Chapter 15- What Draco Saw…

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Come on this has to make up for my long absence. Two chapters in as many days? Pretty good for me! This chapter is just a little interlude but it is important to the story. Next chapter will finally be Christmas, yay! Anyway I hope you all enjoy.

IMPORTANT EXPLANATION: A couple of people were a little confused as to my reference of Mary Jane's. I meant those loveable and comfy shoes which are done up with a buckle and are somewhat like the shoes Hermione wore in the movie. Disclaimer: I am not endorsing Mary Jane shoes or getting money to do so but they are such cool shoes. And as for the Harry Potter disclaimer: So wish it was mine…so isn't!

'-'=thoughts

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Hermione entered the common room slowly with the weight of the world bearing down on her shoulders so it took a while for her surroundings to register. But when they did she let out a small gasp of surprise and delight. Every surface was covered in magical tinsel, which sparkled twice as brightly as the normal muggle type, and small glittering pieces of confetti drifted slowly down from the ceiling disappearing when they touched the ground. Twinkling Christmas lights twined all the way around the room and bowls of sweets stood on every available surface. The whole effect was simply breath-taking and Hermione felt her spirits soar just looking at it; however the best part of the picture was the pale, drawn person sitting in an arm chair by the fire talking quietly to Harry and Ron.

"Neville!" Hermione called out ecstatically flying to his side and flinging her arms around his neck. "When did you get out? You were there only a very short while ago!"

Neville blushed and grinned back at her, "I woke up just after you left and Madam Pomfrey said it would do me good to spend some time with you guys. I have to go back to the infirmary in a little while, though."

"That's a shame." Hermione sighed, "but at least you are here now." She turned to Harry and Ron. "Did you two do all of this?" she asked delightedly.

They both nodded proudly. "Well it's wonderful, congratulations those charms are really rather good."

"Why thankyou Hermione me dear, why don't you sit down and have a cup of tea?" Ron said cordially mocking the tone of voice she had used. They all laughed and the evening passed pleasantly with games of chess, gobstones and exploding card games punctuated with mirth and gobbling sweets. All too soon Madam Pomfrey appeared and ordered Neville back down to the infirmary. Although all four protested vigorously Neville eventually submitted to his fate and left leaving the other three gathered around the fire. They all stared glumly at the flames deep in their own thoughts about the coming year when suddenly Hermione perked up.

"I have an idea!" she exclaimed lets move all our bedding down here and have a sort of slumber party!"

"A what?!" asked Harry and Ron at the same time.

"A slumber party." Hermione explained patiently "they are very popular among younger girl muggles, basically," she sighed seeing their looks of incomprehension "we all sleep down here in the common room together tonight and stay up late and …stuff." She finished lamely

Ron looked at Harry and they exchanged confused looks.

"Um okay Hermione, but can I ask what brought this on?" Ron said helping himself to another Chocolate Frog.

"To be honest…" Hermione took a deep breath, "I'm lonely up there in the dormitory by myself. I don't want to be lonely on Christmas Eve and I want to be with the two of you as soon as I wake up so we can start Christmas straight away."

Ron dropped the packet of frogs in surprise and they all went jumping off in different directions, croaking loudly. "Weren't you the one who kicked up a big fuss at the start of the holidays about how nice and quiet it was and how you liked having the place to yourself?!"

"People change their minds, alright Ron?" Hermione snapped at him plucking a frog from her hair and giving it a disgusted look.

"Fine, okay." Said Harry, always the peacemaker.

And so in no time they were snuggled up under the covers talking quietly about anything and everything. Hermione was the first to drop off, lying between the boys with only the top of her head showing and her hair streaming across the pillows. Ron looked down on her fondly and whispered across to Harry.

"Do you think she's okay?"

"I don't know." Harry whispered back, "I really don't know."

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Draco tossed and turned but no matter how many different positions he tried he couldn't get comfortable. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Hermione's filled with confusion and …and…something else, he wasn't sure what just as she had whispered:

 Ho avuto abbastanza di questi giochi, "I've had enough of these games." He said quietly to himself, "enough."

"What Draco?" came Goyle's voice.

"Nothing, go back to sleep." Draco snapped climbing out of his bed and deciding to go flying, after all it was obvious he wasn't going to get anymore sleep until he cleared his head. He wrapped a cloak tightly around himself and soared up into the night sky. He flew around the castle a few times to get into the mood then he began wheeling and turning, doing dangerous stunts which he knew Madam Hooch would have a fit about if she saw him at it. It was so late at night, though, that it was highly unlikely that anyone would see him…

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Hermione woke suddenly the last anguished cry still spinning around in her head 'Please help me. HELP ME!' she groaned quietly and slipped out from between Harry and Ron. This was the real reason why she had asked for all of them to sleep down in the common room. She had thought that if she was with her two best friends she would feel safe and protected and the nightmare wouldn't claim her. Obviously she had been wrong. Her attention was suddenly drawn to the window as a silver streak whizzed past the pane of glass. She approached the window and opened it slowly and cautiously, ever alert for signs of dark magic.

"Draco." She breathed in relief and wonderment as she saw him twist in the air and swoop down low to the ground before climbing high into the sky again. He was beautiful like some ethereal being, cloaked in blackness and yet shining and shimmering in the moonlight. All pretence was gone, there was no callousness, cruelness, spite or hatred, and indeed it didn't look as if it was possible for him to be such things. Hermione gave a little clap and laughed for joy at the possibility that there was more to him, a lot more.

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Draco had nearly achieved his goal, nearly cleared his mind of all things Hermione when all of a sudden a crisp, clear tinkle of laughter drifted on the wind to where he was weaving between the Hogwarts turrets. He stopped the broom dead, almost pitching himself off the other end with the force of his abrupt halt.

"Damn." He muttered as his traitorous eyes searched for the source of the laugh. Soon he spotted her, just as he knew he would, leaning out of a window high up in the castle. A soft golden light which he supposed to be the dying embers of a fire glowed softly behind her lighting up her dark hair so it looked almost golden. Her hands were clasped in front of her out the window and her pure white night dress matched the snow that was lying on the ground enhancing her flushed cheeks. Draco swerved behind a tree so as to be able to observe her unnoticed for as long as possible. However he had only been there for a few minutes before she withdrew back inside the window and closed it gently.

'Oh no you don't.' Draco thought angrily to himself fixing his eyes on the window she had disappeared from and flying towards it; once he was level with it he stopped and leaned in close to see in. Hermione was picking her way over loose sheets and covers and clambering underneath the large Gryffindor quilt which was lying on the ground. Then Draco noticed a movement to her left, his heart sped up as he thought what could be under there about to attack her but his momentary panic was dispelled as a tousled red head appeared followed by the lanky body of Ron Weasley. His jaw tightened as he saw Ron lean over and touch Hermione's arm lightly, he nearly fell off his broom when he saw Ron gently tuck one of Hermione's lose hairs behind her ear smiling his crooked smile and when Hermione threw herself into his arms he had had enough and he zoomed away more awake and conscious of Hermione then ever.

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If only Draco had heard what had been said between Hermione and Ron. When Hermione had tried to get back under the covers she had accidentally knocked Ron so that he woke up.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" he asked blearily noticing her flushed face and glistening eyes. He reached out and touched her arm concernedly.

"It's that damn nightmare!" She hissed trying not to let her tears spill down her cheeks.

"Don't swear." Ron said smiling and tucking a strand of her hair back.

"I'm so tired." Hermione whimpered throwing herself into his arms and letting his familiar warmth comfort her.

"Shhh, it's alright, everything is alright." He hushed her, slightly uncomfortable at her open show of affection but doing his best to reassure her. His best seemed to work well as soon she was fast asleep in his arms. He gently rolled her back into the middle then snuggled down too, unaware that Draco had seen their exchange and that they would pay dearly for it the next day…

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I got such nice reviews from last chapter and I want you all to know that they made me a very happy girl! And, and, and…I am on 12 favourite lists. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to that person! And on to more thankyous:

Gryffindorphoenix: I have tried hard with Draco but I think there have to be a few concessions if he is going to be in a romance! Thankyou so much for saying I am doing alright with him…he is so much fun to write! I'm so glad you liked my previous story. After this one I think I might write a sequel so keep a look out for it. Thankyou so much for reviewing.

Dobbie-luvs-sweeties: Firstly, your pen name is seriously sweet! It is so cute. Well now I have that out of my system thankyou so much for saying you love my story. Unfortunately I cannot explain just now what is going on between Hermione and Jonathon…that little beauty is for later! I have carried on and far sooner then even I imagined! Thankyou so much for your lovely review.

Darl Castle Witch: Wow I can't believe that my widdle story is the best you have read. You are certainly missing out on a lot! Check my favourites list for some really good ones! I agree with you about the Ronan thing. I thought about making him an evil character but not all rival love interests have to be mean do they?! It is kind of sad that Hermione didn't want to kiss him but hey there is still time…! Thankyou and I will keep it up!

Couch-potato: Passion and lust? Well shouldn't all romances have that?! Here is your next chapter…who could resist such nice manners?!

Juliet Atharis: Eek, I can't believe you only found one horrible cliché…my story is ridden with them! I hate clichés too but I can't seem to stop writing them! It was so nice of you to compliment my writing style it means a lot to me. It is so lovely that you are interested in my story and I hope you read this chapter and enjoyed it too!

The Great Duckie: I hope my email made sense to you and thankyou for bringing to my attention how I took for granted that everyone knew what I was talking about. Thankyou so much for saying you loved my previous chapter and I hope you like this one too.

~*Tallie*~: I must admit that it was your review which made me want to write my new chapter as quickly as possible! Thankyou so much for all your comments they were music to my ears! Well I couldn't have such a fantastic reviewer dying on me could I? I had to update as quickly as possible! What they were saying in the last chapter is written down the bottom in the end authors notes…I'm sorry I didn't make that very clear. Draco said: "Not this time oh fiery one." And Hermione replied: "I've had enough of these games." So there is no need to go out and buy a dictionary! It is wonderful to think that I've been put first on the newly formed favourite of all time list and thankyou so much for telling me so! Aww I love you lots too, thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.

Sila-chan: Marvellous? Why thankyou! Sorry about the shoe thing I didn't make it very clear! Well I think it is excellent you couldn't tear yourself away and thankyou for telling me and I will keep writing, with such nice manners how could I not?!

Thankyou to everybody who reviewed.

On a sadder note, I would like to convey my most heart felt condolences to the families and friends of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Man is not an island and every murder depletes us all.

Jess/star123