It was a beautiful morning—perfect for Christmas. There was quite a bit of snow on the ground, and the sun was shining happily behind the clouds in the sky.

Hermione woke up and reached to her left. Something didn't feel right—something was supposed to be there. Something had been there the night before and now it was gone. Then it hit her—Draco was gone. She sat up and swung her feet around to stand up, and noticed a piece of parchment stuck to the vanity mirror. Something on the mirror caught her eye. It was a note of some sort. She got up and plucked it off, and read it.

Hermione,

Merry Christmas! You looked like you could use some more sleep so I didn't wake you. When you are dressed and ready, come down to the parlor.

--Draco

After about a half hour, Hermione was showered, dressed, and ready to go downstairs. As soon as she reached the hallway leading to the parlor, she stopped dead in her tracks. It sounded as if Draco and Lucius were talking, and it didn't seem as if it was a 'friendly' conversation. Even though Hermione didn't like to eavesdrop, she couldn't help it after she heard her name come out of Lucius's mouth.

"Draco, don't be foolish! Once Hermione has the child, you will come live here at the manor until you both turn twenty-one!" Lucius said, sound irritated..

"Father, can't you see that I'm a grown man? If you believe that I am old enough to marry and have children then I'm old enough to live on my own after I graduate! If it were just me, I wouldn't care- but I know that Hermione is not going to want to live here. You already forced her into getting pregnant- you can't force her to live here too!" Draco yelled.

"Draco, you and I both know that Hermione is a very stubborn woman. She was dead set against producing an heir by the time I wanted so I did what I thought best for the situation you were in," Lucius drawled.

"Father, if you thought that forcing Hermione to have a child was for the best, you must be delusional…" Draco sighed, obviously ending the conversation.

Just then, Hermione walked into the room and cleared her throat.

"Good morning Draco. Lucius," she said nodding to each of them. "Happy Christmas."

"Ah, Hermione, how nice to see you. I trust you slept well?" Lucius asked with fake concern.

"Extremely well, thank-you," she replied, not making eye contact with him.

"Oh, the kids are up! Time for presents!" Narcissa squealed, walking into the room. She waved her wand and an extremely large pile of presents appeared beneath the tree.

After about an hour of gift opening, they weren't even half way through the pile around the tree. So far Hermione had received maternity robes, baby blankets, books, perfume, and all kinds of little trinkets. When Lucius and Narcissa were chatting with each other about some political issue or another, Draco handed Hermione a little box decorated in red and gold—Gryffindor house colors. Hermione felt the tears well up in her eyes as she looked at Draco and the present.

"Open it, Hermione," Draco whispered.

Hermione hesitated, and then decided to open it. Inside the box was a tiny gold necklace with a lion pendant engraved with the letter 'H'. As she carefully pulled out the delicate chain, a card fell out. Hermione set the necklace back in the box, and read the card:

Hermione,

Merry Christmas. This gift may puzzle you, but it makes sense—just let me explain it. First off, the lion is a symbol of bravery. You were sorted into Gryffindor house, which obviously means you are brave and courageous. But, I don't only know that because of your original house, I know it because no one else that I know of is as brave as you. I can't think of any other Gryffindor that would do what you're doing. I know that it's tough being forced into a marriage, and now parenthood, but that's where the bravery in you shines through, Hermione. You are such a brave woman, and I am glad to have the chance to be with you..

Always,

--Draco

"Draco! I didn't know—I didn't think you—oh, thank you!" Hermione cried, pulling Draco into an embrace.

"I know that the letter doesn't sound like me, but I felt horrible that you had to switch houses, so I though the necklace would be a nice reminder of who you really are. Here, let me put this on for you," Draco said, taking the necklace from her trembling hands.

When everyone was finished opening all of their gifts, Narcissa instructed Draco and Hermione to take their things up to their room, and to come down for dinner at seven o'clock. With a little help from their wands, Hermione and Draco managed to get all of their new things upstairs without taking more than five minutes. They both immediately started hanging up their new robes and putting away everything else. It was so silent—and so awkward.

Not being able to take it any more, Hermione finally spoke up.

"Draco, why are you so nice sometimes, and at others, so horrible?"

"What are you talking about? I thought you liked the necklace." Draco replied.

"I do! I mean, that card was so nice, but it seems to me as if you are truly scared to let your feelings show in person. I mean, you're nice to me and all, but it just seems that you only let me know how you really feel when we're not face to face," she said, turning to face him.

"Well, I guess I'm just not used to all this yet. I mean, I am, but I've never really showed any affection towards anyone but my mum- even Pansy."

"Draco, do you really meant what you wrote in that card?"

"Yes, why?"

"Because, well, we're going to have a baby! That doesn't make you wish that we didn't get married?"

"Well, we're not even out of school yet, and we're already starting a family. It's just a little… soon. But, I really don't regret anything." Draco replied, taking her hand in his.

Hermione was truly speechless for the first time in a long time. As unsure as she felt about him, Draco was starting to prove that he wasn't a complete jerk.

After Draco and Hermione had a nap, dinner that night went surprisingly well. Hermione had been nervous about it, especially after hearing part of the conversation between Draco and Lucius. Most of the conversation revolved around the previous night's party and the guests that came. Hermione was glad to have the topic of conversation on someone else, rather than her and her new pregnancy.

At about nine o'clock everyone retired to their rooms. Hermione and Draco stayed up to pack their things for a honeymoon that his parents had surprised them with at dinner. They had no idea where they were going other than his parents had said it was someplace warm and they were getting there by airplane.

A/N: I know this is a weird place to end, but hey- what can ya do? FYI to those of you that read this story on harrypotterfanfiction dot com- the story is going in a new direction! The next chapter will be most of the honeymoon and such. It's going to be incredibly fluffy with some lolz thrown in, as usual.

Thanks for reading! I noticed that I got a lot more alerts than reviews last chapter- so, if you are going to add me to your alerts, send me a review! Even if you hate the story just let me know what you think!

Thanks!

xoxo Kasandraleann