Part XXI: Christmas

Breakfast:

"That's not what I'm saying, Ron!" Hermione complained as she reached across the table for the jam.

"That's what it sounds like to me," he said back.

Ginny sat next to Harry and asked, "What are they arguing about now?"

"Who knows?" Harry answered. He was tired of his two best friends being at odds. He was tired of all the intrigue with Malfoy this year. He was tired of Dumbledore's cryptic lessons. He was supposed to get a memory from Slughorn, and he had no idea how to do it. He watched as Hermione and Ron continued to bicker, finally realizing it was about Cormac and Lavender, and he said, "Enough!"

They both looked at him. He stated, "Ron, just shut up! You were not invited to the party, and when Hermione was going to invite you, you were mean to her, so you can't go! Hermione, you don't even care about Lavender, not really, so why bother arguing?" He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Hermione said. She patted his shoulder. Draco entered the hall but made a point not to look at the Gryffindor table. He was with Blaise Zabini. Harry watched as Hermione watched the pair of Slytherins.

He pulled on her sleeve. She turned to him and asked, "What?"

He merely shook his head. "Does anyone know how Neville is doing?" Seamus asked.

"McGonagall said that he will probably be in St. Mungos throughout Christmas," Hermione answered.

Harry thought about Neville's parents, and the fact that they spent every Christmas at St. Mungos; it made him sad for the other boy. He said, "We'll have to make a point to go visit him."

Hermione suddenly looked down and said, "I'm not going to the Burrow for Christmas now, but be sure to give Neville my love."

Ginny leaned toward her and harped, "Just because my brother's a git doesn't mean you can't spend Christmas with the rest of us."

With a mouth full of food Ron exclaimed, "Hey, I'm right here!"

"No, it's just that I already told my parents I wanted to go skiing with them," she lied. Her parents were going skiing, but she was planning to stay at Hogwarts. She wasn't sure why, but she thought she might want to spend some time with Draco. She had already remembered everything from before. She didn't know why she had forgotten, but only Harry knew that she had lost her memory, besides Draco, so for the time being she was going to keep everyone in the dark. Essentially, she still couldn't remember anything, at least if anyone asked.

Harry looked at her closely and said, "Are you sure?"

"They're my parents," she said back. She hated lying to Harry, but sometimes the less Harry knew the better. Hermione stood up and left to go to Transfiguration class.

Harry leaned forward and said, "Ron, she's not going because you've been such a prat. You need to apologize to her."

"Oh, let her go get her apologies from her new little boyfriend," Ron spat.

Ginny kicked him under the table. "OW!" he shouted, rubbing his leg.

"You know she only invited Cormac to make you jealous!" Ginny explained.

"I was talking about Malfoy," Ron said. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Seamus all turned to look at the Slytherin table. Draco gave them a rude hand gesture.

"Why do you suppose half of the Gryffindor table is looking our way, Malfoy?" Blaise asked.

Draco shrugged.

"Malfoy!" Blaise snapped his finger to get the other boy's attention. Draco looked at him. "What's going on?"

"I wouldn't begin to know," Draco said, while looking at Hermione's empty seat.

Harry leaned forward and said to his friends, "I happen to know that Malfoy's been playing her. He has a mission this year, from the Dark Lord…"

Before he could continue Ron said, "We all know about your theories, Harry."

"Shut up and listen," Harry said, irritated. "I think his mission has to do with Hermione. I heard him talking to Snape. He mentioned her by name. He said he would do anything to fulfill his mission. We need to convince her to come with us to the Burrow."

Ron looked back over at Malfoy and then toward his friends and said, "If that bastard hurts her I'll kill him."

Harry nodded and said, "He sent her some type of note, that made it sound like he liked her, but it's a ploy."

"Bastard," Seamus concurred.

Ginny kicked Ron under the table again. "WHAT WAS THAT ONE FOR?" he cried.

"You apologize to her right now and make her come with us for the holiday!" Ginny gripped.

"I swear, you get more and more like Mum every year," Ron said, standing up. He was going to go find Hermione when Lavender walked up to him and held on to his arm.

"Won – Won," she said. Everyone at the table snickered. "Since you won't be at the little Christmas party of Slughorn's tonight, maybe you and I could go on a nice romantic date."

Ginny rolled her eyes, Harry bit his lip to keep from laughing, and Seamus just openly laughed. Ron said, "Not right now, I need to find Hermione."

Lavender stomped her foot as Ron got up and ran out of the Great Hall. He went to their first class and found Hermione sitting alone, writing something on a piece of parchment.

"Hermione?"

She looked up. "Hi, Ron," she said softly.

"I hate it when we fight," he said.

"Me, too."

"Listen, come to the Burrow. Christmas won't be the same without you," he said.

"Ron, this might be the last Christmas I get to spend with my folks," she said. When she said the lie, she didn't even think about it, but after the words were spoken, she knew that it might be true. Maybe she really should go home for Christmas.

Ron sat next to her and pulled the piece of parchment over toward him. He said, "What's this?"

"It's a list of names," she said.

He started to read them aloud. "Vega, Adhara, Gemma, Aquilla, Hydra, Carina. What are these?"

Draco Malfoy walked in the room and said, "A list of constellations, you brainless dolt."

Hermione and Ron both gave him dirty looks. Draco was suspicious, especially since the name 'Hydra' was on the list. Did she hear him last weekend, when he visited her in the Hospital Wing? Did she remember?

Hermione took the list from Ron, but Draco ran over and grabbed it from her. Ron stood up and said, "Give it back!"

"It doesn't matter, Ron," she said. "He can have it."

Draco read the list aloud again and said, "These would make good names, don't you think?"

"Perhaps," she said.

Ron remained standing, his fingers on his wand, as Draco walked back and forth in front of Hermione's table. "I especially like Hydra, don't you?" Draco taunted. "It's the name of the largest constellation."

"I know, and at first I thought I that I liked the name, but then I remembered it was also from Greek Mythology," Hermione said, standing her ground, and staring him right in the face.

He balled up the list and threw it at her. It bounced off her chest. She picked it up and smoothed out the wrinkles as Draco said, "So is the name Hermione, and Hydra is also Latin, for water snake. Draco is Latin for Dragon."

"Yes, but in Greek Mythology, Hydra was a creature with nine heads and the body of a snake, so I think it would be a horrible name," she said.

Draco frowned. If this Hermione knew that, then why didn't his Hermione know that? No way was he naming his daughter such a disgusting name! He had to let his Hermione know this, and soon! Hermione almost wanted to laugh at the disgusted look on Draco's face. He leaned forward and pointed his finger at her. He said, "You remember don't you?"

Ron asked, "Remember what? Look, never mind, just back away, Malfoy."

Draco sat down at the table next to them. The tables in this classroom were end to end, forming a large 'U' around the room, so he was sitting right next to her. Ron frowned and said, "Go find another seat."

Draco smiled and said, "But my bum is so comfortable in this chair."

Harry walked in and saw Ron sitting on one side of Hermione, and Draco on the other. He walked up to Malfoy and said, "That's my seat."

"Really?" Draco asked with sugary sweetness. "It didn't say it belonged to a pompous arse with a lightning bolt scar and a hero complex. So sorry, old chap, but you must find a different chair."

"Get up!" Harry ordered. Other students had started to file into the room, and soon, no one was sitting. They were watching as Harry Potter and Ron Weasley drew their wands, and Draco Malfoy sat with his feet up on a table, next to Hermione Granger, who seemed oblivious to it all, as she continued to write something on her list.

McGonagall came in, rolled her eyes and said, "Everyone find a seat now or the whole class with have detention!"

Harry leaned down to Hermione and said, "Let's go sit over there."

"No!" she whispered harshly.

He pulled her arm to stand her up, and in her embarrassment at Harry's actions, she moved to another seat with him. She was now on the other side of the classroom.

"Put your feet down, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said.

"Say the magic word," Draco spouted.

"Detention!" she said.

"Sorry, the magic word is, 'Please'," Draco said, removing his feet. The class laughed and McGonagall's mouth became a tight, thin line.

As she started the class, Draco reached over to the empty seat next to him, as he spied the parchment on which Hermione was writing. She had circled the name, Carina, and had written on the side, "A constellation in the southern hemisphere, near the Southern Cross that contains Canopus, the second brightest star in the sky."

He smiled to himself and stuffed the paper in his pocket. That was a better name. Carina. He would have to somehow let the future Hermione know that they weren't naming their daughter Hydra after all. They were naming her Carina.

Lunch:

Draco was in the Library alone when Hermione walked through the doors. She was also alone. She smiled at him. She did remember. He wondered if she had told anyone. Whom would she have to tell, really? He knew he wasn't going to tell anyone, not even Don. She walked by his table and dropped an envelope in front of him. Then she walked over behind two shelves, where there was a lone table, and she sat down.

He opened the envelope and saw that it was a Christmas card. It said, "May all your Christmas wishes come true." She signed it just, "Hermione". No love expressed. He stuffed the card in his pocket, looked around and when he didn't see anyone watching him, he walked over toward the abandoned table to talk to her.

She was reading. He sat down next to her and said, "Carina, huh?"

She shrugged.

"So, you heard me the other night, in the Hospital wing?" he inquired.

She shrugged again.

"Do you remember everything?"

She started to shrug, but he placed his hands on her shoulders. She smiled and looked at him. "For Merlin's sake, Granger, speak!"

She bit her bottom lip and tried to hide her smile. "We're going to have a little girl someday, aren't we?"

"Well, you aren't, for a while yet," he said.

"Who do you think was trying to kill me in the forest, with Neville and Seamus?" she asked.

"I really wish you still couldn't remember," he said.

"Why do you think I forgot everything?" she inquired.

"You took a potion, either of your freewill or someone gave it to you. It must have worn off by now."

"I wouldn't take something to make myself forget," she warned, "That means someone gave it to me."

"That's more of a problem," he said, more to himself.

She leaned forward and said, "Now, tell me, who was trying to murder me? Was it Ellen?"

He took her hand under the table, and rubbed the top with his thumb. He told her, "I still think the panther is Ellen, and the wolf that tried to take you off to the forest, I believe, is Paul Boot, another brother of Don's."

She took her hand from his and turned in her chair. "I thought you said that the Boot brothers took a vow to protect us."

"They did, in the future, which I guess in this case extends to the past, but he might not be working on his own." Draco looked over his shoulder, made sure no one was around, and he took her hand again. "Don gets information in his sleep from his Nick in the future, and that Nick told him that Paul tried to kidnap the future you. He also thinks that Paul is either under the influence of the Imperio or that perhaps Ellen is under the influence, by Paul."

She frowned. She said, "Why would this Paul Boot want to hurt me? Is it for the same reason that his sister wants to hurt me? Is it because I killed their mother?"

"I don't think so," he said evenly. He thought it was because of something more sinister, like unrequited love, but he didn't want to scare her. He also didn't want to believe that something like THAT would be the reason he was so far from home, and away from his very pregnant wife. It had to be something more than that, or else none of this made sense.

When he didn't speak for a moment, she said, "Are you still planning on staying here for Christmas break?"

"Yes," he said, distracted. He still had her hand, and he was rubbing it with his. She liked it.

"I'm staying, too," she smiled.

He dropped her hand. "No, you have to go to the Burrow, so Pothead and Weaselbee can protect you."

"I'll stay here and you can protect me," she seethed, scooting her chair out from under the table, "or better yet, I'll protect myself! I am more than capable. I'm not some weak female, you know."

"I'm not arguing that fact," he said. He tried to pick up her hand again, but she placed both her hands together, and placed them on her lap. "Fine, be like that. By the way," he started, "I want you to know that anything I might say and do tonight at Slughorn's party are all lies. I have to relive this year, and the first time I did some things at the party that I'm not proud of and they are things that I would rather forget."

"What sort of things?" she began, but added, "Wait, you aren't part of the Slugclub. With whom are you coming? Zabini?"

"I'm crashing," he said, and then he leaned back in his chair. He had to sneak in so he could get the poisoned Meade to Slughorn. He closed his eyes for a moment and then laughed a bit, before opening them. He said, "Watch out for your date tonight. You've told me stories about how he was grabby, and he tried to snog you all night long. Just stay away from the mistletoe."

"Cormac?" she asked.

"How many other dates do you have to this thing?" he asked back with a twinkle in his eye.

"He seems like a gentleman," she remarked.

"Fine, don't believe me. Stand under the mistletoe and let him have his way with you."

"You wouldn't care?" she asked softly.

He leaned forward, and drew his index finger down her face, starting at her temple, along the outline of her hair. He ended by placing his hand behind her neck. He brought her face close to his and with his lips next to hers he said, "I care. Believe me, I care."

She slowly blinked, and then she opened her mouth slightly. As she took a deep breath in, he leaned another centimeter toward her and placed his lips lightly on hers. He leaned back just as quickly.

"Why did you do that?" she asked. "I thought we had to be circumspect."

He wiggled his eyebrows, pointed overhead, and said, "Mistletoe."

She looked up. There wasn't any mistletoe. She looked back and he was walking away, whistling a Christmas carol. She smiled. She already loved him. She really did.

Before the Party –

Ron was about to go to the Great Hall for dinner, but he wanted to wait for Harry and Hermione to come down the stairs first. They would not be joining him, since they were going to the party. Even Ginny was going. Harry had invited Luna to join him. He saw Cormac walk down the stairs, puffing out his chest like a proud peacock. While it was true that he might not have the same feelings for Hermione that he once had, he still loved her. He always would, and this oaf had better take care tonight.

Cormac walked over and said, "What are you waiting for, Weasley?"

"Can't a man stand around his own common room, McLaggen?"

Just then, Hermione walked down the stairs. She had on a red silk blouse that wrapped around the waist, which was opened wide at the collar. She had a full black skirt, and black ballerina flats. She had her hair up and she had a hint of makeup on her face. Cormac smiled, thinking she had dressed up for him. Ron frowned, thinking the same. Hermione wasn't aware of either man's assumptions. She had dressed up for Draco, because he was going to crash the party.

Harry walked down the stairs in his dress robes just as Ginny came down the stairs. She had on a dark blue velvet dress. Her long ginger hair was shiny and bright. Harry couldn't help but smile. He wished he had asked her to go with him.

"Well, we're off, fellows," Ginny said as Seamus and Dean joined Ron. "Happy Holidays, everyone."

Cormac held out his arm for Hermione. She took it, but was pulled back by Ron. She motioned for Cormac to go out and wait for her in the hall. She smiled at Ron, and asked, "Yes?"

"Be careful tonight," he said.

"Oh, it's just Cormac. I can handle him," she said. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He placed his hand on his cheek, in awe, and as she started to turn away, he pulled her back once more.

"I meant, be careful of Malfoy. I don't trust him. Harry says he's up to something. He overhead Snape and Malfoy discussing you, and the fact that he had a mission to do."

Hermione frowned. Why would Draco discuss anything with Snape? Wasn't that dangerous, to let Snape know why he was here? Ron noticed her frown and he said, "Just stay by Harry and you'll be okay."

She nodded, and with a weak smile she turned to walk out the door.

After two hours of fighting off Cormac, and no signs of Draco, Hermione was ready to leave the blasted party. She found several of the guests interesting, especially Eldred Worple, and the vampire Sanguini, but she couldn't talk very long with either, because Cormac kept showing up. She finally found Harry, just as Filch came up to Snape and Slughorn, with Draco tightly in his clutches.

"Professors, we have a party crasher," Filch said.

"Draco, what are you doing here?" Snape asked.

Harry leaned over to Hermione and said, "I know what he's doing here."

"Come, Draco," Snape continued. "I must have a word with you outside in the hall."

He took Malfoy's arm, but Slughorn said, "Tut, tut, Professor. If young master Malfoy wants to enjoy my party, and I can't blame him, for they are world renown, then he's welcome to stay."

"I must have a word with him first," Snape said. He took Draco's arm and led him outside. Harry snuck off as well, to place his invisibility cloak over his head, so he could join them in the hall. He wanted to know for the last time what Malfoy's mission was. He would find out tonight.

Hermione started to walk out after Harry, but Cormac was suddenly standing behind her. He turned her around and he said, "Why are you trying to avoid me all evening?"

"I'm not," she feigned with a fake smile. "I've actually been looking for you for the longest time."

"Look, mistletoe." He nodded upwards with his head. Hermione almost groaned.

She pushed on his chest and said, "I think I need some punch. Could you get me some?" Suddenly, Blaise Zabini was standing beside her.

"Here, Granger, have mine, I've not taken a drink yet," he said. She looked at him suspiciously, and was about to decline when Cormac took it upon himself to answer for her.

"She's my girlfriend, Zabini. I'll get her punch if she wants it."

Hermione whipped around to Cormac and said, "We aren't boyfriend and girlfriend!"

"But I thought," he started.

"Well, you were wrong to think!" she cut him off, and then she took the cup from Blaise and downed it all in one drink. She handed the cup back to Zabini, and then started toward the door, when she swayed. She shook her head. She felt someone's hand on the small of her back. They led her over to a corner, and sat her in a chair. If it were Cormac, she would kill him, plain and simple, just as soon as she got her faculties back. She looked over her shoulder and saw that it was Blaise.

He sat her down on the chair and said, "Stay there, and don't move a muscle. I'll be right back and then I'm getting you out of here. I know you have no reason to trust me, but you must. You are in danger here tonight."

She wanted to tell him what he could do with his command, and tell him that she had no intention of going anywhere with him, but she felt too lethargic even to speak. She saw Harry run back in the room, apparently looking for her, and then he became lost in the crowd. Next she saw Draco coming back in and she saw Zabini walk up to him and bend his head near the blond man, to tell him some sort of secret, she was sure.

She shook her head again, the fuzzy feeling now overwhelming her, and she tried to stand up, when she felt another person's hand on her back. She looked back and it was Terry Boot. He asked, "Are you okay?"

She shook her head no and then she closed her eyes. He helped her to stand, and he had to practically hold her upright. He steered her toward the door.

Draco and Blaise went to the corner where Blaise had left her. "Where is she?" Draco demanded.

"I swear, I left her right here, and she would not have been able to leave by herself!"

"Zabini, I really wish you had told me in the beginning that you were sent back to the past by my father! It would have made things a lot easier," Draco said, scanning the room for Hermione's head. He saw Harry in the other corner of the room, doing the same thing.

Blaise said, "I was never supposed to tell you, but watching the two of you is a full time job, and I thought I could be of more help if I let you in on my secret."

Draco said, "And you are the one who gave her the potion to make her forget the first time, right?"

"Yes, in her morning apple juice, but this time I just gave her a slight sedative. I want her to feel as if she's under the weather, so she'll want to go back to her room. My information leads to the fact that something big is going to happen tonight." Zabini clenched his fist and asked, "Where in the hell did she go?"

Draco pushed Blaise and said, "You better help me find her!"

Harry walked up to the men and said, "What have you done with Hermione?"

Draco looked at Blaise and said, "Yes, Zabini, what the hell have you done with Hermione?"