A/N: I honestly was NOT expecting to update tonight. I know I had the chapter written, and I wanted to type it up, but I didn't know I would end the chapter where I did. It's basically some comedic relief, with a bit of importance of the plot, so just enjoy it over your spring vacations!

Chapter Eleven

Tu e Io; che siete

The next two months went by, in Hermione's mind, very quickly. She spent her time doing homework as usual, the workload hadn't let up at all as Spring approached, but also preparing for the trip to Italy

When the class had found out they weren't going to Greece, they were momentarily upset. That is, until they heard they were going to be studying in Italy instead. Professor Dickson thought that staying in Verona, the very place Romeo & Juliet takes place, would be more effective to their learning.

That change hadn't worried Hermione. What she didn't understand were the nights she waited in the library and ended up alone. And how in class Malfoy wouldn't so much as glance at her accidentally. Time they had actually spoken was when he had tried to get her more alone than they were. That had been nearly two months ago. Perhaps if she weren't so busy with work, it would have bothered Hermione more. But slowly she started not to care

She felt foolish for it…but before she almost thought he had changed. If only a little bit. Something was…or seemed different about him. He seemed to genuinely enjoy her company. They used to talk about things, real things…class, life, not just quidditch and pranks like she was used to from Ron. She should have realized that it's near impossible to change a Malfoy. The last time they said more than two passing words was over a month ago in class.

Both were in a rage over how stupid Malfoy thought the entire story of Romeo & Juliet was. He was mid-rant and Professor Dickson tried to get them to return to their seats.

"And the worst part is they didn't know each other for more than a few hours! And all the sudden they're promising forever. Which wasn't even actually that promising seeing as they-"

Hermione cut him off, now rising to her feet, "It didn't matter! That's the entire point of the play! It didn't matter who they were, or where they came from, all that mattered was love!" She held Malfoy's gaze, but looked over his head quickly.

"Look what happened to them, they loved and died! It's not worth it."

"It's always worth it!" Hermione shrieked. A hush came over the class and Both Malfoy and Hermione looked around, they hadn't realized the commotion they were causing as it was happening.

"They're fictional characters, "Blaise said, pulling Malfoy down, "Since when do you care so much?"

Hermione blushed wildly and sank into her seat, not taking even a glance at Malfoy

"I don't…care. Just…got carried away." Malfoy took his seat gratefully too.

"Well," Professor Dickson returned to the front of the class, "Now that we're settled, thank you Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger for that fantastic introduction to the discussion that will plague you through the trip to Italy: was the love of these two teens enough for everything they had to lose?"

Those words would go on to repeat in Hermione's mind all the way until the trip to Italy in May. The students learned that with the magical world in such trouble, using muggle transportation would be easiest. Ron, being the entity of sensitivity, missed the group's departure. Harry, having since made up with Hermione seeing that she had been nowhere near Malfoy went along to the train station at Hogsmead.

He hugged Hermione goodbye, had an awkward moment with Gunny, (which ended with a horrible wave) and then they left. The train lasted nearly three miserable, boring hours in which absolutely nothing happened. It was early, so most people slept. Luna, Hermione, and Ginny shared a compartment while others stayed nearby. The train was a small version, seeing as only one class and two teachers were attending the trip. Malfoy had conveniently found the compartment right next door and not even the strongest silencing charms could have quieted Adele's giggles. Halfway to the train station, Hermione slammed her book down and stomped to her compartment door, slamming it shut ten times louder. Luna and Ginny looked at Hermione, who didn't make eye contact as she sat down and returned to her book. But they knew something was wrong by her white knuckles clutching the book.

A few hours later, the airport was the major topic of discussion, as most had never been in one before.

"How extraordinary…" Luna said dreamily. "Father says muggles can be quite daft sometimes, but I think they're genius at the moment."
Hermione laughed as everyone sent their things away to be packed.

"Ridiculous muggles," Malfoy complained, "And now they're taking my luggage, fantastic."

"Please, hush Mr. Malfoy. This is standard procedure." Professor Dickson sounded from the front of the group.

"It all goes under the airplane…" Hermione was explaining to Ginny.

"UNDER THE PLANE?!" Malfoy nearly shouted. "We're doomed now. Never getting out stuff back." He continued to mumble about he idiocy of muggles through security and the removal of his shoes and belt and why they waited to board the plane. Hermione wanted to laugh; she wanted to let everything go, all their fights, the animosity. But he practically ignored her and had been for months now. She had felt oddly lonely because of it, too. That was, until everyone began to board the plan and the attendant directed him to first class.

"He doesn't know where the suitcases go, but somehow he wrangled himself a first class ticked. I don't' believe it," Ginny said as she settle down in the window seat.

Hermione sat next to her. "I can."

As soon as everyone was seated the whole plane fastened their seatbelts, Italy was the destination. Luckily it was a direct flight with no layover.

About an hour into the ride, Hermione was comfortably chatting with Ginny about a book she was reading (Ginny was obviously bored, but Hermione didn't see it) when a plane attendant approached her.

"Are you Miss Granger?" she asked politely.

"I am. Is there something wrong?"
"Oh, no. You're just wanted in first class. We're moving comfortably now, so you can go on up." She nodded to the area between the curtains.

"I wonder…" Ginny said aloud. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I'll be back." And she made her way down the isle, taking a moment to adjust to the movement of the plane. The curtains revealed a roomy area and

"Granger! There you are!" Malfoy hollered from a seat on the right. "You should sit, go ahead, and sit down!"

"Malfoy...whats…"

"Hey, aren't the ho use elves supposed to bring me food?"

Hermione sat in a seat across the isle. "No, not here." She looked at him; he was very out of sorts, especially because he was talking to her.

"Did you know…that champagne is free in first class?"

A-ha.

She thought.

So that's what's gotten into him.

"And you know Granger. I have class – first class," he slurred dreamily.

Hermione shifted uncomfortably as Malfoy kicked off his shoes and put up his feet.

"And you know what…" He wagged a finger at her, "I'm very upset with you so-"

"Me? What did I do?" She could hardly believe it. He was blaming her for him ignoring her! It didn't even make sense in her own head. Where in the world was this going?

"Oh you know," He said sternly, but not enough to be taken seriously. "I know that you know that I know that you know that I know. That I know. So I'm going to spoil something for you that will knock your knee high socks off! Father Christmas…is a fake! He's a phoney, Granger. And you know what that means?"

Hermione laughed, and figured she might as well humor him, "No, what?"

"Someone has been eating my Christmas cookies!" Malfoy slurred once again. "And it wasn't me, and it wasn't the Christmas tree, and my mum's on a diet, so it was someone else!" he pointed sharply at Hermione. "And if it was you…I'm going to be…even more…disappointed in you because no one, no one steals from the son of Lucius Malfoy…or Luscious…I'm not quite sure which…" He struggled with a bit of laughter with the last sentence.

"Your father's dead…" Hermione began again.

"Dead? Like Albus Dumbledore…and Father Christmas? Wait…Dumbledore looks like…and Father…and Oh My God! My dad's Father Christmas! Which makes me…son Christmas! You have to give me Christmas cookies." He looked at Hermione almost expectantly.

Hermione looked around. First class was rather empty, but the few people stared awkwardly. The confused plan attendant walked by again and Malfoy stopped her.

"Hey, do you wanna be daughter Christmas?"

"Umm…no?"

"That's fine then!" he hollered after her as she walked away. "The positions already been filled…by Granger!" He turned to Hermione, as if he was just seeing her. "Granger! How are you!"

"What?" Hermione said, startled.

"Oh, its fine. I told her you already were daughter Christmas. But…not like my sister. That would be incest." Malfoy said in a low, secretive whisper. "So, now that that's settled, we should name our children."

"Excuse me?!" Hermione struggled to keep up with his drunken train of thought as another empty bottle of champagne was tossed aside.

"I was thinking we could keep the tradition. I mean…we've got Luscious…so…this one can be...Bodacious! Which he will be. Because he…he's the grandson of Luscious!"

Hermione shook her head, and it fell into her hands. She didn't' know whether to laugh or suggest he go to a mental institution as soon as they landed.

"You really are being ridiculous. Maybe you should have some...coffee? This is all the champagne talking."

Malfoy sat up and sat on the edge of the seat, so he was facing her. "Let it talk then! You know we haven't talked in months? All because of Potter! Figures…" He took a large swig from the new bottle in his hands.

"Harry?"

"Know any other Potters? Living I mean."

Hermione kept her mouth shut for a moment.

"Well, it wasn't all his fault. You said it." Malfoy stared glumly into his champagne...slipping down over the seat a bit.

"And what did I say?" Hermione sighed.

"Nothing. It was all nothing." Malfoy's head lulled onto his chest, he seemed to be slipping out of consciousness. She left a big guilty about it, but Hermione almost got up to leave as long as he wasn't noticing.

"But you know," he said through closed eyes, "I don't think it was. It was…something." He lifted his head up, which came dangerously close to Hermione's face. Her heart jumped like it used to. Just for a moment. The glazed look in his eyes, and the dishevelled state of him made her want something.

But she was beginning to remember now, just after the holidays when she told Harry it meant nothing. At the time she didn't know if it was a lie or not. She hoped it wasn't. Now she knew.

"Malfoy, I never-"

The seatbelt sign lit up as the radio announced the plane would be landing soon. Hermione took a deep breath and turned in her current seat. It was too late to make her way back to coach. The plane began to land and shook Malfoy out of his semi-conscious state.

"Brake! Brake!" He yelled, looking around at calm people. "We're gonna die! But the Christmas Cookies with save us!"

Hermione closed her eyes and tried to rid herself of the scene as the plane reached near ground.

"Kind of strange contraptions. Muggles are crazy." Malfoy was saying as they exited the plane. He swayed when he walked, rambling on. "I think I know what I'm going to do for my eighteenth birthday…I'm going to have a party in the party space and the theme will be…"Son Christmas Turns Eighteen" …because everybody loves me. I'm like Christmas Cookies. Everybody loves Christmas Cookies, except for my mum and the Christmas tree. But, you know, they're trying to loose weight. I practically invented Christmas cookies…by association. I should be on a Chocolate Frog card!"

That night, Professor Dickson was unaware of Malfoy's state. Somehow he was able to fake soberness almost as well as kindness. Hermione's friends convinced her to let him be and let his own friends look after him. She didn't need too much convincing, although a part of her wanted to be able to talk to him about what had happened. That night she talked to Harry so quickly. Almost the entire conversation had disappeared from her mind just as fast.

She wished she could admit she said it, but it was a big misunderstanding, even if she couldn't change a Malfoy.