Lucius Malfoy sat in his office, doing some irksome, but necessary paperwork. Well, in truth, Lucius wasn't doing much of anything, but rather overseeing the work of his house-elf Manny. As Lucius sat before the fireplace, sipping red wine, Manny worked ferociously to finish the work he'd been assigned. Every once in a while Lucius would scold Manny.

"Work faster Manny! I certainly don't have all night!" without even turning to see how much Manny had gotten done.

"Yes, Master Malfoy. Of course sir, my apologies!", the elf would squeak in reply.

This had become a nightly routine of Lucius Malfoy's, because Merlin knows he wasn't about to climb up the Ministry's political ladder by actually doing work. Heaven's no! He was Lucius Malfoy! He was rich, and rich people were privileged to having others do his work. And of course, he would take all of the credit.

However, it was not part of his nightly routine that his wife should knock lightly on the oak door of his office. That she should enter, with an urgent call from the Parkinson's, both of whom were patiently waiting for an audience in the first story den, was entirely spontaneous.

Without even a word to Manny, Lucius got up and walked down the den, thoroughly confused. He did not see Manny glaring after him, nor did he hear Manny's painful shrieks as he stabbed himself with a quill for thinking ill thoughts of his master.

But, in any case, Lucius found himself face to face (well fire, rather) with both Renee and Fredrick Parkinson, both of who were looking significantly apprehensive. Lucius conjured himself a comfortable looking armchair (he left his wife to stand beside him), then turned his attentions to his guests.

"Good evening, Fredrick, Renee. How have you been fairing?"

"Well Lucius, perfectly fine. Actually, rather superbly." Replied Mrs. Parkinson eagerly.

"Well that's delightful!" interjected Narcissa.

"Well yes, actually, is it the reason for our delight that we chose to schedule an audience with you so sharply." The business like tone of Frederick Parkinson filled the room.

"Ah, I see. So what is this news?"

"Well, our daughter has just informed us of your son's terminated relationship with that Hermione Granger! And well, we were considering replacing Miss. Granger with our own Pansy! What do you think of that idea?"

Lucius was shocked by both the news and the proposal. He was entirely unaware of Draco's current situation with Hermione, but had every intention now of have a severe conversation with his son.

But, in all truth, Lucius had never been particularly impressed with either the Parkinson's or their pug-faced daughter. He certainly wouldn't condone the intermarrying of his perfectly bred family with the ill-fitted Parkinson's! Certainly not. Besides he rather like Hermione Granger. She was beautiful, smart, and was even a pureblood!

"Well, that's a suitable idea, Fredrick. However, I'm more that entirely aware of my son's predicament and I'm sorry to tell you that it's surely just a phase. The two will be together again in a matter of days."

"Oh. Yes. I understand your son would choose to convey that notion to you. But our daughter is almost certain that the relation is permanently terminated."

"I'm sorry but your daughter must be confused, for she is mistaken. In any case, I've some work to do now, so I must now excuse myself. Have a good evening."

With that Lucius exited the den quickly. As soon as the door of his office was shut behind him, he excused Manny, and sat at his desk. He took out some parchment and a quill, with the sole intention of writing a letter to his idiotic son.

For the first time in her numerous days at Hogwarts, Ginny thanked Merlin she didn't have any classes with Harry. Ginny's goal for the past three days had been simply to avoid Harry at all costs. She had skipped meals, spent many hours in the library (not really reading anything at all) and had even dived under a statue or two. She just didn't think she could face him after what she had did.

But was she ashamed, or just shocked? Did she really regret what she did? Hadn't she had fantasies about it since she came into Hogwarts? But that's all they had been, girlish fantasies.

She never thought she'd actually sleep with Draco Malfoy.

It was five o'clock on a Saturday morning, and one could find Hermione walking the corridors of Hogwarts in emerald green pajama pants and a black t-shirt. It had been three days since Hermione had last spoken to Draco, and she had all but given up hope that they would ever become a couple again. He seemed to be avoiding her, and she hadn't exactly minded. Until now.

As she walked the silent stone corridor, where the only sound was the slap of her feet against the floor, she couldn't help but feel sad. Regardless of how she had treated him, or used him, she still had grown to love him. Now she was scared. She had never been alone before, and she didn't want to. She wanted to be with him.

But this weakness frightened her the most.

She hated herself for not handling their last meeting together as she should have. And she hated herself for regretting it. Hadn't she spent the past six and a half years telling herself he didn't mean anything to her, and hadn't she believed it?

She wasn't even paying attention to where she was going now. And in a matter of seconds she found herself on the floor with her hands holding her throbbing bottom and very annoyed.

"Watch where your going! Your not even suppose to be out, your violating curfew!"

"Oh shove it Granger! And you ran into me!" Rang the cracking voice of Ronald Weasly.

"God Weasly, I don't know why I ran into you, your hair should have alerted me from miles away."

"Shut up Granger!"

" Oh what a clever reply. Get back to your dorm before I take away house points."

Ron was silent. Hermione got up, rather annoyed, and continued on her way down the corridor.

But that wasn't the only person Hermione encountered that night.

Walking past a cracked open door, Hermione couldn't help but hear frustrated whispers. She couldn't place whose they were, but one in particular sounded very familiar.

She stopped abruptly, facing the door, pushed it open and peered inside. It was an empty classroom, one of many in the castle. It was dark, and she couldn't see very much.

As her eyes scoured the room, she saw the outline of only one person, who appeared to be male. No one else (as far as she could see) was in the room. But she was almost certain she had heard two voices.

"Hello?" she called from the doorway, her body leaning so far forward it was a wonder that she didn't fall over.

"Hermione?" Answered the deep voice of Draco.

"Draco? What are you doing in here? And who else is in here?" She waved her wand and light flooded the room.

"What do you mean? Clearly no one else is in here."

Hermione was skeptical, and her expression must have said so, because Draco continued.

"Well, I was practicing what I should say to my father about our break-up. That's probably what you heard."

"Oh. And what did you come up with?"

"Nothing."

"Well, then, maybe you shouldn't tell him anything."

"I can't not tell him, Hermione, don't be ridiculous."

"Well, what if I don't want to be apart anymore?"

She didn't know what made her say that. Draco was silent. They both were.

Ginny knelt behind a desk with her face contorted with rage. She hadn't known why she had asked Draco to meet her here this night, but she knew she wanted to straighten things out.

Draco had earlier made it quite plain that she had simply been a mistake. That it would never happen again.

She didn't know it until that moment, but that wasn't what she had wanted to hear.

She had begun arguing with him, and had even threatened to tell Granger about that night. But it didn't make anything different, he still didn't want anything to do with Ginny.

And now, because of this stupid meeting, Hermione and Draco would be getting back together. Oh how perfect!

The week before break flew by like wildfire for Hermione. Before she knew it she was heading to Malfoy Manor for the Christmas Vacation. She couldn't exactly say she was excited, after all Mr. Malfoy always made her feel uncomfortable and Mrs. Malfoy constantly acted as though she weren't good enough for her son. To top it all off, she discovered Blaise would be joining them. It wasn't ideal, but Hermione supposed it was better than staying at Hogwarts with Potter, or going home to no one.

So she held her breath and the morning vacation started she, Blaise, and Draco walked down to Hogsmead to apparate. Everything went along smoothly, that is, until they arrived at Malfoy Manor.

As expected, Narcissa Malfoy was awaiting her son with an excited smile and his favorite breakfast foods on the table. With a pop he appeared, and Mrs. Malfoy wasted no time in hugging every possible breath out of Draco before letting him go and sitting him down before a plate piled high with food. They had already eaten at Hogwarts that morning, but manners taught them to stomach a second meal.

At this point in time, Narcissa had flattered Blaise with every compliment suitable for a mother to suggest, but had barley spoken a word to Hermione. She was used to this of course, it happened every time she was around Mrs. Malfoy, but it never failed to irk her. The old bat just couldn't take another woman in Draco's life. Hermione thought it rather pathetic.

Mr. Malfoy, however, was apparently at work, for he certainly would have been present to greet Draco (and probably critique him harshly on how he was dressed, or his manner, ect.) and his presence may have prevented the conversation that Hermione was about to embark on, but he wasn't.

"Well, Hermione," Narcissa began with her nose in the air, "I'm confused as to why you've chosen to join us this Christmas?"

"Well, I wanted to spend time with Draco, of course," Hermione replied, easily matching Narcissa's cold tone.

Narcissa made no reply, which was of no consequence to Hermione. She was quite glad.

The rest of the morning passed by rather uneventfully as the three teens took to their separate rooms to unpack. Hermione disliked being at Malfoy Manor very much, but she couldn't deny the beauty held within the walls.

Her room (which wasn't even one of the main rooms, mind) was furnished royally. It must have been furnished solely for one of Draco's classmates because the colors reflected those of Slytherin, unlike the rest of the house. The walls were painted an elegant silver, the rug which covered a good portion of the room was emerald green with a large white snake pattern slithering along the border. The furniture was blackened wood which gave the room a dark ambience which was welcomed by most Slytherins. Among the furniture was included a armoire, a large bed, bedside tables, a desk, and a few chairs which were upholstered with emerald satin that was striped with two different shades of the royal looking green.

It was a fabulous room, Hermione had to admit. And although it wasn't as whimsical as her own room she still found it to her liking. When she had finished unpacking there came a knock on her door. To her displeasure it was Blaise.

As she opened the door, he practically pushed his way in.

"Granger," He nodded to her, surveying her room.

She glared at him intensely. He had hardly spoken to her since she and Draco had made up, and now he just barged into her room like they were the best of friends? Well, she wasn't about to stand for that.

"Honestly Zabini, it's as if you have no manners."

"I could see why you would think that, but really, it's because I dislike you."

"Mmm, that's special."

"Isn't it?" There was a slight pause. "Why is your room nicer than mine? Mrs. Malfoy doesn't even like you."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Yes, but Mr. Malfoy does, you idiot."

"And what did you do to curry his favor I wonder."

"Oh get out!"

"Actually, speaking of Mr. Malfoy, I was sent up here to fetch you. He's home and it would be rather rude to snub him."

She tried to hold back a laugh.

"They've asked you to 'fetch me'? Oh isn't that sweet, they see fit to treat you no better than a house elf!" She grinned. In truth, she had always despised how house elves are treated by purebloods. But what was she going to do, begin an organization? That was laughable.

Blaise glared at her and left.

So I know that there was a huge gap between chapter 10 and 11, but hey, you can blame Mr. muggleton (teacher). Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. Sure, the chapters have been very eventful but hey, that's the calm before the storm or something right? Thanks for reading, now only the cool people review ;-)