A/N: Merry Christmas Eve! If you celebrate I hope you all have a wonderrful night and enjoy tomorrow. if you don't then happy holidays and enjoy the day anyways!
Here's some classic Hallmark, Christmas cliche's but make it Dramione! 3
Hermione's fingers were cramping. Her hand ached and the joints were tense from the long month of knitting almost every day. But it was done and infinitely worth it; to see all the children's faces light up when they opened their hand knitted scarf with their name on it and a specific book wrapped inside it with a handwritten note from 'Father and Mother Christmas.'
A tradition that she's kept going for the kids at St. Mungo's now for the last four years. She helped St. Mungo's staff organize a Christmas Eve party for all kids in the hospital with terminal illnesses. Originally it began by volunteering to help respond to their Christmas letters, but she approached the coordinator for the little event and asked if it could be made into something larger. Every year since, they ate, danced, sang, read Christmas stories and talked about what they hoped to get from Father Christmas during their party.
She loved it, always looking forward to this special day with the kids. She would show up as 'Mother Christmas' and hand out presents and explain to the kids she made a stop early while Father Christmas prepared for the big night. The children ate it up, and the excitement she'd see on their faces when she would stroll in with her white hair and big red dress never failed to make her insides explode with glee.
Hermione adjusted her round silver glasses and made sure her dress looked okay in the mirror. Her transfigurations for her appearance really made her look the part. The wispy white and gray of her curly hair were neatly braided into a low bun. Her cheeks were bright and rosy, skin a bit more wrinkly. You could tell it was still her if you stared long enough, but the kids never knew.
With her big red purse that had its own undetectable extension charm for all the presents, Hermione smiled to herself then floo'd to St. Mungo's. She could hear the music playing from down the hall and was met by the main organizer of the event, Healer Brady.
"Hermione! Right on time and looking cheery as ever." She exclaimed in greeting. Hermione laughed and thanked the woman.
"How's everyone doing?" She asked as they walked through the hallway towards the large event room.
"Great! The kids are very excited for Father and Mother Christmas to make an appearance." Healer Brady said and Hermione raised a brow.
"Father Christmas?" She asked. "Is someone dressing up as him as well?"
"I must've forgot to mention last time we spoke but yes! A healer from a few units down heard about the party and offered to be Father Christmas. He's really jazzed about it." She said and then casted a tempus. "Should be here soon, said he was—ah hi Malfoy! My look at you!"
Hermione's shoulder tensed at the name and cringed even harder at the ecstatic voice of Healer Brady. Her back was to him and she was unable to move to greet 'Father Christmas' despite the other woman's enthusiasm.
"This bloody thing itches." He said immediately, voice gruff and annoyed but Healer Brady just laughed. "I don't know how some people can stand a beard."
He came up beside Healer Brady which put him directly in her line of vision. She held her breath as he finally got a glimpse of her face and braced for something rude. They hadn't exactly crossed paths often in the last years, only politely nodding at one another in public, but conversations were never made. He remained a stranger.
She got a good look at his costume. Malfoy's hair was transfigured much like his father's, long and needle straight. The stringy gray beard was down to the middle of his stomach and he even looked like he had wrinkles and crowsfeet. He epitomized Father Christmas in his long dark red robes and full belly.
Hermione couldn't help but stare. It was hard to recognize him. She most likely wouldn't have figured out it was Malfoy unless Healer Brady pointed it out. The only noticeable quality of his was his pointy nose.
She noticed his crisp steel colored eyes drift all over her appearance, lingering heavily on her face. Moments had passed between them until Hermione finally saw recognition hit him. His eyes rounded then quickly fixed back to normal, then squinted at her with an amused smirk.
"Granger?" He finally said. "Is that you?"
Hermione took a small inhale. Well his greeting was amicable so far.
"Yep. Mother Christmas before your very eyes." She said a bit unenthused. He raised a single brow, inspecting her appearance again.
"Huh." He spoke, and she looked up at the tone. It sounded teasing. "My missus for the night is a clone of McGonagall. Splendid."
It was a joke, it sounded like a joke, Healer Brady laughed at the joke but Hermione defensively crossed her arms and huffed. Defensive in nature when it came to him.
"Yes well, my supposed husband for the evening looks like Lucius Malfoy aged a hundred years. My excitement is through the bloody roof." She said with a sneer, but instead of getting a scowl back or hearing some rude remark, Malfoy just chuckled further.
"A very happy Christmas." He replied sarcastically, eyeing her once more before turning to Healer Brady. "Shall we head in? It's about that time, yes?"
"Yes! So the kids already ate and they're very hyper from their sweets, so they'll be extra excited to see you both." She said with a smile and Malfoy looked back to her.
"Great. Ready?" He asked Hermione and she blinked once then situated her purse filled with her handmade presents. She noticed Malfoy was carrying his own sack over his back.
"As I'll ever be." She commented and Healer Brady opened the doors, the noise causing everyone to look towards the back of the room where they were walking.
Malfoy walked side by side with her, but he suddenly extended his free arm up into the air and loudly greeted the squealing children.
"Ho! Ho! Ho!" He belted out in a deep and throaty voice. Hermione couldn't help but snap her head to him in astonishment. Malfoy either ignored her stare or was too focused on the kids running up to them to look back. He continued on with his act. "Merry Christmas!"
The actual appearance of 'Father Christmas' seemed to draw every single person's attention, kids and staff included. Some of the kids she recognized had sprinted right up to Malfoy and hugged his legs. Hermione was being ignored. It stung a little, since she was the main event all these years, but she still found herself smiling as they attacked Malfoy.
"Father Christmas!"
"It's really you!"
"You're here for us?"
"Are those presents in your bag?"
"Shouldn't you be preparing for tonight?"
"Am I getting a broom for Christmas?"
Multiple questions from tiny voices were shouted at him. A swarm of children looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes as they bounced up and down. Malfoy looked over at her as let his rucksack hit the floor. He held it up for her.
"Would Mother be able to hold this for a second?" He said in his deep voice as he attempted to imitate an older, much more country sounding wizard. She hated to admit it, but it was a good imitation.
"Of course." She said happily, knowing she would have to force some niceness out so the kids wouldn't suspect anything out of the ordinary.
Malfoy then leaned down and plucked two of the kids up in his arms with ease. One girl who was about five named Lottie on one arm and a seven year old named Samuel in his other. Hermione recognized both of them, knowing they had been in and out of the hospital the last year multiple times.
"Hello Lottie. Hello Sam. How was dinner? Did you eat all your vegetables?" He questioned the kids and began walking over to one of the chairs set up for their arrival.
"You know me Father?" Lottie quietly asked, her big blue eyes staring at him in awe.
"Of course darling! It's my job to know!" He said then sat down with a loud huff, the kids still gathered around him, some standing some sitting at his feet. Hermione walked to stand behind the chair and carefully set down the sack of presents.
A little boy saw her and tugged on her hand to sit with him. Hermione smiled brightly at him and joined him on the rug. He crawled right into her lap and she greeted him with a warm grin.
"Hello again Connor. Have you been a good boy this year?" She asked him and smiled at her, one tooth missing as he quickly nodded.
"Did you and Father Christmas bring me something from Weasley's Joke Shop?" He asked timidly, like Hermione was going to tell him no.
Hermione half grinned, knowing this was always the trickiest part of the evening. Kids would ask about their specific requests and she would have to make up a lie about how she was unsure of what Father Christmas had planned for them.
"Well if you—"
"Connor!" Malfoy's booming voice suddenly interrupted. Hermione and the little boy both looked up at the disguised gray old man. "Did you say the Weasley's Joke Shop?"
Connor nodded slowly, a blush creeping on his little chubby cheeks as all the attention was on him.
"I think I may have something in my bag, but we'll have to check later. Sound alright?" Malfoy smiled at the child in her lap and winked. Connor nodded and grinned.
"Okay father."
"Good. Now! Time for a story!"
All the children then sat on the rug and Malfoy began telling wild fables about his time traveling across the world, making gifts and spending time in the North Pole with Mother Christmas. Some interesting questions were asked but Malfoy handled it professionally.
"Do you and Mother have kids?" One little girl asked. Hermione almost choked on air at the innocent question.
"No we don't. Everyone are our kids!" He cheered with a smile, making eye contact with her briefly.
"So what do you do when it's not Christmas?" Sam asked.
"We prepare for next Christmas! Plenty to do." Hermione said and Malfoy nodded.
"Do you ever go on holiday? My mummy and daddy take a holiday to the Bahamas every year." A little girl said and the parents could be heard laughing from across the room.
"Oh yes!" Hermione said. "Father Christmas loves Australia. He's very good at surfing." She told them with a smirk and the kids all gaped at Malfoy.
"You can surf Father Christmas?"
"You're so old though!"
Hermione laughed loudly and Malfoy glared at her but it felt more teasing than anything. Lighthearted, maybe even a fun and conniving grin.
"I'm great at surfing. Better than Mother over here. She's rubbish at it." He whispered the last part and the kids giggled at her. Hermione pouted at him, which made Malfoy chuckle.
They took turns reading stories to the kids then played a couple games with them. Malfoy even began performing charms for them, making it snow in the room, turning snowflakes into crystalized reindeer that galloped around their heads. He made ribbons stream from the air in shimmering gold and silver that eventually tied themselves into bows in the girls' hairs and on the boys' wrists.
Hermione found herself observing Malfoy throughout the night. Catching herself smiling as he interacted with everyone, his deep voice and pink cheek seeming to be more preferred than his usual sarcasm and sneers. All his tricks and charms had the audience awing, children's eyes going bright in fascination at his magic. Malfoy was happy to perform, even catching her eye when he charmed the bells to play songs, sending her a sincere smile.
She was brought out of her daydream when one of the little girls shouted.
"Mistletoe!"
The kids looked up to see a mistletoe growing directly over Malfoy's head. Some of them 'oo'ed' some of them said 'ew.' Hermione looked at Malfoy, who for the first time all night looked caught off guard and unsure of how to respond.
"Mother Christmas! You have to kiss him!" One of the girls tugged on her dress sleeves, her eyes lighting up like this was some big romantic scene.
"Father Christmas are you going to kiss her?" Someone asked like they were hoping it wouldn't happen.
"He has to! That's his wife." One girl defended.
"It's a mistletoe of course he's going to."
As the kids briefly bickered Hermione worriedly looked up to see Malfoy staring at her. With blooming cheeks Hermione walked over to his side and placed her hands on his one shoulder than proceeded to stretch on her toes. She pecked his cheek with a louder than necessary wet sound.
Some of the boys continued their disgusted protests but the little crowd of children mainly giggled.
Hermione's lips were warm from his skin and her heart actually beat out of rhythm when she felt him staring at her.
"Okay! I have something for all of you, but! I will only give it to you if we are all seated nicely and quietly okay?" Hermione said and watched as the kids arranged themselves back on the ground and respectively put their hands in their lap. She chuckled at bit at their eagerness.
"Lovely, you all are so lovely. Your parents must be so proud. Wait just one second now! She said then turned around to grab her purse by Malfoy's bag. He walked over with her, lowly whispering.
"What did you bring?" He asked.
"I made them scarves and an individual book for each of them. Why? What did you bring?" She asked him, both of them turning their backs to the kids so they couldn't hear or see their mouths. Malfoy looked a bit uncomfortable, almost like he regretted something.
"I—I may have gotten them each the one thing they wanted the most." He admitted quietly. Her eyes widened, knowing how much that probably costed him.
"Oh." Was all she could say.
"I didn't know you'd be bringing them anything and I asked if it was alright with Healer Brady and she said yes so—"
"Malfoy it's okay," Hermione interrupted his rambling with a half smile. "That's such a sweet thing you've done for them. I'll just—announce their name and you can give them their gift with me." She planned and he nodded still looking a bit sheepish.
"Right, okay."
They brought their bags over and both sat in chairs, ready to present them with their gifts. Hermione smiled at all of them, seeing them squirm with excitement.
"All right. Well, Father Christmas and I are so proud of what wonderful children you've been this year. So we're going to give you an early gift. Let's start with—" Hermione stuck her arm into the bag, reaching for the first book, "Margaux!"
A girl about eight years old stood up and took the book with a big bow on it, the scarf hanging around it. Hermione gave her a hug and wished her a happy Christmas. She then stood by Malfoy who pulled out a large doll that looked exactly like Margaux from his bag. There were some gasps and the girl cheered.
"It's the doll I wanted! Thank you Father Christmas!" She cheered and gave Malfoy a big hug. He smiled fondly at her and patted her back.
"Of course, darling. Who's next now?" He asked as Hermione reached back into her bag.
"Travis!" She said and a boy about six or seven years old walked up to Hermione. She knew he was one of the sicker kids according to his medical staff, and wrote a very long note inside his book for him. "Merry Christmas love, you are such a brave boy."
She whispered as she hugged him. Travis took the book with a grin and went to Malfoy.
"I've heard you had quite the hard year, young man." He began and Travis stared but made a confirming face. "It takes a lot of courage do face what you're going through, which is why I think you are very deserving of this."
Malfoy pulled out a full sized guitar, obviously much bigger than the little boy. But his eyes grew wide and he began cheering and yelling for his parents.
"Mummy! Daddy! Look what I've got!" He cheered and the boy's mother came over and grabbed the guitar, admiring it with him.
"What do you say, love?" She said and Travis threw his arms around Malfoy, nearly crying with joy.
"Thank you! Thank you! I've always wanted one! Oh thank you so much Father Christmas!" He said, his teeth showing from his big smile. Malfoy chuckled a bit and nudged the boy's cheek with a soft fist.
"Practice hard for me. I hope next year I'll be able to hear some songs." Malfoy said and the boy sat back down, his mother sitting next to him so she could hold the expensive gift.
The gifts went on like that. Hermione presenting them their books, Malfoy giving them their top asked gift which caused them all to be excited. Broomsticks, dolls, toys and more. Soon every child had their gift and were already playing or using them. Some of the kids asked Malfoy to play with them which he of course did, Hermione went to play with some of the girls and their new dolls.
Close to midnight as things settled and everyone grew tired, Malfoy announced they would have to leave soon so they could go deliver presents to everyone else. There were plenty sighs of sadness but soon all the kids began hugging them goodbye. The last child that waited to wish them farewell was Lottie, she waited until all the kids had dispersed to approach them with a worried expression.
"Have a nice night, Lottie?" Hermione asked and the little girl nodded and looked to Malfoy.
"I have a question for Father Christmas." She said quietly and motioned for them to lean further. They were already sitting on their knees so they bent forward, waiting for her to continue.
"Go ahead, darling." He said with a smile.
Lottie looked behind her then back at the pair, she stood another step closer.
"I heard my mummy and daddy say all they want for Christmas is for me to get better. Can you make me better, Father Christmas? For them?" She asked in a hushed tone with round, innocent eyes. Hermione swallowed a lump in her throat and peered over at Malfoy who was turning bright red and stuttering for speech. Hermione, having dealt with situations like this previously, picked up where Malfoy could not.
"Lottie." She softly began, grabbing the little girl's hand and kissing the back of it. "Father Christmas is a very powerful and loving wizard, but there are some things even he can't control."
The little girl's face fell and she looked back at Malfoy who was having a hard time keeping his face happy and reassuring.
"But that doesn't mean you won't get better. You have the best healers here and they even said you're progressing so much. So mummy and daddy will get their wish eventually, it'll just take some time, yeah?" Hermione said and Lottie nodded slowly. Malfoy cleared his throat, eyes a bit misty.
"We are so proud of you for being sweet and caring. You're a wonderful little girl Lottie." He told her and she smiled then gave them both hugs.
Finally, they stood up and wished everyone in the room a Happy Christmas and New Year's. They left the room, shutting the doors behind them and both taking a moment to collect themselves after the heavy interaction. Malfoy was facing the wall, taking a large inhale that made his shoulders rise. Hermione leaned opposite of him, a bit worried at his demeanor.
"Malfoy?" She said tentatively, pushing up from the wall. "You okay?"
She saw him nod and heard him sniff.
"Yeah fine, fine." He said then sniffed again. "You were remarkable back there. Quick on your feet and all." He complimented.
Hermione took a step to him, seeing his hands come up to his face and slowly raised her hand to his shoulder. Call it the Christmas spirit but she was highly compelled to comfort him knowing how hard that must have been for him to hear.
"I'd say you were far better. I think I spent the night forgetting you aren't actually Father Christmas." She said and he choked out a laugh, still sniffling. "The kids loved you. And everything you got for them was so wonderful. I'm sure it made their year."
"No no. I—" She slowly began rubbing his back, still hearing him struggle for his breath and words. "Your scarves and books. Those were amazing gifts. Sentimental bullshit that you of course would be good at." He said trying an attempt at an insult but coming off more as a joke. Hermione smiled and took another step closer, her hand still rubbing his back but now their bodies were nearly pushed together.
She could see his wet cheeks and quivering lip as he wiped at his face. It broke her heart and also made her feel strange to see him cry like this. Malfoy never seemed to be an emotional one, not that she knew him well, but it didn't seem like his personality type. And to see him cry over the night while realizing the severity of the children's health, well, Hermione could definitely understand the reaction. It was a lot, but it was a lot to handle alone.
"I hope you do this again next year." She said, and found herself meaning it. Malfoy finally turned and looked up at her, a bit surprised by her words. "Honest. They were so attentive and I usually only stay for an hour to two. But we've been here all night. They didn't want you to leave."
Malfoy blinked and then frowned.
"You do this every year?" He asked her in disbelief. She let her arm drop.
"Um, yeah I—I actually started the party itself. Four years ago." She explained, tilting her head to the doors as if expecting kids to come running out.
"Why?" He asked and Hermione felt like she did something wrong.
"Well I was already a volunteer to help respond to their letters. I figured there was more to be done so they get the Christmas they deserve. Especially when they have to be here." She explained with a shrug. Malfoy just stared, like he was gauging wether or not she was lying to him. Eventually something flickered against his cloudy colored eyes and he smirked while shaking his head.
"Nothing changes huh Golden Girl?" He said and again his words that have previously been used to insult her sounded like gentle teases. Hermione took it as such and smiled at him with a little laugh.
"I can't help my bleeding heart. Especially with kids. Their little faces are just too much for me." She said while looking down and pulling out her wand. She began to undue her transfigurations. "How did you end up becoming Father Christmas for the night?"
Malfoy decided to undue his spellwork also, doing away with his beard and hair, making him look more like himself. Young and…and handsome. Sharp jaw, rejuvenated face and bright eyes fresh from crying.
"Healer Brady sent out a memo to the entire hospital asking if someone would be interested in playing the part for the night. I offered my services seeing as I had no plans." He explained causally and took off the red robes, revealing his dark brown corduroy pants and white button up. A hand pushed into his hair, slightly messing it up so it was no long pin straight.
Hermione watched the action then felt herself curiously observe him.
"No plans? You're not doing anything with your mother?" She questioned, assuming he would spend time with his mother today and tomorrow considering his father was still in prison. Malfoy shook his head.
"She'll be spending Christmas in one of our holiday homes in Greece." He told her and she frowned.
"Oh so—" She began drawing her conclusions and Malfoy's eyes snapped up to her, almost daring her to stop but interested in what she was going to say. "You'll be alone…for Christmas?"
Malfoy sighed deeply, hearing the pity in her voice.
"Yes Granger. That's what one does with no family." He said simply, not annoyed by the statement.
"Any plans with friends then? Tonight or tomorrow?" She then asked and Malfoy eyed her carefully, trying to determine what emotion her face was showing.
"Tomorrow I may swing by Theodore Nott's place. But he and his wife have a newborn and it feels like I'm intruding so I most likely won't stay long. I'm usually on call as well." He explained hesitantly and Hermione nodded, begging to bite her lip.
Malfoy felt like he should now ask her of her Christmas plans, to seem polite he supposed, but the line of questioning felt foreign and he was unsure if she would want to respond to his inquiries.
The pause between them must have extended too long, because as soon as Malfoy finally worked up the courage to ask what her holiday plans were, the woman opened her mouth.
"I have no plans either." She said quickly with an awkward smile that came out like a grimace. Malfoy raised his eyebrows and Hermione couldn't help but to explain further. "Tonight, or tomorrow I guess. I will spend some time with Harry and Ginny over at the Weasley's but I never stay long. Especially since Ron married and it just feels like I'm the odd one out now. It's nice for a bit then just feels like too much. And my parents, well, they're not exactly in my life at the moment, so…so it's usually just me."
Hermione looked anywhere but his face as she revealed her plans to him. She tried her best to make it appear light and show him he wasn't alone, but it finished sadder than she intended. Now it felt weird, like she was trying to gain his sympathy, which wasn't the case at all.
Swallowing her humiliation down at how awkward this all felt, she finally looked back to his face. He was calm, expressionless even. She offered a tense grin, but then he did something weird. Malfoy looked Granger up and down, still in her overly gaudy Christmas dress, her face was uncomfortable and posture askance. The words that came out of his mouth surprised them both.
"It's awful being alone isn't it?" He said softly with a bit of a sad smile. Hermione reciprocated the look, and released a long breath.
"It truly is. I feel, I don't know, left out? During Christmas that is. Everyone is with family and friends and it's just different for me now. It doesn't provide me with nearly as much love and excitement as it did in the previous years." She admitted with ease, finding it curious this was the first time she was able to convey her thoughts about the holidays with someone.
"Is that why you come here then? Get a little extra dose of love pretending to be Mother Christmas?" He said with a hint of a grin.
"I guess. But doing something good is the whole purpose of the holiday right? Giving more? I guess I do have my own selfish reasons, too, being able to make them smile when they've had such terrible times makes me feel good." She said with a shrug and Malfoy nodded to agree.
"Acts of service can definitely be addicting." He confirmed and she huffed out a laugh.
"Is that why you became a healer? And became Father Christmas for the night?" She in turn asked, wondering what he was doing when he took a step but realized he was leading them away from the hallway. They walked side by side, continuing their conversation.
"I like the intricacy of healing, but it does add to my day when someone thanks me for my work." He said, their shoulders brushing as they walked. "And it was nice to make children smile tonight. That certainly added to my night."
"You were a really good Father Christmas. I didn't know you had it in you." She said jokingly, making him lightly chuckle.
"I practiced the voice the last couple days, wanted to really commit to the role, you know." He said amused and she smirked.
"Worked out well for you. Had me fooled for a second, I genuinely forgot you weren't an old man." She teased.
"Yes, well, I'm happy to know my good looks will continue into old age, but I much prefer my appearance now. I should be a young Father Christmas next year. Give the mum's some Christmas eye candy." He said and she genuinely laughed.
"Oh please, you aren't that attractive." She said and Draco looked down at her with a sneaking smile.
"Mhm. I caught you staring at Father Christmas tonight plenty of times. You even kissed me." He poked and her jaw fell open.
"I was in character and being coerced by children!" She defended while still chuckling.
"Mhm. And all the other longing looks?" He teased and she rolled her eyes.
"No looks of longing, just…admiration for how well you were with everyone tonight." She said, her sentence getting quieter and quieter as she blushed. She supposed she was paying a lot of attention to him, but she didn't think he would notice.
Malfoy made a small humming noise, as if he didn't believe her. She looked up at him and rolled her eyes, which only made him snicker.
"Only teasing Granger. I will offer compliments to you job performance tonight as well. Your role as Mother Christmas and my wife were all above average." He said and they finally arrived at the floos. Both stood still, not making any move to leave.
"I meant to ask earlier, but how did you know all the kids? And what they wanted for Christmas?" She asked him and watched as a faint blush spread up his cheeks. Malfoy looked away, furrowing his brows as he gave an explanation.
"I uh, asked Healer Brady for pictures of who was going to be there and asked her to send me their lists." He told her, scratching the back of his head. "I don't get to buy a lot of presents for people so I decided to just..I don't know go all out? I guess I got a bit excited."
Hermione felt herself smiling widely. He looked so embarrassed for whatever reason.
"It was nice to see them being spoiled. I do hope you join next year again." She stated with a warm expression. Malfoy looked back at her, fondness crawling over his features but he couldn't refuse a chance to tease her and see her blush.
"Looking forward to spending Christmas with me again are ya?" He said lowly, his lips pulling upwards. Hermione made an amused noise and briefly looked down at her shoes.
"Maybe. It was a pretty good night after all, wasn't it?" She said then looked back up to his face.
"It was." He quietly agreed while holding her eye contact.
For a few moments as they just stared at one another, soft gazes, a comfortable silence layered with appreciation for one another's good company.
It briefly felt like how Christmas should have felt to Hermione. It was what she had been chasing all these years and now it had finally returned. Feelings of understanding, comfort and joy crossed between them, hearts full and content as they shared the night with each other in an unexpected but pleasant way.
A fluttering sound bells chimed in the distance, signaling midnight. Both their heads turned upwards, faint smiles on their faces as the wonderful emotions inside them swelled. When the bells tolled on its third ring, mistletoe began forming over their heads, dangling down from the ceiling and spreading like a low hanging vine.
They looked back down to each other, mouths parted, bodies frozen to see what the other would do. Her heart was beating in her ears and Malfoy visibly swallowed.
Hermione blinked a few times, while Malfoy kept his eyes on her the entire time. With a small, timid step, both individuals moved forward. Stopping instantly, their eyes scampered down to each other's feet, realization hitting them hard. Looking back up, a grin was shared and they continued their venture forward.
Hermione could smell his breath, warm and minty from sucking on candy canes all night. Her eyes lightly fluttered when he brought his hand up and took her chin delicately between his fingers, raising her face upwards.
Both remained still, the bells chiming off in the distant. Malfoy's eyes flickered downward to her lips then back up to her waiting eyes. Their heads leaned forward, eyes fell closed and soon, their lips met.
Neither moved when their lips touched, but she was vaguely aware of his thumb sliding down to carrels her chin. His top lip slotted between hers as his lip lightly sucked on her bottom. It was sweet, pleasant, and incredibly fulfilling. The fragile kiss made her stomach whirl and caused her mind to spin.
They pulled away after the twelfth and final bell chime echoed through the air. Shy smiles and quiet puffs of laughs passed between them. Malfoy's eyes crinkled and Hermione's cheeks hurt a bit. Her lips were buzzing with the taste of him, it felt like she was getting a sugar rush to her head.
He stepped away, not far but just enough to give them space to properly look at each. Her cheeks were hot and she looked down at her feet again. Malfoy bit into the corner of his mouth, fighting off a stupid looking grin.
"Happy Christmas Granger." He told her and she looked up, seeing his eyes actually resembled silver bells.
"Happy Christmas Draco." She said.
They let the moment hold itself in place a little while longer, appreciating everything it offered to both of them. Hermione eventually made her way to the respective floo but when she stepped inside, he called back to her.
"Granger?" He said and she lowered her arm a bit, stopping herself from leaving.
"Yes?" She answered.
Malfoy took a hand out of his pocket and walked over to her, handing her a piece of parchment.
"Since you have no plans tomorrow, you should join me for Christmas brunch. I'll have spiked hot chocolate and a pile of pancakes I won't be able to finish on my own."
Hermione looked down at his business card with his home address on it. Her insides twisted with a glowing warmth. She nodded then peered up, trying to conceal her joy.
"Sounds lovely. I'll see you tomorrow." She promised and he nodded once, backing away from the floo.
"Right, see you."
She disappeared with a toothy smile and Malfoy headed to the floo as well. Both leaving with what they desired most this holiday season and a promise of no longer feeling alone on Christmas.