I'm probably being kinda demanding right now but... I am DESPERATE FOR REVIEWS. I see all these awesome stories with like one thousand something reviews... I know my story is not THAT good but I try. Reward me with reviews for my spontaneous effort and I will give you the most amazing food in the world: Escargot. LOL jks, but seriously. If y'all review... I will review each of your stories in turn! Aha! How does that sound? :) ON WITH THE STORY!

When Hermione pulled away her face was red. Draco's question hadn't been answered yet, and he needed the answer right then and there.

"Hermione..."

She looked at him curiously, a slight smile prominent on her lips.

"Do you love me?"

Her smile faded, her eyes slowly darkening to the shade they had been after she had been poisoned.

He felt so empty. She would say no, wouldn't she?

Draco was prepared to walk away.

"No."

It was a blunt, simple answer.

He nodded. That was his chance for freedom from the curse that binded him. But he had blown it.

"That doesn't mean never, Draco."

He looked into her dark brown eyes hopefully. His lips tingled from the kiss she had given him.

"Do you want to know a secret, Draco?"

He nodded again, eager to hear what she would say. She leaned in, snaking her arms around his neck, pulling him so close their bodies were touching. There was a heat growing inside him, a fire that was consuming him. Her eyes burned with a passion, as if there were flames dancing in them. She came ever closer. He could feel her breath, hot air on his already hot skin. His hands went to her hips and jerked her even closer.

"Granger, you're killing me," he whispered. "Just tell me your secret."

"Alright," she whispered back. Louder now, "I know you made me this way, Draco. You poisoned me... You forced a substance into my veins. Next time you want something, Draco... Just ask me. I'll be more than happy to comply. But do you want to know another secret?"

"Yes," he breathed.

"You blurred the truth and the lies, Draco. You've confused me. I can't trust anyone, not even Harry or Ron. And even though it makes me feel completely and utterly dead... I... I love it."

He raised an eyebrow. "I take it you're still with me, then?"

She stared up at him, her eyes darkening. "Of course," she whispered.

"And I suppose I'll see you after Christmas break?"

Her lips tilted up at one corner. "Sure."

"I must be going," he said, releasing his grip on her waist and slowly pushed her hands away from his neck. Where her hands had been burned.

"Ah, don't leave so soon, Ferret." she said, and he could hear the smirk in her voice as she grabbed his green and silver Slytherin tie and pulled him back for another passionate kiss under some mistletoe they hadn't noticed.

xOx

Granger had gone with Potter and Weasley for Christmas, so Draco was stuck at Hogwarts. He would've asked her to stay, but what they were doing needed to stay a secret.

He was quite lonely this Christmas. Most of the teachers wanted nothing to do with him, and the students staying at Hogwarts for the holidays weren't too fond of him either. Of course, Snape followed him around like a ludicrously bat-like stalker, whom Draco desperately tried to avoid.

Then came Christmas Eve supper, a most extravagant meal prepared by the resident house-elves. Draco hadn't been particularly hungry to begin with, but recent events (like avoiding Snape) had him in need of nourishment.

He was the only one at the Slytherin table. This made him feel more lonely than ever and he vaguely felt Pansy's vice-like grip on his arm. He turned to his right, expecting to see her chatting with Daphne Greengrass, but she wasn't there.

Thank Merlin.

The food appeared then, the delicious aroma wafting towards him almost immediately. Before he could get his hands on the food, however-

"Good evening, students!"

Draco groaned and looked up along with the five others who had stayed at Hogwarts. It was Dumbledore, the Headmaster, looking cheery, his silver beard shining in the candlelight.

"I trust you are enjoying your holidays?"

Two students nodded enthusiastically- two Hufflepuff fifth years.

"Excellent! Just a reminder that the holidays are for having fun-but not too much fun, mind you."

There was a few laughs from around the Great Hall. Draco didn't even crack a smile.

"Time to eat, as I am quite sure you all are dying to get to the feast."

They all dug in gratefully. Draco got some shephard's pie and picked out the corn, which he strongly despised. Once he was finished tearing up his food, he ate. It tasted good after not eating lunch that day. His mind was blank, the only noises the occasional chatter and clink of forks and knives on plates. Draco soon found himself entirely full, and that frustrated him for some obscene reason. He pushed his plate away and left the Great Hall to hide from Snape.

xOx

On Christmas morning Draco woke to a massive headache. He didn't feel like getting up, he felt as though his head weighed a thousand pounds, at least. Draco shifted his feet, groaning, and something fell to the floor.

He sat up abruptly and searing pain sliced through his cranium. Draco uttered a profanity and stared at the box on the floor, then the one by his feet. They were Christmas presents.

Draco had never been one for gifts- he found them boring once he had gotten too many. But curiosity overwhelmed him and he was forced to open them. He grabbed the one closest to him (the one that had not fallen on the floor) and opened it.

It was from Pansy. He had been expecting one from her, though he could not fathom who the other was from.

There was a note attached to the present and he almost didn't read it.

Dearest Draco,

I know Hogwarts must be boring right now, with hardly anyone but the teachers. But I assure you, once I get back you won't have to be depressed anymore! Don't worry, Draco, I'll always be here for you.

Love,

Pansy Parkinson

He honestly wanted to laugh, but he couldn't. His head was pounding. If he could've, he would've already. Pansy honestly thought he was depressed without her- what a stupid cow. It was completely the opposite. Inside the box was a picture of her and him from about three years back, back when they were in third year. It was in front of Malfoy Manor for Christmas break, and she was still clingy as ever. His photographed self was vainly attempting to make a dash, but Pansy's grip was strong.

"What an awful Christmas present," he muttered. "Maybe this next one will be better..."

Draco didn't know who he was talking to, for he was sure it wasn't himself.

Now there was only one left to open. He picked up the one on the floor. It was wrapped in green wrapping paper and a silver bow on top. He carefully untied the bow which he tossed aside, and ripped away the wrapping paper. Inside was a simple white box, which he took the lid off of. When he saw what was inside the box his face split into a wide grin.

It was a ring. The band was platinum, and the gem in the center was a square emerald. Under it was a piece of parchment which he read with a slight frown on his face. He had never thought in a million years that Hermione Granger, resident know-it-all would ever send him a Christmas present.

Malfoy-

Yesterday I was Christmas shopping in Muggle London and this ring caught my eye. I figured you might want it, if you don't, you can send it back to me. I know you might think that previous events still don't have us on good terms, and well, that's very believable.

I can't stand my whole family coming, it's been a nightmare, really. All my little cousins have drawn on the walls and I have doubts about whether their crude drawings will ever wash off. Good news is, I've arranged with Professor McGonagall for me to come back to Hogwarts for the rest of the holidays for that reason. I don't know if we're still on good terms, but if we are, then I hope you know that I'm actually looking forward to seeing you.

-Granger

xOx

Alright, so how was that? I'm sorry if it's a bit choppy in places, I waited until the last minute, and it sort of blew up in my face. Now, onto more pressing matters-

I NEED REVIEWS! HOLY SHIZNIT!

If I don't get reviews, this is going to turn out bad. I'll probably pull out my hair (did I mention I dyed it blue? ^_^) and that won't be too good at all.

There's even a button for it! (Reviewing.) Make sure to click it and send your requests!

Thanks for everything!

~Claudia