Hermione leaned against Draco as he lead her away from the curious stares of the other students. As they reached the castle's garden, snow began falling around them. Little silver flakes that fell like confetti settled on their eyelashes. Draco gently kissed the top of Hermione's head.

"Why Hermione?"

She turned and looked up at Draco with inquisitive eyes.

"Why what?"

"Why, after everything..."

Hermione traced the outline of Draco's cheek with her finger.

"Because, Draco Malfoy," she kissed him gently on the lips, "You're the only man I'll ever love."

He smiled at her.

"What's there to love? I'm a bad person from a bad family. I've hurt you so much in the past..."

Hermione shook her head slightly.

"Draco, what's past is past. You're a good person...deep down you know it. To everyone else I was just a bookworm, someone they could turn to for help with their homework. But you...you made me feel like somebody."

"Somebody beautiful. Hermione...I er, got you something, for Christmas." He reached into the folds of his cloak and brought out a black velvet box. As he opened it, moonlight spilled on to a silver ring, set with sparkling black diamonds. Hermione wrapped her arms around Draco.

"Thankyou! Gods, this is so beautiful...it's just the best." She pressed her lips against Draco's.

"Well," he chuckled, "only the best for my girl."

Their lips met again. Suddenly, a figure stepped out of the darkness from behind Draco, and Hermione froze in fear.