Disclaimer: blah, blah blah, I don't own the characters… well, 'cept for Bree, and Laura, and Sam, and a couple other ppl.

A/N: Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers, and to Cyndi, my beta. (Thanks a lot toots.) Sorry it took so long to update this. Midterms were shit :( I'm working on another story at the same time (it's called 'Oleandera' if you want to read it) o be patient with me. Hope you like :)

Chapter IX: Meeting... Home

When Hermione woke up the next morning, Ron was gone. She sighed, and glanced over at the clock. "Half past eleven?!" she jumped up, and ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. Muche to her relief, many of the Weasleys were still at the breakfast table.

"Morning dear." Mrs. Weasley said. "Would you like some breaffast?"

" Yes please." Hermione sat down and helped herself to some eggs and sausage. She felt someone's eyes on her. When she glanced up, Ron looked away. "Why didn't I notice? We've known each other for so long..."

"Hey! It's an owl!" Ginny jumped from the table, and ran to the window. "Oh... it's for you Hermione."

"Me?" she took the letter from Ginny. The handwriting was very familiar to her. She tore it open and read what he'd written:

Mione,

I know that this is short notice, but

could you meet me at Big Bend in an

hour? I'll have already gone by the

time you get this, so I'll be hoping to

see you there.

Draco

"Who's it from?" Ginny asked, not full of curiousity. "Oh... it was from my parents." Hermione said, blushing at the lie. "They want me to ome and spend a few hours with them, opening gifts and like that."

"That's right dear." Mrs. Weasley said, smiling. "Children should always spend time with their parents on Christmas. Hurry along now."

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"I wasn't sure you'd come"

"I'm sorry it took so long." Hermione apologized. "I left the house right away, but everyone was watching, so I had to floo to my house. Then I had to stay for a bit, so Mum and dad wouldn't wonder what was up. Then I flooed over to Oliver's house. He only lives a little bit away."

"Oh? How is Wood doing? I hadn't heard from them in awhile."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "He and Marcus are doing well. They've adopted two children, and they seem very happy."

Draco made a face. "I'll never understand them... but, if it makes them happy..." he smiled at her. "I'm glad you came." he pulled her forward, and softly kissed her lips.

"What did you want to see me for?" she took his hand, and they started walking.

"When are you going back to Colorado?"

"I have work, so I'm portkeying back on the twenty-ninth." she frowned. "Why do you ask?"

"I have to stay here... until New Years." he said, rather apologetically. "It's my father's orders."

"What? But-- I already spent so much time away from you... I'll stay too! I'll call them and say I'm quitting."

"No you won't. You need to work. Besides... it's only a few days. I'll be home on the first." he kissed her again. "I promise."

"Well... alright. I'll miss you."

He grinned. "I know."

"Conceited!"

He laughed. "I know. But... would you love me if I weren't?"

"Of course. I'd love you no matter what."

"I'm glad. Come on, I'll take you out to eat before you have to go."

They went to a little French cafe on a side street. Over dessert, he handed her a small, brightly wrapped, box. "What's this?"

"Your Christmas present. I wanted you to have it before you left." he said, grinning. SHe unwrapped the package, struggling with the tape. "Need some help?" an amused Draco asked.

"No." Hermione grunted. "I can do it." she finally managed to get the tape off, and lifted the lid. She gasped. Inside was a ring. It was silver and gold swirled together. On the silver side, was an emerald; on the golden side, was a garnet. "Gryffindor and Slytherin." she said.

"If you don't like it, I can get you--" she leaned across the table and kissed him. "I love it. It's gorgeous." she held out her hand, and he slipped it on her middle finger.

"Now, for your present."

"You didn't have to get me anything." he said quickly.

"I know." she smiled. "but I wanted to." she fished around inside her purse, and brought out a long, flat box. He eagerly opened it, and brought out a thin, silver chain. Dangling from it was a tiny key.

"It's tacky, I know, but I couldn't resist. This key is special... it's the key to my heart. You don't have to waer it or anything--"

"Thank you. It's wonderful. he slipped the chain over his head, and leaned across the table to kiss her. "I'll wear it next to my heart. "He bent down, and kissed her again.

Across the street, a camera clicked.

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"We enjoyed having you visit Hermione dear." Mrs. Weasley said, as she hugged Hermione goodbye. "Come back and visit us soon."

"I will." she promised. She hugged Ginny, Angelina, and Harry, and shook hands with Mr. Weasley and the boys. "Where's Ron?"

"Not feeling well." Mrs. Weasley said darkly. "He says I poisoned his dinner, but I think he simply ate too much."

"I should still say goodbye to him." ignoring protests, Hermione dashed back upstairs. She banged Ron's door open without knocking. "Ronald Weasley! What on earth?!" she stopped. Ron lay on his bed, a picture in his hands.

It was the picture of the three of them, on the day she had graduated from Hogwarts. They all waved. Then, as she watched, picture Ron, leaned over and kissed picture Hermione. "Oh... Ron." she sighed.

He sat up, and threw the picture into an open drawer. "I'm sorry Mione... I didn't think you'd want to say goodbye to me after... everything."

"Ron, of course I would. You and Harry are my best friends. Nothing in the world can change that... but I'm in love with someone Ron, and there's nothing in the world that can change that either." she leaned down, and kissed his cheek. "Goodbye Ron."

"Goodbye Mione." he said, as the door closed behind her. "I'll get you to love me." he whispered. "I'll come to Comerado, and sweep you off your feet. You'll forget all about that boyfriend..."

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"You're back!" Bree hugged Hermione. "How was your vacation? Did you have fun?"

"Yeah." Laura snickered did you and Draco have fun?"

Hermione blushed. "Nothing like that happened, although, my best friend did confess that he was in love with me."

"Aww... that is so sweet. What did you say?"

"I told him the truth. I'm in love with someone else. He said he understood, and that he'd get over it."

"Poor guy..." Bree sighed. "Have you got a picture?"

"Yes. Loads." Hermione dug around in her purse, and came out with a roll of pictures she had taken.

"Wow! Which one is he?"

"That's Ron, sitting next to me. My other best friend, Harry, is on the other side. That's Ginny, the only girl, who just happens to be the future Mrs. Potter. Those are the twins, and their significant others. Percy, Penny, Charlie, Sabe, and their twins, Adam and Anne; Bill with Fleur and their daughter Marietta. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are the ones standing in the back. Our friend Hagrid is the one who's face is half cut off."

"Wow. That's one good looking bunch." Laura ran her hand over the photo. "Can I keep this?"

"Sure, if you want... Oh my God! We open in an hour!"

"Shit!" Laura grabbed a rag. "Let's get going."

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It was New Year's Eve. The bar was full of people. Hermione struggled with a platter of shrimp, and half a dozen eggnogs. "Here you are... a shrimp platter, and six eggnogs."

"Thank you young lady. Here's five. Buy yourself a drink."

"Thanks." Hermione slipped the bill into her apron pocket, and glanced at the clock. Three minutes to midnight.

"You ready?" Bree yelled, trying to make herself heard over the noise.

"As ready as I'll ever be." The television was on. The ball had already dropped in Time Square. They were now going to replay it for the time zone.

Ten--nine--eight "Oh Draco..." Seven--six--five--four "I love you..." three--two--one.

As the confetti fell, and people began to sing, Hermione took a drink of her eggnog. She made a face. "Not as good as Butter Beer."

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

In England, at Malfoy Manor, Draco staggered into his room, and threw himself down on his bed. It was the early hours of the morning. Shortly, it would be dawn. Last night, his family had sealed a bargain that would change the destiny of the Malfoy family forever.

"Goodnight Mione." he whispered, even though she couldn't hear him. "Wherever you are... I love you."

A/N: *retches in disgust* I know, I know... revolting. I reread this, and had to stop myself from vomiting. This chapter was nothing but a load of useless information. Don't worry, it gets better.