A/N: I really loved how this chapter turned out, enjoy! and Review! Review! Review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Draco huddled under the blankets, wishing he could simply sleep, preferably for the next week and let this holiday season pass him by. Though, he'd settle for simply feeling warm.

Christmas was tomorrow.

He shuddered.

He'd scarcely felt warm since coming back from their impromptu rescue mission a few days ago. It had made his lungs ache in his chest more than usual.

He shook his head and rolled over to his back and let his eyes drift up to the ceiling.

He idly flicked his wrist and let the image of the night sky slowly color the ceiling and down the walls.

He hated it. How he'd been in this funk...how he always got into this funk. It didn't seem right for him to just slip away. What right did he have?

His Uncle Ted was still recovering from all the complications of nearly freezing to death. The goblin had only just woken the other day.

All of his troubles...all his memories didn't seem to compare to the urgency of everything around him. Yet, it hadn't stopped him from dodging everyone and giving the excuse he felt sick….though that was true enough in.

He rubbed his face before dropping his hand to rest on his chest. Leaning his head to the side, he could make out the faint sounds of footsteps echoing somewhere in the house. Restlessness loved company it seemed.

He shook his head before ending the spell and kicking off his covers. Sleep wasn't coming no matter how much he wanted it and a shower was in order.

He nearly burned under the shower head. He'd turned the water to scorching and still he stepped out and dressed feeling like it was all for not.

Why wasn't he surprised at that?

He managed to slip into shoes and make it down the steps without too much discomfort in his leg before he turned and headed into the kitchen intent on making himself tea.

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't realize he wasn't alone until the sound of a throat clearing drew him back into reality.

He froze, hand still on the cabinet handle as he met Sirius's face. His father also had a cup of tea before him with a thin, nearly, welcoming smile on his face.

"Morning." He finally said, wincing at how hoarse his voice sounded.

Sirius smiled wider, indicating for him to take a seat before him.

"I was wondering when you'd rejoin the rest of us." Sirius said before summoning another mug.

Draco took it without a word taking a long sip, nearly moaning in satisfaction at the warmth that came over him.

"I didn't mean to worry anyone." He finally said, placing his mug in front of him and cupping it with both hands.

Sirius shook his head.

"I figured I'd let you avoid me for a little while."

He snapped his head up instantly worried at what he'd see on Sirius's face. It was surprising then, for all that that Sirius only looked understanding if a tad bit sad.

"I know this time of year is hard for you, and we've never...had the opportunity." Sirius trailed off grimacing before he pasted another small smile on his face, "So I thought I'd give you the space you obviously wanted."

Draco shook his head not knowing what exactly to say.

Sirius seemed to sense this and simply continued as he rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a small black box.

"Since we're already a bit unconventional in how we do things, I figure giving you one of your presents a day early is probably fitting."

He felt his heart pound as he hesitantly accepted the box from his father, staring at it, unsure if he should open it or not.

"I didn't know what I could possibly give you that you hadn't been given before." Sirius said hesitantly, and Draco could honestly say he'd never seen the man more nervous. "And then I started thinking about how you haven't been sleeping well."

Draco opened his mouth to protest, when he was cut off before he could begin by Sirius.

"And truly I was at a loss and well." Sirius took a breath, "I read a Muggle book and I thought that if you had happier memories …that if you knew her better it might help-" Sirius paused looking over his face, "Drown out everything else."

Draco stared down at the box still unopened in his hands. Slowly, he opened it. His hand came up and fingered the pendant in the box.

"It will go with the ring you wear."

He looked up suddenly, embarrassed and somewhat guilty at the realization that Sirius knew he held the last bit of his mother that still existed on this earth.

He pulled the chain then, breaking the spell that made it invisible to most people around him.

Sirius was smiling slightly as his eyes drifted between the ring and Draco, and for a moment Draco wondered just how much of his mother Sirius saw every time he looked at him.

His father than grew solemn as he focused on his face once more.

"I don't want to pressure you into it, but I thought I would give you the option." Sirius said standing and laying a hand gently on his shoulder. "For when you're ready."

Draco sat, staring at the box for quite some time after Sirius had left him to dwell before he got up and went down to his potion's lab for privacy. His curiosity had always been his undoing. He didn't see why that would suddenly stop now.

He traced the oval pendant, following the carved constellation and mouthing the phrase carved around its edges.

Per aspera ad astra.

Through hardships to the stars.

Fitting for his family as it were.

He let out a breath. He supposed the only question that remained was whether he wanted…was ready to see anything that made Elena Malfoy real.

But would he ever be?

17 years later and not once had he been able to stomach the idea…

Though wasn't it about time? What more had he to fear? What was worse than what he'd already seen?

Despite everything, Sirius did have a point. Would it be so bad if it meant he might have some peace of mind after seeing...after knowing.

"It's about time I met you." He whispered to himself before pressing his thumb to the constellation and with a whisper he activated the charm.

He blinked and suddenly he was back in a ballroom he was intimately familiar with. His eyes darted around taking in the slight differences in the wallpaper and the style of the robes the various guests were wearing.

It wasn't long before his eyes caught the two he was meant to find.

It was strange seeing his father no more than 9 before him stiffly dancing with a girl he knew to be his mother. Then, just as Andromeda said it would happen he saw his mother stomp on his father's foot on purpose as their bickering grew more obvious until she shoved him away and stalked off to the opposite side of the ballroom.

He came closer and watched as the young Sirius drifted to the side and a younger boy who bore an uncanny resemblance to his father joined him with a wide grin on his face.

Regulus.

"I like her." His uncle, another person he'd never meet, spoke.

"Shut it." Sirius hissed at him in response.

The memory fell away into darkness with the sound of Regulus's soft laughter.

The next memory was at Hogwarts. His father was 13 and perched at the Gryffindor table. There was a carefree look pasted on his face, but one glance at his eyes gave him away to those who knew what to look for.

For one, they kept drifting to the black-haired head at the Slytherin table that sat somewhat secluded from the rest. From this distance, it was hard to say if that was by choice or ostracization.

A little further down and he recognized Lucius looking incredibly young but just as proud at the tender age of 16.

The hall was silent as a blonde first year made her way up to the sorting hat.

"Probably straight to Slytherin that one. Just like her brother." Some boy said whispering rather loudly into Sirius's ear. His father made a noise that signaled neither assent nor disagreement. Instead, his gray blue eyes were fixed on the youngest Malfoy as she sat with perfect posture and the hat was placed on her head.

A murmur went through the hall when a house was not immediately called. Such a thing was unheard of.

The whispers seemed to grow louder, and Draco chanced a glance at Lucius, who looked pale and somewhere between angry, worried, and…afraid.

Unsettled, he let his eyes drift back to Sirius who was looking at Elena intently like a puzzle he couldn't quite figure out.

Then the hat called out Slytherin, and the tense air in the hall seemed to dissipate. The world was righted and another Malfoy had been placed into Slytherin.

"That was interesting."

He turned to the source of the voice coming face to face with a young Remus Lupin who was watching Sirius nearly as closely as Draco was.

Sirius shrugged feigning nonchalance with practiced ease.

"Not too interesting. Those Malfoys, they wouldn't know what to do with themselves outside of a dungeon."

"Shame." Remus said with a bemused expression on his face, "She's quite pretty."

Sirius's jaw clenched before the action was hidden in a wide smirk he flashed at the other.

"Why Moony I didn't know you were partial to snake."

Remus shrugged going back to his dinner, but Draco couldn't tear his eye away from Sirius and the group he was watching at the Slytherin table across the room.

Elena Malfoy had swiftly been given a seat next to her brother and while the two seemed to be politely conversing with each other and those around them, he could see the tension they both were sporting.

He was familiar enough with the actions to know the two were in for an altercation once alone.

He waited for the memory to fade, but the scene before him didn't change. He watched as the feast came to a close and the perfects were called to escort their houses to their Common Rooms. It was at this point that Sirius seemed to slip away.

He quickly followed the memory of his father down the hall and to the side. Sirius hid himself near the turn in the hall, a murmured silencing spell on him as he strained his ear to the side.

Curious, Draco strode around the corner of the wall and took in the sight before him.

Lucius was pacing, clearly agitated, before the recently sorted Elena.

It was just so odd to see them side by side. The coloring…the resemblance was incredible.

Finally, Lucius stopped and turned to his mother abruptly.

"What were you thinking?" he hissed.

Elena gave him a baleful look. "I can hardly be blamed for the Sorting Hat's debate."

"There shouldn't have even been a debate. I told you –"

"I know." She exclaimed, her expression cool, "Believe me I know."

At her face, Lucius seemed to deflate. "Lena." He said softly, "Don't you want to be safe?"

Elena smiled weakly, "I was sorted into Slytherin brother, I know how to keep safe." She let out a breath before stepping forward and placing a chaste kiss to Lucius's cheek.

A shock more than anything. He couldn't even recall the last time he'd seen Lucius Malfoy accept such a tender and loving gesture and in public no less.

"Go. They'll think we've been quarrelling. Spread some excuse and I'll be down in a few minutes."

Lucius looked like he wanted to protest but after a moment nodded and was off with a simple turn on his heel.

He watched his mother sigh heavily and lean against the wall before he turned his gaze back to Sirius who seemed to be debating whether to step forward or flee the scene.

The former seemed to be the decision, and as he stepped quickly around the corner and into the hall he rammed head on with the pacing form of his mother.

He watched as they quickly pulled away from each other.

He could practically feel the tension between them until it was broken by the breath Elena drew in as she forced her eyes up to Sirius's.

"Hello Sirius."

If he was shocked at the polite address, his father didn't show it. Instead he inclined his head as

he returned the greeting.

"Elena."

The silence fell between them again as Elena seemed caught up in examining Sirius.

"I'd heard you'd been sorted into red and gold, but seeing it is still a bit of a shock." She finally said.

Sirius shrugged. "And you in green and silver despite everything." He caught her gaze, "So why'd you argue with the Hat?"

Elena blinked for a moment before letting out a small laugh, "Still have no tact I see."

Sirius shrugged again, and how that constituted as a proper answer Draco would never know.

"I think you know more than anyone why I would argue." Elena said quietly.

Sirius looked pained for a moment before nodding, shoving his hands into his pockets. "But you still gave in."

Now it was Elena's turn to shrug, "I am who I am. I can't hide that." She smoothed her robes, her fingers lingering at the green and silver tie now around her neck.

"Besides, I made a discovery."

"Oh?"

"I figure the best way to watch an enemy is at their doorstep."

Sirius blinked, but didn't seem all that surprised by her declaration.

"And just who is your enemy Miss Malfoy?"

A mixed series of emotions seemed to flash over her face at the statement before she shook her head and let out a tired puff of air.

"Life gives us two enemies; fear and time. I have too much of one and too little of the other."

Sirius looked troubled for a moment, but he blinked and it was gone. He let out a soft sigh before meeting Elena's eyes.

"Watch over my brother. I think they give him a harder time because of me."

Elena tilted her head to the side, and it was evident that she was more than a little surprised by the request.

"What makes you think I can?"

"Your brother controls Slytherin for another year, and I wouldn't underestimate your own influence. You're just as much the Princess to his Prince."

"And I suppose this is the part where I remind you of the Prince you could have been?"

"Well I am charming enough to be one" Sirius smirked.

Elena looked at him for a moment before bursting out into peals of laughter, her hand coming to cover her mouth as she struggled. "Oh gods is that how you open with all those girls? Merlin help the poor fools."

Sirius shrugged, waggling his brows at her sending her into another fit of laughter. As she finally calmed, she stood straighter, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

Sirius was now watching her closely again, as though trying to both figure her out and take her in all at once.

"You look good Malfoy. Nearly all grown up." Sirius said in a teasing manner.

Elena rolled her eyes, a smile still on her lips as she ignored the compliment. "You know these sorts of things are a favor for a favor."

"I guess I'll just have to owe you."

She smiled then coyly. "Alright then Black. I suppose I'll see you around." She said, adopting his surname as he'd done with her.

He didn't know why, but his heart clenched then watching his parents smile slyly to one another before drifting their separate ways. He blinked back, his vision just a bit blurry.

This was the point in which he'd become a possibility.

This was their true beginning, and like that he found he couldn't breathe.

This time for a reason other than his usual.

He couldn't watch anymore. He didn't think he could handle it.

He clutched the locket and murmured the ending incantation and stumbled to the far wall of cellar letting his knees give way as he slid against the hard frame and down to the floor.

Any other time, Christmas was one of Hermione's favorite times of the year. Snow coating the earth like white fairy dust and the general festive atmosphere had always left her breathless and warm.

If she were completely honest, she still felt it now. She'd joined Tonks on her mission to decorate Grimmauld and even helped in collaboration with Mrs. Weasley on the prospective Christmas dinner tomorrow.

The difference; though, came in her thoughts as she worked. Those dark possibilities were never far from her mind.

And neither was Draco.

She was worried about this forced seclusion, though his claims about feeling sick seemed valid enough. He'd had more fits than was right, didn't sleep well, never wanted to eat. He was stuck in some low rut that she didn't know how to pull him out of.

She'd forced him down to eat and came up to visit him. Though, they never did much, sitting up on his bed next to him. He never spoke much, mostly they sat with her firmly enveloped in his arms.

Though, sometimes when she went up she'd find him fast asleep. Knowing how little he got of it, she'd leave him.

She went through distractions, threw herself into helping Tonks, now heavily pregnant, helping Andromeda with Ted…

Though she'd had some good news this morning after coming down and seeing Sirius smiling to himself in the kitchen saying Draco was feeling better and might join them later in the evening. Then he'd taken the boys out for a quick game of Quidditch.

She sighed, looking out the window and watching the brooms as they each sped by.

It was truly amazing to see, even if she was never as invested in the sport as the boys.

"It never goes away."

She turned.

Ted was leaning against the door to the library before he pushed away and walked slowly to join her at the window.

"It doesn't matter how long it's been, but it always gets me; how amazing this world is." He said letting his eyes follow Harry as he zoomed in front of Ron.

"Yeah." She whispered. She'd felt a kinship toward Ted since getting to know him over the past few days. He was the only one who understood how it felt to go from knowing nothing to being thrust into a whole new way of life.

Ted smiled slightly, "Andy'll be reading and then out of nowhere she'll summon a cup of tea."

She turned taking in Ted's face as he talked about his wife.

"It's such a simple spell. You learn it in first year, but, " he took a breath, "It's the most magical thing in the world."

She smiled.

They sat watching the boys finish their game before they all stumbled in, and Ted went off to rest.

It was a little bit after that that Harry and Ron found her still seated by the window just watching the snow fall.

It's also where Harry told her of his plan to talk to Griphook.

"Harry he's only just woke up." She said turning to look at the two of them, growing unsettled at how insistent they seemed.

"We can't keep waiting Hermione. What if he decides to leave before we even get the chance to ask?"

She shook her head. "We should wait for a little bit. None of us have much experience with goblins and as much as it pains me to admit they are crafty. He's not going to give us information from the good of his heart. Dr-"

"Draco isn't here." Ron interrupted, "And we have no way of knowing when he's going to snap back into it. We need to at least get the ground work done."

She was overruled and she knew it. She let out a breath. She'd have to be the levelheaded one during this interrogation, and she couldn't do that if she kept pushing them away.

"Alright." She said standing up. "Let's go."

Draco stood uneasily wiping at his face as he let out a long sigh. He felt...oddly better. Like something had physically been lifted off him. Perhaps his father had had the right idea after all.

Part of him was now curious to see what other memories Sirius had placed into the pendant.

He smiled slightly at the thought as he managed to pull himself up the stairs and emerged in the kitchen.

"Oh Draco." He blinked at the slight change in light before he was enveloped by Tonks in a firm hug.

"Finally. I'd wondered if you'd gone and hibernated on us." She mused before pulling away and placing a hand on her swollen abdomen.

He shook his head, a sheepish smile spreading along his face. "Yeah." He coughed lightly, "I'm feeling better now."

She smiled brighter kissing his temple. "Good."

He returned it before his eyes darted around the room taken in the emptiness and the apparent quiet.

"Where is everyone?" He asked turning back to his cousin. Tonks shrugged. "Saw the three of them head upstairs toward the attic not too long ago."

He frowned. The attic? Why on earth…

He sucked in a breath. No. They wouldn't.

He swore before darting out of the kitchen and dashing up the stairs.

Did none of them have any sense?

Hermione didn't like this. She didn't like it at all. Harry was still arguing with Griphook about surrendering the sword, but the goblin seemed adamant that that was the only thing he'd accept before he spoke a thing to them.

It was a disaster, and part of her couldn't help the anger that the whole debate had incited from clouding her own judgment. She wanted nothing more than to take Griphook by the arms and shake him until he saw reason.

Did he not see the war around them? Did he not care?

They'd reached a standstill and somehow she knew that the price they were about to pay was too high.

What if they needed the sword again?

There were still 2 other horcruxes to destroy. They were giving up the only weapon they had against them for only information on 1.

She heard Harry sigh.

"Alright I-"

"Don't."

She blinked, her head snapping to the door that had been thrown open and the disheveled figure in the doorway.

Draco was flushed, breathing in gasps as he strode across the room. He waved his hand shutting the door behind him as he crossed with his face twisted into a familiar sneer as he came before Griphook.

"Don't agree to anything." Draco hissed, keeping his eyes on Griphook.

The goblin, to his credit, didn't even flinch at the poison dripping from each of Draco's words. Though she did see the recognition.

"I have known people like you my whole life." Draco continued lowly, "And I am not as easily fooled as the rest of these lot."

She gripped Ron's arm to keep him from causing an uproar at that.

"I am not trading an ace for a joker." Draco said looking Griphook up and down, "Make no mistake. I can do what I need to do without what you have to say. This is supplementary."

For a moment, Draco's eyes flickered away from Griphook and settled on her.

She held her breath and only let it go when his mercurial eyes drifted away from hers.

"With that in mind I'm sure we can reach an agreement that satisfies us both."

Negotiation was definitely a skill of Slytherins.

Draco seemed to speak the same language as Griphook. Charm. Wit. And a tongue edged with silver.

They'd finally agreed to a trade.

One bracelet, Goblin made in the 1700's, for information that they needed.

He'd saved them the sword.

And with that knowledge she could breathe a little easier.

Draco sat back in his chair as he tilted his head to the side in thought.

"Why did you leave?"

Griphook stared at him. "You don't want to know about the vault?"

Draco smirked. "I know the vault. I know where it is, the defenses, which corridor. I know for a fact that even the wards have been altered every time my aunt has paid a visit to the bank in the past month." He folded his arms against his chest, "Don't con me and answer my question."

Just like that she knew what he was doing. He was pushing Griphook to reveal his motives before he even broached anything to do with what they were planning.

Strategic.

Griphook stared at Draco, and for a moment, she swore she saw the goblin smile.

"I don't like bad investments."

Draco's brow rose.

"You see them all the time. People attracted to how good they look on the surface that they don't realize the entire things holding on by a thread." Griphook sneered, "Goblins stay away from them, so we stay out of wizard affairs. By the end, someone will still be keeping the gold moving and the system stays afloat."

Griphook sat back and glanced one by one at all four of them.

"But not this time." he continued, "I don't like bad investments. I hate unstable one. Your war will bleed into ours soon. It's only a matter of time before someone realizes goblins aren't the only one's who can manage money."

Her heart thudded. It was so cold. Such calculated reasoning, but it aligned with them didn't it. Wasn't that what mattered?

Draco was mulling over the words before he seemed to nod to himself.

He cleared his throat, "So if you went into Gringott's tomorrow what would your co-workers say?"

It was almost too easy after that, to spin the story they wanted and cement the plans they'd barely strung together on paper. Draco was a natural, but with his role largely done he let them all step in and interject as needed.

Hermione could tell he was still angry though.

Angry in a way that was more hurt, festering in him; though he hid it well. They'd sidestepped him and it had nearly cost them too much.

She could understand that.

They were quick to finish with Griphook then, and while Harry and Ron were quick to disappear down the steps in search for dinner, she lingered behind waiting for Draco to fall into step with her.

She waited. Waited for him to clear his throat. To start talking. Anything.

He didn't.

Eventually, right at the second floor landing, she snapped.

"Draco." She turned to face him, "Please say something."

He scowled, folding his arms and pressing them against his chest. "And say what Hermione? That the three of you went in blind to negotiate with a goblin and nearly compromised everything I've been working on for most of my life?"

She flinched at his cool tone.

"I know. I know, but Harry wanted-"

"So if Potter wanted you to sell your firstborn you'd do it? For the good of the cause?" he snapped back, "Honestly it's a miracle he hasn't gotten all of you killed with that kind of loyalty."

"You have no right Draco Black." She hissed, feeling her anger mounting. Why couldn't he just accept her apologY? Why couldn't he understand that they all meant well? Why did he still not trust Harry?

"If I die throughout this it's not because of Harry. It will be because of my choices and my mistakes."

Draco groaned, running his hands through his hair.

"Don't you know how incredibly stupid that sounds."

"You're acting like loyalty and bravery are bad things."

"They are if they get you hurt." Draco shouted, "Merlin don't you realize if something happened to you, I'd die along with you."

She recoiled in shock, stumbling for a moment and finding her balance along the stair railing.

Draco paced out into the hall, growing agitated.

"I mean how could I not? You're so smart, so fucking beautiful, and brave,. Gods I don't deserve you, but it doesn't stop me from wanting you anyway." He said lowly, dropping his head to look at the ground with both his hands wrapped around the back of his neck.

"I love you." She whispered, before covering her mouth stunned that the words had somehow fallen out without her meaning to say them.

Draco looked up quickly his face twisted in pain. "You shouldn't. You can't." he whispered, "You don't know...you don't know the me that's under all this."

She pushed off the wall and walked toward him.

She pursed her lips taking in his slightly reddened eyes and trembling chin with her heart cracking at the sight.

And she continued walking.

She walked until she was right in front of him placing two shaking hands on either side of his face.

"I know you." she whispered, "I know every bit of you. I know you love anything coated in sugar, and I know you could destroy an opponent with three spells if you wanted. I know you love flying, and I know that you'd fight until you were broken for everyone you care about. I know you can't remember to do a decent warming charm for anything." She choked out, her vision blurring as she blinked.

Draco shook as he closed his eyes, turning his head and pressing a soft kiss to her palm.

"And I know you don't trust easy...that you love fiercely." She continued, her breath shuddering at the slight wetness that was dripping into her hand.

She moved her hands so that he was facing her once more.

"I love you." He said hoarsely, his bright eyes darting across her face.

"I love you too."

He smirked for a moment, and she thought she might die at how utterly perfect he looked with his stained face and familiar half smile.

She barely had time to think anything else before his mouth was on hers and his hands were trailing everywhere from around her face to down her back and creeping up her sides.

"Please." he broke away, leaning his face so that his lips were moving along the soft skin of her collarbone. "Please be careful."

She opened her eyes to look at him unsure how to promise something she wasn't sure she could guarantee. But then, didn't she want the same promise from him? And he being so much more daring than her...so rebellious.

"I always try." She said instead. Draco seemed to accept the answer with a relieved sigh and a kiss to her collarbone.

"Good." he murmured before a wicked kind of smile pulled at the corners of his mouth and he picked her up tossing her over his shoulder.

"You love me huh?" he said.

"Draco!" She exclaimed hitting his back playfully, "Let me go."

He turned his head up to her as he walked easily toward his room.

"Not a chance."