A/N: Hey guys. Here it is...chapter 15! yay!... anyway, just wishing the fic all the best. You guys make it so good. I'm glad...really glad....that you all like it so far. I think this story might be going a little slow. Well, actually it is...but what can I do? I'll try to move things a little quicker, as to hope to not bore you readers. -lol- Ok...well thanx again for everything. Happy reading...

Disclaimer: Own not Harry Potter but only plot.

It was to white, shinny snow and magical Christmas bells that Hermione woke up to two days later. It was Christmas morning and for the first time in her life, she groaned because of it. It was the best holiday of the year but Hermione couldn't be feeling worse. Her two best friends were mad at her and she didn't know what they were going to do to fix their problem. She quickly dressed, a fitted pair of sweat pants, comfortable, baggy sweater and her hair in a lose ponytail.

She, then, went to the end of her bed to open up her presents. A new baby blue winter jacket from her parents along with their usual package of dentist necessities, a very nice, exotic looking quill with a good set of brownies from the Weaselys (I suppose Ron haven't told them anything), a thick journal that reminded her of those books from third year that took a bite off their owners for Care of Magical Creatures, that was from Hagrid. Then there were two more and she knew just whom they were from but she didn't want to open them – but, of course, she did.

Ron gave her a thoughtful set of things she'd like. A book she said she wanted a copy of ages ago, a journal with a lock that only opened to your touch along with a new quill and a magical eraser. It was perfect.

Harry had gotten her magical music box that she randomly pointed out when they were at the last Hogsmeade trip. When she saw what he'd gotten her, she almost began to cry because she hadn't known they were even listening to her, and here they were, at a big row and he still managed to be kind enough not to leave her out in the cold. Hermione opened the music box, which was square shaped, very old and antic looking with beautiful, ancient scriptures she couldn't understand all around the rim. But the inside was the real breath taker. On the inside of the lid was a mirror, and there at the very center was a figurine of a princess dancing with her prince. The two moved about freely on their dance floor while a melodious lullaby played, Hermione smiled.

She took a moment as she sat on her bed, cradling her presents from them before she headed for the door. She'd just reached the bottom of the stairs when she was greeted by the sight of Harry and Ron. She stopped on her tracks. "'Morning," she said uncertainly.

"'Morning," Harry replied, then nudged Ron in the ribs as he, too, greeted her.

"Thank you for the gifts. They were lovely."

Harry nodded, "You, too." She'd gotten Harry a book called, "New techniques and Smooth moves for Quidditch players" as well as brand new gloves for when he flies. And Ron, a magical bag that contained the food you asked for anytime and kept refilling itself until you tell it to stop, with a new sweater because his were already torn and she thought he'd appreciate a new one other than the ones his mum sent both him and Harry.

"Yeah, thanks" Ron said.

There was a long moment of silence until Hermione felt too awkward. "Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"Yup," Ron answered quickly.

"Oh, well...I'd better go. I'm getting quite hungry."

"Alright." And when it was obvious they weren't going to say anymore, she left.
"Freeze," someone ordered.

Hermione had just entered the Great Hall, which was empty due to the missing students. "What did I do now, Draco?" she asked with a smirk.

"Do you have any idea what you're standing under?"

She looked up. "A mistletoe."

"Do you know what that means?"

"I have to kiss whoever else is standing beside me?"

"That's right." Draco said, moving towards her, "And that means me." He bent down, leading his face down to hers and they were about an inch apart when someone behind them cleared their throat irritably.

They turned around to see an annoyed Ron with Harry beside him. "Do you mind blocking some other entrance?"

"I apologize, Weasely." Draco said with a drawl. "I was just giving my girlfriend here a kiss under the mistletoe. We'll move just as soon as we finish, it is a tradition after all. Your welcome to stay and watch."

"Draco," Hermione hissed. They were mad at her enough but to actually witness her with Malfoy was even worse.

The look on Ron and Harry's faces were unforgettable, they were so livid and disgusted they walked away without a word.

"What the hell was that for?" she asked angrily.

"If Weasely learns some manners then I'll be nicer. He was so rude and to think-"

"You were rude, too! I told you how mad they are. You've just made it worse!"

Draco ran his hand through his hair. "Alright, I'm sorry. That was wrong."

Hermione turned on her heel, walking to the Gryffindor table to eat breakfast. Draco followed her. "Look, I'm sorry. I really am. Did I tell you I need anger management? I can't control myself sometimes."

Hermione sat unmoving. "They'll never forgive me if you keep harassing them like that."

"It won't happen again, I promise."

"Please, Draco. This is serious." She pleaded.

"I know," he said softly.
"That fucking prick of an ass." Ron cried in hatred and frustration.

"Is that your new name for the sod?"

Ron glared at Harry. "Did you see them, Harry? Did you see how he practically draped himself over her? He's probably so glum about it."

"Of course, I saw it. How could I not?" his voice was low and distant.

"Oh, sorry, mate. I wasn't thinking- I didn't mean-"

"It's ok, Ron. Don't worry about it."

"How do you feel?" he asked softly.

Harry shrugged, then said, "Like shit, but I don't really know how to feel about this?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I want to kill that bastard but I know it's illegal and it'll hurt Hermione." When Harry looked at Ron, he was smiling. "What are you laughing about?"

"Nothing, Harry. Just hearing you say you want to cause bodily harm on the prat makes me feel good."

Harry shook his head but he, too, was chuckling. "Ron, you're an idiot."

"I suppose I am." He said cheekily, and then turned serious, "Still, this isn't working. Hermione has to know how angry we are."

"I think she knows that."

"Are you sure? And did we really have to give her presents? I know its mean but maybe she'll have changed her mind about the prick if she hadn't gotten anything."

"We're not that cruel, Ron. And besides, you love what she got you. Merlin knows you'll never have to come down to eat because of the magical, refillable food bag thingy."

"Yeah, I suppose that was quite neat, the gift. And I guess I really needed that sweater, too."

"Yeah,"

"What about you, Harry?" Ron glanced sideways at his friend, "How much did you fancy those new gloves? They looked quite attractive, so sexy and manly..."

"Shut it, Weasley." He said, chuckling in spite of himself.

"...Slick and fine black leather. Striking sliver buckles. The girls will want to have a go at you, mate."
The day continued somewhat excitingly for Hermione, having spent almost the entire day with Draco. The castle was nearly deserted save for the teachers, ghosts and the several students who'd stayed behind. It was true that there were more this year than any other but there still weren't enough people to keep the castle happy and noisy. The abrupt, hallow emptiness crept into Hermione's skin but she somehow found comfort, feeling quite bare herself.

It was just after dinner when she entered their little library room. She walked over to Draco who was sitting and leaning over a piece of parchment, writing rigorously. She sat beside him and realized he was writing for home.

"What's so important that has you writing like its an exam?"

It took him a few seconds to answer. "Oh, nothing. Just a holiday letter for mum and dad wishing them Happy Christmas and all that merry rubbish."

"Hey! Christmas is not rubbish," she protested. "It happens to be my favorite holiday."

"Its just a time when the family get together for a night, spend galleons on presents that they'll only pretend to like and sing silly Christmas carols when all the aunts and uncles have gotten drunk and taken over the piano."

"Exactly, it's a time for family gathering."

"As if they couldn't get together at any other time of the year." He countered quietly.

"Speaking of family, is your father still at Venice?"

"Uh-huh, and I would tell him about us but I can't seem to ruin his time. Not that you and I are a bad thing, it's just not good to him." He added quickly before Hermione took it the wrong way and decided to storm out of the room again.

"I know, Draco. You don't have to explain every time." After a while, she spoke. "What about your mother, Draco?"

He glanced up at her and then quickly back to the sheet of parchment. "What about her?"

With hesitancy she said, "Well, I was wondering how she was going to take this once you finally tell them? Would she go against us just as you father will?" Hermione had been thinking about this for quite sometime. If they somehow got his mother on their side, they might still have a chance on convincing his father otherwise.

When Draco looked up at her, this time he held their gaze as a small smile crept up on his face. "I'm glad you asked because," he paused, "honestly, I don't think my mother will have a huge fret about this."

She sat up, surprised by the news. "Really?"

"Really. The thing is, Hermione, contrary to popular belief, she's not evil, my mother." He whispered as though he'd just told her a secret.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione answered. "I know that. I didn't say she was. I just figured that your father hates me so naturally your mother would, too."

"And so naturally, so should I." He gazed into her face. "But I don't."

Fighting a blush, Hermione said, "Well, yes, but I don't know. It was what I always thought. And she acted like she was disgusted by me at the Quidditch tournament just before fourth year."

Draco sighed. "Yes, but that's all, I'm afraid, an act. The truth is, my mother is actually quite a woman. Gentle and pleasant when you give her a chance and once she's herself, meaning after she opens up to you."

"An act?"

"Yeah, for my father and the world, too, I suppose. My mother doesn't really have anything against muggle borns. Of course, she favors the pure bloods more but in the end, she doesn't have any real reason to hate them. She just shows as though she does so she could avoid a row with dad."

Hermione nodded in understanding. She guessed that Narcissa Malfoy had a reasonable cause to do such things but she couldn't imagine being married and having to put on mask for your husband and the society. "And you said she never showed you any affection as a child."

Draco shook his head. "Not in front of my father. He doesn't mind it, except he doesn't like sweet and warm displays of affection. But my mother and I had our times."

"Like when?"

Draco smiled before continuing. "Well, there was this one night when my parents held this extravagant party at our Manor. Everyone important was there, all of dad's work partners and people from the Ministry. I was about six, I believe. Anyway, I made the wrong decision on spilling some wine on his pant leg. He got so angry he hissed me to go to bed. I ran up to my room and heard a knock after a while. It was my mum and she sat with me telling me it was an accident and that dad wasn't really angry. She brought me dinner, read me a story and stayed with me until I fell asleep."

"Aw, that was such a nice story."

"Yeah, listen Hermione, I just want you know that even if my parents may seem evil, they aren't." He told her seriously.

Hermione thought about the story and if it was true, which it most likely is, then she couldn't imagine just how misunderstood Draco had been this entire time. She smiled softly. "I know. I'm sorry; I just always believed what everyone was saying. And I mean your parents or your dad have always hated Harry and us and so I thought..."

Draco nodded. "I don't understand why he does the things he does either. But trust me on this one will you? My parents aren't evil and my dad isn't a Death Eater."

Hermione looked down. Months ago, in this library, she had accused his father to be one of those wicked and dark demons.

"And at all the times in the past that I might have done something to make you believe otherwise...well, how do you think so many are scared of me?"

"You do that to scare people?"

"More or less, but it isn't true. That's all that matters."

"I believe you, Draco." And then she kissed him to prove it. He grabbed her around the waist and sat her on his lap gently, sliding his tongue in her mouth playfully. She wrapped her arms around him then broke away for an instant. "Don't you have to finish these?" she said, gesturing to the letter.

He looked at it then shrugged. "It can wait." Then shifted his gaze on her, smiling. "I have more important things to do."

"Like what?" she asked, suppressing a giggle.

"Pleasing you." And then he pulled her face down, capturing her lips in a kiss.
Hermione checked herself in the mirror. She was wearing a soft, pale red skirt that reached just below her knees; she had a white halter-top that accented her slender neck and the curve of her breasts. Her hair was up because she knew how much Draco loved it like that and as for jewelry, she had on short earrings and a bracelet that her mother had gotten for Christmas. I look pretty good, she thought with a smile. But the best thing about her outfit were the shoes. They were black, high and with laces strapped around her ankles. She turned around once more then headed out the door.

Tonight was going to be just her and Draco. He didn't tell her much of what they were going to be doing, he said nothing special but it was Christmas so she couldn't really believe him. She smiled at the thought of their last date. It was so magical. Who knew Draco had it in him to be romantic.

Hermione had just stepped foot in the common room when, low and behold, there stood Harry. Immediately she tried to cover up the fact that she was dressed for a date but it wasn't doing much. As Harry looked at her, his gaze running up and down her body, she felt tears threatening to break free. Did they have to catch her the worst possible moments? Is this hurting him as much as it's hurting me, she wondered.

"Hi, Harry."

"Where are you going?"

No, no, no. Please don't ask what you don't want to know and what I don't want to say. She made a small noise in her throat; not answering, but Harry got the gist.

"Oh, right." He nodded.

"Where's Ron?" she asked, willing him to talk for as long as possible.

"Down at the kitchens. Getting food."

"For just the two of you?"

"Us and a few Hufflepuffs. Ernie and his friends." His answers were quite and slow.

"Where are you going?"

"At Hagrid's"

"I hope you have fun." She said gently, nodding.

Harry paused then looked away for the first time. He took a deep breath then said, "You, too."

"Harry," Hermione began to take a step forward but she was cut off by a hard knock on the door. They both jumped.

"That would be Ernie." Harry said, "I have to go." He grabbed his jacket from the sofa, opened the portrait hole letting in the noise that Ernie and his friends were making and left without another word.

When he disappeared, Hermione sat down on the couch and cried the tears she couldn't help.

Hermione walked into their private library where they've spent most of their warm evenings with her eyes glued to the ground. She didn't realize Draco was even in the room until he walked over to her.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing, listen Draco, I don't think I'm in the mood for..."

"For what?"

Hermione shrugged feeling empty. "For anything."

Draco took a deep breath. Something happened again, he thought. "That's ok. We could do whatever you want."

Hermione nodded offering him a small smile, indicating that she was going to be fine. They sat down on the couch, him putting his arm comfortably around her.

"So what do you want to do?" she asked him.

"I actually have something to give you. Your Christmas gift."

She glanced up at him with curious eyes. "I thought we said we weren't going to give each other gifts."

He shrugged guiltily. "Fine, then consider it as a general offer."

"What kind of offer?"

"Well, to be honest, I can't really give it to you. Its much too big."

"Ok..."

"And plus it isn't really mine to give...but I can show you."

Hermione straightened up. "Draco, you're not making sense. Are you giving me something, offering me something or showing me something?"

A moment of pause. "A little bit of everything."

"Ugh...I don't get it."

Draco chuckled, thinking how cute she was anytime she was exasperated by him. "I'm going to show you now but you have to trust me." He said standing up.

As he pulled her to her feet, she asked, "I trust you but I can't help being scared right about now."

"Take a deep breath, close your eyes and trust me." He opened his arms to her and she stepped into it. "Close your eyes." He whispered.

She did as she was told. She closed her eyes and relaxed, anticipating what Draco was about to do. She couldn't help but feel ok anytime she was with him. All the trouble seemed to melt away. She heard him whisper some sort of spell and felt the ground beneath her shake slightly, the air around her thickened. She held onto him.

"Ok, it's done. You can look now."

Hermione slowly opened her eyes, trying to get its natural moist and once her vision adjusted and she was able to see clearly, she gasped. It was amazing and huge and unbelievable, Hermione couldn't understand. She and Draco were standing in the middle of a gigantic room, the ceiling so high you had to risk a crane in the neck and the windows so big and tall with beautiful maroon curtains that matched the painting of the room. And books. Books everywhere. They filled the room floor to ceiling, different colored covers, some brand new and some so old your touch would have to be feather light so you don't rip them apart. Hermione's jaw dropped, she had never seen so many books in her life.

"Draco," she exclaimed excitedly, "there are more books here than in Hogwarts!"

He laughed, "I thought you'd like it."

"I love it! I've never been in a room so big before!" Then she rounded on him with a serious expression. "Where are we?"

"Um...I'll tell you later."

"Draco,"

"What?"

"Where are we?" she asked, emphasizing every word so he understood she meant business.

"We're at my house."

"We're at the Malfoy Manor!" she shrieked. "Oh my gosh, what if your father sees us. Wait a minute, did we apparate? We're not allowed to apparate from Hogwarts! We can't apparate from Hogwarts! Draco, what did you do! Do you know how much trouble-"

Draco clapped his hand over her mouth to shut her up but even that didn't stop Hermione from rumbling. She kept on talking in mumbles until he couldn't suppress his laughter.

"What are you laughing at?" she asked sternly, hands resting coolly on her hips.

"Hermione, I didn't do anything illegal. Especially something that could get us expelled."

"So how did we get to the Malfoy Manor?"

"And that's the other thing. We aren't at the Manor. We're somewhere in north London. We're at another one of my parents' estate. They wouldn't be here right now; no one would be, so you could relax about being caught."

Hermione shoulders relaxed as she took a deep breath. "Ok, now about getting here?"

"Well there's the real magic. We're not really 'here'. This is an illusion but it looks real. My spell must be getting better." He added to himself.

"A spell?"

"Yup."

"So we're not really here...its an illusion."

"Exactly, but a very powerful illusion. See, you can touch anything you want. You can even read a book but when the spell wears out in about an hour then all this would just vanish."

"And we'll be back in the library."

"You're so smart."

Hermione looked around. This is an incredible place, real or not. "Why did you want to bring me here, Draco?" she asked, wondering if Harry and Ron would be happy for her when she tells them about this place, then remembered they weren't talking.

"Well, I've always loved coming here. There's every book ever recorded."

She looked around with a wistful look in her eyes then turned to him, asking permission to explore written all over her gleaming face. He understood, of course, so he nodded egging her to try anything. Hermione's face practically lit up and for the next hour she roamed the magically illusioned library, gasping at Draco once in a while about how she'd always wanted to read a certain book she was holding or that she never knew it existed until now.

Draco observed her from afar. He knew she'd love it and the reward was worth it. Just seeing her so excited and crazy stirred up a good feel sensation inside him. He hoped she wouldn't be disappointed after the hour is done. The spell drained him of his energy so there was little way that he could conjure this gigantic room again. Maybe next time, he said quietly, maybe next time.
There you go...are things getting better between the trio? And I apologize to those who got upset over the fight between Harry, Ron and Hermione. And please don't be mad because the boys aren't speaking with Hermione but I think, should this have been the real Harry Potter, they would have been just as angry as they are now...but I can't tell for sure. Anywhoo...if you have any suggestions or criticisms...pls review. You guys help me write this fic. Toodles.