DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANY HARRY POTTER CHARACTERS THOUGH I WISH I DID. J.K. ROWLING IS THE MASTERMIND BEHIND THIS WORLD. I ONLY OWN THE PLOT.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I wrote this chapter way earlier than I expected as a New Year's gift for you. I really hope you enjoy it also it's the longest chapter I've wrote. I've been working on it all night so see you at the bottom.


It was Friday afternoon when I was at the Head's common room trying to predict how this Christmas would turn out. In one week, we were all heading to Grimmauld Place by Harry's request. And by all I refer to Harry, Ginny, Ron (who is now speaking to me again by Harry's pleas), Lavender, Neville, Luna, Parvati, Seamus, Blaise, Malfoy and me. This will be a holiday to remember for sure. I was so in deep thought that I didn't hear Blaise's door opening,

"Mione! I need your help!" he practically yelled. I was a little startled at his outburst so I stared at him. "Don't look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you're going to raise your wand in any minute and hex me."

"That's exactly what I want to do" I laughed. "Do you know it's not very smart to interrupt me while I'm thinking? I've been in a war I might have attacked you out of instinct." I elaborated.

"Yes, I'm sorry Mione, but this is really important." I was beginning to get a little scared when he said, "As you know, we are all going with Potter this Christmas"

"Harry." I interrupted. "If you are going to his house at least call him by his first name."

"Whatever, point is I got no idea what to pack. I mean what are we going to do, there?"

"Oh for Merlin's pants Zabini. All this fuss about clothes. I swear you were a girl in a past life."

"You will help me, don't you?" He looked at me with pleading eyes.

"You should pack your robes for Christmas dinner probably Harry will invite more people over. You will need adequate apparel for the New Year's party even though it will likely be us only. Apart from that I don't think there is anything planned for the other days so comfortable clothes like the ones you wear here. Also don't forget your sleepwear because I really don't know where you'll be sleeping and with whom" I listed.

"Oh I know who I'm sleeping with." He smirked.

"Wow, Granger you are like his mother." Malfoy said while exiting Blaise's room.

"Since when where you in there? I didn't saw you coming in."

"Draco and I skipped dinner so I could help him with Arithmancy. We just finished when I decided to start packing my trunk." Blaise answered.

"Why didn't you ask me for help Malfoy?" I addressed directly. He seemed a little embarrassed. He mumbled something I couldn't understand. "Sorry, what?" I asked again.

"He didn't want your help Mione. Draco believes asking for your help is accepting your skills are superior to his." Blaise revealed while smirking at Malfoy.

"But I am smarter than Malfoy." I said with a smug face. That made him look up from the floor.

"Is that what you think Granger?"

"Of course I do. Also it has been proven multiple times."

"Oh, lovebirds. Stop this quarrel before it all gets personal." Blaise disrupted. "I'm heading to the kitchens. Want something Drake?"

"Sure, thanks mate. Whatever you're eating will do."

Malfoy was actually being nice. This was weird. I don't know why I keep getting surprised by this. I mean, he always had manners, he just didn't used them with me. Still after almost a semester sharing the same space with him it is a complete foreign experience to me. I must have missed something because Draco and Blaise were looking at me expectantly.

"Sorry, you said something?"

"I asked if you wanted something."

"No thanks, I already ate. Wait, could you bring me a glass of pumpkin juice?"

"Indeed I can. I'll be back soon so please don't kill each other while I'm gone." Blaise demanded almost too happy.

The door closed after Blaise stepped outside. Malfoy took a seat in the sofa opposite to mine. I decided to surrender in my endless fight with Malfoy about our grades.

"Malfoy I don't know why I'm telling you this but next time if you have problems with a class we both share, it is no problem for me to help you. I understand even smart people need help in some subjects."

"You don't need help in any subject." Malfoy muttered.

"Have you seen me ride in a broom?" I asked smiling. He laughed at my question. His laugh was a really enjoyable sound. Enjoyable sound? What am I thinking?

"Thanks Bookworm. You actually made me feel better."

"Bookworm? Really? I think I preferred your low self esteem version better"

"A Malfoy with self esteem issues? You might be getting ill Granger. Anyway bookworm is not an insult" Draco explained.

"It sounded like one." I retorted.

"Bookworm and Granger are like my own personal nicknames for you."

"Why you don't call me by my name like everybody does?"

"Because" He started as he seated next to me. "Because I'm not everybody. Am I Hermione?"

Oh Godric. He looked at me knowingly. He knows how the way he says my name makes me feel. It sounds so heavenly and perfect when said by his lips.

"You have to stop that." I spoke trying to catch my breath.

"Stop what?"

"I don't know. When we are alone you act all weird around me." Weird wasn't the appropriate word but what could I say. It would be extremely embarrassing if I said he was flirting with me when he isn't. He would probably laugh in my face.

"Weird? Really Granger that's the best word you can come up with?" He asked teasingly. Can he read my mind?

"Actually, I was going to say flirty but I know it's impossible." I shifted uncomfortably in the couch.

"Why impossible? We both know you have a crush on me. Blaise told me." I opened my eyes nervously. He knows? Wait, I don't have a crush on him and I definitely haven't talked with Blaise about it.

"You're lying." I hesitated not sure if I was asking or assuring.

"Of course I am." He smirked. "Though about the Blaise part only. I know about your crush on me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Blaise is right, Hermione." He whispered in my ear. "There is no point in denying it. You like me."

"Oh, do I? Well Blaise also implies that you like me. When you deny it, we are even." I replied smartly raising my voice so he wouldn't notice how shaken up I was by his proximity.

"But we are not even, because I won't deny it Granger." I could feel his deep gray eyes staring at me. I didn't have the courage to turn my face and look at him.

While having a mental battle with myself on what I should do, I felt Malfoy's hand in my leg. He started rubbing my thigh slightly with his other hand he removed the hair from my neck. He was so close now I could feel his breathing in my shoulders.

"Hermione" he whispered. "I know you want this too."

His movements were tender but at the same time he touched the right places without going too far. I closed my eyes enjoying his movements when the door cracked opened. Draco and I broke apart just in time before Blaise entered with his hands full with our food.

"Hey, care to give me some help lad?"

"Certainly." Draco answered walking to Blaise.

"You acted like a gentleman with Mione, didn't you Malfoy?"

"Of course I did. Like always." He winked at me while Blaise was busy with the food. I was still in recovery from missing Malfoy's touch in my skin.

"Herms, you haven't talked. Are you alright?" Blaise asked worried.

"Yes, just a little tired" I lied. "I'm going to sleep, enjoy your meals and good night boys."

While walking up the stairs I heard Blaise asking Malfoy "Mione seemed weird don't you think? It's a little early for sleeping."

"Maybe she was truly tired." Malfoy said knowing better.

I entered my bedroom and sat on my desk. I could still feel Malfoy's hand caressing my thigh. I don't know what was all that about. Malfoy admitted he wanted this. But the important thing is, do I want this too? I don't know. But what I know for sure is every time Malfoy and I are left alone, trouble happens.


Author's note: Hello again. What do you thought? I know it was a lot of dialogue here but I wanted to write a little action before going to Grimmauld's Place for Christmas. Please write reviews and give me feedback on your thoughts about it. Please? I hope to write another chapter soon. Thanks to all of you for the reviews and keep reading. ALSO: HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013 TO ALL OF YOU! -J

Updated and revised: 12/29/2015. Important note: I changed Padma for Parvati as a guest at Harry's. I don't know why I chose Padma in the first place, as you might have noticed I started this story a few years ago and can't really remember where it was going. For the purpose of the next chapters its best for Parvati to be the one on the Holidays with everyone. Thanks and sorry for the trouble. -J