A/N: This was the first chapter I ever wrote of this story, the inkling that inspired me to write the rest of it… While rewriting this chapter I was faced with the dilemma on how I would do it… I sure hope that I have done it justice. Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven: Of Skates and Squids

Hermione and Ginny,

Have you ever noticed that when you look around, things aren't always what they seem? That people aren't always the person they say they are? I have, and I would highly advise that you not to trust anyone other than yourselves as times get tough… and trust me when I say that they will.

Believe me when I tell you, you must always keep your guard up; keep your friends close and your enemies closer as they say… because sometimes a person can be both. Neither of you know exactly what has begun to unfold before your eyes, and I doubt that you will anytime soon, so for now trust each other and remember that secrets don't always make friends…

Now, I know you are probably wondering who the Hell I am, but I can't tell you just yet... All I can say is that I am a friend, and that I hope to meet you someday...

P.S. Don't reply to this letter.

Hugs and tickles,

Brianne

Hermione and Ginny exchanged a look of confusion; having read their letter half a dozen times now, it still didn't make any sense. When a large black owl had swept into the great hall earlier that morning, everyone had been startled. Owl post normally didn't arrive until lunch.

"What's that?" Ron demanded curiously as small bits of food and pumpkin juice dripped from his mouth. Hermione cringed as she glanced up at him.

"That's none of your business, Ron." Ginny said loudly as she watched Hermione finger the page. "Hermione," Ginny asked, her eyes gleaming. Hermione let Ginny take the paper from her, and watched as she turned it over. "What's that on the back of it?" Ginny asked carefully, glancing over at her friend.

On the back side of the letter was a small faded photograph that had been carefully set into place by a charm.

"Holy Hell," Hermione whispered, eyes wide, as she sat frozen looking down at the portrait. She held her breath as she watched a small woman smiled up at the camera as she waved; her long hair bouncing as she laughed. Beside her, stood a tall, well featured man dressed in a long billowing cloak; his eyes barely shined as he flashed a faint smile at the camera. The man was holding a young girl with bouncing brown curls in his arms.

Hermione's eyes traveled back to the woman, whom had just placed a hand against her large rounded stomach. Another child would soon be on the way.

"What is it, Mione?" Ginny asked, not quite understanding what she was looking at.

"Ginny…" Hermione whispered, finally dragging her gaze up from the portrait, "That woman… That woman is my aunt." Ginny gasped. "I didn't even know she had kids." Hermione said looking down at the picture once more. "And that man… There's something familiar about him… Something I can't quite place."

"I know," Ginny said cocking her head to the side. "He does look familiar, doesn't he?"

OoOoOoOoO

Draco couldn't help but smile as he watched Hermione twirl around on the Black Lake; her hair in a cloud around her. He had never known that his best friend was so good on the ice, let alone that she could skate.

Hermione looked at peace with the world as she leapt gracefully into the air, spinning around and around and around before landing safely onto the ice. She froze in place when she caught sight of Draco standing there; just watching her from the lake's edge.

"Oh…" Hermione said sheepishly as she looked up at him. "Hi Drake, do you want to join me?" She shouted out to him, she watched as his face lit up.

"Sure, why not…" Draco said to himself as he aimed his wand at his shoes; transforming them instantly into skates. Draco quickly learned that it wasn't as easy as Hermione made it look. All the way to the lake's edge, Draco wobbled and teetered as he attempted to balance himself.

Hermione threw her head back in laughter when she watched Draco fall backwards onto the ice with a thud; his arms and legs spread out around him as if he were about to make an 'Ice' angel.

"No, Draco, not like that." Hermione said; continuing to skate circles around him. "Here," She said as she came to a halt in front of him, "let me help you," she held a hand out and waited for him to take it; praying to Merlin that he didn't decide to pull her down onto the ice with him.

A few, might I say wobbly, minutes later, Hermione had Draco on his feet once more, and they were carefully making their way across the frozen lake. "I didn't know you could skate," Draco said after a long grueling silence; Hermione laughed.

"I didn't know you were so good at falling flat on your back!" Hermione said blushing, not completely oblivious to the fact that Draco had yet to let go of her hand. "And besides," Hermione said locking her gaze on the horizon, "You never asked…"

"I guess that's fair," Draco chucked.

"Here, give me your other hand," Hermione said spinning around to face him; a wide grin plastered across her face. Now don't get me wrong, Hermione wasn't what you would exactly call devious, but what she did next was worthy of a Slytherin. She tightly gripped both of Draco's hands within each of her own, and began skating in quick, small circles.

A panicked look crossed Draco's face as the pair of them continued to gain in speed, his skate's slipping occasionally on the ice; but Hermione didn't let him fall. Hermione laughed merrily as they spun around and around, her face turned up towards the vortex of snow.

"Isn't this amazing," Hermione shrieked loudly as she let out yet another laugh; her hair cascading all around.

"For you maybe," Draco shrieked back in terror as he tried his best to stay balanced. "I bet you'll fall first." Hermione snorted. There was no way she, a skilled skater, was going to fall; let alone before the boy who had never, not once in his life, ice skated.

"Doubtful," Hermione smirked as she glanced his way.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night!" Draco said. But as fate would have it, many things seemed began to happen at once. Just as the words had left Draco lips, the blade of Hermione's skate hit a chip in the ice and both of them tumbled down onto the ice; with Draco landing on top of her.

Immediately both kids burst out laughing, "I told you so!" Draco managed to gasp out between labored breaths. "I told you that you would be the first to fall!"

"Oh, yeah, rub it in why don't you." She teased as she looked up into his pale eyes; her stomach twisting and turning nervously.

"And you expected any less?" Draco questioned, not attempting look away.

OoOoOoOoO

Unbeknownst to them, someone was watching them. At the edge of the forest, hidden behind the dense line of trees, was Luna Lovegood; a vague Ravenclaw who many assumed didn't have a clue.

She couldn't help but smile as she watched the two of the dance around on the ice, not caring to be anything but themselves. In her eyes, it was completely obvious what was going on here; it was apparent in the way they looked at one another.

Yes, most of the time, Luna Lovegood was vague. Hell she was a lot of things; but she was by no mean ignorant of the world around her. She had a vast understanding of the world, and if this wasn't the beginning stages of true love… then surely she was as mad as a hatter.

She watched as the two of them gazed deeply into each other's eyes; both of them slowly leaning a bit towards each other… but nothing happened. She watched as Draco averted his eyes to the ice, his eyes growing wide.

"Look!" Draco's voice rang out through the wood as he scrambled away from Hermione… And with that, their moment was gone.

OoOoOoOoO

"Is… Is that the giant squid?" Hermione shrieked as she looked down into the foggy ice, she could faintly see what appeared to be a pair of frozen circular eyes gazing back up at her. "Oh my Merlin…" She said slowly as she lowered her face closer to the ice, "Poor squirt." She whispered, Draco laughed from beside her.

"Squirt?" Draco roared as rolled onto his back, clutching his stomach in pain, "Did you seriously just name the giant squid?" Draco asked as he wiped a stray tear from his cheek.

"As a matter of fact I did!" Hermione shrieked back, slapping him harshly on the chest. "Now stop making fun of him; what did poor Squirt ever do to…" Hermione screamed as she watched the squid blink. "Holy shit! Draco, it blinked!" She scrambled quickly to her feet, as Draco slowly wobbled up. Hermione's had flew across her mouth in shock.

"Wow, that quite the vocabulary you have there, Hermia." Draco said, doubling over with laughter once more.

"Shut up! You didn't hear a word!" Hermione declared as she glided across the ice, turning her skates to shoes the moment she reached land. While Draco, who had been unable to stay standing for more than five seconds, crawled ashore a few moments later. Hermione exploded with laughter.

"Draco," Hermione said feebly as the two of them made their way up to the castle. "I want to tell Ginny about us…" Hermione mumbled, remembering how their letter had suggested they confide in one another. Draco was silent. "Never mind," Hermione began, "It was a stupid…"

"I understand…" Draco interrupted as he grabbed her hand, stopping her in place. "And I'm okay with you." Hermione stood silent, not knowing what to say. "But only Ginny, okay?" He smiled as she let go of her hand, proceeding to walk once more.

"Oh," Hermione whispered as she caught up to him. She hadnt expected him to be so okay with it.

"So," Draco said after a moment's silence, "Why didn't you go to Hogsmede with Potty and Weasel-bee?" He asked looking up at her.

Hermione was silent… "I needed some time to clear my mind, all they wanted to talk about was Quidditch and Zonkos; So I claimed to have a headache and left. erHSS" Hermione said.

"Oi!" Hermione and Draco froze in their tracks, "Malfoy, why can't you just leave her alone!" Harry's voice could be heard from behind them. 'So much for a good day,' Hermione thought as she turned to face 'Malfoy.'

"Because, Potter," Draco scowled, "It's my job to torture miserable Mudbloods," he sneered.

As Hermione stood there, pretending to be hurt by his words, she realized something… Over the years of knowing Draco, she had become very good at lying… Good at pretending to be something she wasn't… And she began to wonder, 'is it really all just acting?'

"Hermione!" Harry's voice shattered her thoughts and she looked up.

"Oh sorry, what?" She asked shaking her head as she studied him.

"What did Malfoy want, did he hurt you?" Harry asked; Hermione realized for the first time that Draco was no longer present… Her thoughts swirled.

"Oh, no he just had a question… that's all." Hermione lied.

"Oh okay." Harry said believing it; and with that, the three of them walked into the castle's warm embrace.

OoOoOoOoO

A/N: No matter how many times I read it, this chapter is always my favorite! Who is this Mysterious Brianne? What could her letter mean for the future of this story? Before I go, I want to thank each and every one of you who have reviewed, favorite, or followed this story. Y'all are amazing. Well until next time…

~Taylor