Disclaimer: I don't own any characters.

Chapter 22

Not much happened after the quidditch incident. It was quiet. A little too quiet. Phoebe hadn't even gotten a premonition and Harry's scar hadn't done more than twinge once in a while. They were starting to worry. If Voldemort was this quiet, he must be planning something...something big.

The days melted away faster than ice on a hot summer day, despite the fact that it was mid-December. Before everyone knew it, it was time for those who wished to return home for the holiday's to pack up. This year there was a record number of students going home.

Yet, as unusual as it was, what came as no surprise were the students who had chosen to stay.

The four common rooms held a total of seven students all together. The trio and Ginny were the only Gryffindors left, Draco and Blaise were the only Slytherins left and Luna Lovegood had the entire Ravenclaw common room to herself. The Hufflepuff common room was completely empty.

The sisters, instead of returning home to their family for the holidays, they brought their family to Hogwarts. They wanted to make sure they could keep an eye on everyone, especially Harry and Draco. So, they thought up a nice comfy cot for Chris to sleep on in the living room because he absolutely refused the couch, and Leo and Wyatt, of course, stayed in Piper's room.

The only other professors who stayed behind were McGonagall, Snape and Dumbledore.

A few days before Christmas, Dumbledore allowed those who had stayed a trip to Hogsmeade. In fact, he even joined them saying that he had a few last minute gifts to buy. The sisters were excited to visit the village as they had heard many students talking about it over the past few months.

Everyone bundled up and headed to the village in three white carriages. Despite being all one color, they were quite lovely. They had no decoration on them except for the Hogwarts crest, also in white, embedded on the side. The carriages were being pulled by transfigured mice, as the others would soon find out, but for now they were beautiful white horses.

When they finally arrived at the village, Dumbledore had a quick word to say before everyone scattered.

"I want you all back here in three hours," he said smiling. "And just to make sure no one forgets," he said as he pulled out his wand, "I want everyone to have one of these."

He waved his wand around in a funny motion and POP! There were identical watches on everyone's wrists, including, much to their dismay, the adults. The watches now read three hours. Dumbledore snapped his fingers and the watches promptly began to count down. As soon as they did, everyone went their separate ways.

Harry, Leo, Chris, Wyatt and Ron went off in search of gifts for the girls. Hermione, Luna, and Ginny went with the sisters to find gifts for the boys. Draco and Blaise wandered off on their own followed closely by Snape, and Dumbledore and McGonagall decided to start at the Three Broomsticks.

After going to nearly all the stores in the village, the girls were nearly done. Except Hermione, that is, who had randomly decided to get something for Draco.

"Hermione, why in the world would you want to waste your money on, Malfoy?" asked Ginny shocked when Hermione voiced her idea.

"Well, because, because," Hermione looked at Piper pleadingly, not really sure why she wanted to get him a gift in the first place.

Piper shrugged. She thought it was great of Hermione to make the effort but she also wanted her to be able to stick up for herself.

Instead, Paige spoke up. "He's not that bad, really. Once you get passed the cold, cruel, evil, malevolent, vicious -"

"Paige," Piper warned.

"Oh right. He's just a big fluffy teddy bear on the inside," she finished.

Everyone laughed, except Luna who was staring dreamily out the window. Ron and the others were passing by.

"Hey Ron, why's that creepy girl staring at you?" asked Chris motioning towards the shop window.

Ron looked over, blushed furiously and mumbled something incoherent before walking quickly ahead.

"I think someone has a crush," said Leo smiling.

To everyone's amusement, Ron looked horrified at the thought and blushed his brightest shade of Weasley red yet.

That group of guys was quickly replaced by the Slytherins, including Snape.

Piper slipped unnoticed out of the shop and headed towards the group of three.

Snape saw her coming and momentarily thought of walking ahead but stood his ground.

"Hello, boys," said Piper. "Professor," she added seeing the look on Snape's face after being referred to as 'boy.'

"Would you mind if I borrowed Draco for a second?" she asked.

"Not at all, Professor. Come along, Blaise."

"What did I do now?" asked Draco clearly annoyed once Snape and Blaise were out of ear shot.

"You tell me," she asked hands in her pockets.

"You wanted to talk to me, remember?"

"Did you finish your shopping yet?"

"Yes. Why?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Because, I bet I know someone you forgot."

"Really," he said doubtfully, "Who?"

"Hermione," she said simply. She was almost amused at the look on his face.

"You have got to be joking," he said horrified.

"And why is that?" Piper asked seriously.

"Well...because! She's...her! Besides, it's not like she's getting me anything."

She gave him a look.

"She is? Why? Probably because you made her?"

Another look.

"She wanted to?" he asked incredulously.

"You know, it's great when you have a kid who can connect the dots all by himself."

He looked stumped.

"Look, I already told you this before. I'm not asking you to be best friends. All I'm saying is that she made the effort, by herself. I'm giving you the same choice. No one's making you. That's the great part about being a good guy. No one makes you do anything you don't want to do. You have choices. Can you say the same about your Dad and his friends? Don't think too hard now."

She gave him a small wave and left a very confused teen alone with his thoughts as she made her way back into the store.

Phoebe was looking around with Hermione who seemed a nervous wreck. "What if I can't find anything good? Knowing Malfoy, he'll probably burn it if he doesn't like it."

"This place is full of stuff. I'm sure you'll find something," Phoebe comforted.

She then wandered over to where Paige, Ginny and Luna were looking. "What are you guys looking for?"

"Well, me and Paige are finished. We were helping Luna pick out something for Ron. He's my own brother and I have no idea what to suggest. That's when you know something's wrong," Ginny said grinning. "Want to help?"

"Sure," said Piper.

Back outside, Draco caught up with Snape and Blaise.

"What did Professor Halliwell want?" asked Blaise curiously.

"She told me that Granger was getting me a gift. She reckons it would be a good idea if I returned the gesture."

"Man!" said Blaise shocked. "Are you going to? I mean, did she say she'll give you detention if you don't?"

"No. She said it was my choice," said Draco, still wondering what to do.

"Really? That's odd. These new professors are a bit strange, but I like them. So what are you going to get her?"

"How the bloody hell should I know. She's a girl. What do you get a girl? Especially one as demented as Granger."

Blaise laughed and they walked into a nearby store.

Snape, who had been listening to the exchange carefully a few feet away, was shocked to say the least. Not once had Draco said 'mudblood' or insulted Hermione, unless you count the 'demented' comment. And to top it all off, he was actually going to buy her something.

He was changing. A lot of things were changing, but the source was the same...the Charmed Ones.

Snape wandered into the same store Draco and Blaise had gone into thinking to himself.

What do you get a girl, indeed?

Once everyone was finished shopping, they met in front of the Three Broomsticks. They glanced at their watches and watched as their last minute wound down.

3,2,1...

When the clocks reached zero, they vanished from everyone's wrist and Dumbledore and McGonagall came walking out of the Three Broomsticks.

"I trust everyone had plenty of time to finish their shopping," he began cheerfully. "Now, it has come to my attention that there is a slight problem with the carriages. It seems they have become a bit temperamental as to who they will allow inside while we were all shopping. So, the first carriage will only seat those who have scored more than a hundred percent in any given subject."

All of a sudden, Hermione, Blaise, Ginny, Draco and Piper began floating towards the first carriage.

"Very good," Dumbledore said as though this sort of thing happened all the time. "The next carriage will only seat those who have ever received a failing grade in any subject."

Much to their embarrassment, Harry, Ron, Luna, and Chris floated towards the next carriage.

"The last carriage, being a little less picky than the others, will seat the rest of us. All aboard!"

Each group of people mounted the carriage and began the trip back to school.

In Harry's carriage, Ron couldn't help but ask. "So, what subject did you fail?" he said trying not to look Luna directly in her enormous eyes.

"Potions," she said airily.

"Ha, me too," said Harry smiling.

"I guess me too," Chris chimed in. "Although, you call it chemistry where I went to school."

They all had a good laugh.

In Piper's carriage, you could cut the tension with a knife. She sat between Draco and Blaise and Hermione and Ginny sat across from them next to each other. She tried to start a conversation.

"So, what subjects did you guys do so well in?" she said looking at Ginny first.

"Well, I got a hundred and ten percent on a transfiguration essay once. I think that's my favorite class."

"Nice. And you are?" she said looking at Blaise.

"Blaise Zabini. I got a hundred and fifteen percent on one of my muggle studies tests. I think the things muggles have come up with to replace magic are quite clever. Some are even useful." At this he received and admiring look from Hermione and Ginny and a withering glare from Draco.

"Good for you Blaise. Draco?"

"I got a hundred and five percent on a potions essay," he said, playing along to appease Piper.

Hermione was next. "Well, I got a one hundred and twenty percent on a Charms test, a hundred and ten percent on a transfiguration test and a hundred and fifteen on an arithmancy test."

The carriage stared at her in awe. "That's great Hermione," said Piper.

"What about you professor?" asked Blaise, eyes shining with curiosity.

Ginny nodded in agreement and Blaise momentarily caught her eye as she looked over at Piper.

"I once got a hundred and five on an essay I had to write about witches for my English class," she said with a wry smile.

"You made that up," accused Draco.

"Did not," said Piper and she poked him hard in the stomach.

He let out a soft chuckle.

Ginny leaned in towards Hermione and whispered. "He's not that ugly when he's not being a git," she said smiling.

Blaise watched as Ginny whispered something to Hermione and they both smiled.

Cute smiles, he thought.

Just as everyone was getting comfortable, the ride was over and they were back at the castle. They all exited the carriages and to their surprise, the horses that had been pulling the carriages had transformed back into mice.

"I borrowed the idea from a wonderful muggle movie," said Dumbledore smiling.

On Christmas Eve, Dumbledore announced that there would be a small feast in the Great Hall. So he was now to be found sitting at the head of a long table waiting for everyone else to arrive.

He was waiting patiently when McGonagall and Snape appeared in the doorway.

"Wonderful. As you can see, you are the first to arrive," he beamed.

As they made to enter, Dumbledore cleared his throat and pointed above their heads with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Snape looked up and to his horror saw mistletoe in the doorway.

"Headmaster, you cannot be serious," said Snape looking at McGonagall wearily.

"I am. Come now Severus, where is your Christmas spirit? And how many times must I tell you to call me Albus? Besides, you won't be able to enter until you agree. Wonderful things, force fields are."

Sure enough, when Snape tried to get through the door, he couldn't. It was as if there were invisible hands pushing him back out.

"Albus, I understand that you want to spread some joy, but isn't this a bit much?" asked McGonagall.

"Not at all."

"Very well," she said giving up.

Before Snape could react, McGonagall had planted a swift kiss on his cheek leaving him utterly baffled.

"Why Severus, I do believe that is the most color I have seen on your face in quite a few years," said McGonagall grinning as she went to sit down. Snape followed and they waited for the others.

Next to arrive were Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Luna. Dumbledore cleared his throat and they all looked up.

Ginny and Hermione started laughing, Ron looked like he'd be sick, Harry was smiling and Luna was looking at Ron dreamily.

"No offense, Ron, but you are my brother," said Ginny and she walked over to Harry and pecked him on the cheek. "Pass it on," she said to Harry.

Harry looked at Ron disgustedly, which made everyone laugh, and placed a swift kiss on Hermione's cheek. "Pass it on," he said cheerfully.

Hermione looked at Ron who now looked like he had been sentenced to death. "Oh honestly, Ron, grow up," she said before kissing his cheek. "Pass it on."

"To who?" he said stupidly.

They all looked from him to Luna and back again.

He gulped.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion as he walked over to Luna. The trip seemed to take hours instead of the seconds that it actually took. She's just a girl. What's the big deal? He didn't know.

She stood waiting patiently for his lips to meet her face. No one noticed, but when he finally did kiss her cheek, her eyes closed ever so slightly and she enjoyed the moment, not knowing how long it would be until it happened again.

Before Ron knew it, it was over and a sneering drawl cut through the giggles.

"Bet he's never done that before," Draco said to Blaise.

He promptly received a sharp tap on the shoulder from Piper. They had all been watching and knew what they now had to do.

Piper kissed Leo, who had no objections; Paige kissed Blaise, much to his surprise; and Phoebe kissed Draco and Chris, who had adamantly refused at first but Phoebe was able to coax him with a "Come here, dear nephew."

Once everyone was inside and seated, the feast began. It was much like the normal Hogwarts feasts, but on a much smaller scale. All of the food that was normally present was there and everyone gladly stuffed themselves.

Once everyone was done, all they wanted to do was get some sleep.

"I wish you all a good nights sleep and a Merry Christmas. But first, my gift to you."

He waved his wand and small wrapped boxes appeared in front of everyone. The students eagerly tore theirs open while the adults were a little more apprehensive.

Each student had received a pair of socks in their house colors and a box of Bertie Bott's Every-Flavored Beans. The adults had also received socks in their favorite color with their zodiac sign, and their candy was chocolate, much to their relief.

"What better gifts to give than warm socks and wonderful candy. Just a hint of caution, watch out for the yellow beans...they might be ear wax. Good night and Merry Christmas to all."

Full of food and Christmas cheer, everyone went to bed.

Christmas morning dawned chilly and bright. The whole of Hogwarts was caked in a fresh blanket of snow. Hagrid's hut resembled a small ginger bread house covered with vanilla frosting.

Harry and Ron woke up, quickly pulled on their pajama robes and went down to the common room to find Hermione, Ginny and to Ron's horror, Luna.

"She's the only one in Ravenclaw who stayed behind. She was alone," explained Ginny seeing the look on Ron's face.

"Did you already open your presents?" Harry asked joining the girls who were sitting on the floor in front of the tree.

"Yes, I did. Thanks again for the nice quill, Ginny. I'll need it when I start to work for the Quibbler. And thanks for the interesting book, Hermione. I knew there had been sightings, but I never knew there were enough to write a whole book about them."

"What sightings?" Harry whispered to Ginny.

She shrugged. "Let's get to it," Ginny said and they tore into the pile of presents.

"Wow! Thanks, Harry," Hermione said beaming as she opened his gift. It was a very large, very complicated book on apparating.

"We have to learn soon and I thought it would help," Harry replied.

"It definitely will. And thanks for the scarf Ron, it's lovely."

"I wish I could say the same," said Ginny looking at the earmuffs Ron had gotten her. "Thanks, Ron. Don't be too offended if I never wear them," she giggled.

"Oh my," Hermione said suddenly opening her last gift.

It was the most beautiful quill she had ever seen. The feather was pitch black but from half way down the quill to the tip, it looked like it had been dipped in silver. They silver was so shiny, it looked like it was still wet.

She turned it around in her fingers and felt a scratch on the silver. Further inspection showed her that it was her initials carved into the quill. She looked around the floor to see if a note or a card had fallen out. Sure enough, there was a small piece of parchment on the floor at her knees.

She picked it up and it read: For all your note taking. It's all you do.

"Ha ha. Very funny, Harry. Thank you, it's beautiful," she said.

"Don't thank me. I didn't buy it," said Harry.

Hermione looked perplexed. "Ron?" she asked not daring to believe it.

He shook his head. "Nope. Sorry."

"But who?" she wondered aloud.

"Maybe it was Draco," said Luna, joining the conversation and surprising everyone.

"Malfoy?!" said Harry. "It's not possible. Why would he buy you something?"

"Because I got him something," she said just above a whisper.

"What?!" said the boys in unison.

"I was trying to make an effort," said Hermione, looking at them sternly. "But how would he know, unless one of you told him?" she questioned, looking at Ginny and Luna.

"I didn't say anything. I was looking for Ron's gift," said Luna.

"You were?" blushed Ron, as Luna handed him a box.

"I didn't say anything either. And these two didn't even know," said Ginny nodding towards Harry and Ron who was now unwrapping his gift.

"Wow. Thanks, Luna." She had gotten him a set of Chudley Cannon gloves complete with a matching scarf.

Hermione was left wondering. First, if it really had been Draco who had given her the quill, and second, how he had found out about her gift.

... ... ... ... ... ...

Draco woke and found himself unusually eager to open his gifts. He looked over at Blaise's bed and found him to be asleep so he decided to wait a few minutes for him to wake.

However, to Draco Malfoy, patience was not a virtue so he took a pillow from his bed and threw it full force at Blaise's head.

Blaise woke with a start and looked groggily around.

"Oh good. You're up. Let's go."

They pulled on their robes and headed to their empty common room. Under the tree several presents were visible.

Draco immediately burned the present that had been sent from his father. He didn't like the smell that was coming from the package. As soon as the box had hit the flames it had burst open to reveal a vile looking liquid.

"Merry Christmas to you to," he said bitterly.

He picked up another small box, this one from Paige, and began to unwrap it. In it he found the very last thing he had expected. It was the picture of him in the pink apron with the sisters the night he had detention with them. It was in a silver frame and carved into it were the words Pretty in Pink.

Draco couldn't help but laugh out loud. Blaise was rolling on the ground when Draco finally agreed to show him the picture.

Together, Piper and Phoebe had to have given him what amounted to a years worth of candy and Zonko's products.

He had one gift left. He unwrapped it and found himself to be surprised.

"Whoa. Who got you that?" Blaise asked.

It was a personalized stationery set. The paper was a glinting silver and on the bottom of every page his name was emblazed in shining green letters. A serpent also slithered its way around every page. The quill it came with was also silver and the ink was green.

"Granger," was all he could say. He didn't know what he had expected from her, but this certainly wasn't it. It was actually a decent gift, though it was hard for him to admit it.

He ripped a page out of the set, took the quill and scribbled a quick note on it. "I'm going to the owlery. I'll be right back. Why don't you go to the kitchens and get us some breakfast."

"Sure thing. I didn't much feel like going down to the Great hall anyway," said Blaise as he slipped on his slippers.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Chris was rudely awoken by the rest of his family thundering down the stairs to open gifts.

"Come on, Mom, five more minutes," he said through a yawn.

"Merry Christmas to you too," said Piper, putting Wyatt down next to the tree.

They had all opened their gifts and everyone was very pleased. The sisters even got quite the surprise to see that Draco had given them each a personal I.O.U. that read: For whatever you might need, Professor. No aprons.

He has no idea what he just got himself into," said Leo smiling.

Phoebe had gotten an even bigger surprise when she saw that Snape had given her an exquisite smelling perfume labeled: Essence.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

"You know what guys, me and Luna are going to go down to the kitchen for some breakfast. We'll bring you up some food."

Ginny and Luna walked through the deserted hall of the school in their pajamas, robes and slippers.

"Do you fancy Ron?" asked Ginny suddenly.

Luna looked at her pensively before answering. "I suppose so."

Ginny smiled to herself as she tickled the pear that opened the door to the kitchens. When they walked in they saw the back of a jet black head.

"Hey!" Ginny called.

The intruder turned around.

"Oh, it's you."

"Nice to see you too, Weasley," Blaise said, brown eyes sparkling.

Ginny turned to a house-elf at her knees and said. "Could you please get us breakfast for five in something easy to carry. Thank you," she said smiling sweetly.

"Certainly, miss," the house-elf squeaked and ran off.

"So, Weasley...where's my gift?" said Blaise, taking in Ginny's fiery red locks and emerald eyes.

"You first, Zabini," Ginny challenged.

"Come closer and you'll see."

He couldn't explain the sudden urge to talk to her. The same thing had happened in the carriage to Hogwarts but they had arrived before he could say anything.

Before she could answer, the house-elf was back with her order. "Thanks, again," she said to the elf. "Zabini," she said nodding her head and turning to head out of the kitchens.

Blaise smacked himself in the head for being so forward with her.

"What was that all about?" Ginny mused to herself once they were back in the corridor.

"Maybe he fancies you," Luna supplied.

"What? No way. He's a Slytherin. I'm a Gryffindor," Ginny stated flatly.

"And I'm a Ravenclaw. I really don't see what that has to do with anything. Do you fancy him?"

"I barely know him."

"That's not an answer."

"No. But I supposes he isn't exactly bad looking," Ginny admitted.

"Well, then...that's a start," said Luna and she began humming Weasley is Our King.

They got back to the common room to find the trio in a stunned silence.

"What's wrong?" asked Ginny.

Hermione held up a note written on silver paper with green ink. It said two words.

Thank you.