Disclaimer: Fact 1: Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling

Fact 2: I am not her.

Conclusion: It isn't mine

A/N: Yep, its me... the great procrastinating story author. You all probably hate me by now for taking so long, and I don't blame you. I don't plan for it to take as long to get the next one up, and I have already started on it, so there is hope! But, here it is- a new chapter. I will warn you before hand that it it's kind of an "in between" chapter, I know that sometimes they aren't much fun, but they are often necessary. So, enjoy! And... review if the urge so strikes you :)

I woke up with a start, unsure of what worry was weighing so heavily on my mind. I was dreading something; I just couldn't place what it was.

My alarm clock started blaring and just before my hand came down on the snooze button, it hit me. Christmas vacation. Leaving Hogwarts. Being away from Draco. Going to Draco Mansion. I groaned loudly and yanked the covers back over my head. I could not think of one single reason to get up.

And yet, I didn't have a choice.

I forced myself up off the bed and drug myself to the shower. I took my time, allowing the hot water to sooth my tight muscles. Even so, I was out, dressed, completely packed and had my bed made and my room straightened with a good thirty minutes to spare before the time Draco had said he would meet me.

I grabbed a book that was balanced on the top of my bag and tried to pass some time, but I couldn't concentrate. I looked at the clock, hopefully, but only a few minutes had passed. Oh well, I couldn't sit there any longer.

I took one last thorough look around my room, making sure everything was packed and ready to go. Only my school books, uniforms, and a few other random items remained- nothing I would need over the break.

I shut my door behind me and went out into the common room, which was completely deserted. It was still early, a lot of people had already left, and very few of the ones that stayed would eat breakfast before getting on the train, so they were sleeping in.

I stepped through the large entry into the corridor, figuring I would wonder down to the dungeons to meet Draco. I knew better than to think someone might actually let me in, even if someone was coming or going, but I could wait for him in the hallway just as easily as he could wait for me, and at least the long walk through the castle would kill some time.

My planning turned out to be in vain, though, because when I stepped out of the common room doorway, there was Draco, leaning casually against the wall.

I flung myself on him without even thinking about it and secured my arms tightly around his neck.

"What's wrong?" He asked, chuckling as he stepped back to look at my face.

"Why do you think something is wrong?" I countered, pulling away from him and taking his hand in mine.

"Normally you aren't the type to throw yourself on a man, but when something has upset you that changes pretty quickly." He said, smiling at me as we walked down the corridor toward the staircase.

I couldn't help but smile back, he was right.

"Nothing happened." I said, truthfully. "I promise." I said when I caught the skeptical look on his face. "I just woke up too early and I had already done most of my packing so I didn't have enough to do- too much time to think." I explained.

"I understand that pretty easily." He said, nodding. "You didn't wonder why I was waiting on you almost a half hour early?"

"Well, no." I said, considering it for the first time. "I should have been, I guess, I was just happy to see you, the waiting for something to do was driving me crazy."

The hallways were deserted, and the dining hall was no different. It was early for breakfast, even not taking into consideration that it was the last day before Christmas vacation.

"Think the entire castle will collapse around us if we sit together?" Draco asked, a smirk playing across his face.

I followed him across the room and sat down beside him. We both sat there hesitantly for a moment, and then laughed at ourselves.

"Nothing happened." I said, grinning. "Why are we sitting at Hufflepuff, table, though?"

"Neutral territory" He shrugged, "I doubt anyone from Hufflepuff will be up anytime soon, and besides, it's Hufflepuff; they probably wouldn't even notice."

I rolled my eyes at him but didn't argue. Plates of food had appeared before us and although I hadn't realized it earlier, I was hungry.

------

"Draco" I said hesitantly, finally gathering up the nerve to bring this up. The train had just pulled out, taking us back to Station 9 ¾.

"Yes, Hermione?" His voice was full of mock-seriousness and he looked down at me with a matching expression.

"I'm nervous." I said, biting my lip, embarrassed.

"I know." He said, simply, all humor gone from his voice. "I promise you, though, nothing will happen to you. I won't let it." He brushed his finger lightly across my jaw and offered me a weak smile.

"Right. Yeah… I know that. It's just that- I'm worried, not knowing what to expect. How am I supposed to sit through Christmas with my family when I'm constantly worried about you, and me… and us?" That was what I was really getting to. He knew I was nervous about the thing with the Death Eaters- of course he did- how could I not be? What he didn't know was that I was afraid spending time with his dad, in his house, with his old life would convince him that being with me was a huge mistake. That he would become the old Draco again… the one that hated not only me, but everything I stood for.

"I know it's hard, but try to enjoy yourself, at least a little. You should be happy to see your parents- I know you've missed them, and in a few days you will be back with me and we will get this whole mess fixed for good."

I took a deep breath and bit down a little too hard on my lip. I knew I had to get this over with, he wasn't going to guess what I was thinking, he wasn't that intuitive, and I was never going to relax until I had said something.

"And you're sure that… even after being at home, with your mom- and your dad- that you will still….?" I trailed off, unsure of how to continue. It hurt to even think about it, much less say it out loud.

"Still what, Hermione?" He shifted on the seat so that he was turned sideways, facing me, and pulled both my hands into his lap.

"Want to be with me?" My voice was barely above a whisper, and my eyes instantly dropped away from his face. Then, he dropped my hands from his and caught my chin with his thumb and pulled it up, even with his own face.

"You're asking me if I will still want to be with you?" His voice was careful… controlled.

I nodded mutely and mentally begged him to laugh, to tell me how ridiculous I was being… that he loved me and no amount of brainwashing from his family could change that.

He didn't laugh, but he did shake his head. He closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly.

"Hermione Granger, I never thought it would come to this." He said, looking at me incredulously.

"Come to what?"

"Me calling you daft."

My brow furrowed in surprise, that hadn't been what I was expecting and I was a little insulted.

"I thought we had been over this." He began "My father's opinions mean less than nothing to me. I am going into this holiday with only one goal in mind- coming out the other side of it with you perfectly unharmed. If, by some miracle, you still care about me once you've seen my life first hand, then I will be the happiest man in the world, but for you to think I won't care about you- that's absurd."

I smiled at him and kissed him lightly on the lips. When I pulled away from him he pulled me back and secured my body against his with one of his strong arms. He prodded my mouth open with his tongue, but I pushed him away firmly.

He looked at me like a spoiled child whose favorite toy had been taken away.

"We're on the train, Draco."

"Train… library, you are such a prude." He rolled his eyes and raked a hand through his hair.

------

Saying goodbye to Draco had been harder than I liked to admit to myself. Part of me knew it was pathetic to be so dependent on a boy, but the other part of my brain always stepped in to take up for me. To remind that other half that I had been through a lot, and not only had Draco been there for me, but he had been the only one. Without him, I was sure I would have a white padded cell of my very own by now.

My parents were thrilled to see me, asking all kinds of questions about school and my friends. I lied my way through most of it- school was good, my (imaginary) friends were great.

"Hey…. mom?" I called through the house the next morning, looking for any sign of my parents. I couldn't imagine where they would be this early, but there was no noise coming from anywhere.

Oops, I thought as I glanced at a clock. It wasn't so early after all- almost eleven.

I wondered into the kitchen and found a note, written in my dad's messy scrawl.

Mione,

Your mother and I have gone out for some last minute Christmas shopping, we should be back this afternoon, but I have my cell with me if you need us. There is a letter on the table that came to you by owl this morning.

Love, Dad

I walked over to the table and picked up the piece of thick, folded parchment. I leaned against the wall and began reading.

H,

I hope you made it home safely, I've been thinking about you. Being here hasn't made me hate you yet, but I'll keep you posted. I am joking, of course. Please don't be worried. We will get through this.

I have been instructed to write and tell you to be at the Train Station at 8 am on the 26th. I will be there to meet you. I'm not sure how long we will be here before going back to school, so I can't tell you what to bring with you.

I wish I could tell you more, but I don't know anything. Neither of my parents is here; mom is on holiday and dad is on "business".

See you soon,

D

I sighed heavily and slumped against the wall. In three days time I would be in Malfoy Manner. I couldn't let myself think about that. I had to get through Christmas with my family without falling apart.

Actually, now that I thought about it, now would be a good time for me to do some Christmas shopping, as well. I had been worried that I wouldn't have an opportunity to go without my parents, and with everything else going on I had put shopping off until I had run out of time.

I got ready in a rush, and left, tucking Draco's letter in my purse and leaving my parents a note on the backside of theirs.

Once I was in Diagon Alley, I felt more normal. It was always a little awkward going home for holidays. I felt like I was hiding who I was. My parents never made me feel out of place for being a witch, but still, being in a muggle home where the only magical thing was me, I just never felt quiet as "at home" as I used to.

I shopped around for a while, going in and out of shops, trying to find something for my mom, dad, and Draco. I enjoyed getting magical knick-knacks for my parents because they always loved getting them. Even the simplest of magic was amazing to them.

I struck gold when I found a dental instrument that worked almost like metal detector- lighting up when a tooth had a cavity and returning the tooth to perfect condition with the push of a button. I wasn't sure if my parents would actually use it on their patients, but either way, I knew they would both love having a new toy. I purchased two, and felt much better, having all but one of my purchases made so quickly.

After a couple of hours, though, I was beginning to get discouraged. I still hadn't bought Draco anything and hadn't found anything that seemed even remotely right for him. I was about to just give up and put it off yet again, when in a last ditch effort I went into a small shop that didn't seem to have a name. The floor of the entire store was filled with pale, purple smoke and there were strands of crystal floating all around. This was probably the last place I would find anything for Draco, but I wondered through the store anyway.

I was studying a very intricately decorated mirror that claimed to show whomever looked in it a more beautiful version of themselves, and tell them exactly what to do to make that reflection a reality, when a low, raspy voice caught me off guard.

"Of course, the spell as to be activated, but I assure you- it does work."

I spun around quickly and found myself face to face with a woman a few inches taller than me with olive skin, and large violet colored eyes. Her thick black hair was spun into dozens of tiny braids and piled high on her head, with strands falling all around her face, and she was dressed in a long, flowing gold gown.

"I'm sorry… I didn't know anyone, was umm…" I couldn't get the words out. For some reason, she made me feel very insecure.

The woman stuck her hand out for me to shake, and to my surprise, smiled at me.

"I'm Calliope. This is my store." She motioned around the shop gracefully and her smile broadened, making her look even more beautiful than she had before, and less threatening. "Are you interested in buying the mirror?"

I looked down and saw that I was still holding the mirror, and quickly sat it back down on the table.

"No, I was just looking at it. It's very beautiful, just not what I'm looking for." Somehow, I couldn't see Draco appreciating a gift that presumed his looks weren't perfect just the way they were.

"Is there something I can help you find?" She asked helpfully, still smiling.

"Actually, I was looking for something for my boyfriend. I've been looking all day and haven't really seen anything I think he would like." I said, shrugging. I was sure she wouldn't have anything either, but it couldn't hurt to ask… it was the day before Christmas Eve, and I was desperate.

"Ahh, a boyfriend, I should have known." She winked at me, and I found myself wondering if somehow, she had known why I was there all along.

"Tell me," She continued, walking through the store, weaving in and out of items so that I had to watch my step carefully, "What is he like?" She finally came to a long glass counter containing various items and leaned against it, turning to look at me.

"He's … I don't know … he's really smart, and stubborn." I smiled and felt the color rush to my cheeks as I thought about him. "Somehow, he knows exactly who I am, and he seems to love me anyway. He's protective and loyal, and thoughtful. But, he's funny, too. He doesn't usually mean to be funny, but he is." I shrugged and laughed softly as I looked up at her.

"It isn't easy describing someone you love." She said, and her voice sounded very knowing… very wise.

I shook my head and blushed again.

"You think about him often?" She asked, but there wasn't much question in her voice. She knew the answer.

I nodded and she began wondering through the shop once again, with purpose, like she knew exactly where she was going. I followed behind her, my eyes on my feet.

She didn't speak again until she got to a triangular shaped shelf nestled in the back corner. She stood on her tip-toes to reach up to the very top shelf, and pulled a long, black box down.

She held it out to me and said confidently, "This. This is your gift."

I looked at her cautiously, and she nodded at me, motioning for me to take the box. I held my hands out and she placed it in them. The box was heavier than I expected, and I was suddenly very nervous about dropping it.

"Sit" She said, motioning behind her to a small table and chairs I hadn't seen before.

I did as she said and sat the black box in front of me. I looked up at her again, and she nodded at me, so I lifted the heavy lid and looked inside.

The inside of the box was covered with white velvet, and inside lay two charcoal colored objects. They were shaped like diamonds- very large diamonds. I picked one up and was surprised by how light it was; most of the weight must have been in the box itself. I looked up at Calliope curiously.

"They are Thought Spinners," She said, as if I should know exactly what that meant. When I didn't say anything, she continued. "They must be acclimated to you and your partner, and once they are, they will spin like tops whenever your partner is thinking of you- or you of him."

I nodded slowly and smiled. "So, we each take one?" I asked, making sure I understood.

"Yes" She said, smiling "It is a very simple spell to acclimate one to each of you." As she said this, she lifted the velvet off the bottom of the box and pulled out a small piece of parchment with a paragraph of instructions on it. "I would gladly do it for you, but you must both be present, and that would ruin your surprise."

"I'll take them." I said, smiling back at her.

------

Christmas Eve and Christmas day passed pretty uneventfully. My parents loved their gifts and spent hours going over each others, and my, teeth, fixing any problems the instrument detected. I got several books, some new clothes, a watch, and a feathered quill with ink that changed color to match my mood.

If my parents ever noticed that I wasn't quiet myself, they never mentioned it, and I did manage to enjoy myself. But then, before I was ready, it was Christmas night and I was out of time to prepare myself for what was coming.

"You've only been here for such a short time." My mom said, sadly, before we all headed to bed.

"I know. I wish I could stay longer, but I just have so much stuff to do at school." I said, feeling much guiltier than they realized. I hated lying to them, but I was pretty sure the truth was more than they could handle.

I kissed both my parents goodnight and went up to my room to get my stuff ready. I packed all of my new clothes, and the ones I had brought with me, refusing to go to Malfoy Manner any less prepared than I possibly could be. I packed my other new things, knowing I wouldn't come back home before heading to Hogwarts after Christmas Vacation, and flung myself across my bed, dreading the morning.

I felt like I had only just fallen asleep when I felt someone shaking me awake. I groaned and rolled over, desperate for more sleep, and then I heard my mother's voice in my ear.

"Hermione, sweetheart, wake up." She was crying, and her voice sounded pitiful. I shot up in bed and turned to look at her, still half asleep.

"What is it, mom?" I asked groggily, barely making her face out in the dark.

"It's your dad; I think he's had a heart attack. The ambulance is on its way. Get up, get dressed." And then she was out the door.

I sat there for a minute, unsure of what to do. This wasn't right… this wasn't part of the plan.

-----

Everything in the hospital was white and clean. The lights were bright and everyone seemed to be miserable and in a hurry. Nothing the doctors were saying made much sense to me, but my mom seemed to understand most of it. Or maybe she was just faking it. Apparently my dad had suffered a mild heart attack but the preliminary tests looked good. He should be able to go home in a few days.

I sunk against the wall, suddenly very tired now that I knew my dad was, in all likelihood, going to be okay. I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep until my mom shook me awake.

"Mione, sweetheart, you should really just go on home. There is nothing you can do here."

I sat up and looked around groggily. The waiting room had one small window but the blinds were pulled tight and the room was lit by a small fluorescent lamp. I couldn't get a hold of what time of day, or night it was, and I couldn't sort out in my mind what day of the week it was, either.

"What time is it?" I asked, yawning wildly.

"Just after nine, you slept for about five hours. I tried to wake you earlier but you wouldn't budge."

"Wait… nine? Like, nine in the morning?" I asked, suddenly panicked.

"Yeah" My mom said confused, and then her eyes widened "Oh no, Hermione, you were supposed to catch the train to school this morning, weren't you? Oh sweetheart, I am so sorry. I completely forgot. I can't believe I let this happen…"

I jumped to my feet and turned a circle, unsure of what to do. Draco had been there to meet me over an hour ago… what would he have done when I wasn't there? What would his dad do when he found out I didn't show up? No matter how I figured it, it never turned out well.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I have to go. Tell dad I love him, that I'm so glad he's okay… I'll call as soon as a can, okay? Or write… or something. I just have to—"I trailed off, because the truth was I didn't have any idea what I had to do.

My mom hugged me tight and stuffed some money in my pocket before sending me on my way down the white, brightly lit hallway. I couldn't remember what direction we had come in from the Emergency Room, so I followed the arrows pointing to the elevator, hoping there would be a map of some type.

Finally, I found a fire map that had all the exits marked, as well as a little star informing me where I was. I studied it carefully, trying to determine the least used exit so I could apparate to the train station, on the off chance that Draco was still there.

Suddenly, there was a soft pop to my right, I turned quickly and there stood Draco, looking around him with a look of utter confusion on his face. Then, he saw me and his face brightened immediately. I looked around, panicked that someone had seen, but we seemed to be alone.

"Hermione! You're okay… you didn't show and I was worried." He said in a rush, standing a couple of inches from me. I stared at him in shock.

"You are okay, right? Is something wrong?" He asked, no doubt because of the expression on my face.

"Yes. No. I'm fine. Just---" I allowed myself to feel relieved for just a second and slumped against him, resting my head against his shoulder.

"I'm sorry." I stuttered, trying to keep myself from crying "It's just that, my dad… he had a heart attack and it was the middle of the night, and I didn't even think about the station and then I woke up and I remembered and my mom sent me and I didn't know where you would be and I was so afraid of what your dad would say and, and… I'm just so glad to see you."

Draco pulled me away from him and studied my face carefully. "Okay" He said slowly, his brow furrowed, "I'm glad to see you too. You're sure your dad is okay?"

I nodded and choked back the sobs that were threatening at the back of my throat.

"Well, my dad will deal. He may not even be home yet, I'm not sure. It doesn't matter really, he's been so absorbed lately that it is unlikely he will even realize we are late. It isn't a big deal."

I nodded again, finally feeling myself calming down. Then it occurred to me….

"How did you know where I was?" I asked, looking up at him skeptically.

"Location spell." He said, simply, shrugging.

"Oh, of course. I didn't even think of that when I was worrying about finding you."

"You have a lot on your mind. But, we probably do need to be going now." He said, checking my reaction as he said it.

"Okay, just one thing first." I replied and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling his body close against mine. He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me and then kissed my lightly on the top of the head.

"We're going to be okay."

"I know. I'm just… overwhelmed, I guess."

"Just remember, it will all be over soon, and everything can just go back to normal- to the way is used to be."

Something about that didn't sit quite right with me, but I knew now was not the time and that a muggle hospital was definitely not the place to discuss it.

I pushed the button for the elevator and crossed my fingers behind my back that it would be empty.

"Are you sure these things are safe?" Draco asked cautiously as the metal doors slid open.

"Doesn't really matter." I replied, looked around us to see if anyone was coming. I stuck my foot in the door of the elevator to hold it as a young girl pushed some type of monitor down the hallway to our left. "We aren't going to be in it long" I explained.

I grabbed Draco's hand, pulled him into the elevator quickly and pushed a random button with my other hand.

"What are you-" he tried to protest, but before he could finish the doors closed completely and I apparated us both right into my bedroom.

We didn't land as gracefully as I would have liked, but still, we were there.

Draco looked around my room, not even bothering to get up from the spot in the floor where he landed.

"I just need to change clothes and grab my stuff." I explained, pulling my closet door open and taking the clothes I had hung up on the door the night before down.

"I'm actually glad you are here," I continued "I wasn't sure what to wear… I had this picked out, but I wasn't sure." I held the dark blue jeans and white button down shirt up for him to look at. "I figured simple was best. I don't guess it really matters… since I'll have my robes on anyway, but…."

"That's fine, Hermione. No one will really care what you are wearing." He winked at me and then added "Except maybe me"

I hurried in the bathroom, brushing my teeth and throwing my clothes on quickly. I did the best I could with my hair, but snapped a rubber band on my wrist just in case. I grabbed my things, threw them into my trunk and looked around my room once more.

"I think that's it." I said to Draco, who was now lounging casually on my bed. He sat up and said "In that case-"And shrunk my trunk down until it was no larger than a cell phone and threw it in his pocket.

I slid the black robe over my head and pulled my boots on.

"You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be" I said, taking a deep breath.

"Alright. Let's go." Draco held his hand out for me to take and apparated us to Malfoy Manner.