A/N: Hello all~ Sorry for the long wait. I must admit, I had a bit of writer's block when it came to this chapter. The next one as well. I wrote the two chapters, but then decided I didn't like it. So, I had to go back and edit/re-write parts. It has taken longer than I expected to get the right tone, but I finally think I got it. This chapter is a rough chapter. It's almost four in the morning, but I wanted to post this. I will wake up tomorrow morning and edit it again perhaps. I tried to catch all the spelling errors and grammar errors, but since my spell check is not working on Word, it's a bit of a hassle. Nevertheless, I will try to make it perfect. Haha.

Oh, thank you for the reviewer who pointed out that I spelt Narcissa's name wrong! I hadn't realized it until you mentioned it. Thank you!

I hope the next chapter will be up soon. Thank you for all those reading this story and adding it to your favorites list or update lists. My goal is to try and reply to every review for this chapter. I know in the past I have been bad about getting back to reviewers. I hope to establish a better reader-author relationship.

Okay, sorry for the long A/N. Enjoy!

Chapter

Hermione and Draco stayed relatively silent for the rest of the trip. They still kept appearances, such as holding each other's hand, but each said nothing to each other. They had their own thoughts to attend to.

Which is why on occasion, Draco would stroke Hermoine's hand without noticing it and why Hermione would on occasion lean on Draco's shoulder.

Neither one realized it. Only the occasional single witch who would look at them in envy or the elderly couple who remembered their days of youth.

Together they went from store to store, voices monotone and lost in a daze. The shop owners would look at them curiously, but said nothing. They knew the two had the money to make their efforts worth the slight discomfort.

Hermione and Draco would enter together and look at things separately. Hermione looked for Ginny's present, the only one of her past friends for whom she would be getting anything, along with presents for the Malfoy's and, she supposed, Blaise and Professor Snape.

When the day was said and done, Malfoy carried their purchases, and they made their way to the floo. One after another they went and arrived at Malfoy Manor.

A house-elf greeted them and took their cloaks and luggage away to be properly stored and sorted. Without a word, the two of them parted ways.

It was only after Hermione had arrived in her room that she analyzed the day's events.

Hermione Gran—Angelus now had access to the Angelus vaults which were centuries old and filled with not only priceless gems and jewels, but with tomes and books of all kinds. She wondered if the goblins had kept record of which tomes were stored in there. She made a memo in the back of her mind to inquire about that.

She had purchased all the presents she had gone out to shop for. Her list was rather short anyways.

For Ginny, she had purchased a beautiful quartz pendent. It was simple in design, held on a platinum chain, but the shop keeper had insisted it had the most powerful spells upon it. Quartz was used to hold energy and Hermione thought it was rather her style than Ginny's. However, she thought her friend would grow and would come to appreciate its worth. Ginny would probably simply wear it as an accessory. Such a shame, Hermione thought as she made her purchase.

It was out of respect she also sent gifts for Molly and Arthur. She told them she was staying at Hogwarts over the holidays, but she wasn't sure what the boys or Ginny had said. Besides, even while she could not see herself at their home anytime soon, if ever, she felt obligated to send a gift for all the breaks she spent there in the past. She took the time to stop by a high-end bakery to send over holiday pastries and bread.

For her Professor she also brought something practical: Potions and Brews for the Rather Curious Wizard. She knew it was a rare tome and thought he might find it interesting, even while it was rather innocent in its contents. The tome was made rather as a joke in the late seventeen hundreds. She knew Professor Snape had the wit to understand the subtle humor of the rather old tome.

For Blaise she bought a Limited Edition Gucci Firebolt II. There were rumored to only be five in existance. Even while he probably an equally flashy broom, as suggested by Malfoy's blatent snort as she announced who she was buying it for, she thought he'd get a kick out of it anyways. It was her way of saying thank you after all for that night.

It was the Malfoy family that troubled her.

After much thought she decided to give Madame and Mister Malfoy something priceless: they were welcome to enjoy the vacation home the Angelus had on the Aegean Sea, which she had discovered only hours before when the goblin Tuk gave her a folder of property owned by the Angelus family. It was located somewhere in the Greek islands on one of the islands thought to be uninhabited by muggles. While she had no doubt that the Malfoys had equally vacation houses, she thought this one provided a unique location away from the typical houses lining the Mediterranean Sea.

Finally, for Draco, she bought a dueling knife.

She knew that traditional wizards carried knives with them in a duel. While that practice was now forbidden due to substantial injury obtained, resulting often in death, the ancient families still held the practice. She knew it would be appropriate for a ward to give her guardian such a tool. She had the blacksmith make the blade a mix of quartz and platinum and diamond, each for their given properties and she had the handle made of the same platinum compound with gems of quartz embedded in the handle and sheath. It was by far the most expensive thing she bought. She cringed inward at the price of the blade, but she knew it would not make a dent in the vast vault of the Angelus.

It was that thought which brought her back to this afternoon: the kiss.

Surprisingly, she was not angry or upset.

She was rather indifferent.

In fact, she rather enjoyed it for the sheer thrill of triumph that she felt over him. Not that she'd want to repeat it any time soon.

She shook her head. Perhaps it was time to retire for the night.

On the other side of the Manor, Draco Malfoy laid wide awake in bed that night. He couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, his body felt like it was on fire. Every time he closed his eyes he saw her face, he felt her warm body pressing against him, the pressure of her soft lips.

He couldn't stop thinking about it. His mind betrayed him as he replayed that afternoon. He could feel the brisk chill of the breeze on his bare cheek as the bright winter sun shone on him. It was in such contrast to her warm, inviting body, which invaded him as she stepped forward in challenge. He could not speak. Suddenly, she was everywhere. He could smell the soft lilac scent of her hair and the fragrance of her perfume. Everything about her called to him, but it was her eyes that were his undoing. One look in those eyes showed her challenge, and that was the flame he wanted to douse as he moved in for the kill. He couldn't breathe when their warm-cold lips met. He felt her arms around his neck and her soft body pressed against him as he pulled her towards him.

He sat up, shaking the memory from his mind. He was never going to get to sleep like this. He put on some pants and went out for a walk hoping the cold would do something to cool this fire that raged within him.

As he walked, he knew for certain there was nothing to think about. There was no situation. That afternoon was simply a moment, of the same likeness to a one night stand. There is no beginning and there is no end. For, there can be no beginning or end to something that was never there in the first place.

No, Draco Malfoy knew that whatever fascination he held with Hermione Angelus, formerly Granger, was purely on the level of curiosity. The fact, however, that her flesh called to his complicated that curiosity. That was all.

A small part, a rather small part, wanted to indulge in that complicated curiousity and see what it would be like. He knew his curiosity in her would disappear after he had fulfilled it. Then, she would no longer be Hermione. Instead, she would simply fade away into the crowd of faceless and nameless girls to be used for his will and purposes. It was an outcome which would satisfy him immensely.

However, Draco Malfoy was a man, if not of goodness, then of morals and pride. She was his ward, and he was her guardian. Even without his vows, such a relationship demanded respect. He was to be her protector. To use her so easily for his own satisfaction would go against those bounds.

In the end, his pride and sense of duty won over simple curiosity. It would not do for his desire to get in the way of his duty. He would have to be on his guard around her. After all, curiosity did kill the cat. With that in mind he finally went back to his room to sleep.

It was on Christmas Eve when all hell broke loose.

Word had gotten out that Hermione Granger, best friend of the very Harry Potter their Dark Lord was to kill, was residing at Malfoy Manor as a guest of Draco Malfoy. Thus, when the invitation for the New Year's Ball, on the thirty first of December, at the Parkinson House arrived, as expected, it contained not only an invitation for the Malfoy family, but an extended invitation to a certain Hermione Granger as well. That bit of the invitation was rather unexpected, to say the least.

Hermione stared at the letter sitting on the rather expensive looking coffee table. The whole family had gathered in the parlor to discuss the matter at hand.

The invitation had arrived not fifteen minutes ago during lessons with Madame Malfoy. Hermione saw the frown on her face and began to worry. While Hermione had not known Madame Malfoy for very long, she knew that Madame Malfoy did not frown without reason. Hermione only had to recall the last time she had seen such a frown grace her face to know this was a very bad sign. That's when she called a halt to her lessons and called Draco and Lucius to the parlor to discuss the matter.

Twenty minutes later they were gathered in the parlor at midday. Narcissa handed over the contents of the letter to Lucius who then passed it on the Draco. Hermione could see the wheels turning in all their heads as they informed Hermione of the situation.

"I do not understand," Hermione exclaimed after contemplating the news on her own. She too, had read the letter."What is the matter if I go?"

There was a grave pause. Finally Narcissa spoke. "Angelus, you must understand. A ball is a function, not a simple party. The fact that you have been invited means that you are to be used as a pawn in a massive game." She massaged her temples. "I should not have neglected so many functions during your stay here. That was my first mistake."

"There is nothing we can do now. We must plan," Lucius explained. His facial expression changed as he asked, "Is the Angelus to be presented or introduced as Draco's play thing?" Hermione couldn't help but flinch. Whether it was at the word play thing or the flat, cold tone in which Mr. Malfoy said it, she did not know.

There was a moment of silence as all those present contemplated the situation.

"It would be best, I believe, to introduce her as the Angelus," Draco finally announced. All heads rose to look at him. "Were she introduced as my simple fling it would put her in the way of too many. They would try to use her because they would assume she would be of no cost to me. They would assume I brought her and played her for that simple matter. I would be unable to act to protect her for fear of people disregarding my standing within our society," he paused. "I already put myself at risk when I brought her here. There were many in our House who were opposed to it."

There was a pause. Hermione had not thought of the risk she was putting Draco in by spending the holidays here. She had not realized Draco felt the same animosity from his house as she did from the school. Perhaps, he felt it just as much. She had never thought of it before.

"You risk too much. You hid her from our Lord. He will punish you for it," Lucius explained. Hermione heard what was unsaid. Lucius was worried. That made her worry, more for Draco's safety than hers.

"It would be a greater punishment to hide her once more only to reveal her later," Draco countered. He stood firm. These was no tone of fear in his voice.

Hermione agreed. While he would receive punishment for having hidden her once, he would receive a worse fate for hiding her twice.

"I believe we should introduce me at the ball," Hermione announced calmly. "From my understanding, Draco will receive punishment anyway. A formal introduction at our choosing, while limited of place and time, could work to our advantage." After a small pause, she added, "I could step forward to try and lessen Draco's harm by claiming he was only protecting me."

She looked at him and he understood. She remembered their promise and she was going to see to it that he was not harmed. She would attend with him when he was called, for it was known that the Dark Lord would show his presence that night.

"Very well. Then we must begin," Narcissa announced. "We have much to prepare."

That night Narcissa began by having Hermione memorize a list of guests, their names, their surnames and their position within pureblood society along with a few secrets to use as leverage when needed.

Christmas was a time of celebration, but in the Malfoy home there was nothing of that sort. Dinner came and went without fanfare and Hermione continued to memorize list after list. Some she knew from her previous lessons. Others, she knew nothing about.

After going over the list once together, Hermione was to go over it alone later tonight.

Narcissa poured over various scenarios to prepare Hermione for the various encounters she was certain to face. She was to practice each version: before the announcement and after.

For Hermione Granger, she was to be a quiet girl, unoffending. She was to take what was given to her with quiet dignity, so that she may throw it back into their face when it was announced who she truly was.

Hermione Angelus, on the other hand, was to present an air of quiet, but powerful, confidence. She was to be elegant and deadly. She was to be a princess in every way.

Hermione was fine with all of this until Draco Malfoy appeared.

A flash of the kiss popped into her head and it was gone just as quickly as it came.

"Ah, Draco, there you are," Narcissa cooed. She turned to Hermione. "We must practice dancing."

Hermione didn't know whether she should be horrified or pleased. She was an apt dancer, but the thought of dancing with Draco Malfoy scared her in the sense that she didn't know how to act.

He smirked. He wouldn't allow their previous encounter to interfere.

"What do you say Granger? If you're too chicken I'm sure we could have one of the house-elves dance with you," Draco mocked. He knew how to challenge her. "I'm sure they would match your both your rank and height."

As Narcissa exclaimed, "Draco!" Hermione replied, "Oh, who said anything about being scared Malfoy? I simply thought our previous encounter was too much for you to handle."

The smirk on her face infuriated him. She had no right to use something she too was embarrassed about.

He took two strides and reached her. With one movement he got into position. He roughly grabbed her hand and her waist to pull her towards him.

Without a word the music began and the two moved.

Narcissa looked on amused. She watched them glide across the dance floor with such grace that she knew they would be the talk of the ball. No, it was not their dancing which amused her. What amused her was the expressions on their faces. She saw how their eyes flashed at one another as their bodies held each other, both in anger and frustration. She could only wonder what they were talking about.

"What are you looking at Malfoy?" Hermione asked as they stared at one another. Their feet glided effortlessly across the ballroom floor, for they worried not about the dangers of moving in such a dance, but the danger presented in the man or woman in front of them.

"Nothing Granger," he hissed back. He had no intention of allowing her to take advantage of him. He was already frustrated enough as it was with yesterday's incident. He had let his curiosity and weakness get the best of him. He would not allow that to happen again.

Draco Malfoy prided himself on his self control before Hermione Granger came along. At home, he had perfect manners. At dinner parties and seasonal balls, he acted the perfect gentleman, despite the fact that he wanted nothing more than to run for the fastest safe haven, his room in most instances. No matter how difficult the situation or how conflicted he felt inside, he was always able to master his emotions and project the proper, perfect image.

However, he had never met Hermione Granger before that.

Even as a mudblood, she had a certain way of getting under his skin and stabbing him with the appropriate words. He couldn't hold his temper around her, the temper he so admired for holding before.

"I wouldn't say nothing," Hermione replied back. "If that were so, you wouldn't be shooting daggers at me and imagining the 99 ways of presenting Angelus meat."

Draco shot her a glare in reply.

Together they danced in tense silence as their bodies moved perfectly to the music. They said nothing as their bodies moved effortlessly across the dance floor. The more they danced, the more Hermione felt like she couldn't breathe. The air was so tense. She wanted to yell at him, hit him, anything to get rid of the suffocating atmosphere their silence was creating. Finally, she had had enough.

"It was a kiss Malfoy. Get over it."

He came to an abrupt stop, so abrupt that Hermione nearly fell over after crashing into him. She dared to look up only to see two icy globes staring down at her, furious. The arm which caught her pushed her back up so that she nearly fell in the opposite direction.

After tense silence, he spoke three words, "Fuck you Granger."

It didn't take him long after to storm off, anger radiating off of him.

Still, he left only after he paused to turn around mid stomp and throw a small box onto the ground. After Malfoy was long gone and a moment of hesitance, Hermione bent to pick it up. She examined the small box. It was simply wrapped in gold paper with a matching bow. Curious she began to undo the the bow. She tugged on one end and it slowly came undone. As though it were dangerous, she carefully undid the wrapping paper, all too aware of Madame Malfoy's watchful eye. What awaited her caused her the gasp.

Inside the box was a ring. She knew immediately that it was set in pure platinum and that the small diamond that sat there was the most brilliant one she had ever seen. It had a clarity she had never seen before, so much so that the diamond itself seemed to be alive in the light, as though it held its own fire. It was simple in design; yet, she felt the power and the significance behind such a gift. It was his gift of protection and trust to her. Rings were not easily given or exchanged in the wizarding world. Rings were symbols of loyalty, trust and protection. Thus, they were exchanged not only in alliances, but in marriages, for a marriage was one family's pledge to another.

She felt horrible as she sat there in numb silence on the floor. Somewhere in her shock, she had fallen down.

"It would be best to realize the significance of such a gift and find one fitting in return," Narcissa announced startling Hermione out of her shock.

She looked at Narcissa who now stood next to her. "I have," Hermione finally replied. "I bought him a dueling knife today. It seemed appropriate." She paused to look at the door from which Draco had exited. "I suppose I should follow him."

"Give him some time," Narcissa replied. Hermione looked at her rather surprised. "You may seek him out later tonight. I know my son well enough to know that it will do no good to search for him now."

Hermione hesitated for a moment, split between her desire to seek Draco out to receive the gratification of selfish forgiveness and her respect for his own space. Finally, she saw reason and turned back to Narcissa to continue her lessons in the art of high society, sans dancing.

He didn't hide in his room. No, far from it. He went to the balcony to watch her. He couldn't say what compelled him to do so, but he felt frustrated partially at her, yes, but a vast majority of his anger was focused at himself. He couldn't understand why he recently let his emotions get the best of him.

Thus, he waited to see her open his gift.

He bought gifts for his mother and father easily enough, but for Granger, that was a different story. She was his ward, his Angelus. He was not sure what to get her, this girl who was both his and just that, a girl. He couldn't imagine her wanting frivolous things, new dresses or the latest in witch cosmetics, like Pansy did. No, he knew Granger. She would want something practical, and better yet, something that would appeal to her hidden feminine nature.

Thus, he chose a ring. While to muggles, a man giving a woman a ring meant something of a personal nature, in the wizarding world it meant something more of an alliance. It was a promise not of personal love, but rather, of personal loyalty. It was a symbol of trust, and as an extension, fidelity and protection. It was common for rings to be exchanged between ward and guardian, mother and daughter, father and son, man an wife, between heads of families. Put in muggle terms, rings could be seen as contracts between various parties. It was the final seal.

He couldn't help but smirk at her reaction. While he could not hear their words, he could see her face and her body language. He had made Granger speechless while extracting his revenge by making her feel like shit. Perfect. At least she liked it.

He stood there for a while, against the wall and in the shadows, watching her take lessons as he had since their arrival at the manor. He found himself there more often than not. If his mother knew, she made no mention of it.

Truth be told, there was little time that Granger spent alone. He saw to it that he was present for most of her lessons and during meals he had with her, he made sure to pay attention to her even while he was speaking with his father. She was like the sun. He was constantly aware of her position and place in the room, but it did not bother him. She was like the scenery. While he may not acknowledge the tree shaking in the wind next to him, he is aware of its presence and its actions so that if it suddenly stilled, he would know.

He didn't like it. He didn't like how she had suddenly wormed her way into his life. He didn't like how he was protective of her, as though he were attached. He didn't like the thought that Hermione Granger, the Angelus, was not just a part of the female species, but a girl who had thoughts and feelings. Who could look him in the eye and challenge him.

No, he did not like it one bit.

Thus, he first came to her lessons to watch her, to understand her as a researcher would observe an animal to understand its habits, its thoughts and actions. He wanted to figure out who his Angelus was.

Truth be told, she had intrigued him that night by the lake. He could say that his perspective of her changed that night. Before that night she was a face in the crowd. She was, as he understood women, a tool: something to bend and use as he saw fit and needed.

After that night, he saw her differently. No longer was she that dirty filth. She had a face and a name: Hermione. Hermione. To him that name was a death sentence, something he was assigned to fill out, something he was tied to for the rest of his life, like murder or adultery. Hermione. To him that name signified chains, for that's what the Angelus was. Forever bound by blood and oath to protect her, he felt robbed in the very least, if not of his freedom, than of his free will.

And because of that he hated her. He wanted to toss her away, but he couldn't. Not only due to his oath, but because that night he saw something beautiful in Granger.

That night was like a crack in a glass vase: small at first, it slowly spreads until suddenly everything is broken and fallen to pieces. Perhaps another crack had formed that winter afternoon. It didn't matter. He prayed to God that this vase didn't crack anytime soon.

He didn't know what would happen nights from now. When he read the invitation, he had imagined every scenario from bad to worst.

He couldn't imagine them pulling it off. Hermione was a fast learner, but she was not that fast. One wrong move on her part would make their lives hell. She would set the bar that night and either prove her worth or she would be brought to death, not in actions, but in words and the movements of the ancient lines.

The Angelus had been both a blessing and the bane of many ancient lines. The Angelus had held their spot at the top of the Ancient Lines for far too long in some opinion. The noble families saw a dying line, and in that, an opportunity to raise to the top. They would spare her no mercy.

He could only pray that by some miracle they would survive the onslaught.

Hermione had been rather hesitant to open the door. More than that, she had been rather hesitant to come here at all.

After her lessons, she found herself, not in her room, but rather, in front of Draco Malfoy's door. She stood rather awkwardly with a delicately wrapped box in one hand and the other poised, ready to knock.

She paused, hand half raised. This was her last chance to back out. She was rather tempted to take it. Merlin knew what Malfoy would be like if he was still upset.

However, she thought of the guilt she felt earlier when she opened the box after rubbing salt on his wound. She had to make amends. While Hermione Angelus may not be considerate of others, Hermione Granger still had a moral conscious that needed to be satisfied.

Finally, mustering up her courage, she knocked firmly on the door.

She heard movement on the other side and after a few moments, the door opened.

Malfoy stuck his head out and looked around till his eyes landed on her. She felt his anger towards her. It burned.

"What do you want?" he asked.

She held out the box, unable to look him in the eye. The floor looked very appealing at the moment.

"It's your Christmas present," she explained when he looked at her critically.

His anger, it seemed, was pacified when she mentioned the gift. It was as though she had bought a burnt offering to appease an angry god. In this case, that angry god was Draco Malfoy. He regarded the gift for the first time. Draco hadn't noticed it when he had first looked at her. He now shifted his gaze to it. Hesitantly, he took it from her hands, holding the gift as though it would bite at him anytime.

After the rather strange exchange, he held the gift and paused to look at her.

"You might as well come in," he remarked after a moment of consideration and opened the door wider for her entry.

She entered meekly unsure of what she would encounter.

Draco's room was dim. His color palate, it seemed, was that of rich earth tone browns and dark gold. It had a rather masculine feeling to it, so different from her own. Whereas her was all light and sunshine, with bright lights and sparkling gems, Draco's room was rich seduction of dark chocolate and candlelight. There was nothing gloomy about it. Rather, there was a feeling of power.

"When you're done checking out my room you can take a seat," Draco remarked casually as he sat down in a chair by his fire place. Hermione blushed. She hadn't realized she was looking so carefully at his room.

She quickly went to sit in the vacant chair next to him.

He gave her a look. After a pause, he inquired, "Well, do you want me to open this now or when you're gone?"

"It's your choice," she replied. She was unsure of how to reply. She was rather embarrassed to give him a gift and have him open it in front of her, but a part of her wanted to see his reaction. Another part of her hoped that he would appreciate the gift as much as she had his.

They sat in silence for quite some time. The minutes ticked by and all Hermione could do was sit and watch the flames dance within the fire place.

After some minutes had passed, she heard the movement of ribbon and paper. She glanced up to see that he had opened her gift.

He knew what it was the moment he held it. He could feel the power of the blade hum in his hands. He had been in shock when he invited her in and even when they sat down. It took those long minutes of silence for the shock to die off and for him to finally open his gift. One, Draco thought he was rather unworthy of.

He opened the box to look at the dueling blade she had gotten him. It was beautiful. He could feel the quartz hum under his fingers. It knew him as its owner. Such a powerful, deadly gift. He questioned her sense of logic. She should have been more careful about who she gave such a deadly gift to. It could not be that she trusted him already.

He sat there in silence once more, contemplating that last thought.

Hermione gazed at him as he stared at the blade. She could not make out the feelings, the expressions she saw on his face. Thus, she sat in silence.

The minutes ticked by. Only the occasional shuffle of feet or the dancing flames told the passage of time. They did not move. They did not speak. They sat in deafening silence.

"I don't know what will happen a week from now," Draco began, snapping Hermione out of her daze and catching her by surprise. She turned to him with wide eyes. They met. He continued. "I don't know what will happen, but know that I will do everything in my power to protect you."

She stared at him touched at his sudden show of loyalty and weary at the same time. She would be lying if she said she wasn't surprised by his words. She was. Which is what made her cautious.

She replied simply with and heart felt, "Thank you."

He nodded firmly. She understood his words and the meaning behind them. It was now time for her to leave.

Without another word she stood up and made her way to the door. Draco didn't move to follow her. He stayed grounded in his spot.

She paused only at the door, once again hand hovering above the door knob. She glanced back to where they had sat. Draco sat there intently watching the flames, as though they held the answer to what was on his mind. She looked at the clock above the fireplace. It was past midnight. Christmas. Gathering what little courage she had left she spoke.

"Merry Christmas Draco."

At the sound of her voice, he looked up. He looked lost for words, when suddenly, he sent her a look. With that look, Hermione's heart started for the first time in their acquaintance and it was that look which prompted her to run out the door.

Thank you~

I found it amusing that the Christmas chapter has been posted in August. Perhaps you did too~

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