Chapter 15

"Hermione?"

"Hermione!"

"Granger!"

Draco shouted as he pounded on the bedroom and ran a hand through his dishevelled blonde hair, messing is bedhead even further. He stood back as he heard a grunt from behind the closed door, and the door opened to reveal a half-asleep Hermione, wearing a long white shirt that ended just below her knees.

"What?" she whined as she pulled down her shirt and tugged on her hair to tame it. "Happy birthday," he whispered. He looked away and handed her a green box. "What? I didn't catch that," Hermione said, turning her head to catch his gaze. "I said, happy birthday," he said a little louder, holding up the box. "H-how did you know?" she asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She stepped back and walked back to the bed, patting a spot next to her as she sat back down. "Weaslette told me, so I brought a gift for you," he said and sat down beside her. He put the box on her lap and looked up at her expectantly.

Hermione smiled slightly as she opened the box, her lips parted slightly, and her brown eyes glowing with curiosity. Her brows furrowed when she opened the gift to reveal a remote. "What the- what is this?" she asked, and Draco could clearly see she was growing annoyed. He flashed her his signature Malfoy smirk as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the living room. He pointed to a big box in the middle of the room, the same shade of green as the smaller one.

"Okay, what are you trying to do? Is that rigged? Will I get hexed or jinxed if I open that?" Hermione asked him anxiously, not believing for a second that Draco Malfoy would be willing to get a gift that huge for her. "You still think I would do that? I'm just trying to make a gesture, not trying to jinx you. Go on, open it," Draco chuckled, nudging her towards the box. She waved her wand and muttered a spell and the box opened to reveal a T.V.

"A television? Draco Malfoy bought a television? I'm dreaming, aren't I?" Hermione mocked and turned around to see him blushing and scratching his neck. "How do you even know what a television is?" she asked as she levitated it onto an empty table. "I don't know what it is! Potter told me yo would like it, but I have no idea why muggles pay so much for a big, black box!" he exclaimed, coming closer to the box and tapping a finger against it. "You talked to Harry about my present? Yeah right. Who are you, and what did you do with that annoying prick who calls himself Draco Malfoy?" Hermione teased him, as she muttered a bunch of spells to turn on the television. "Yes, I talked to Saint Potter, but only because I didn't know what else to get you! I have never bought clothes for girls, and I'm definitely not going to start now. You probably have enough books to fill a library, so there goes that option, and I'm pretty sure you would not have liked it if I brought you jewellery, would you?" he rambled in reply as he sat down and stared at the blank screen.

"Right, now, you don't know what exactly is a television, do you?" Hermione asked him as she stepped back to admire her work. "No, it's just a box, what can it do?" Draco muttered and began picking at a loose thread on his blanket. "It's not just a box, Draco. I'm going to show you what the 'box' does now, okay?" she asked as she grabbed the remote and sat down beside him. "Don't scream," she whispered as she pressed a button and the screen lit up. "W-what in Merlin's name is that?" the boy yelled and jumped to his feet, his eyes wide and glowing with interest and just a little bit of fear. Hermione clutched her sides and bent over, not able to contain her laughter, and her body shook as she gasped to try and control herself. "Don't scream, you'll wake up the whole castle," she said as she caught her breath.

"Well, then tell me what this is! How is this happening?" he said, pointing to the television and then stepping back from it, as is it will hurt him. "This, Draco, is a television, or a T.V. It's a machine on which you can watch shows and movies," she explained with an amused grin as she saw Draco take a step closer to examine the 'box'. "What's a 'moo-vie'"? he asked, looking back at her, his eyes wide as saucers. Hermione bit the insides of her cheek and let out a little giggle as she pressed another button to put on a movie. The screen flickered and changed to a movie about a large and beautiful ship that hits an iceberg and results in a young girl's love interest dying. Draco looked at the screen for a moment and jumped back, his face is contorted in fear.

"Are those people inside the box?" he screamed in horror. "What? No! Of course not. Muggles aren't cruel and they couldn't possibly fit someone inside a television, Draco. Movies are like moving pictures, but they are longer, and they tell a story," she explained while sniggering. "So, all of this is actually happening? Those people are drowning and dying and we're just sitting here and watching? That's sick, you know," Draco said in disgust as he calmed down a bit. "This is not actually happening! These people are actors and this is all recorded, like how you take a picture, only this is is longer, and the people in it cannot move of their own accord. Did you understand?" she clarified as she smiled at his stupidity. "You know, this is more of a gift for you than for me. Harry knows what he was talking about after all," she said and shook her head when she saw that his eyes were stuck to the bright screen in front o him and that he wasn't actually paying attention to her.

Hermione's eyes trailed over his face, and she gazed his bright grey eyes shining with amusement and sheer excitement. His pale skin was glowing under the glare of the T.V.'s screen and his rosy lips were slightly apart as he focused on the 'moo-vie'. Hermione blushed crimson as she realized she was staring, but she was quickly put out of her embarrassment when she heard the loud knocking on their dorm door. She quickly got up and opened the door and was engulfed in a flurry of bright red hair. Smiling brightly, she wrapped her arms around Ginny and looked at Harry grinning widely at her.

"Like the present?" he asked as he smirked and leaned against the door-frame. "Of course, I did! Though I still can't believe you and Draco had a conversation long enough for you to suggest a gift for me without killing each other," she teased and hugged him too. "Malfoy actually bought a T.V. for you?" Ginny asked the brunette as she walked in and saw him watching the movie. "Oh, and he seems to enjoy it too," she said and turned around to face Hermione. "Here, it's from both of us and the second one is from mum," she beamed, handing her two packages. Smiling, Hermione dragged them towards the couch and sat down beside Draco, shoving him gently toward the edge to make room for her friends. She ripped open the lumpier package and grinned when she saw Molly's famous mince pies and a bright blue knitted scarf. "Oh, how I missed these," she muttered and moaned as she smelled the mesmerizing smell.

Hermione put the scarf and pies aside and opened Harry and Ginny's package and squealed in delight. It was a beautifully framed picture from the day of the Battle of Hogwarts, which Colin's younger brother, Dennis, had clicked in memory of his brother and in celebration of the day. Hermione was standing to one side of Harry, whose arms were wrapped around Ginny, and to his other side was Ron. They were surrounded by the rest of their friends, Neville, Luna, Dean, and Seamus, and after a long time, they had genuinely looked happy; despite losing special people in their lives. A single crystalline tear ran down her cheek as she remembered the happiness and sense of safety she had felt that day. "This is beautiful. Thank you so much," she said and smiled so wide that her cheeks hurt.

"We're glad you like it, 'Mione," Ginny said and stood up. "Now go get ready, we're going out," Harry announced as he followed his girlfriend. "Out? We can't go out today, it's not a Hogsmeade weekend Harry," Hermione corrected him and looked at Ginny for support. "Actually, we can. We talked to McGonagall and she said Eighth Years can go out on weekends because we're all of age as long as we get back before curfew," Ginny said and pulled Hermione up. "Now go change," she said and ushered her into the bedroom.

Harry turned around and saw the blonde boy still watching the movie intently. He plopped down beside him and waved his hand in front of his eyes. "Malfoy? Earth to Malfoy!" he said and nudged him on his shoulder. "What?" Draco snapped at him, irritated for he had been engrossed in the movie. "I distinctly remember suggesting you buy a television for Mione, not for yourself," the raven-haired boy sniggered. "Oh, shove off Potter! This is intriguing," Draco said and returned to stare at the screen with wide, curious eyes. Harry scoffed incredulously at Draco before turning to Ginny who was sporting the same bewildered expression he was wearing. Ginny silently giggled as Harry made eye-contact with her with an expression that said 'is he for real?' and joined the pair on the couch to wait for Hermione.

WE CROSSED 8K!

scrappy8: Here it is...

Cooperjellybn: I was never gonna stop! What brought that on? I'm glad you like the plot and trust me, I won't die on you!

Guest: Thank you so much! I'm not gonna stop, I promise

rooske01: I totally agree! He is so much more than what people think of him. AND YAY, THEY HUGGED! I tried to think as if I was n his shoes, and honestly speaking, I would totally hate myself after the War. I struggle with self-harm and mental health issues, and I know how he must've felt if this actually would've happened; hence the depth. And I feel like Hermione is a part of me, I'm really similar to her, other than the fact that I'm nowhere as fierce as her. I hope you like how the story is going! Love you!

YourFan: I was waiting for your review, and was honestly looking forward to it. I'm glad you like how the story is going. I just find it bizarre when Draco and Hermione fall for each other in a matter of weeks, so I'm taking it slow. Lots of Love xx

MsAwesome2u: I know it might be messed up, but I'm really struggling with my mental health right now, and on top of that I have school too. I had a panic attack just after writing the chapter, so I was too stressed to proofread it. I'll make sure to do it this week because we have a break from school. And that 'inwardly chuckled' was supposed to convey that deep-down, she's just a teeny bit confused as to how she managed to end up like this but is still seeing no problem in comforting her ex-arch-nemesis in a moment of vulnerability. If you still feel it's not up to par, drop a review and I'll re-write it. xx

Hope you like the chapter ;)

Lots of love and warm, cosy hugs (cuz everyone needs a hug now and then. I know I wouldn't mind one rn)

Until Next Time,

Cheerio

XOXO