Wow… it's almost been a month since I last updated. I apologize to everyone for delaying this for so long but I have been extremely busy. Work has increased tenfold; my boss is… pardon the pun… bossier than ever and classes just started. Thanks to inappropriate name for emailing me this week! On with the story!

Chapter 26: Fearing Celebrations

"Draco…" said Hermione gently.

Draco stirred and finally opened his grey eyes. He smiled when he saw Hermione sitting right beside her. He had fallen asleep the previous night on the Common Room couch, looking at the Christmas tree. These were the first holidays he would pass without his parents and the thought scared him greatly. He was used to getting dozens of the finest presents every Christmas and this year it seemed, he would receive nothing of the sort.

"I am sorry to wake you up so early, but… well, I know it is rather foolish of me to give you anything, seeing as later on you will probably just behave like an idiot… but still…" she handed him a box beautifully wrapped in green paper. "Happy Christmas, Draco".

"Thank you… but wait… just wait right here," he said, placing his present on the couch and running upstairs.

Hermione remained on the couch, her eyes marveling at the beauty of the Christmas tree. The night before, Luna had made them all sing carols while Ginny, Ron and Anna Sophia went to the kitchens and nicked all sorts of treats. It had been a nice night and Hermione knew she had a lot to be thankful for. She really hadn't expected to be having such a nice holiday… part of her knew she was extremely blessed. News on Voldemort's whereabouts was few and far between, but the truth remained, he was out there, somewhere.

And then there was Draco…

She really couldn't remember ever feeling more confused about a boy than now. Sure, she had liked Ron… quite a lot… but things had changed after the whole Lavender incident. He had been cruel, and their friendship suffered the strain. Even though she had almost convinced herself to believe that now everything would be alright and that they would make a good couple, the wish crumbled. She couldn't be more than friends with Ron. And though they had never spoken of such matters, she knew that he agreed.

As she traveled down memory lane, Draco returned from his dormitory bearing a tiny box in his pale hand. She looked at the box and then at him, her cheeks blushing slightly.

"Happy Christmas, Hermione!" he told her, sounding slightly uncomfortable at being so mushy, and handed her the box.

"Thank you…" she hesitated for a moment.

Draco stared at her, waiting for her to open the present. She smiled up at him and motioned for him to sit down.

"We should open it at the same time… it will be less strange that way," she proposed, placing the small box on her lap.

"Oh, ok!" he said, relieved.

"Good! Ok… one, two, THREE!" counted Hermione, immediately tearing the wrapping paper, opening the tiny box and revealing a platinum ring.

Hermione looked a bit puzzled at the gift, but continued to study it with interest. It was a beautiful in its simplicity. It was not the kind of ring a boyfriend gave a girlfriend when they wanted a commitment… in that sense she felt calm. But she just didn't understand the motive. She looked at him for answers.

"I read somewhere… and yes, Hermione, I do read! I read somewhere that when rings like these are given from one friend to another it can work as… well… a signal," he tried to explain.

"Signal?" she asked, taking the ring out of the box.

"Yes. It is not to be worn on your finger, but around a necklace, see?" he pointed at a thin silver necklace that was hidden underneath the ring. "If, and when you are in a troublesome situation the person who gave this ring to you will feel the distress and somehow, help will be on the way!"

Hermione smiled and shrugged.

"Wow, you almost seem human, giving me presents like these!" she laughed, placing the necklace around her slender neck.

Draco lay back on the couch and gave Hermione one of his famous smirks. He reached out and touched her smooth cheek softly.

"I always thought if was part of my personality, of who I was, to hate people like you…"

"Mudbloods," she said, looking down at the floor.

"Yes… I was taught, since I was very little, to be this hard man. We are a family of pure bloods, as arrogant as can be expected. The Blacks, the Lestranges and so forth were just like us, but there is always that one member that is just… different. I always felt that maybe I was that one person, but I am an only child. It was expected of me to honor my father's will!" he explained earnestly, holding in one of his hands the still unopened present Hermione had given him.

Hermione remained completely silent, sensing that this was, perhaps, the only time Draco would talk about himself so openly.

"You cannot expect me to change the way I am, Hermione, for I will never be gentle. Maybe in the privacy of our conversations I might seem that way, but I can't show that to people. I can't be seen as weak and you must understand that in order to fully be able to understand me," he said finally, his eyes meeting hers. "I know we will have to separate at some point, I just wanted you to know… I do care. And I do have feelings… just so you know…"

He turned his gaze away and busied himself opening his gift. He couldn't help but laugh when he saw it was a book: The Forest of the Mind by Emily Bards.

"I am sorry it's not as… significant as yours," she apologized sheepishly. "This book just seems so perfect for you! I won't spoil it by telling you what it's about, but, when you are alone… read the first page. Ok?" she said, looking quite embarrassed.

Draco nodded.

"Thank you. And just so you know… it is as significant to me as mine is to you!"

Hermione smiled and before she even realized that they were in the middle of the Gryffindor Common Room where anyone could just walk down the stairs and see them, she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips ever so slightly. He placed his arm around her waist and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. They pulled away slowly.

"Oh… that was interesting," said Luna softly, placing a strand of her blond hair behind her ear.

Draco and Hermione turned around, their faces completely red, and saw Ginny, Anna Sophia and Luna standing at the bottom of the stairs. All of them were still in their night things, and all of them bore the same expression of shock. Hermione got up from her spot on the couch and tucked in the ring Draco had just given her underneath her nightshirt. Draco placed his book back in its box and hid it under a cushion. He stood up and smoothed his hair coolly, trying to appear non-abashed.

"Hermione, what?" asked Ginny, her voice trailing off.

"Well… it's like this…"

Hermione couldn't finish her sentence, for everyone heard the noise of a door opening and people running downstairs. Soon Neville, Harry, Ron and Viktor had joined the girls and Draco on the Common Room. Ginny walked closer to Hermione.

"We will talk about this later…" Ginny told Hermione softly, walking towards Harry.

After the initial shock of seeing the three girls downstairs and with an expression of surprise etched on their faces, Hermione focused on other things. The four boys were holding out new books and sweets that had been given to them for Christmas. Out of all of them, Harry looked the happiest. He seemed unable to believe that he was able to celebrate Christmas yet again without the ultimate demise of another loved one. He kept smiling at Ginny and hugging her close. Nevertheless, amidst all the celebration, Hermione could tell he was scared. The time was rapidly approaching… the group would undoubtedly become separated…

She sat down on the couch and continued to look around the room quietly. She felt strange. She knew she wasn't behaving as she normally would. Things had definitely changed in her life and she couldn't explain exactly what was going on. During the course of that day, at some point, she would have to face Ginny and her questions about her and Draco and what was going on and what she hated the most was the fact that she couldn't give any answers. For the first time in her life, Hermione Granger realized she didn't have any answers… only questions.

What was going on with Draco? Did she care for him? Was it only a spur-of-the-moment thing? What would happen in the long run? How would Harry and Ron feel about it? How did Draco feel about it?

"Happy Christmas, Hermione!" said Harry smiling down at her best friend and sitting down next to her.

"Happy Christmas, Harry!" she said, forcing a smile. "How are you feeling?"

Harry shrugged.

"I am doing alright…" his voice trailed off for a minute. "I have a lot of things on my mind, though, and I need to speak to you about some of them. I'll just tell you later…"

Hermione was about to ask him what he wanted to talk about when she saw Anna Sophia approaching them. She looked slightly nervous, and Hermione instantly knew that she wanted to speak to Harry, alone.

"We'll talk later," she said softly looking at Anna Sophia and standing up.

Harry followed her gaze and found himself staring into Anna Sophia's eyes. He gave her a small smile and held out his hand, ready to receive hers and talk about whatever was going on in her mind. If there was one thing Harry had learned about Anna Sophia in the past months was the fact that she came out with very random questions whenever he least expected it. She placed her hand in his and sat down next to him. She looked down for a minute, seemingly organizing her thoughts before actually asking him anything.

"How does it feel, Harry?" she asked finally, her brown eyes shining expectantly.

"How does what feel?" he asked.

"Well… from what I've heard, every year you go out to the unknown, you do something unbelievable heroic and you return mostly unharmed. But… how does it feel? To go out like that on adventures and not know whether you'll be back or not?"

He looked into her eyes for a minute longer, trying to figure out if she was being serious about her question. Anna Sophia waited expectantly for an answer.

"Why do you ask? It's not like you haven't done dangerous things and risked not seeing your friends as well!"

Anna Sophia let out a dry laugh.

"Are you kidding? Harry…" she bit her lip for a moment. "Harry… yes, I have done dangerous things in my past but it is nothing compared to what you do. My grandparents passed away not too long ago… old age" she explained quickly, "so it's not like there were people waiting for me. Besides, I've spent my entire life alienating myself… I have killed people, Harry. I was proud of it, but I am not proud anymore. But you…" her voice trailed off.

"Why have you spent your life alienating yourself from other people?" he ventured to ask, his green eyes shining.

"I am stupid?" she said, smiling slightly and throwing her head back. "When you lose someone you love, you either become a great person, such as yourself, or someone like me… a bitter person. I shouldn't have become that. I am not the only person who has lost her parents… there are thousands of people out there who shared my fate, and I am one of the few who just… got lost. I thought that if I killed as many Death Eaters as possible one day I would have my chance with Lord Voldemort!"

Harry listened to her story with avid interest. He had felt many times the urge to kill Death Eaters… especially when Sirius died. Professor Dumbledore had always told him that it was love that made him stronger than Lord Voldemort, and people who love wouldn't kill. Anna Sophia had not only had the urge to kill… she had actually done it. And she wasn't proud. For the first time in a long time, he felt an overwhelming sentiment of gratitude towards his old Headmaster. Harry might have had a lonely, harsh childhood but in the end… he was loved.

"I can't have my chance with Lord Voldemort because there is someone who is obviously destined to face him," she looked at him with what seemed like adoration. "How does it feel?"

"It's scary…" he answered. "I have come to terms with what I know I must do, but it is still scary. I don't want to lose my friends… I don't want anyone else to lose their lives in this. And I know many people will… and the…" his eyes opened wider than usual with realization; "…responsibility is enormous!"

"Will we have to become separated?" she asked softly, her face pale.

"Yes… I believe we will".

Anna Sophia nodded quietly and stood up. Harry followed her tiny figure as she walked up the stairs and out of sight.

After having some breakfast, the group decided to step out into the snowy grounds. Harry, Ron, Neville and Viktor began to throw snowballs at each other. Draco flatly refused to join in. Anna Sophia was with him, and they were both engrossed in conversation. Luna, Ginny and Hermione retreated to the edge of the now frozen lake to talk.

"It really was quite interesting to watch," began Luna, her expression as dreamy as ever. "What really made it interesting was the fact that it was you kissing Draco Malfoy!"

"Uh, yes… Hermione," said Ginny, turning to face her friend. "Are you sure you know what you are doing?" she asked softly.

"Oh!" gasped Hermione, Ginny's question was not at all what she was expecting. "I… well… I really don't know, to be honest. My mind and heart are set in what we must do, but sometimes, it just… wanders off".

Hermione sighed and looked over to where Draco was. He was still talking to Anna Sophia, who was staring at him with a look of mild surprise on her beautiful face. Ginny and Luna followed her gaze for a minute.

"I think it's the circumstances," said Luna suddenly.

"Of course it is," said Hermione dejectedly. "Draco came to us under unlikely circumstances and he and I having to sleep together for two weeks…"

Luna seemed confused at this, while Ginny's cheeks turned bright red.

"You didn't have to sleep together, Hermione, it was your choice!" she told her firmly. "We are not trying to pass judgment on you or what you choose to do or who you choose to like! We are merely… concerned. This is a bloke who up until last year threw scathing remarks your way at any given chance! This is a bloke who insulted you on your Second Year! You simply must understand if we feel you are acting… different!"

"Very well… I understand your concern and I thank you for it. I don't think I am acting very differently, except for kissing Draco Malfoy and even I think that might have been a momentary lapse in judgment. I don't know what will happen in the near future and I don't know what his intentions are. I am keeping my feelings at bay… and I know how Harry and Ron would feel if it had been them walking in on us!" explained Hermione vehemently.

The younger girls looked at one another and shrugged. Luna was about to say something when Neville threw a snowball and hit her square in the back of her head.

"Oh!" said Luna turning around just in time to see the four boys making their way towards them, throwing snowballs wildly at them.

The three girls laughed and began to throw snowballs back at them. Hermione distinctively heard Draco laugh as he joined in on the fight. Harry was running towards a large rock, planning to dive behind it for shelter, but soon the others had caught up to him. All but one…

"Ron… can I talk to you for a minute?" asked Anna Sophia, running towards him and looking extremely flustered.

"Uh… sure," he finally replied throwing the snowball he'd been holding in his hand at no one in particular and smiling down at her.

"Not here, though…" she said, grabbing his gloved hand and leading him inside Hogwarts Castle.

They remained silent as they made their way to Gryffindor Tower. Ron held Anna Sophia's small, shivering hand firmly in his. He wondered briefly why she had grabbed his hand and why she was shivering. Yes, it was cold, but she was wearing very warm clothing.

"Ok," she said finally, as they walked through the portrait hole and into the Gryffindor Common Room. "There's something I want to give you".

She took off her coat, reached down to her waist and removed her sheath. She looked at it briefly for a moment before finally giving it to him.

"You want to give me your dagger? Sophia… what…?" his voice trailed off.

Anna Sophia shifted her weight from foot to foot, apparently trying to put into words what she was thinking. She began to speak but then stopped just as fast.

"That was my tool for many years. I carried it around with me at first because I knew it was my father's and somehow I felt he was with me then. As I grew up I became bitter… I was brought up by my grandparents, for whom I am very thankful, but I also found out how my parents died. That… as Harry can tell you… can make a person go either way. Either you accept it, accept your destiny and move forward, or you become sort of… indulged in self-pity… and that leads to the life I have been living thus far…" she stopped and looked out the window to were Harry was.

"Why are you giving me this?" Ron asked finally, his voice low.

"Someone told me that killing Death Eaters as part of some revenge would make me be just like them," she said, her features soft. "I don't want to be like them. That is not who I was taught to be," she explained, her dark eyes turning to gaze into his blue ones.

"Do you think I have any use for a weapon like this?" he asked indignantly.

Anna Sophia sat down on the couch and motioned for him to sit down beside her. He, however, told her he preferred to remain standing.

"Very well… Ron… do you remember that time I fell asleep on the couch next to you?" she asked.

"Yeah," he replied.

"I don't know for how long I slept. But I know you didn't move. And when I woke up, completely disoriented, you touched me and calmed me down. I couldn't believe that just the mere touch of someone would be able to calm me down in a moment of fear. That makes me feel like I can trust you," she sighed and closed her eyes. "That is a tool that can be used for protection. I don't know where life will take us all after this day, but I know that somewhere along the line we will be separated. I believe that you, Harry and Hermione will need all the protection you can get!"

Ron held the dagger in his hand, looking at its sharp edge. Anna Sophia made sense. He had improved greatly in dueling, but he never knew when an enemy would come close enough to not allow him space to fight back with magic. Then he would have to get them away by other means. He knew he would never be able to use the weapon lightly, as being aggressive was not exactly part of who he was.

But he could see how Anna Sophia could misuse such tool, seeing as she was such a volatile person. He could see her hurting someone without thinking of their usefulness… like Severus Snape. He took a deep breath and looked over to her. She was still sitting down on the couch, her head tilted back and her eyes closed. He approached her quietly and sat down next to her. As soon as she felt him, she opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Thank you. I promise I will use it well!" he said firmly.

"No, no, no! Thank you!" she said happily, throwing her arms around him and pulling him in a close embrace.

He smiled and hugged her back, breathing her in. It was amusing to him to find that she smelled only of wet clothes due to the snow. Part of him expected her to smell like flowers or something equally nice, but she was not like that. In fact, he marveled at the fact that every girl in his life was completely different. Hermione was smart and practical, Ginny was sharp and edgy, Luna was dreamy and hopeful while Anna Sophia was rough and determined. It was nice to see a more vulnerable side to her, this time while being awake.

"We should go to the others, they are probably wondering where we are," she said, breaking the embrace.

Ron placed her sheath on his own belt. Anna Sophia looked at her dagger for a moment and then at Ron. She leaned forward and planted a very light kiss on his cheek.

"Happy Christmas," she said, blushing.

"You too…" he replied, unable to say anything else.

She stood up, grabbed her coat and walked out of the Common Room without looking back. Ron remained sitting down for a moment, catching his breath. He reached for the spot on his cheek where Anna Sophia had kissed him and sat back, wondering what that had been all about. He immediately retreated to his original position when he felt something hard underneath one of the cushions. He reached down and found a small box.

"Hmm…"

I know this is not as good as other chapters, but it will get better. I promise. PLEASE REVIEW!

Real Author's Notes:

I love writing specific messages to everyone that reviews… unfortunately; I don't have much time, so I will briefly mention the reviewers for Chapter 25 and answer a few questions:

CapeGirl317, aznqudditchchick, pinkicing101, meeko313, Bexylou, Giselle, me, reader 101, DragonOfWinter, and angie, thank you very much for your kind reviews! I am glad you like the story and I hope you continue to enjoy it until the very end!

Hokie Mama, I re-read most of the story and found that you are completely right… the chapters should be longer. I am trying to improve, though, seeing that has always been one of my deficiencies as a writer. Thank you VERY much for your review and help!

Yolanda, I like the Ron/Luna ship as well! I am not sure if I am going to be working it into this story, though, but I like them! Thanks for reviewing!

Thank you VERY much evelinekathleen! I am much honored that this is the first story you have read in its entirety (up until this point) on this website! I know I changed Hermione and Draco's personalities… basically when it comes to liking each other. Hermione is still a bushy haired know-it-all, while Draco is still an Ice Prince. Draco/Hermione pairings always make them step out of character, but they are so much fun to imagine! As for Viktor, I placed him in the story because I believe him to be very knowledgable about the Dark Arts and Harry needs all the help he can get! I am glad you like Anna Sophia! I am unsure what will happen romantically with her, though. Stay tuned! Thanks again for your review!

Hey Nibs! How are you? I hope you had a great Christmas! On my story Hogwarts is closed for the time being. When I sat down to write this story I placed myself in the position of all the parents of Hogwarts students and realized it is unlikely I would want them to return to a place where a teacher killed the most skilled wizard of all time. So yes, for the moment, it is closed. The sleeping arrangements are the same as in the school year… girls' dormitories and boys' dormitories. LOL no twists! Thanks for replying and remember, I LOVE your suggestions!

Thank you, LuciousLadyLucius! I was hoping you'd catch the vulnerability that represents Anna Sophia sleeping in the middle of the Common Room. She normally is very boisterous… but she is changing, as you can see. As a matter of fact, all characters will undergo their personal developments. Just wait and see. Thanks again!

Thank you SO much midnight vortex! It is kind of strange of Hermione to be passing notes in class, but we all know she has been naughty in the past (remember her stealing ingredients from Snape's personal cupboard back in 2nd year? LOL). I am glad to see most of you are ok with the Horcrux theory! Thanks again!

Thank you Draco'sFireFairy! You are right, I have changed the characters a bit… and thank you for recognizing that I am truly working hard for the changes to be subtle… I want them all to be as in-canon as possible! I hope you review this chapter!

And last, but definitely not least… YOLANDA! I am sorry I took so long, sweetie! I hope you like this chapter! Tons of hugs to you!

Uh… so much for a "short" Author's Notes!

Love,

K.