A/N: A bit of a speedy update, I already had half of this chapter written a while back, which made it a lot easier.

Thank you so much to my reviews for the last chapter, you guys are fantastic, and your support is amazing! I love how much you are enjoying this story, and I can't wait to update again.

I hope you all like the next chapter

xBx

~ Chapter 17: Acceptance ~

November disappeared in a haze of stormy weather; extra torches and fires were lit throughout the castle to keep students warm and visible, as it was so dark it felt like they were suddenly studying in the dead of night. The weather, however, did nothing to dampen the spirits of Quidditch players and supporters alike: a full crowd attended every match, and every team continued to practice in good spirits despite the fact they returned from practice looking like they had been training in the lake as opposed to the air – as you can imagine, this only worsened Filch's mood, which was never happy to begin with.

Draco and Hermione continued their blissful routine centred around their denial, much to the annoyance of Blaise and Ginny, who discussed their friends' state of self-inflicted ignorance whenever they could tear their lips and bodies away from one an other. Their date in Hogsmeade had been incredibly successful, and certain unused classrooms were now being put to very good use indeed.

Lessons continued to be as demanding as ever, their workload seemed never ending and with Head Girl duties on top of everything else, Hermione sincerely wished she had stolen a Time Turner when she had the chance.

A few days into December the rain desisted, the clouds parted and a weak sun shone down over the castle and grounds now covered in a delicate layer of sparkling frost, the lake was covered in a thin layer of ice, and Christmas was in the air.

Neville spent his first days away from the Head's tower in months, to help Professor Sprout insulate the various magical plants, protecting them from the current frost and the impending snow that Hermione swore she could smell on the air.

At the same time, Ginny and Blaise and the other Quidditch captains had volunteered to help Madam Hooch de-ice the school brooms, which were still being used by the first years for their flying lessons – something else which the four Quidditch captains were assisting with.

Which left Hermione, Draco and Emmy to study alone, working on a recent Potions essays: "Describe in minute detail the correct composition of The Polyjuice Potion, including it's colours, scents and textures at various stages of the process."

Having successfully brewed it back in her second year, Hermione had no trouble finishing the essay in relative expediency. So while the other two continued to struggle through, Hermione took the opportunity to decorate the tower, feeling extra festive this year.

Hermione had summoned a branch up through the tower window, transfigured and enlarged it, so that a beautiful Christmas tree stood in the corner, which she was currently decorating with holly and mistletoe, sparkling gold and silver beads and bright baubles in gold, red and green. A contented smile graced her lips and she started singing 'Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow' to herself. Completely unaware of what she was doing, her voice carried a little louder as she lost herself in her task.

Draco looked up from the copy of Moste Potente Potions that he had taken from the library earlier as he heard Hermione sing. He was about to comment on distracting him, but upon seeing her, he laid his quill down and leant back in his chair with his arms crossed, watching her work with a small smile on his lips. He didn't think he'd ever seen her so content.

He was brought out of his reverie but a derisive snort. He turned to look at Emmy, who was evidently trying not to laugh out loud.

"What was that charming sound for?" he drawled.

Emmy shook her head, "Will you just admit it already? You are falling hard. I've never seen you look at anyone the way you look at her."

"I don't know what-" Draco started to say, but was cut off when Emmy held up her hand.

"Save it. I know you two have a history as enemies, I know it's a weird idea, you two ever being together and I'm not saying, 'go over there and ask her out on a date'. Just admit you like her, stop with the denial, and see where it takes you." Emmy told him.

Draco looked at her intently, intending to deny, but he just couldn't seem to form the words. Instead he looked back at Hermione for a moment, who was now singing 'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas'.

Draco sighed, "Fine. I like her, we've never been friends before now, but 'friends' just doesn't seem to fit what we are. But it's complicated." He said turning back to Emmy, who frowned.

"Complicated how? You like her, she likes you, I'm sure of it."

"Doesn't matter, it's still complicated. There are….certain circumstances…" Draco trailed off and Emmy looked far les than impressed.

"If you are going to use your past, or your parents as an excuse-" she started to reprimand, but Draco cut her short.

"No. Not at all, it's nothing to do with them." He assured her, but he pressed on before Emmy could question further, "It's a long story, and it's not mine to tell."

The pair was silent for a moment, Emmy frowning, when Hermione noticed they had stopped writing.

"If you guys have finally finished, you can help me decorate." Hermione called over.

The two Slytherins looked over to Hermione, who smiled at them.

"To be completely honest, I'm not exactly the most festive person." Emmy admitted

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, "Me either, usually. But I'm making up for last year." She said.

"Why? What happened?" Emmy asked, intrigued.

"We didn't even realise the time of year. Being on the run, we lost track of the days. we didn't know it was Christmas time until we were in Godric's Hollow and we heard the carools in the Church, we realised then in was Christmas Eve."

"You spent Christmas in Godric's Hollow?" Draco asked, "A bit risky wasn't it, for someone on the run?"

"It seemed like a good idea at the time, it felt like our only option. It turned out to be the most stupid idea we could ever have come up with, and it certainly put a dampener on the holiday season." Hermione said dryly. Draco and Emmy stared at her, inviting her silently to continue and explain.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "After disapperating in mid-air following our jump through a second-storey window in an attempt to escape Voldemort and his snake, neither Harry nor I were in a particularly festive mood." Hermione finished.

Both Slytherins stared at Hermione for a moment, then finally Emmy spoke.

"Are you being pedantic, or did that seriously happen?" she asked.

"It happened." Hermione sighed, "And disapperating in mid-air is not easy. Harry and I were splinched in the process - not fun."

Draco frowned, "What about Weasley?" he asked.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"You mentioned Potter, but you haven't said a word about Weasley. where was he when this happened?"

Hermione bit her lip, "He wasn't with us. He... went his own way for a while." Hermione finished quietly, but Draco understood.

"He abandoned you. Seriously?" Draco shook his head in contempt, but Hermione didn't respond, not wanting to discuss it at all.

"How are your essays coming?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.

Both Slytherins looked back at their parchments with a sigh.

"How did you finish yours so quickly?" Emmy asked, "And where did you get all your information about colours and consistency?"

Hermione shrugged, "I brewed it a while back, and I have a good memory." She said.

"When and why?" Asked Draco shrewdly, and Hermione couldn't help but blush a little at the memory.

"Now, what you have to understand is that when Harry and Ron get an idea, they can be very persuasive." She started, "They wanted to question who they suspected was the Heir of Slytherin. But obviously, a Slytherin wouldn't just come out and tell some Gryffindors he's the one opening the Chamber and Secrets and setting a monster loose on the Muggleborns- " Hermione jabbered, but Draco interrupted.

"Chamber of Secrets? But that was our second year that it was opened. Are you saying you brewed this in second year?" He clarified.

"Yeah, in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom." She laughed, shaking her head in nostalgia. "Our reasoning was good at the time. How we never got found out I don't know. But it worked. Harry and Ron turned into Cr- erm, the two Slytherins they wanted to. Spoke to whom they wanted to, got the answer to their question, without raising any suspicions. Very successful on their side, not so much on mine." she finished with a chuckle.

"Why?" Emmy asked, intrigued, "And who did they turn into?"

"Doesn't matter about mine, no lasting damage. But I don't think I should say who Harry and Ron turned into." Hermione said, not meeting Draco's eye and trying not to laugh.

"Oh, please enlighten us," drawled Draco with a frown. "I'd like to know which idiot didn't realise his friends were actually Gryffindors in disguise. They didn't get into our common room did they?" He asked suddenly.

Hermione let out a giggle, and then brought her hand to her mouth, as if to stop a full laugh escaping.

"Oh yes, the 'idiot' – as you call him, please remember, that was your word, not mine – lead them right through the wall, into your common room under the lake." Hermione said.

"Who?" Draco asked again, clearly not happy.

"Harry and Ron turned into Crabbe and Goyle." Hermione said with a grin, waiting for the penny to drop. Draco frowned, then paled as comprehension dawned.

Hermione laughed as Emmy smirked: "So you're the idiot that didn't notice his friends were actually Gryffindors in disguise?" She clarified mockingly.

"I feel violated." Draco mumbled, while the girls continued to laugh.

###

The next weekend saw the first snow begin to fall over Hogwarts, and the castle was decorated to it's usual standard. Hagrid brought the usual twelve giant Christmas trees, and Hermione and Draco, with a selection of prefects, were overseeing the decorating of the Great Hall. The remaining Prefects were pulling extra duties in Hogsmeade, as that weekend was also the last trip before Christmas Break.

On Monday morning, Hermione was sat at the Gryffindor table with her usual crowd, when a scroll appeared in front of her. Hermione looked up at the others, confusion etched on her forehead, and noticed that Ginny and Neville had one too.

"What the-?" Neville asked.

"No idea." Ginny said, looking equally confused.

Hermione shrugged and picked up her scroll, "Only one way to find out," she said, unrolling the parchment to reveal an invitation to Professor Slughorn's annual Christmas party, which would be held on the final Friday of term.

"Annual?" Hermione asked, "He did it last year as well?"

Ginny shook her head, "No, but last year wasn't exactly festive."

"How come I got one?" Neville asked, "He never gave me any invites the other year."

"You were leading the resistance here last year," Ginny said, "You had the nerve to piss of a lot of Death Eaters to their face, you've turned into a bit of a legend, Neville. Time to reap the rewards." She told him dryly.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at her tone, and then added, "Make the most of it Nev. And you Gin, no doubt there'll be a few famous faces like last time, you should try and get cosy with Gwenog Jones, see if you sing a try-out. I wonder who else got an invite?" She mused, before turning back to her breakfast, just as the owls delivered the morning post.

Despite the festive atmosphere now sweeping infectiously through the corridors, all seventh and fifth years we're kept with their noses close to the grindstone, working well into the night and an indecent amount of time on weekends. On the Monday of the final week of term, the usual list was sent around the house tables to be signed by those remaining at Hogwarts over the Holidays. Hermione passed the list along without looking at it, sighing internally, secretly wishing she could remain at the castle in the little bubble she had been living in for the past few months – a blissful bubble where her fiancé didn't exist.

Hermione retreated to her bedroom that evening, not feeling particularly social, and for the first time since the train journey on September 1st she dug out the box containing her engagement ring and went into her sitting room. She stood for a moment gazing at the fire, then grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch and went out onto the balcony. The first snow of December had only lasted a couple of days, but as she stepped out into the cold, a handful of large flakes began to fall.

Hermione took a seat, and placed the box on the table in front of her lifting the lid to reveal the large ring inside. How long she sat there, simply staring in contemplative silence, wrapped in her blanket, she did not know. It was strange, that three months had gone by since she had last worn it. Three months was a long time, and in that time she had hardly thought of Richard - the exception being when his name had been mentioned in the god-awful article, and just before Halloween when she had overheard his conversation with Melissa.

Aside from those instances, Richard had never entered her mind, and she had been quite happy. She had been studying, she had been with friends, it had been blissfully normal - even Harry and Ron were still managing to exasperate her from their distance, just like old times. But suddenly, the Christmas break was almost upon her, and anxiety filled her stomach - that wasn't normal. Her studies were supposed to invoke stress, while returning home was supposed to fill her with happiness. instead it seemed her studies and being at Hogwarts was what made her happy, while the prospect of returning home caused her stress.

Hermione was roused by a knock at her door, and looking up she noticed the snow was now falling think and fast.

"Come in!" She called, pulling the blanket tighter around her; she heard the door creak open, and Draco's voice called back through the sitting room.

"Where are you?" He asked, seeming slightly confused at her lack of bodily presence.

"Outside, on the balcony." Hermione called back, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Are you crazy woman?" He said as he stepped out, and took the seat opposite her without invitation, "it's freezing."

"Hence the warm blanket," she replied. "Anything you want in particular?"

"Not really. I haven't seen you since dinner, and your little entourage is nowhere to be seen. It seems I've gotten used to the crowd, and now it seems unnervingly quiet down there." Draco said, with a shrug. "Are you going home for the holidays?" he asked.

"Of course. No getting out of it this year," Hermione sighed, picking the ring from its box as she spoke, and placing it on her ring finger with another sigh.

"I suppose I should get used to wearing it again," Hermione said, at which Draco frowned.

"Seriously?" Draco asked, "Even after he slept with another woman while he was meant to be engaged to you?" He said incredulously.

Hermione shrugged, and laughed humourlessly, "No one knows about that: he doesn't know I know, so I'm going to have to feign ignorance aren't I? I can't exactly confront him, can I? Not when I was supposed to be in Scotland when that conversation was had – how am I supposed to explain how I know? That I heard?" Hermione asked.

"You know what I don't understand?" Draco changed tack, having no response to that.

"I'd wager a lot of things, but please continue." Hermione said with a grin.

Draco chuckled at the jibe, but chose not to retaliate, and continued, "You're a Gryffindor, where's your courage? You don't want to marry this guy, so don't," He said, as if it was the simplest solution in the world.

"It's not that simple, not with my family anyway." She looked at him thoughtfully, and then decided to continue "Look, you're from a high status family, with your money and connections I bet your parents have already picked out a suitable fiancé for you."

"What has that got to do with anything? But to answer your question, yes they did. But I broke it off. After everything that happened this year, I wanted to separate myself form my past as much as possible, start afresh. I flatly refused to continue the engagement." Draco told her, in honesty.

"Well, it's a little harder for me. I can't just do that: My parents and his parents have had this marriage thought about for two years, and it's proving a little difficult to get out of."

"Jesus, are you living in the 17th Century? You're the Gryffindor Princess for Christ sake act like it." Draco said, with frustration colouring his tone.

"You think I haven't tried to get out of it?" She retaliated heatedly, "You are forever calling me a stubborn know-it-all – where do you think I get it from? My mother is worse than me; she is immovable when she gets an idea in her head. And unfortunately, I didn't oppose the idea at the very beginning, for certain reasons I don't want to go into right now, which is making opposition now very difficult. My father is easier to sway, and I've tried to reason with him. I even thought I'd got somewhere with him, before I came back to Hogwarts. But apparently I didn't" she finished, losing heart.

"So you're going to just give up? Just like that?" Draco persisted, "That doesn't seem like you."

"Malfoy, it's complicated, I'm pretty sure there's something that I don't know about which is complicating it even more. Can you just drop it? Please." She asked, and Draco held up his hands in defeat.

"Ok, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry." He stood up and turned to leave, realising he was getting nowhere except angering her, which would do neither of them any good.

After a heartbeat he paused, turned back to her, and spoke quietly, and a little feelingly. "It's just, after everything you've been through you deserve to be happy. And this guy isn't making you happy. You deserve better, so you should fight for better." He turned again, and walked back into the heads tower. Hermione listened to his retreating footsteps, and when she heard her door close she sighed.

"Maybe I spoke a little too harshly," she admitted to herself, "I should apologise, shouldn't I?" She asked the snow in rhetoric, before nodding in self-acquiescence.

She removed the ring from her finger, replaced it in its box, and returned inside. After placing the ring on the writing table by the door, and tossing the blanket back over the couch, she followed Draco downstairs, and found him in the small kitchenette, brewing coffee.

"Hey," she said, taking a seat on one of the stools at the breakfast bar.

Draco turned, "Coffee?" he asked.

Hermione smiled, "Please."

Draco turned back around and took out another mug, as Hermione spoke again.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I'm just stressed out about the whole thing – I know it's not an excuse for my behaviour, but -"

Draco turned and cut her off, "It's fine. I get that I don't know all the ins-and-outs of your life, let alone your engagement, and I get that my interfering is the last thing you would you want. But the way I see it, I'm the only one here who knows about it, and clearly you're not getting out of this situation on your own, so maybe I can help, if you let me understand. Because from where I'm standing, I don't get why you can't just turn around and tell them to 'stuff it'?"

Hermione laughed at the phrasing, but shook her head, "It's a little more complicated than that-"

"So you keep saying." Draco cut her off patiently, and turned back to make the coffees.

Hermione sighed, "Fine, I'll explain." She gave in: she had no idea why she suddenly wanted to let Draco in on her problems, but she went with it, feeling the need to get a load of her shoulders, if only for a half hour.

"It probably would do me good to talk about it, maybe explaining it all will help me find the piece I seem to be missing." She rationalised out loud.

Draco placed two steaming mugs onto the counter and took a seat at the stool next to Hermione, trying not to look smug at getting his own way with the most stubborn witch he had ever met. "So, spill" he told her.

"Don't look so smug," She said, clearly Draco hadn't concealed his facial expression as well as he had hoped. That or perhaps Hermione just knew him better than anyone else. He quickly dismissed this thought, just because he had admitted a little of his feelings to Emmy the other night, it didn't mean Hermione felt at all the same way, so there was no use trying to find proof that she did.

"Despite your contrary belief, it's not a look that suits." Hermione told him and Draco gave her a roguish grin, which earned him a classic Hermione-eye-roll.

Hermione took a breath, looking back down at her mug preparing herself, trying to figure out where to start, while Draco sat in silence, waiting patiently for her to begin.

"I wasn't sure if I was going to come back here. I was looking at going into the Ministry on a trainee programme, but they all started in October. To get out of the engagement, I would have needed a job right away. I would have needed a place to live as well, which is why a trainee programme would have been perfect as they provide share-houses if needed, down in London, for the first year. But I couldn't wait until October. The only way to buy me time, was to say I was continuing with my schooling."

Draco had no idea what this had to do with her engagement, but he let her continue in peace: He knew enough of her by now to be sure that Hermione never said anything that wasn't necessary.

"My parents pay for everything. They have money; they have quite a lot of money, actually. And I will inherit a pretty decent amount. But my trust fund is not accessible to me until I turn twenty-five, or I get married, upon which time, my assets become my husbands also – my parents are firm believers in equality and 'what's mine is yours'.

"While I'm still in school, they are prepared to fully support me. But when I leave school – they won't take my inheritance away, but if I go out on my own, I will be on my own. They don't believe in pampering my every whim, they value independence, and wish me to value it likewise. In other words, when I take up a career at the Ministry they will no longer give me financial assistance – which I agree with, I will be earning myself, I shouldn't need their money. I will have to support myself, and that's fine: with the trainee programmes, housing is available, which will give me somewhere to live for a year, so I can save and put a deposit on a house further down the line, that's all good.

"But my mother is so intent on me marrying: When the engagement was first suggested to me, I didn't oppose – I was in the middle of sixth year, i didn't take it too seriously. Then, when is was mentioned again with more certainty, I about to go on the run and send my parents into hiding, I didn't feel it was the right time to argue this. I had bigger things on my mind, and this seemed so trivial, and I could see it was what my mother wanted, so I told her what she wanted to hear.

"Unfortunately, now the war is over, she hasn't let go of the idea and I couldn't wait until October to get out. She was all set for a September wedding, and the only thing I could do to buy myself time was to come back to Hogwarts. Over summer, I spoke to my father, I told him how I felt and he seemed to be on my side. But the recent letters I've been receiving from my Mother shows no signs of breaking the engagement, if anything she's more intent than ever. Now the wedding will be in June. Unless I can find out what it is that's got my parents gripped so tight into this." Hermione finished, wondering if she had been coherent at all.

Draco sat in quiet contemplation for a few moments, absorbing her words, and then looked at Hermione,

"So you are from a rich, high-society family?" he asked, "I mean, I could tell from your poise and your speech that you were well brought up, and there have been a few hints that you're not exactly new to the upper-circles, but you're not exactly of the spoilt little rich girl mould."

"Seriously?" Hermione asked incredulously, looking round at Draco and meeting his eye for the first time. "That's all you can focus on? The money? You have nothing useful to say to me that might help to get me out of this mess?"

Draco chuckled, "I'm sorry, but I've been burning to know exactly what your background is, ever since that article. And you've never told anyone you're an heiress?"

Hermione scowled, "Of course not. It doesn't matter; it doesn't make me who I am. And we don't discuss money, it's just not the done thing." Suddenly, something clicked, "Oh my God. The money."

Draco raised his eyebrows, "Sorry?"

Hermione turned to him, "That's it. It's the money. I can't believe I didn't see it. I looked over the accounts, I should have realised."

"You're babbling and I have no idea what you're talking about." Draco said, "I thought you didn't discuss money, apparently it's not the done thing, so why are you talking about it now?"

"Exactly, we don't discuss money, that's why they wont tell me the real issues here. It's the money. That's why I can't get out; they want the Aldens' money. Richard is set up for a hefty inheritance – a hell of a lot more than me. I mean we're not exactly struggling for cash; we have a considerable bank account, but most of our fortune is tied up in the house, which has been in my mother's family for generations, and the business. The Aldens' fortune is relatively new, and mostly cold hard cash, sitting in their bank accounts.

"But the business hasn't been making as much money over the past couple of years. We're not in danger, but we're not sailing as safe as we used to. An investiture from the Aldens would set us up for the rest of my parents' life, the rest of my life, and it would ensure that the business would survive and grow, and there would be an even bigger inheritance to leave to my children. That's it. I can't believe I didn't see it. I can't believe my father wasn't honest with me." Hermione finished, the thrill of understanding that had flared so suddenly, just as quickly disappeared as despair and resignation began to settle.

Hermione sat in silence, cradling her mug, mulling over her new found intelligence. Draco sat watching her quietly, and he had a pretty shrewd idea what was going around in her brain right now – the selfless Gryffindor in her was winning, and he had an inkling as to why her father had kept this major detail from her: Hermione's father, like Draco, knew what she would do.

"You're thinking of going through with it now, aren't you?" He challenged and Hermione looked up.

"Do I have much choice?" Hermione asked sadly, "I'm already a disappointment to them for not following in their footsteps by being a dentist - "

"A disappointment?! Are you for real?" Draco cut her off incredulously, sounding slightly angered. "You're the smartest witch of our generation, and you've just helped save the Wizarding world, that doesn't quite qualify for a disappointing daughter."

Hermione smiled at the compliment, but said sadly,

"My parents are Muggles, blissfully unaware of the dangers we faced. They have no idea what I did last year, they're not even aware of half the dangers that we were exposed to in Voldemort's rise to power. The point is, I'm not going onto the family the business the way they'd planned. I can't be responsible for letting it suffer. Without the Aldens' money, the business may not last another generation. And without me marrying Richard, we don't get the Aldens' money."

Hermione sighed and hopped down from the stool, not sure where she was wanting to go, she made to head for the portrait hole, Draco grabbed he arm and pulled her back around.

"Are you ok?" he asked sincerely, frowning.

In this position, Hermione and Draco were at an even height and Hermione found herself not three inches away from Draco, looking right into his eyes, slightly surprised to see concern swirling in the silver pools. She felt at that moment, that he understood: he understood the situation she had suddenly found herself in, and he understood her need to preserve her family's honour, integrity and social standing. In short, her understood her.

"I don't know." She answered truthfully. In the face of his understanding she couldn't summon the well-rehearsed line of 'I'm perfectly fine' nor the serene smile that usually accompanied it. Something in Draco's expression and tone had the truth falling from her lips as if it was the most natural thing in the world to be so honest with him.

"I have no idea what to do now, this changes everything." She whispered. After a moment she looked down, closed her eyes as if to gather her thoughts, then took a deep breath in.

"I need some air, I need to think." She said suddenly, looking up and meeting his eyes again.

Draco still hadn't let go of her arm, instead his hand had unconsciously slipped down and he was now pretty much holding her hand. He nodded, not really knowing what to say to her, Hermione had been intending to move, but she seemed stuck in place, just staring into his eyes, as he stared back.

They were jolted back into movement by the sound of the portrait hole swinging open, and Ginny's voice preceding her into the room:

"Guys?" she called; Draco dropped Hermione's hand, leaning back onto the counter to look past Hermione toward the sound of the voice, and Hermione turned to face the entry.

"Oh good, you're both here" Ginny continued when she spotted them. She grinned a little at their closeness, and the look on Hermione's face that suggested they'd been caught in the middle of something, but didn't say anything.

"What's up, Gin?" Hermione asked, heading her off before she could comment on the close scene she may have just witnessed.

"We have a problem" Ginny got right down to business, as she walked right around the pair into the kitchenette and helped herself to the fresh coffee as if she lived their too. Hermione slid back into her seat, both she and Draco were to used to this kind of behaviour from Ginny, so they just let her get on with it.

Ginny turned back to them, with mug in hand, "I booked the pitch for tomorrow night, last Gryffindor training session of the year, only to find that someone has messed up the diary and the 'Puffs are also booked in to train." She ranted, leaning against the counter.

Hermione shrugged and rolled her eyes, "Can you not discuss rescheduling with the Hufflepuff captain?" she suggested.

"You don't think I tried that?" Ginny frowned, "That's the first thing I did, it's a no go. We both have players who have other commitments on the other days, tutoring and such like."

"And what would you like us to do about it?" Draco asked trying to get the point of what he felt was slowly turning into a pointless conversation, and more of a rant for Ginny to simply vent.

"An executive decision." Ginny grinned, causing Draco to chuckle as Hermione groaned.

"Gin, I can't decide this" Hermione whined, "You're one of my best friends, and I'm a Gryffindor: if I choose your side, people are going to cry favouritism. If I give in to the 'Puffs, you're going to hate me."

"Well what's more important to you," Ginny asked in mock seriousness, "My love or Smith's team?"

Draco laughed, and left his seat giving Hermione's shoulder a squeeze, "Good luck with that one, I'm going to go finish up some homework."

He walked over to the study area and left the girls to their conversion. Hermione scowled at him, before turning back to Ginny, who now had a sly grin on her face, eyebrows slightly raised at that little hint of closeness that neither had let show in front of anyone before. It seemed in those moments before Ginny's entrance, Draco and Hermione had crossed yet another line of defence.

"What?" Hermione said shortly, Ginny shrugged, still with the annoying grin on her face.

"Oh, nothing. You two seem to be getting closer and closer," She commented, her tone innocent, though the look in her eyes implying scandalous hints. "Are we finally past the denial?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed, "Do you want your executive decision now?" she asked, avoiding Ginny's question.

Ginny rolled her eyes, "Hand it over."

"Share." Hermione stated, causing Ginny to forgot her teasing and frown.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Share the pitch: I know you guys haven't played each other yet, but both teams have seen the other play, so you've got nothing to hide. It's the last week before the holidays, I know you're obsessed with the training, but chances are everyone else won't be as enthusiastic as usual. Do a few drills using half the pitch, like you usually do, and then have a game. What better way to train than a full on game against a full opposition? No one has to keep a proper score; it'll be fun for you guys. And it'll help with this inter-house unity thing the school is trying to promote." Hermione said.

"Because Gryffindor and Hufflepuff have always found it hard to get along." Ginny said dryly, then sighed, "I suppose you're right, and there are worse teams to train with I guess."

"It's the only solution that is fair to both teams," Hermione drilled the point home, "It's either that, or no practice at all, for either team. I'll commandeer the pitch for my own personal use if I have to." Hermione said with a grin.

"Oh really, what for?" Ginny asked, joining in the joke.

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know, the snows been coming down pretty heavy this evening, maybe we'll have a Prefect Snow-War. Quidditch captains will be included of course." She made up on the spot.

Ginny thought for a second, "Actually, that sounds kind of fun, maybe we should do that anyway. Would we split into two teams? Or go house against house?" She asked, as if seriously considering Hermione's pedantic suggestion.

"Two teams," Hermione decided, playing along. "We'll have to mix houses up – inter-house unity and all. We could do boys against girls, that way the teams would be pretty much even, and each house would be represented in both teams."

Ginny grinned, "That almost sounds more fun than Quidditch. Almost." She reiterated, at Hermione's look of disbelief.

"Oh, and another thing, Slughorn's party on Friday." Ginny said suddenly, "What are you wearing and who are you taking?"

Hermione groaned. "I have no idea. Do I have to take someone? To be honest I'd rather not."

Ginny frowned, and then suddenly called out, "Oi! Ferret!"

Hermione frowned, clearly the pet-name was here to stay. Draco looked up from his essay,

"Yes, Weaselette?" Apparently that pet-name was stuck also.

"Did you get an invite to Slughorn's party, this Friday?" Ginny asked.

"Surprisingly, yes." Draco frowned. "Though why, I have no idea. The last time he put together his little club, I was avoided like the plague."

Hermione turned, "You're a lot more interesting now. You would make a unique acquisition to his collection of students." She said, walking to the couch, where Ginny followed her.

"How on earth do you figure that?" Draco asked, placing his quill down and leaning back with a frown.

"Your family is notorious. Your parents are ex-Death Eaters, who have not only handed themselves over, but also repented. Your father is currently helping the Aurors with information, which is leading to the capture of the remaining Death Eaters still at large. And you've returned to Hogwarts, to complete your education, trying to fight against the prejudice surrounding your name and you are exceptionally intelligent, and the second-brightest student in the school. You have potential to go far. If you sought a career in the Ministry, you would have what it takes to raise very high. And Professor Slughorn knows all this.

"What you need to know about Horace Slughorn is that he likes to surround himself with successful people, and he likes it even better when he believes he has had an influence in these people's success. He sees potential in you, and if you go on to rise through the Ministry, he will be very happy knowing he was the person who introduced you to the whoever it is who hires you in the first place. Slughorn likes to believe he is influential, he's like a puppeteer and we're his little puppets. he pulls the strings, we take the glory, and he gets the kick-backs." Hermione told him.

"Riiight," Draco said slowly, "And if I don't go into the Ministry?"

Hermione shrugged, "If you turn out to be a bit of a failure, he will disown you, and deny he had any interest in you." She said bluntly, then smiled as both Ginny and Draco laughed.

A/N: A little shorter than usual, I apologise. The next chapter will probably be a little longer.

I know you are all waiting patiently for Hermione a Draco to get on with it, and your patience will be well rewarded perhaps not the next chapter, but certainly very very soon :)

Let me know what you guys think, and I'll get working on Chpt 18 right away :)

xBx