CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

The time leading up to Christmas was filled with last minute wrapping and buying of gifts. Lucius and Severus were in charge of the tree, egg nog, and decorations. Hermione and Draco were in charge of the meal and entertainment and a planner was brought in to deal with the Boxing Day ball. Severus found the Yule log for the year. It was generally decided while the Muggles were in residence the bedroom activities would be kept behind the closed door of Draco's bedroom

Robes were measured and made along with a set of suit's for the Muggles who after nearly a week were still in awe of their surrounds. It was decided that trips to Diagon Alley were off the list for them until robes could be procured.

The group decided that they would take a trip to the Windsor residence after the ball. The only bone of real contention with the Muggle security was the removal of their guns and explosives. Although safely stored in a safe that the manor created, and they were the only ones that had access to it. But they did really understand the why of it and all they just claimed that they felt naked without them.

Christmas eve arrived and Hermione knew that she was to be present at Westminster Abbey for the service that night. It was a debate as to who was attending with her. Harry wanted to go to see what all the fuss was about. Draco told everyone he was going regardless. His father and Severus wanted a quiet night at home. But an adult was meant to be in attendance with Hermione.

The fun argument raged all day with light curses and hexes being thrown by all involved. This had the muggle security hopping, ducking rolling and even groaning when they got hit for not being quick enough.

Accioing another pain potion for the latest victim, Bane piped up with an actual smile "Who needs the obs course... stick the fubars through them..." he indicated the current mini fight happening in front of them. "The wizards make us work harder than any drill Sargent… and it seems they love doing so." Throwing up a shield protecting the muggles while the victim recovered. Hermione looked and could see the logic in it.

"Although we are all for doing away with the Statue of Secrecy somehow I don't think that everyone will be to happy being hexed at. Some of them are pretty painful." with that she was gone and the shield went with her. A curse came their way that made them hit the floor and crawl under a table for protection.

When the meal was called by Malfoy's head elf there was an immediate cease fire and everyone took their places at the table. The conversations were more civil and less taunting. The muggles were thankful for that as they really were people to shoot first and if your alive you get shot again then asked questions. The four of them were also dressed and armed for the night to come. There was always a crowd when the royals came out. So they had to be there before they arrived. Arriving after was not smart if you want to keep breathing. Everything had been considered and prepared for including extraction points and contingency plans.

After dinner Hermione stated she was taking Harry with her as well as Draco. The older ones breathed a sigh, they were safe with their firewhiskey. Draco, Harry and Hermione make their way to their rooms to get ready. Hermione was dressed in a floor length burgundy long sleeved gown that was a winter weight. This was teamed up with a matching faux fur lined cloak with a hood, a muff and mittens and fur lined black ankle boots. Draco and Harry both kept their outer coats to use like cloaks. When they descended the stairs, the car was pulled up around to the front. And they all climbed in.

The muggles will be driving back themselves after they see to their charge and her wanting to aparate instead. When the group arrived at the abbey they were escorted inside, but were photographed by the paparazzi before entering. When they were seated Draco was dazed.

"Is this usual?" he asked quietly, realising that his voice even carried at a whisper.

"No this abbey is only opened at Easter and Christmas oh and coronations. And don't forget weddings and funerals. This is the church that also has a throne because the Queen is the head of the religion. And when she goes to church then this is the one that she goes to."

A choir was in the loft and shuffled as they settled waiting for the service to begin. The arch bishops had made their way up the aisle to await the royal arrival, on a silent signal everyone stood. And the royals made their way down the aisle lead by the Queen who was leading her sons, then her grandsons and great grandsons and their families. Harry was already in a bow as Hermione told Draco to do the same and she curtseyed she was raised by the queen greeting her and asking about her health. Before making her way to the throne.

The congratulation waited until she was seated before seating themselves. And the mass began. It was filled with carols and good wishes for the new year. It was concluded with the royal procession once again. Draco made to move and Hermione held him in place with a hand. "You maybe a lord and near royalty in the wizarding world. Here we still bow to one that sits who actually sits on the throne." Harry cautioned him. Draco nodded. And waited. Those lords and the parishioners rich enough to attend the mass were held back as the elite were allowed to leave and collected by their various carers. The muggle security team was back and pretended to escort the wizards to go and see the lights along the Thames before they made to leave.

Draco aparated them to the front hall of the manor. Where they were met with mugs of mead and smiles. A flash of a camera went off in their faces. Obliviously someone wanted a memento. And what a picture it made. They were all in muggle clothes, but looked as if they were designer robes.

Severus approached and removed her cloak and accessories, handing them off he escorted the youth into the library where they were having a night cap. It was well in to the early morning before anyone found their beds.

No more than four hours later he was making the bed bounce and not in a good way according to Hermione. He was jumping on the bed telling her to get up, don't bother getting dressed and hurry up. He went down the hall to Harry's room and did the same. Harry was asleep nude and on his stomach. A girlish scream came from Draco that had everyone running and a man fumbling for his glasses. When Harry saw what Draco had seen he roared with laughter.

"That will teach you eh?" Harry said between breaths. Hermione had already slid down the wall next to the door she was almost laying on the floor laughing. Severus and Lucius both came out with wands drawn wondering on the commotion.

Thundering steps were heard before seen. And two guards came with guns drawn. "What's going on?"

Hermione held up her finger. "Draco, ran in on Harry and because he sleeps without a stitch on got a shock and I would imagine it was his ass that Draco saw while Harry went for his glasses." that made Harry, Hermione, Severus and Lucius roared with laughter. The muggles walked away shaking their heads and chuckling.

While Draco was still stunned Harry got out of bed and went to the bathroom before going to his closet and grabbing his clothes. Hermione peeked in while Harry was still naked squeaked and went to hide behind Severus. When Harry was clothed, Hermione decided she wanted a piggyback ride and jumped on Harry. He caught her with ease. And obliged her. Until the got to the sitting room that was housing the tree. Then she was deposited on Draco's lap.

A Malfoy house elf directed other elves to deposit their tables with breakfast for the guests. They were dressed in various shades of green with red hats and aprons. They also went and got their person's gifts and stacked them in front of them. And waited. The meal was full of pranks and photos, there wasn't a sour face around. A spare elf went running to the floo room, and ushered in Sirius and Remus, Dora and Teddy. More meals were called for and so more elves. When they got a look at Teddy there was a nanny elf brought in with an extra helper. The darkness of previous years seemed to be lifted from the house and spirits of all the people.

The adults watched as Teddy was entertained by the nanny elf and fed his breakfast without to much of a mess. She also kept him away from his presents just yet rather well. When the last person had finished their meal and seconds on tea and coffee were consumed, much to Harry's and Hermione delight. The tables were vanished.

Draco lent back in his love seat and drew Hermione over his lap again for her to wake up properly. Teddy was allowed access to his presents. And being the typical toddler that he was, he dived in throwing paper and toys everywhere. The floor between the arm chairs and love seats was at least a foot deep with discarded wrapping paper and the occasional toy that he forgot to stack away for play later. Clothes were given a grimace when he got to them, much preferring no clothes at all and tries to get away with it as much as possible.

When he was finished unwrapping the pile of presents from everyone the nanny elf sat with him and played, still keeping him from screeching every few minutes. Being head of the house Lucius was next, a new decanter set from Harry, socks from Draco which earned him a face full of knitted footwear in return. A years supply of hair products from Severus. An up to date copy of the pure bloods history from Hermione. Silver ribbons from the house elves. Sirius pitched in with the Lupins and Teddy to get a new broom. And that rounded out his gifts for now. Then it was a free for all with everyone else opening their gifts.

Hermione received jewellery from Severus and Lucius. The latest potion's ingredients guide from Harry, Sirius and the Lupins bought her a hat, scarf, muff and mittens in Gryffindor colours. Mr Craggy and his family got her a thousand galleon voucher for Florish and Botts and another for Madam Malkins. She was looking around for Draco's present but it wasn't there. Carefully he placed her on the seat and stood up and cleared a space in front of her.

Down on one knee he opened a ring box and there nestled in black silk was a ring of diamonds, an emerald and a ruby. "Mya I am asking you to hear me out." The room was deadly silent, even Teddy stopped rustling paper. "The first time I saw you, your hair was a birds nest, your teeth made you related to beavers and your personality and you sound like you ingested an encyclopedia." Groans were heard from the men.

"You know son when I said speak the truth, not insult her completely." Severus hid his grin behind Lucius' shoulder. Even Sirius shook his head and the Lupins were silent struck dumb.

"Wait… impatient much? And your scores were better than mine and not just once or twice, but all the time. That was the first year. After that came the Yule Ball and you on the arm of a sport's star. That left me drooling in my punch and jokes galore aimed at me. After that I got serious, all fun aside, everything that you did made me fall in love with you more. It started with the punch you landed on my face, then continued to the war, your efforts made me admire you and take notice. I became your silent guard wishing I had the right to tell you that I love you then. I love you more now though. You are everything that I could imagine a wife should be. Hell your giving me lessons on how to be received by people who are better than me. When I see the future I see you and bushy haired blonds laying waste to their peers showing them how it is done… hell I am screwing this up … woman just say you will marry me?"

Hermione was silent, and nodding. "Yes" came the squeak.

He took the ring out and slid it on her ring finger and soundlessly kissed her. It was full of love, passion and lust, it left nothing to the imagination of what he had planned for after the celebrations.

When they broke apart, "Now Malfoy..." came from Sirius, Remus and Harry at the same time. The room roared in hilarity of Draco's face. During this time the Parkinson's arrived laden with more presents. They also caught those who stayed at the manor in their pyjamas still. With that they were excused to dress.

Rounds of mead and egg nog were passed out before they went up stairs to dress.

While everyone was up stairs, the army of elves came in and had everything cleaned before they allowed people back in. they also moved extra chairs and love seats into the room and lit the candles on the tree.

Draco and Harry were the first done and came back down. Both in casual suits. Harry was just in shirtsleeves where as Draco had a waist coat and pocket handkerchief in the colour that Hermione was wearing. Lucius and Severus were next sporting waist coats only. Finally Hermione was at the top of the stairs dressed in a three quarter silk dress of scarlet trimmed with white faux fur at the colour, cuffs and hem. Her shoes were four inch heels, the stuff men had wet dreams about. Her curls were pinned up and a couple of strands were left around her face the rest were under a little red and white hat with a pompom on the end. A group photo was collected for the Daily Prophet and a copy for the mantle piece. In it you could clearly make out the engagement ring that now adorned her finger.

Lunch was served an hour later due to the festivities and it went as long as to also cover dinner as well.