Hello! And thank you all so very much for the fantastic reviews! I know I've been late in replying (still): but been super busy (still…) and am doing my best. Nonetheless, you've made me so very happy with your consistency and kind words, again thank you. Here's the next chapter, please read, review, and enjoy!

I do not own any of J. K. Rowling's work, solely the plot to this story.

With the end of the recent war and most hostilities having been relinquished, Christmas at Hogwarts never looked better. In addition to the traditional twelve Christmas trees and the abundance of decorations, there was a feast unmatched to any, given before the students left for the holiday break, and an even better feast promised for those who chose to stay.

"I'm telling you, mate, I wish I could stay, mum's great cooking be damned. This stuff is the absolute best. And to think, the next feast is going to be even better! All that food!"

"I bet mum would love to hear that. Shall I repeat it to her?"

"Shut up, Ginny. Not even you can honestly say that you've tasted anything better than this."

Harry scooped out a handful of what appeared to be some kind of casserole. The departing feast included entrees of all cultures, including this particular dish Hermione offhandedly explained were called 'green enchiladas.' Harry had no idea what an 'enchilada' was but Ron was right in one respect: it was absolutely delicious.

Hermione rolled her eyes but laughed nonetheless. "Is that all you ever think about, food?"

Ron pretended to think about it for a few seconds before turning to Hermione with a roguish smile. "Well, not all the time."

A faint blush erupted on her cheeks as Hermione turned back to her stuffed chicken. She rigidly avoided the questioning glances sent her way on the opposite side of the table.

Ron swallowed the food he'd been chewing and frowned. "I don't get it. Why are you two staring at Hermione?"

Harry and Ginny glanced at each other but didn't offer any explanation, at which Ron just shrugged and continued stuffing his face.

When Hermione persisted in avoiding their glances, Ginny's eyes widened slightly, as if realizing something, then they narrowed. "So Hermione," she began with a small bite, "Ron told me you decided to help him with his Herbology assignment after all?"

"Yes, well considering I already finished all of my homework and Ron hasn't I thought I'd lend him a hand."

"Yes, since he's been such a gentleman these past weeks."

"Ginny."

Ginny turned an accusing glare toward her boyfriend. "What, Harry?"

Harry didn't say anything but gave her a look that clearly said 'stop it'.

Ron had, by this time, turned his attention from a particularly enchanting baked potato towards the sudden tension filled area. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that it's highly suspic—"

"I just remembered! We got to go!"

"Hey, what are you—"

Harry did the only thing he could think of. He pulled Ginny's smaller form into his arms and attacked her lips.

Ron made a disgusted face. "Ah geez, Harry. Do you have to do it while we're eating?"

It seemed Harry didn't hear him, however, or chose not to. After what seemed an entire minute, Hermione cleared her throat. "Um, as much as I … understand the gesture, if you two don't get a move on I'm obligated to take away House poin—"

Harry detached himself from a very flustered Ginny Weasley. "We're leaving." And with that, grabbed her hand and practically fled the scene. As they exited the Grand Hall, Hermione threw Harry an appreciative look, one Ginny was quick to rebuttal with a glare. Nonetheless, a swift tug from her boyfriend and they were gone.

"What's gotten into Harry?"

Hermione turned her attention back towards Ron. "No idea. I suppose he's just making up for lost time. He is going back to Grimmauld Place for the holidays, after all."

"For a day!"

Hermione managed a laugh, though she couldn't help but glance nervously where Ginny had last glared at her. "Well you know those two, can't stay away from each other for too long. I don't know how they're going to manage during the Durmstrang Exchange."

Ron took an aggressive bite out of his stuffed pineapple. "They'll manage. I'm just worried Harry turns out like my sister. I don't know about you but I really hope he doesn't just start snogging her whenever he has the chance. It's gross."

Hermione laughed again, this time without restraint, at which Ron seemed to beam an entire new grin. Her mind, however, was elsewhere.

Why did Ginny look at me like that?

Another letter. Draco already had enough on his mind and then his stupid father had to send another stupid letter. In all honesty, he had forgotten about the whole deal, what with the whole 'lusting after forbidden filth' and the more recent 'psychotic kitty killer.'

He pulled out the letter, grimacing when he saw that one word: Durmstrang. Durmstrang that was scheduled in about a week. A week before he was saddled with the infuriating mudblood for almost a month. Durmstrang, where said mudblood had almost been killed if it hadn't been for his idiotic urge to save her. But that was beside the point. They were going back. For a month. And as much as that she-know-it-all pissed him off, he couldn't help but wonder if there was perhaps any significance to the fact that she was entering the lion's den so close to the time that his father planned to … planned to … well he wasn't exactly sure what his father had planned. But Hermione was a mudblood, and if this letter was anything to go by …

Draco sighed. He had the strangest feeling, as if something really bad was going to happen. And for some reason, some inexplicable bloody reason … he was worried … about …

"Draco, why are you still lounging in here? The feast already started and—"

"I'm not hungry."

"But everyone is there. And you won't get another chance to hang—"

"I said I wasn't hungry." He snapped.

Pansy's dark eyes grew into slits. "You're never around us anymore, Draco, and you say it's because you're busy or that you don't have time. Yet you have time to hang around that disgusting mudblood filth—"

Draco was towering over her in an instant, and in a dangerously low voice: "Might I remind you that I am Head Boy and as Head Boy I must attend to certain duties, whether they are enjoyable or not, and that includes dealing with Granger."

"Well it seems to me," Pansy replied just as quietly, though there was a slight waver to her voice, "that you find that certain duty quite enjoyable. As a matter of fact, I think," she paused, almost as if she were afraid to utter the complete thought, though with a rare display of confidence: "that there's something going on between—"

She didn't get to finish. In a fluent gesture, Draco grabbed her by the arm and twisted her around so that both of her hands were bound between his fingers and his blond hair fell in tufts around the nape of her neck, his face eerily close to her own. "I would also remind you, Pansy," he hissed, "to remember your place and who you are talking to." His nose lie within inches of her own for how close they now stood, and he could smell the douses of perfume she wore. It sickened him.

When Pansy neither responded nor reacted, Draco spun her quickly around and pushed her against the wall. Her only reaction was widened eyes and a slight flutter of the pulse. He scanned her facial expressions for any sign of her thoughts … and he smirked.

Fear. It was something he was used to from her. Obedience. Loyalty. Notwithstanding devotion. His gaze followed down the contours of her neck, a button left purposely open to reveal pale skin, the smallest of crevices between her now-heaving breasts. Flushed face and pouting lips …It happened in a flash. Without thinking he crushed himself against her, his lips delving into hers aggressively. They would bruise the next morning, but he didn't care. He didn't dare touch her anywhere else, simply this kiss, this rough and violent kiss.

It was over in less than five seconds.

Just as quickly as he had pinned her against the wall, he released her, moving away so quickly she nearly lost her balance and slid to the floor instead. He ignored the dazed expression she cast him, as well as the desperate plea of 'Draco, wait!' With one flick of his wand and blazing silver eyes, he summoned his broom.

And stormed out of the room within seconds.

Ron couldn't stop grinning. Not only had he spent the entire day with Hermione, but they hadn't had a single argument, and, for the first time in a seemingly long time, she was genuinely happy to be spending time with him.

And Ron was loving it. Things had been so difficult between the two of them lately, what with everything that was going on. And even after he'd confessed, he really hadn't thought their relationship would pick up so quickly, if it did at all.

Not that they were really doing anything now but … I think she's still interested. I know I am. She keeps smiling and laughing at all my jokes. And she even offered to help me finish Snape's essay. She hasn't done that since before Lavender. So she must like me, right?

"Ron?"

Ron coughed. "Er, sorry, what were you saying?"

"I asked if you wanted to come with me to Hagrids. Harry and Ginny are there now, I think, and I wanted to see him before we leave for Christmas since I won't be back until much later."

The reminder of her leaving almost made Ron frown. Almost. He was having too good of a day to let it damper his mood. He offered an arm and smiled down at her. "Of course. Shall we?"

Hermione rolled her eyes but let him lead her. All the way out onto the castle grounds and towards their friend's cottage, her arm looped loosely around his burgundy sweater.

She had been skeptical at first, unsure if whether spending time with Ron was the wrong thing to do. She didn't want to hurt him, after all, despite their past experiences. Hermione had flaws but being vindictive was not one of them. However, as the day had worn on, she found she had nothing to worry about.

Ron was still Ron. The same Ron she had fallen for almost three years ago. She wasn't sure that she felt the same now, what with everything that had happened between him and Lavender, but she was sure of one thing: she felt something.

Suddenly the world spun and Hermione braced herself, ready for the hard impact of the ice on the floor. It never came though.

"Whoa, be careful 'Mione," Ron chuckled, setting her back on her feet.

Her heart rate receded slowly, the near fall too familiar to another experience with a certain blond, arrogant-smirking Slytherin. She mentally chastised herself. Why are you still thinking about that prat? Nonetheless, she offered a sheepish grin. "Thanks, Ron."

Ron blushed but simply nodded as they climbed the cottage steps, arms still entwined.

Safe. This is safe. And Ron … She cast him a glance, his blue eyes already looking back at her. Yes. This is the right thing to do.

She was so caught up in her thoughts she missed the slight shadow looming not far above them.

Draco flew. As fast as he possibly could. Flying always helped clear his thoughts and right now he needed it. He raced across the Quidditch pitch, ignoring the straggling teens that littered the mostly empty stands; couples that chose the vastness of the stadium in place of the confinements of the Astronomy Tower.

Couples. Overrated. Love? Hadn't he already had this conversation with himself? What he needed was a good fuck. That was it, plain and simple. To get rid of all these confusing thoughts.

So what if the mudblood didn't want to mess around with him? And why the hell was he still dwelling on this?

It's because you like—

Blast it all! Shut the fuck up already!

Draco flew even faster. He wouldn't dwell on it anymore. In fact, he should have just taken Pansy right there and then when he had the chance. To get rid of these nagging thoughts and feelings.

Feelings?

He brushed the word off with a dive, arcing up at the last second to pull back into the air. Malfoys did not deal with feelings. Feelings were for weaklings.

He lost track of where he flew, barely aware that he was no longer above the Quidditch pitch but closer to the Forbidden Forest.

And then Draco saw red.

Literally. A mop of red hair, leaning over another body in front of a small cottage. The oaf's shack. What is Weasley picking off the grou—his thoughts trailed off when said object turned out to be one Hermione Granger.

His senses went into hyper-drive and Draco felt the sudden urge to charge at something. Clumsy fool, can't she walk anywhere without falling down? No wonder I've already saved her more than once. The idiot is a walking klutz! And that moron Weasel. Sucking up like the sniveling rodent he is.

They looped arms and proceeded up the steps, Ron releasing her arm only when Hagrid finally opened the door.

Without thinking Draco pulled out his wand. And moments later, far below …

"What the—bleh!"

Draco sped off before anyone could spot him.

"I don' understan' it! He jus' started vomiting slugs!"

Hermione frowned, patting Ron's back as the slimy creatures continued to pour out of his mouth. As soon as she'd noticed his contorting face, she'd whirled around, wand at the ready and aiming toward the sky.

But there was no one.

Her Spell-revealing charm had proven unsuccessful as well; meaning whoever had cast the curse had also cast a blocking charm. And for once, she couldn't figure out how to remove it.

She winced as an onslaught of slugs slid out all at once, wrinkling her nose with the putrid stench that seemed to accompany them.

"I can' do anythin'. Sorry you all. 'Arry, I think it best if you just take 'em to the 'ospital wing." Hagrid sighed.

Without waiting another moment, Harry slung an arm under his best friend's torso and began the slow trudge towards the castle.

Hermione made to follow when a hand grabbed her elbow. She turned with a frown towards Ginny.

"What—"

"We need to talk."

"But Ron—"

"Exactly." And with that, they waved a hurried goodbye to Hagrid, and Ginny led the way towards the empty greenhouses.

Quick note: I know, I know. This time I really am lagging, but it's coming! The Dramione is coming, I promise you it will be worth it ;)

Review replies:

Korra1sg-hi! It's funny you mention the 'foreshadowing' because … well yeah lol. And you know what, I kind of feel the same concerning Ron, meaning, he does seem like a sloppy kisser haha! And yes, you and the girls in the group can always keep a smile on my face, whether it's out of sheer amusement or something stupid I did myself lol. Thanks!

iUknown- Hello! Now why would you think my could-be-job is at all your fault? Of course not. It just wasn't meant to be and I'm willing to wait. Plus it means I have more time to write lol. And yes, I am ok thank you so much for your concern, that is very nice of you :)

binotaurs- Your duty to review? Awww lol, well I feel just as obligated to update and reply ;) In answer to your comment, writing is a passion of mine, so you're spot on! And as for my other stories, well here's what happened: when I first started on this site, I was all about Twilight considering it's the 'newer' series out nowadays. In no way does this mean I prefer Twilight over Harry Potter lol. It just means I happened to be reading that saga at the time. Also, it was my first fanfiction on this website so I didn't feel 'safe' writing anything else at the time. When I did finish it (the first one anyway) I suppose you could say I was more comfortable with writing more than one project, considering I wrote several oneshots towards the end of my bigger project. Then (I know, this is getting to be a long reply sorry), it so happened I discovered the awesomeness of Final Fantasy VII (mostly because the boys in that game are sooooo hot!) which was to be my next project. Luckily, however, I decided to pick up my Harry Potter books one day, just for old time's sake … and voila! This story was born. So now I am juggling this story as well as my Final Fantasy VII story and a few other short stories I began but haven't really found the inspiration to continue. Make any sense? So I guess in summation, I already have a somewhat full plate, in addition to life in general, and writing another Harry Potter story would be unfair in that it—as well as this story—might not get updated as often. But just so the word is out, I do have a few ideas for this fandom that have been itching to be written (Drarry is at the top of my list …) so if you can find it in you to wait a while, you'll get your stories ;) thank you so much for reviewing!

Also a great thank you to lonelygirl, carina, and silverstar! Your approval and kind words mean so much to me so thank you so much! Love you all!

Review please :)