Chapter 38-

AN-Hello everybody!! I am back! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!!! I had a great time!!!

Well, On with the story….

"Open mine first, 'Mione!" Ginny said a she thrust a red and gold package at Hermione.

Hermione took the package and smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Gin!" she said as she began to slowly peel off the paper. As soon as she opened the package she was overcame with a deep blush and slammed the box shut. She quickly glanced around to see if anyone was looking and saw only a extremely happy Ginny and a confused Ron.

"What is it, 'Mione?" Ron asked.

"N-nothing." she mumbled as she quickly grabbed two long boxes and handed them to Ron and Harry. "Here, open there, but do it at the same time."

Both boys grinned and began ripping at the paper. Hermione looked at Ron first to see his reaction. When he got through the paper his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets and his mouth dropped to the floor. Hermione turned to Harry only to see that his reaction was very similar if not exactly the same as Ron's.

"Wow, 'Mione!" Ron said finally. "These are bloody rare!!" Ron not taking his eyes from his prized possession, admired the orange velvet broom case.

"Yeah. This is amazing!" Harry agreed.

"That's not all." Hermione said proudly. "Open them."

They both did. Once again their eyes popped out and they were totally speechless. "Is that--?" Harry began.

"Yes. It is the autographs of all the players on the Chudley Cannons." she said cutting him off.

"Merlin-" Ron said as he marveled at the wonder in his hands. "This is worth more than my broom." he muttered. (He now had a Nimbus 2001 because of his dads pay increase.)

Draco, who had been silent the entire time, made a slight noise in the back of his throat.

Harry glared at him for a moment before practically jumping on Hermione. "You are the BEST! Where did you get these??"

"Oh, well…you know that Victor and I were friends…well, I owled him and asked him if he could get me them. He has friends on the Cannons…" she said carefully, not wanting to anger Ron. Ron however, was totally oblivious.

"You're great, 'Mione!" Harry said before returning to his case.

"You really are." Draco whispered to her. "They are lucky to have a friend like you."

"You're telling me?" she said sarcastically before getting up to retrieve another box. The box was huge. It was all the way up to her waist. She dragged it over to Draco and placed it in front of him. "Happy Christmas."

Draco smiled as he began to tear the paper around the box. Soon he had the paper off and was opening the lid. Inside was another elegantly wrapped box. He took this box and began unwrapping it. When he had opened this box, he was shocked to see yet another wrapped package inside. He gave Hermione a questioning look which she returned with a smile before turning back to the package. He opened this one and unsurprisingly, there was another smaller box inside.

By this time, everybody was watching curiously. After opening several more boxes, Draco finally reached a small black velvet box that fit in the palm of his hand. He looked at Hermione one last time before opening the small box. His eyes immediately widened as he gazed upon the gift.

After staring at it for a minute, he looked up at Hermione. "Do you like it?" she asked.

"I-I don't know what to say…I got you the same thing."

"What?"

"Here." he said, as he pulled out a similar velvet bow and handed it to her.

Hermione looked confused, but opened the box. Inside was the exact same pendant that she had given Draco. It was a small serpent wrapped around a sword. The snakes eyes glowed red when ever the person who gave it to you needs you. It was a protection charm. The eyes are also able to project thoughts of the person who gave it to you.

Hermione looked up to Draco and smiled. "Oh."

"That is really weird." piped up Ginny.

"Yeah." said Ron who had momentarily forgotten about the bounty in front of him.

"Well kids, it is now time to go to bed. You all have to go back to school tomorrow!" Mrs. Weasley said, breaking the awkwardness.

"Okay, 'night." Hermione said as she got up and walked towards the stairs. Draco, Harry, Ron, and Ginny following close behind. Fred and George flooed back to their flat and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stayed behind.

"Night everyone. See you tomorrow." Hermione said as they parted to go to their own bedrooms.

"Well, that was definitely odd." Draco said as they entered their room.

"Well, I think that it was neat. It shows that we truly know each other." Hermione said.

"Yeah. I guess. Well, 'night. We have to go back to Hogwarts tomorrow."

"Night."

The next morning they were all running around getting ready to leave. Hermione and Draco were once again using the floo network while Harry, Ron, and Ginny were taking the train.

Hermione and Draco climbed into the fireplace and said, "Hogwarts!" Soon, they landed in Professor Dumbledore's office and were looking into the eyes of the normally smiling man.

"Hey, Professor!" they said as they stepped out of the fire place.

"Good afternoon." he said and he gestured for them to sit down.

Hermione looked confused, but took a seat. Draco did the same. "What's wrong, Professor?" he asked after a minute of silence.

Dumbledore sat quietly for a moment before speaking. "I made a big mistake with Harry and I do not want the same thing to happen to you." Hermione and Draco looked puzzled. "What I mean is, that I did not tell Harry something that he deserved to know and that hurt him greatly in the end. So, I want to tell you the truth from the start." Hermione and Draco nodded and he continued. "Well…your friend Harry is not the only one who was born to a prophecy. There was another prophecy written shortly after Harry's. Before I elaborate, I will quote it to you…

To whom possesses the most evil of hearts

A daughter will be born.

But, after an accident that will cause his decline,

She will be thrust out of all that is magic

To live among those who know not of her world.

All this, only to be thrust back into the world that she forgot about,

Where she will grow and surpass all others

She will befriend the three:

The one who caused her fathers first downfall

The one who's heart was made of stone

and knew of only the hate he was taught as a child

until he was showed true love.

The one who brings fear into the heart of her father.

The joining of the four will bring on a great war

between light and Dark.

Only one can kill the most evil of evils

But without the joining of the four

He will fail…

Dumbledore paused and let them soak in the new information. He was about to speak again, but Hermione cut him off.

"So why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked

"I didn't know that it was you until recently." he replied.

"Oh."

"So, if I am correct, the four include you, me, Harry, and--"

"Me." Draco cut in.

"Yes, you."

"Is that why you out us in a room together?" Hermione asked suddenly.

"Yes. I was hoping that it was spark something between the two of you."

"Really?" Draco asked.

"But we really were Head Boy and Girl, right?" Hermione asked.

"Of coarse. Now, would you have any questions about the prophecy?" Dumbledore responded.

"Not now. I would like to think about it for a while." Hermione replied standing.

"Okay. My office is always open if you need to ask me a question." he said, waving goodbye.

When Draco and Hermione got back to their room, Hermione started crying.

"What's wrong, 'Mione?" Draco asked as he put an arm around her shoulders.

"Why is this all happening to me?? I can't handle this." she said as she cried into his chest.

"Why don't we just go to bed. We can talk about it tomorrow." Draco said as he led her up the stairs.

"Ok."