I hope everyone had a lovely holiday with their family and/ or friends.

LPOV

The Manor had always been quiet, though now it was exceptionally so.

After spending a few days being questioned by the Wizengamot about my involvement with Narcissa's plan - and having been found free of guilt - I was back at the Manor in time to spend Christmas alone.

It wasn't something I'd ever really considered - let alone something that I thought would bother me - but here I was, and it did bother me.

It's not as though holidays were a very celebrated time, but Narcissa and Draco had always been here.

I took another sip of the fire whiskey I'd been nursing for the better part of the hour and closed my eyes as I relaxed back into my chair. It wouldn't be so bad, really. It was just another day after all.

I wasn't sure how long I'd been sitting there before the floo roared to life, but it certainly wasn't long enough for me to understand why Miss Granger was now standing in the sitting room.

Sitting up straight I arched an eyebrow at her and asked, "Miss Granger, to what do I owe this visit?"

To give her credit, she didn't look that uncomfortable - which made one of us. I owed this small woman a lot more than a simple apology, and even that I couldn't force past my lips.

She cleared her throat and walked closer, holding out a basket filled with what looked like rather expensive - for her - whiskey, a small wrapped present, and some kind of baked something on a plate.

I stood as well, decades of engrained etiquette not allowing me to remain seated.

"I brought you a small Christmas basket, and I wanted to ask you if you'd like to join Draco and I for Christmas."

"Pardon?"

I couldn't have heard her correctly. There was no way that this young woman - who had been tortured in my home twice - was asking me to join her for Christmas dinner - let alone bringing me a gift basket.

"I figured that you'd be spending it alone since Draco will be at mine and Narcissa...well," she cleared her throat and continued, "I just thought you might like to be around people."

I had no idea what to say. Never in a million years would I have expected for Miss Granger to take it upon herself to invite me for anything, let alone for Christmas at her home. It seemed ridiculous for me to accept, but I found myself wanting to.

What right did I have to deny this obvious olive branch she was offering me? After everything?

"Don't feel obligated." she said, pulling a scrap of parchment from her pocket and handing it to me. It had her address on it - Grimmauld Place. "Malfoy doesn't know I'm asking you, but I know he'd like for you to be there." After a short pause she met my gaze and said, "We both would."

Without waiting for my answer she walked back over to the fireplace, grabbing a handful of floo powder before saying, "Dinner's at three."

And then she was gone.

HPOV

"Are these honestly the only wine glasses you lot own?"

I turned from where I was setting the table for three to look at Malfoy. He was in the kitchen holding up a well-worn set of wineglasses that obviously didn't suit the Malfoy standard.

I snorted and said, "If it bothers you so much, transfigure them. They were Molly's for the longest before she gave them to Ginny."

He rolled his eyes but didn't transfigure them, setting three of them on the table before pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Do you think he'll come?" I asked, straightening out one of the placemats.

He shrugged, attempting to look unconcerned even though I knew he wasn't, "I guess we'll see."

When I'd first told him that I'd gone to the Manor to invite Lucius he was less than pleased - not with the invitation but that I'd gone to the Manor alone. Even with his mother locked up - for now - he didn't like the idea of me there alone.

And honestly, I hadn't felt particularly comfortable, but for some reason I trusted Lucius.

In the end he'd admitted that it'd be nice if his father came. Going from having every Christmas spent with his parents to having neither of them were something I could relate to - and if I could do anything about it, I was going to.

A light beeping from the kitchen signaled that the turkey was ready, and Malfoy went to grab it. I followed him, taking the sides and setting them on the table too - mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, baked macaroni, and stuffing.

Malfoy placed the turkey in the center of the table while I grabbed the bottle of wine he'd brought over and set it on the table as well.

"Okay, I think that's everything." I said, looking over the assortment of food one more time. "I'll grab the dessert later."

Malfoy nodded, pulling out my chair for me with a small smile as he said, "After you."

I smiled back, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips just as the floo roared to life.

"I apologize for my late arrival."

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head at the sight of Lucius Malfoy - finest robes perfectly tailored - as he stood in the living room of Grimmauld Place. He was holding a small bouquet of purple hyacinths and daffodils in one hand and an envelope in the other.

"That's alright." I said quickly, moving to take his robes, but Malfoy seemed to snap out of it and moved to take them instead.

"We just got everything set up anyway." I continued, taking the proffered flowers, "Thank you. They're beautiful."

Lucius snorted lightly, sharing a look with Malfoy before he cleared his throat and said, "I assume you are unfamiliar with the language of flowers, Miss Granger."

The way he said it certainly wasn't a question, but I nodded regardless, looking between both men.

Even Malfoy wore a small smile.

"Hyacinths are used to ask forgiveness." said Lucius, uncomfortably clearing his throat, "And daffodils are used to signify new beginnings."

I knew my eyes were wide with shock because I honestly never would've expected an apology - let alone in the form of flowers - from Lucius Malfoy.

Though I suppose I never would've expected to be spending Christmas with him either.

"I...thank you." I said softly, "That's very kind of you."

Lucius waved his hand in the air, brushing it off as he turned to his son and handed him the envelope. "This is for you, though I'd rather you opened it after I left."

Malfoy simply nodded, placing the envelope under the Christmas tree.

I quickly moved to put the flowers in a vase, reappearing in the dining room to Malfoy and Lucius awkwardly standing where I'd left them in the living room.

"Well let's eat." I said, hoping to break the tension, "These warming charms won't last forever."

Malfoy seemed to snap out of it, pulling my chair out for me again so that I could sit before he and Lucius did the same.

"Hopefully everything's good." I murmured, looking at the wide array of food crowding the table.

Malfoy snorted, rolling his eyes as he said, "I made most of it, Granger. Of course it'll be good."

Lucius looked surprised, but didn't comment, choosing instead to dig in - so Malfoy and I did the same.

It certainly wasn't the most comfortable Christmas I'd ever had, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought.

Besides, Malfoy was getting to spend the holiday with at least one of his parents, and that alone was enough to bring a smile to my face.

DPOV

By the time my father left it was well past seven - and honestly it'd been nice. He'd actually apologized to Granger, made good conversation, and even debated with her.

We'd moved into the living room with the bottle of wine I'd brought from mine, discussing everything from the case Granger and I were working on to the future of Malfoy Industries.

"Thank you." I murmured, tugging Granger tighter against my side as we sat on the couch.

"For what?" she asked, her toffee-colored eyes open and curious, "I had a good time."

"No one else would've done this, Granger." I said honestly, "You're amazing."

She blushed at my words, pressing a soft kiss to the underside of my jaw before murmuring, "You haven't opened your Christmas present yet."

I smirked, eyeing her with darkened eyes, but she swatted my shoulder, "Your actual present, Malfoy."

I rolled my eyes but stood, grabbing mine and her presents from beneath the tree before returning to the couch.

"Why do I have two presents?" she groaned, attempting to whack me with a throw pillow that I narrowly avoided.

"Well, I'm hoping I have two presents as well." I said with a smirk, enjoying the blush that spread down her neck.

"Maybe you do." she simply said, turning her attention to the smaller of the two presents and opening it.

She arched an eyebrow at me as she glanced at the jewelry box she'd unwrapped, "Malfoy..."

"Just open it." I interrupted.

She sighed but did as I asked, flipping open the lid, and her eyes immediately widened.

"Oh my..."

I'd gotten her a silver charm bracelet, a picture of her mother and father the most prominent pieces, along with a small ruby, a small emerald, and a tooth - since I knew that her parents were muggle tooth doctors - whatever they were called.

"Draco, this is..." she shook her head, voice catching in her throat, "Thank you."

She threw her arms around my shoulders, nearly knocking us both off the couch in the process, "Thank you so much."

I pressed a kiss to the top of her head before motioning for her wrist, "Let me put it on for you."

She nodded, wiping a few stray tears from her cheeks with her free hand as I secured the bracelet on her opposite wrist.

"It's beautiful. I can't even imagine how much you pa -"

"Don't even start that with me, Granger." I chuckled, pressing a kiss to her lips, "You still have one more to open."

She eyed the second gift suspiciously, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"It isn't going to explode, love."

She looked as though she wanted to disagree, but didn't, instead opening it, a smile immediately stretching across her face.

"Hogwarts: A History," she laughed, "How'd you know this was my favorite book?" she mused, eyes flitting across the cover before -

"Oh my gods, Draco!" she gasped, jumping up from the couch, "This is not a first edition. There's no bloody way this is a first edition."

I smirked, "It is."

"You've completely gone barmy!" she shouted, launching herself into my arms again and knocking me back into the couch.

I had no idea if she was excited or trying to murder me.

"Are you upset?"

"Of course I'm upset!" she said, sitting up so that she was sat on my lap, her legs either side of my hips, "But I also love it, like you knew I would."

I couldn't help the smug smirk that crossed my face as I said, "I did, but I also thought there'd be at least a minor stinging hex involved."

She laughed, shaking her head before pressing a lingering kiss to my lips, "No, your gifts were way too sweet for me to hex you."

I slid my hands up her thighs, lightly squeezing her hips before pulling her into another kiss.

She indulged me for a moment, but too soon for my liking pulled back, "You still have to open your present."

I suppressed my groan - because the only thing I wanted to do was bury my cock in her warm cunt - and grabbed the present from the coffee table, while keeping her firmly in my lap.

She laughed but didn't protest, simply scooting back a bit so that I could open the gift between us.

I made quick work of the wrapping to reveal a moving picture of Granger.

A moving picture of Granger slipping out of her clothes.

It took m a second to realize that she was mouthing something and -

"I love you." she said softly, her words matching the movement of picture-her's lips perfectly.

My eyes immediately snapped up to meet hers, shock probably written clear as day across my face as I stuttered out, "You love me?"

Her cheeks were a furious red, her lip caught between her teeth as she nodded, "I do."

She loved me.

Hermione Granger loved me.

I slipped my fingers into her hair, tugging her into a fierce kiss before murmuring against her lips, "I love you too. So fucking much."

I heard her breath hitch, but I didn't give her time to say anything, kissing her again, and she moaned, her fingers digging into my shoulders as she slid her tongue along mine.

The kiss was demanding. Heated. Fucking needy.

And Salazar did I need her.

I slid my hands to her delectable arse, kneading the plump flesh and causing her to arch into me, rubbing against my straining cock in a way that made me want to fuck her right bloody now.

I readjusted my grip on her, standing with the intent to go to her bedroom, but she pulled back, panting against my lips, "Wait, wait."

"Wait for -"

"You specifically said you wanted me in nothing but a bow under the Christmas tree, Draco Malfoy, and you're not about to ruin my second present for you." she said, wriggling out of my grasp and putting the coffee table between us.

"Go into the other room. I'll call you when I'm ready." she said with a saucy wink, ushering me from the living room.

I begrudgingly left, but not before telling her she wasn't getting more than five minutes.

Though I had to admit, the idea of her under the tree...fuck, I wanted her.

Not even three minutes later she was calling my name, and I nearly darted back into the living room.

"Fuck," I hissed, freezing in the doorway as I took her in.

She was standing on a plush white rug, directly next to the tree, in nothing but a silver and gold ribbon. Her hair was loose around her face, falling in wild curls over her shoulders and down her back and fuck everything I wanted her badly.

"Merry Christmas, Draco." she said softly, the light blush staining her cheeks letting me know that she was slightly self conscious though gods knew she had no reason to be.

I closed the distance between us, trailing my fingertips over her cheek as I murmured, "You look stunning."

She flushed further, her bottom lip trapped between her teeth again.

"Do I get to unwrap my present now?" I asked, tugging on her chin to free her lip.

"I might hex you if you don't." she said with a small smile, and it was all I needed.

I slid my hands to the first tie at her breasts, tugging the ribbon so that it slid from her body and pooled on the ground at her feet, the only thing between me and her fully exposed body was the small ribbon tied at her hips.

Instead of focusing on that, though, I cupped her full breasts, capturing her moans with a kiss before moving to lick and nip at first one, then the other rosy nipple.

Her hands slid from my hair, moving instead to unbutton my shirt and push it from my shoulders. Her deft fingers also made quick work of my trousers, pushing them down so that I only stood in a pair of silk boxers.

"Malfoy, please." she whispered, fingers ghosting over my boxer-clad cock before sliding beneath the waistband to stroke me.

I groaned, bucking into her touch before pulling the two ties at her hips, finally exposing her glorious body to my gaze - to my hands.

I kissed my way down her stomach until I was on my knees in front of her, lightly nipping at her thighs as I caught her heated gaze.

"You have no idea all the things I want to do to you, Granger." I murmured, sliding my tongue along her cunt, the action causing her to spread her legs, one of her hands tangling into my hair.

"Like what?" she asked breathily.

"Like fucking you with my tongue...my fingers. Like watching you writhe in pleasure while I make you come over and over and over again."

I slipped her left leg over my shoulder, lightly teasing her clit with my tongue for a moment before continuing.

"Like stretching your tight little cunt with my cock - Salazar, your cunt is perfect." I groaned, burying my face in her dripping pussy in earnest.

She gasped, her hand in my hair tightening as she moaned, "Oh my gods, Malfoy. That feels so good."

Her words simply spurred me on, and I easily slid two fingers into her already spasming pussy. I curved my fingers, repeatedly hitting that perfect spot while I sucked her clit into my mouth.

"Oh gods," she squealed, her legs beginning to shake, "You're going to make me come."

I wanted to tell her that was precisely the point, but that would've meant removing my mouth from her gorgeous cunt, and that just wasn't an option - not that it took long after her words for her to tumble over the edge.

Her legs gave out, though I had just enough time to catch her fall so that she landed in my lap, her body still lightly shaking as she yanked me into a fierce kiss, sliding her tongue into my mouth.

I groaned against her lips, grabbing her hips and moving her back and forth against my aching cock - when had she vanished my boxers?

She didn't give me much time to think about it, because a moment later she shifted and I was sliding into her tight, wet heat.

"Fuck," I groaned against her neck, biting her shoulder as my fingers dug into her arse, "You feel so fucking good."

I emphasized the last few words with sharp thrusts up, pulling lovely moans from her pouty lips as she continued rocking above me.

She slid her hands from my shoulders to my hair, tugging lightly to press another kiss to my lips before murmuring, "I love you, oh gods, I love you."

Something about the breathy way she said it snapped something in me, and I immediately flipped our positions, pressing her into the plush white rug. I moved her legs over my shoulders and leaned forward so that I could slide my hands into her hair and fuck her in earnest.

"Oh fuck," she gasped, "Right there!"

I could feel her starting to flutter around my cock, and I knew that there was no way I was going to last.

"Come for me." I groaned, pressing sloppy kisses to her neck, "Come all over my cock, love."

And then she was, and the only thing I could think to say as I came inside her perfect cunt were three simple words.

"I love you."