The first academic semester was a long one for Draco. His mind wandered at times as he thought about Hermione and Drew. He welcomed the night when he was able to hear her voice during their usual late-night cellular conversations.

Draco couldn't wait for the Christmas holidays to arrive. He was set to leave Hogwarts early Christmas Eve morning.

On the winter visit to Hogsmeade, he had bought two bags full of toys and stuffed animals that he shrunk for transport. He pictured the look on both Hermione's and Drew's faces. He could already picture Hermione shaking her head and smiling at him, showing mock disapproval. No, Drew was not going to be spoiled rotten as he was.

o-o-o

23 December, Friday, 2215 GMT

The older refined wizard walked with purpose through the lower part of the castle. He brushed a wayward strand of his platinum blonde hair out of his eyes. He turned into the foyer at the entrance of Slytherin House just as the black haired professor exited.

"Lucius," the head of Slytherin House nodded at his old friend.

"Severus," Lucius Malfoy nodded at the other wizard. "Have you seen my son?"

"Uh, yes, he's packing, I think," Professor Snape nodded towards the entrance of the dungeons for the former Slytherin to follow him.

Professor Snape led him to the professors' quarters. He knocked on Draco's opened door. "Knock, knock," the black clad professor said. "Look who was in the neighborhood."

Professor Snape nodded at the two of them before he left. Lucius Malfoy looked around the simple bedroom; not the extravagantly decorated room he had expected. Draco had changed over the past year.

"Father," Draco nodded at the older wizard as he folded the last t-shirt and placed it into his bag. He patted the shrunken bag of gifts before shutting the suitcase. He placed the luggage onto the floor next to his four-post bed. He took in a breath, knowing he would probably be in for a long lecture.

"So what brings you by this late at night, Sir?" Draco asked nonchalantly.

Lucius gave him a signature smirk. Draco canted his head. 'Wow, so this is what Hermione saw all those years. Mental note, try never to smirk at Hermione ever again,' he thought. He looked at his father intently.

"Let's cut to the chase, shall we," the older wizard said, a little sharply. He leaned against the young man's desk. Draco tried hard to keep his facial expression even keeled.

"What did you want to discuss, Father?" the younger man asked.

"Your involvement with the Granger witch," he answered icily.

"Yes, my wife," Draco said calmly.

Mr. Malfoy narrowed his eyes at his son. He intertwined his fingers as he took in a breath. "Why are you really with her, Draco? You two couldn't stand each other during your days at Hogwarts!"

Draco took in a breath. He smiled to himself. "People grow up, Father."

"A Mudblood, Draco," his father said as he slammed his fist onto the desktop.

Draco clenched and unclenched his fists. He had to count to ten in his head and take a deep breath before he did something he would regret.

"People talk, Draco. They talk about the witch's bastard child. Did you marry her because you felt pity on her?"

Draco clenched his jaw for a moment. He returned his father's smirk. "I married Hermione because I'm in love with her."

"Bullshit!" his father said, narrowing his eyes at him. "She's lording something over you; I sense it."

"She is my wife, Father," Draco said, taking in a breath, "The woman with whom I am going to share the rest of my life."

"You will have this marriage annulled," Lucius said as he took a step toward his son.

"What kills you most, Father? The fact that I married a Muggle-born or that you had no say in it?"

"I will have the Ministry discredit this marriage," he said grabbing the younger wizard's arm.

Draco clenched his jaw for a moment. He wrenched his arm out of his father's grasp. "It wasn't a Wizarding ceremony," Draco smirked at his father.

The older wizard narrowed his eyes at him. "I will disown you before you throw the Malfoy fortunes to that trash."

"You son of a . . ." Draco started to walk out of his room. He breathed in, turning back to the older wizard. "You do what you have to do, Father."

"Don't walk away from me," Mr. Malfoy took a step forward.

Draco narrowed his eyes at him. "I need to go make my rounds for bed check. Good evening, Father," Draco said crisply. He exited his room and headed out of the dungeons, leaving his father looking dumbfounded. Draco needed to clear his head.

Mr. Malfoy's usual pale skin turned crimson. He was enraged. 'How dare his son defy him like that!' he thought to himself.

He stalked out of the dungeons himself, heading to the foyer just outside of the Great Hall. He needed to apparate away to clear his head. The fresh air would do him some good.

He canted his head as he drew his wand in the foyer. He knew where he could definitely clear the air. He set sights on the quiet Muggle neighborhood.

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