Christmas Shopping

"Dear Hermione,

I feel like there is something terribly wrong in my life. My wish became true! Haha, not really a wish, however I think we both wanted this. We are going to Hogsmead on the 31 of November, which is in two days, and just now I realized that there was no sense to tell you this, because you have most probably saw it already on your desk of notifications. Oh come on, who am I lying to, I just wanted to share my joy with somebody, and I don't think that anyone but you would be as happy.

I guess Christmas won't be as snowy now, huh? Do you think I can get through this? Haha, I guess cold is my second name. Oh wait, after arrogant, of course, let's not forget. So speaking of Christmas, how are you planning to spend it? Are you going home, or staying at Hogwarts? Because I don't think I'll be returning home for the holidays. I don't know, just don't feel like it. Would be better both for my family and me if we don't get to ruin each other's holiday.

By the way did you know that I am crazy about sweets? Probably an unexpected switch. However, the topic of Christmas always throws me to the thought of sweets. Even though me and parents don't have a normal relationship and understanding, they used to send me boxes of best candies when I was smaller. And you won't believe how delighted I was. Thinking of that, I wish it would be just as easy to fix my state with candies now.

Now that I mentioned my state, there is something that I haven't told you yet.. I'm not even sure if I should, because it sounds so childish, stupid and just not worth paying attention to… Okay fine I'll say it. I am having nightmares. See? I did it. To be honest I hate it. You won't believe how annoying it is to see the same dream over and over again, wake up abruptly in the middle of the night and just sit there awkwardly not knowing what to do next. Usually I just go to the balcony, breathing some fresh air, trying to forget what I saw. I just want you to understand that it's not an ordinary nightmare. I feel like everything that happened to my parents in the past and my fears are haunting me. I don't know, maybe I am just a drama queen.

Me.

P.S. I see you accepted the game. Great. The answer to your question is, I'm not from your college for sure, so if you were trying to figure me out in the common room, sorry but it I'm not there.

P.P.S. My question now. How do you usually spend Christmas?

P.P.P.S.( Does this thing even exist?) In case you thought of it, I really wanted to ask you to come to Hogsmead with me, but I can't yet, I am very sorry. I hope you have a wonderful day with whomever you go there."

Draco put the feather aside, folded the parchment, and tied it to his owl's paw. He stretched his slender arms and yawned. It was only the middle of the day, but he already felt like he has a very little amount of energy left, thanks to his current efforts at lessons. Draco sat in the armchair for a few more moments, thinking of the letter that he had just written. Would she even agree if he would invite her? Now he could only guess. Finally, Draco stood up, straightening his expensive tie, and walked out of the Slytherin common room. He had to be at lunch now, yet as soon as he reached the Dining Hall, he saw the flow of students out of it, Professor McGonagoll in front of everybody. Not really sure if he could still go inside and have lunch as much as he wanted to, Draco joined the group of students. He noticed that those were only sixth graders, so he became slightly intrigued by the reason to hinder them from lunch.

After climbing one staircase up, passing through two corridors, they eventually stopped in a huge classroom, which was apparently empty. Draco frowned, trying to understand what was going on. Everybody else seemed to be doing the same thing, so he relaxed that he wasn't the only one unaware. He was ripped away from his thoughts when he heard Professor's voice, who held the wand to her throat in order to sound louder.

Silence, - Professor McGonagoll looked around the class, - You are probably wondering why did I take you all to this class.

Yes we are, - somebody shouted out of the crowd.

One more exclamation like that and I will start taking points, - Professor now sounded slightly irritated, yet the next moment she already had an excited smile on her face, - I brought you all here in order to announce some news.

Draco saw Hermione glance at Ron and Harry in question.

As you all know, Christmas is less than a month away. Some of you will be returning home, some will stay at school. This is why we will celebrate Christmas earlier than the actual day, in order to have everybody involved. Since your holidays start on the twentieth of December, our celebration will be on the nineteenth. We will have a Christmas Dance.

As soon as these words escaped Professor McGonagoll's lips, various reactions were triggered in class. Some were embarrassed, some irritated, others excited. The third group were mostly girls. Draco felt his heartbeat fasten. This Dance was something that he mostly relied on, however now, he was freaking out just like everybody else. The only difference is, that all of his emotions were happening on the inside.

Calm down. I understand that you haven't encountered anything like this before. However, this is a wonderful event. Charismatic boys will be leading graceful girls in the dance, swirling in precise movements of the dance.

George and Fred Weasley started dancing with each other, impersonating excited girls in a mocking way.

Minus five point from Gryffindor, - Professor McGonagoll glared at the twins with dissatisfaction, - One final thing that I want to tell you is the following. The choice of your dance partner is free. You have one week to invite him or her on the Yule dance with you. Now you are free to go to lunch.

Confused and slightly on edge students exited the classroom and hurried to the Dining Hall. It seemed like a new topic of discussion for the following week had been estimated. Pansy passed by Draco, giving him an implying wink. Draco ignored it, and took his place at the Slytherin table. This was it. This dance thing was his chance. This was the perfect opportunity for him to invite Hermione. To finally reveal himself. Stop hiding. Yet his hopes had immediately been poisoned by the fact that Hermione already had Ron and Harry. One of them will definitely invite her. If not them, there were many other guys which will want to be her dance partner. And the reason for that was obvious. She was stunning. And Draco didn't only think of the way she looks, it was her inner world which also consumed him. However, Draco decided to give it a shot and be one of those who invite her. Who knows, maybe he will be lucky enough, because Draco felt like it was either this case or never. He couldn't possibly think of a better way to let her know who he really was.

Draco? – Blaze looked at Draco's face studyingly.

Huh? – Draco blinked, snapping back to the Dining Hall, - What?

I called you like twice already, - Blaze rolled his eyes, - Who are you inviting?

Oh, that, - Draco sighted, pretending to look confused, - I don't know yet.

Don't worry – Pansy laughed nervously, - You still have time, Draco, dear. – She purred.

Okay, well, - Draco stood up, and exited the Dining Hall, the heels of his shoes pounding on the marble floor.

Hermione was delighted with the news of the Yule Dance. However, she was slightly worried as well. Two days past since the announcement. There was this annoying thought which had crawled up to her mind a bit too early. The fear of going alone. Hermione pushed that thought away and decided to wait until somebody invites her. Harry and Ron were already discussing who they want to invite. Hermione knew their crushes and it amused her.

I want to be creative, - Ron said looking at Harry nervously, - Fred and George already managed to get themselves partners!

Well, -

And you know how? – Ron was clearly freaking out, - He just through a piece of parchment at her! Parchment!

Ron, - Harry hardly held himself from laughing, - chill.

Do you already know how to invite Padma? – Ron looked at Harry angrily.

Um no, - Now it was Harry's turn to worry, - But it's still easier for you! Lavender is totally falling for you!

Ugh, - Ron sighted, - we need to do something before it's too late.

Just invite the poor girls already, - Hermione laughed, - And I have to go to the common room, and take some of my other books. Good luck! – She winked at them.

Haha, not funny, - Ron frowned.

Is she invited yet? – Harry followed Ron to the library. They had to find some books for professor Trelawney.

Honestly, man, - Ron murmured as he entered the section of psychic books, - I don't know.

As soon as Hermione entered the girls dormitory, she found a small parchment wrapped with a blue bow around it on her bed. Feeling extremely curious, wondering what it was, Hermione took it in her thin hands and noticed that the content was short. It was a familiar handwriting, curvy and complicated.

"Would you accept me as your partner on the Christmas Dance?

Me."

Hermione felt joy and excitement take over her entire body. She sat on the bad, letting out a little laugh of happiness. The paranoiac thoughts left her instantly. It was him. He invited her to the Dance! Did that mean that… She was about to meet him?! Hermione smiled widly, feeling the impatience grow, yet she tried to calm down, reminding herself that there was still nineteen days to wait. Finally going back to her usual organized state, Hermione decided that she needed a dress. Not just a dress, it had to be fabulous! Hermione took a feather and wrote a letter to her mom, with the purpose of asking her for a dress.

Afterwards, in a hurry (they were going to Hogsmead in 15 mins) Hermione scribbled her answer on the invitation:

"After a long while of contemplating I have finally decided to accept your invitation.

Hermione"

She chuckled to herself, and decided to send it tomorrow, in order not to look so obviously happy. She was a girl, and she had to live up to the girl pride at the end of the day! She put the parchment in her bag, and rushed outside.

Hermione was going to Hogsmead with her friend Padma. Initially, they were planning to do some Christmas shopping, now, however they added the 'Christmas Dance" category as well. Bursting with the girly excitement Hermione found Padma in the crowd of the students in the line and waited for their turn to enter the train.

Hey! – Padma looked at Hermione conspiratorially, - Ready for the shopping?

For sure, - Hermione wiggled her eyebrows and they both laughed.