AN: sorry about the short chapter. wanted to update soon. next one is already written. ok now ive been really slack lately and have just been totally not replying to my reviews. sorry, i know its quite rude of me! ok so to everyone: thanks for the reviews! ok to partycar: tom felton is hot! but not as hot as rupert grint...and i dunno i think malfoy could be kinda hot, maybe. bandicootbuddy: i've tried to make it interesting so i hope u like this. Mysticbookie: i actually am thinking of writing a sequel, so once this one's done, keep checking my profile! glitterglow: gives funny look. sorry but you were outvoted...as u were the only one to say hermionedraco. Ive never really gotten into that pairing. although i do really like Hermionsnape stuff now. jenniferduesbee: my most amazing reviewer...hehe i did actually consider ur idea, and u'll see wat happens next chapter!

Wow long note. ok so everyone wanted hermioneron, so more on that next chapter i promise!

"Ow, Harry you're hurting me," Ginny whispered fiercely while trying to pry his hands loose.

"Oh, sorry," he said, realising his grip on Ginny had tightened dramatically, and let her go.

Still no one in the room had greeted Malfoy, who was looking down at his feet, his pale face pinker than usual. The tension in the room was extremely thick; the silence so loud that Harry was afraid to break it.

"Come now! This is no way to treat a guest!" Mrs Weasley said huffily, gently pushing Malfoy into the room. "Now, we've already eaten breakfast and lunch should be ready in about an hour. Sit down, make yourself comfortable; oh look, Hermione and Ron are playing exploding snap! Why don't you join them? I'll be back in a minute." And with that, she left the room to go and check on her cooking.

Tentatively, Malfoy took a small step and when no one jumped at him, he seemed to think it was okay to enter the room properly. Mr Weasley stood and offered him an outstretched hand, which Malfoy cautiously took.

"Please, do make yourself at home, Draco."

After Mr Weasley broke the ice, Lupin, Tonks, Bill and Charlie all greeted him heartily and he sat down in a free armchair. Talk began to resume once more, but Harry said nothing. He was watching Malfoy intently, but he had yet to look at Harry.

A loud bang to Harry's right made him jump and turn his head: the stack of cards had just blown up in Hermione's face and she was fuming with anger.

"You cheater, Ron!" she said heatedly (A/N: please excuse the bad puns!)

"Cheater? I did not cheat! If you had any idea how to actually play this game, Hermione, maybe you'd realise that."

"Well, I'm sorry if I'm not as good as this as your precious girlfriend. When we were going out, you didn't exactly spend a lot of time, with me, did you?"

Harry glanced over at Malfoy again, who now had the most bizarre expression on his face: it was a mix between humour, shock, and incredulity that he was actually sitting in the Burrow, listening to this argument.

Ron opened his mouth to retort but instead Mr Weasley said, "That's enough, you two. It's Christmas, let's try and get along. Now, why don't you five go through to the dining room and set the table, eh?"

Harry stood and pulled Ginny up with him, still ignoring Malfoy stoically, and left the room with her, followed by Ron, Hermione and Malfoy. Krum looked quite annoyed that he hadn't been included, but then again, everyone (counting Hermione) had sort of forgotten about him since he'd arrived.

"Here, Malfoy, you can put these around," Ginny said, dumping a load of knives and forks into his hands.

Malfoy nodded then opened his mouth to say something, but seemed to think better of it, and closed it again. They proceeded to set the table in uneasy silence until Hermione finally said, "This is completely ridiculous. Malfoy, we're glad you could make it today."

She held out her hand, which he looked at, almost suspiciously, before he took it in his and shook it. "Thank you," he said quietly. "Please…call me Draco."

Hermione nodded and for the first time, a real smile crossed Malfoy's face.

"Wait," Ginny said, as she laid down a plate. "We have one too many places."

"No, we don't," Ron said.

"Ronald, I can count! We have one too many places."

"No we don't!" He paused looking a bit uncomfortable. "Tania's coming over for lunch."

Hermione groaned and slammed a glass down on the table. It shattered instantly and before Harry could do it, Malfoy had drawn his wand and repaired the damage.

"Thank you," Hermione said. "Tania is Ron's girlfriend and she's a complete whor-"

"Hermione!" Harry shot, warningly, noticing Ron's face darken. "Just leave it, ok?"

Malfoy actually snorted, which made Hermione smile, and even Ginny grinned. Feeling slightly more relaxed now, free talk once again resumed, and Malfoy was included in the conversation, although Ron and Harry didn't speak to him directly.

Mrs Weasley stuck her head around the doorway and beamed: they were all laughing hard at something Ginny had just said, Malfoy as well. Harry had never seen Malfoy laugh like that before and it seemed very strange to him.

"The food's ready if you could please come and get it," Mrs Weasley said, and withdrew her head. Wiping their streaming eyes, Hermione, Ron and Ginny left the room.

"Malfoy," Harry said quickly before he had a chance to leave too. Malfoy turned and looked at him. "I just wanted to say…thanks. F- for everything this last year."

Malfoy nodded his head. "It was the least I could do. And please…it's Draco."

ok so this is the...wat's the word...penultimate chapter? yup only one more left...BUT i will prob write a sequel. anyway please review! xxx