Draco sat, his tawny eagle owl Achilles perched on his shoulder, writing a letter of apology to this mother.

Dear Mother,

I'm staying at the castle for Christmas holiday. I have gotten so involved in my studies, and practicing Qudditch, that I can't imagine how much going home would interrupt. I'm deeply sorry I'm leaving you alone like this; I know you'd wanted to see me. Please give my regards to father, and pass on my apology.

With my love,

Draco

"I hope she isn't too upset..." said Draco to himself. His mother had so been looking forward to him coming home, but he just couldn't bare to go back. He tied the letter to Achilles' leg and let him loose into the cool morning air. He then wrote a quick note, sent it off with a school owl, and went down for breakfast.

The Great Hall was bustling this last day before Holidays. Most students were excited for Christmas, and pleased to be headed home. Harry, on the other hand, had decided to make this Holiday a productive one. He was off to house hunt. Well, actually, he was just looking for a small flat, something he could keep up the rent for while he was at school, and still have to stay in during summer. He was certainly not keen to ever go back to the Dursleys'. When Hermione sat down at breakfast, Harry promptly asked if she'd mind helping him look.

"Oh, of course not!" she said happily. "I'm so glad you're getting out of that house... those awful people..." she paused, "but how will you pay for a flat?"

"My parents. They left me a fortune, I've plenty of money to rent a flat. Plus, I'm getting a job once I'm done with this year. Just on holidays, of course, but it'll keep my Gringott's vault full, and I'll be able to keep up my rent and furnish the flat and buy food and the like."

"Well... I suppose you've already thought everything out, haven't you?" Hermione smiled. Just then Ron joined them at the table. He reached across Harry for the milk jug, spilling a little on the tablecloth in the process.

"Hullo, how goes?" he asked. "You two staying for Christmas?"

"Yes," Harry and Hermione said together, then laughed.

"Harry's looking to rent a flat this summer, and wants me to help him look," Hermione finished.

"Splendid!" said Ron, "Then you won't mind that I'm going home for the holidays. You won't even miss me."

"Why?" asked Harry. "You always stay here."

"Well, Fred and George've asked me to stay with them for a bit. I think they're looking for someone to test on, but it'll be interesting."

"Be careful, Ron," scolded Hermione.

"Oh, they're my brothers, Hermione, they won't hurt me too terribly bad."

"I hope not," said Hermione, picking up the jug of pumpkin juice, and realizing that it was empty. "I'm going to get more juice."

Hermione got up and headed to the end of the table, where a jug of juice sat completely alone and probably full. A few seconds after she got up the post came and an owl fluttered right to her seat. Harry took the letter from its leg and Ron called, "Post, Hermione! You've got a letter!"

Hermione made her way back down the table and set the juice down heavily, taking the letter from Harry's hand.

"Expecting something?" asked Ron slyly, but Hermione certainly had a look of surprise on her face. Harry nudged Ron and whispered to leave her alone while she read:

My father, as usual, has 'invited' me home for Christmas. I've just sent a letter to my mother to apologize because, no, I cannot make it home this year. I've told her I've got too much schoolwork and Quidditch practice to possibly come home. My father's likely to kill me over summer holidays, but at least I'm pushing it back a bit. He'd planned some massive swaree and I was supposed to meet his elite friends. Elite to him is rich, awful, and close followers of Voldemort, and I just don't hold with such things. The only think of is that I'm sure Blaise will be there, and I don't know what she'll do without me. Saving Blaise may outweigh my need to save my own skin, and I may have to go anyway, but I desperately don't want to. I feel terrible.

Meet me tonight.

Hermione folded the note up very small and stuck it in her robe pocket.

"What was it?" asked Ron. "A love note from Vicky?"

"No, Ron. Viktor writes very long letters, and they're certainly not 'love notes'. It was my mum, saying she didn't mind me staying over holidays. I owled her this morning about it." Hermione hoped that Ron would stop at that.

"Oh. Well, at least she said yes, right?"

"Right," said Hermione. She took out a new piece of parchment, turned from Harry and Ron and wrote, 'Alright.' on it, and tied it to the owl's leg.

"Thought I should thank her and tell her I love her," said Hermione simply, and left for class.