Chapter Thirteen-Home For Christmas

Summary- It has been about eight months and no one has heard from Hermione, and it seems as though no one misses her.  Harry and Ron have each been married since school let out and they still bear a grudge for their old friend.  Hermione is leading another life, away from the man who used her and broke her heart, and has a terrible secret.  Draco Malfoy is the present heir to the Malfoy fortune and is unhappily married to Pansy Parkinson Malfoy.  He still has haunting dreams of another love.  Around eight months after graduation, Pansy and Draco come across something extraordinary, which links them to the last person they had in mind.

Pairing- Ron Wesley and Lavender Brown Weasley, Harry Potter and Parvati Patil Potter, and at the beginning- Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson Malfoy, but subject to change.

Spoilers-

 Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone,

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,   

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Disclaimer- I do not claim to own any of the characters from the Harry Potter series.  They all belong to Ms. Rowling.  Don't sue, I have a disclaimer and I'm not afraid to use it!

Previously- "Professor Dumbledore!"  Juliet back pedaled a few steps.  "I'm so sorry! I-I wasn't watching were I was going, and I- Oh I'm, so sorry."  Juliet was crying freely now, but Dumbledore seemed unfazed.   "Shh child, shh."  She said, and held out his hand to her shoulder.  "Follow me, Miss Malfoy; I do believe there is a secret you need to be let in on."

~*~

Last night I took a walk in the snow,
Couples holding hands, places in gold.
Seems like everyone, but me is in love.
Santa can you hear me?
I signed my letter that I sealed with a kiss,
I sent it off, and it just said this,
I know exactly what I want this year,
Santa can you hear me?
I want my baby, baby,
I want someone to love me,
Someone to hold.
Maybe, maybe,
He'll be all my own,
And a big red bow
Santa can you hear me?

 I have been so good this year,
And I all I want is one thing,
Tell me my true love is hear
He's all I want,
Just for me,
Underneath my Christmas tree,
I'll  be waiting here,
Santa that's my only wish this year
Christmas Eve,
I just can't sleep.
Would I be wrong for taking a peak,
Cause I heard that you're coming to town,
Santa can you hear me?
I really hope that you're e on your way,
With something special,
For me in your sleigh,
Oh please make my wish come true,
Santa can you hear me?
I want my baby, baby,
I want someone to love me,
Someone to hold.
Maybe, maybe,
Will be all alone,
Under the mistletoe
Santa can you hear me? I  have been so good this year,
And I all I want is one thing,
Tell me my true love is hear
He's all I want,
Just for me,
Underneath my Christmas tree,
I'll be waiting here,
Santa that's my only wish this year
I hope my letter reaches you in time,
Bring me love,
I can call all mine.
Cause I have been so good, so good this year,
Can't be alone under mistletoe,
He's all I want and a big red bow!
Santa can you hear me I have been so good this year,
And I all I want is one thing,
Tell me my true love is hear!
He's  all I want,
Just for me,
Underneath my Christmas tree,
I'll be waiting here,
Santa that's my only wish this year!
(Britney Spears-All I want (this year))

~*~

"Miss Malfoy, I think it's time you found out a little about yourself."  Dumbledore said to Juliet, and he motioned for her to take a seat across from his large desk, in his chambers.  Juliet wiped the tears that were falling down her face and got comfortable in the large red armchair.  She looked up at him expectantly.

"I assume your friends have delivered some shocking news to you?"  Dumbledore asked kindly.  Juliet nodded, then asked, "Is it true Professor?"

"I'm afraid it is, Miss Malfoy."  Dumbledore answered.

"How could they know before me?"  Juliet started.  "I'm their daughter? And what about my dad?  Is Draco Malfoy really who my dad is?  I do not understand, I don't!"

"Shh." Dumbledore said, "It's alright child, it will all be answered. Your mothers name Is Hermione Granger, whom you know as Professor Granger.  Your father, is in fact, Draco Malfoy, and he just recently found this out as well.  Your mother and father were students of mine, the best and brightest in their year-but also fantastically different. 

They came from two different worlds, your mother and father, two very different worlds indeed.  Your father grew up in Malfoy mansion, heir to the fortune, and the most powerful family in this country.  He was raised to detest muggle borns, to know nothing of love, and to hate anything his father deemed 'beneath them' and that included your mother.

Your mother, on the other hand, came from a loving muggle family.  She was one of the few students here who didn't know their powers until they received their Hogwarts letters.  In her first year she instantly made friends with Ron Weasley and Harry Potter, and they were together until their Seventh year, when it all came out.

Hermione and Draco, as I told you, were the brightest in their year, and they were treated as such.  They got to go on special errands for teachers, and were prefects for two years before they became the head boy and girl.  From their fifth year on, I noticed a change in the two of them, a stubble change, but one nonetheless, and I decided to investigate further.  As it turned out, Hermione Granger befriended the cold dragon, and probably saved him from an even worse fate then the one he has been living until now.  Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy became friends, and from becoming friends, they became much more.

I watched as Hermione helped Draco with his worst subject-transfiguration, and in turn I watched Draco teach Hermione how to fly, something she still does today. I watched as old rivals and enemies fell in love, and in the end, I watched tragedy unfold."

Juliet was stunned at everything Professor Dumbledore was saying to her.  This was her parents past, something so foreign to her that it was almost like a fairy tale. 

"What happened in their seventh year Professor?" She asked in a small voice, proving her to be the tiny child she was.

"In their seventh year," Dumbledore started, "Your grandfather stepped in.  You knew your grandfather, Lucius, Did you know him to be a good man?"  Juliet faltered, then slowly shook her head no.  "I surmised as much.  Your father knew him to be cruel as well.  He was Voldemorts right hand man, back in the dark times, and a true and loyal death eater never walked this earth.  His money and power are the things that kept him out of Azkaban, and his cuelty and rage kept your father and mother from being together.  One day, not to long before their graduation, Hermione and Draco were transported to a room in Malfoy Manor, were Draco was forced to lie to his father, and Hermione.  He told his father he didn't love her, so that Lucius may not hurt him and Hermione, or worse.  Hermione and Draco never talked to each other again, and, unknown to either of them, Hermione was with child, you, to be precise.

Hermione disappeared from the wizarding world for about seven months, until around December, Eleven years ago, she arrived in the hospital wing, and spent the remainder of her pregnancy there.  Your true birthday is March twenty third. Soon after she had you, you both disappeared, but I knew where she went.  You see, Hermione was touched by a deep love, something that, once in a person, is not easy to forget, or live without, and it nearly drove her mad.  She left you outside the Malfoy manor, in the wood under a great willow tree.  The next day Draco and Pansy found you, under Narcissa telling them to go for a walk.  I had tipped her off.  She knew your identity all these years, and convinced her husband to let Draco and Pansy keep you, as Pansy could have no children of her own."

"I don't know if I can believe it, Professor."  Juliet said quietly, as though afraid Dumbledore may be angry with her, but to her surprise, he smiled.  "I know it is a lot you handle, young Miss Malfoy, but I can assure you, I am correct, would you like another witness?"  Juliet nodded, and Dumbledore got up and crossed the room swiftly. He reached up to a shelf and Juliet noticed what was in his hands- The sorting hat.

Dumbledore brought it over to Juliet and said- "The sorting hat can see anything in your mind, and also that of anyone who has ever had him on, ask it any question you like, I can assure you, he cannot lie."  Juliet nodded and put the old hat on.

"Ah, Miss Malfoy, what can I do for you?"  Juliet heard a voice in her mind, as if a person were very close and whispering in her ear.  "I have some questions for you."  Juliet thought.  "Ah yes, I can see that.  I can also assure you that when I told you your mother was a Gryffindor, I was indeed right, and no truer Gryffindor there ever was, she was brave and loyal and true, and always believed in second chances, something her friends were weary of."  "But of my Mother and father, were they really in love?"  Even in her mind, Juliet's voice quivered.  "Yes, yes they were."  The fait voice of the hat said, "It was a tragedy, it was, but, I do believe things may pick up, but they will not be able to do it alone."  "What do you mean?"  Juliet asked.  "Love is a funny thing."  Retorted the hat.  "It can grow inside an individual, but if there is nothing to keep it alive, It will, in fact die.  Your parents live have survived a lot, but, unless they do something soon, they will just be miserable.  I suggest you go home this Christmas break, young Malfoy, I suggest you go home and make your father see sense."  Juliet nodded in her mind and murmured a sound of thanks, and took the hat off.

"Thank you Professor."  Juliet said simply, and left his office.

"Well."  Dumbledore said to no one in particular.  "This is where things get interesting."

~*~

"Hermione?"  "Hello Harry."  Hermione said to the dark haired head in her fireplace.  "Are you ready to go Mione?"  He asked her.  "Yes Harry, Let me get my trunk, will you help me?"  "Sure."  Hermione walked away, towards her bed as Harry rose out of her fireplace and stepped out.  Hermione drug over her trunk and Harry easily lifted it onto his shoulder.  "Wow."  Hermione said, impressed.  "Been working out much Harry?" 

"Hey, eighteen years of quiddich wasn't entirely fruitless."  Harry said with a grin, and they both entered the fireplace, flooing to Harry's house.

~*~

"Bye Julie."  James was saying in the Gryffindor common room.  Juliet was hugging her friends.  "I wanted to thank you guys." She said to them.  "For what you did for me, about my mum and everything, I'm going to talk to daddy this vacation, and maybe I will get my happily ever after." 

Ryan and James had been relieved that Juliet was ok with them doing all the snooping they did.  "Good luck then Julie, and We'll work on your mum, she'll coming to visit our dads over break."  Ryan said.  Juliet gave him a final hug.  "Thanks you guys."  And with that, she left the common room, her trunk levitating behind her.

"Well, ready to go Ry?" James asked his friend.  "Yea, Your dads expecting us by floo right?"  "Yea, lets go."  And the boys left the now-empty common room, to go to the Potter residence.

~*~

"Harry! This is fantastic!"  Hermione had just arrived in the Potter residence, and, well, she was impressed to say the least.  The main room she came in, she surmised to be the living room, was decorated in creams, gold, and white.  Hermione had been inside of a wizarding house, and a muggle house, but never a mixed.  There was a large big screen TV in the corner, and a large, at least ten foot Christmas tree in another.  A golden chandelier hung from the high ceiling that looked as though fairies where lighting it.  Candles lined the hallways, but they were for decoration, as there where electrical lights. In the middle of the room, a large white leather couch was placed, shaped like a U in front of the TV.  Hermione also noticed an impressive stereo system.

"Harry,"  Hermione said, half laughing, "You did so well for yourself!" 

"Well, how much do you think quiddich players are paid Mione?" Harry said, grinning.

"I never knew, but it's obviously quite a lot." Hermione answered.

"It is a lot, Pav has never had to work, and I think she rather enjoys being lady of the house."  Harry jokingly rolled his great green eyes.

Hermione laughed and Harry showed her to one of the guest rooms.  They climbed the spiral stairs to the fourth floor, before Hermione realized she forgot her trunk. 

"Don't worry about it Hermione."  Harry said when they reached her room.  "The house elves already brought it up."

"House elves Harry Potter?"  Hermione said, a little surprised.  "You have house elves?" 

Harry grinned remembering the days of S.P.E.W. Which Hermione had carried out throughout their fourth and fifth year.  "Don't worry Hermione.  I have six in all, two of which are Dobby and Winky.  The other four came with the house.  You'll be pleased to see they are treated perfectly well, they all wear clothes, thank God, and they take a weekly pay with two days a week off, and vacations whenever they want them, but only Dobby actually puts the vacation days to use, and, now that I think about it, every time I pay them, I always start finding gold hidden around the house, hmm."

Hermione left Harry pondering at the door to take a look at her bedroom.  It, like the rest of the house, was decorated in gold and creams, but this room also had a splash of red involved.  The bed was queen sized, with a large oak headboard and base,  and a large gold and red comforter that just begged you to sleep in it.  The room itself was large indeed.  There was a dressing table in the corner, so Hermione could plainly see that this was probably the room Lavender came to stay in when she wasn't with Ron.  There was a door on both sides of the room, one plain oak and one oak with small gold designs on it.

Harry pointed to the one with the designs and said, "That one leads to your bathroom,, and that other door leads to the adjoining guest bedroom, where Ron is staying now.  Lavender is in France with Parvati, doing some late Christmas shopping. Ron is in Diagon alley at the moment, with their baby, Jamie."

Hermione sighed.  She really has missed out on a lot. 

"Come on Mione, I expect James and Ryan will be here any minute from Hogwarts, lets go wait for them."

Hermione brightened a little and agreed.  "Alright, come on, I'll race you!" She said in a playful voice. The two of them raced down the steps much like they used to race around Hogwarts when they were little.  Hermione made it to the white leather couch first and flopped down on it, Harry came right beside her, and there they laid, laughing and breathing hard until they heard a,

"Ah, dad?"  James said.  He and Ryan just came through the fireplace.

Harry waited for his laughing to die down, then said, "Hello boys." 

Hermione sat up beside him and said, "Hey guys, ready for Christmas?"

The boys answered, "Yes Professor."

Hermione looked confused for a moment, then went, "Oh! Oh boys, you can call me Hermione now! All that Professor stuff can stay at school, treat me just like you do Ron, James, and just as you treat Harry, Ryan.

The boys vigorously nodded their heads, and Hermione said, "Good, Ryan, James, no need for me to call you Misters Potter and Weasley then."   Hermione smiled at Harry and the boys, and said, I'm going to change out of my teacher stuff, I'll be down in a bit." 

"Ok Mione."  Harry replied.  "Dinner will be in about an hour."  "Alright, see you later Harry."

An hour later Hermione descended down the front hall steps and was greeted by Harry, Ron, James, Ryan, and-

"Ginny! Dean!  Oh my God! I haven't seen you two in ages!  How have you been?"  Hermione cried, jumping over the last few steps.

"Mione!"  Ginny cried, and the two women embraced tightly, and stood there for a few minutes before letting go.

Ginny had certainly changed through the years.  The Weasley lankiness was apparent, as she was tall and thin, but not too skinny. Her red hair was shiny and smooth, and her freckles had started to blend into her creamy complexion.  Hermione noticed a diamond ring on her left hand.

"Ginny! Are you and Dean-"

"Yes Hermione!  Dean asked me three months ago, we have been dating for a year now!"  Ginny said, lifting her hand so that Hermione could have a closer look at the beautiful engagement ring. Hermione looked over at Dean, who took her into his arms.

"Its good to see you Hermione."  He said.  "We have missed you, you really have no idea." 

They separated, and Hermione said, "Thank you Dean.  I'm glad I'm back.  I'm so happy for you and Ginny, she couldn't have picked someone better." 

Dean beamed at her, and gave her another hug before putting an arm around Ginny.  "Great to have you back."  Ginny said happily.  "This is going to be a fantastic Christmas." 

The adults talked happily for hours, while Ryan and James went off and did their own thing, thinking how weird it was to have a friend in their professor.  Completely weird.

~*~

Later that night, Hermione sat on her bed in her room.  The whole house was asleep, as it was well past midnight.  Everyone that is, but Hermione. 

It wasn't that she wasn't happy.  God, this was the happiest she had been in eleven years, but…there was something missing.  She twirled the golden ring around her finger, she did that when she was upset or nervous.  It was a large room, yes, but she felt confined.  Being around all these people of her past, a past life she was still trying to fit back into.  It was uncomfortable.  They would start talking about something Hermione wasn't there for, and try to explain, but found they couldn't.  Hermione just had to work harder.

She got up off the bed and went to put on some clothes.  She threw on an old sweatshirt and jeans, and threw a warm cloak over it all, and left her room, and out the back door.

Hermione breathed a breath of relief when she walked out into the crisp night air.  The snow on the Potter grounds glistened as though it were made form a thousand tiny diamonds.  She remembered the nightly snowball fights she and Draco had had during their Christmas vacation.  Harry and Ron always wondered how fresh snow got so messed up during the night, they never guessed it was them.

Hermione walked down a path, there was a small lake, right before Harry's personal quiddich pitch.  Hermione sighed sadly, the lake reminded her of  a memory of one of her stays at the Weasley, going swimming on one of those hot summer days…

"Hermione! Come on! The waters great!"  A sixteen year old Harry said to a sixteen year old Hermione.  "I'm fine right here, thanks!"  Hermione answered.  She was lying on her back on a large beach towel, spread out on the green grass near the lake outside the Burrow. She was reading of course, Hogwarts: a History, revised.  Hermione laid the book to her side and closed her eyes, taking in everything around her.  She could smell the hushed summer wind blowing around her, the smell of grass and fresh flowers was strong in the air, giving her a very lazy and contented feeling.  Harry and Ron were splashing in the clear water, trying to temp her to join them.

            "Hermione!" It was Ron this time.  "Leave me alone!" Hermione replied.  "Cant a girl get any relaxation around here?"  She adjusted herself and let the warmth of the sum hit her exposed skin, giving her a warm feeling inside and out.  She heard a bit more splashing, then silence.  She lay there still enjoying the smell and feeling of summer, when she felt a drop of water on her shoulder, then another on her lower stomach, then a few more on her ace.

She opened her eyes slowly to see the tall figures of Harry and Ron staring down at her.  "Ron?  Harry?  What do you want?"  Hermione asked in a slightly annoyed voice.  The two boys looked at each other and grinned wickedly.  Ron grabbed Hermione's Legs, while Harry grabbed her arms, and they carried her towards the lake.  Hermione then realized what they were planning on doing with her.

"Harry Potter! You put my down this instant!"  Hermione shouted, half laughing, half enraged.  Harry complied when they reached the lake, with a 1…2…3…Ron and Harry launched Hermione into the cold water. Hermione sank to the bottom and pushed off, flying into the air, sputtering water as she went. 

"Harry Potter! Ronald Weasley! You both are SO dead!" 

She then proceeded to try to dunk them, but failed miserable, and ended up being pushed under once again, but this time she grabbed one of each of their ankles and with a tremendous splash, they joined her in the crystal water.

Back in the present, twenty nine year old Hermione Granger sighed and stared out to the frozen lake.  It really was a gorgeous site, one of nature's small but true miracles, something magic, and spells, and sorcery cannot even touch. 

"Beautiful isn't it?"  Hermione jumped at a voice behind her.

"Harry? Harry what are you doing out here?"  She said in a hushed voice, still a bit startled.

"I came out here to enjoy the fresh air.." Harry said, "And I saw a certain someone leave the house, wanted to make sure she didn't make a run for it."  He grinned good naturedly and Hermione relaxed and even smiled.

"Well then, your right, it is beautiful."  Hermione said as Harry walked closer.  Hermione could see his breath leave his lips in white wisps against the black of night.

"Is there anything in particular you were thinking about, Mione?"  Harry asked, his green eyes full of concern.

"There's a lot I have been thinking about, nowadays."  Hermione replied simply.  "Do you remember all the times we used to swim in the lake outside the Burrow?  A lake just like this?"

A dreamy sort of look passed over Harry's face.  "Of course I remember, Mione, how could I forget?  You and Ron, and those visits, the Burrow…its what got me through all the bad stuff, like preventing the apocalypse for example, and spinach, I really hated spinach." 

Hermione laughed and said  "Your right, those were the best times of my life.  You know, I had such a crush on you when I was fourteen, and a little when I was fifteen.  But then you dated Cho, then Ginny, then finally Parvati, it was weird, being so close to you, and never being quite able to touch."

Harry looked genuinely surprised at this, and Hermione blushed, surprised at her forwardness.  "I have no idea, Mione, I always thought you had a thing for Ron!"

"Ron?"  Hermione said, laughing.  "Well, Ron was always much too big brotherly, I hated how protective he was of me about Victor, although he was right about him, he was a jerk."

They both silently remembered Victor Krum, who cheated on Hermione with three other girls, finally succeeding in getting one of them pregnant.  Victor left the poor girl, but got his when, in Harry's first year on the English quiddich team, Harry 'accidentally' knocked him off his broom, partly for Hermione, although he never admitted it.  Victor now has a busted knee to live with the rest of his life, and works as a secretary in the ministry of magic. 

"What's it like being married Harry?"  Hermione said thoughtfully.

"Being married?"  Harry asked, surprised. "Well, I guess it's just a lot like living with someone you love, and knowing someone will be there to care about you.  I don't know."

"It seems so weird, you and Ron, married."  Hermione said quietly.

Harry's wedding band flashed in the moonlight. "Well, I honestly always thought you would end up with one of us."  Harry confessed, blushing slightly in the dark.

Hermione laughed. "You know what? Me too.  When we were younger anyway, I always took turns doodling my name, either Hermione Potter or Hermione Weasley.  So strange how things never turn out exactly as planned."

"Yea."  Harry said thoughtfully, "But I have learned, nothing is ever really strange in my life, normalcy would be strange to me."

They stood there a few moments, thinking.

"I talked to Draco the other day."  Hermione said, bluntly, then turned her face away from her friend, ready for the worst- she didn't get it.

"Draco Malfoy?  Well, now what did he have to say?"  Harry said as coolly as possible, on the inside he was elated- this was exactly what he came out here to talk about.

  Hermione was still looking away, and she said to him "He came to me that night you and Ron came to visit me at Hogwarts.  He-he, well, he was there. There at the quiddich pitch. I like to go on broom rides, you know, clear me head? He came and told me he still loved me, pretty much. He told me that he loved me! After all this! He told me he loved me!" 

Hermione was crying now, still turned from Harry.  Harry carefully stepped up beside her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Hermione-" he said quietly, turning her around to face his friend, the girl he left to misery, now was his time to set things right. Hermione buried her head into his shoulder, sobbing quietly.

"Hermione?"  Harry said again.  Hermione looked up to him with questioning eyes. "Do you still love him?"  Harry asked her, straight forward.

Hermione looked stared for a moment, then looked down at her peculiar ring.  And said, "What is love Harry?  What is it truly?  The love I felt when I was seventeen is not the love I feel today, for anyone.  I loved him with all my soul then, I would have gladly given my life to him, given him anything and everything I had, if it meant that I could make him happy.  I thought he was true Harry, I thought he loved me, so I loved him with the amount he showed me.  Now, now all these years later, I can still remember what he felt like, what he tasted like, I can hear him whispering softly in my ear, if I listen hard enough.  I can smell the scent of his cologne, the overpriced Italian kind that used to annoy me so much. I can see him zipping around on the quiddich field in my minds eye, looking much like you in pursuit of that small golden ball, and I can still feel the faint fluttery feeling deep within me when I try hard enough, but I also feel the hurt, and I can hear him tell his father he didn't love me, and see his father's loathing look in his eyes, the eyes Draco shares with him. Do I still love him Harry?  Yes I do.  I think I always will, but what good will it do? He doesn't love me, he will use me again, and that's what a Malfoy does."

Harry stood their silently for a few moments, taking in everything Hermione said, and finally murmured,  "You love him Hermione, I think love is worth taking risks for, worth sacrificing the ultimate thing.  My mother died, not because it was the right thing to do, but because of her unconditional love for me, love like that is undying, unmoving.  Love like that can move mountains, and someday we'll know why, but for right now, we just have to accept what is right in front of us, Hermione, love is worth fighting for, and if your willing to fight, then you already have won, you already won."

Hermione stared into Harry's eyes again.  "You right." She whispered. "I just hope it's not too late." 

"Come on Mione."  Harry said to her.  "It's nearly dawn, and we both need to get some sleep."

Hermione nodded and followed Harry back to the mansion, with millions of thoughts screaming in her mind.

~*~

"Master Malfoy?" Draco turned around to see a small house elf in his study doorway.  "Yes? What is it?"  He asked. "Excuse me Sir, but Miss Juliet have just returned home."  Draco's expression immediately softened, and he said.  "Please, bring her here." "Yes sir"  And the house elf disappeared.

"It wasn't long before Draco heard a small girl's voice.  "I'm home daddy!"  Juliet said in the doorway.  Draco beckoned her in.

"Hello love, how are you today?"  Draco said uncomfortably.  Unsure of were to begin.

"I'm fine daddy, how are you and Grandma?"  Juliet's politeness matched that of Draco at her age.

"Grandma's in France, picking out some pretty dresses for you."  Draco said brightly.  The look in Juliet's eyes was not a pleased one.

"Daddy, I have a question to ask you." She said in a slightly timid voice.

"Well go ahead love, what is on your mind?"  Draco asked in a fatherly voice.

"Daddy…." Juliet said slowly.  "Do you know a girl named Hermione Granger?"

Draco's reaction looked something of a very hot person getting splashed with cool water, for his tense face relaxed, and his eyes regained some brightness, just at the sound of her name.

"Yes Love, I did, and still do as a matter of fact."  Draco said coolly, definitely not knowing what was coming next.

"Then why did you never tell me she was my mother?"  Juliet said smartly, knowing Draco had known no more then she.

The next thing that happened would have been quite funny, if the situation wasn't quite so serious.  Draco fell off his chair, and Juliet could see his silvery blonde hair pop out from behind it.  Draco tried to seat himself with as much dignity as possible, but he did not succeed.

"Daddy?"  Juliet asked, slightly alarmed. 

"I'm alright love."  Draco replied regally.  "Now, what is it you needed?"

"Why didn't you tell me?  Tell me anything?"  Juliet said, in a calm voice that Draco could not quite comprehend.

"Well,"  Draco said slowly.  "I suppose it is because I myself only found out a short while ago." 

"Why Daddy?  Why didn't you stand up to Grandpa Lucius?"  Juliet said in a tiny voice.  "Why didn't you protect my mom?"

Draco was having a hard time fighting back tears, and said.  "I was young, Julie.  I was young and I was scared. Scared for you mother's life as well as my own.  If I had known you were coming, I would have fought harder, but I was just seventeen years old, barely a man."

Juliet started crying at this, and flung herself at her father, wrapping her small arms around his waist.  "You're a bad man daddy."  She said through tears.  "You a bad man, but my mother loves you, and I love you too." 

Draco sat there, crying softly and holding his daughter.  "I'm going to make this right for you Julie." He said.  "I'm going to make this right for everybody."

~*~

"Harry!  I cant believe you got me something like this!"  Hermione said, pulling out a Star Grazer 4000, the latest broom.  "It's much too expensive!"

"Not really Mione."  Harry said sheepishly.  "I get all the newest brooms for free."  Everyone found something funny in this, and started a wrapping paper fight, both the kids and adults.

It was Christmas morning, and spirits were high in the Potter residence.  Hermione's gifts went over well, as they usually do, and she was even surprised at a few good ones, including an early turned in homework assignment from Ryan, who just grinned devilishly.

The Potter residence was quite full today.  They were all gathered around the large living room, and giggled sleepily as enchanted snow fell from the ceiling.  All of Hermione's old friends were there, including the Weasley's (all of them) the majority of her old Gryffindor house, Oliver Wood, Lee Jordan, Colin and Dennis Creevy, Hagrid, Serius Black, Remus Lupin and even Mad Eye Moody, with a few other old aurors.

Hermione smiled as she watched James and Ryan open a small envelope that was addressed to the both of them.  They lit up as they read it, and Hermione sat amused, knowing what was on it-the words to make the Marauders map work properly.

The day went on with more merriment, including Hermione getting kissed on the check under the mistletoe by both the twins, who were still happy bachelors, and Oliver Wood, who was newly divorced from Padma Patil.

Hermione called it an early night,  almost too tired to walk up the many steps to her room.  She had fun, it was true, but she was no closer to being at peace with herself.

~*~

The day after Christmas, Harry and Ron sat in the back garden, sipping coffee. All the guest returned home, and now the only inhabitants of the Potter house was Harry's family, Ron, Lavender, the baby, Ryan, and Hermione.

"Party went really well." Ron said to Harry.  "I think everyone had a really good time." 

"Well, almost everyone, Ron."  Harry replied dejectedly.

"What do you mean Harry?  Everyone was having a great time! And everyone liked their gifts."  Ron told him, a bit surprised at Harry's depression.

"Didn't you see it Ron?"  Harry asked.  "Didn't you see the way Hermione looked?  Especially at Ginny and Dean, their happy, we're happy, hell, even Oliver's happy, but Hermione's not.  We need to do something more for her, we need to talk to Malfoy again."

Ron looked at Harry, and saw the determination in his green eyes.  "Alright then."  Ron said, "lets get this over with then."

They stood up and waved their wands over themselves and found themselves in full robes.  They looked at each other and shouted "Malfoy Manor!"  And disaparated with a small 'pop'

Harry and Ron appeared in the same garden they had talked to Malfoy in before, but he wasn't in sight. They walked up to the large iron backdoor.  A large knocker was on the front, made of the same wrought iron that the furniture on the patio was made of.  A dark green and looked very heavy.  The knocker was shaped like a massive 'M' with small serpents intertwined and engraved throughout the letter. 

Ron raised an unsure hand and lifted the heavy knocker three times sharp.  He dropped the knocker a forth time and took a step back beside Harry.  After a few moments passed, the enormous door opened and Harry and Ron looked in.

"Yes sirs?"  A squeaky voice asked.  Harry looked down kindly at the house elf in the doorway.  "Yes." Harry said.  "We were wondering if we may speak with Mister Draco Malfoy?" Harry said this in an insistent tone.  The elf looked up at Harry.

"Who should Daisy say is asking sir?"  she asked.  "Mister Ron Weasley and Mister Harry Potter."  Ron said in a self assured tone. Daisy nodded and closed the door, then opened it a minute or so later.  "Master will see you now."  She said, and lead them to the Malfoy sitting room, where Draco was waiting for them.

"Sit."  Draco said, standing up politely, which Ron and Harry found very amusing, but covered it well.  They sat in very large, dark wooden chairs with green velvet.  They were very sophisticated, and matched the décor of the Malfoy mansion wonderfully, but Harry and Ron both thought they were ridiculously uncomfortable for a sitting room.

"What did you need?"  Draco asked, not unfriendly, after seating himself back down.

Harry warmed up to him a bit and said, "Does your daughter know who her mother really is?"

Draco fixed his steely gaze on Harry's green one. "Yes."  He said at last, watching Harry and Ron expression.  "I believe your sons had something to do with that."

Ron's blue eyes flashed.  "Ryan and James?  Impossible! How would they know?"  Harry just looked on in amazement.  He could believe their sons would be capable of obtaining that information, they could have heard from anyone- or thing, in Hogwarts.

"So they told her?"  Harry said, more of as a statement. 

"Yes."  Draco said curtly.  "She came home for holiday knowing, and, although she was distraught, she is handling it well…very well.  Dumbledore told her what your sons could not, and she's handling it as well as can be thought of.  She's a wonderful girl, but it has taken a certain….toll, I should say, on her.

Draco's eyes were dull, but he tried to smile anyway. "She really is a great girl." He said again. 

Then Ron spoke up.  "Yes, Ryan and James have said nothing but good things about her, except for her excessive studying, which they find highly annoying."

Draco's eyes bighted a bit, and he gave a small chuckle, but quite suddenly, he stopped.   "Hermione!  What does….what does Hermione think of this?  Why hasn't she tried to contact Juliet?  Is it me? Should I send Juliet to see her?"

Harry and Ron shifter uncomfortably.  "Hermione doesn't know."  Harry said finally.  Draco's eyes flashed.  "Doesn't know?"  HE asked in a quiet, deadly tone.  "But how could she not?  Didn't you tell her?  Why didn't you tell her?!" Draco shouted the last question, his grey eyes churning into an icy blue and pewter.

Harry and Ron were quite surprised at Draco's sudden lose of composure.  "You need to be the one to tell her."  Harry said firmly.  "I don't know how she would handle it coming from us."

"Coming from you?"  Draco said deliriously.  "At least she speaks to you!  Hell Potter! She's staying at your house!  Like hell she wont listen to you!  I tried to tell her, but she'll have nothing to do with me."  Draco stopped short.  "Not that I blame her."  He added quietly.

Harry stared him in the eye.  "She still loves you."  He told the blonde boy with an unblinking gaze.  "She still loves you after all these years, so against my better judgment, I would say that made whatever relationship you had with her much more then what I thought.  I want to help Hermione, but unfortunately, that means helping you as well, but I'm willing to do anything to make up for the complete ass I have been for the last decade, I will make up everything I put her through.  Believe me Malfoy, I feel just as bad as you do."

Draco stared at Harry for a moment.  "I want you to meet my daughter."  Was all he said.  Harry and Ron nodded and Draco flicked his wand.  They didn't hear anything, but apparently it made a sound, for a very tiny house elf appeared, it looked to be just a child.

"Emily."  Draco said in an uncharacteristically kind voice.  "Would you please fetch me my daughter?"  Emily the elf smiled and disappeared in a wispy cloud of smoke.

"Emily is my daughter's personal house elf." Draco said, explaining to Ron and Harry.  "They were both born around the same time, and they are very good friends, Emily has her own room adjoining Juliet's, as Juliet would have it no other way."

Harry and Ron smiled, amazed that A Malfoy  would let a house elf have her own room.

After several minutes, a small figure began to descend the massive Malfoy front stairwell- Juliet Malfoy.

She was dressed far beyond her years, Narcissa's doing of course.  She wore a long silk gold wizarding robe, and her light blonde hair fell around her, and her peculiar silvery-gold eyes stared at them behind long dark eye lashes.

"Yes father?"  The girl asked.  Draco politely stood once more, as did Harry and Ron.

"Juliet love,."  Draco said kindly. "This is Mr.  Harry Potter and Mr. Ron Weasley. I trust you know their sons?"

Juliet immediately warmed up to Harry and Ron and said,  "Yes I do! Their my best friends from school, and their great fun, although they do not study nearly enough, and get in trouble a bit too often, and they tend to be irresponsible, always playing wizard chess when we have an exam in a week, but they are great!"

She beamed up at the men, who were chuckling good naturedly at her eleven year old enthusiasm. 

"Pleased to meet you Juliet."  Ron said to the small girl  Juliet regained her manners and curtsied the way she was taught in her proper upbringing.

Juliet then looked up again and asked, "Why are you here?"  With a faint look of dread in her eyes.

Harry shifted uncomfortably and then said, "We know your mother."  He said finally.  "In fact, we were best friends with her in Hogwarts, and are again."

Juliet narrowed her eyes at him.  "Yes, I remember Professor Dumbledore mentioning your name, Yours too."  She looked pointy at Ron. "You're the friends my mother had, that abandoned her when she needed you most.  Maybe if you had been the best friends you claimed to be, things would be different! Maybe I would have a real family with my real mother! You were seventeen years old! You acted like you were my age, letting some old grudge get in the way of a friendship! I know my father wasn't a very nice person when he was younger, but it looks like you just left my mother to spite him! What kind of person are you?" 

Juliet was enraged, all the shock and anger coming from finding out something like this about yourself was finally getting to the usually calm and cool Malfoy, and she found the perfect thing (or people) to take it out on.

Harry and Ron looked completely ashamed, Juliet and even Draco observed with a sense of satisfaction.  Finally Ron looked back up.

"We're going to make up for that."  He said firmly.  "We're going to make up for it all." 

Then Harry joined him.  "Juliet, would you like to meet your mother?"

~*~

(A/N)

hehe, was that too evil? Well, I hope this chapter made up for the last one, this one is 7,000 words! Oh yea! Lol. I really liked writing this chapter, it's one of my favorites.  Can anyone imagine Draco falling off a chair? Lol. If you want to be put on a mailing list for my updates, please tell me in a review, and leave your email address.

thank you so much to the reviewers!!!

rabid-dragons- hehe, your very amusing, thanks for reviewing!

 Naliah- thanks! I enjoy writing it too :D

 PsYcHoJo – I know what writers block feels like, you just have to brainstorm and come up with all kinds of ideas

Animagus – lol, yes, hurting yourself is not a good thing, especially on my account, although I am flatered :D

Heather J. – no draco/Hermione action yet, but SOON, I promise!

elentari - yea, I know it was short, but this one is much better :D

Jade - nope, Hermione doesn't know about Juliet, its just one of those hurtful things you try to block out, and yes, draco WILL work, but he'll also pull out some of his Slytherin cunning

Sweet Sorrow – thanks!

casper – I hope you like this chapter, its one of my favorites

TomFeltonsDancer – ok, no need to be angry now! I updated!lol

BlacKat – thanks!

hopeless romantic – their so much alike, how could they not?

Little Red Raven – hey! Thanks so much for keeping an open mind about the Draco/Ginny ship.  I REAAALLLLYYY like that in a person, because some people are WAY too stuck in their ways to even enjoy another ship.  I added Ginny in this chapter just for you, and look! Shes getting married! Lol

depth – I really like that line too, so it will probably resurface again

Mistress del Mare – Im still trying to think of ho I can make it realistic for the Juliet/ Hermione meeting….should be interesting, huh?

aLi - yea, I get like that too, but I always try to write back to the reviewers, because they took the time to write to me! I hope this chapter is long enough for you!

Emma – OK! Here 'tis

Hamechk-Seti – thanks!

Kyra  - happily ever afters are great, arnt they? :D

innocent rambler- OK, I did :D

angeL_1215 - I really likede the draco scene too, a stroke of brilliance in my case,lol.

Sugar- Thanks!

TheWalrusWasPaul – hehe, cliffhangers…a writers necessity!

Amora-Ryuko – thanks!

Blondie - Thanks!

TriGemini – Thank you, I hope you liked it!

tom felton's babe – hehe, like your name J  anyway, thanks for reviewing! I know what you mean, its just so romantic :D

courtney_love - thank you sooo much! Lol

even angels fall – Thanks! I hope you like this one!

Jase – I downloaded that song, it was pretty good! I just might use it, if not in this story, in another!

Alsangel – hehe, cliffhangers keep people coming back! Thanks for reviewing!

cherry_nicole – thanks! I know what you mean about brothers, grrr. Annoying yes?

AJ – thanks! I hope you like it!