10. Aunt Beatrice and the Kiss

Ron sat at the end of the table, sipping his tea as his mother made breakfast. He usually enjoyed the holidays, but this time it was particularly dreadful… He had ruined things with Hermione. It was, however, most likely for the best and he knew that… but he still loved her to pieces and he hated seeing her hurt. She had made it quite obvious that she was not coming to the Burrow for Christmas and that she was just going to go to her parent's home in London. He had actually contemplated meeting her there and trying to get her to come and at least spend a little time with his family… she was, after all, considered one of them by his entire family. Even Percy.

"Ronald, you'll make yourself sick moping around like that," Molly informed as she dumped a large amount of eggs onto a serving platter. "Now go wake Harry and Ginny… before your brothers get here."

Ron took another long sip of his tea and set it back down with a dull thud, standing up to do his mother's bidding. He drug his feet up the stairs and pounded on his sister's door. "Gin, Harry… breakfast."

Harry opened the door with just trousers on, no shirt. Ron groaned as Harry grinned. "Good morning, mate."

"Yea… it's wonderful," Ron grumbled and walked back downstairs.

"What's his deal?" Ginny asked as she slung a robe over her pajamas.

Harry shrugged. "Still hung up over Hermione."

"I still can't believe that they are really over."

"They are still going to be friends though."

"Yea, I'm sure that will work out just perfectly… she's already avoiding my family."

"She feels awkward. Give her some slack," Harry replied as he took Ginny's hand, making their way downstairs.

"I gave her enough slack. She hasn't said a word to me all week… I've owled her house as well with no reply."

"Good morning you two," Molly greeted them as they took their seats around the large table in the dining room.

Harry smiled at his future mother in law. "I'm glad someone is having a good morning."

"Oh, Ron's just mopey," Molly replied and pinched his cheek.

"Mum!" Ron growled and swatted her hand away.

Ginny took a swig of orange juice. "Mum, when are you going to utilize Ron and I's rooms in a different way? We're not moving back in."

"Ron is."

Ron choked on his tea. "Mum!"

Harry's eyes widened. "What's that all about mate?"

"He can't afford rent now that he and Hermione aren't sharing the cost anymore…" Molly replied for him.

"And I haven't been to work for a month too, so it's not like I really have much in the savings to rely on."

"Well, Ginny's going away… you could stay with me until you find another place."

Ginny grinned. "Actually, not to stifle that hope, Ron…" Ginny noted. "But I got a letter last night and I was going to surprise you Harry… but Dr. Traveeny is moving his practice back to London. I don't have to leave."

Harry was speechless as he embraced his fiancé. "That is the best news, Gin!"

Ron half smiled. "Yea, congrats sis."

"I'm sorry, Ron…" Ginny bit her lower lip.

"Ron will be just fine here, won't you?" Molly prodded.

"Yea," Ron murmured and got up from the table. "I'll be right back." He wandered outside.

Harry eyed him suspiciously. "I'll… uh, be right back as well."

"Hurry back before the eggs get cold, you two!" Molly called after the both of them.

---

"Ron?" Harry said as he sat next to Ron under the huge birch tree in the Weasley's back yard.

"Hmph?" Ron grunted and turned away from Harry. He was crying.

Harry patted his back. "I know it hurts."

"I just don't get it, mate," Ron whimpered. "I went after her… but somehow we just decided to be friends…"

"I know."

"I can't believe I have to move back in with my parents… just think about what everyone at work is going to say."

"You'll land on your feet, Ron."

"I hope so." Ron sighed. "Hey, congrats on Ginny not leaving… kinda makes everything you went through pointless… but at least you two came out on the other side."

Harry nodded. "Yea. I'm really happy."

"I'm really glad."

---

Three days and ten hours earlier…

"Ron?" Hermione scrambled up from the couch and ran to the portrait hole. "What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry!" Ron blurted out. "I don't want to leave things the way they are…"

Hermione stood there for a moment, not knowing what to say. "I don't either," she spoke finally. "But… we can't go on like how we are."

"So what do we do?" Ron asked breathlessly.

Hermione thought for a moment, and as much as it pained her to say it… she knew what had to be done to ensure that they never lost each other… she was taking a page out of Luna's book. "I would much rather have your friendship than nothing at all, Ron…"

"So we're going to be friends?" Ron took a step closer to her. "You think we can do that?"

Hermione closed her eyes and took in a breath. "Yes." She looked away from him, not wanting to see his face. "You should go… I thought I wanted you to stay… but it would be best if you just go."

"Hermione…" Ron breathed with no response from her. He sighed. "Goodbye."

And just like that he was gone.

---

Three days and ten and a half hours earlier…

Malfoy didn't know what he was doing or what was driving him to do this, but he knew he had to do something… As he ran through the crowd, he spotted just what he was looking for. The tall, lanky red head.

"Oi!" Malfoy grabbed him by the arm, forcing him to face him. "You have to listen to me…"

Ron looked bewildered and borderline angry. "What's this all about, Malfoy?"

"You have to go after her."

"What? Who are you to tell me what to do?"

"You can't just throw away everything you have…"

"Since when do you know what we have and give two pence about it?"

"She's… she's my friend…" Malfoy breathed, words failing him.

Ron looked up towards the castle and sighed. "Tell them to stall the train."

Malfoy nodded, a half smile on his face as Ron ran back towards the castle. He had done the right thing... right? His face fell at what he thought would happen… she would take him back and then they would be together forever with nothing that he could do to stop it… He felt a pang in his stomach as he clenched it slightly.

"Daddy?" Adrianna frowned. "When are we going home?"

Malfoy was snapped out of his selfish thoughts and forced a smile at the little one. "Soon enough, Aide."

---

Present…

Hermione sat on her parents couch, her legs crossed gingerly, tea in her hand. Her parents sat opposite her, silent as ever. To her right sat a lean, handsome blonde-haired man and on the ground was a cute little girl with tight blond curls… awkward was an understatement.

"Mum. Dad," Hermione muttered. "Say something?"

"You are the Draco we've heard about, no?" Hermione's mother spoke finally.

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut. This wasn't going as smoothly as she had hoped.

Malfoy cleared his throat. "Yes, I presume I am."

"What, pray tell, are you both doing with one another?" Hermione's dad asked.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Malfoy beat her to it. "I have no family, besides my daughter anymore… and Hermione was kind enough to invite me here…"

Hermione shrugged. That was what had happened…

---

Two days ago…

Hermione was walking the grounds, delaying her departure at least one day so she wouldn't have to be around big crowds, when she saw Malfoy sitting alone out by the gazebo she had been at just the night before.

"Malfoy?" Hermione inquired as she made her way out to the snow filled courtyard to sit under the gazebo with him. "Where's Adrianna?"

"She's… building a snowman with Hagrid, actually."

Hermione smiled to herself. That would be a sight to see. "Oh." Hermione shifted slightly. "Do you have plans for the holidays?"

"Loads," Malfoy replied with a nod. "I presume you do too? With Weasley?"

Hermione shook her head. "No… I'm just visiting my parents this year… Ron and I aren't… together. We're going to try and be friends."

Malfoy was shocked. "What?" He stood up abruptly and ran a hand through his hair. "That's… wow." He sat back down. "I'm sorry."

Hermione shrugged. "It's for the best. We were better friends than lovers."

Malfoy nodded in agreement. "I suppose if that's what you want."

"It is," Hermione answered. "It's hard letting him go. I'll always love him… but there was just something missing there." Hermione checked the time. "I need to finish packing. I have an eventful vacation planned with the parents…" Malfoy detected a partial groan.

"Alright… take care." Malfoy watched her walk away.

---

"Miss Granger? Are you all ready to leave?"

"Yes, Headmistress," Hermione replied as she placed on foot on the train stair to leave. She look to her left to see Malfoy in the distance with Adrianna. She frowned. "Is Malfoy not coming?"

"No, he's staying here for the holidays. Are you boarding or not?" She had an edge to her voice.

"Uhm, actually… can you give me a moment?"

"Make it quick."

---

Malfoy was watching Adrianna make a snow angel and completely soaking her expensive peacoat when he heard someone shout his name.

"Draco Malfoy!" Hermione called. He turned around. "Merlin it's hard to get your attention."

"What do you need? Shouldn't you be on a train?"

She was breathing rather heavily. "I don't normally do this... at all… but would you and Adrianna like to accompany me to my parent's house for the holidays… that is… if you have time between the loads of stuff you are doing over break…" Hermione wheezed between breaths.

Malfoy smirked. "You caught my bluff…"

"Yes, well… I'm pretty smart." Hermione grinned. "Are you coming? There isn't much time until McGonagall loses her patience and sends the train off."

"I haven't packed."

"You can send for your things later."

Malfoy nodded, thinking this through. "Alright… We'll come."

Hermione smiled. "Brilliant… let's go!"

---

Present…

"Last I was updated, you were dating Ronald Weasley and you despised this boy," Hermione's mother noted, a judgy tone to every word.

Hermione rolled her eyes and sat down her tea. "Ronald and I are no longer a couple, though we continue to remain friends… and Draco and I aren't dating, Mother… we're just friends… colleagues."

Hermione's dad grunted. "Never heard of colleagues shacking up over break."

"Dad! Really! We are not shacking up! I was just being kind and generous like you raised me to be… do you really want this little girl to spend her Christmas away from a loving environment? Hogwarts is nice, but not when it's empty! I can't think of a more horrid way to spend Christmas!" Hermione huffed.

Her mother seemed convinced. "Well, Draco, I see you have made an impression upon my daughter… or else she wouldn't defend you in such a way… so one would assume that you aren't the vilest of creatures like I have once been told." Malfoy winced. "You and your daughter are more than welcome here… please excuse our apprehensions."

Malfoy nodded. "It's understandable, Mrs. Granger."

"Please, call me Jean."

"Isn't that Hermione's middle name?" Malfoy caught himself asking.

Hermione turned to look at him. "You know my middle name?" She whispered.

Malfoy decided to not answer and act as if he had not heard.

"Yes, it was my mother's middle name… and she gave it to me as my name… it found it only suiting for Hermione to adopt it as her middle name… keep it in the family," Jean replied.

"My name is Albert, but everyone calls me Al," Hermione's dad stated. "Are you going to be staying here or lodging somewhere different?"

"He's staying here," Hermione answered. "Our house is big enough for the both of them."

Al shrugged. "Very well. I need to run to the office… do you need anything from the market on my way back?"

Jean shook her head no and Hermione did as well. "Could you maybe pick up a few toothbrushes… seeing as my luggage won't be here till tomorrow?" Malfoy asked. Al raised an eyebrow. "That is… if it's not too much trouble."

Al chuckled slightly. "Not at all, Son."

---

The evening went by rather smoothly. Hermione's grandmother, aunts and uncles, cousins and second cousins came over for dinner and all the other ones, including Hermione and Draco drank entirely too much wine. They were all sitting around the living room, talking about muggle things. Malfoy was fascinated. He felt a hand on his shoulder. "It's looks like Adrianna is ready for bed," Hermione whispered and pointed to Adrianna asleep in Hermione's grandmother's lap. Malfoy smiled.

"She looks precious."

"She does," Hermione murmured back, her breath on his ear.

He shivered and stood up. "Want to show me the room?"

Hermione nodded as she allowed Malfoy to help her up from the ground, setting her wine glass on the coffee table before she did so. He scooped Adrianna up in his arms as they both headed through the threshold to the stairs.

"Ah, ah, ah!" someone shouted. It was Hermione's Aunt Beatrice.

Hermione and Draco stopped and turned around in the threshold. "What is it?" Hermione asked.

"Mistletoe!" she clapped excitedly.

They both looked up, both their jaws slightly agape. "Oh, that's not necessary," Hermione muttered.

"It's the rules!"

"Aunt Beatrice, you are bad!" Jean giggled.

Malfoy smirked. She was completely different with some wine in her.

"It's just a kiss," Malfoy whispered.

Hermione bit her lower lip. "Okay."

They both leaned in, lips parted slightly. Their eyes fluttered closed as their lips pressed together and moved rhythmically back and forth. Hermione's hand sought to keep her distance as not to crush Adrianna as the other hand grabbed the back of his neck. He moaned slightly in her mouth and her eyes snapped open.

"Oh…" she breathed, pulling away.

Malfoy blinked several times as he came back to reality.

"Nice to meet you all," Malfoy said to the family, trying to take the attention off the kiss. "Good night."

Hermione quickly followed after him up the stairs and directed him to his room.

"Do we need to talk about that?" Malfoy asked after he had laid Adrianna down.

Hermione shook her head. "No… just silly mistletoe is all. Doesn't have to mean anything…"

He gave her a reproachful look.

"So anyway… my room is just across the hall if you need anything. Uhm, goodnight." Hermione nodded and slipped out of the room before he could say anything else.

"Well that was fucking confusing…" Malfoy muttered and threw back the covers to his bed. I wonder how many mistletoes they have in the house…" He thought to himself, a smirk tugging on his lips.