A/N: I know I said that I will be on hiatus, but I figured I may as well post this chapter seeing as I was finally able to complete it after many weeks. I started this chapter just a few days after I had written the previous one, but shortly after some things came up in my personal life that have kept me from my writing. Slowly I would try to piece this chapter together, but I couldn't seem to find the motivation. Luckily I eventually finished it. I thank you all for the kind reviews. I hope you enjoy it. It's the least I can do for you all being so patient. Here you go:

"So Hermione, you still haven't told us who you plan on going to the ball with!" Harry asked her as the friends enjoyed breakfast the Monday after mid-terms were over. There was a surprising amount of people in the Great Hall that morning, many of the students fourth year and above were staying for the holidays because of the upcoming ball.

"Oh, right, well I had been meaning to talk to you about that," she hesitated as she glanced at Ginny for help, the witch shook her head at her friend telling her she was on her own from now on. "Well, Professor McGonagall informed me that I have to set an example for the students, so she has required that the Head Boy and the Head Girl are to attend, as well as dance… er, together, at the New Year's ball." She waited as what she had just said sunk into her best mates' heads. Harry's face lit up as he realised what she was telling them, he then looked to Ron who frowned in confusion.

"Who's the head boy Ron…" he prompted, finally getting a reaction out of the ginger haired boy.

"My arse you're going with the ferret!" Ron almost yelled, before remembering there were other people around too. "Tell McGonagall you can't!"

"It's not like it's a choice Ronald!" Hermione shot back, "Besides, I already told her I would do it!"

"Ron, it's not like she really wants to go with him," Harry rolled his eyes, "Right Hermione?"

Hermione looked at Ginny again for help, who was trying to avoid eye contact with her.

"No. Just, no," Ron said, his body starting to shake. "You can't possibly want to dance with him do you?"

"Don't be ridiculous! I am only doing this because I have to!"

"Yeah Ron, look, she was asked to dance with him as part of her duties, clearly Hermione's not to blame here," Harry added, trying to calm his best mate down.

Ron was staring intently into Hermione's eyes, trying to search for some type of answer, but Hermione just sat in stone, angered that her friend would have such a ridiculous reaction. "Why didn't you just tell McGonagall no?" he finally said between gritted teeth.

"I had no say in the matter Ron," she said in her matter-of-fact tone she used so often in an argument. "Besides, it's not like I would have anyone else to go with, Harry is with Ginny and you and I just don't have that chemistry between us. I thought we had already settled that."

"Bloody hell Hermione, it's Malfoy! The prat you may have forgotten that made our lives a living hell, not to mention tried to kill Dumbledore, Harry, and was a Death Eater. Probably still is mind you," he spat.

Hermione smashed her fists against the table, she had heard enough. "Honestly Ron, I'll have you know he is a changed man. Yes, a man, something that you will never be because you are too immature to even look past the most childish prejudices. This is why we never worked out; you are just too daft and closed-minded to even give people a chance! If you are that jealous of Malfoy then you should have maybe stepped up to the plate when you had your chance."

Ron began to laugh, "Oh this is too rich," he said. "Hermione know-it-all Granger thinks she's so bloody brilliant," he yelled, causing many students to turn their heads. "You think that everyone here loves you so much don't you. You think that just because in the past I may have had a schoolboy crush on you that I am still head over heels in love with you. You think we didn't work out because I was too immature? I'll tell you why we never worked out. I was never attracted to you. How could I be attracted to someone like you? You make me feel like a bloody idiot and trying to fuck you is like fucking my sister!" The entire Great Hall fell silent as they all waited to see what Hermione would do next.

"Ron!" Ginny yelled as she stood up, but Ron silenced her by showing her his palm.

"Wait, I want to hear her response," he scoffed.

"You're right. It was my entire fault," she said in barely a whisper as she turned and head out towards the hallway, tears of embarrassment streaming down her cheeks.

"You know, hate to admit but the Weasel's got a point, you do tend to belittle people," a familiar voice drawled from just down the corridor.

"If you're trying to make me feel better, it's not working so just sod off Malfoy," Hermione spat between sobs as she slammed the back of her head against the railings of the stairway.

"Not on purpose of course," he recovered as he sat on the opposite side of the step Hermione was sitting upon. "You can't help that you're the bloody brightest witch of our age."

Hermione smiled as she fought back a chuckle. "Don't listen to Weasley," he started again. "If he's really one of your best friends, he'll come around. If not, then he's missing out on not only the smartest witch, but also the kindest girl anyone has ever met."

Hermione laughed bitterly, "Yeah, kind… sure… I just attacked my best friend with kindness back there didn't I?"

"You were only trying to stand up for someone you thought deserved better, though I don't even think I hardly deserve it. He was right again when he said I made your life miserable." Draco said shamefully as he looked down at his hands.

"Yes you did," Hermione began.

"If you're trying to make me feel better, it's not working Granger," he laughed.

"But that was in the past," she recovered, "you can't help how you were raised," she finished with a chuckle.

The two sat in silence for a while, both thinking of what to say next, when Ron turned the corner, still fuming mad about the conversation that just took place. He glared at Hermione, then Draco, then back at Hermione before clenching his jaw.

"What?" Hermione snapped.

"Fraternising with the enemy I see?" Ron sneered.

"He's been more of a friend to me lately than you have Ronald."

"Bullocks! He's probably got you under some kind of spell," Ron said as he glared back at Draco who shot his hands up in surrender.

"Ron! I already told you it was not my choice to dance with him! It was entirely McGonagall's idea. If you choose not to believe it then that's your choice! It just so happens that Malfoy and I have agreed to get along to make this night at least somewhat enjoyable, something that you never seem to be capable of doing." Draco was thankful her back was now turned to him for the look on his face would surely give away his disappointment at her choice of words.

Ron just laughed and shook his head. "Be cautious with this one Malfoy, she likes to betray even her best of friends," he said as he turned away. He didn't get far before he felt a pair of hands yank at his robes, pulling him backwards. Before he knew it his back was against the wall and Draco was holding him firmly by the collar.

Draco looked the red-haired wizard up and down. "You're one to talk about betraying friends Weasley. Who was it that ditched his best mates in the midst of a war again?" Ron struggled against Draco, trying to shove him off, only to find himself stuck even tighter against the wall. "You better apologize to her right now for you haven't given her near the amount of respect she deserves, especially seeing as you seem to take having such an amazing witch as your best friend for granted."

Finally Draco let off and backed away, giving Ron some room to do as he had ordered.

Ron walked up to Hermione, who was now standing with a worried look on her face. "Have fun with your new boy toy," he spat.

Hermione bit her lip as she forced tears back down her throat. When Ron was finally out of sight, she collapsed to the floor, hardly noticing strong arms pick her up and cradle her against a firm chest. She hardly noticed the sound of the stones rearranging as she sobbed against the shoulder of the figure. She hardly even noticed the warm hands that tucked her in as she gently drifted off to a world filled with haunting memories.

"What the hell was that all about?" Harry asked Ron when his best friend came storming through the passageway behind the fat lady. Ron just ignored him as he flopped himself on the red sofa by the fire. "Ron? You can't mean to tell me you still have feelings for her do you?" he finally asked after a couple minutes of an awkward silence.

"Not likely," he scoffed.

"Then what the hell has your nickers in a twist Ron?" screamed his younger sister as she too stormed into the room. "Honestly, it's not like she could bloody well disappoint McGonagall. Did you ever think that she might have agreed with the plan simply to put an end to this whole house rivalry bullocks? We just came back from a war, lost many lives, and all you can think about is yourself!"

Ron lowered his head as he blushed. "I, uh, I never really thought of it that way," he admitted. "I just, well, I, it's Malfoy! He's a bloody Death Eater! You can't possibly think it's not the least bit strange can you?" he asked, a little loudly as some heads turned towards him, while he looked back and forth between his best mate and his sister.

"It is a bit fishy to me too Ron, but if Hermione trusts him then so do I. Besides, he isn't exactly a Death Eater anymore, the ministry cleared him remember?" Harry answered.

"Just because you're cleared of charges doesn't mean you're any less evil than before," Ron spat. "And how can she betray us like that? He has made our past years at this school a living hell and she's so quick to forgive him? In fact, choosing his side over mine? Ha, some friend indeed."

"I understand you might be feeling a bit betrayed but he really has changed," Ginny chimed in. "I saw it with my own eyes that day before exams when she took off to her room. It was as if he actually cared as to why she was so upset."

"But-" he sputtered.

Harry raised his hand to end the conversation. "But nothing Ron. You are just going to have to trust McGonagall and Hermione on this one. Besides, it's just one little dance."

Ron crossed his arms, showing all the stubbornness of a true Gryffindor. He will have to accept it but he wasn't going to be happy about it. Nor was he going to speak to Hermione for that matter, at least not for a little while.

Later that afternoon, Hermione woke to sharp pains in her stomach. She checked the time to see it was well past lunchtime but it would still be another two hours until dinner. She groaned as she realised how hungry she was. Why was I still in bed? She asked herself, immediately regretting it as she recalled the hurtful words thrown at her by her once best friend.

She heard a gentle knock at her door. Mustering up all her Gryffindor courage, she decided she was just going to have to brush it off and pretend as if nothing was wrong. Besides, it's like Draco said earlier that morning, if he was really her best friend, he wouldn't have acted so childish. After catching her reflection on the way to the door she almost ran back to hide under her covers. "Why have I been cursed with such god awful hair?" she muttered under breath as she turned the door handle.

At her door stood a worry-stricken Draco, holding a platter of food for her. She plastered on a smile so that he wouldn't have any reason to worry. She was, after all, perfectly fine.

"I noticed you hadn't come down for lunch, so when I came back and found you still asleep I went down to the kitchen to get you some food."

Hermione winced at the thought of the poor elves, trying to tell herself that they did indeed enjoy working for the school without pay.

"Don't worry," Draco laughed. It was a sweet laugh, one that Hermione had never heard before. She liked it. "I remember how fond you are of house elves and what not," he rolled his eyes as he pointed to the S.P.E.W badge he could see on her dresser, "that's why I told them I could put a few things together myself. Though I think that might have pissed 'em off."

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of angry house elves clinging to Draco's arms, trying to stop him from working. "Thank you," she said with an earnest smile, "but I would have been just fine eating something the elves have cooked as well."

"I'll remember that next time," he said as he rubbed his hand against a bruise forming on his arm.

Next time, she thought, he will bring me food more than once? She shook her head of the thought realising he was probably just making a joke at the fact that more than a normal amount this year she had skipped mealtimes for being locked away in her room.

"Actually, could you put it downstairs? I should probably get up anyway, so I'll be right down after I change…" and tame this mess of hair.

"Don't bother, I like it just the way it is," he said as he noticed her pulling at a strand of her hair. Hermione blushed. "Er- I mean," he stumbled, unaware that he had actually said that out loud. "All the better to store stuff in," he haphazardly recovered, shoving his wand into her hair as if to prove a point.

The two burst out laughing as the wand refused to come out of her hair. "Yeah, very effective during a battle," she drawled sarcastically, as she was finally able to untangle his wand from her locks.

"Is that sarcasm? Coming from a Gryffindor? I think you've been hanging around me too much Granger," he joked.

Hermione rolled her eyes as she brushed past him. "I think the only thing that could possibly fix this disaster," she said as she dramatically flipped her hands through her hair, "is a shower."

Before she could even reach the bathroom door however she was whipped around as Draco held onto her wrists. She looked up at him and realised just how intense his silver eyes were as they looked down upon her. "Don't. I meant it when I said I like it."

After a moment of just staring at each other, he finally let go of her wrists. Still staring into her eyes, he reached around her and grabbed the platter off the desk in the hallway. He slowly turned and made his way down the stairs, turning to make sure she was following him. She did.

The entire time the two of them ate the meal on the platter, she couldn't help wonder what had gotten into Draco lately. She was starting to get lightheaded from all his mood swings towards her; one minute he could be ignoring her, the next teasing her, and the next with so much concentration, like now for instance. They sat in silence most of the time, occasionally catching each other staring at the other. Finally it was Hermione who broke the ice.

"So," she hesitated, "have you found any more information about, well, you know…" She didn't want to mention his mother; afraid of what his reaction would be to the mere word, yet she couldn't help her curiosity.

He just smiled weakly at her, but his eyes told a different story. "Yes, and no," he said.

Hermione frowned, trying to get him to continue. After a few bites in his sandwich he finally spoke up again.

"Well, you know how only a relative is able to apparate successfully, well it turns it was actually only blood relatives that could. All of my blood relatives are dead," he said solemnly. "Well, aside from Andromeda, but she's possibly one of the kindest people I had ever met. It's such a shame I never got to know my aunt when I was younger," he added.

Hermione nodded at the mention of Andromeda, Tonks' mother. She had only met her once, at the funeral, but she was indeed the nicest witch she had ever met, especially considering who her relatives were.

Once again, they were at a dead end as to who could have possibly gotten past the wards undetected. Hermione noticed Draco began to shift uncomfortably in his seat so she changed the topic sensing he needed to think of something else.

"Hey, so Christmas eve this year is on Wednesday, correct?" she asked as a smirk that could rival Draco's own trademark twisted upon her lips.

Draco nodded cautiously, unsure what the witch was up to.

"Well, perhaps we can throw a little party, you know, similar to the Halloween one."

"No. Absolutely not."

Hermione was taken aback by his sternness. "But, why?" she asked, her eyes forming into the familiar puppy dog orbs she so often gave her parents.

Draco looked at her with the same intensity as he had at the top of the stairs before he sighed. "Fine, but I just, well, no mirrors okay?"

Hermione chuckled.

"What?" he asked her.

"That was your only reason for saying no? Merlin Malfoy, of course I wouldn't be so thick, especially after what I myself had experienced last time," she said in her isn't-it-obvious tone of voice. Draco looked away to hide his blush before turning back to her and beamed an equally coy grin.

This time it was Hermione who had the question. "What?"

"Oh, nothing…" he laughed as he stood up and made his way to the stairs. "We should go to Hogsmeade tomorrow and get some supplies, meet me back here after lunch?" he asked.

"Surely a Malfoy isn't forgetting about magic is he? Surely Hogwarts can supply us with all the supplies we need," Hermione teased.

"Not these kinds of supplies," he said, and with a wink he disappeared up the stairs. Hermione was about to follow after him for questioning but decided it against it as she heard the shower turn on. She rolled her eyes as she instead decided to go find Ginny and tell her the plan.

To say dinner that evening had been awkward was quite possibly the understatement of the year. Ron was ignoring anything Hermione had said, and proceeded to even go as far as asking someone else to ask Hermione to pass him some food he could not reach. Eventually Hermione stopped trying to speak him at all that evening, deciding that until he grew up and stopped acting so philistine; she wouldn't speak one word to him.

Across the great hall, Draco was stirred up in quite the conversation with his fellow Syltherins. Hermione shook her head and smiled as she noticed he was slowly starting to gain his popular rank in the school. She also noticed that this time he was much friendlier to his peers instead of hostile like in the past. His old housemates only followed him out of fear, now they seemed to genuinely all get along as equals. She couldn't help but frown as she noticed he seemed to gain his usual number of gaggling girls that fawned all over him once again as well. Yet he didn't even give the one girl, who was currently flipping her hair about dramatically and batting her eyelashes at Slytherin's long lost prince, a second glance. No he seemed to be busy staring straight ahead of him, right into Hermione's eyes to be exact. Hermione quickly turned around and began talking to her housemates of the plan for Christmas Eve.

"The Room of Requirements will be open at nine so try to come shortly after that, we don't want anyone getting caught now do we?" she whispered.

"Harry, I think over the past few years you guys have broken Hermione. I know she's broken rules before, but I mean, as Head girl you'd think she would be back to her strict Hermione self!" Ginny exclaimed with a chuckle.

Harry shook his head, "I swear, this time it's not my fault," he joined in with her laughter.

"Well of course it's not you Harry. She's been hanging out with the snake a lot lately, so obviously he's poisoned her," Ron spat.

"Ron," Ginny started before being cut off by Hermione.

"No, he's right," Ron looked up at her shocked before she added, "partially right. He helped me plan the party out. But it was my idea to begin with so don't go pointing fingers at the innocent," she said calmly before turning back to Ginny. "So Gin, Dra-er, Malfoy and I are going to Hogsmeade tomorrow for supplies, or well he wants to get something for the party, maybe we can go shopping?"

"Have you forgotten who you're talking to?" Ginny asked. "Of course I'll come shopping! We do have some last minute things to get for the ball anyway. I'll make a list tonight, what time are we going tomorrow?"

"Just after lunch," she answered, happy her friend could join her. "Harry, Ron, you're welcome to come too, though I don't think you'll have much fun helping us, perhaps you can help Malfoy?"

Ron was about to say something before Harry threw an elbow to his stomach. "Course Hermione," he smiled and then whispered something to Ron, causing Ron to instantly calm, almost smile.

Hermione frowned at the exchange but shrugged it off, simply relieved that they would at least give it a chance.

After dinner Hermione had planned on going straight to sleep, thinking she would need it for the busy days ahead of her, however she found as she lay there, she just couldn't fall asleep. Getting up from her bed, she slipped on her robe, went downstairs, picked up one of her favourite Muggle books from the bookshelf and began to read as she sat on the rug by the fire, her back against the coffee table.

"Can't sleep either?" a familiar drawl made her jump from behind her. She turned to see Draco leaning against the kitchen counter with a glass of water in his hands. Saving the page in the book, she put it down and walked to the small kitchenette.

It was more of just a counter, small refrigerator, sink and a cupboard with a couple mugs and glasses in it, but it was still a kitchen none the less.

"No," she smiled as she pulled out the chair and sat across from him.

He turned to fill his glass back up with water. She cocked her head to one side having never seen a Malfoy do anything on their own. Sure, she knew better from what he had told her, but it was still strange to actually see it happening before her own eyes. "You want one?" he asked, shaking her out of her trance.

"Oh, erm, sure. That would be lovely actually," she stuttered. He turned around again and filled another glass.

"So what's keeping you awake?" he asked as he lifted his glass to his mouth while handing the other to her.

"Thanks. I'm not too sure really, I like to come down here at night and read to relax my mind of all the thoughts spinning around in my head," she said nonchalantly.

"What sort of thoughts?" he asked curiously.

Gulping down a sip of water she waved her hand dismissively. "Oh you know, head duties, grades, that sort of thing." And you. She frowned, wondering why on earth that thought popped into her mind. A hearty laugh interrupted her analysis of her own thoughts and she looked up to see Draco staring at her with one eyebrow raised.

"Granger, have you forgotten, it's the holiday's, not to mention the brightest witch of our age should hardly be worried about grades," he had a devilish sparkle in his eyes that made Hermione nervous as to where this conversation was going. "What's really bothering you?" he added.

"Nothing."

"Bloody hell Granger, I've told you my entire life story, and yet, I know nothing of yours!" he said, a slight hint of frustration to his voice.

Hermione considered telling him what was actually on her mind, but she wasn't sure where to begin. "Just, well… oh never mind, you don't want to hear about stupid stuff like this," she laughed nervously.

"Try me."

Suddenly the air went still and the atmosphere between them became deep, much like it had twice already that day. "Erm, well, you know my parents are muggles…" she began cautiously. He nodded, clearly not giving her any chance of escaping this conversation. "Well, at the end of sixth year, before the war, I well, in order to protect them you see, I had to send them away. I had to make it seem like I didn't exist to them," she paused and looked up at the steel grey eyes, suddenly feeling more confident and comfortable telling her story. "I used the Obliviate spell, to erase any memory of my birth, my existence or the magical world from their minds." Draco's eyes grew wide as it dawned on him just how powerful of a spell that would have had to be to actually work properly, without any consequences at all. He kept quiet however, and Hermione guessed he wanted to keep all his questions until after.

"Well," she continued, "I knew they had always wanted to go to Australia, so I planted the idea that they would move there, immediately. It's not like they would have anyone to tie them down, they didn't even know they had once had a child." Tears began to well up behind her eyes, but she forced them down with her Gryffindor courage as she tried to continue the story. "Well after the war, I found them, and restored their memories. I vowed to stay with them the entire summer until school started. We had a lot of catching up to do of course, I just hadn't expected it to be so hard," she said the last part more to herself than to Draco as she recalled all the painful memories.

For a few moments neither of them said anything. Hermione too consumed with the memories of those summer days, Draco too polite too interrupt her thoughts.

Finally Hermione shook her head, put aside her feelings and continued her story. She told him about the events they used to attend but didn't, the forgotten barbeque for her mother's birthday, the carnival. She told him about how frustrating it was not being able to use magic. She didn't mind for chores and the like, but it was frustrating not being able to study for her N.E.W.T.S without the use of magic. Draco cringed at the thought knowing too well how difficult that must have been. "I mean, they always told me they were proud to have a witch in the family, but they were very hesitant when it came to magic. I completely understand considering that was what caused them to lose their memories in the first place, but I could always tell they were slightly disappointed I couldn't have been a muggle so I would have avoided the war in the first place."

"Yeah but without you, Potter and Weasel would have been completely lost, Voldemort would have won for sure!" Draco protested, appalled that any parent would be disappointed in having Hermione as their daughter.

Hermione blushed, "they would have found a way," she said, though knowing in her heart she did play a key part.

"Likely. Well, I highly doubt your parents thought that way, you really do over analyse things you know that?"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," she said as she looked down at the counter top. Draco looked at her, puzzled, but let her continue. "I overheard them talking once. It was in the middle of July and it was after I had suggested trying a spell to bring back their full memories after trying a countless number of home videos and pictures. A home video is sort of like looking at your memories through a pensieve, you can see the event happening, hear the voices and what not," she explained.

"I know what a video is Granger. I may have grown up putting down all things muggle, but that doesn't mean I wasn't knowledgeable in the field," he laughed. She blushed.

"Sorry, I sometimes forget. I often had to explain things to Ron back when… well… Anyway, I wasn't having any luck. So I mentioned trying the spell again, and they told me that it wasn't necessary. All that mattered was that they remembered me. They told me to get some rest, so I went up to my room, but I knew they just wanted some time to talk to each other. I wish I hadn't borrowed the extendable ear from George, I should have just been oblivious to everything, but now I don't think I can ever forget what I heard." Hermione went silent again.

This time she couldn't hold back the tears that escaped her betraying eyes. She wanted to go back to the book she left on the carpet, escape the memories and the reality, but something was holding her back. She looked up to see Draco's hand on hers, his eyes looking intently at her. Not one speck of the typical Malfoy spark was in his eyes. No, his look was full of understanding, full of trust. In that moment Hermione realised he really did care. She took a gulp of water to clear the dryness from her throat, took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she recited the conversation that she constantly shoved from her thoughts, but kept coming back.

"I just don't know what we're going to do about her anymore, my mother said. She's our daughter Karen, what are we supposed to do? She'll be gone to school in just over a month, so for now let's just enjoy this time, all right? Father said. That's precisely the point! Why would I want my daughter to go back to the same school where she almost died? What if she had died Will? We never would have even known! I wish she was a normal child sometimes said mother. I could hear her start to cry, when my father replied. I know. So do I honey, so do I. I can't stand the thought of losing her again. He said. We've already lost her Will. To a bloody school! To the blasted thing she calls magic. I can't even believe the nerve she has suggesting to use magic on us again. You know, every time I see her use the smallest bit of magic, I cringe. I remember once being so amazed my it, but now, it just seems so, evil. She told him. I couldn't hear anything for a while then I heard my father again. He said, I know, but at the end of the summer, we won't have to worry about it anymore. Those were the last words I heard before I dropped the ear and cried myself to sleep. I could never tell them I knew, that would crush their hearts; I just had to pretend like everything was okay." After Hermione told her story, she pulled her hand away from Draco's and began fiddling with the edge of her night shirt.

When she finally looked up, wondering why it was so silent, she almost jumped back at the anger storming in his features. She noticed his jaw was clenched almost as tight as his fists were. "Draco, Draco it's okay," she said as she placed a hand on top of one of his. "It's okay. It's not as if they don't love me. They just, they're just, scared," she tried to convince him, though it sounded like she was also trying to convince herself of the fact.

"What kind of parent let's fear get in the way of their relationship with their own child?" he almost screamed.

"They don't understand what it's like in the magical world," she said. "After all, they are muggles," she added, hoping to appeal to him.

"Muggles? You seriously think I care about whether or not they were muggles? Hermione, no child deserves to be treated that way by their parents. I should know," he said as he poked at his own chest.

"If only I knew how to fix it," Hermione said as she looked down at the counter again. Not a moment later, however, her head was jerked back up as Draco gently lifted her chin with his hand.

"Listen to me," he said, staring into her eyes with his metallic gaze. "I know what it's like to feel like you have failed your parents. I know what it's like to feel like no matter what you do you just can't seem to make them proud of you. I know what it's like to feel neglected for who you are. I know Hermione. Listen to me when I tell you this. You didn't fail them. If anything, they failed you. Promise me you will never think of yourself as a failure again?" She could feel the pads of his thumbs wipe away the tears that now stained her cheeks. She blushed as she tried to pull away, but his hand on her chin held firm and she could not. "Promise me?" She could feel the same intensity between them once again, she could see that he really meant it so she nodded her head as she sniffled. "Good. Now let's find something a little happier to talk about shall we? Like…" Draco pondered for a moment before asking, "What book were you reading tonight?"

Hermione smiled, grateful for the change in topic. "The Count of Monte Cristo… for about the fifth time," she giggled.

"Ahh, a classic," he grinned, absolutely delighted by the noise she had just made. "Well," he yawned as he walked around the counter to where she was sitting. "I think I'm going to call it a night, seeing we have a couple busy days ahead of us. You should think about sleeping too," he said with a wink as he stood in front of her.

"I think I might too. The book can wait," she chuckled again as she stood off her chair. The two of them started to walk up the stairs together. "Thank you. You really are quite understanding," she said as she turned towards her room, "for a Malfoy," she added as she turned around, not expecting to him be following her. She stumbled back slightly in shock, but felt a hand steady her on the small of her back. He really is quick, and smooth. She blushed.

"And you really are quite emotional," he said as he embraced her in a tight hug. "For a know-it-all Granger," he laughed. She pushed him off playfully, which only made him tighten his grip around her. "Just remember our promise, okay?" he said. She nodded as he pressed his lips against her forehead before letting her go. She turned to open her door when she felt a warm breath by her ear. "Sweet dreams Hermione." A shiver went down her spine as he whispered in her ear, but by the time she turned to face him again, he had already disappeared behind his own bedroom door.

As she lay in bed, her eyes grew heavy. The last thought on her mind before she drifted off to sleep were his last words to her. More specifically the way her name rolled of his tongue as if it were a delicate flower in the midst of winter, the last of it's kind.

I hope you all enjoyed the latest chapter. I am slowly getting back into the feel for this story, but the next chapter may be a while yet as I'm slowly piecing my own personal problems back together as well. I will try my hardest, but it will probably be at least two weeks before I even come close to finishing another chapter. On the plus side, I have an idea of what it will be about, I just don't think I'm capable of finding the right words for it given my current condition. I apologize now for the wait, I hope this was enough to suffice for now. :)

Again, I thank you all for reading this far.