A/N

I hope you guys like this chapter. *hides in a corner*

December 2001

Hermione couldn't believe how different this year was compared to the past eight years of her life. In less than a year, she managed to step into not one but two luxurious, pureblood houses without anyone side-eyeing her for not being one of them. Still, though, as she stepped out of the fireplace into the Greengrass residence she felt off.

The Greengrass residence had decorations in every corner, wherever you turned — which makes anyone feel the celebration despite being away from the ballroom. . Green Christmas decorations littered the walls, and sparkling champagne glasses were floating near the entrances for anyone to take. She could see from where she was standing a very large Christmas tree set-up in the middle of the ballroom with sparkling silver balls surrounding it. It was exactly what Hermione envisioned walking into this kind of house. It didn't feel like her house during Christmas, wherein the only way you can tell it's Christmas was at the front of the house and inside the living room where most of the decorations were centered. Here, Hermione thought, the whole house was designed to show off — to show the guests how capable the family was and that made Hermione excluded. Anywhere she turned, she saw faces she never thought she'd meet or faces she never even recognized. This wasn't her crowd and she felt scared. She shrunk back, one foot already placed behind the other planning to flee. Just then, Draco looked back at her.

"You alright?" he asked, sliding a comforting arm around her waist.

"I just feel out of place, is all," Hermione admitted. "You're not the only one. Remember, no one knows who I am," Draco said, assuring her.

"But you've been to these kinds of events before, you know what to do," Hermione remarked.

Draco nodded in agreement, tightening his hold around her waist.

"Just stay nearby. We'll get through this together," he said smiling down at Hermione before leading them towards the ballroom.

When they entered the ballroom, they saw Daphne just beside the door looking around frantically. As soon as she saw them enter though, she smiled.

"I was beginning to regret sending Theo to pick you all up," Daphne Greengrass greeted once she saw them enter the ballroom.

"I've been waiting for both of you since Blaise came through a few minutes ago. I suppose he's somewhere flirting with someone again," Daphne remarked. "Well, I'm so glad you were able to come. I did hear you changed your mind the last minute," Daphne said, turning to Draco.

"Yes, well, I didn't want to leave Hermione with all of you," Draco teased. Daphne glared at him, "We don't bite, Draco. I'll take wonderful care of her," Daphne said hooking her arms around Hermione, "Anyway, I do have someone to introduce you to," she added leading Hermione away. Draco left on his own devices, went to find Blaise. Despite the number of people present, Blaise was easy to find. He was awkwardly trying to chat with an older witch beside his mother. Lavinia Zabini was too easy to spot wearing a dress reflecting hundreds of colors. Even Draco had to blink twice as he walked towards them.

"Draco, mate," Blaise said, forcing Draco to join them. "Mr. Malfoy, it's good to see you here," Mrs. Zabini said. The other witch looked at him and Draco was surprised to see it was Pansy's mother. Mrs. Parkinson eyed him carefully, "Your name is Malfoy?" She asked.

Draco nodded and introduced himself properly, offering his hand for a shake. "Do you happen to know Lucius?" Draco smiled — he tried not to snicker at the number of times he's been asked this, already an expert in keeping his emotion and answers in check. "I heard he was a distant cousin, my parents weren't able to talk about them a lot. They died when I was quite young," Draco added.

Death was a sensitive topic. Draco didn't like posing his parents dead (even though one was already) but it helped in not being asked about his parents.

"That's terrible. At least you've found a friend in Blaise to be able to share your experiences," Draco raised his brow at Mrs. Parkinson but quickly turned to Blaise. The latter just sipped from his champagne glass seemingly enjoying the conversation. "If only Pansy would talk about her feelings, she would have still kept her friends. I don't understand why she went on and got herself married," Mrs. Parkinson shook her head and took another champagne glass from a floating tray depositing her old one.

"She acted like a little girl, throwing a tantrum around the house saying her friends betrayed her. I never really understood that fight of yours," She added turning to Blaise. Blaise looked as confused as Draco felt.

"Well, you know children. Their problems now are different from ours back then," Lavinia said before Blaise interrupted with, "Mum, Draco and I have something to talk about regarding work," Lavinia waved them off and the two witches proceeded to talk about the latest trends in fashion.

"Did I hear that right?" Blaise asked, "That Pansy was betrayed by her friends?" he added. Draco's head was turning. The whole ordeal with Pansy happened after his trial - after what he did and said in his trial. If Advena worked by removing memories of him doesn't it mean that Pansy shouldn't have remembered the fight?

"Theo also mentioned earlier not being invited to the wedding because of what happened with all of us. Does that mean that even without your involvement they still found something to argue about?" Blaise pointed out. Draco was about to say something but Daphne came back to them with Hermione following close behind her.

"I need you, and I need to find my mother," Daphne said pointing at Blaise, grabbing his wrist and dragging him away. Draco sighed, looking at their retreating figure thinking to talk about it next time with Blaise. He focused his attention on Hermione who was silent beside him.

"So how does it feel to be in your first pureblood party?" Draco started. He was honestly curious, and just wanted something to talk about. He hoped he didn't come out insulting. "It's very… grand," Hermione answered, her voice had a slight quiver as if she was still scared at the magnitude of the whole thing.

"I suppose you've got to have somewhere to put all your money in." Draco laughed because he honestly thought that was the only reason why her mother was so invested in parties. She had too much money, yet too little to spend it to.

Draco was going to ask another question when they heard someone walk behind them, saying, "Ms. Granger. May I interrupt?"

Narcissa Malfoy noticed them just as they entered the ballroom. The striking blonde struck her familiar yet it bothered her how she didn't know the face that came with it. For a minute she thought it was Lucius walking in because he looked exactly like Lucius when the latter was younger.

The girl around his arm though was familiar. It was Hermione Granger, the strange girl that borrowed books from her library.

Narcissa watched them. She watched them talk to Daphne and separate ways. She watched the boy talking to Blaise and her mother and looking very much part of the crowd. Even the way he held himself reminded Narcissa of Lucius. She wanted to approach but was finding little reason too. It'll be very awkward to just suddenly talk to someone who probably didn't know you anyway. Narcissa decided to wait for Hermione instead. When the younger witch came back with Daphne, Narcissa immediately approached them. She knew that Hermione was seeing this man; she had read the magazines and the articles. Ever since then, she wanted to know who this man was because something about him intrigued her. Seeing him now, made Narcissa even more curious.

She had to know who he was.

So brazenly, she sauntered towards them.

"Miss Granger. May I interrupt?" Narcissa noticed the man stiffen before both he and Hermione turned to face her.

"Mrs. Malfoy!" Hermione exclaimed seeing her. "It's nice to meet you again."

"Yes, it's nice to see you again. Have my books proven helpful?" Narcissa tried her best not to glance at the man Hermione was with who looked like he didn't want to be there — in her presence.

"Immensely. I was able to find what I was looking for," Hermione answered. Narcissa took this chance to look at Draco.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I'm Narcissa Malfoy," she said, extending her hand to Draco. Draco shook it curtly, "Draco," he answered.

"An interesting name," Narcissa remarked. "Were you named after a constellation?" she asked.

"I was, as a matter of fact," Draco answered. Narcissa's eyes glinted. Hermione watched with caution and with awe wondering if Narcissa Malfoy had somehow recognized her son, even just an inkling of him. "Our family was named after constellations. I always wanted to name my son Draco if only I had one," Narcissa now looked away from them probably not wanting either Hermione or Draco to see her tears.

"Well, I should leave you two be," Narcissa said, "It was nice meeting you, Draco," the older witch added.

"You as well," Draco answered before allowing Narcissa to walk away. Just as she was out of earshot, Draco released a heavy breath.

He felt Hermione hold his hand.

"Do you want to get some air?" Hermione asked. Draco shook his head and took another breath. "I think the dinner is starting anyway," he clarified. Theo found them than telling them that the dinner was about to start.

They found themselves sitting at the table with the Greengrass, Narcissa Malfoy, and Andromeda Tonks. Hermione was shocked to see the latter. Draco was squeezed between Hermione and Astoria who insisted to sit beside Draco. In front of Hermione was Theo Nott, and beside her was Andromeda.

"I didn't think I'd see you here," Hermione said to Andromeda.

Andromeda smiled, "After Lucius died, Narcissa had reached out to me." she explained eyeing her sister who sat across from her. "Did you forgive her that easily?" Blaise piped in apparently listening from his seat at the other side of Narcissa. Hermione glared at him but he just shrugged since the question had been asked already.

"Sometimes the easiest to forgive is family despite them hurting you the most." Andromeda just said, "Especially if you're all each other has left," she added sadly.

Food started pouring in a few minutes later. A variety of wine and alcohol bottles were also placed in the middle of the table, the food surrounding it. Water was served to all of them in case none of them drank. As Hermione was reaching for her water, Andromeda piped in. "I wouldn't drink the water if I were you. I arrived early and apparently, a few pixies got inside the kitchen and started contaminating the water with doxy venom. Not too concentrated to kill you but enough to cause your stomach to turn," she explained. "The Greengrass did say that everything was taken care of but you know those pixies, they might have made sure some were sent out unclean."

Hearing this, Hermione pushed her water away. Blaise and Draco did the same. They opted instead to drink from the glass of wine that was placed near them.

After dinner, all the tables vanished to let people enjoy the rest of the night by dancing.

Draco and Hermione stayed at the corner while Theo danced with Daphne throughout the whole night, and Blaise danced with anyone and everyone available. He was even able to get Andromeda to dance with him at some point.

"Are neither of you going to dance? It's Christmas." Blaise called out towards them. Most of the adults had moved to the sitting area and the only ones left on the dance floor were anyone younger than twenty-five. Draco just shook his head at Blaise who found himself in the arms of Adrian Pucey.

"So," Draco started trying to find something to say. He was going to start talking about the pixie infestation when he saw Astoria sauntering towards them. He angled his whole body towards Hermione, looking at Astoria through her peripheral. Just as Astoria was coming closer, he noticed that she stopped, glancing instead at something above him and Hermione. He looked up to see a mistletoe appearing above them.

"Hermione," he whispered, eyes still on the mistletoe. Hermione looked at him and then at where he was looking at. Once she saw the mistletoe, she blushed. Draco then looked at her, wondering if he should be the one to make the move. It was bad luck, especially to pure-blood wizarding families to ignore mistletoes.

Just as he was about to lean in, Theo was suddenly standing beside them reaching out for the mistletoe. He plucked out the berries and grinned. Hermione and Draco stared at him — Draco looking very annoyed.

"I need this for the potion. I've been collecting them all night, you see." Theo then started showing all the mistletoe berries he collected from the night. "I should've stayed beside you too, I would've gotten one sooner," Theo said, walking away looking down at his bag of mistletoe berries.

"Theo, you idiot!" Blaise shouted, staring at Theo's retreating,

The rest of the night went by uneventfully to Draco's surprise. Hermione seemed to be pretending that nothing happened or was about to happen before Theo disturbed them and instead continued chatting with him about the poor conditions of Demiguises in the country. Draco barely listened.

They decided to retire for the night just as the clock struck midnight, with most of the guests have already left or were drunk and just dancing alone hugging an empty wine bottle (read Blaise Zabini). Draco decided to leave him despite Hermione's protest, telling her that Daphne would probably take care of him anyways. Just as they were getting their cloaks, Narcissa Malfoy, who looked like she was also leaving, walked towards them.

"Did you both enjoy the party?" Narcissa asked, putting on her gloves. "We did. I'm grateful Daphne invited me," Hermione answered since Draco didn't seem to want to talk.

"Well, she and her family are always the best hosts." Narcissa remarked, "By the way, are you two both free on the New Year? I'm having a small luncheon at the Manor," Hermione saw Draco stiffen from where he was standing. He stood a little away from them but still near enough for him to be able to hear the conversation.

"We'll check our schedule," Hermione answered looking back at Narcissa. The older witch looked at them knowingly before nodding saying that if they've made up their minds they should owl her. She floo-ed out first. Hermione and Draco followed.

"My parents are going to visit me tomorrow," Hermione said when they got back to his house. "I was supposed to visit them in Australia but after finding out I was in France they immediately decided to come here instead," she added walking into her room. Draco stopped and examined the scene. He didn't know what this was but it felt extremely marital. Hermione was in her room, probably changing out of her dress and still going on about her parents' visit which he was barely paying attention to. Wait, did she just invite him to join her?

"Draco?" Draco looked up to see Hermione out of her heels but still in her dress.

"I'm sorry. I was thinking of something," Hermione looked at him pitifully like she knew what he was thinking. He doubted it, of course, because she'd wouldn't look pitiful if she knew that he was thinking about how domestic their whole situation is, and how comfortable it made him feel.

"Anyways, I thought you might want to join us for lunch. You can say no. They would understand that," Hermione repeated herself. Draco nodded, and then shook his head, indecisive.

"I'll…" he stopped for a while before adding, "think about it."

Hermione stood by her door as if trying to debate something. "If you want to talk about your mother, I have nowhere to be," she offered. Draco stared at her for a while before agreeing to talk about Narcissa Malfoy. He wasn't sleepy and besides, he wanted to talk to Hermione.

"The first memory I remember of my mother was when I was three…" Draco started. He was still wearing his suit but Hermione had changed into her pyjamas. Draco brought out a blanket in case she felt cold and she cocooned herself with it while holding a cup of hot chocolate — like a little kid listening to a bedtime story. They were both sitting at the couch, Hermione had both her feet up, the cup of hot chocolate resting on top of her knees. Draco angled towards her, one arm rested on the head of the couch, propping his head up, one of his legs tucked under the other.

"I was a disobedient boy if you could believe it and my father always let me be," he continued. "Mum was out for the day visiting her parents and Father had allowed me to ride a broom in the garden. When she came back, I panicked and fell off my broom," Draco was laughing but there was something sad dancing in his eyes. "I thought she'd be mad, but she wasn't. She immediately just rushed towards me and nursed me back to health. Father was just busy bragging how well I was on the broom."

Draco continued to tell the stories of his childhood, and Hermione listened. She told him her stories as well, and he particularly liked the story of how she detested going to the dentists despite her parents being dentists. They talked until the wee hours of the morning until they both eventually fell asleep on the couch.

Draco woke up to a knock at the door. When he opened his eyes, he saw Hermione lying down on top of him with his hands around her. How did they get into this position? He wondered.

He carefully extracted himself, making sure Hermione didn't wake up. She stirred when he started to stand up and Draco panicked hoping she wasn't awake. He looked down at her to see her only nestling herself more comfortably on the couch, wrapping the blanket more tightly around her. Draco could only smile.

The knock at the door continued. Stretching his limbs, he swiftly went to check who was there. He wasn't used to someone knocking. Most of his visitors would just owl him first, or try to get through his fireplace.

When he opened the door a couple was standing in front of his doorstep, as surprised to see him as he was seeing them. They looked somehow familiar though.

"We might be in the wrong house," the woman whispered a little too loudly. The man looked down at the paper with an address written on it and looked at the number beside Draco's door. "But Hermione wrote this address," he said. Draco's eyes grew wide realizing why they looked familiar. They were Hermione's parents.

"You must be Mr. and Mrs. Granger," he remarked. Hermione's parents looked at him awkwardly before nodding. "Hermione is still sleeping," he said.

Hermione's father looked down at his watch and muttered, "It's already 10 am though."

Draco felt awkward. He hadn't known how to handle muggle parents before. "We had a long night last night."

Both Hermione's parents looked at him appalled. Only then did Draco realize how wrong his sentence must have sounded, "I meant we were at a Christmas party of one of our friends and came home late," he amended. Their stares didn't look less threatening but at least it didn't seem like they wanted to kill him that instant.

"I'll go and wake her up. You should probably come in," Draco said, leading them towards the kitchen. He then rushed towards the living room to wake Hermione up. She groaned the first time but ignored him. The second time he tried to wake her up, she simply turned over. For the third time, Draco removed his wand from his pocket and sprayed water on her face successfully waking her up.

She glared at him threateningly. "Your parents are here already," Draco said, immediately stopping Hermione from throwing whatever verbal argument she was about to say.

Hearing about her parents, she immediately got up and tried to make herself look respectable. "Why didn't you wake me up sooner?" she said through gritted teeth. "I was trying to," Draco argued.

She sighed, shoved him out of the way, and made her way towards her bedroom.

"She'll be out shortly," Draco said walking towards the kitchen, "Have you eaten? I can order something for breakfast." Draco bit his cheek hoping they did have their breakfast already because 'to order' for Draco was asking Blaise to have his elf cook for Draco because he couldn't exactly summon an elf in front of Hermione's muggle parents. Also, knowing how they've left Blaise wasted the night before, he was probably still asleep. Maybe he could call Louis instead.

"That's alright, Draco. I'll order for breakfast," Hermione said behind him. She greeted her parents and he took this chance to retreat to his study.

"You never mentioned in your letters that you were living with a man," Hermione's mother said while preparing coffee for herself. Hermione blushed. She was actually hoping she wouldn't have to introduce Draco until lunch if he ever decided to join them. She shouldn't have slept in.

"I'm helping him with a project. He was nice enough to let me stay," Hermione answered sipping from her own cup of coffee.

Her mother continued staring at her knowingly, "You're a grown woman Hermione. You don't have to explain," her mother said. "We still would've hoped we heard something about it first," she added making Hermione blush even harder. "Mum, it's not like that at all," Hermione tried to clarify but the knowing smiles of both her parents made her realize that they made up their minds about her relationship with Draco Malfoy.

"Though I would never have thought you'd start dating Draco Malfoy," her father said. She sighed, "People change I guess," Hermione whispered. "Also we're not dating," she remarked hoping that her parents would just believe her. They nodded but decided to just talk about how they were going to eat.

"Well, dear. I think we should just have brunch. Who would've known Hermione would have a long night last night," Hermione's father said, turning to her mother.

Hermione spat out her coffee. Damn it, Draco Malfoy. She thought.

With the insistence of his parents to invite Draco to lunch, ("We just want to get to know more about who you're living with, dear,") Hermione made her way to Draco's study assuming he was there.

He was.

She was going to say something, slightly opening the already ajar door when she stopped. Through the few months that Hermione stayed in Draco's house, she tended towards walking in on him in his study. She hadn't seen anything disturbing yet – glad that Draco never brought a girl over – but the mere fact that Draco looked so…. normal usually threw Hermione off guard.

Today, Draco had his sleeves rolled up exaggerating the muscles on his forearm. He had his glasses on and he was reading.

Now, if Hermione was being honest with herself this wouldn't be as surprising as it should be but there Hermione was, standing in front of the door watching Draco Malfoy in all his splendor. And let her be damned, Hermione found Draco Malfoy attractive.

She cleared her throat to catch Draco's attention and also to remove the thoughts running in her head.

Draco looked up, surprised, glasses perched on his nose. "Yes?" he said softly removing his glasses to the disappointment of Hermione.

"My parents are asking if you wanted to join us for lunch?" Hermione said, trying to remove the quiver in her voice. She didn't want Draco to think she was nervous around him, not after how many months they've been working together.

"Well, I sort of have something to do for work," Draco said gesturing at his table. He wasn't actually planning to work but with Hermione preoccupied, he found he had nothing to do.

Hermione would have insisted he come because her parents would insist that he come because who works on Christmas anyway, but she didn't say it. Instead, she said that she'll inform her parents and that she'll see him later.

Draco let her go with a slight nod.

When Hermione returned for the day after her lunch with her parents, Draco immediately pointed at the owl who refused to move or give him the note that was for Hermione. Without even removing her coat, she immediately approached the owl and checked the letter.

She read over it before saying, "Harry's inviting you to a Quidditch game." Draco's ears perked at the invitation. Never in his life did he imagine that he'd be invited to a Quidditch game by Potter himself. "He also said you could invite other people. Apparently, they need more members if they want to play a full game."

Draco immediately thought about Blaise and Theo though he wondered how that'll play out with Potter.

"Well, I would say you could always remove beaters. I never really saw the point in them in a Quidditch game," Hermione uttered.

"They add to the excitement, Granger. If you only have chasers passing around Quaffles without a challenge, the game would be boring." Hermione was about to say something about the sport already being boring but Draco, who seemed to know what she was going to say stopped her by asking who the confirmed players were.

"Harry, Ron, Ginny, George and Charlie," She read from the note. Draco thought for a while thinking who would be best to invite. "Well, we can have me, Blaise, Theo, and the Greengrass girls."

"That'll still need two more players for each team," Hermione pointed out.

"We can always do two chasers and a beater," Draco remarked. "Or you can play?" he suggested playfully.

"Don't even think about it, Draco Malfoy. I won't be getting on a broom!" Hermione said storming out of the living room towards her bedroom. Draco heard a faint, "I'll tell Harry about your team choice," before he heard the door close.

The New Year was fast approaching. Work on the potion had halted; Theo insisted that they enjoy the holidays. Hermione and Blaise both spent the free time with their families. The former had traveled back and forth to London from France to visit the Potters and the Weasleys.

Draco spent his days cleaning up the mess in the house and tending to his garden. (Theo forcing him to the garden had some merits).

When New Year's Eve came, Draco found himself yet again at the other end of an invitation from Hermione's parents to enjoy a play in the West End and have dinner with them afterward.

"It's New Year's Eve, Malfoy. Get out of the house for once," Hermione pleaded to lean over Draco's desk to distract him. He was distracted, alright.

"Granger, I have so much work to do," Draco answered.

"You're the boss of your own company. You can put that aside," Hermione complained.

"That's an abuse of power."

"And you're just making too many excuses." Hermione huffed. Draco fought a snigger. He admitted to himself that Hermione Granger was pretty when mad.

"Alright. I'll come with you if" Draco said, putting up a hand, "You were a dress I'll buy for you."

Hermione sighed, "Oh I hope it won't be too extravagant." Hermione whispered.

"Dress up for once, Granger. We are going to see a play."

Draco stood in front of the mirror checking if he looked okay for this New Year's Eve celebration with Hermione's parents. He denied to himself that he was dressing up to make a good impression on her parents. Besides, they had already seen him when he just woke up. Him dressing up now would probably not change their impression of him. He insisted that him dressing up though was because they were watching a play. Draco heard that they dress up in those kinds of things.

A few minutes passed by with him still tugging his polo before someone knocked on the door. Hermione stood there wearing a beige-colored halter dress, the bottom fabric flowed and settled just above her ankles. It showed off her beautiful shoulders and to add to that, she was wearing Draco's gift around her neck which she transfigured to be smaller.

Draco had seen Hermione in a dress, more times than he thought he'd actually be able to if he was being honest but every time he did it left him in awe. Granger was beautiful and Draco had to admit that.

"Are you ready? My parents are waiting at the door." They were at Hermione's flat. She had insisted on preparing at her place just because traveling from France would take them too long, and she wanted to use muggle transportation given that her parents were muggles. Draco looked himself over again, not answering. He looked at Hermione and tugged at his vest.

"Well, how do I look?" He asked. Hermione eyed him carefully looking at every angle before saying, "Exceptionally ordinary," she teased.

Draco didn't know if that meant that he looked acceptable but he couldn't ask Hermione to clarify anymore because she grabbed his hand and dragged him out already before he could rethink his choice of clothing.

During the whole trip to the West End, Draco was stuck with Hermione's father while the two women talked in front of them. Currently, they were talking about muggle sports to which Draco had nothing much to say about but he let Mr. Granger talk.

"So you've never heard of golf?" Mr. Granger asked. Draco shook his head. "I've only ever played Quidditch," Draco said politely.

"You know Hermione never mentioned Quidditch. I did read in your funny paper that it involves riding on broomsticks," Mr. Granger remarked. Draco nodded and waited for a signal to talk about it. Mr. Granger bobbed his head as if to indicate that he would want to learn more.

"We do play it on broomsticks. Up in the sky, a few feet away from the ground," Draco explained nervously.

"Isn't it dangerous?" Mr. Granger asked.

"Well, we are taught to ride broomsticks in our first year at Hogwarts and only exceptional flyers can join a Quidditch team," said Draco.

"And how is it played exactly?" Mr. Granger asked.

In the next few minutes, Draco started talking about the famous wizarding sport and talked about the mechanics of the game, the purpose of the different balls, and of course, the role of each player. He tried to talk about it in a way that a muggle would understand.

"Did you play Quidditch in Hogwarts?" Mr. Granger asked once Draco was done explaining. "I did until our fifth year. As a seeker," Draco bragged slightly.

"Were you any good?" By this time the two women had slowed their steps and walked beside the two men.

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked. "Quidditch," Mr. Granger answered and Draco was proud he was able to pronounce it without a hitch. Hermione sighed.

"Don't corrupt my father's mind with that awful sport," Hermione complained to Draco. Mr. Granger though looked offended. "I must say it does sound very interesting," Mr. Granger argued. "I was only asking if Mr. Malfoy was good at playing the sport. He seemed to love talking about it,"

"He's good," Hermione answered for Draco. Mr. Granger eyed his daughter curiously. "If he focused more on not beating Harry, he would've been exceptional. I personally think that when Harry hadn't played in the fifth year was Draco's best play in Quidditch," Hermione remarked. She shrugged when he saw how her companions looked at her. Her parents looked amused and Draco looked surprised.

"Well, of course, that's entirely my opinion," she added, turning her face away from everyone. Draco snickered. He wondered how long Hermione had been watching him play Quidditch to have these conclusions about his skills

"Do you think we can watch this sport?" Mrs. Granger suddenly mentioned which made Hermione look back at them. Draco smiled gleefully. "Well, Potter had planned a game the day after tomorrow. If you'd still be in England then, maybe you can watch it."

Hermione would have insisted they not but they already looked excited at the thought. She sighed, mentally noting to owl Harry that her parents were joining her and Draco to visit.

The countdown to the New Year was definitely awkward. Couples all around them were getting ready for their midnight kiss and Draco was there, still wondering if he should take a chance and kiss Hermione.

10. 9. 8. The people started shouting. She shouldn't fault him if he decided to kiss her. It's a New Year thing anyway.

7.6.5. He really should make up his mind, there were only 5 seconds left.

4.3.2 Draco glanced at Hermione who was looking at the sky. Stars were abundant tonight in London, showering the city with light. But Draco thought that Hermione shined the brightest.

1. He kissed her. She returned the kiss pretty quickly making him wonder if she had expected it. They broke off when they heard cheers around them and a camera clicking. Both of them looked up to see Hermione's parents trying to shove the camera back into their bag.

Hermione blushed. Draco looked away.

"It's a Pureblood tradition," He tried explaining, "And purebloods are very strict in the following tradition," He added. Hermione had hoped he hadn't explained himself. I mean, muggles also had the same tradition, she wanted to point out. She didn't say anything though. Instead, she refilled their glasses of wine and continued to enjoy the stars wondering: "How will today affect tomorrow?"

January 2002

The next day, to Hermione's dismay, was completely normal. Draco went back to calling her, "Granger," and no matter how many times she tried to get more than a "Good morning," that morning, Draco just wouldn't notice her. He hadn't acknowledged the kiss, or even mentioned it.

Nothing about it was brought up. Draco instead, acted like it never happened which frustrated Hermione to the point of her ignoring him too.

They spent the rest of the morning, though both in the living room, not talking. It wasn't until an owl came flying in with Narcissa's note reminding them to lunch and the floo network was already calibrated for their arrival did they start giving each other attention.

"If you're too tired to go, I'm sure Mum will understand," Draco called out to Hermione who had already retreated to her room to change.

"I have to bring back her books anyway. Besides, I might be able to go through the library again," Hermione said gleefully.

"I know the Manor isn't ideally the best place to go back too," Draco started, "I mean with you…. experience."

Hermione peeked from her door at Draco, "I always wondered if your Mother remembers that…." Hermione stopped for a while thinking of an appropriate word, "incident," she decided.

"I don't know," Draco said, "But we demolished that part of the house already before I left for France. I insisted that we should just redecorate it but she said it gave her too many nightmares. As far as I know Mum was planning to turn it into a greenhouse." He didn't mention that he had nightmares about that night too — how sometimes he'd wake up in the middle of the night still hearing Hermione's screams. Draco looked at her and noticed the scar at her neck where the blade of his aunt's knife cut through. A pang of guilt struck him feeling like it was his fault like it had always been his fault.

Hermione tugged her sleeves up causing Draco to get out of his musings. "You ready?" Hermione asked.

Draco nodded. He let Hermione go through first before following after her.

As Draco expected, the luncheon would be held on the grounds. He felt his heart leap. Going back to Malfoy Manor after almost a year made his heartache. This was supposed to be his home and yet the only possible way he could enter was through an invitation.

"I'm glad both of you were able to make it," Narcissa said welcoming them both in front of the fireplace as if she had been waiting there the whole time.

"Is anyone else here yet?" Hermione asked. Narcissa smiled softly saying, "It's just three of us today," she pretended to sound sad as if they were the only one who accepted the invite. Draco had already realized that they were the only ones invited in the first place.

Narcissa led them to the garden where a table for three was already set up, food already beautifully placed on the table.

Narcissa Malfoy was a gracious host despite what Hermione had heard about her. Somehow, the whole lunch, though, was just about her getting to know Draco, and Hermione was just invited so Draco would come. It didn't bother Hermione but it did make her a tad bit sad. Draco knew all about Narcissa yet here was the older witch just getting to know her son that she didn't know was her son. It made Hermione determined to finish the antidote just so she can return this — the relationship between mother and son.

As she was sipping her tea, listening to Narcissa and Draco's conversation about favorite subjects in Hogwarts, she saw something peek out of the bushes. It strutted its way towards the clearing and once it saw them, it spread its glorious tail making Hermione gasp. Draco and his mother turned to where she was looking at and both smiled.

"Is that a peacock?" Hermione said. Narcissa stood up proudly and started telling stories about her different encounters with the peacocks in the Manor. She talked about how the first time they got it, Abraxas, Draco's grandfather almost had a heart attack especially since the birds seem to not like him.

After a few more stories, with a handful of laughs passed between them, Narcissa sighed, "I could never actually remember why we started collecting peacocks in the first place," she said. "I knew we loved having them around so I always thought there was a good reason for having them. It seemed like such an important thing to forget — a pity I don't remember," Hermione looked at Draco who was looking sadly at his cup of tea making Hermione think that the whole reason they had started collecting the birds was because of him. She leaned closer to him and patted the back of his hand for comfort. Draco offered her a gracious smile before putting himself back in the conversation, now talking to Narcissa about the cake shop beside the France Ministry which Narcissa swears serves the best strawberry shortcakes.

When they got back to the house a few minutes after dinner, (Narcissa insisted they eat dinner with her since she kept them long anyways) Hermione was tired. She immediately went to her room to change and didn't say anything to Draco. When she got back out, she saw Draco at the balcony casting a spell.

A wisp of white light kept shooting out of his wand, and he looked frustrated like he was trying to achieve something but he couldn't. She watched him trying for a while. Hermione noticed then that the wisp of white light looked oddly familiar. Was Draco trying to cast a Patronus?

With another frustrated grunt from Draco, Hermione decided to make her presence known.

"Have you been there long?" Draco asked, a trace of red creeping up his cheeks feeling embarrassed.

"Oh no. I just got out of my room," Hermione lied. She didn't think Draco would appreciate it being found out. Draco nodded and offered the chair beside him for Hermione to sit on. She tightened her jacket around her when she sat down feeling the cold on her skin. A few minutes later, she felt warmer. Glancing beside her, she saw Draco casting a warming spell around him. It seemed that he didn't notice her stare because she continued muttering the spell underneath his breath.

They stayed quiet for a while neither not knowing what to talk about. Draco was the first one to speak. "It felt nice…" he started, "to talk to my mother again."

Hermione knew how he felt. A few months after the war and everyone going back to their families there was an ache inside her because she couldn't really go back to hers. It took her a year to find someone who can help her restore her parents' memories. To erase someone's memories of a person was a difficult thing and Hermione knew she needed help. So she told Draco all of that, about her parents, about why they're in Australia after and the long process of getting their memories back. She told him everything because now, she felt that he deserved to hear it.

"I know it feels frustrating but we'll get her memories back of you, Draco. I promise," she said, making it her ultimate goal to do so.

"I kept thinking what if it's futile, what if there isn't an antidote," Draco admitted. Hermione was about to chastise him but Draco shook his head and smiled, "What can I say? I'm naturally pessimistic," Draco remarked.

"With everything that's happening recently it doesn't seem like such a bad thing, not to have an antidote," he said. Hermione looked at him curiously and urged him to explain. He took a deep breath before saying, "Everyone is treating me normally, as a person. They're treating me like I never made mistakes, that I never openly supported the Dark Lord." Draco stopped. He started playing with his fingers as if trying to distract himself from the thoughts he was having. "It just feels nice… to not be treated by the mistakes you've made," Draco said.

"Draco," Hermione tried to say something. She understood of course. To be able to start afresh and not have all your life decisions placed above your head for people to judge you on. It was tempting, Hermione could admit to that.

"I've lived my whole life choosing the path that my parents have decided for me all because of a temptation of power that we don't even have now," Draco admitted. He sounded so broken, and so raw that Hermione someone wondered if he was actually drinking tea. "Merlin, Granger. How pitiful can I get?" Draco released a small laugh as if he was laughing at himself but Hermione knew he was trying to ease the tension that was forming between them.

"Draco, you're going through something big. It's not shameful to feel the way you're feeling," Hermione assured him.

Draco sighed, "I kept thinking, if I wasn't cursed, then where would I be today?" He asked. "I wouldn't be having a lunch date with my mother; she'd probably have someone else over because she doesn't want to see me just because I remind her too much of my father. I wouldn't be watching a muggle play with your parents, or get invited to a Quidditch game by Potter of all people," he stopped, thinking of all the things that could've been different.

"I wouldn't be with you tonight," Draco admitted in a whisper.

"You don't know that," Hermione said.

Draco shook his head, "Granger, don't pretend we'd be friends if you had a choice," Draco remarked.

"I did have a choice, Malfoy," she said, "I chose to help you. I could've walked out all those months ago but I chose you."

"But if you had a choice…" Draco repeated, emphasizing each word, "I would choose you again," Hermione interrupted.

Draco stared at her, looked at her eyes, and tried to see if she was telling the truth. There was only sincerity in the way he looked at her.

"I've done things, Granger, bad things. I made choices that tainted my character. If all of these people really knew who I was, they wouldn't want me. They shouldn't want me," Draco uttered.

"But I want you, Draco," Hermione leaped, leaning closer to Draco and closing the distance between them. She kissed him, tried showing him that he wanted him no matter how broken he was. And he returned every kiss, allowing himself to be wanted.

"Hermione, are you home?" Hermione immediately jumped off of Draco, finishing the kiss. Draco stared at her surprised until he heard Hermione's parents call her again. He sighed.

"In the balcony, Mum," Hermione said, trying to hide any evidence that she was just snogging Draco Malfoy.

Hermione tried to say something but ended up just leaving the balcony. Draco watched her go, wondering if he should say something but he ended up just sitting there until Hermione came back a few minutes later asking him if it was okay he took the couch.

"Let's just transfigure it to something much more comfortable. Mum and Dad are taking the guest room," she said, sounding almost guilty. Hermione was going to voice out that he could even sleep in her bedroom. They could set up something on the floor for him to sleep in but she couldn't say that because Draco was already agreeing to sleep in the living room.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Hermione asked, red coating her cheeks. Draco nodded, "See you." Before Hermione could retreat to her room, Draco called out to her.

"Good night, Granger." He said. Hermione didn't greet him a good night back but she smiled and closed the door behind her.

A/N

Reviews are very much appreciated. Leave a follow or favorite if you want to :)