Thank you to everyone who reviews, follows, and favorites! Honestly, I had kinda given up on this fanfic since I've been coming up with different ideas that don't really fit in with this story so I was like oh fudge it! But then I realized that there are readers who like this and for that I decided to continue and wrap it up so they get a happy ending. No worries, this chapter is not the end. There's maybe a few more chapters before it really does end. After all, Hermione and Draco aren't really recognizing their feelings.
Chapter Twenty-nine: Skating on Thin Ice
Hermione was sitting in her living room, making a list of Christmas gifts when a thought struck her. She glanced up from her list to see that Draco was eating her mother's apple pie at the dining table. He was unusually enamored of her mother's cooking, she'd noticed.
"I almost forgot to ask you this. What would you like as a Christmas gift? I still have to order Ron's and Harry's gifts."
Draco looked up in surprise. "You would get me a gift?"
"I don't see why not. We're friends, aren't we?"
A strange look passed over Draco's face. Hermione wasn't sure but she thought it was a smile. She could count on one hand the amount of times Draco had given her a genuine smile. It was nice-a change from his smirks and scowls, that was for sure.
"I suppose that means I would have to give you a gift as well."
And just like that the moment was ruined.
"You know, I like you better with your mouth shut," Hermione said.
"That's not the only way you like me with my mouth now is it Granger-er, Malfoy? My, that does sound strange. I'll just keep to calling you Granger since this is only temporary anyways."
Hermione was silent as she let his words sink in. She thought things would have changed since they were married but, weirdly, things had remained the same, except for the fact that she and Malfoy shared a tenuous friendship and now they were spending the holidays together.
"What are you going to do after this is all over?" asked Draco suddenly.
"Well, I planned on continuing my work with S.P.E.W. and joining the Ministry of Magic to prevent poor treatment of magical creatures, like house-elves-"
"What's SPEW?"
"It's not called SPEW! It's the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. I started it during our fourth year-"
"Oh, that whole nonsense with the house-elves, wasn't it?" Draco nodded knowingly. "Caused uproar at Hogwarts, I remember."
"It's not nonsense! House-elves are little more than slaves manipulated and coerced into thinking that their situation is completely normal and even enjoyable! It's utterly despicable! And we, as fellow witches and wizards who have used house-elf service at one point, must do something about it."
Draco smirked in amusement, having never seen Hermione this fired up since third-year when she'd attacked him. He was careful to phrase his next words carefully.
"That's quite a fiery speech but how successful do you think this campaign of yours will be?"
"Very," huffed Hermione.
"Oh really? How many members do you have?"
"Well . . . five. But we're in the process of adding new members," she stated. A thoughtful expression crossed her features. "What do you think about joining? The fee is only two sickles."
Draco stared at her, wondering if Hermione had lost her marbles. "You're not serious."
Hermione frowned. "Of course I am."
"I'll have to think about it." They both knew what that meant.
Still, Hermione gave him a bright smile. "Alright."
Draco wondered why he felt so bad all of a sudden.
Draco was lounged on Hermione's bed, staring up at the ceiling with his hands behind his head. The room was smaller than Draco was used to but he knew better than to criticize anything of Hermione's. He didn't want to upset her and that revelation upset him. It was strange how close they'd gotten during the past few days at Hermione's house. Hermione had taught him all sorts of Muggle things; it was mindboggling the kind of things the Muggles had come up with in the absence of magic. He'd finally gotten the hang of the telephone; it had been mortifying when Hermione had commented that he was worse than the Weasel at wielding it. The comment had only fired up Draco and he was determined to figure out how the blasted thing worked.
"You're awfully quiet," Hermione stated. She was on the air mattress next to next to the bed.
"I was just thinking how strange it is to be living here. It's vastly different than what I'm used to."
"Oh."
Draco winced at the word. When Hermione replied with a single syllable it meant that he'd said something wrong.
"It's not that it wasn't fun," Draco hastened to assure. "It's just different."
"Really?" Hermione smiled. She would have never thought Draco Malfoy would call living with Muggles "fun". "Well tomorrow the fun ends. We're supposed to be at the Manor before dinner."
"Thank you." Draco's face warmed up as he mumbled the words into the pillow.
There was a brief silence as Hermione wondered if she'd heard correctly. Why would Draco thank her?
"Don't make me repeat myself," Draco stated with a frown, knowing Hermione couldn't see his face.
"Oh . . . well I wasn't sure if I heard you right. But why are you thanking me?"
"For agreeing to spend the holidays with me."
"You don't have to thank me. We're friends after all," admitted Hermione.
Again, they lapsed into silence. Draco noticed that these silences were becoming more and more frequent. He wondered why they couldn't find anything to say to each other. Had it always been this awkward?
"Make sure you wake up early tomorrow. I have a surprise for you," said Hermione.
Draco's curiosity was piqued. What surprise could Hermione have for him? "What is it?"
"You'll find out tomorrow. Good night, Draco."
"Good night." He smiled.
"So where are we going?" Draco asked as he followed Hermione up a small hill.
"You'll see. It's just a little bit farther," Hermione shouted over her shoulder.
It was cold out and Draco shivered in his oversized coat. Thankfully, it had stopped snowing but there was a foot of snow covering everything. Still, it was a nice day out. The sun shone brightly through the canopy of the trees overhead and it was peaceful out here. They'd walked a couple blocks from the Granger's house, in the direction of the church, when Hermione made a turn into the trees beckoning Draco to follow. Draco had to admit he was extremely curious about what Hermione wanted to show him. Finally, they entered a clearing with a large frozen pond.
"We are going ice skating," Hermione announced with a beaming smile.
"This was your surprise? I have to admit I suspected something a bit sinister, what with you leading me into the forest with nary a person in sight. But this seems fairly harmless."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I know you've been a bit bored holed up in the house so I thought to treat you on this venture."
"Well I must admit that I am pleasantly surprised. I haven't skated in a while."
Hermione transfigured their shoes so that there were blades attached to the bottom. She glanced at Draco. "Ready?"
"Let's go." He grabbed her hand and they slowly made their way onto the ice.
"You're pretty good," remarked Hermione as she studied Draco move. He had a sort of flawless grace as he skated beside her. She wondered how she must look next to him. Hermione was never a good skater but she enjoyed ice skating nonetheless. She'd accepted that she would never have that ease that so many others enjoyed on the ice.
"Here, let me help you," Draco offered. He held out both his hands to her.
Hesitantly, Hermione clasped his hands and together they formed a circle, drifting across on the ice.
"Don't try to over think it. Just let your legs coast," advised Draco.
"Alright but-whoa!"
Before Hermione could topple over, Draco pulled her close.
"It's okay. I've got you."
Their faces were so close. Hermione was sure that she was red with embarrassment and there was a nervous fluttering in her stomach. It was unnerving how much Draco's nearness affected her. For a second, Hermione thought time stood perfectly still as they gazed at each other in startled confusion. What the heck was going on?
"I think we should go back now," Hermione said, pulling away.
"No, wait-"
But it was too late; Hermione slipped and fell hard on her back. "Oof!"
Draco smiled wryly. "I was going to warn you not to move too abruptly."
Hermione glared at him and he chuckled. "Oh shut up and help me get back on my feet."
When Hermione dusted the ice off herself, she transfigured her skates back into shoes.
"Well, I must say that was fun," Draco smiled. "We should do it again."
Hermione was sure that she wasn't going to be skating for a long time.
The end of another chapter signals the beginning of another. I've actually got an idea for the next chapter. Nice things happen in that one. Very nice things. Draco and Hermione finally arrive at the Manor to spend the rest of Christmas!
