Disclaimer: I don't own anything at all in the Harry Potter universe.
Courage to Find the Strength
Chapter 13
On Christmas morning, Draco woke up to Hermione bashing him on the head with a down pillow. "Wake UP, Malfoy! The sun's been up a whole hour, and I can't wait for you any longer!"
Without opening his eyes, he grabbed her by the wrist and flung her down on the bed next to him. Soon she was giggling and struggling wildly as he tickled her sides and kissed her neck.
"It's barely 7:00, and you dare to disturb my rest after keeping me up as late as you did," he playfully growled in her ear.
"Come on, get up, and get dressed! Even Mom and Dad are up," she whined.
Sighing heavily, he pushed himself up on one arm and rubbed his eyes. "All right, but you're going to have to wait until I get a shower. Unless, you want to join me," he seductively suggested.
"Malfoy!" she asked with more than a little shock. Sure, they'd kissed and petted, but this was her first serious invitation to see him naked. As much as the thought appealed, she was sure her parents wouldn't appreciate it. They probably weren't too thrilled with the idea of her in here in just her pajamas and him only in boxers. Still, she was sorely tempted to agree just to see what HIS reaction would be. Instead, Hermione left him to this morning business and waited impatiently for him downstairs.
When he finally emerged from the staircase, Draco greeted her parents and planted a kiss on Hermione's cheek. As the furious unwrapping commenced, he sat back and enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were at first a little taken aback by the expensive gifts Malfoy had purchased for them on one of his shopping trips with Hermione, but she gently explained that even though he was cut off from his father, he'd still had a trust fund of sorts that not even Lucius could touch. Still, he was more surprised that they'd gotten him anything. Until recently, he knew they'd been under the impression that his sole purpose in life had been to make Hermione and her friends' lives a living hell. At least, his intentions toward Hermione had changed, he dryly thought.
From them, he received a leather journal with a matching pen set that had his name engraved in gold as well as a few magical implements that could be used at school. He thanked them for their generosity and waited for Hermione to finish with her gifts. Finally, she handed him a box as his gift from her. In it was a beautiful green sweater the same color as the house of Slytherin. It was monogrammed with his initials on the Slytherin crest. It was rich, soft wool and felt wonderful to the touch. Draco was touched by the thoughtful gift.
"Keep going, there's something else in the box," Hermione added. Her parents had excused themselves to the kitchen for more coffee and to start breakfast. They had the moment alone. Buried in the paper in the bottom of the box was the carefully wrapped frame of a picture. It was a magical photo of the two of them smiling, quickly kissing, and then smiling back at the photographer. The Draco and Hermione in the frame looked happy. It took him a moment to remember when the picture was taken. It'd been a couple of days back on one of their excursions.
"But you told me that it was just a regular photo.what was it? A polaroid?" Draco asked, deeply moved.
"So, I lied."
"But, 'Mione, this is magic. How'd you manage this?"
"Well, you of all people should know for the right price what you can find," she giggled. "Do you like it?"
"Yes, very much! Would you like your gift now?" he asked.
"Draco, you didn't have to get me anything.." Hermione trailed off.
He snorted and gave her a look that said "and what would have happened if I didn't?" From his pocket, he produced a small ring box.
When she opened it, she gasped. In it was a small ring with a ruby-like stone set into it and surrounded by diamonds. But, it was no ordinary stone. Inside the images of Draco, Hermione, the Slytherin crest, and the Gryffindor crest alternately swirled. It was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen, so much so that tears trickled down her cheeks.
"You don't like it?!" he asked, alarmed.
"No, I mean, yes, I LOVE it!" she proudly exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.
Draco hugged her back. "Good, because it was a bitch to make."
"You made this?!" "Well, I just spelled it, but it took a long time." He sheepishly admitted, but the pride in his accomplishment shone through.
"I think it's just beautiful," Hermione definitively stated.
"I'm glad," he earnestly replied. He'd never given anything like it to anyone else before, but Hermione was certainly unlike anyone he'd ever met. Even as young children, he knew she'd been a rarity. He grinned as she slid the ring on and ran off, squealing, to show her parents.
The rest of the day was spent visiting Hermione's family and being visited by them. Dinner was at her grandmother's, and everyone made a big fuss over him. This Christmas was definitely different than anything in the manor where certainly many people dropped by, but those that did were always cordial, but almost never warm. He couldn't remember the last time an actual blood relative came for a visit. As much as he was enjoying the day, he was overcome with a longing to see his own mom again. After returning to Hermione's house, he excused himself for a breath of fresh air. A few moments of homesickness passed before a familiar eagle owl alighted on a post in front of him. He was holding a letter in his mouth that he promptly dropped and flew off again. Draco picked the letter up and opened it.
It was from his mother and wished him a merry Christmas. She wrote to say how much he was missed and how sorry she was that they couldn't spend time together. He felt tears come to his eyes, but they quickly dried when the letter ended with her imploring him to come home and make peace with his father by acquiescing to his wishes. In a moment, he was tearing up the letter into a million pieces. As he turned around, Hermione was standing there with a deep sadness in her eyes.
"How long have you been standing there?" he asked, at first annoyed, but then sounding dejected.
"It was a letter from your mother, wasn't it?" She avoided his question, and he merely nodded to her own. "It was the one thing I tried to give you, but I ended failing the most at."
The tears that fell from her beautiful eyes brought Draco to put his arms around her. "What could you possibly have tried to give me that failed?"
"Family," she said, and felt his arms tighten around her.
"Listen, 'Mione, I'm extremely grateful you brought me to share this time and your own family with me. God knows, I've not had this much fun in a long, long time. You've shown me a whole new world and proved to me how very wrong I was about the muggles. Don't feel sorry for me because I can't be home for these Holidays. I'd much rather spend them with you."
Hermione looked up at him still with tears in her eyes, but these were happy tears and complimented her beaming smile. "Really, Draco?"
"Yes," he emphasized and kissed her on the forehead.
Hermione snuggled deeper into his warmth and away from the cold night air. "Merry Christmas, Malfoy."
"Merry Christmas, Granger."
When Draco woke up the next morning, he dimly heard Hermione talking to someone. He wouldn't have paid any attention except for the slightly agitated and nervous tone in her voice. He cracked open the bedroom door and was able to hear her slightly better. She was on the phone in her bedroom and didn't sound too pleased with the caller, but he couldn't hear very much especially when she got up and shut her door all the way. At the sound of the click, he shrugged and headed for the showers. When he went downstairs, there was a note from her saying she'd had to go out and would be back that afternoon. She left a couple of brochures that might interest him and a map detailing how to get there. He shoved the papers in his pocket, adjusted the new sweater she'd given him, and headed out.
Draco had just emerged with a cup of coffee from the nearby coffee house when who should saunter up to him but Pansy Parkinson.
"Draco Malfoy! What in world are YOU doing here?" she coyly inquired. Draco wasn't so much surprised to see her as the fact that she was talking to him like nothing had happened.
"Pansy. I'm trying to drink a cup of coffee," he curtly stated not wanting to engage in any further pleasantries.
"No, I mean in town. Could it possibly be because of that Gryffindor, Hermione Granger, with whom you've kept so much company recently?" Her voice sounded innocent, but Malfoy noticed her eyes were anything but.
"What's it to you?" He sipped on his coffee, and refused to look at her any further.
"Oh, it's just that. Well, it really isn't my place to say," she feigned impropriety.
"Tell me and get out of here or I'll," his eyes narrowed, and he didn't need to finish the statement.
Pansy gulped. "Well, it just so happens that I ran into your little sweetheart this morning." At his scowl, she hurriedly said, "I mean, I would never talk to her, you understand. I just thought it was cute seeing the two of you out and about together. Imagine my shock when the guy she was cuddling up to wasn't you after all!"
"What are you saying, Pansy?" Draco asked, but the knot of tension in his stomach grew.
"She was with that rotten Ron Weasley, and if I didn't know better they looked positively smitten with each other."
"I don't believe you," he coldly said.
"You don't have to believe me, dear. Just go see for yourself. They're over in the park right now."
Draco growled, but headed off in that direction. Pansy watched him leave with a contented smirk on her pug-like face.
Earlier that morning, Ron called Hermione to remind her of their coffee date, and because of the love letter he'd received he'd called as earlier as he dared. The letter was very unexpected and had arrived Christmas morning. In it, Hermione had finally and ardently acknowledged her growing feelings for him, but begged him not to reply until they saw each other the next day. At first, he'd been shocked when she answered the phone and bluntly told him that Malfoy was staying with them. He might have lost it if it hadn't been for the letter tightly clutched in his fist. When he inquired into their plans, he honestly believed the annoyed tone in her voice to be because of Draco's most likely unwanted presence. Amazingly, his heart softened when he thought of her incredible ability to take in lost and unwanted creatures, and he was sure Draco Malfoy was the most unwanted person on the planet. Even he knew of the rift between Lucius and his son, so Ron wasn't too surprised after all that Hermione had taken him in for the Holidays. The good-hearted Ron even forgave her bad mood when she met him the coffeehouse, the same one that Draco would eventually stop by. Neither of them noticed Pansy accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle hidden in a nearby booth.
"'Mione!" he cried, seeing her.
The scowl on Hermione's face momentarily lightened. "Ron!"
They chitchatted for a little while catching up on each other's lives and how their vacations were going.
"Ron," Hermione finally brought the subject up because it had been bothering her, "is something wrong today? You seem really nervous about something."
Ron tried to keep the excited shaking out of his hands and voice. "Why would anything be wrong, 'Mione?"
"I don't know. You're acting all sorts of odd today."
"And how should I act?" he grinned.
"Well, like the Ron Weasley I know."
"And love?" he asked hopefully.
"Ron." she began cautiously.
"Come on," he interrupted, grabbing their coffees. "Let's walk to the park so we can talk more privately."
"Okay," she agreed, hesitating. She was beginning to think seeing him today was a very bad idea. God, how she wanted Harry to be here right then!
They made their way to the park and sat down on a nearby bench. Ron took her ungloved hands in his own. Hermione snatched them away. "Ron, what do you think you're doing?" she cried.
"I just, um, thought your hands might be cold," he replied, sounding kind of hurt.
"Oh," she remorsefully replied.
"'Mione, I got your letter yesterday, and I can't tell you how happy it made me."
"What letter?" she asked, alarmed.
"Now let me finish before you interrupt," he said without bothering to listen to what she actually asked. "What you said in your letter is exactly how I've been feeling for a long time now. I don't know when it started for me, but I think I've felt this way since I first met you."
"Ron, what are you saying? That you have feelings for me?" Hermione asked, more and more horrified at the topic of the conversation.
"Not just feelings, 'Mione! I LOVE you!" Ron turned her head with both of his gloved hands and kissed her soundly.
It was at that precise moment that Draco Malfoy found them on the park bench. They never saw the angry, hurt look in his eyes or saw him clench the paper coffee cup in his hand and ignore the severe scalding of the hot liquid. Neither one saw him spin around in disgust and practically run from the spot. And all three of them missed the satisfied, gloating faces of Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle.
Courage to Find the Strength
Chapter 13
On Christmas morning, Draco woke up to Hermione bashing him on the head with a down pillow. "Wake UP, Malfoy! The sun's been up a whole hour, and I can't wait for you any longer!"
Without opening his eyes, he grabbed her by the wrist and flung her down on the bed next to him. Soon she was giggling and struggling wildly as he tickled her sides and kissed her neck.
"It's barely 7:00, and you dare to disturb my rest after keeping me up as late as you did," he playfully growled in her ear.
"Come on, get up, and get dressed! Even Mom and Dad are up," she whined.
Sighing heavily, he pushed himself up on one arm and rubbed his eyes. "All right, but you're going to have to wait until I get a shower. Unless, you want to join me," he seductively suggested.
"Malfoy!" she asked with more than a little shock. Sure, they'd kissed and petted, but this was her first serious invitation to see him naked. As much as the thought appealed, she was sure her parents wouldn't appreciate it. They probably weren't too thrilled with the idea of her in here in just her pajamas and him only in boxers. Still, she was sorely tempted to agree just to see what HIS reaction would be. Instead, Hermione left him to this morning business and waited impatiently for him downstairs.
When he finally emerged from the staircase, Draco greeted her parents and planted a kiss on Hermione's cheek. As the furious unwrapping commenced, he sat back and enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere. Mr. and Mrs. Granger were at first a little taken aback by the expensive gifts Malfoy had purchased for them on one of his shopping trips with Hermione, but she gently explained that even though he was cut off from his father, he'd still had a trust fund of sorts that not even Lucius could touch. Still, he was more surprised that they'd gotten him anything. Until recently, he knew they'd been under the impression that his sole purpose in life had been to make Hermione and her friends' lives a living hell. At least, his intentions toward Hermione had changed, he dryly thought.
From them, he received a leather journal with a matching pen set that had his name engraved in gold as well as a few magical implements that could be used at school. He thanked them for their generosity and waited for Hermione to finish with her gifts. Finally, she handed him a box as his gift from her. In it was a beautiful green sweater the same color as the house of Slytherin. It was monogrammed with his initials on the Slytherin crest. It was rich, soft wool and felt wonderful to the touch. Draco was touched by the thoughtful gift.
"Keep going, there's something else in the box," Hermione added. Her parents had excused themselves to the kitchen for more coffee and to start breakfast. They had the moment alone. Buried in the paper in the bottom of the box was the carefully wrapped frame of a picture. It was a magical photo of the two of them smiling, quickly kissing, and then smiling back at the photographer. The Draco and Hermione in the frame looked happy. It took him a moment to remember when the picture was taken. It'd been a couple of days back on one of their excursions.
"But you told me that it was just a regular photo.what was it? A polaroid?" Draco asked, deeply moved.
"So, I lied."
"But, 'Mione, this is magic. How'd you manage this?"
"Well, you of all people should know for the right price what you can find," she giggled. "Do you like it?"
"Yes, very much! Would you like your gift now?" he asked.
"Draco, you didn't have to get me anything.." Hermione trailed off.
He snorted and gave her a look that said "and what would have happened if I didn't?" From his pocket, he produced a small ring box.
When she opened it, she gasped. In it was a small ring with a ruby-like stone set into it and surrounded by diamonds. But, it was no ordinary stone. Inside the images of Draco, Hermione, the Slytherin crest, and the Gryffindor crest alternately swirled. It was the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen, so much so that tears trickled down her cheeks.
"You don't like it?!" he asked, alarmed.
"No, I mean, yes, I LOVE it!" she proudly exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.
Draco hugged her back. "Good, because it was a bitch to make."
"You made this?!" "Well, I just spelled it, but it took a long time." He sheepishly admitted, but the pride in his accomplishment shone through.
"I think it's just beautiful," Hermione definitively stated.
"I'm glad," he earnestly replied. He'd never given anything like it to anyone else before, but Hermione was certainly unlike anyone he'd ever met. Even as young children, he knew she'd been a rarity. He grinned as she slid the ring on and ran off, squealing, to show her parents.
The rest of the day was spent visiting Hermione's family and being visited by them. Dinner was at her grandmother's, and everyone made a big fuss over him. This Christmas was definitely different than anything in the manor where certainly many people dropped by, but those that did were always cordial, but almost never warm. He couldn't remember the last time an actual blood relative came for a visit. As much as he was enjoying the day, he was overcome with a longing to see his own mom again. After returning to Hermione's house, he excused himself for a breath of fresh air. A few moments of homesickness passed before a familiar eagle owl alighted on a post in front of him. He was holding a letter in his mouth that he promptly dropped and flew off again. Draco picked the letter up and opened it.
It was from his mother and wished him a merry Christmas. She wrote to say how much he was missed and how sorry she was that they couldn't spend time together. He felt tears come to his eyes, but they quickly dried when the letter ended with her imploring him to come home and make peace with his father by acquiescing to his wishes. In a moment, he was tearing up the letter into a million pieces. As he turned around, Hermione was standing there with a deep sadness in her eyes.
"How long have you been standing there?" he asked, at first annoyed, but then sounding dejected.
"It was a letter from your mother, wasn't it?" She avoided his question, and he merely nodded to her own. "It was the one thing I tried to give you, but I ended failing the most at."
The tears that fell from her beautiful eyes brought Draco to put his arms around her. "What could you possibly have tried to give me that failed?"
"Family," she said, and felt his arms tighten around her.
"Listen, 'Mione, I'm extremely grateful you brought me to share this time and your own family with me. God knows, I've not had this much fun in a long, long time. You've shown me a whole new world and proved to me how very wrong I was about the muggles. Don't feel sorry for me because I can't be home for these Holidays. I'd much rather spend them with you."
Hermione looked up at him still with tears in her eyes, but these were happy tears and complimented her beaming smile. "Really, Draco?"
"Yes," he emphasized and kissed her on the forehead.
Hermione snuggled deeper into his warmth and away from the cold night air. "Merry Christmas, Malfoy."
"Merry Christmas, Granger."
When Draco woke up the next morning, he dimly heard Hermione talking to someone. He wouldn't have paid any attention except for the slightly agitated and nervous tone in her voice. He cracked open the bedroom door and was able to hear her slightly better. She was on the phone in her bedroom and didn't sound too pleased with the caller, but he couldn't hear very much especially when she got up and shut her door all the way. At the sound of the click, he shrugged and headed for the showers. When he went downstairs, there was a note from her saying she'd had to go out and would be back that afternoon. She left a couple of brochures that might interest him and a map detailing how to get there. He shoved the papers in his pocket, adjusted the new sweater she'd given him, and headed out.
Draco had just emerged with a cup of coffee from the nearby coffee house when who should saunter up to him but Pansy Parkinson.
"Draco Malfoy! What in world are YOU doing here?" she coyly inquired. Draco wasn't so much surprised to see her as the fact that she was talking to him like nothing had happened.
"Pansy. I'm trying to drink a cup of coffee," he curtly stated not wanting to engage in any further pleasantries.
"No, I mean in town. Could it possibly be because of that Gryffindor, Hermione Granger, with whom you've kept so much company recently?" Her voice sounded innocent, but Malfoy noticed her eyes were anything but.
"What's it to you?" He sipped on his coffee, and refused to look at her any further.
"Oh, it's just that. Well, it really isn't my place to say," she feigned impropriety.
"Tell me and get out of here or I'll," his eyes narrowed, and he didn't need to finish the statement.
Pansy gulped. "Well, it just so happens that I ran into your little sweetheart this morning." At his scowl, she hurriedly said, "I mean, I would never talk to her, you understand. I just thought it was cute seeing the two of you out and about together. Imagine my shock when the guy she was cuddling up to wasn't you after all!"
"What are you saying, Pansy?" Draco asked, but the knot of tension in his stomach grew.
"She was with that rotten Ron Weasley, and if I didn't know better they looked positively smitten with each other."
"I don't believe you," he coldly said.
"You don't have to believe me, dear. Just go see for yourself. They're over in the park right now."
Draco growled, but headed off in that direction. Pansy watched him leave with a contented smirk on her pug-like face.
Earlier that morning, Ron called Hermione to remind her of their coffee date, and because of the love letter he'd received he'd called as earlier as he dared. The letter was very unexpected and had arrived Christmas morning. In it, Hermione had finally and ardently acknowledged her growing feelings for him, but begged him not to reply until they saw each other the next day. At first, he'd been shocked when she answered the phone and bluntly told him that Malfoy was staying with them. He might have lost it if it hadn't been for the letter tightly clutched in his fist. When he inquired into their plans, he honestly believed the annoyed tone in her voice to be because of Draco's most likely unwanted presence. Amazingly, his heart softened when he thought of her incredible ability to take in lost and unwanted creatures, and he was sure Draco Malfoy was the most unwanted person on the planet. Even he knew of the rift between Lucius and his son, so Ron wasn't too surprised after all that Hermione had taken him in for the Holidays. The good-hearted Ron even forgave her bad mood when she met him the coffeehouse, the same one that Draco would eventually stop by. Neither of them noticed Pansy accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle hidden in a nearby booth.
"'Mione!" he cried, seeing her.
The scowl on Hermione's face momentarily lightened. "Ron!"
They chitchatted for a little while catching up on each other's lives and how their vacations were going.
"Ron," Hermione finally brought the subject up because it had been bothering her, "is something wrong today? You seem really nervous about something."
Ron tried to keep the excited shaking out of his hands and voice. "Why would anything be wrong, 'Mione?"
"I don't know. You're acting all sorts of odd today."
"And how should I act?" he grinned.
"Well, like the Ron Weasley I know."
"And love?" he asked hopefully.
"Ron." she began cautiously.
"Come on," he interrupted, grabbing their coffees. "Let's walk to the park so we can talk more privately."
"Okay," she agreed, hesitating. She was beginning to think seeing him today was a very bad idea. God, how she wanted Harry to be here right then!
They made their way to the park and sat down on a nearby bench. Ron took her ungloved hands in his own. Hermione snatched them away. "Ron, what do you think you're doing?" she cried.
"I just, um, thought your hands might be cold," he replied, sounding kind of hurt.
"Oh," she remorsefully replied.
"'Mione, I got your letter yesterday, and I can't tell you how happy it made me."
"What letter?" she asked, alarmed.
"Now let me finish before you interrupt," he said without bothering to listen to what she actually asked. "What you said in your letter is exactly how I've been feeling for a long time now. I don't know when it started for me, but I think I've felt this way since I first met you."
"Ron, what are you saying? That you have feelings for me?" Hermione asked, more and more horrified at the topic of the conversation.
"Not just feelings, 'Mione! I LOVE you!" Ron turned her head with both of his gloved hands and kissed her soundly.
It was at that precise moment that Draco Malfoy found them on the park bench. They never saw the angry, hurt look in his eyes or saw him clench the paper coffee cup in his hand and ignore the severe scalding of the hot liquid. Neither one saw him spin around in disgust and practically run from the spot. And all three of them missed the satisfied, gloating faces of Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle.
