Disclaimer: I regret to inform you that I, in fact, do not own Harry Potter, or anything affiliated with it

A/n: Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter. I'm glad that everyone liked it. Sorry for the delay on updating this chapter. I had about halfway through this chapter and then realized I didn't know what to write. I hope it worked out fine.

Chapter Sixteen: Christmas?

Without even realizing what he was doing, Harry found that had led Hermione and the group of Slytherins to the gargoyles that sat at the entrance of Dumbledore's office. Even worse, he reasoned, he didn't even know the password.

"Cockroach Clusters" Snape voice said behind Harry and the gargoyles sprang to life. It was the first time in his life that Harry was actually happy to hear his voice.

The journey up the stairs didn't take all that long and the group of students barged into Dumbledore's office without realizing that there were already people in the room.

"I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for this." Dumbledore said, with a twinkle in his eye as he surveyed the group. Only a few days ago, seeing Hermione, Ron, and Harry with Blaise, Draco, and Severus Snape would have been come as a big surprise. Now the only surprise was that Harry seemed to be getting along with everyone, despite the fight he knew he had had with Hermione the prior night.

"Pettigrew!" Harry snarled, throwing the unconscious rat to the ground.

The twinkle in Dumbledore's eye vanished as soon as he saw the rat. Taking a closer look at his students and professor, he noticed all seemed to be a bit dirty. Hermione had a few scrapes and bruises, and Blaise seemed to be keeping her close to him. Harry, it seemed, was quite angry and judging by the rat, now on his desk, he knew why. Clearly something had happened that he had been unaware of.

"Pettigrew?" a voice drawled from the corner and for the first time Blaise and Draco realized that their families were in the room.

"How did you come in contact with Pettigrew?" Dumbledore asked Harry.

"He kidnapped me." Hermione stated simply, not look at anyone other than Blaise.

"He did what?" She heard Mrs. Zabini yell. "How could he? How did he know who you really are?"

"This morning I apologized for the way that I acted last night. He must have overheard out conversation." Harry answered as Hermione nodded her head.

"Where did he take you?" Her mother asked, still not over the shock that the daughter she had just found could have been taken from her again so easily.

"The Shrieking Shack and for some reason it's not haunted. Was it ever haunted?" Blaise asked to no one in particular.

"Never haunted. Just a story, well a cover up anyway." Hermione said give another short, simple answer. She never liked being the center of attention in situations like this and she just wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

"To get back on track, you're telling me that Peter Pettigrew overheard Mr. Potter and Ms. Zabini's conversation where her true identity was mentioned. Then he kidnapped her and took her to the Shrieking Shack where you five rescued her."

"Exactly" Snape answered, entering the conversation for the first time.

"How did you know she was in trouble?" Dumbledore asked the group.

"It was my necklace, sir. It tingled and then it showed me a quick flash of her being attacked." Blaise answered.

"And has this ever happened before, Mr. Zabini?" Dumbledore asked, a look of realization crossing over his face.

"Once. It was during the summer holiday. I saw a quick flash of my sister, but it was a little blurry and I couldn't make out who she really was." Blaise answered once more.

"I see. Twins, as some of you might know, already have a connection to one another. Many times they will know when the other is hurt, even if they are countries apart. Sometimes, an object that each twin receives at birth will enhance this ability, but this only works if the twins have enough power," Dumbledore answered, before turning back to Pettigrew. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, I would like the two of you to come with me."

"What? Why?" Ron asked.

"Go where?" Harry questioned.

"I think that you will be needed at the Ministry to explain why we are bringing them an unconscious rat, Mr. Potter. And Mr. Weasley, I believe that you and provide the story as to where Peter Pettigrew spent his last few years prior to your third year." Dumbledore answered the boys.

"As for you three," Dumbledore said, indicating to the three remaining students, "I have decided to give you the rest of the day off. Perhaps, you could spend it with your family since they are already here." He said indicating to the other occupants in the room.

Blaise and Draco cheered, give each other a high five. When they quieted down, Dumbledore continued on. "Unfortunately, Severus, you will have to finish your classes today. I do not have another Potion Professor handy to take your place. We can finish up this meeting when I return, hopefully ratless, later tonight." Dumbledore said, saying the last part to the Zabini's and Malfoys before he flooded to the ministry with Harry and Ron.

- x -

Once he had left, the room fell in an uncomfortable silence. No one knew exactly what to say, although they all knew that sooner or later the conversation would turn to the Zabini's only daughter.

"Well, I'm off to my class." Snape said, breaking the silence.

"Rayanna, I know that we met, but your mother and I were wondering if you would like to join us at the manor for winter holiday." Mr. Zabini said looking at his daughter with a hopeful smile. They really wanted the whole family to be together for their first Christmas, but they were unsure of their daughter's reaction.

"I I can't!" Hermione said, shocked at the question. She knew that the topic of holidays would come up sooner or later, but she hadn't expected it just yet. "Excuse me, I have to go." She said before bolting out of the room.

She ran as fast as she could to the Head's Common Room and was startled when she saw Blaise was already there.

"How did you get here? You left after me!" She asked.

"Secret passage." Blaise said as an answer.

"I'm sorry, Blaise. I just can't do it. I can't stay with you for Christmas." Hermione said, not meeting her brother's eyes.

"Why? Is it because of the Grangers? Are you afraid of their reaction if you ask tell them where you would be saying? They have had you for sixteen years, Ray. I think we deserve just one Christmas, don't you?" Blaise asked, trying to reason with her sister.

"But I don't know them Blaise. I hardly know you." She answered.

"You won't let yourself know them! They're trying, but you won't let them in. Our parents asked you to come for Christmas because it would give everyone a chance to get to know one another. We're not bad people, Ray, Hermione, whatever you want to be called. But the way you are acting, it makes us feel horrible. Do you hate that you're a Zabini? Would you rather have never found out?" Blaise asked, tears forming in his eyes, dreading the answer that he feared would come.

A/n: Well that is the end of chapter sixteen. I hope everyone enjoyed it. Sorry again for the delay, but I wasn't sure what to write for this chapter. Please review and let me know what you thought.

Also in between this update and the last one, I have posted four oneshots. Three of them are a mini series. The other is a short oneshot on Narcissa last thoughts before she marries Lucius. I have listed the names and summaries believe. Thanks.

The Ring: Hermione has been avoiding Draco and he wants to know why.

The Invitation: Draco Malfoy's feelings as he receives a wedding invitation of the woman he loves.

The Wedding: Draco's feelings as he watches the woman he loves marry another man.

Last Minute Regrets: Narcissa spends her last few minutes before her wedding deciding if she really wants to go through with this. Does she really want to marry a man when neither of them loves the other? Is marrying Lucius really what's best for her? Short Oneshot.

Thanks again for reading. Please leave me a review. I always love hearing from you. Thanks.

PadfootObsessed329