The next day Hermione was walking back from the Owlery with Ginny after mailing the letter to her parents. She was feeling quite sad that she wouldn't be seeing them for Christmas, but as sad as she was feeling, she knew that the most important thing was that they were safe.
"Doesn't feel like there is much to get excited for this Christmas." Ginny murmured as they made their way down the winding stairs.
"Mmm, I know what you mean." Hermione agreed, Ginny could be quite perceptive to her feelings sometimes. "I won't even get to see my parents, and its not like there is much to be festive about."
"True, and I get the feeling getting us to and from Hogwarts is putting a massive strain on the Order." Ginny sighed. "Harry heard from Lupin. It would probably make more sense for us to all stay here."
"Yes it probably would." Hermione agreed. "Although I can't pretend I'm not glad to finally hear what is going on with everyone. Too bad it won't be a cheery affair."
"I know... But Mum will make it as good as she can." Ginny grinned. "And it would be nice to see you for more than 5 minutes intervals!"
Hermione laughed. "It will be nice to be with everyone with no classes to worry about." Just quietly, Hermione secretly thought that she would take all the classes in the world if it meant that she could study for them with Draco. Harry and Ron came around the corner at that point, abruptly interrupting the thought from her mind.
"What are you guys talking about?" Ron looked at the two girls suspiciously.
"Nothing." Hermione laughed. "Just about Christmas break, and how there isn't too much to be excited about."
Harry and Ron exchanged a quick look. "You never know Hermione, it might be better then you think."
It was now Hermione's turn to look suspicious. "What was that look? What do you two know?"
"Nothing!" Harry grinned at her. "You'll just have to wait and see."
Ginny threw her arms around Harry. "Will you at least tell me what the hell is going on?"
"I'll tell you later in the common room." He planted a quick kiss on her whilst laughing at Hermione's annoyed expression over Ginny's shoulder.
"Why does she get to know and not me?" Hermione grumbled. "You know I hate secrets."
"It's not a secret, it's a surprise." Harry corrected her. "And it's nearly Christmas break, you'll be glad you waited."
"I don't see why you get to be the one who knows everything when I know nothing." Hermione muttered sulkily. "Damn Lupin."
This set the other 3 off in a fit of giggles at Hermione having a sulk, which only made her more annoyed, and she started walking faster to get away from the others.
"It's a good surprise Hermione." Ron said, pulling her back. "I promise."
At this point they reached the Gryffindor Portrait hole and Hermione rolled her eyes. "If you are all so intent on keeping secrets, I guess I'll just see you later!"
With this Hermione strode off, ignoring the others moans of protest, thinking that she better get all her stuff together for the holidays and for whatever was in store for her that the others wouldn't tell her. As annoyed as she was at the others hiding something from her, she was a bit more excited for the break thinking that there might be something good in store for her.
Hermione was walking up to the portrait hole when she heard a large crashing sound coming from inside. Alarmed, she started running towards the sounds and yelled "Gingerbread!" quickly at Evon not pausing to see his concerned face and ran through the portrait hole as he opened up to let her in. She stumbled through to find Draco facing a wall, breathing heavily, a shattered vase at his feet.
"Draco! What in Merlin's names is wrong?" She exclaimed beginning to notice the various shattered items around the room.
He turned around slowly and stared at her. "You're a smart girl, I'm sure you can venture a guess."
"Please tell me this has nothing to do with you-know-who..." She trailed off, seeing the answer to her question in his eyes.
He stared at her with a pained expression. "I'm getting the Dark Mark Hermione."
She couldn't even respond as she felt what felt like rocks drop to the pit of her stomach.
"It will be official, I will be one of them officially." Draco strode over the the couch, sat and dropped his head into his hands.
"But, but you are barely 17! You haven't even graduated" She started walking around the room aimlessly. "What could you-know-who possibly want from an unqualified wizard!"
"I don't think he really has enough of a conscious to care about age. Or qualifications for that matter. I'm just dreading having to pretend to be ecstatic about becoming one of them during the ceremony." He moaned.
"You don't have to do this." Hermione stared at him horrified.
Draco did not even lift his head out of his hands. "Yes, I do Hermione. Maybe we can finally stop pretending I'm something I'm not."
"We are not pretending!" Hermione argued fiercely. "The change I have seen in you is real and you know it. When does he want it to happen?"
"When I go home for the holidays." Draco stated darkly. "Happy Christmas to me."
"Stay here for Christmas break."
"Oh yes, I'm sure the Dark Lord will agree that is a reasonable excuse." Draco sarcastically drawled back at her, finally looking up from his hands.
"You have to go to Dumbledore."
"Yeah right." Draco snapped at her. "How's that old moron going to help."
"Just let me help you!" Hermione pleaded. "You cannot begin to imagine the protection the order has!"
"If I don't he will kill my family, Hermione." Draco replied. "My Mother! I know you don't care for my family, but I can't do that to them."
"We could protect them too!"
"Right!" Draco scoffed. "I'm sure Mother and Father would go for that. Might as well invite Aunt Bellatrix while we're at it!"
"Don't dismiss the other options, they are there Draco! Even if you choose not to see them." Hermione shot back desperately.
"Don't you get it Hermione," Draco stared at her with wild eyes. "No one can help me now, no one. Not the order, not my family, not even you." With that he abruptly turned on his heels and stalked out of the portrait hole leaving a horrified Hermione staring after him.