Here is chapter 13. I hope you've enjoyed the story so far is should be coming to a close in a couple of chapters. Enjoy!

Ch. 13: I'd Come For You

The next morning Hermione boarded the train as planned. The night before she had heard Draco calling her name but he was blocked by the mob of people leaving the Great Hall. She had decided to ignore him; it was best for everyone involved. So now she sat in a compartment with Harry and Ron. They were talking about quidditch as usual but they kept sending her fleeting glances.

"What is the matter with the two of you? You keep looking at me as if I'm dying or something." Their eyes instantly dropped to the floor and Harry was the first to speak.

"Are you ok 'Mione? I mean it's ok if you're not ok." She smiled at her friends. She knew they were worried about her even if it was Malfoy that she was upset about. They were always there for her and for that she was ever grateful.

"I'm fine you guys. Thank-you for worrying but really I'm all smiles." She plastered on a big cheesy smile to show her point but the smile didn't stay for long and her smile was replaced by a frown the moment she looked out the window.

"You don't like all smiley. You're actually frowning this very instant. We can beat the shit out of him…" Harry once again was forced to silence Ron with a well-placed elbow to the ribs. "What!? Why tiptoe around the topic. We all no Malfoy upset Hermione cause he is a prick and I was right in saying so." Ron sat back and crossed his arms over his chest in a huff.

"You guys are right, were right. I'm not over it and I won't be for sometime I'm sure but I will try. He's engaged for God's sake, there isn't a chance of it being fixed so I'm moving on." The mood was much lighter in the train for the rest of the trip.

Hermione did find it odd that neither of her friends had asked about the health of her mother. They probably assumed she was still in a coma. She guessed it was slightly her fault for not keeping them informed. It had always been her and Draco that discussed anything revolving around her mother. She was glad he had been there for her during all those visits; she knew she wouldn't have been able to handle it alone. It was these moments when she missed the Draco she had come to know. She knew that he wasn't gone completely but she had to tell herself that he was in order to make it easier. If she continued to think he was the same Draco from the previous year then letting go would be as difficult, but it was difficult.

When the trio stepped off the train onto platform 9 and 3/4, they looked around for their family members. Harry would be spending the holiday with the Weasley's at the Burrow. She had been invited but had no interest in going. This Christmas would be just her and her mum. Her mother wasn't strong enough yet to come and meet Hermione, so she would be taking a cab home.

When the vehicle rolled up along side Hermione's house she quickly paid the driver and walked up the front path. The lights were all out and she hoped it was because her mother was sleeping and not because they didn't have the money to pay the electric bill. She stopped on the front porch before entering and sighed thinking about how this Christmas would play out.

As soon as the door was open, Hermione was engulfed a bear hug. It wasn't the hug that shocked Hermione the most it was the house. There were decorations everywhere. A large Christmas tree stood in the living room by the bay window. It was strung with lights and garland; ornaments covered every inch of it. While Hermione walked over in the direction of the tree, her mother took the opportunity to plug in the lights. The room instantly lit up from the colored lights of the tree. Underneath the tree was a tall pile of presents which Hermione definitely had not been expecting.

"Mom, how did you do all this? I thought we had no money." She spun around to face her mother no expecting the answer she was about to receive.

"Well at first I thought you had done it. When I got out of the hospital, I went right to the bank to see exactly how behind I was on the bills. I was shocked when they told me that not only was I not behind on the bills they had all been paid off by a donor who wished to remain anonymous." Hermione couldn't imagine who could have done that. "Then just as I was leaving a man approached me and said he was so excited for my dentists office to reopen and asked me when it would."

"The poor man, I spit my drink all over him. I asked him what on earth was he talking about. He said that he had driven by and seen all the construction. He also read in the paper then when you returned home from vacation your practice would be open for business." Hermione's eyes were tearing at this point and she felt the need to interrupt.

"Mum, how could this happen?"

"Well if you'll let me finish my story…" Hermione blushed but waited for her to continue. "So naturally I went right over to the old office and boy was I surprised. Next door to the old building, that we had shared with that awful tanning salon, was a newly built office. It had a sign out front that said Granger Dentistry. Everything inside was new; your father would have loved it." They both took a moment. "So I took my feet back to the bank. He said he couldn't believe he had forgotten to tell me that part. The anonymous donor had also done that for me."

"Naturally I asked who the donor was. He said that he didn't have a name since he had not been present the day the man had come in but he did tell me that this young gentlemen had left quite the impressed on the female workers. So I asked the secretary about it. She said that this dashing young man with vibrant blond hair had come in a few weeks prior. She told me he was definitely high class but that he dressed rather odd and was wearing a cloak." Hermione took a minute to piece everything together before slapping her hand over her mouth.

"Draco…"

"Yup. I can't believe your boyfriend did all of this for us. He was a charming fellow when he came to visit the last time. He must have heard us talking about money and took it upon him to help us out. I think we owe him a thank-you. Why don't you invite him over for dinner?"

"Mum I can't…"

"Of course you can, floo him or owl him but get him over her tonight." She was determined in thanking the young man who had basically fixed all of their problems.

"No mum you don't understand, we aren't dating anymore. He is engaged to someone else." Fresh tears began but this time they were not tears of happiness. Her mother rushed to her side and pulled her towards the couch.

"Engaged? That seems rather abrupt. Have you talked to him about it?" Hermione shook her head instead of answering since she did not trust her voice.

"Well you should have darling. You know better then to believe what you read in the papers. Isn't he from some old aristocrat family? They often engaged in betrothals. Did you ever think that maybe it is an engagement in which he is unwilling? I saw the look in that boys eye that day in the hospital, he is head over heals in love with you."

Hermione nodded and went up to her room to think about everything her mother had said. She decided to write Draco a letter since she couldn't floo him at school. She wouldn't ask him over to dinner but she would thank him for the money, it was the least she could do. She had flooed Harry and asked to borrow his owl in order to send a letter to school. He had looked suspicious but agreed to send Hedwig over. Hermione sat at her desk for hours deciding exactly what to write.

Draco sat in their common room alone. He looked at the clock on the wall every few seconds as if willing it to move faster. He was waiting for someone and he knew they wouldn't be there for another two minutes and 23… 22…21 seconds. Snape was always exactly one time and would not arrive at his door until 9 o'clock. Although most people saw the mean and slimy side of Snape, Draco saw him differently. He wasn't only the potions master he was Draco Godfather.

There was a knock on the door and a tap on the window at the same time. Draco figured that an angry Snape was a lot more uncomfortable then an angry owl so he opened the portrait first.

"Hello Godfather." He greeted him then went to the window to retrieve the letter. It was an owl he recognized but couldn't place a face.

"Why is Potter's owl delivering you letters?" His drawl seemed as if he were vaguely interested.

"I have no idea." He opened the letter to find Hermione's writing and not Potters, this fact made him smile like he hadn't done since before that article had been published.

Dear Draco,

I am writing in order to thank-you for your very generous 'anonymous' donation to my mother. I would offer to return the money out of pride but our need is greater then that of my pride. I don't believe I have seen her this happy for a long time and for that I thank-you. She asked me to invite you to dinner but I know that is not possibly since you are at school. I hope you have a pleasant holiday and give Pansy my regards.

Hermione

He had been smiling through the entire letter until the last line: 'give pansy my regards.' Snape noticed this and asked if he had just received news of his puppy being hit by a bus.

"No. I put some money in the Granger account as a present for her mother and apparently anonymous doesn't mean a thing in the muggle world. I suppose I did stick out a bit. Anyway it was thank-you letter from Hermione but at the end she asked me to give Pansy her regards." He scowled a bit at the end.

"Is this why you called me here? You expect me to get you out of your marriage so that you can be with the know-it-all."

"Yes." His answer was so simply that Snape found it hard to refuse.

"Fine, I suppose she is better then Ms. Parkinson." They spent the rest of the night discussing what their next course of action would be. This marriage would not be extremely difficult to get out of since the act of betrothal is not taken nearly as seriously these days. The difficult part would take place after the engagement had been dissolved.

It was Christmas morning and Hermione sprung out of bed. She slipped on her ruby red slippers and skipped down the stairs to the living room. Her mother was already in the kitchen making tea and pancakes. When Hermione was little she would have pancakes every Christmas morning. They hadn't continued the tradition for the past few years but Hermione was glad that she had started it again. They ate their pancakes quickly so that they could open presents.

Hermione and her mother took turns opening box after box. Most of Hermione's contained books or clothing. She loved getting these things but sometimes wished for something else, something that wasn't so practical. They had finished with their presents when Hermione noticed one left under the tree. It was two boxes tied together with a ribbon.

"Mum, there is one left."

"Oh yes that one I found when I was unpacking your school stuff. I figured it was from Ron or Harry."

"No we usually open presents from each other when we return from holiday. Who could have put something in my luggage? I've only been packed for two days."

She pulled the box out from under the tree and looked at it curiously. It was wrapped in emerald wrapping paper with silver ribbon. She knew who it was from but was hesitant to open it. He hadn't responded to her letter but she guessed that he wouldn't. She pulled the silver ribbon off carefully since it was such nice wrappings. She opened the larger box first since she was still a child at heart.

Inside the larger box was a leather-bound book. She was kind of disappointed that even Draco could only think to get her a book but upon further inspection she realized she had been incorrect. It was a photo album. She was hesitant to open the album but her mother sat beside her and told her go ahead. The first photo was of them on opening night. She also saw that he had pictures of the two of them performing which she assumed he had gotten from the younger Creevey brother. He also had a photo from them sitting by the lake. She flipped the page and saw the pictures from their picnic. The first was of her panic ridden face when she first had mounted the broom and then her look of pure joy as they flew gracefully though the air. There were pictures of them on the beach and ones from their night on the roof.

"He's quite the romantic. Your father was always good with surprises." Her mother smiled at all the photos in the album. "Well open the second box."

Hermione fingered the smaller box and pulled off the paper. Inside was a crystal box. She opened the lid and music began playing. It wasn't like a normal music box though. The voice that drifted out f this box was the voice of Draco.

I'd come for you,

No one but you,

Yes I'd come for you,

But only if you told me to,

And I'd fight for you,

I'd lie its true,

Give my life for you,

You know I'd always come for you

I was blindfolded

But now I'm seeing

My mind was closing

Now I'm believing

I finally know just what it means to let someone in

To see the side of me that no one does or ever will

So if you're ever lost and find yourself all alone

I'd search forever just to bring you home

Here and now, this I vow

The music faded away and Hermione lifted out a necklace that the box had contained. It was a worn silver locket with a single emerald in it. It was settled on a long thick chain. Hermione thought it was beautiful and ornate. The colors made her chuckle; she knew he would forever be a proud Slytherin. She flipped the locket over on and written in script on the back it said 'I'd come for you.' The tears flowed freely and her mother stood and left the room. She felt it would be best to leave Hermione to herself. Hermione decided to speak with Draco the moment she returned to school. She would try to find him before the performed for their final night of the show. They would return on New Years Eve and go straight to the Great Hall for the final night of competition.

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A/N: The song was I'd Come For You by Nickelback. I hope you liked and the next chapter containing the final show should be up in a few days if not sooner.

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