Hermione sees Draco hugging Astoria in the Great Hall, assumes the worst, and tries to break up while packing to leave their shared space. Draco stops her and explains the hug was about a Greengrass family blood curse and a book he lent from the Malfoy library, which defuses the misunderstanding and leads to tears, apologies, and a reset of trust.

As a Christmas surprise, Hermione takes Draco out into the snow with a Headmistress approved exemption to his flying ban and Ginny’s Firebolt, a gift that doubles as a promise to keep choosing each other.