A/n: Okay, still no tragedy, I just can't bring myself to write them!! But definitely, I'm a hundred thousand percent sure that the next chapter will be tragic, SOMEONE WILL DIE!! Yehey!! two more chappies to go and I'm finished with this fic!! I'll get to write my one-shots! Yipee!!! I told you this romance is cliche'd and it's really sucky!! But what I like the most with this fic is that I've managed to write a sweet, little romance fic without adult content. I always, and I mean Always! Come across Dramione fics which're so full of adult content! Come now, everyone! Can't we write a nice, clean fic without making our liberalisim get to us? Anyway! Please continue reviewing! Last two chaps!!

Chapter 19: Unraveling the Mystery

Draco was very glad that he had Hermione to occupy him for the holidays. Number one, she was always fun to talk to. Number two, whenever his dark mark would burn; she would soothe it with her self-invented spell. He never knew such a spell could make this powerful form of Dark Arts vanish completely. She really is an extraordinary witch. She was like a very warm light in the middle of a cold, dark room.

Professor Vivien was, as we may all expect, very jubilant about Draco and Hermione's new founded friendship. She gazed upon them every morning when they were having breakfast together, talking and laughing about things they've read. It was a really pleasant sight to see. They were both comfortable because their friends aren't there to tell them snide remarks about how ridiculous they looked together. After all these years, Vivien Malfoy was really happy at how Draco's life turned out. He got out of the Dark Lord's wrath, unscathed and whole, and of course, he's got the girl of his dreams. From the start, she already knew that Hermione was the one. She new her capabilities and her personality because of all those training sessions she gave her. She really meant those sessions to get to know Hermione better, and she couldn't agree more that Hermione Granger of Gryffindor was the right woman for his only brother.

At Christmas Eve, everyone went down for dinner at the great hall. There were very few of them. There were 2 Ravenclaws, 1 Hufflepuff and Draco and Hermione. Professor Trelawney joined them, once again, Hagrid joined them too; Hermione was surprised because they rarely see him. Professor Vivien was sitting next to Professor McGonagall looking very smug indeed. Professor Slughorn was eyeing those crystallized pineapples in the middle of the table very hungrily. Professor McGonagall rose.

"As you may have noticed there are very few of us dining tonight, so without much further ado, let us all enjoy this humble feast before us!" she announced. Everyone break out into their own conversations, talking about Quidditch, the latest brooms and Ministry problems.

"I've heard that the ministry still can't find Voldemort." Said Professor Vivien casually, although it made Hagrid wince a little. "Oh come now, Rubeus! You're still not afraid of that crackpot's name, are you?"

"Yeh ain' sure if 'e hasn' go' 'imself crammed insi' a dum'ster or somewhat." Hagrid said with a shudder. Professor Vivien cackled maniacally.

"Well if he has, then Filch'll let us know, wouldn't he?" this was meant as a joke, but professor Vivien didn't expect they were going to take it seriously.

"Really, girl, shouldn't make such remarks in these kind of times." Professor Trelawney said in a harsh whisper.

"It was only a joke Sybill." Professor Vivien replied. "It's not like it's really going to happen."

"But still, we must take extreme caution. The cards depict very bad omens."

"Let me guess. About a blonde covered in blood at the corridor of Barnabas the Barmy." Professor Vivien said with a smirk.

"Why yes. How did you know?" Professor Trelawney asked her curiously. Professor Vivien just chuckled.

After the hearty meal they ate, everyone proceeded to bed. Draco accompanied Hermione back to Gryffindor tower. They still wanted to talk, so they took the long route.

"I never thought about it that way. My mother insisted that I took lessons, but without my father's consent. So when he found out about my ice-skating habit, he's forbidden me to skate ever since." Draco narrated.

"That was too bad. You're a very good skater." Hermione replied. Draco smirked and blocked Hermione's way.

"But do you think I was a good kisser?" he asked teasingly. Hermione looked at him like he was a deranged lunatic.

"How am I supposed to know that?" she retorted, two red patches growing on her cheeks.

"How did it feel?" Draco insisted.

"I don't know, I really can't remember." Suddenly, Draco stooped down and kissed Hermione right then and there. It was a soft and gentle kiss, slowly, he broke away.

"Now, do you remember?" Draco said softly, with a devilish grin on his lips. Hermione smiled bashfully, but it suddenly turned into a horrified gasp.

"Draco, look out!" someone was aiming a curse behind him. It missed Draco by mere inches.

"I got you now boy!" a high-pitched, cold voice bellowed. "And this time, you won't escape!"

"Malfoy, come on!" Hermione tugged on his arm and ran away as fast as they could. They were ten feet away from him when Hermione was hit by one of the curses he was firing.

"Granger!" Draco yelled.

"Go on!" Hermione screamed.

"No! Not without you." He bent low to pick Hermione up and carry her. Draco ran swiftly, but not that fast enough, since Hermione's weight was slowing him down a bit. He ran to the nearest possible hiding place, which was Gryffindor tower.

"Granger, what's the password?" Draco asked hastily.

"Mistletoe." She replied, slightly breathless. The portrait hole swung open and they let themselves in. The Gryffindor common room was as empty as it could possibly be; they were the only ones in it.

"He's here, I told you!" Draco panicked. "And he's come to get me."

Draco noticed Hermione's shortness of breath; he observed her and realized that she was bleeding.

"What was that curse?" Draco asked anxiously.

"Don't worry, it won't kill me." Hermione replied, pointing her wand at the wound the curse inflicted. "It was meant for you, and only you."