A/N: This chapter's title is dedicated to John Green, in whom I took the title from. The title is throughout his book, An Abundance of Katherines...or, as the title says, "a to the n power(abundance)/of square root of katherines" Also, I'd like to thank my sister...who is in fact the reason why I finished this chapter so quickly. Thank you for always supporting me and hitting me when I haven't updated... :D XOXO

Hermione was woken by a forceful knock on her door. She mumbled something incoherent and the door opened.

"So, I guess you're not going to say good-bye to us after all?" asked Ron, rather disappointed.

"What are you talking about Ron?" asked Hermione sitting up in bed. Thankfully, she was wearing sweats.

"My parents are here," said Ron. "Me and Harry are leaving."

"Already?" asked Hermione getting out of bed.

"Hermione, it's ten in the morning," said Harry with a laugh. "We thought you would have been up by now."

"I couldn't sleep last night," said Hermione. She walked up to Ron. "Since I won't see you for two weeks, Happy Christmas." She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, making him blush. She turned to Harry next.

"Well," said Ron, clearing his throat. "I'll just wait for you in the common room Harry. Happy Christmas Hermione."

Ron shut the door and Harry immediately said, "Why couldn't you sleep?"

"I can't do this Harry," said Hermione shaking her head. "I can't befriend him again. It was hard enough the first time. Do you know how sick I was when I finally realized that he was my friend?"

"Listen," said Harry putting his hands on her shoulders. "Draco said so himself, he's changed."

"Do you really believe that?" asked Hermione angrily.

"I'm trying," said Harry. "For your sake."

"What do you mean?" asked Hermione.

"You can't tell me you still don't have feelings for him," said Harry pocketing his hands quickly.

"I don't," stated Hermione clearly.

"I can see it in your eyes Hermione," said Harry without looking at her. "You look at him the same way you once looked at me."

"Harry-"

"I told you, if you're happy, then I'm happy," said Harry giving her a hug.

"Happy Christmas Hermione," he whispered, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you in two weeks." She nodded her head. "And don't worry, everything will be fine. Believe me."

"It's not you I don't believe," she whispered as Harry left her room.

She changed into something more appropriate for walking around Hogwarts, grabbed a jacket, and started walking the halls. She had no destination in mind, she was too busy thinking about how she was going to confront Draco. But before any good ideas could pop into her head, Draco walked up to her.

"What are you doing here?" asked Draco, surprised at her presence.

"I'm walking," said Hermione harshly.

"I meant, what are you doing at Hogwarts? Don't you usually go home for the holidays?" asked Draco. Hermione didn't say anything for a minute, and when she did reply she could only say one word.

"Usually," she stammered, hiding the almost falling tears.

"Are you alright?" asked Draco caringly.

"My parents are dead Draco," she whispered, feeling the tears wipe across her face. The sentence came out without her even meaning to. Before he could reply she walked past him. She kept walking as she had before, the only difference this time was that she had a destination: Snape.

She didn't even bother knocking on his door; she grabbed the doorknob, and yanked it open. Snape was sitting at his desk, looking over the vials that had been their finals. Snape looked up at her tearful face with surprise.

"Miss Granger," he said standing up. "I'm in the middle of-

"Why?" she said, standing in his doorway. Snape looked at her for a few seconds, "Why what Miss Granger?"

"Why did you kiss me? Why did Draco lie to me? Why was he working for Lord Voldemort? And why am I standing here asking you for help?" she asked, without knowing why.

"Three of the four questions I can help with," said Professor Snape, more calm than Hermione was use to. "Please, sit."

"I'd rather stand," she said wiping her eyes.

"Close the door then," said Snape turning away from her. She turned around and shut the door. "Is something bothering you?"

"Just answer the questions," pleaded Hermione. "I need to know."

Snape cleared his throat, "I don't know how to answer these questions without confusing or hurting you even more Miss Granger."

"I can't possibly be hurt more than I am at the moment," said Hermione, finally deciding to sit down. Snape nodded and walked around his desk, sitting directly across from her.

"I kissed you because the Dark Lord asked me to. Draco lied to you to try and protect you and he's only working for the Dark Lord because he thinks it'll keep you away from the Death Eaters," said Snape folding his arms as he spoke.

"Why would Lord Voldemort ask you to kiss me?" asked Hermione.

"Draco wasn't doing a great job at making you fall for him," said Snape. "So I gave the plan a little nudge. If I'm not mistaken, you told Draco before you told anyone else, did you not?"

"I did, but-"

"So, it worked," shrugged Snape.

"If you're working for Lord Voldemort, then why are you helping me?" asked Hermione confused.

"Because I'm also working for Dumbledore," said Snape.

"So, you're still a double-agent for both sides?" asked Hermione as Snape nodded his head. "I guess Draco's going to be that was as well. He can't choose a side."

"There's a difference between the two of us Miss Granger," said Snape with a frown. "He's chosen a side."

"He has?" asked Hermione. "But-"

"Everything Draco's done up until now, Miss Granger, has been for your protection," said Snape. (3) "Even Harry and Ron's protection, though I'm sure they haven't seen it that way."

"None of us see it that way," said Hermione wiping away her remaining tears.

"Maybe you should," said Snape standing up and walking around his desk. "If he hadn't said what he did in the cave, you might not be here today Miss Granger." Hermione was silent for a few minutes, but Snape seemed fine with it. "How have you been sleeping?"

The question was so irrelevant and unexpected that Hermione had to think it through before she answered. "Not well." Snape nodded his head and passed her a potion. "What's this for?"

"I'm sure you above all of my other students would recognize a Sleeping Potion when they see one," said Snape with a laugh. "I can tell you're tired. And that's not a good sign."

"Every girl loves someone telling her that," said Hermione rolling her eyes. "Thanks."

"Can I ask you something?" asked Snape looking out of place. Hermione nodded her head. "Why did you come for my help?"

Hermione shrugged, "I suppose it's because you would know more about it than anyone else. Being a Death Eater and all."

Snape nodded his head, "You'd think that would keep people away. Me being a 'Death Eater and all.'"

Hermione nodded her head and smiled, "I guess it just depends on the person." Snape nodded his head and Hermione stood up. "Thanks, again." She grabbed the Sleeping Potion and turned to leave.

"Miss Granger," stammered Snape as Hermione reached the door. Looking back at him, Hermione could tell that there was something he wanted to say. He just didn't know how, or didn't think he should.

"Yes?" asked Hermione patiently.

"I'm sorry about your parents," he said softly, almost fatherly.

"You knew?" asked Hermione without looking at him. She was sure no one but the Weasley's and Harry knew about her parents' deaths. She had covered it all up, in hopes that the press wouldn't question her. She even hoped that, in doing this, it would be easier on her. Seeing her parents' dead faces on every newspaper would torment her. All her friends would know, and she couldn't take that sort of sympathy.

"The Dark Lord was the one that killed them," stated Snape. "You covered their deaths up very nicely Miss Granger."

Hermione nodded her head and tried to keep her voice level, "I didn't think they'd want the whole world to know." She failed in keeping her voice level, and Snape could tell that she was about to cry.

"Well, if it's any consolation," he said walking up to her. "I'm sorry."

"I guess it helps a little bit," said Hermione pocketing the Sleeping Potion. "I guess you know why I haven't been sleeping well then." Snape nodded his head. "Why did he kill them?"

"I think you know why," said Snape putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. Hermione nodded her head. "Don't blame Harry for this."

"I don't," said Hermione looking at her shoes. Snape raised an eyebrow. "It's just hard, thinking that, right now I'd be home with them. My father loved going up to the mountains during Christmas. He actually bought a cabin up there this summer. It would have been our first vacation up there in our own house."

"At least you still have your memories Miss Granger," said Snape sighing deeply. "You're free to stay here as long as you'd like, to gather your senses, but I have a meeting."

Hermione nodded her head, "I guess I'll go then. Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome," said Snape sincerely. Hermione smiled, and left.

"The Mudblood's here!" said Rookwood as Draco sat in his bed, resting.

"Don't call her that," whispered Draco to himself.

"Did you know that?" asked Rookwood.

"I knew," said Draco sitting up. "I saw her earlier this morning. She was crying."

"She's done that a lot lately," said Rookwood with a laugh. "You should talk to her. With the golden boy and his sidekick gone, it should be easy."

"I've tried talking to her," said Draco rubbing his eyes.

"Try harder," said Rookwood. "She's sitting down in the common room right now. And guess what she's doing?" Draco didn't answer. "Crying!"

"What do you want me to do?" asked Draco angrily. "I've already apologized."

"Keep apologizing until she takes you back," shrugged Rookwood. "We're not going to get anywhere if you can't win a mudblood."

"For the last time," said Draco through gritted teeth. "Stop calling her that."

Rookwood laughed, "I will when you win her back." Draco stood up and shook hands with Rookwood to finalize their deal. Then he put on a new pair of robes and walked down to the common room. Rookwood's voice seemed to echo "Mudblood" in every step he took, but he tried to not think about it.

He quietly sat down across from Hermione, who was lying on the couch; her eyes red and puffy from crying. "Hermione," he said softly as he cleared his throat. She looked over at him and smiled. That's a good sign he thought. "I'm sorry for what I did."

Hermione shook her head, "I shouldn't have been so reluctant to believe you Draco. I'm sorry I didn't trust you."

Draco shook his head, "You have every right to hate me and I can understand if you do."

"I don't hate you Draco," said Hermione sitting up and patting the cushion next to her. Draco stood up and sat down next to her.

"What changed your mind?" Draco asked turning towards her.

"Professor Snape," said Hermione. "He told me that you were only trying to protect me-"

"I was," said Draco, anxious to get his point across.

"You don't have to prove anything to me Draco," said Hermione with a smile. "I know you were only looking out for me."

"So," said Draco sighing deeply. "What does this mean for us?"

"I hope we're still friends," said Hermione looking up at him cautiously. Draco nodded his head, but his heart sank, "Just friends?"

"What do you think?" asked Hermione reaching for his hand. He willingly gave it and smiled. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," said Draco.

"So," said Hermione, smiling beyond herself. "We have a lot of planning to do."

"What do you mean?" asked Draco.

"Come on Draco," said Hermione enthusiastically. "We only have two weeks before the Ministry takes over our lives again. We have to find out how to take down Lord Voldemort, and keep you in their circle at the same time."

Draco laughed, "That can wait." Hermione looked at him questioningly. "I'm taking you to Hogsmeade tomorrow for breakfast."

"And why would you do that?" asked Hermione as Draco caressed her cheek.

"To celebrate," said Draco as Hermione blushed.

"We're celebrating because we got back together?" asked Hermione curiously.

"Yes, and no," said Draco kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and lowered herself on the couch.

"Then why are we celebrating?" asked Hermione. Draco smiled from on top of her and she could tell that whatever the reason was, it wouldn't be fully revealed until the celebration itself.

"We're celebrating because, Hermione, I have a weapon that Lord Voldemort can't have."

3(So...I just finished reading The Great Gatsby for my English class...so, if you haven't read it...this footnote may not make much sense...but it's a vital part of the story! Just like Gatsby, everything Draco does is in pursuit of Hermione's happiness (though Gatsby is in pursuit of his own happiness...but still! It's very similiar! And Draco, in fact, is in pursuit of his own happiness as well...because we all know just how self centered the Malfoy family is!)

A/N: Sorry for the cliff-hanger! Urm, I know it's a short chapter, but it answers a few questions so I thought that made up for it's shortness...in a way (Okay, so it doesn't, but I'm going to use that excuse!) Please leave your comments :D And thank you for reading!