After her visit to the Ministry, Hermione locked herself away in the Room of Requirements with nothing but cold forgotten tea and long hours pouring over her Azkaban research. She was tired, barely getting more than an hour of sleep at a time, and she hadn't seen the sun in a few days. Her Draco had been pale and tired when he'd returned to school after Yaxley had been caught; was this how he'd been living during that time? Trying to put everything into perspective in the hopes that it would tell her everything? It was pulling her thin. Eventually, Harry and Ginny dragged her out of her work for an evening to Hogsmead with a bribe of some freshly made extra-sweet butter beer from Madam Rosmerta. Hermione made sure to put on a concealer charm on the dark circles under her eyes and lighten her pale skin a bit. There was no need to worry her friends more than she had already.

With so few students staying at school for the holiday break, the group of friends easily claimed a large table by the roaring fireplace in the Three Broomsticks. Madam Rosmerta smiled as she put down mugs of butter beer. Hermione took a long swallow of the liquid and relaxed back into her seat as she enjoyed the sweetness on her tongue. The tension in her shoulders relaxed a bit, eased by the comforting atmosphere.

Ginny finished giving a food order to Madam Rosmerta and turned to her friend. "You look better. Glad we could get you out of that room for a bit."

"I feel better." Hermione stretched her legs out, soaking up the flame's warmth. "I've been trying to get a head start on my school work so I don't fall behind when my intern starts. Guess I'm overdoing it a bit." It was the story she'd decided on sticking to while she continued to expand her research. It wasn't out of character and no one would think twice about it.

"You need to take care of yourself, too," Harry said. "I mean, it's cool that you're interning at the Auror's office, especially to Mad Eye Moody, but it won't go well if you pass out because you're not taking care of yourself."

"Wouldn't that make a good impression," Hermione mumbled. Moody was already suspicious of her because of her time traveling, even if it was for a good reason. She had no doubt that he was going to be keeping a close eye on her. Next time they met, she'd have to show him what she'd learned so far in her investigation and what she remembered from the investigation in her other life. She couldn't afford to miss anything.

The door to the inn opened, letting in a cold breeze. Ron and the Granger triplets rushed in, Gene quickly closing the door behind them. Ginny waved them over and they eagerly took seats close to the fire in an effort to chase away the evening chill.

"I think we're going to get some serious snow soon," Ron said, taking one of the newly delivered butter beer mugs.

"I would love a white Christmas," Ginny said, leaning against Harry's shoulder.

"And we have most of the castle to ourselves," Fargo added. "We could get everyone together and have a massive snowball fight. Do you think the teachers would go for it? A student versus teachers all out fight?"

"You'd get crushed in no time," Gene said. "Flitwick may be small but he's wicked fast on those throwing charms."

"But so is Hermione. We just have to get her on our side and-"

"No way," she cut in. "I'm not getting beat by you all again. Once was enough, thanks. I was freezing after that fight."

"Then we'll just have to have hot drinks in the dorm room afterwards." Fargo lowered his voice and leaned in. "I could always come up with some Fire Whiskey to take the chill off."

Ginny grinned. "I like the sound of that."

Hermione rolled her eyes. It would be a waste of breath to scold them for having contraband on school grounds. The triplets would just do it anyway and not invite her. After everything that had happened, a stiff drink sounded really good about now. She settled for butter beer at the moment and took another long swallow as the food arrived. Everyone handed over a bit of coin and eagerly dug in. The sandwiches felt good in Hermione's stomach. She'd forgotten to take meal breaks during her research collecting.

The door opened, letting in another blast of cold. The table shifted closer to the fire as the new arrivals closed the door. Hermione pushed her hair out of her face and swept it into a ponytail. It was going to be a pain if she had to deal with her hair every time the door opened.

"Merlin's mushrooms, it's cold out there," Pansy said, wrapping her arms tightly around herself. She and the other two with her instinctively drew closer to the fire. She smiled when she realized who was sitting at the table. Hermione waved and gestured for them to pull up a few extra chairs. Pansy stole a seat from an empty table and slid it next to Hermione, basking in the heat from the fireplace.

Blaise shook himself as he pulled up another chair, putting it beside Pansy. "I think I should have joined my mother in the Caribbean this year," he groaned as he sank down into the seat. "A nice lay on a beach sounds good; working on my tan and enjoying the sun."

"I think you have enough of a tan, don't you?" Draco said, brushing the snow out of his hair. He and Hermione locked gazes. She hadn't realized he had been part of Pansy's group but should have; the three Slytherins were close friends and of course would be hanging out with each other. But Hermione and Draco hadn't been so close to one another since their kiss near the Gryffindor dorm. Hermione quickly lifted her mug, swallowing a drag of butter beer. She didn't miss the sharp looks the triplets shot the blond, but they thankfully turned their attention to the conversation.

"So why'd you decide to stay at school if you could be living it up in sunny paradise?" Fargo asked Blaise as Madam Rosmerta brought over butter beer for the new members of the group.

"Pansy was staying to get some of her school work done before her internship started and she had a point, so we've been camped out in the library for the past few days."

"You sound like Hermione," Ginny said. "Had to practically drag her out of her room."

"I'm sure most of the interns are doing the same," Hermione said. "If they don't, they're just asking for more stress later on."

"Exactly." Pansy shrugged off her cloak, finally warm enough for her not to need it. She snatched a chip from one of the plates on the table, leaning back into her seat. "I mean, I'm all for a bit of stress to help push you to get things done, but I'd hate to have all of it hit you like a quaffel to the face."

"To be honest, one or two of them could due with a quaffel to the face," Blaise mumbled around his mouthful of sandwich.

Gene smirked slightly. "Some of them look like it's already happened."

The triplets laughed. Hermione raised an eyebrow at them, thinking it wasn't a terribly funny joke. Greg calmed down first and, catching his sister's look, said, "Anthony Goldstein."

The poor Ravenclaw had taken a nasty fall down the main stairs before Christmas break. He'd gone home with a busted lip, black eye, and a swollen forehead. Hermione felt for his pain but he had looked pretty hilarious. Her eyes widened. "Did you push him down the stairs?"

"Of course, not," Greg said. "It was an accident."

Hermione's lips twitched upward. "Now, why don't I believe you?"

"Why must you think the worst of us," Gene asked in a faux innocent tone. "Don't you believe in your older brothers, dear sister?"

Hermione snorted, leaning back in her chair as she gave him an unimpressed look. "I haven't thought you three were innocent since I was 4 and you made me believe that there was actually only one of you and that I was seeing triplets because I ate too many sweets. You guys scammed me out of three months worth of deserts until Barcus wondered why I wasn't eating the chocolates he brought home for me during Christmas break."

Gene laughed. "I loved that prank."

"It was definitely one of our sweeter plans," Greg said. The table groaned at the pun, making Greg grin even wider.

"Makes me glad I don't have any siblings," Blaise said.

"Take some of mine," Hermione said, waving her hand at her brothers.

"Or mine," Ginny added. Ron frowned around his mouthful of sandwich, his cheeks expanded like a chipmunk. Ginny looked at Blaise. "No returns, though."

"I'm good."

"Speaking of Christmas break," Harry said, "what all should we do for the holiday?"

It took a moment for the table to follow the change in topic but the triplets and Ginny were eager to put their two cents in. They pitched the idea of a party for all the students after the holiday feast Dumbledore usually had planned. Blaise jumped on board by suggesting hanging some mistletoe around the halls and wait around to see who stumbled underneath them. Ron even suggested a game or two that everyone might like. Hermione let them talk, smiling at their enthusiasm. After being alone for so long in the Room of Requirements and struggling with whom to trust with what, she was glad to let their cheerful dispositions wash over her.

"And then there's that last matter," Gene said.

"What matter?" Ginny asked.

"Hermione's birthday."

Hermione, who had been taking a swallow of her butter beer, froze mid swallow. Her eyes traveled over the rim of her mug to find herself the center of everyone's attention. She swallowed her mouthful of liquid and quickly shook her head.

"Oh, no. I don't need anything. Really. I've already celebrated with everyone before Christmas break. Why don't we just celebrate the holiday?"

"But we like making a fuss for your birthday," Gene said.

"And you have. And I loved it. But maybe a bit of quiet would be good this year."

"If you don't have a little fun now and then, you're going to go grey," Greg said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'll chance it."

"Do you think Dumbledore would allow Andrew to come to the school for New Years?" Pansy asked.

"I don't see why not," Hermione said, eager to change the topic to someone else. "And I think Andrew would enjoy a nice break from work."

"We could set off a few firecrackers for the countdown," Fargo said, looking to his brothers as he thought about the party.

"Just make sure you know where you're pointing them," Hermione said. "It wouldn't do to send one at a teacher or set something on fire by accident."

"Could you imagine if one knocked over a professor or it went up their robes?" Ron asked with a chuckle.

"Like if it went up Snape's robe?" Harry added, joining his redheaded friend in a laugh.

Ginny sighed. "You two have been spending way too much time with the triplets."

"Can't help it if we're fascinating people," Gene said with a grin.

"Well it doesn't take much to entertain Ron."

Hermione returned to her drink, glad to let her friends playfully bicker about one another. Pansy and Blaise watched them in amusement, finishing off the food on the table. Sometimes being a spectator was just as good as throwing your own wit into the ring. Hermione tipped her mug back and realized she was out of butter beer. Scanning the group, she saw everyone's cups were empty.

"Refills, anyone?" she asked.

The wit battle paused long enough for people to nod. Hermione grabbed as many of the empty mugs as she could but there were too many for just her two hands. Draco stood and took the rest. Hermione paused for a moment, unsure of how to respond to him since she was supposed to be cold toward him. But she'd offered to get butter beer and couldn't back out now. She turned and made her way over to the bar where Madam Rosmerta was chatting with a bundled up old wizard.

"Could we have some refills, please?" Hermione said, setting the mugs down.

"Sure thing, dear," Madam Rosmerta said.

Draco set the other mugs on the counter and slipped a few coins next to them. Hermione opened her mouth to protest but Draco shook his head. "We ate part of your food. Let me repay that."

Hermione closed her mouth and forced herself to watch Madam Rosmerta leisurely fill the mugs from the far side of the bar. She'd returned to chatting with the wizard, leaving Draco and Hermione standing at the other end to wait for the drinks. Hermione didn't dare glance at the blond; she preferred the awkward silence than the pain it would be to hear his voice so close to her when his body heat was already warming her side.

"I never thanked you for saving me during the quidditch game."

Hermione turned her head slightly toward Draco. He thankfully wasn't looking her as he leaned his arms against the counter. She stared at his profile, taking in his relaxed features. After a few moments, she looked back toward the other end of the bar. "You're welcome."

"You have great reflexes."

Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat. "Thank you."

"I owe you."

"You don't. I was just lucky to notice the snowball heading toward you."

"You saved my life." She turned to him, hearing the serious tone in his voice that she'd so rarely heard in her past life. His blue eyes were staring intently at her. "That's not a small issue with me. I owe you my life. I'm in your debt, Hermione."

She shivered as his tongue ran over her name with such earnest care. It was impossible to look into his eyes and not remember how the two of them had once been. On bad days, they'd been there to provide comfort and reassurance for one another. On good days, they'd made one another laugh and smile. Average days together were full of contentment and love. He'd been her best friend and love of her life. Her scar flared painfully, burning into her chest far deeper than ever before. She would always love him but, more importantly, she would always protect him. Whether he realized it or not.

Madam Rosmerta set the refilled mugs in front of the two teens and returned to her other customer. Hermione slipped her hands into the handles of a few, lifting them of the counter. She looked at Draco, who watched her closely as if to read her thoughts and feelings on his declaration of debt.

"I have no use for a debt of another," she said. "If you wish to owe me your life, I only ask that you live a full and happy existence." She turned and carried the mugs over to the table.

Draco watched Hermione walk away from him. He'd been honest when he'd thanked her for saving him. There was no doubt that he would have died if she hadn't stopped him from falling. But she'd aged when she'd said that last part to him. It was like she was a different person all together; older and hardened against the world. What had she seen? What hardships had she faced? As he returned to the table with the butter beers, he took in the relaxed and amused mask she'd fixed into place as her brothers joked about the holiday celebrations. The mystery of Hermione Granger only grew and Draco would figure it out. One way or another, he would learn why this one girl affected him so when no other ever had.

AN: I'm sorry for being off Fanfiction for so long. There are a lot of projects piling up on my end and life's given me a lot of changes to adjust to, making it hard to get writing done. I also self-published my first book on Amazon, so I was busy with that for a while, and I'm working on my next manuscript. But I really want to finish these stories; it's just going to take me some time. And I thank everyone for being patient on my updates and I welcome those who've just found my stories, too. You guys are amazing.