A/N: Wow, sorry I took so long to update. School started this week, and so did swim team, so I haven't had any time to get on the computer. And right now, I'm supposed to be typing those two essays for History… Oh, well. Hope you enjoy.

That night, Hermione was turning the box the necklace had been in over in her hands, when she felt something slide inside it. She opened it, wondering what else could be inside. When she peered in, she noticed a folded piece of parchment on the bottom. She unfolded it.

"Dear Hermione,

I didn't want to put this on the outside of the present, just in case some of your 'friends' were around. Christmas has been a nightmare. All Mum does is cry because Dad's not here. Net that he was around before, much, anyways. But I understand how she feels. Don't worry, I'm not going to jump off of something high anytime in the near future. Or stab myself. I am no longer masochistic. Besides, I don't think I'd ever forgive fate if I never saw you again. It makes me re-depressed just thinking about it. Thanks for everything. I'll see you back at Hogwarts. Merry Christmas.

Love,

Draco

P.S. You may want to burn this card. Who knows what your dear Weasel family might do if they found it?"

Hermione smiled at the card and was looking for a good place to hide it – she wasn't about to burn Draco's name- when there was a deafening crack!

"Good evening, Hermione," George said politely. "What is that?" Before she could react, Fred had snatched the letter from Hermione's hand.

"That's private!" she snapped, trying to grab it back. But Fred held it out of her reach while he read it aloud to George in an incredibly sappy voice. When he got to the end, he paused.

" 'Love… Draco' Draco Malfoy?!?!" he yelled. "What the hell?!?"

"Uh…" she stuttered. "Yeah. About that. Um. What are you doing here? It's rude to barge in on people! Get out! I'm busy!" She didn't think this would help, but it put them off balance enough for her to shove them toward the door, managing to snag her letter in the process. She slammed the door, leaning against it to keep them from getting back inside. But, of course, she had forgotten that they were of age to use magic whenever they wanted to, just like her. There was yet another precise crack and the twins reappeared in front of her.

"You have some explaining to do, miss." Fred scowled imposingly at her. But just then, Ginny barged into the room.

"Fred, George, Mum wants you in the kitchen," she panted. "Now."

"Ginny, did you know that Hermione is dating Mal-"

"Yes, I am fully aware of what my friend is doing. And they are not dating."

"And you don't even care?" Fred asked incredulously.

"Will you please hurry up and get downstairs? Before Mum slices someone's head off?" The twins huffed, but apparated out of the room.

"Thank you so much, Ginny," Hermione said vehemently.

"No problem. I couldn't let them kill you right after Christmas."

"I just hope they don't tell anyone."

"Who would believe them?"

"Well, if they and Ron and Harry all tell the same story, all I can say is, I will be in a lot of trouble."

"Hmmm… I see what you mean."

"And you'll be in trouble too," Hermione remembered.

"How do you figure that?"

"You lied about who I got the necklace from."

"Oh, great. I forgot about that." Ginny groaned. "Wait a minute. How did the twins find out, anyways? Since I'm reasonably sure you didn't tell them."

Hermione held out the card. After Ginny read it, Hermione said, "What am I going to do if they do tell everyone else?"

"Good question. And it's worse because practically everyone at school knows. They saw you sitting at Draco's side day and night when he was in the hospital wing." Ginny grinned.

"Oh, stop it. I'm having a major crisis here! And all you can do is tease me about gow I was actually worried when my boyfriend almost died." Hermione shook her head sadly.

Ginny tilted her head. "I've never heard you refer to him as your boyfriend before. Is that what he is?"

Hermione blushed. "I don't know," she admitted. "I guess so. but that's not the point! What am I going to do?"

"Make a run for it?" her friend suggested.

"Please be realistic, Ginny. No, never mind. I don't feel like facing the truth."

"And the truth is…"

"I'm sunk. Completely and totally."

"Not true! We'll find a way out of this, trust me."

Hermione sighed hopefully. "Maybe Fred and George won't tell."

"Yeah, and I'm the giant squid."

"Ron and Harry didn't."

"They tried."

"Ugh. Guess I'll just have to stick it out."

A/N: This was a kind of short chapter, I know! But please review anyways! All of you people who already have, you have no idea how wonderful you are. I'll try and update soon, I promise!