A/N: Sorry about the wait, I lost the groove there for a bit. Here you go 3

xoxo

Chaos

Chapter Nine

"So what are you doing over the holidays? Any plans?" Draco asked Hermione as they brought their bags down to the carriages that would take them to the Hogwarts Express.

"I have a lot of stuff to do at my house to prepare it to be sold. I'm not really sure about anything else. It's my first holiday without my parents, and if I go to the Weasley's… well, that would be more awkward than words can describe."

"Do you need help with anything? I know how daunting the task is to go through all your parents' things."

"No. I think I'll be okay."

He took her hand and waited until she looked at him. "Hermione, I need you to promise me that if you need my help, or if you just need someone to be there for you, or- hell- if you need someone to help get you out of the house for a few hours, that you'll call me. And I want you to spend Christmas Eve at my house. I'm having the guys over and a few others, and I would love to have you there as well."

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother to you."

"After everything you've done for me, the least I can do is offer you a hand. And Christmas Eve? Well, you're my friend. It would just be nice to have you there."

"Okay, I will. And… thanks, Draco. It means a lot to me."


She dropped her bags on the living room floor as she entered the unlived in house that had once belonged to her loving family. A thin layer of dust coated every surface, and the air was stagnant from being unmoved for the last few months. She told the Order that her house was now off limits. They had- apparently- respected her wishes.

She shook herself out of her reverie, and turned the thermostat up. It was the middle of winter, and she didn't quite feel like freezing to death when there was so much left to do. She was happy to see that her phone and electricity and all of that was working. The bank must have kept up with the automatic payments; she hadn't checked to make sure.

She found some tea in the cupboard and put a kettle on the stove. As she took her first sip, her shoulders sagged and she allowed the tears to flow. She would start her work… tomorrow.

And that she did. She was elbow deep in bathroom cleaner when she heard the owl tap on her window. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she stood and opened the window to let the owl in. The cold breeze livened her up, and she saw the letter was from Draco.

Hermione-

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I was wondering if you would like to hang out earlier in the day to grab some last minute presents and everything we need for dinner. Let me know by tonight.
-Draco

She found a pen, scribbled back an 'okay,' and sent the owl back on its way before scrubbing the rest of the floor. She finished the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, and the dining room before the response from Draco arrived back.

Why don't you come over tonight? We can set out earlier for shopping, and you could help me finish decorating the tree. You can apparate over if it's a yes, or write me back if you had other plans for this evening.
-Draco

She argued with herself for all of five minutes before putting away her cleaning supplies, hopping in the shower, and packing her sleepover bag. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the Malfoy Manor, in all of its splendor. She gathered up the nerve to knock, and (quick as a flash) Draco opened the door to let her in.

"Oh, good, you decided to come over. The others won't be able to make it until tomorrow, so I hope you don't mind sharing the house with just me tonight. I promise I won't bite."

She laughed. "I'll be fine so long as you let me in. It's pretty damn cold out here."

"Oh, sorry!" he said and stepped aside to let her in. If the outside had amazed her, the inside left her breathless. The floor and columns that lined the entry way were made of white marble with deep black veins. The walls were a smoky grey and offset only by assorted vases and sculptures.

"Wow…" she breathed.

"I know. It's ostentatious isn't it? I want to renovate over the summer. I was going to sell the place, but it's been my family home for a very long time… I can't just toss that away."

"I understand. It's your history."

"Exactly. Can I take you bag? I'll show you up to your room…"

"I can carry this, so don't worry about that."

He sighed, knowing better than to argue, and led her up the main staircase that dominated the entryway. There were paintings lining the upstairs hallway of people with the same platinum blonde hair and aristocratic features as Draco. He noticed her looking at them and confirmed her suspicions that they were his relatives. The room he said would be hers was better than anything she could imagine. A king sized, four poster bed took up most of one wall, its deep violet drapes pooling at the floor. The bedding was black silk, and she had her own bathroom attached to the room.

"Gods, Draco, this is the most amazing room I've ever seen. It's so beautiful."

"I'm really happy you like it. My room is right across the hall and down one door. Would you want to go out and grab dinner or order in? I don't really have anything in my kitchen…"

"I don't really mind either option."

"Well, we'll go out then. I don't really want to be in the house anymore."

"Okay. What are you in the mood for?"

"I know a good place. Do you… do you have something kind of fancy to put on? Not that you don't look nice, the place just has a dress code…"

She laughed at his discomfort. "Yes, Draco, I know what you meant. I brought some nicer clothes with me as well, so I'll get changed and freshened up a bit before we leave."

"Okay. I really didn't mean anythi-."

"I know, Draco, I know. When did you want to go?"

He blushed. "Soon, if you don't mind. I'm pretty hungry."

"Same here. Okay, just let me get changed and I'll be ready to go."

"Okay. There's a sitting room to the left of the entrance hall. If you finish before I do, you can wait in there so you're comfortable, alright?"

"Sounds good. I'll meet you down there."

He closed the door behind him as he left, and she all but melted onto the bed. This would be one hell of a vacation for her.