A/N: I'm so excited that you all loved the last chapter! =)

Matie Ker: I agree they're the best pairing, I used to love HG/HP but Harry got to depressing in the books for me so I decided I wanted the blond bad boy! lol

Melancholy. Ink: Yes he never paid her enough attention and I thought it would have never worked in the books simply because they were too different. Ron was a slob; Hermione was prim and proper to a point. He hated to work she loved it. She was polite and he was…gross! lol So yea my muse agreed and we have an understanding on pairings now.

The song(s) for this chapter:

1) Megan McCauley "See Through"

Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Harry Potter or anything pertaining to it. It all belongs to JK Rowling and Warner Brothers.

Previously in Kill me or Kiss me:

"I don't have feelings for Ronald." She responded and when he quirked his eyebrow at her giving her his bullshit look she continued. "I've always tried to be something I wasn't; always tried to be the perfect girlfriend for him. Do everything he wanted me to, laugh at his jokes and ignore his disregard for normal intelligent conversation. But it was never enough for him……and for a few seconds before I still felt like trying to be something he wanted me to be and forgive him and let him pretend everything was alright. I don't have feelings for Ronald Weasley anymore but one thing I do know is what I feel for you is scaring me more than anything I've ever felt before in my life."

Her words took a second to process as he continued to rub his foot and stare at her from the few feet away that he was standing, but when they did finally begin to register he couldn't help the smile that soon took over his face. He wanted to do three things at once after hearing her words; kiss her again but wasn't sure it would be good for his well being. Go and rub it in Weasel's face that he had lost the girl and Draco Malfoy had come and saved the day, but he knew that one he would either get hexed or would wind up getting expelled for the pain he would inflict on Ron for Hermione's sake. And three he simply wanted to make her believe he was honest and not playing some cruel and sick joke on her even though that's probably what she was thinking. Leaning against the small round study table he watched her for a second and noticed she was no longer making eye contact and that it had been about three minutes of silence and he still hadn't responded to her statement and cursed himself for not saying anything. "Bugger….listen Hermione…first I just want you to know" Seeing her grabbing her books and begin shoving them into her bag he watched her a second and then took a few steps towards her when her words met his ears.

"If you're going to tell me it wasn't anything serious and that I'm over thinking your intentions and all that other rubbish I know is in there then save it Malfoy." She said as she grabbed her bag and made to leave. Hearing her call him Malfoy in the tone that he'd been used over the years of she hated him he cringed and stopped walking towards her.

"Damn it woman, will you let me finish before you go off and jump to conclusions. I was going to say that first I'm not playing some game with you, maybe a few years ago I would be jumping at the chance do something like that but in all honesty I'm tired of the games. Second I'm serious about whatever is going on in my head and how I'm feeling towards you." Seeing her blush and then roll her eyes he sighed and continued. "I'm not saying I love you, Merlin knows I'd be lying if I told you right now that I did. I'll simply say I'm in strong like with you and despite my past actions towards you I do care." The last part of his statement got to her and she couldn't help the tightness in her chest or the burning that started in her eyes as his words. She didn't want his love right then and there hell she wasn't even sure she was ready to love or could love him or any other man like in the novels she read. Looking at him she hoped what she saw on his face was sincerity and for once in a long time she found herself almost believing him.

Going to respond to him Draco held up his hand and stopped her. "I've been raised to hate you, taught that because you weren't born into this world that you didn't belong. Caring about you is dangerous and just the thought of someone finding out and hurting you does scare me." Running his hand through his hair he sighed and then slid his hand down to the back of his neck and rubbed it. "I don't make many promises, and I can't promise you that I won't hurt you at some point, but one thing I can promise is that I will try not to. You've invaded my thoughts and there's not really a moment in my day that I'm not reminded of you somehow." Looking at her he sighed and then continued. "I'm torn between two things; torn between my desire to protect you from myself and people I am associated with and then there's the part of me that is aching to simply be who I am and not worry about who's around me, and who sees me with you."

Looking down at the strap of her bag she blushed at his admittance of wanting to protect her. She wasn't sure she believed him fully just yet but one thing for sure was that she wanted to give him a chance to prove everything he was telling her."I'm not asking for marriage Draco, I'm not asking for you to send an owl to the Daily Prophet informing them of whatever it is we have between us. All I ask for is honesty, because one thing I have no problem in doing is hexing you into the next century if you lie to me."

Over the next three weeks the two went about their normal schedule attending classes, going about their normal lives all the while keeping a potentially dangerous and deadly secret from the outside world. The impending Christmas holiday was looming ever closer and soon Draco would have to spend a whole three weeks at home with his loving mother and his overbearing and dangerous father. He went home only for his mother's sake and if it wasn't for her he wouldn't go home for the holidays at all, he preferred to avoid Lucius and him pressuring him to join the ranks and fulfill his pureblood obligation to the Dark Lord. He knew it was bound to be this holiday where he would be forced to join the Death Eaters and he knew that he wouldn't be able to say no without either being killed or tortured if he refused. Sitting in the Slytherin Common room with Crabbe and Goyle he scowled as he listened to them rattle on about how connected they felt with the Dark Lord and the other death eaters since receiving their marks before school began.

Realizing that Draco had yet to get his mark they turned to him and began asking him questions and instantly Draco regretted going back to the Common Room after canceling his rendezvous with Hermione. He had been having a bad day ever since receiving a letter from his father with nonsense about his studies and hoping he was doing well in his Quidditch, but Draco wasn't a fool and he had gotten used to reading in between the lines of his father's letters and knew there was a hidden threat in the seemingly innocent words. There was a warning of promised pain and repentance on his part of he messed up in school, or somehow embarrassed Lucius in any way shape or form. He had used the excuse of needing time to finish his advanced potions essay, as well as an extra credit assignment from Snape as a way to get out of seeing Hermione that night. He just didn't have it in him to face her knowing that the minute he saw her chocolate brown eyes he would feel guilty knowing he was soon going to become one of the things she hated in the magical world.

They had began to hang out more and simply be themselves around each other in planned and secret meetings in various places around Hogwarts grounds; The Lake, Hogsmeade, The library, and even the Quidditch Pitch when they knew no one would be around. He had been trying unsuccessfully to get her on a broom but he had noticed she was now considering going on one if he went on it with her, a sign that she was beginning to trust him more. Trying to successfully finish the assignment he actually had from Professor Snape, Draco threw down his quill and slammed his text book shut on the small coffee table that was sitting in front of the couch he was sitting on. "Shut up both of you, your constant blabbering is becoming bloody annoying and I'm actually trying to do my work which is more than I can say for you two." Grabbing his books and his parchment he walked out of the common room and up into his dorm room, throwing his things onto his trunk at the end of his bed.

Seeing his dark grey owl sitting on his bed with a small package and a letter dangling from his small foot he sat down and began opening the letter setting the package down on the bed next to him. Grabbing a small treat from on top of his night stand table he gave it to his owl named Hermes a name he had given him after learning that Hermes was the Greek messenger to the gods and the only one allowed to travel unharmed between the three worlds; Heaven, Earth, and Hell. The letter was from his mother something he noticed immediately from the soft and delicate cursive that adorned her customized stationary that had her maiden monogram on the top. The N and the B intertwined elaborately in a very feminine way. The letter was one page long the shortest of any of her letters to him and by the time Draco had finished reading the letter he knew his mother had gone through great lengths to get him this letter unopened and unread by his father for he knew if Lucius had read this his mother would have been tortured for such thoughts.

My dearest Draco,

I write this letter in my own hand hoping it reaches you unseen or read by anyone except you. You are my only child and my dearest and most proud accomplishment, and for that reason among others is why I write you this letter. I have kept my mouth shut for too long and have sat by and watched your father instill his beliefs and his twisted way of worshipping a lunatic onto you and for too long I stayed quiet and didn't say a thing. But I will not let you my only son, My Draco make the mistakes he has made and condemn you to a fate I wouldn't wish on even my enemy. You are a brilliant boy and I know you have a good heart underneath the hard exterior of the Slytherin pride and façade. I tried hard as I could to make sure I taught you things I knew you would need one day in the real world whether it be before or after your Graduation, and I pray to the gods some of it had stayed with you. I'm sure you know by now that your father plans to offer you to The Dark Lord during the Christmas holiday and I don't want you to do anything to endanger your life by defying his wishes. I have done everything I can to help you and to make sure no matter what happens that in the end even if I am not there in body I will always be able to protect you.

Enclosed in the small package is a small trinket my mother had given me after I turned sixteen, your aunts all have similar ones but mine came with something I never understood or appreciated until now. She told me that one day when I needed a light to make my path clear this necklace would light the way and protect me when I needed it the most. Being a foolish child I responded that I wouldn't need that as long as I had my wand, but now I believe that you might know someone who might need this more than I do now. Don't let your father or his beliefs be the reason you end up like me, regretting past decisions and wishing you had the chance to make them right. Treasure the ones who push you to be a better person, for they are rare and few in between. Protect them and make sure they know how much they mean to you before it's too late and you miss out on fates greatest gifts.

Be safe and remember that you are my life Draco.

N.

Folding the letter back up Draco picked up his wand and after mumbling a spell watched as the corner of the letter caught flame and soon were engulfed in flames. Grabbing the small package he tore off the simple brown paper wrappings and a small square box was inside, opening the small latch that kept the box closed he stared wide eyed at the chain and the small pendent that hung from the silver cord. The pendent was a point crystal that was about an inch and a half long and hung down the center of the chain. Holding it up to the light he watched the light reflect through the crystal and cast its light onto the wall and he knew just who needed its protection most if he was to continue on the journey he knew he had set before him.

Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs Draco made sure the letter was completely gone before he turned to look at who was coming towards him. Seeing the face of his best friend Blaise he smiled slightly and placed the necklace back inside the box and then placed it inside his night stand. Seeing Blaise smirk at him he gave him a confused looked and shut the drawer. "What?" Draco asked.

"Nothing just find it funny that your hiding that necklace like it's something no one can see." Blaise said as she plopped down on the edge of Draco bed his feet on the floor, lying back with his arms behind his head. "And before you say I'm mad and you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm just going to say I know it's for some chit you have a thing for. Who? I have no idea but she's got to be something if you're buying her a gift." Blaise smirked as he proved he knew his best friend better than he thought he did.

"So what if it is for some chit as you so gentlemanly put it, I always buy girls gifts." Draco said as he leaned against the night stand table arms crossed over his chest watching his best friend. Seeing Blaise open his eyes and give him a look Draco smirked and chuckled. "Ok so I've never bought a girl a gift worth mentioning since it was usually chocolate or some already dying bunch of flowers."

"You going to tell me her name then, or keep denying her existence. Because I highly doubt that Snape is giving you that much extra credit work when he constantly says you're his best student." Blaise said rolling onto his side looking at the guilty looking Draco. Sighing Draco knew Blaise wasn't going to stop until he got a name and to be honest he knew he could trust Blaise, but something in him knew that the less people connected with the Dark Lord that knew the better it was for everyone. Seeing the look on Draco's face Blaise sighed and sat up. "At least let me see the necklace, it's got to be nice since you placed it so delicately into your drawer." Blaise teased as he held out his hand. Opening the drawer and handing Blaise the small box Draco sat down in his bed and leaned back against his headboard his right leg pulled close to his body the other folded and tucked underneath. Watching him Draco's heart started beating faster as he opened the box and began inspecting the necklace. He wanted to tell Blaise but something inside of him told him that it wasn't the right time to say who it was for, hearing a noise from the stairs Draco looked up to find Goyle and Crabbe hiding behind the slightly opened door obviously trying to hide from the two in the room.

Instantly annoyance coursed through him as he watched the two scramble to close the door and run down the stairs, but it seemed someone beat him to the punch as a loud crash was heard from down the stairs and Blaise began laughing from next to him. "Damn nosey little wankers, that'll teach them to spy on us." Blaise said placing the necklace back into the box and handing it to Draco. "It's beautiful mate and I don't throw that word around often. She's got to be someone special for you to be giving her something like this. I gotta find me a guy like you all sensitive and sweet, so he can buy my girls all those gifts so I don't have to." Blaise was silenced a moment later when Draco's pillow collided with his face forcing him back slightly before laughter filled the room.

The next day Draco woke up and rolled over to realize that it was Saturday and that meant no classes, smiling to himself he stretched and decided that since Christmas break was only a week away he would give Hermione her present early. Slipping out of bed he looked out the window to find that the winters first snow fall had happened over night and the Hogwarts Grounds was covered in a thick blanket of white powder. Walking into the Dining Hall for breakfast after showering and dressing he pocketed the necklace in his jeans pocket and waited for the morning owl post for his letter to be delivered to the petite brunette across the hall. Eating his eggs and drinking his pumpkin juice he smiled when he noticed the owls making their way into the room through the large window near the front of the hall near where the teachers sat. Seeing Hermes flying around he watched him soar over the Gryffindor table until he spotted her and then landed gracefully in front of her and hooted softly in thanks when she fed him the crust of her toast. He had conveniently left his name blank on the letter but knew she would figure out who it was from; watching her reading over the letter and then the smile that slowly spread across her lips he couldn't help the smile that adorned his face in response.

Meet me in our usual place at Noon; I have something for you from Santa.

It was short simple and most importantly to the point and vague. Anyone who read the letter after he would have to either know who it was from or be able to read her mind to see where that place was and where she was to go after breakfast. Folding the letter closed once she blushed and took a sip of her juice as she looked at him over the rim of her goblet. She had felt his eyes on her the minute he had walked into the room; it was something she had found disturbing at first since she had never been that tuned into someone before not even with Ron. But she had since grown used to it and his small and vague notes that happened to either appear on her desk or be delivered by the same small grey owl that she learned was named Hermes. Opening the letter again she noticed the writing that had once adorned the parchment was now gone erased from sight. Placing the now blank paper onto the table she wasn't ready to react when it was snatched from the table top by Ron who was sitting across from her next to Harry. Glaring at him she was about to grab it back when she remembered that it was now blank and she had nothing to worry about. "There's nothing there, why are you getting blank letters and from who Herms." Ron asked in an annoying whining voice much like a little child trying to get an answer from an adult who was ignoring them.

Taking the paper from him she placed it back on the table and glared at Ron. "Obviously since its blank it was meant for my eyes only and since you are not me you have no need to know who it was from. And second of all I hate when you call me Herms makes me sound like some gross bird." She said grabbing another piece of toast from the basket she began eating it as she wrote a reply on the parchment slowly and then fed another piece of toast to Hermes before he hooted happily and flew away again with the letter attached to his leg. Not seeing the small grey owl fly up circle the room and then land at the Slytherin table Ron continued to eat while mumbling grumpily to himself, but one person did happen to see and his green eyes widened in shock once he realized who the owl had landed in front of.

You're hardly cute enough to be an elf mister.

Something he could see her saying if she was with him at that moment he folded it and placed it into his jacket pocket and continued to finish his breakfast. Seeing Blaise looking over at him he smiled and shook his head. "Oh was that a love letter from your little miss?"Blaise asked as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Maybe it was what's it to you?"Draco asked as he couldn't erase the smile from his face.

"Damn she's got you bad mate, do I need to fluff those pillows for when you finally hit the ground?"He asked Draco hoping his best friend wasn't getting in over his head.

It was eleven fifty five and as he leaned back against the stone wall behind him he wondered how she would react to his gift knowing she probably didn't have anything for him. It wasn't something they had talked about and it wasn't something he was sure she would accept easily but he was willing to try and see what she did with the situation. A cool breeze blew into the open alcove from all sides and he watched the leaves fly around a few inches above the ground and then his eyes landed on the Mary Jane covered feet of a certain brunette walking towards him. Looking up at her he smiled as the wind whipped her hair around and a few strands landed in her eyes as she smiled back at him.

"Does this mean I'm going to be dating a man who's secretly an elf? I mean I could handle let's say a Veela or maybe half mermaid but elf, I'm not sure my back could take having to bend down all the time to hug you." She said with a smile as she sat down next to him. Seeing his face change from a smile to slight surprise she thought back to what she just said to see if she had said something wrong and when she couldn't think of anything she looked at him and asked what she had said.

"You just said you're dating me." Draco said a small smile growing on his face.

"Well yea… I mean we technically are since we are doing everything a couple who dates does minus the PDA of course." Hermione said with a blush as she suddenly found a small string on her gloves very interesting. "Unless we're not dating…then I can see why you'd be uncomfortable with me saying that." She began as she bit her lower lip. Seeing her doing this he knew she was now worried he hadn't thought they were dating and instead of making things easier on her he decided to have fun since it was so easy to fluster her. "What's PDA?" He said with a smirk and then waited for her to look up at him.

Blushing Hermione tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and began trying to explain it to him not understanding how he didn't know what PDA was. "Well it's kind of like…well when two people are dating and they have feelings…I mean when they like each other….bloody hell." Hermione said and then her eyes snapped up to look at Draco when he began laughing out loud. "What?"

"Did you just start having a sex talk with me?" Draco asked as he laughed at her red cheeks and her shocked expression. "Don't worry I know what PDA is you don't have to have that talk with me. Snape already did that in third year…never thought that man was capable of blushing." Draco said laughing as he remember Snap messing up what he was trying to say while Draco simply looked up at him with the signature Draco smirk. Seeing her confused expression Draco smiled. "You didn't know he was my Godfather? Huh I thought everyone knew." Shifting his position on the bench he remembered her gift when the box began digging into this thigh in his jeans pocket. Standing up he reached into his pocket and pulled out the box while she watched him intently and then watched the box as he pulled it from his pocket.

"I know we didn't talk about Christmas gifts but I wanted to give you this anyway and you're not allowed to say no." He said as he handed her the box. Watching her take it with slightly shaking hands she opened it and took a deep breath in as she pulled the long silver chain from the box and watched as she lifted it and the crystal dangled from the chain and reflected the light that was in the alcove.

"Draco it….it's be…beautiful, why are you giving me this?" She asked as he took it from her hand and then walked around to stand behind her. Placing the necklace around her neck waiting for her to lift her hair he then fastened the clasp and then walked back around to sit in front of her and smiled as he watched her look at the crystal in the palm of her hand.

"It's something to protect you when I'm not there and you're trapped in the dark and need a light to guide you." Draco said as he waited for her reaction. He didn't have to wait long for a few seconds after he finished talking Hermione flung her arms around his shoulders and hugged him. Wrapping his arms around her he hugged her to him and relished in the ability to do this after everything he had done to her in the past.

A/N: Well this is the end of this chapter and I hope I made up for my long absence with it. The next chapter will be the last day before Christmas break and maybe Draco's Christmas holiday. Maybe….well leave some feedback and hope you all have a great Halloween if I don't update before then. Ooo maybe I might make a side chapter in one shot form for a lil Dramoine Halloween fun!! ^_^