AN: I don't know if any of you would be interested in this but the song that originally inspired my story of Draco, and his true inner self is Skin by Sixx AM, which is an incredibly beautiful song. You can check it out on YouTube for any that want to. The rest of their music is brilliant too, so while you're there check out some of it ;-)Clumsy!

The holiday break seemed to be flying by and before they knew it, Christmas Eve was here. Narcissa and Draco were invited to spend the night in the guest bedrooms so that everyone could be together in the morning for Christmas breakfast. They both kindly accepted and Draco and Hermione were happy to be able to be together overnight again. However, Richard had other ideas. Once everyone had gone to bed Draco quietly snuck into Hermione's room and they were laying there talking and snuggled up, and Hermione was just about asleep when her bedroom door was opened.

"I thought, Draco, that you might have forgotten to tell Hermione good night or something, but when I didn't hear you return to your room, I assumed you were lost?" Richard said pointedly, trying to hold back a grin.

"Yes, sir, that's exactly what happened," Draco answered, he and Hermione both pink in the cheeks.

Draco got up, and before walking through the door he winked at her. She giggled and told her dad goodnight.

At 7 o'clock a.m. Hermione was awakened by a very animated Draco. She actually looked at him and growled. "I DON'T DO MORNINGS ON BREAK!" He just laughed and started on a different plan of attack. He started nuzzling into her neck kissing her. Well that did the trick, she was certainly awake now!

"Fine, I'm up!" Hermione said, "Is everyone up already?"

"No, now that you're up, I'm headed to get mother, then that's everyone." Draco answered. "Your mom says breakfast is almost ready, we're having French Toast, eggs, sausages, and hash browns!"

"Be down in a few minutes," Hermione said with a sigh. She wasn't feeling great today, but couldn't put her finger on what was wrong. She didn't feel sick exactly, she just felt tired and off. She shrugged the feeling off on all the excitement over Christmas and the party at the Manor. Too many things on her plate at the moment, and Michael had owled last night. She was sad about that, as she picked it up to reread it for the fiftieth time….

Hermione,

I guess McGonagall told you about what might be happening over break. Well I went to the doctor today, and they confirmed that the treatments have done no good. My parents and I sat down and we talked over everything that has happened, and 'Mione, I have to make sure you understand my decision.

It's not that I've given up; it feels more like it's just time. I'm so sorry 'Mione, I promise I tried. It feels like I've fought this damn disease harder than I fought the Death Eaters, but I'm losing this time. I'm tired my friend, and if the treatments are only going to make the time I have left miserable, then I don't want to live that way. So we've decided to stop, and when my time is up, my parents have made arrangements to come to stay with me at the school, because I want to finish my time like I normally would. Hey, maybe there will be some miracle that allows me to at least graduate from Hogwarts, I really want that after all the years I've invested in my education. I decided that's my goal, I want to hold out for graduation.

I am going to come to Draco's a couple days before the party, so we can talk then. I'm sure you both want to try talking me out of this, but please just promise me you will try accepting my decision.

Much Love,

Michael

It was hard to walk around trying to pretend she's cheerful for everyone when she must accept that her friend is going to die, and there's nothing anyone can do to save him. Like Fred, Tonks, Remus, Sirius and so many others, he'll move on and they all have to reweave their lives to fill up the loss of him.

She shook her head to clear the thoughts from her mind, today is about being with her loved ones downstairs. She could hear them laughing and chatting away. She got dressed and went downstairs to celebrate family, and her first Christmas with Draco.

After a ginormous breakfast, they headed into the sitting room for presents. Draco got her a few books, a new cd she wanted, a very pretty dress that she laughed at because it was green and silver, he just wiggled his eyebrows. Then he handed her an envelope and told her that he, Narcissa, Jean, and Richard all chipped in and did this one together. She wondered what kind of gift all of them had gotten together that would only fit into an envelope. When she opened it, it was probably the sweetest gift she'd ever gotten her entire life, and she immediately cried her eyes out. They all had chipped in to the sum of 10,000 pounds Muggle money to cancer research in Michael's name. She cried so much she made herself sick. Once she recovered she hugged them all and told them she loved them.

Her parents had gotten round trip tickets to Greece from Hermione and Draco, and were offered the house the Malfoy's owned there for a week. They also bought Narcissa two tickets for a cruise to Alaska to share with a friend. True, Draco paid for most of it, but Hermione contributed quite a bit herself, and it was her idea for the cruise.

After dinner Narcissa, Draco, and Hermione got their bags and said good bye to Richard and Jean, and apparated to Malfoy Manor. They were exhausted after the long day that started so early. Draco took her hand and led Hermione to his room where they both would stay, since they were of age and Narcissa didn't have a problem with them being together. Once she put on her pajama's and climbed in bed Hermione snuggled into Draco's chest and yawned hugely. She was asleep before she could even tell him goodnight and she loved him. He chuckled and with his arms wrapped around her he slept peacefully the whole night through.

At 9 a.m. the next morning, Hermione was prodded awake by a cute little house elf wearing a pretty green dress. "Miss Hermione has to wake up now and meet mistress Cissa in the dining room. Please miss, she's waiting."

Hermione got up and showered and brushed her teeth. She felt better today and had more energy, so she went down to the dining room in a very good mood. She leaned down to hug Narcissa then took a seat and grabbed a warm flaky croissant to eat.

"I thought we could go shopping for our party dresses, and get manicures and pedicures and just make it a total girl's day!" Narcissa said. "The party is formal so you need to decide on a dress or robes, that way we know where to shop!"

Hermione always preferred dresses to robes for some reason, probably because she was Muggleborn and used to dresses before she entered the robe wearing wizarding world. So they left for Muggle London and had the most fun trying on different dresses and modeling them for each other. Hermione's mouth dropped open when she tried on her last dress in this store.

"Narcissa," she said in awe. "I'm positive I've found my dress!"

"Come on out and let me see dear."

When Hermione stepped out to look in the full mirror, she was amazed. Her dress was a strapless Nude colored satin, but it had intricate red lace covering the whole dress with red pieces of chiffon draping in diagonal strips all the way to the floor. It was tight fitted waist up, and from the waist down it was flowing like water.

"My dear, you're breathtaking." Narcissa whispered.

"Good, now all I need is a wicked pair of strappy heels, and maybe I will take Draco's breathe away!" Hermione smiled.

"Oh my dear, you've already done that." She laughed.

Next it was off to the salon.

Meanwhile back at the manor, Draco was in a decidedly different mood than Hermione. A strange owl had just delivered an unexpected letter. He had just read it and it was currently crumpled in his hand as he tried to get his temper controlled. He looked at his fist, and opened the letter back up to read one more time…

Draco my son,

What in Merlin's name are you playing at Draco? A Mudblood, really? You know better than that, no son of mine will dirty the family name with filth like Hermione Granger! Put an end to this now, or I promise once I find a way out of this damn prison, I will put an end to it one way or another! You are too good for Potter's Mudblood sidekick, and your mother had better not be involved.

Now, I need you to come visit next Monday, I may have found a loophole in the law that will secure my freedom, and need your presence with the lawyer. You are to be a character witness.

Sincerely,

Lucius.

Draco was pissed off majorly. How dare he! No word from him in months and months, and he writes making demands! Draco didn't know what to do. He had two choices at this point, defy and betray his father for Hermione, or betray Hermione for his father. Well there really was no option; he wouldn't hurt Hermione, no matter the cost. He came up with a plan and sent an owl to the last person he ever thought he would turn to for help, then left for the Hogs Head in Hogsmeade.

Harry Potter walked through the door and smiled at Ab Dumbledore, his mentor's brother. They shook hands and talked for a moment before Harry saw Draco. He excused himself and walked over to the table and took a seat.

"You said you had an emergency, is 'Mione okay?" Harry asked immediately upon taking his seat.

"For now, but I need you to help me keep her that way." Draco said, Harry raised his eyebrows and leaned forward.

"What's happened?"

"I got a letter from my father," Draco pulled out the crumpled piece of parchment and handed it to Harry to read. "I have to go to this meeting Potter, I am going to write to let him know I will be there with a smile on my face and ready to tell what a good guy he is. At the meeting, I will say otherwise, but I need to know if you'll come along, and be a 'character' witness as well, and help keep him behind bars. I don't want him anywhere near my mother or Hermione, Harry. I will do what has to be done to protect both of them."

"You really have changed haven't you? There was a time you worshipped the ground Lucius walked on." Harry stated.

"Times change Potter, and people grow up." Was all he had to say to that.

"Alright, I will also bring Ron to the meeting, he'll make just as good a character witness as you and I, plus it'll help having one more person along not singing his praises," Harry finished with a laugh.

Draco smiled in relief. "Thank you Harry. I know I have no right to come asking favors of you, but there is nothing I won't do for Hermione. The great Harry Potter, savior of the wizarding world, one third of the Golden Trio, that would make the people who decide whether to let him out pay attention. And for her I would ask."

"For her and your mother, and for you Draco, we'll be there, you have my word." Harry promised Draco.

They finished their drinks talking about the party, and Draco confided in Harry his plans for the party. Harry was surprised but had a small smile on his face. He was beginning to like this new and improved Draco Malfoy, he was all right!

They left the pub together and apparated to their own destinations ten minutes later. When Draco returned the ladies were back and he and Hermione decided to visit the Burrow for the rest of the evening. He decided he wouldn't tell either of them about the letter from his father until after the meeting on Monday.

Michael arrived two days later, and Hermione watched him closely. He didn't look healthy exactly, he'd lost far too much weight to look healthy, and he was pale. But he did look better; the tightness around his eyes was gone. He also seemed less tired, and happier. Which is beyond weird because how can anyone look happy when they've been told they will die?

The three decided to go swimming together again, but this time in Draco's indoor pool, which is temperature controlled handily enough. Hermione put on a red bikini with gold trim with a smirk firmly in place and walked up behind Draco and Michael who were in the pool. When she sat on the side and splashed water at them they turned around. Draco rolled his eyes at the color and laughed.

Michael looked at Draco and said, "You are one lucky bastard!" making Hermione blush bright enough to match her swimsuit.

"Don't I know it!" said Draco and Hermione smiled at him. She got in the pool and kissed him, and then promptly dunked him. When he came up for air she and Michael were laughing their heads off at his face.

After they were worn out they went to the hot tub and just sat there talking. Michael explained to them how and why he, his family, and his doctors had made the decision. He had a bit of a time line but they weren't sure exactly how long he had left. He wasn't telling them how long, because then they would focus on the quantity of time going by and not the quality of time spent. He did however promise to tell them if he felt the time growing near so they could be with him. Draco shared an idea he had come up with when they donated the money for Hermione's Christmas gift. An annual Gryffindor versus Slytherin Quidditch game, where current and past students of those houses play a game against each other with all proceeds donated to cancer research. The total money raised to be split between Muggle cancer researchers and the other half to wizard healing researchers. Hermione thought it was a wonderful idea, and said she would like to help get everything going if they could talk the Headmistress into it. Really though, how could she say no?

The rest of the evening they didn't talk about their class, the cancer, or any problems. They just hung out and had fun like they had one summer day that seemed so long ago. They had come a long way together this year.

When they went to bed that night, Hermione was excited for the big party tomorrow, quite sure she was gonna knock his socks off when Draco saw her. She had a smile on her face as she slept that night.

AN2: Again I will say I don't own rights to Harry Potter. Also, next chapter is the big party and we get to find out what secret surprise Draco has planned for Hermione. Guesses anyone?