A/N: Okay. I know I'm a horrible person and I put this down under "romance" and put the two main characters as Hermione and Draco, but that's because they ARE the main characters and this IS a romantic story – BUT like I SAID like I SAID—THIS IS NOT A HERMIONE/DRACO SHIP!! Read the description of the story if you don't believe me. And I know that I might lose some readers because of the turn of events in my story, but that's the risk you take when you read a story: it might not turn out how you expect it to…and I tend to feel it's the mark of a good story, when the end isn't completely predictable. I'm sorry if I misled some devoted Hr/D fans out there, but please read my story anyway? I can't guarantee you'll like the pairing but you could still enjoy the writing itself…? Please don't give up on me! And those of you who absolutely hate Hr/R and feel like if they read a Hr/R ship they'll be forced to flame me, I suggest you stop right now and find yourself a different story.

The rest of the Christmas holiday dragged by, and Hermione couldn't wait to get back to classes and have some routine. After Christmas day she'd been stranded. She couldn't go to the Gryffindor common room, for fear of bumping into either Ron or Harry, who she was sure knew about what had happened by then. But she tried at all costs to avoid her dormitory as well. Draco's clipped tones and avoidant eyes made her stomach lurch with guilt and pain. She'd spent most of her time in the library, buried in spellbooks and prose, fighting back tears and the thoughts that burned in her mind. She eventually stopped sneaking into the kitchen and went down to the hall for meals, but sat as far as she could from Ron and Harry. She was sitting in the library, a day before New Year's Eve, reading as usual, busying herself by trying to memorize the ingredients for a disappearing draught, when Ginny slid into a chair across from her.

"Herm?" Ginny said tentatively, as Hermione kept her nose buried in the book. "Hermione where have you been these past few days?" Ginny asked, her face full of concern as Hermione finally looked up at her.

"You haven't heard?" Hermione asked slowly.

"Of course I have." Ginny said dismissively.

"Then Ron's told everyone?" Hermione asked, feeling tears burning in her eyes again as she imagined the entire Gryffindor common room's reactions for the thousandth time.

"Certainly not." Ginny said, snapping Hermione out of guilty thoughts. "I overheard him telling Harry a few days ago. I'm pretty sure Harry's the only one who knows…Well, and me…but that's purely by accident Herm."

Hermione rubbed her eyes furiously, and swallowed. "And…And you don't hate me terribly for it?" She asked.

"Oh god, no Hermione!" Ginny replied at once, leaning forward over the table earnestly. "Of course not! It happens. I'm sure you had an explanation for it."

Hermione nodded, her eyes full of tears. "It was such a mistake. I'd never want to hurt Ron like I did…It was just…we'd become friends…and then there was mistletoe…it was so stupid and I wish I could take it all back." She sniffed, shaking her head forlornly.

"Well, I can't say I understand your friendship with Draco." Ginny said slowly. "But I know you have brains Hermione, and very good judgement. And I know you wouldn't do anything to deliberately hurt Ron. I'm not here to judge you, I'm here to tell you to stop hiding! Come back and sit in the common room again, talk to us again, for goodness sakes help us with our homework! We've all been wondering where our head girl is!" Ginny insisted, her eyes wide and sincere.

"But how can I face Ron and Harry?" Hermione queried nervously, her hands twisting in her lap. "They hate me!"

"Hermione, they're your best friends!" Ginny replied. "They couldn't hate you if they tried. You've been through too much together! You think a stupid kiss is going to change that? I mean, sure, they might be confused, and maybe a little angry…But Hermione, honestly, it's Harry and Ron. The ones who saved you from the troll? They're still the same friends, the same people. If you think this little thing is going to tear your relationship apart you're dafter than I thought."

Hermione brightened for a moment, but then frowned again.

"But…" She said slowly, looking meaningfully at Ginny. "What about Ron?"

A knowing look came into Ginny's eyes. "So you finally figured it out!" She smiled, speaking a little too loudly. Madame Pince gave them a sharp look, but then turned back to her work.

"Yes." Hermione answered heavily, deciding not to mention that Hagrid practically had to spell it out to her.

"Well, Hermione. I can't say he won't be hurt, because he is… and he probably will be for a while. But he's calmed down substantially since Christmas...And I think if you try to explain he might not be entirely fair about it…But he'll hear you out." Ginny said.

"I just don't know how I'm supposed to tell him I love him after all that's happened." Hermione blurted out, but then he hand flew to her mouth and her eyes grew wide, but Ginny's grew much wider.

"Did you just say what I think you said?" She gaped.

Hermione, hands still over her lips nodded slowly. "I think I did." She said from behind her fingers.

"You love him?" Ginny hissed, her eyes full of disbelief.

"Well. I mean…Ginny…I…I suppose I always have." Hermione said, her hand slowly sliding off her mouth and down onto the table. "I sort of just realized it a few days ago…this is the first time I've ever said it though. It's so strange…"

Ginny was beaming widely. "Hermione" She said "You two are meant to be together! You have to tell him!"

"I don't know…" Hermione answered hesitantly, "It seems a bit too soon…He's probably still angry…"

"Hermione." Ginny said firmly. "He's been waiting 7 years for this. I don't care how angry he is, nothing could keep him from wanting to hear this."

Readers who haven't left me for some Hr/D shippy fluff fic: Ginny saves the day!

Me: please please review. I need all the reviews I can get now that…people are leaving…cause they don't love Ron…

Or me…--breaks into tears--