Hermione leaned against the cold stonewall of the corridor, next to the entrance to the castle. Being mid-December, Hermione and Draco had decided it was too cold to go sit by the lake every night. Though it hadn't been every night lately. Sometimes Hermione was too busy, more often than not Draco was too busy. He was getting forgetful and seemed like his mind was in another place. Once more, she glanced to the grandfather clock in the corridor. He was over an hour late. With a sigh, she decided just to go to bed and started a slow walk to the towers.

"Hey! Hermione!" She heard in a hushed whisper from behind. Turning, she saw Draco run up to her.

"Sorry, I was held up doing something."

"What were you doing?"

"It was nothing."

"Yeah, I figured as much." She said trying not to sound bitter.

"What's wrong?" He asked picking up on her slightly hostile tone.

"You just seem to be doing that a lot. Late nights doing 'nothing'. For all I know, you're making a fool out of me and running off with other girls. Or maybe you're off doing Voldemort's bidding. Or maybe I am Voldemort's bidding. I don't know Draco! But whatever. I'm going to bed." She said shaking her head and turning to leave. Draco grabbed her shoulder to stop her.

"Hermione, what's your deal? Why are you so upset about this?"

"I just told you why."

"You honestly believe you are my 'task'? No, I wouldn't spend this much time with you if you were just a task. And if I did, it would be me pumping you for information about Saint Potter. And other girls? What's the point of me lying about that if I was? I would just straight out tell you if I was shagging other girls. " He said rolling his eyes.

"Then why can't you tell me what you've been up to lately?" She asked quietly. He shifted his weight and stared at her for a second uneasily and ran a hand through his hair. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to walk away.

"Look! … I didn't want to tell you… but… it's um... about… uhh... your Christmas present!" He practically shouted at her to keep her from walking away. She paused once more and turned to face him.

"What?"

"Your present. See…I was… working out the kinks. I... umm… want to take you somewhere! Somewhere we can be alone…" He answered while approaching her.

"Who says I want to go on this little trip?" She asked crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow.

"Hermione, please don't be like this. I know I've been shady lately, but I just want everything to be okay between us. Come on, come with me. You'll like it, I swear." She let out a sigh and rubbed her temple.

"I have no doubt that I would like it but what if I were going home for the holidays. I live in the muggle London. How would this grand scheme work then?"

"Well since you said 'what if', one could infer that you are in fact, staying. And I was intending to ask you what your plans were tonight."

"And pray tell, where is it that we hypothetically would be going?" He moved his mouth to her ear and whispered his response.

"It's a secret. Come with me?"

"I don't know, there is a lot to think about…"

"Like what? What is there to think about? You either want to be with me, or you don't."

"It's not that simple Draco. What about MY plans?"

"And what were your plans, Hermione?"

"It doesn't matter. The point is that you can't just swoop in and expect me to be able to drop everything I am doing for something you want."

"It's not just for me! It's for us! Actually, it's for you since it's YOUR Christmas gift! But fine, if you don't want to go, then we can just cancel it…" He said dramatically thus making her feel bad for ruining his plan.

"Fine. I'll go. But you have to promise me that if I change my mind, I'm allowed to come back here. Mid-break or not." She said stubbornly.

"Deal. We leave tomorrow. Now give me a kiss." He responded with a smirk. Hermione rolled her eyes with a smile, but obeyed, leaning into his chest as their lips met. After a brief, but enjoyable kissing session, Hermione broke from him.

"Well I should go. I need sleep if I intend to get up early to pack so we can leave." Draco gave a pout and held firmly to her hand as she tried to walk away.

"Aww. Poor baby." Hermione said to his facial expression. She gave him a quick kiss.

"But I'm going to bed anyway. Goodnight." She said with a soft smirk.

"Night." He gave her a goodnight peck and watched her walk away. Once she disappeared around the corner, Draco ran a stressed hand through his hair.

"Fuck… I need a plan." With that he walked towards the dungeons, his mind reeling in hopes of getting a brilliant idea in the next ten hours.

Okay, so I know that was short but I just needed to get the ball rolling. The next few will in fact be longer and more pleasing to the fluffy loving. I pretty much know where I'm sending them on break, but if y'all have any ideas, I would appreciate any input. I'm pretty muhch in love with Red Hot Chili Peppers's new cd, Stadium Arcadium. It makes my heart happy. Review so I know people are still reading this or I might delete it and work on other projects.