Chapter 11
Hermione's point of view
I woke up to see Draco smiling down at me already dressed for the day.
"Merry Christmas Hermione!" As my eyes adjusted to the cold light streaming through the open curtains I saw mountains of presents piled up beside the bed. I had already bought and wrapped my presents and sent them the day before to their new owners. I had even bought a present for Ron thinking that it could have been a sign of peace but now that peace could never be achieved unless he showed signs of remorse. The shame welled up inside of me and I did my best to suppress the overwhelming sadness I was beginning to feel. Today was going to be a good day because I was to spend it with Draco.
Draco immediately began to separate the pile of presents into two piles, mine and his. I scrambled out of bed when he had finished and pulled on my jumper and began to tear the wrapping paper off the closest present.
From Ginny and Harry I got some nice perfume that I had spotted in Hogsmeade a few weeks ago. From Pansy I got this beautiful silken blue scarf and from Luna I got the Christmas edition of the Quibbler. I even had the classic present from Mrs Weasley, it was a beautiful deep purple jumper that was made out of the softest wool I had ever felt. From Lavender I received a magazine full of beauty tips and from Blaise I had gotten a letter:
To the new Mrs Malfoy,
I am writing to you to say thank you for giving Draco a chance. I know that we have not spoken in many years- maybe not even at all- but I would like it if we could become friends. You have found it in your heart to forgive Draco and I'm hoping that you could forgive me too.
Yours sincerely,
Blaise Zabini
Before I proceeded to conquer the pile of presents still left over I grabbed a piece of parchment and began to scribble a reply to Blaise:
Blaise,
I forgive you for everything.
Hermione
"Thank you." Draco had read both letters over my shoulder.
"I didn't do it for you."
"I know and that's why I love you. You are so selfless and so utterly amazing." He gave me an innocent peck but I blushed as if he had kissed me passionately in front of a room full of people. "Now here's my present." He handed me a small box but I looked up at him confused.
"I thought this was my present." I showed him my hand, the ring still on my finger.
"No that was not a present. That was to tell the world that you are mine forever and always, now open the present." I pulled the wrapping off a small box. Hesitantly I opened it and inside was the most delicate necklace I had ever seen. The silver necklace held a bright emerald pendant that matched my ring perfectly. "It's the Malfoy necklace, it can only be given to the person that you love the most and once on it will stay with the owner until one of the couple dies."
"So very romantic," I joked. He pulled the necklace out of the box and gently placed it around my neck. It hung perfectly between my collar bones. For a moment we stood there my back to his belly and I just felt his gentle breath stir the hair on my neck. Then the moment ended and I opened the last of the presents.
From my mother I had gotten a new quill and 3 pots of ink. From my father I had got an assortment of muggle sweets enough to last me for a year. And finally I had a present that had no label on. Inside was a notebook and on the first page was a letter.
Danger follows you like a shadow.
Watch your back because you never know who wants it stabbed.
Every time I sense trouble a brief description will appear in this magic notebook.
Just put a drop of ink on the first page every day.
That will allow me to communicate with you.
Stay safe.
Your guardian angel
I put the notebook away in my desk, I didn't want to show Draco because I didn't want to worry him. It was probably just a prank anyway. I dismissed it and then I reached for the present I had expected to receive but there was nothing there. Ron hadn't sent a present. I tried to out aside the hurt that painfully made its way to my heart and failed. We had always exchanged Christmas presents for as long as I could remember. Even Draco's knowing hug and kiss to the forehead couldn't quench the sadness that swelled up inside of me. We had fought before but Christmas was Christmas and we were supposed to be friends.
Draco's point of view
Her face was sad as she looked at the now empty space on the floor- I didn't even need to ask why she was upset. It hurt me to think that even though he wasn't insulting her his absence could still make her miserable. She needed to forget him today and I had the perfect plan to make that happen.
"Get dressed it's almost time to go."
"Go where." Surprise sparkled in her eyes as she saw me pull out a bag from beneath my desk that I had already packed for today.
"Wear something warm."
XXXX
I covered my eyes with my hands as we apparated to the spot. I had chosen this location because I knew that she needed to get away from school and the work and the toxic friendships. Today was going to be a good day.
I uncovered her eyes and let her take in the scene before her.
"Draco, it's so beautiful! Where are we?"
"We are in Wales." I let myself take in the vast expanse of forest that surrounded the space where we stood at the bottom of a deep valley. It had taken me days to ask for permission to come here and another couple of days to set this all up. But, it was all worth it to see that breathtaking smile on Hermione's face, to see her eyes light up with wonder and to feel her excitement as she swirled around taking in the small expanse of land.
Hermione's point of view
The minute Draco took of my blindfold my worries fizzled away like distant memories. We were in a small clearing, surrounded by trees and hills. In the clearing fairy lights had been strung from every tree lighting up the place with a warm homey glow. The canopy of trees blocked of the sky making the warmth spread all through the dark woods making this place seem special and safe as if it was only for me and Draco. A picnic had lovingly been laid out on top of warm tartan blankets and plenty of pillows adorned the ground- perfect for sitting on. In one of the trees was a book, a book that I had wanted since the dawn of time but I had never been able to find the original copy. I smiled feeling my cheeks stretch at the sheer force of my happiness and wonder.
This place was heaven on Earth.
"Draco, it's so beautiful! Where are we?"
"We are in Wales." That explained the copious hills. Draco walked to the book and picked it up and handed to me. I didn't say anything as I inhaled the perfect scent of old books. I gently placed it back in the tree- feeling Draco's eyes follow me- before I launched myself into his arms and began to kiss him.
We had never kissed so intensely before and my heart began to beat in a nervous flutter as the kiss deepened. His hands roamed down my spine and rested on my hips dragging me closer to him. I fisted my hands in his hair and gasped when I felt him bite my lip. In response I pulled him closer, he needed to be closer, and felt my body thrum with life. I felt so alive in this moment as his hands lovingly stroked my face and as we broke apart the only thought that ran through my mind was that I could do that forever.
He smiled somewhat timidly as he sat on the ground and handed me a plate. On it were some of my favourite foods- pumpkin pasties, chips and spaghetti. It all seemed like a weird combination but I greedily started to eat and everything was perfect, I felt so special that he had made this effort all for me! For pudding we had chocolate cake and chocolate frogs and sugar quills and when we had finally finished eating I patted my bulging belly happily: I had never eaten so many of my favourite foods all at once.
"That was perfect thank you." He blushed and nodded lazily. He was probably feeling just as drowsy as I was after eating all that food.
He pulled me in next to him and we watched the birds flit cheerily through the vibrant green canopy above us. It was so tranquil here that I never wanted to leave here and his side. The food and the warmth had me drifting off and when Draco shook my shoulder gently to wake me up I saw that it was night time as there was no longer a faint light trickling through the leaves above.
"It's time to go." I frowned sadly. Today had just been perfect. I kissed him deep and longingly wanting to stay in his warm cocoon for a little bit longer. Reluctantly, I then took his warm hand and let him apparate us back to Hogwarts.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story, I love to hear what you have to say and I really hope you are enjoying it and I'll try to get the next chapter up soon x.