The train ride back to London was quiet and uneventful. Hermione and Ginny sat in a compartment with Theo, Draco, Blaise, Daphne and Pansy, and even Neville and Luna joined them. This did upset Theo a bit though since after Pansy pointed out that there wasn't enough room for them all in the compartment, Hermione decided to solve that little problem by sitting on Draco's lap. Ginny had laughed at that, but there wasn't much he could do, when his sister ended up falling asleep on Draco, and he refused to move her to her own seat after the Neville and Luna left.

It was dark out when the train pulled into Platform 9 and ¾'s, and Draco gently coaxed Hermione awake as their friends filed out of the compartment. "Time to get going, love." He whispered in her ear.

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut tighter and shook her head, burying her face into Draco's chest. "No," she said petulantly.

Draco laughed. "Theo's already got your trunk down, and I don't think he'll put up with you on my lap much longer."

Hermione sat up, and wiped the sleep from her eyes, frowning. "He can deal with it."

"No I won't," Theo snapped vehemently. "Besides, I see a hoard of Weasley's plus Potter out on the platform, and while you may be excited to see them, I'm not in the mood to face your friends just yet. I want to get to the townhouse and enjoy a nice night at home with a good meal and a bottle of firewhiskey in bed before I have to endure that."

Hermione frowned as she let Theo pull her off Draco's lap. "They are not that bad."

Draco stood up behind her and kissed the top of her head as he wrapped his arms around her. "Be patient love. He doesn't have the same history you do with them." He felt her relax in his arms slightly at his reminder, and continued. "Plus, he had to deal with the fact that you spent most of the ride down on top of me."

Theo glared at Draco. "I still say you could have moved her back down once Longbottom and Lovegood left."

Hermione laughed, extracted herself from Draco and looped her arm in Theo's, guiding him out of the compartment and down the aisle. "Well, let me just give everyone a quick hug, and say hello to Harry and Ron, and then we can go to your townhouse. I'm excited to see it."

Theo rolled his eyes, and turned his head back and looked at Draco, hoping he'd find a look of commiseration on his face, but instead Draco was stifling a laugh. "You realize that she's going to expect you to meet these people at some point."

Draco smirked. "I already agreed to it willingly a couple of days ago. I'll do anything to make her happy."

"Come on Theo. It won't be that bad." Hermione said happily, stepping down the steps on to the platform. She released Theo's arm and made her way over to the Weasley clan.

"Oh Hermione dear!" Mrs. Weasley said, relief tinging her voice as she pulled Hermione into a tight embrace. "You look so much better than the last time I saw you."

Ginny who was standing next to her father rolled her eyes. "Well, that's not hard Mum. The last time you saw her, she was in the hospital wing."

Mrs. Weasley released Hermione, who looked like she'd been smothered a bit, and gave her daughter a look. "Mind your mouth Ginevra. You are not too old for a punishment for having a smart mouth." She looked Hermione up and down. "Are you eating enough up at the school? You've been getting plenty of sleep? You're looking awfully thin still." She tutted, taking Hermione's hands in her own.

Hermione smiled, and shoved down the conflicting emotions she was having about her apparent relative. "I've been eating plenty, I'm sleeping, and I've gained back weight. I'm doing fine Mrs. Weasley."

Mrs. Weasley frowned. "Well you still look a bit too thin for my taste. But, we'll get plenty of food in you this Christmas. Let's get going dear."

Hermione let go of Mrs. Weasley's hands, and took a step back, an apologetic look on her face. "I'm really sorry Mrs. Weasley, I meant to write you, I really did, but I completely forgot in the last couple of days. I sort of agreed to spend Christmas with Theo."

"Are you kidding me Mione?" Ron burst out. "Why are you spending Christmas with him? You should be spending it with family!"

Theo's eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arm over her chest. "Last time I checked Weasley, Hermione is my sister, which means she will be spending it with family."

Ron's ears started to turn red. "And you couldn't be bothered to acknowledge her for the last seven years? Only want her now that she's a war hero?" He sneered at Theo.

But before Theo could respond, Draco had come over and wrapped an arm around Hermione. Harry and Ron's eyes looked like they were about to bug out of their sockets. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "I just wanted to come over and say good night love."

Hermione turned around in his arms, and wrapped her arms around him. "Are you sure you won't come over for dinner tonight?"

He looked down at her and smiled. "No, I've got a few things to take care of back home, and anyways, you two should have a night on your own." He leaned down and tucked her hair behind her ear, and whispered, "Besides, I have plans of my own for you later this week."

Hermione shuddered at the husky tone his voice took on. "Promise?"

"What the fuck Hermione?" Ron finally exploded. "Nott is one thing, but Malfoy?"

"What's wrong with Draco?" Theo asked, his lips drawn tight.

Ron waved his arms around, gesturing at Hermione, who was still in Draco's arms, his grip on her having tightened. "He's a bloody death eater!"

Ginny groaned and hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. Hermione turned around, and gave Ron a venomous look that he cowered from slightly. She pushed Draco's arms down, and stomped over to Ron until she was right in front of him, and jabbed a finger in his chest hard. "He was acquitted Ronald. And last I checked, you don't get a say in my love life!"

She spun on her heel, and then gave Theo the same look. "And you! You don't get to act like you're the number one fan of ours. You were bitching about me falling asleep on him just five minutes ago!"

Theo threw his hands up in the air. "You were literally sitting on top of him! How else am I supposed to react?"

"You were sitting on his lap?" Harry asked, his voice quiet.

Hermione folded her arms over her chest. "And what of it?"

Harry shook his head. "You're not acting like yourself."

"And how should I be acting Harry? Because I am acting like myself. I'm acting like myself when I'm not with you, in constant danger! I'm acting like myself with a boy that I love!" Hearing Harry and Ron's strangled gasps, she rolled her eyes. "Grow up! I did not fight a war just to keep holding on to stupid prejudices! Ginny's accepted them! Neville has! So has Luna! And their friends have accepted us. So grow up, and get with the program, or get out of my way," she shouted.

She took a deep breath, and faced Mrs. Weasley. "While I am choosing to spend Christmas with Theo, I hope that I can come and visit the Burrow still." She paused, and considered her next words carefully. "After all, I've always loved you as family."

Molly nodded, and reached a hand up to stroke Hermione's face gently. "Of course, dear. You just be careful now."

Hermione nodded, and closed her eyes. She wanted more than anything to ask the older witch what had happened with Emily, but she bit her tongue, knowing that she had already caused enough of a spectacle on the platform. She opened her eyes, and forced a smile. "I will."

She stepped away from Molly, and turned to Ginny. "See you in a couple days?"

Ginny flung her arms around Hermione, and nodded. When she pulled back, she was smiling. "Have so much fun."

Hermione nodded, and turned to Theo and Draco. "Shall we?"

Theo nodded, and held his arm out to her. "I'm going to apparate us straight in. Once we're in, I can key you into the wards so you can come and go as you please."

Hermione nodded, then looked at Draco. He smiled at her, and was about to say goodbye, when suddenly, she rushed at him, and kissed him with all her might. "Promise me, you'll come see me soon?" she asked as she pulled back standing on her tiptoes, her arms still around his neck, his hands clutching her waist.

He smiled contentedly and rested his forehead on hers. "I'll drop by tomorrow. I love you."

"I love you too." She whispered, and then reluctantly let go of him, and ignoring the amused look on Ginny's face, and the varying looks of upset on Theo and the Weasley's, took Theo's arm. She waved to the Weasley's and Harry, then looked up at Theo. "Don't give me that look. Just take me home."

Theo rolled his eyes. "Has anyone ever mentioned that you're very bossy?"

Hermione smiled. "Once or twice."

He laughed at her innocent tone. "You sounded like Mum just then."

He ignored her narrowed eyes, and patted her hand. He glanced at Molly, and took note of how her face went pale at the mention of his and Hermione's mother. He smiled blandly at her, and then whisked them away.