Happy Holidays!

Sorry for the wait guys. Please accept this humble offering... (any and all mistakes are mine.)

Chapter 8.

It turned out that Draco didn't have to wait long to bump into Hermione. The Gryffindor literally ran into him while turning a corner in a rush. Books and notes flew everywhere. Hermione gasped in shock bending down to retrieve them. Draco waited a few seconds before helping her out.

His hands curled around the book he'd seen her with in the Great Hall. He took in the name on the front. His eyes widened and he shot her a look. "Well, Granger." He said softly, watching her breathing quicken, "I think we need to talk."

Wordlessly she nodded and followed him to an un-used classroom.

Taking a seat for himself Draco nodded to a desk opposite. Hermione carefully placed her books into pile, saved for the one they were both interested in, before following his example and taking a seat.

"Talk."

"I was researching and I stumbled across it?"

Draco titled his head slightly, "Wrong. Try again."

"You're not gonna let this go, are you?" He shook his head making her sigh deeply. "Fine. What I just said is true by the way. Harry asked me to find out more about his lucky charm. None of the books in the Library had any conrete information. I was about to give up when this book," She held up the book in question, "appeared out of no-where. I saw the name and it's the same as Harry's friend who gifted him the necklace. There? Happy?" She sat back with a huff. Of course she'd given him an edited version of events. Telling Malfoy that both Dumbledore and Witwicky were involved probably wasn't a smart move at this moment in time, so she kept her mouth shut about that.

"May I see it?" She was hesistent at first to grant Draco's request but after a while, nodded and handed the book over. Draco smoothed his hand over the cover. "Feels warm. Feels...like...home?"

"That would be the Talisman." At Draco's confused frown she tried to explain. "I haven't figured all of it out, it's just guess work. But I think if a Talisman of Old Cybertron is accidently broken and the parts are found by those compatable, shall we say...with magic, then the elements that make up the Talisman will merge with that person's soul until the parts beome whole once more."

Draco was speechless, "That was guess work?" Hermione flushed with a shrug. "So...The way I've been acting this year...It's because of this?" Reaching into his shirt, he pulled out his half of the Talisman and showed it to her.

"Ohh...It's just like Harry's." Hemione leaned closer, "But...It's chipped. Is that when..."

He nodded, "Yeah. Weasley's sister tore it from my neck, threw it and chipped it. I remember feeling like...I was the old me. The snobby, uncaring me. Was that because someone else had it?"

Hermione thought for a second, "I'm not sure. I'll need to do more research. The book is not very helpfull."

Draco frowned, "I don't understand."

She crooked a finger, laying out the book on the desk. Draco stood next to her while she flipped through the pages. Stopping at the section on Talismans the book giggled and flipped to a completely different chapter. The young witch groaned, "Emrys! Stop that!"

"Wait! Did you say Emrys?"

"Well...yes." Hermione closed the book to the writers bio. The image of Merlina Emrys was giggling at them. Her ebony locks, just reaching her shoulders, bounced with each breath, her blue eyes sparkled with mirth. Draco was stunned. She was beautiful.

The pendent grew warm against Draco's shirt. While Hermione returned to struggling with the book, he glanced at the shimering metal. The runes on it were shifting again.

This time they read: Friend. Heal.

His eyes lifted to the girl beside him. It was a great risk if he were to bring her along. He didn't know what the out-come would be or if she would be accepted. But he had hope. The Talisman had never been wrong so far. He took a deep breath.

"Granger," Hermione stopped her fighting and looked at him, "I think there's something you should see. And, if I'm right, will be a big help in the days to come."

"OK...I'll bite. Where is it?"

He held out a hand, " I'll show you if you come with me."

Hermoine glanced around the woods, "We're not meant to be here." She hissed, wand at the ready. "How did you managed to get past the barriers?"

"I...I think the pendent had something to do with it." Draco led the way down a familiar path. Coming up was familiar looking rock formation. "We're close. Wand away, Granger."

"What!? No way." The grip on her wand grew tighter. "I know you said to trust you, Malfoy but..." A loud growl interupted her, "What on Merlin's beard was that?"

Draco smiled softly, "The reason I asked you here. I'll say again, put your wand away...Hermione."

Her hand lowered a bit, "You...You said my name. My...My real name...I...OH!"

From the caverns mouth a hulking mass of metal climbed it's way forth. When he spotted Draco he chirpped with happiness, upon seeing Hermione with her wand out he growled deep in his voice box.

"Hey! It's OK." Draco waved his arms. "Bee, it's fine. This is a friend. She can help you." To Hermione, "Wand away, Granger. I will not ask again."

Hermione nodded quickly pocketing her wand. She stared up at Bumblebee. "What is he?"

"Bumblebee." Said Draco proudly.

Bee let out another happy chirp and nodded. He crouched down in front of them and titled his bulking head, his blue eyes glued onto Draco, waiting for an explanation.

"Bee. This is Hermione. She's really good at healing charms and she's going to fix your chest plate."

"What?" Hermione squeaked loudly, "Malfoy, you can't be serious?"

"I am. It pains me to say it out loud, but you are the best in the class. Can you help him?"

"I...I..." Bee was looking at her now, his blue eyes staring right at her, if she looked at him closely enough, it seemed his expression was hopeful. "Um...I can try."

Draco smirked, "Great! Bumblebee, go lay down in that clearing and Granger will sort you out." He hopped onto a nearby tree-stump, "And while you're doing that," he muttered reaching down and grabbing Emrys's book, "time to get aquainted with Ms Emrys..." He found the chapter on Talismans, but the book giggled and slammed shut before he read the first line, "...or not." After struggling a couple more times, he gave up and settled for watching the scene unfold infront of him instead.

Hermiome pushed up the billowing sleeves of her robes while Bumblebee gently lay down as instructed. She approached him carefully, her hand hovering over the area that was dented and blackened. "Oh! This is...this is where those youngsters got you, is it?" Bee whined painfully and nodded, "It's going to be fine, Bumblebee. A quick Reparo should do it. Now...hold still..." Taking out her wand, the young witch brought it over Bee's chest plate. The young Scout's eyes widened a fraction at the magic stick but he remained as still as he could. Hermione took a deep breath before moving her wand anti-clockwise three times while whispering, "Reparo!"

The small clearing was filled with the creaking of moving metal, with one final pop! Bumblebee's chest plate looked as good as new. Once it was over the young Transformer slowly sat up, pressing his fingers along the newly repaired armour. A pleased whirl left his voice-box and he gazed down at Hermione.

With slow movements he extended a hand towards her, "NEW... friend...Her... Ninny."

Hermione smiled kindly, reaching out a hand, wrapping it around one of his fingers, "Nearly. It's pronounced: 'Her-My-Oh-Knee.'"

Bee was quiet and then he tried again, " 'Her-My-Oh-Knee.' " He repeated using a recording of her own voice. "Friend?"

"I'd like to be. If you'll let me." The last bit was directed at Draco, who had been watching the whole exchange from his tree-stump. With a nod she grinned up at the yellow robot. "Friends for life now, Bee." Bumblebee chirpped and clapped his hands with glee.

Draco glanced at his watch. He quickly closed the book, hopping off the stump and gathering their things, "We have to get going. The Slytherin vs Gryffindor Quidditch match before Christmas is in 30 minutes and I, for one, don't want to miss it."

Hermione smirked at him as she accepted her bag, "Five Galleons say Gryffindor win without catching the Snitch."

Draco eyes shone, "A Christmas gamble? Never thought you were the type, Granger." He extended a hand. "You're on." They shook on it and started heading back. Bumblebee let out an unhappy moan. Draco turned back, "I'll be back soon, Bee, I promise. " He pointed towards the school, "If you're very sneaky, you can head over to where those brightly coloured stands are and watch Slytherin kick some Gryffindor butt!"

"You wish,Malfoy!" Hermione called over her shoulder.

As Bee watched the two small humans leave he glanced over to where Malfoy had pointed. There was a large area with brightly coloured stands and flags, like a big circus tent or a fair-ground. Lowering his visor he zoomed in on the tiny dots above it, and warbled with excitement...the humans were flying!

Zooming in along the crowds Bee quickly found who he was looking for : Harry was there too! Bumblebee decided he would go and watch the match now that both Harry and Draco were going.

Making sure the coast was clear, Bee transformed into his alternate form and raced towards the bright tent and louds sounds.

Quidditch sounded like fun!

Hope to see you in the New Year!