Emma came staggering back into the Gryffindor Common Room at 12:30 p.m., an hour after she had left. She was absolutely exhausted. Emma had discovered that Draco Malfoy was the boy she had kissed on Halloween night those many weeks ago. She was a little uneasy at trying to have a relationship with him…I mean he is Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin sex god and a complete ass. But Emma being her second-chance self decided to try it. She crept up to her dorm and put on a pair of pajamas while brushing her teeth. Emma climbed into bed and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

"EMMA, EMMA WAKE UP IT'S CHRISTMAS!" was what Emma woke up to hear.

She groaned in annoyance, "Alright I'm up, I'm up"

Emma yawned and pulled on a long sleeved shirt and a pair of low cut jeans. She followed Hermione down to the common room and gasped at the huge pile of presents that awaited her. She sat down and watched Hermione open something from Harry before grabbing one of her own. She looked at the card and saw it was from Fred Weasley. Emma smiled to herself. Fred had been one of her best friends and so had George before they left Hogwarts. In a way they were like her bodyguards but they were also like big brothers to her. They would be the ones beating up Crabbe and Goyle when they called Emma a mudblood. And Emma would be the one assisting them in all their pranks around Hogwarts. Emma loved them to death and was glad to be hearing from them.

She ripped off the paper and inside was a box. Emma opened it and laughed. It was tons of free samples from their new joke shop. A small card was enclosed,

Dear Emma,

Since we are no longer at Hogwarts, we are counting on you to make the best of all this FREE stuff! Happy Christmas and we hope to see you soon!

Love,

Gred and Forge

Emma laughed and showed the letter to Hermione who laughed as well. She opened a few more presents and got candy from Ron, a book from Hermione, and a broom kit from Harry. Mrs. Weasley had also sent her one of the famous knitted sweaters and Draco had sent her a beautiful silver chain with a ring on it. A card was also enclosed,

Dear Emma,

I know you might be thinking that I'm sort of rushing into this but after Halloween, well I don't know but this is almost as beautiful as you.

Your Heart's Seeker

Emma knew it was from Draco but Hermione didn't so she told her that it was a secret admirer. Of course Hermione believed it and didn't ask any questions. Finally there was just one present left. It was a rather small package wrapped in brown paper. Emma carefully opened it and yet another card fell out.

Your father left this in my possession before your real mother got to him and asked me to give it to you when the time was right. I think that time has arrived.

Emma turned the card over but no one had signed it. She opened the box that was inside the paper and gasped. Inside there was a necklace. A beautiful necklace with a pendant made of gold like the chain. A crystal lay in the center of the pendant, it was glowing.

"Oh my!" gasped Hermione, "That's beautiful!"

She grabbed the card and read through it.

"Um, Emma? If you don't mind me saying, I thought that your real parents were the Thomas's," Hermione said.

Emma sighed; it was finally time to tell the truth.

"No. The Thomas family has been my foster family since I was eight. See my parents weren't exactly the greatest parents so I was put up for adoption. My mother," Emma clenched her teeth, "tried to kill my father and then turned on me. Her name is Bellatrix Lestrange."

Emma whispered the last part but Hermione still heard.

"B-but she can't … your … no … your mother!" Hermione managed to get out.

"Yes … she is," Emma said. A tear rolled down her cheek as Hermione looked at her with a horrified expression.

"This is why I never told anyone! This is what I was afraid of," she said while pointing at Hermione's expression.

"I am NOT my mother!" she screamed before getting up and leaving the Common Room. Hermione immediately regretted her actions and went to find Emma. She searched the castle butEmma was nowhere to be seen.

"What have I done?" she whispered.

Emma sat sobbing in the dungeons hours after she had walked out on Hermione.

"WHY!" she shouted to no one, "D-dad … why did you leave me? Why did you fall in love with that woman?"

More sobs escaped her lips and more tears escaped her eyes. Emma laid her head down on the desk and closed her eyes.

"Emma? Is that you?" Emma looked up and saw Draco walking into the room. "I was looking for Professor Snape … why are you crying?"

He rushed over to her. "Oh God what happened?" Draco asked.

"I can't do this," she whispered while more tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I don't want to be me anymore!" she screamed while standing up. Draco looked a little bit shocked at her outburst. She only cried more. Then she felt strong arms around her. She wrapped her arms around Draco's waist as he pulled her close, "Emma please don't cry."

He sat down in one of the chairs and pulled Emma down on his lap. She curled up and cried into his chest. He just sat and stroked her hair. After a while the tears just wouldn't come anymore.

"Emma, I really understand if you don't want to, but can you tell me why you were crying?" Draco asked sweetly.

"Yeah, but lets go somewhere else okay?" she said while wiping her eyes. Draco nodded and picked Emma up bridal style. They walked to the Room of Requirement and sat down in one of the couches that had appeared.

"I am not who you think I am Draco," she said.

"What do you mean?" Draco asked looking perplexed.

"My name is not Emma Carolyn Thomas. It's Emma Bella Lestrange," she whispered as the tears threatened to spill over. Draco looked shocked but quickly recovered, "You know the Lestranges look like saints compared to my parents," he said darkly. Emma told him the whole story. About the night Bellatrix had tried to kill her, then going to the foster homes and then finally settling down with the Thomas family. By the end she was crying again

"And I told Hermione but she didn't take it as well as you did. In other words she hates me," Emma said sadly.

"But I'm not my mother! They aren't the only ones who were affected by Sirius's death," Emma sobbed referring to the Trio.

Once again Draco pulled her close and she cried into his chest again. Every now and then he would kiss the top of her head and stroke her hair.

"Emma they can't judge you for her actions and you need to make sure they know that okay?" Draco said while turning her head to face him. Emma nodded and wiped her eyes.

"Now come on. It's Christmas! Let's go and enjoy the feast. How bout it?" he asked.

Emma grinned and they got up. Draco led her into the hall and checked to make sure no one was looking at them. Then he leaned down and kissed her. It was a sweet kiss meant just to make her feel better. But just when they thought no one was looking, a girl turned the corner of the hall they were on. That couldn't be good, especially considering that neither Emma nor Draco noticed the intruder …

AHH cliffy! I'm so evil.. well I had major writer's block on this one so I don't think it's all that great but lemme know what you guys think! The only thing I like is when Emma is cuddling up to Draco … sighs I wish a guy would cuddle with me when I cry … but that won't happen … well I'm gonna go listen to depressing music … I'll update soon! And Emma's middle name (the fake one) is for my Bestest Friend CAROLYN! hehe i wuv her so poopin much!