who believes me from all of them is Ginny. Merlin, Viktor! Draco…he's ruining my life."

"I've never heard you call him by his first name…"

"It rubbed off from that detention we had," Hermione sighed.

"Well, I promise you that while you are here, you will be happy," Viktor smiled. Hermione smiled too and embraced him.

"Thank you so much."

"Anything for you, Hermione. Anything…"


The third day came faster than Hermione expected. Viktor tried with all his might to keep her entertained and happy. He did an excellent job, except when it was time to sleep. Hermione was sad and depressed again at that time because she felt alone and her mind was left to wonder.

"Well, Viktor I want to thank you for your hospitality…," Hermione said, standing in from of the fireplace.

"Think nothing of it…It was my pleasure," he said, hugging her tightly. "Before you go, I want you to have this. Happy Christmas…"

"I can't take this, it was enough that you let me stay here and on top of that I have nothing for you."

"No, it doesn't matter. Please…open it…I want to know if you like it."

Hermione sighed and hesitated. She tore off the wrapping and then opened the box. She gasped. Inside was a beautiful silver locket encrusted with rubies. Opening the locket, she saw a picture of her mother and her.

"Viktor, I don't know what to say," she whispered, eyes welling up with tears.

"It was the picture I took of you two when you stayed at my summer home, remember?" he asked.

She nodded and then hugged him, crying into his shoulder. "T-Thank you…"

"It was nothing."

"Yes, it's everything." She smiled slightly. "Put it on me…"

Viktor took the necklace and Hermione picked up her hair. He placed it on her neck. "It looks beautiful."

Hermione sniffled and kissed his cheek. "I'll write."

Viktor nodded and kissed her forehead. Hermione stepped into the fireplace and flooed into Hogsmeade.


Hermione sighed as she unpacked her things in her dorm. It felt unusual to walk into a nearly empty Hogwarts. Checking the time, she realized it was dinner time. She considered the idea of heading down and deciding she had nothing else better to do, did so.

She sat at the almost empty Gryffindor table. There were about 4 other Gryffindors there, but they were friends and weren't interested in Hermione. She sighed and served herself some food.

"Well, well, well…left alone?" she heard a male say. She almost died when she realized who it was.

"Draco, go away. Haven't you done enough?" Hermione asked. She was so tired and in no condition to argue.

"Come now, I might've started that fiasco in the pub, but Weasley and Potter finished it. Any other human in this world would've known I was lying," Draco said.

Hermione glared at him but it faltered when she realized he made a really good point.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"Well, we're both alone as hell. My parents are in a magical resort in the Bahamas and I'm guessing you had nowhere to go."

"I was at Viktor's but I didn't want to abuse of his kindness."

"Kindness my ass, he wants some…"

Hermione sighed. "I'm not in the mood right now."

"Okay, okay, my point is, let's eat together. I'm bored," Draco stated.

"You ruined my life even more and you want us to eat together?"

"Yes."

Hermione stared at him in awe. "Okay. Sit."

"No way am I sitting at your godforsaken house's table…I rather we eat in the Astronomy Tower or something…," Draco suggested.

"Are you insane? People snog all the time up there! There must be a billion STD's running along the walls up there," said Hermione, disgusted.

Draco rolled his eyes. "I never thought you to be so high maintenance. We're going to eat not fuck."

"Fine."


Both sat on a crummy couch in the Astronomy Tower, eating their food.

"Why'd you do it?" asked Hermione, quietly.

"Misery loves company," Draco replied, shrugging.

She sighed. "You open up to me when we're alone. You act like we're friends and I stupidly follow along. Yet when others are around you insist on hurting me."

"C'mon Hermione, who-," she cut him off.

"Hermione? I thought I was Granger. See what I mean?" she asked.

He rolled his eyes. "Why are you being so difficult? I'm not going to be Mr. Personality while all these other idiots are around. They start getting suspicious and next thing you know, they'll put you in a goddamn bubble and hex me into the next year."

"Well, you could simply just ignore me! You don't have to mess up my life!" Hermione half screamed.

"It's either that or I be nice! You're there and I have to give you attention!"

"Why? Why is that?"

"Goddammit, I don't know Hermione! Maybe because your rack is growing again."

Hermione threw a piece of bread at him. "This isn't funny!"

They both stared at other angrily for the next minute. Next thing Hermione knew, Draco let out a loud guffaw. Then he was doubled over laughing.

"You Hermione are possibly the funniest thing when angry!" Draco laughed.

"This isn't funny, goddammit!" she said, arms crossed.

"Ah, lighten up, yes it is. You have a beautiful rack and I have a beautiful face and that is just the way it is."

"Leave my breasts alone!" Hermione huffed. "And your face isn't beautiful! HA!"

"Yes, it is. You can't tell me otherwise," Draco smiled.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Your ego is huge."

"Not as huge as my-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I need hear no more…"

Draco smirked. "My dear Hermione, I must say you are an entertainment."

"Thank you?" she said, eyebrow raised.

Draco raises his goblet of pumpkin juice in the air. "To this retarded new friendship thingy or whatever…and to your rack and my face."

"Merlin," Hermione muttered, raising her goblet. "To all of that junk…"

They tapped their glasses and drank.