A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry it has been almost two weeks but life has been getting busy. Christmas has finally arrived! Will they finally kiss or not? I don't know...Hehe. Guess you will have to wait and see. Thank you to all those who have reviewed, and the rest of you who have taken to the time to read my story. It means a lot to me because I know how time can be very limited. Enjoy this next chapter!
Disclaimer: All rights belong to a talented, British, and very successful author (J.K Rowling in case you didn't know). So its impossible for it to be me...darn.
Christmas break was quickly approaching and Hermione was running out of time.
She needed to tell Dumbledore soon before Malfoy acted on his task.
Everytime she was about to go to Dumbledore, she always stopped herself.
Maybe it was the way Draco looked beaten down and tired, or the way their eyes always met at mealtimes, leaving her confused.
Whatever it was, it was not worth the risk of Dumbledore dying, or Draco being sent to Azkaban.
Hermione paced back and forth in her dormitory, a nauseous feeling filling up in her gut.
Her knees became wobbly, forcing her to sit down on her bed.
Hermione thought back on her irrationality for not telling the Headmaster about Mclaggen. She thought she was strong enough to keep him away. She thought he would leave her alone after she threatened him. She thought many things that she wanted to work but in the end they never did.
Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her age, was ashamed.
She hid her face in her hands and let a few stray tears fall slide down her cheeks.
She was ashamed for what happened between her and Mclaggen. She was terrified that if she told someone, that they would not do anything, and Mclaggen would retaliate further. As irrational as it was, she did not want to attention and worry she would get from her friends.
What petrified her the most was that Draco Malfoy was the key to her peace.
For months she carried this weight upon her shoulders, fearing the shadows at night and the blind turns in the halls.
Never in a million years would she ever think Draco Malfoy would be the one to take all that fear away.
So a part of her felt she owed him, and that she should keep his secret. On the other hand, people's lives were in danger and she could not risk it.
She imagined the look on Draco's face when he discovered she went behind his back and told the Headmaster.
Why would she care if he was mad at her betrayal? Could you even call it a betrayal. It is not like they were friends or anything.
No, they were not friends, but something else entirely.
When she was around him she feels an energy, radiating between them. Something indescribable. A force of pull that she had never felt with anyone in her life.
Draco Malfoy was definitely not her friend.
But then what were they?
This question plagued Hermione's mind for weeks. She tried observing Draco during their nightly meetings but he never showed signs of something more.
He always remained cold, with a blank face, never revealing any emotion.
The only part of him that held the truth were his icy grey eyes.
His eyes betrayed everything he felt and looking into them always sent shivers down Hermione's spine.
Hermione laid on her bed and pulled out her blue sweater from her dresser.
She refused to wash it in fear that his scent would fade.
Although these thoughts scared her, she refused to acknowledge them as anything more than the need to feel comfort.
She was afraid to admit Draco Malfoy had filled the hole inside her heart, that before then, felt empty and cold.
Hermione held Draco's gift, wrapped in parchment with a little bow. She hid it in the inside of her robes so as to surprise him when the time came.
The day she found it in the window at Hogsmeade, she went back later and bought it. It was too perfect to pass by.
Tomorrow everyone would be going home for the holidays, so this would be the last time she would see him in a couple weeks.
As she neared the edge of the lake, she noticed he was not there yet. She was mildly surprised considering he had always been the one to show up first for the past couple weeks.
She sat in her spot and laid back looking up at the stars.
The sun had already set, and the moon had taken its place in the dark night sky.
A shooting star passed by and she closed her eyes and made a wish.
I wish Draco would get off his high horse and tell Dumbledore.
She laughed at herself. Since when has she been one to believe in shooting stars.
She heard the sound of footsteps behind her.
She sat up just as Draco was approaching. He was wearing his normal dark black robe, and under that, his dark suit. He wore black earmuffs over his ears and a green Slytherin scarf around his neck.
He sat next to her and greeted her, "Granger."
The energy around them crackled again as she greeted him back, "Malfoy."
They sat in silence for several minutes, the only noise was from the beating of their hearts and the whispering of the trees in the winter wind.
She glanced over at him, and was startled to find he was already looking at her with an indescribable expression in his eyes.
His eyes quickly averted and her cheeks became flushed. She finally spoke breaking the tense silence, "I got you something."
He rose an eyebrow in question, and looked back over at her. "You what?" Draco asked, a confused look upon his face.
"I got you a Christmas present." She began ruffling in her robes and took out the wrapped object.
Draco's eyes widened and he began, "No you shouldn't have-"
"It's Christmas. Now take it." She rolled her eyes at his absurdity and quickly shoved the present into his hands.
He looked down at the wrapped box with a fearful expression.
Hermione peered over at him curiously, about to explode of excitement. Impatiently she said, "Oh would you open it already. It won't bite."
He looked over at her and smirked, "How can I be too sure."
She slapped him and laughed, "Shut up and open it you git."
He intensely stared back at her, his voice lowered to a whisper, "I never got you anything."
She shook her head, "I don't want anything."
He began unwrapping the present and Hermione watched him, waiting for his reaction.
The wrapping was around a box so he proceeded to open it.
Inside was a small snow globe. It was a view of the Black Lake, frozen over at winter time, with the snowy mountains in the background and Hogwarts on the other side.
He shook it upside down and real life snow began to fall down onto the lake creating a thin layer. White birds flew all around, circling the lake, and singing a birdsong that was coming out of the globe.
Inside the globe the sun was setting and rising over and over, creating different reflections across the lake.
He looked up into Hermione's eyes and stuttered, "I don't know what to say."
Hermione shook her head and smiled. She said, "You don't have to say anything. It reminded me of you. And now when you look at it, it will remind you of me."
Draco frowned. "I wish I would have gotten you something."
"Really it's fine, I dont-"
Her voice trailed off, rendering her speechless as Draco took out his wand and conjured a small red rose in his hand. He cast an everlasting charm on it and reached towards her face.
Pushing her hair behind her ear, he tucked the red rose in her curly brown hair.
He looked into her shining eyes and whispered, "Like the story we translated. The Beauty and the Beast. It is something you can remember meby."
His gaze lingered to her lips and he slightly leaned in.
His hand rested on her cheek while his fingers played with her curls. She blushed at his close proximity and soft touch.
She became lightheaded and matched his movements by moving even closer, their lips barely centimeters apart.
Her mouth hung slightly open, in a shocked expression.
He leaned forward, their lips slightly brushing, sending a shock wave through her whole body. For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her but instead he abruptly stood up, pocketing the snow globe in his robes.
With his head cast down, avoiding her gaze, he rushed out, "Thanks for the gift Granger. Happy Christmas." He was gone before she could utter the sentiments back.
She touched her lips lightly with her fingertips and whispered into the empty, cold night, "Happy Christmas, Draco."
Draco's cheeks flushed as he rushed back to the Slytherin common room. He blamed the blushing on the cold night air, avoiding the possibility it could be from anything else.
His hands shook fiercely at his sides and his mind raced.
Did he almost just kiss her? He wanted to, and he was so close to doing it.
What was she doing to him, with her little gifts and intoxicating scent. He wished they had never gotten partnered on the Ancient Runes projects.
He would not have to be facing this torment he is now.
He was a Death Eater and he had a mission. Kill Albus Dumbledore.
That damn Gryffindor kept getting in his way, implanting guilt into his head.
How did she do it? Draco asked himself.
He never felt like this for anyone before.
Every time he looked into her sparkling brown eyes, he felt at home. A sense of peace would wash over him.
She is a mudblood, he reminded himself.
You are a death eater.
He concluded nothing would ever be able to happen between them.
Draco made his way to his dormitory and opened his door.
He was slightly surprised to see Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott on a bed, a tangle of limbs.
Draco stood in the doorway and cleared his throat.
Both Slytherins broke apart with shocked looks on their faces.
Blaise began, "Damn it Malfoy, I didn't know you were still here. Normally you leave early for the Holidays. Look-"
Malfoy shook his head and cocked an eyebrow, "It's about time mate. You think I have not noticed the two of you? I'm very perceptive." He made his way to his bed and fell down onto it.
Theo made to leave, casting a wary glance back at Draco before exiting the room.
Blaise watched Draco suspiciously as the blonde Slytherin shoved his head into a pillow and screamed unintelligible words.
Blaise laughed, "And you think I'm not perceptive, eh Malfoy. Who is this girl that's got you all worked up."
Draco shot up like a bullet and rushed out, "Girl! There is no girl damn you. It's nothing, and it has nothing to do with a girl, you here me. So don't go spreading rumors, Zabini."
Blaise raised his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just calling it as I see it, Draco."
Draco laid back down, exhausted from such an emotional turmoil.
Blaise began again, "Why aren't you gone yet. You always leave early."
Draco spoke lazily, his gaze upon the ceiling. "I'm not going home this Christmas."
Blaise looked at his friend with a worried expression, "Is you-know-who going to be ok with that?"
Draco sighed and turned his back on the other Slytherin. "I don't quite care."
Hermione sat in her family home living room. The fireplace was emitting a warm glow throughout the dark room and the lights from the Christmas tree brought joy to her heart. She had just arrived home, and her parents had gone to sleep already. Under the Christmas tree was a plethora of presents all wrapped in red and green. The house still faintly smelled of baked cookies, luring Hermione into a restful state.
She went upstairs to change for bed. As she laid in bed, she thought of her blonde Slytherin and the almost kiss. How did life get so complicated?
Christmas arrived, bringing joy and merriment in its wake. Hermione was especially happy on this day as she helped her mom make breakfast and cookies every Christmas morning.
Her extended family arrived, consisting of a day full of present exchanges, drunken Christmas caroling and noisy cousins.
Once her family had left, Hermione and her parents flooed to the Burrow to spend the rest of Christmas with her other extended family.
The evening was spent eating a multitude of treats and avoiding nasty pranks from the twins. Hermione laughed with her two best friends until she could not laugh anymore.
As she sat on the lumpy couch she observed her wizard family. Arthur Weasley was questioning her parents once again. Molly Weasley was chasing Fred and George for they may have just blown something up. Ginny and Harry were talking alone on a small couch, and Ron was playing a game of wizard chess with his brother, Charlie.
Hermione laid back onto the couch, and taking a sip of her warm butterbeer, fell into a blissful sleep with a smile on her face.
Draco Malfoy had gotten a particularly nasty howler from his mother. It went on to complain about his insensitivity for not coming home for the holidays. Draco could have cared less about the holidays, but he did feel a tad guilty for abandoning his mother.
He just did not want to be anywhere near the snake that had ruined his perfectly manicured life.
Draco sat at the Slytherin table during Christmas dinner. Everyone left at Hogwarts, including the teachers, were congregated at the Gryffindor table, all enjoying a Christmas meal.
Draco sat alone, watching the disgusting spectacle with hooded eyes.
He watched as a student he recognized as a Ravenclaw laughed at something a friend had just said.
Draco looked all around him and noticed his apparent solitude.
He began to gather himself and make an exit when a small first year, he did not know from what house, stopped in front of his path.
The little boy looked up at him with small brown eyes, too similar to Granger's, that Draco had to avert his gaze.
The boy spoke, "Hi! I saw you were sitting all alone over there." He pointed to where Draco had been previously sitting. He continued, "I told my friend we should invite you over, but she said you were evil. I said that can't be true because you looked so nice." The first year smiled up at him.
Draco snarled down at the little boy. "I am evil, so stay away from me." Draco made to leave but the boy stopped in his path again. Draco had to stop his immediate reflex to push the boy to the ground. He balled his fists.
The boy jutted out his chin, "My mum always told me that no one is evil or good. It is our actions that define us. So you don't have to be evil if you don't want to be."
Draco rolled his eyes and spoke back nastily, "Where is your mother. Why aren't you with her then."
The little boy merely stared back at Draco, "My mum and dad died during the raid in the muggle town near Hogsmeade on Halloween." He said in a quiet voice his brown eyes threatening to spill over with tears.
Draco's voice caught in his throat. "Oh."
The little boy took Draco's hand and guided him to the Gryffindor table. Draco was too weak to protest. His legs felt like they would collapse at any moment.
This is what he was fighting for. He was fighting on the side that took innocent lives, and took mums and dads from young children. He was evil.
He sat next to the little boy at the table.
The entire table hushed, giving Draco odd and suspicious looks. Most likely wondering what a Slytherin was doing with them.
The little boy handed him a plate and smiled up at him.
Draco tried to resist, but he could not help smiling back at him.
He piled his plate full with food and ate his delicious Christmas dinner.
By now everyone had returned to their conversations, and Draco found himself in one about Quidditch with a couple other students.
For a moment Draco could pretend he was something he was not.
He could forget that he was evil, and pretend to be good.
For it was Christmas after all.