Disclaimer: I own zilch.

Chapter 12

Hermione, still in shock, sat dumbly in a chair. Somewhere through the large Malfoy Manor she heard a clock chime loudly over the music twelve times. She noticed people beginning to leave, nodding their thanks to Narcissa. Maybe it was time for her to go too. She stood up and smoothed down her silk dress. Picking up her borrowed clutch bag, she turned to try and find Pansy and Harry to say she was leaving.

"Don't go. Not yet." A voice pleaded from behind her.

She whirled round, almost falling over, to face Draco Malfoy. He was standing a few feet away from her, his eyes looking like they were begging her to stay.

"Everyone's going now, Draco," It was awkward between them after what she'd heard from Narcissa. "Besides, your father…"

"My father won't be coming down again tonight, I assure you," He said coldly, stepping towards her.

Hermione said nothing and glanced around the enormous room. Most of the guests had left, including Kingsley Shacklebolt and Harry. That was nice of them to say goodbye. She spied Pansy still talking to Narcissa and occasionally one of them would glance in their direction.

"Please stay," his voice turned to a more gentle tone and Hermione had no choice but to agree.

"Okay," she sighed and set the clutch bag down on the table. "I don't really want to dance again, if that's alright."

"Yeah, fine." He smiled, hesitantly. "Do you, er, want to go for a walk?"

Hermione's stomach twisted into a huge knot and she took a shaky breath. What would people think if she did? Narcissa would certainly get the wrong impression if she saw them walk out of the room together. "I don't know, Draco. Is it a good idea? I mean, with your father still around the house…"

"Oh no, I meant outside. It would be rather cold but we could cast a warming charm on ourselves. But I could always lend you one of mother's coats, I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Draco began to babble. Incredibly unlike his usual calm and collected self. She wondered what he and Lucius talked about. Curiosity getting the better of her, Hermione agreed.

They left the ballroom quickly and quietly, trying to go unseen by the prying eyes of the remaining party guests. Hermione followed Draco past the drawing room, where she was determined not to look at the door, past the stairs and into a large pantry.

There, he turned to face her, his eyes alit with excitement. "Coat or charm?"

"Charm," Despite Hermione and Narcissa's newfound 'friendship', she still didn't feel comfortable borrowing one of her coats.

"Alright," Draco seemed pleased at her answer for some odd reason. He quickly muttered the spell and Hermione felt a wave of heat pass over and linger on her body. It was suddenly boiling hot in the pantry, and Hermione positively jumped out into the biting December air. She gazed around at her surroundings. Right in front of her, there was a steady slope down to a long row of pine trees. Shifting her head to the left and the right, Hermione could see the Manor was surrounded by huge, now bare, trees stretching for miles. She heard Draco come up beside her. "This place is beautiful."

Draco smiled, "Thank you. It's not cold at all is it?" He glanced at Hermione's bare arms which didn't have one goose pimple.

"No," She agreed, also looking at her arms. "I'll have to remember that spell. Where are we going?"

"Um, to the bottom…" Draco started off ahead with big long strides, his hands shoved deeply into his pockets.

"Draco!" Hermione called, jogging to keep up. "In case you've forgotten, I am wearing a silk dress and high heels. I can't walk fast."

"Transfigure them," he turned to grin at her. "I have something to show you; it's down at the bottom by the trees."

"Are you serious?" Hermione stopped in her tracks. "I'm not walking all the way down there in this!" She pointed at herself.

"Yeah, so transfigure." Draco shrugged and Hermione only glared at him. However, she complied at waved her wand at her shoes, which turned into big, brown boots. "What in Merlin's name are those?" Draco looked astounded at the clumpy objects. "I would never be seen dead in them."

"They're hiking boots, if you must know." She sniffed. "Muggles use them for long hikes or mountaineering."

"Granger, we're not going up a mountain or going for a hike." He rolled his eyes.

"Well, Malfoy, they'll help me better than slippers!" Hermione growled and stormed off down the hill as well as she could.

"That doesn't even make sense!" Draco shouted after her, as he followed Hermione down the hill. He reached the bottom and found Hermione sulking by a tree, her arms crossed haughtily.

"What are you going to show me, Malfoy?" Hermione easily slipped back into calling him by his last name again.

"Well, if you're going to be like that, then you may as well forget it." Draco childishly turned his back on her, hiding a smile.

"No…I mean, fine." Hermione corrected hurriedly and he heard her start trudging back up the hill.

He didn't turn around until he heard her sigh and then come back.

"I'm sorry, Draco, what did you want to show me?" She asked, trying to smile.

"Better. You're learning, Gra-Hermione." Draco smirked and folded his arms. "But I don't know if I even want to show you now. You kind of ruined the moment, you know." He added with a huge sigh.

"What moment?" Hermione shrieked. "Just show me, damnit!"

"No." He continued to smirk. He then turned and marched back up the hill, laughing quietly to himself. Oh how he loved to torment Hermione…in a nice way, of course.

"You - you insufferable…you…stupid white ferret!" He heard her yell from the bottom of the hill.

"And you love me for it!" Draco laughed as he reached the top of the crest and looked back down to see an infuriated Hermione, pace back and forth at the bottom, shouting. Draco, watched for a while, completely amused by her behaviour, before yelling a 'goodbye' and strolling back into the Manor taking off the warming charm in the process.

He whistled to himself as he slipped back into the ballroom, noticing a significant number of people had left since he had last been in the room. Now all who remained were Pansy, his mother, a couple of tipsy blond witches, and a doddery old wizard he didn't even recognize. In result of so few people left, they all, excluding the blond witches, acknowledged his return. Here came the onslaught of questions.

"Where's Hermione?"

"Draco…"

"What have you been doing?"
"You didn't hurt her, did you?"

Draco sighed and tried to make his way back out of the ballroom but his mother locked the doors with her wand. "Draco…" She warned.

"Alright, alright. I took her for a walk and then she got grumpy so I left her down at the bottom of the field. She'll probably come here in minute, right as rain." Draco smirked at Pansy and his mother's shocked expressions.

"How could you?" Pansy screeched, and jumped forward to smack him on the arm. She then whipped out her wand and cast a tickling jinx.

Draco began to wheeze with laughter, as invisible fingers began to gently crawl and tweak his skin in his ticklish spots. "Okay…I'm sorry!" He managed to gasp out, as tears began to pour down his cheeks. He saw his mother smirk, satisfied.

Pansy reluctantly lifted the jinx, and Narcissa unlocked the ballroom door.

"Go and get her." She ordered, as Draco wiped his eyes.

"No need. I'm already here." Came a cold voice from the doorway. Draco saw Hermione stomp most un-ladylike into the large room and she shot him a chilling stare.

"What did I do?" He asked, putting on an extremely innocent voice.

She didn't answer but only grabbed her clutch bag, Pansy's hand and marched over to the fireplace, where they both disappeared one after the other, without a goodbye.

"Well, that was rather rude, mother. They didn't even say thank you or goodbye to you!" He put on a shocked expression.

"Shut up, Draco." Narcissa ordered the last three guests to leave before she turned to Draco and told him to go straight to bed.

"Mother, I am not five." Draco smirked, and bowed slightly to his mother before leaving the ballroom. He couldn't help notice that when Hermione left the Manor, she was still wearing the awful hiking boots. Smirking, he got into his bed at his parents' home and promptly fell into a deep slumber.

--

Hermione was shaking with anger. That little toe-rag! He was still the same rude and arrogant boy he was in school. She felt Pansy drag her over to her sofa and force her to sit down.

"Hermione, breathe." She commanded, staring into her eyes.

Hermione took a shallow breath and then folded her arms. "Malfoy is such a git! I don't know how is mother expects me to marry him! I'll do that when hell freezes over!"

"Calm, Hermione, calm. Don't take it so seriously; he was just being silly and messing you around." Pansy crouched down to Hermione's knees. "Trust me, I know all about it; its how the Slytherin mind works." She added with a wry smile.

"Don't stick up for him or I'll never talk to you again." Hermione said coldly, glaring at Pansy who laughed.

"Jeez, I think a Blast-Ended Skrewt is probably friendlier than you," Pansy poked Hermione in the leg. "Anyway, go to bed and I'll see you in the morning. With Ginny."

Hermione scowled at Pansy's back as she disappeared in the floo. Lousy friend.

Guilt washed over her and she pouted. No, she didn't mean that at all. Pansy was a great and lovely friend. Ginny too. Hermione sighed and got up from the sofa, kicking off her heels in the process. She stumbled tiredly into her bedroom, where she forced herself to take off her dress, jump into her bed and fall asleep.

--

Hermione awoke slowly, the sunlight streaming through her curtains and onto her face.

"It's Christmas!" She sat up in bed and grinned to herself. A couple of weeks earlier, she had bought a tree and decorated it. Hopping out of bed happily, she ran into her living room and spied the presents she had wrapped up for her friends and their families last week. She quickly sorted them into piles, and then spotted her shoes from last night by the sofa. Groaning, the events of the party swarmed her mind. She then remembered that Pansy and Ginny were coming to see her that day. She, Pansy, Ron, Ginny and Harry were all going to the Burrow for lunch, as was the usual custom. Realising she hadn't got properly dressed yet, she started towards her bedroom. However, just as she was about to enter, she heard her fireplace come into life. She stepped back into the room expecting to see her best friends, but she stopped dead as she saw it wasn't Pansy and Ginny, but Draco.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, coldly. He was standing by the fireplace, dressed handsomely in black, with a hat perched stylishly on his head and a scarf wrapped loosely around his neck.

"I'm here to apologise, Hermione." He said, giving a little smile. "And to give you a Christmas present." He held out a little box on the palm of his hand.

Hermione was shocked. First, he was actually apologising; second, he was still calling her by her first name and third, he was giving her a present! "Uh, I didn't get you anything, sorry." She apologised as nicely as she could.

"No matter, but take yours. Please? As an acceptance of my apology?" Draco stepped closer to Hermione, his arm still outstretched.

There was a painful five seconds of silence before Hermione carefully took the gift from him. "Thank you, Draco." She whispered, without realising she had called him by his first name again.

"Merry Christmas, Hermione." Draco tipped his hat like a gentleman, and left her home.

Hermione stood in shock for a minute, staring at the place where Draco had stood. A slight breeze drew her attention away from Draco Malfoy, and the small box in her hand; the sudden chill on her legs brought a startling fact to light. Hermione Granger had just accepted a Christmas Present from, and held a conversation with Malfoy. Whilst in her underwear. Bugger.

"Oh, my gosh! What the hell? He saw me in my bra and knickers!" She groaned, shaking her head in disbelief. The gift was still clutched tightly in her hand and, curiosity getting the better of her, she unwrapped the silver ribbon which was wrapped delicately around the small, red box. It was a surprising choice of colours for Draco, Hermione noticed. Surely he would have wanted to keep the box green to go with the Slytherin traditions. Instead, he seemed to have mixed the silver of Slytherin with the red of Gryffindor. The effect is rather nice, thought Hermione, admiring the little gift box before gently lifting the lid. What she saw made her gasp. A pair of delicate, silver and - of course - emerald earrings, sat snugly in the box. They were magnificent, yet so simple. The emerald stone was a small tear drop, and pure silver outlined the shape. Hermione moved slightly and the light caught the stone so it glimmered. She was still standing in her underwear, mesmerised by the earrings, when Ginny and Pansy marched out of her fireplace after the green flames disappeared.

"Yes, Hermione, I know you're sexy but I'm getting married. Ooh, what are they?" Ginny's jaw dropped when she saw the small earrings. "Who got you those?"

Pansy answered for her, "Draco?" She asked, a half smile playing on her face.

"Yeah," Hermione breathed, tearing her eyes away from the gift. "I'm going to get dressed and stuff. We can leave afterwards."

Hermione placed the box very carefully on the mantelpiece above the fire, before she quickly hopped into the shower. She took all of fifteen minutes in having a shower, getting dressed, having breakfast and then cleaning her teeth – new record.

"Wow, I'd still be in the shower by now." Pansy said impressed, when Hermione strolled back in beaming.

Hermione laughed. "Usually, I take about twenty to do everything. Must be because it's Christmas." She added with a wink.

"Or because Malfoy gave you a present." Ginny coughed, grinning.

"Be quiet, you. Do I look okay?" Hermione spun around. She was wearing skinny jeans, big fluffy boots and a knitted, baggy, grey jumper with a large, shadow of a Stag head on the front.

"Ooh, you look so comfy!" Pansy touched Hermione on the shoulder. "Oh, I love the jumper. Put the earrings in!"

Hermione grimaced slightly. "It won't go with what I'm wearing."

"Be quiet, Hermione. Put them in." Pansy grinned and handed her the small box where Hermione gazed at the earrings before hesitantly putting them in.

"It doesn't look right, does it?" Hermione frowned at her reflection in the mirror. "I'll put my hair down." She ruffled up her hair around her face so it hid the earrings.

"You can't see them, now! But you still look great, anyway." Ginny beamed.

"Thanks!" Hermione blushed slightly. "What time is it?"

"Half past eleven. Mum wanted us there by twelve, but she wouldn't mind us going a little earlier." Ginny shrugged. "Ron and Harry are already there, anyway."

"What's Draco doing for Christmas? Did you ask him?" Pansy suddenly asked, quietly.

"No," Hermione bit her lip. "It slipped my mind because I was still irritated with him."

"You should ask him to come for lunch at the Burrow!" Ginny was literally jumping up and down with excitement. "Mum and dad won't care…Ron will, but that doesn't matter. Maybe George too, but I know everyone else won't mind!"

"That is probably the understatement of the year, Gin'," Hermione shook her head and rolled her eyes, smiling.

"Oh, come on Hermione!" Ginny whined. "Unless you want to kiss under the mistletoe with Charlie." She poked out her tongue and made a face.

"Er, no offence, but I'd pass on that one." Hermione pulled a face. She liked Charlie, but he really was only just a friend to her. Not to mention he was about twelve years older than her. "Anyway, why only Charlie?"

"Because everyone else is married, or getting married, or in a relationship. Duh!" Ginny smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. "Bring Malfoy…please?"

"No!" Hermione exclaimed, trying not to laugh. She glanced at Pansy who was smirking at her. "Oh, for heavens sake, I'm going already."

Hermione grabbed a bag from the kitchen, shrank the Christmas presents and disappeared into the floo, leaving Ginny and Pansy whispering together. Ignoring the rising feeling of unease when those two came to scheming, Hermione arrived at the Burrow and into the Weasley's living room, where she was greeted by Victoire, Dominique and a loud "goo" from Louis.

"Hello, Hermione!" Victoire cried, throwing her little five-year-old arms around Hermione's thighs.

"Victoire! Merry Christmas! Has Santa brought you all presents?" Hermione asked, bending down to her eye level. She saw three-year-old Dominique totter over to stand next to her older sister.

"Who's he?" She asked, her wide blue eyes alight with excitement.

"He's a big man, with really fluffy white hair and a beard, and at night time, if you've been good children, he comes in his Sleigh with all his reindeers to deliver the presents down the chimney!" Hermione ruffled Dominique and Victoire's blond curls.

"Oh yes, we had those today! And Louis did, too!" Victoire clapped her hands. "I'll show you mine!"

"'Ermione!" Fleur glided into the living room and pecked her on the cheeks twice. "Merry Christmas! Children, go and find your grandpa!" She ordered gently. She turned to pick up Louis from against the sofa.

"How old is he now?" Hermione cooed, touching Louis on the nose playfully. He giggled and leant in to his mother's arms.

"Ten months in January." Fleur gazed fondly down at her son. "But where is everyone else? Bill! Molly? 'Ermione is 'ere!"

Hermione heard Molly squeal and then the patter of her footsteps as she jogged into the living room. "Hermione! Oh, it's so good to see you! Where's Ginny and Pansy?"

"I'm not sure…they were behind me?" Hermione frowned but then bent down to pick up the bag. "I've shrunk all the presents for everyone in here!" She added with a whisper and a point to the bag.

Molly beamed and took the presents from her where she enlarged them under a tall Christmas tree; the angel's – or was it a gnome again? – head hit the top of the ceiling.

There was a hustle and bustle as all the Weasley's, plus Harry, greeted and wished her a Merry Christmas. Harry grinned when he saw her jumper.

"Loving that, Hermione."

"I thought you might," she winked and gave him a hug.

"Ha, ha, ha!" Boomed Arthur Weasley, marching into the crowded living room.

The Weasley's all exchanged quizzical looks (Molly looked thunderous) and Harry and Hermione couldn't stop themselves bursting into fits of laughter.

"Arthur, it's Ho, ho, ho for a start." Hermione managed to gasp. "But good effort on the outfit."

Arthur glanced down at what he was wearing. He hadn't put a cushion under the red coat he wore, so he was a lanky Santa Claus. His hat was inside out, and the wrong shape. His boots weren't boots; they were slippers, and he was still wearing his horn-rimmed glasses.

"What have I done wrong?" His arms fell limply to his sides.

"Let me help…" Hermione giggled and whipped out her wand. She muttered a few spells, flicked her wand and everyone watched as the hat transformed, the fluffy slippers transformed to boots, and air was magically forced up his jumper so it formed a pot belly. She took his glasses off as well.

"Now I can't see," Arthur complained. "But thank you, Hermione!"

Hermione laughed. "Well, have these back. Just tell me when you get uncomfortable and I'll undo it all."

There were two cries of joy from the doorway to the living room.

"Is this Santa Claus?" Victoire ran up to Arthur and poked his belly.

"That's what he looks like, but the real Santa Claus comes at night time when you're asleep. That's Grandpa." Harry looked kindly down at his soon-to-be niece.

"Oh," Victoire cocked her head to one side. "I like Santa."

"Ho, ho, ho!" Arthur hauled his two grandchildren into a tight hug just as Ginny entered through the floo.

"Hi, everyone! Pansy's coming in a bit; she has to do something first." Ginny greeted everyone and then smiled sweetly at Hermione. Hermione didn't like that smile. Not one bit. Trying to be in Ginny's shoes, Hermione began to sift through the different things Pansy could suddenly be doing. She frowned at Ginny who only smiled more. Then it clicked.

The little bitch. Pansy was going to get Draco! She had to stop her! Hermione started towards the fire with a determined expression on her face. However, Ginny opened her mouth to speak loudly.

"Victoire, Dominique. Why don't you show Hermione your presents? And I'm sure she has some for you."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ginny as she was led away by Victoire out of the living room. She and Pansy would pay.

As Victoire pushed her new toy broom into Hermione's hands, she heard the fireplace downstairs roar into life. The murmur of voices evaporated and Hermione couldn't hear anything apart from Victoire's chattering.

"It's the new one. I'm so excited and I've already had a go on it." Victoire was about to show her another one of her numerous presents when she heard someone call her name loudly.

"Victoire, show me them after lunch, yeah? I've got to go downstairs for a minute." Hermione stood up and stroked Victoire's hair before nervously making her way down the stairs. She took a deep breath before stepping into the living room.

"Well, this is a surprise." Hermione heard Molly say as she tried to see who had just arrived.

"I'm sorry if I am intruding, Mrs Weasley." A voice drawled. Hermione's heart sank. She would recognize that voice anywhere. She had been hoping that Pansy wouldn't have gone to get him, but obviously she had been mistaken. Hermione moved to stand next to Harry who gave her a funny look. She caught Ron's eye and he glared at her from across the room.

"No, it shouldn't be a problem to fit one more person in," Molly smiled hesitantly at the new arrival. From where Hermione was standing, she could see clearly Pansy's smug face and Draco Malfoy's uncertain expression.

"Mrs Weasley, I'm not -"

"Nonsense, and call me Molly. We will be eating very soon." Molly clapped her hands and everyone started talking again. Hermione saw Ron march across to Pansy where he took her aside and began to talk to her very fiercely. Not liking what she was seeing, Hermione pulled Ron away.

"Leave it, okay?" She said firmly. When Ron opened his mouth to speak, Hermione cut across. "I don't care of what you're going to say, Ronald. Just drop it."

Ron scowled and walked away over to Bill, George and Charlie.

"Hermione, are you angry with us?" Pansy pouted at her best friend. "Ginny and I were only trying to … speed things up."

"Yeah, I know," Hermione sighed. "I can't do anything about it anyway." She watched as Draco stood, not really knowing where to go or who to talk to. He felt Hermione's eyes on him and he turned to see her with a puzzled expression written on her face. He strolled over to them both and Hermione averted her gaze.

"Hello," he murmured. "Pansy forced me to come."

"Oh, did she? I would never have guessed." Hermione said with a hint of sarcasm.

Draco laughed quietly. "Merry Christmas. Again."

"Yeah, merry Christmas." Hermione nodded and noticed that Pansy had slipped away to talk to Ginny, no doubt. "Thanks for the present, by the way."

"It's okay."

The conversation fell into an awkward silence. Hermione was saved by Mrs Weasley calling everyone for the lunch. They all squeezed into the kitchen where the table was covered with food; turkey, beef, chicken, Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, steamed vegetables, gravy…

"Wow, mum, this looks amazing." George rubbed his hands together in appreciation. He grabbed a plate and began to pile on the food.

"Hey, George, where's Angelina and the kids?" Hermione suddenly realised that Fred and Roxanne were absent. As well as their mother.

"The kids are both ill, would you believe it. So Angelina is staying with them today at home."

"Oh, how awful! Send them my love." Hermione took a plate and followed behind George in the buffet styled lunch.

"Will do. So, Hermione, what's this I hear about you and Mr Malfoy? Fraternizing with the enemy, are we?" George winked and took a bite of his Yorkshire pudding.

"Oh, ha ha, and nothing is going on. I'd say we're just friends." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"For now," he winked and excused himself to go and find Ron.

She wandered back into the living room, holding her plate, and sat down on the sofa. Closing her eyes, she chewed her food and she felt someone sit down beside her.

"This is nice … Weasel's mum is a pretty good cook." Draco looked at Hermione who suddenly scowled, her eyes still closed.

"She's an excellent cook, Draco. And don't call him that!"

Draco chuckled. "My mother was asking about you this morning."

"Really," she said dryly.

"Yes." Was all he replied with.

More of the Weasley's came into the living room, including little Victoire and Dominique.

"Who's he?" Victoire pointed at Draco.

"I'm your worst nightmare." Draco grinned at the little girls.

"Draco!" Hermione scolded, swatting him on the arm. "Ignore him, Victoire. He's called Draco Malfoy."

"Oh. Hermione, can I show you the rest of my presents now?" Victoire asked, jumping up and down.

"And me!" Dominique piped up.

"Um, a bit later on, guys. We're about to open up some more presents after lunch." Hermione pointed at the Christmas tree and the two girls squealed as they ran towards it, checking the tags.

"What did you get from your parents?" Hermione asked Draco.

"A new watch and some money." Draco replied, watching the children. "Do you think you'd ever want children some day?"

"Oh yes, I'd love to." Hermione smiled excitedly. "You?"

"I don't know … maybe." Pondered Draco, finishing off his meal.

Their conversation ended as all the Weasley's crowded the living room, ready to open the presents. In the next ten minutes, all the presents were arranged into separate piles for people and soon, there was wrapping paper everywhere and cries of glee and exclamation. Once Hermione had finished unwrapping all her presents of books, clothes, perfume and jewellery, she noticed Draco edging towards the fireplace. She quickly got up and stood next to him muttering, "I hope you aren't thinking of leaving without saying goodbye."

"No," He said innocently.

"Good," Hermione smiled sweetly. "Are you alright, though? This must be rather awkward for you. Trust me, later on, everything will calm down a bit and we can all have a chat."

Draco grimaced. "I feel like an intruder."

"Well, at least you can blame it on Pansy." Hermione giggled. "I'm sorry I didn't get you anything, by the way."

"It's okay," Draco shrugged. "Did you like the earrings?"

"Yes, they were beautiful. I'm actually wearing them now." She added shyly. Pulling back her hair, Hermione showed Draco the earrings he bought her. They glittered in the light and he smiled, a big smile.

"They look really nice on you," Draco nodded his head in approval.

"Thanks," Hermione blushed at the flattery. She saw Victoire and Dominique run over to her. "Uh oh, I'm about to be kidnapped. I'll see you later, okay?"

The last thing Hermione saw before being dragged upstairs, was Draco laughing, his grey eyes twinkling merrily.

--

There was a knock on Bill's old room door, and Fleur poked her head through the gap.

"Victoire, Dominique, we have to go 'ome now. It's five o'clock."

The two children whined in protest.

"Listen to your mummy, girls. I'll pack up your presents into a bag for you." Hermione shrank all the toys into a small bag and handed it to Fleur. "It was lovely seeing you again."

"Yes, I enjoyed it, 'ermione. Merry Christmas!" Fleur opened the door wider for her two oldest children to stomp under her arm and down the stairs where they said reluctant goodbyes. Hermione followed and hugged the three children and their parents before watching them disappear in the floo. At once, Arthur and Molly bought out the Elf Wine and everyone made themselves comfortable in the living room, preparing for a relaxing Christmas evening.

Hermione sat down in an armchair and finding that all the space was taken, Draco sat on the floor next to Hermione, his head leaning against the chair.

"Oh, Draco dear, don't be so silly. Let me get you a chair." Molly flicked her wand and a comfortable looking armchair appeared next to Hermione for him to sit on.

"Thank you, Mrs Weasley." Draco sat down.

"Didn't I tell you to call me Molly? I won't have any of that 'Mrs Weasley' nonsense." Molly flustered taking a nervous sip of her wine.

"Relax, mum." Ginny patted her mother on the arm and Molly shook her head.

"I'm just tired, love. It's been a busy day preparing all that food and having the three grandchildren running around!"

"The food was delicious, Mrs- I mean Molly." It felt odd on Draco's tongue calling Weaselbee's mum by her first name.

A few faces turned in Draco's direction with shock, but he ignored them all, he's eyes fixed on Molly, waiting for her reply.

"Oh … why thank you, dear," Molly blushed and hastily looked down.

Hermione was impressed with Draco. He had come here, not retorted to any of Ron's taunts that he had said over lunch, complimented Mrs Weasley and seemed quite at ease at the Weasley household. She looked over at him and smiled encouragingly. He only smirked back and she rolled his eyes at the annoying face he usually pulled.

They sat there drinking and chatting, and as the time passed on, Draco became more and more relaxed, and more and more involved with the conversations. Harry and Charlie warmed to Draco more than anyone else in the room, which was fairly surprising to Hermione. She was, astonishingly, pleased that Draco did come to the Weasley's for Christmas. It was probably nicer for him than spending it with his parents. Sighing happily, Hermione raised her glass to her lips and sipped her drink.

"We have an announcement to make," Ginny tapped her glass and laughed, glancing at Harry who took her hand gently.

"We have decided a date for the wedding," He said, grinning lopsidedly.

An excited cry from all the women filled the room and rumbles of "Finally!" escaped from a few of the men's lips.

"When is it, Ginny?" Pansy asked, bouncing up and down on the sofa.

"It shall be in May."

"Oh my goodness! So much work to be done! We have to sort out where you want it, flowers, oh, and of course the dress! Invitations, bridesmaids, best man-" Molly ticked of a list on her fingers nervously.

"Mum!" Ginny closed her eyes as if in pain.

"- all in five months!" finished Molly.

"Mum!" Ginny shouted. "It's okay, we've already started the invitations, actually. And Harry and I have decided who will be our bridesmaids and best man."

"Best men," corrected Harry.

Ginny turned to her fiancée in surprise. "Who's the second?"

"I'll tell you later," he winked.

"Okay, whatever you say, Harry." She kissed him on the cheek. "We'll send out the invites next week, I think."

"Oh, I'm so happy for you!" Hermione beamed at her two best friends. "I can't believe you're going to be married." Her eyes filled with water.

"Why are you crying?" Draco asked, chuckling beside her.

"Yeah, why are you crying?" Ginny nodded her head furiously.
"Because … oh, I don't know! I've had too much to drink." Hermione sniffed, and hastily wiped her eyes. "I'm fine. Sorry."

Everyone laughed and the people began to congratulate.

"I must tell Bill!" Molly bustled over to the fireplace where she messaged her son the news.

The next time Draco checked his watch he was extremely surprised to find it was eight o'clock. "Wow, look at the time! I should be going. Thank you very much for inviting me, Mr and Mrs Weasley – I enjoyed myself immensely. Merry Christmas."

"I should be going, too." Hermione saw the time and got up from the chair to kiss Molly and Arthur. "It was lovely seeing you all today. Thank you."

Draco headed towards the floo with Hermione in tow. When they both disappeared, Molly turned to her family.

"Are those two together? They looked very … close."

"No, they aren't. Yet." Pansy smiled evilly. "But they will be. They will be."

I am so sorry for such an awful chapter. Don't lie and say it was good, because it wasn't. And I'm sorry for the slow update too! I'm ill, have exams and stuff going on. Please forgive me! |: