Hello, hello… sorry I haven't updated in like… a week or something like that. Internet hates me. I'll update as much as possible, but school has now started for me and it's getting difficult between homework. Anyhow, enjoy!!!
Draco woke up feeling strange. For the first couple of seconds, he believed it was just because of something he ate. But as he absorbed the feeling, he began to realize it was the strange sensation of relief and slight happiness. And a second after that the day before flew at him. He sat up, looking around his bedroom. It was cold in expression, almost like the dungeons at Hogwarts. He had always felt more comfortable in them, but now he had the urge to redecorate everything.
Instead of redecorating, though, he picked up his wand and aimed at the fireplace, which burst into red flames. It had a warmer effect to his satisfaction.
The morning passed slowly. Draco decided to head to Diagon Alley, where he could prepare for the evening with Hermione.
It wasn't a date at all, but more of a treaty. A peace offer. That made the clothing choice of more importance, because he couldn't just wear fine dress robes to a peace offer.
He walked briskly through the fluttering town, keeping his robes close together. Multiple stares were issued to him, as always, and he sneered down at the ground. He had never had any real friends but Crabbe and Goyle. But they weren't even friends. They had been more like pawns; and now one was dead.
Draco thought bitterly and resentfully of his past. So much pressure. For so long he had never wanted to be anything to the Dark Lord. It had caused him grief and agony. Not only that, but it was what his parent's expected and it was his life that was in peril if he chose to disobey.
He was also left with no family. Lucious and Nacrissa were in Azkaban for life to face dementors. He had visited them last month, and his own mother had gone almost insane. She would soon get the Kiss. As would Lucious.
Draco was angry, yes, that they were forced into that. He understood that he had been in danger of being carted off, too. But it hadn't happened because of his parent's surrendering so quickly. That is what had made Draco do those horrid things for the Dark Lord. His parents loved him, but they had gone too far into the mess to back out then. Draco's life depended on obeying Tom Riddle.
Draco started to pay attention again, and realized that his enemy was walking past. Harry Potter had a bundle in his arms, and Ginny Potter held onto his elbow. A pang of sadness made Draco bite his lip. A family. But then it was swallowed by jealousy.
Harry looked up with the same soft expression he had been using on the bundle wrapped in his arms. When his gaze met Draco's, it hardened to steel. As usual, he nodded a greeting, and Ginny eyed me with peculiarly unforgiving eyes.
"Didn't realize you had a baby, Potter."
Draco's mouth pursed into a slight sneer. He hadn't meant to speak. But his mood was so happy that he hadn't been thinking.
Harry stopped cold. "What is it to you, Malfoy?" He asked, holding the baby closer. I knew what was on his mind and felt just a bit angry that he would assume that.
"I wouldn't touch your baby, Potter, I was just curious. Sorry to intrude, you happy couple go on your way now," Draco mumbled snidely. He walked with his head down past the Potter's, who stood still as they stared after him.
()()()()()()()()()()
Hermione looked in the mirror, and saw a woman that looked lonely, but still somewhat beautiful. Her long brown hair curled delicately around her face with a shine, and her brown eyes were wide and knowledgeable.
The doorbell rang, and she swallowed. He was early – oh, wait, no, he was on time and she was late. Hermione took one last look at her simple sweater and jeans and hurried to the door. She was excited to have some company again.
When she opened the door, she was mildly surprised. Draco had cleaned himself up nice. His blonde hair wasn't slicked back but lay softly on his head, and wore a simple black robe that emphasized his mesmerizing blue eyes.
"Thanks for coming." Hermione said awkwardly. Despite her happiness, she was still wary of the man in front of her. He was a past enemy.
She stepped back to let him in and he smiled, but it was for once a warm and friendly smile. A more mature smile. He hung his robe on the coat rack. "Thank you for inviting me."
He looked around. All Hermione had done was light a fire to make it warmer. The teapot had been set a couple of minutes earlier. There was also a large blue bin with all sorts of decorations bunched inside. "Ready to make my house fit for Christmas?" Hermione asked, briskly walking to the bin. She smiled at Draco from that side of the room, and he couldn't help but smile back. "Sure… why not?"
After a quick mug of hot tea and some polite chatter, Hermione started putting garland around the walls with her wand, making them loop and glitter in the dim but pleasant light.
When she turned to face Draco, he had a wreath on the wall that held candles. Hermione laughed. "You put it on wrong, Malfoy!" She laughed. He frowned. "How in bloody hell did I put it on wrong?"
Hermione laughed again. "It goes on the outside."
The night was fun. There were lots of laughs, and Hermione found herself enjoying Draco's company. When he smiled, it was like a fire, it warmed the room. When he used to sneer a lot, it had the opposite effect.
Finally, it came down to the star on the tree. "Do you want to levitate it?" Draco asked. Hermione smiled sadly. "Ever since I was a kid my parents taught me the muggle way. Without magic. I think I want to keep the tradition."
But as she stretched up on her tippy-toes to put the Christmas star on, she found it was nearly impossible to reach.
"You want me to try?" Draco asked. Hermione, stubborn and stron-willed, frowned and shook her head. "No, no… I'll get it…," She mumbled, and reached up as high as she could. It was nearly there…
"Wingardium Leviosa."
"Dra-,"
But she was already floating in the air, unsteady. "Agh! Malfoy, I said I'd do it!"
"And you are," Malfoy grinned from behind. He watched her struggle in the air as she reached once again to place the star upon the tree. She placed it carefully on top, so he gently lowered her onto the floor, where she stumbled awkwardly. "I could have done it myself," She mumbled defensively.
Draco chuckled lightly. "Okay. Well, it does look quite amazing. We should turn out the lights and see our masterpiece," He suggested.
Hermione, not replying, shot her wand at several lights around her and the room fell into darkness except for the beautiful glow around the Christmas tree.
There was silence as they marveled in their hard work.
"It kind of reminds me of childhood," Hermione whispered suddenly. Draco looked at her curiously. She wasn't crying, but her face had fallen.
"Not me," He contradicted. "our house was pretty bland during my childhood."
Hermione felt a pang of sympathy. "You never got any Christmas gifts?" She asked sadly. He smiled in an even sadder way. "Oh, I received presents… that's all the holiday was. Honestly, I'd trade all those for what I see now. Never even had a Christmas tree. Not even a fake one, in fact."
They fell silent as they both absorbed the new facts about each other. Hermione should have known Draco had grown around a family not interested in fun. He turned out angry, conceded, and mostly lonely.
"Well, you know what? Let's make homemade cookies – the muggle way," Hermione suggested. Draco raised an eyebrow. "I never did that, either."
"I guess you'll have something to learn then."
So is the next chapter going to be homemade cookies and laughs? Or something else? ReVieW!
