Disclaimer: So not mine.

A/N: Just a sweet chapter.

Recap: Emma finally started some heavy explanations to Draco.

Chapter 10: Sweet nothings

The next morning at breakfast Draco saw a tired Emma at the table but was happy she at least came to breakfast. He had used a school owl to send her a letter and wanted to see her when she read it. To his surprise he had received a letter as well.

Draco-thank you for persisting in finding out about me. It was great finally confiding in someone. Please don't tell anyone, though. People don't understand, which is what makes me so thankful you do. Thank you.

Emma opened her mail. She read the one from her dad first, which basically said he was sorry she decided to stay at school for the holidays, but he understood young ones wanted to

spend time with their friends while they could. He also sent another gift that an old ambassador had sent to her.

Draco's letter she saved for last.

Emma, You left last night before I could tell you something. I know you know what it was, but I just wanted to say it anyways. Thank you. Thanks for telling me-and stop

threatening to make me forget! I still have questions, but I am sure you know that. We can talk over break when there aren't any other people here. Draco.

This made Emma smile. He did understand and a lot more than she ever hoped for. Hearing the words is sometimes necessary even when you can read thoughts. "What did I tell you Pippin!" Emma said to her familiar. Pippin just gave her a look that said 'if your sure' and ate.

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The first day of break, Emma slept in and when she woke up she found Draco's owl there waiting for her with a letter. When she opened it up it said that because of the snow the horses and carriages would be available to the students staying and he would be waiting for her.

Emma smiled and got dressed. She ate lunch and afterwards noticed that most of the other students-except the trio-had the same idea. She headed back upstairs and grabbed her invisibility cloak.

She went outside and saw Draco get into a carriage. She contemplated making him wait and look like an idiot, but decided to be nice. She walked over and when she got in she picked up the reins and gave them a smack. The horses took off. Draco looked a little surprised (good thing he saw the reins move or he would have wondered what the horses were doing).

When the had got some distance away from the others, she took her cloak off. "Did I give you a fright?" She asked teasingly.

"Of course not. Malfoys don't get frightened" he said. She rolled her eyes. "I'll remember that" She said.

They spent the rest of the afternoon going for a sleigh ride. When they returned she put the cloak back on so they wouldn't be seen together.

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Break was an enjoyable experience, all things considered. It was nice not having a lot of students swarming the castle with their emotions. She liked the idea that it was just the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione, and herself. The depressing part was the fact that they all forgot she was there except for Percy.

On Christmas Eve Day, she sent a note to Draco.

Meet me on Christmas Day at the room of requirement-it is on the seventh floor. Emma

Draco read the note and wondered what the room of requirement was. He figured it was part of her secret and he would find out soon enough. He saw that the note came with a package of Gingerbread cookies and tried one. The looked homemade and were delicious.

I wonder where she got them. Probably a house elf made them since her mother . . .

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Christmas Day Emma woke up at nine and was tempted to watch the others open their gifts but since they didn't invite her-even when she walked through the common room on her way out-she decided to not get upset over it and just accept it. Like everything else. Emma

thought with a sigh. Well, I will get to spend Christmas with friend-I hope. Before she wouldn't let the thought of Draco not coming enter into her head. Now she didn't want to get her hopes up.

The only odd thing that morning was Hermione asked if she could have two of her cupcakes. Emma offered her half a dozen, but Hermione only took 2, which was odd. Emma thought she would take at least three, one for each of the trio.

She got to the Room of Requirement and didn't see Draco anywhere. She opened it up and found that it was decorated with a giant gorgeous tree, tons of lights, decorations, and everything Christmasy. She had mugs of hot chocolate and some cookies out too.

Just a few minutes later Draco showed up. "What? You didn't think I would ditch you, did you?" He said when he saw her smile at his entrance. "What is this place anyways?" He asked.

"The Room of Requirement. It gives the person what they need-in this case a Christmasy place to celebrate the holidays."

"Umm, more cookies" he said and grabbed one.

"I'm glad you like them. I assume Crabbe and Goyle did as well." she said

"I wouldn't know-I didn't give them any." He said and smirked at her.

"Hmm, maybe I'll have to send them some" She said with a smirk which caused him to raise an eyebrow.

"Where did you get them?" He asked.

"I made them. Here. I made the room become a kitchen. I love baking" Emma said.

They both grabbed a present to open. Both of them had considerably large stacks of gifts. "Adoring fans?" Emma teased knowing full well it was his parents who spoiled him.

"Ha-ha. Only Pansy. What about you?"

"Wish I could say they were all from Harry." Which made her grin when she saw his reaction. "But, sadly no, they are from me da."

The first gift Draco opened was one from his parents who did like to give their son a lot. He got a lot of dark-wizard stuff that would be "useful for the future" he said. He also got stuff for his new broom "so Potter doesn't make a fool of me again" he said, some random stuff from his minons, and also some lovesick teenage stuff from Pansy-which he promptly tossed in the corner.

Emma got a lot of books and stuff from her father including a new pair of dancing shoes, and CD's and regional nicknacks from the politicians her father hobnobs with.

"How pathetic are we." Draco said.

"Gee, thanks" She said.

"Well, we get showered with non-sentimental gifts from our parents, ("hey, the shoes were perfect!" Emma interjected) Alright, shoes aside, but still the rest of our gifts are from connections, people trying to impress our parents." Draco said.

"Well . . ." Emma started, but decided there was no point in saying they were use to it. They were.

"Maybe this will make it better." He said and handed her a box. She opened it and inside was a gorgeous pendant on a necklace.

"It's lovely. Did you get it at Knocturn Alley?" She asked.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Like I would give you cursed jewelry. I'm hurt" He said.

"Here." She handed it to him. "Put it on for me" He clasped it for her and his finger accidently brushed against her hand when he took it from her, and that familiar tingling sensation occurred for a brief moment again.

"Here is your present. Happy Christmas" She said. He opened it up and it was cloak pin to fasten his traveling cloak. It was a golden snake with emerald eyes that curved around and shaped into a D. Emma also gave him a signed copy of Lynch's autobiography, the seeker for the Irish team.

"Thanks Emma" he said happily.

"You know, that is twice you have said thank you. Better be careful or someone will think you are going soft!" She teased.

"Ha ha."

They ate some cookies and drank some hot cocoa and talked until lunch.

"Why do you hate Harry so much?" She asked.

"Do we have to talk about him?" He asked

"I am your friend Draco, so I will listen to whatever it is you have to say. I want to know" Emma

"He is just so annoying. The world worships him for something he can't even remember doing! He comes here thinking he can just be the center of everything. He always has to be the center of attention too. Everyone loves him and he has done nothing to deserve it. He has the perfect life and everyone worships him"

"His life has been far from perfect. None of us have had a perfect life. I hope you see past your jealousy one day to realize that. One day when you are ready to learn the truth, I will tell you." Emma said. "So what is going on between you and Pansy?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "Just a parent approved future-betrothal. She is infatuated with me," He sighed.

"And you?"

"Well, as far as Slytherins go, she isn't a bore, but I'm definitely not into her like she is with me." He said.

Emma laughed. "No, that much I could tell," She said. They talked about the various Slytherins and Gryffindors in their years until they went to lunch.

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Ugh! I tried updating yesterday but wouldn't let me. This is probably the last chapter before I leave for vacation, so enjoy! leave me feedback to come back to and enjoy :)

xoxo Lady Aphadriel