Chapter 4

Christmas time was always great. The wreaths were hung and the halls smelled of butterbeer. The ghosts went around singing their usual Christmas carols, passing through anyone who got in their way, sending the student through a chilly breeze of air.

We find our trio of friends sitting at the Gryffindor table, Ron and Harry playing a game of chess, Hermione and Lavender watching as they talk about what gifts to give their parents and family. They and a few of the other students were staying at the school for break.

The past months had gone smoothly. Harry hadn't mentioned Hermione's apology after that one night. He was afraid to, for he didn't know how she would respond. Ron had asked Lavender out and the couple had been happy, but Ron (Hermione couldn't help but notice) still had that mysterious look of jealousy and anger when he saw Harry and Hermione together. Hermione didn't say anything, though. She didn't want to give Ron the wrong impression.

'Besides,' Hermione thought as she watched Ron's face when Harry checked him. 'He's happy. Lavender really loves him, and he loves her. Yes, he's happy.'

She thought back on those last couple months at the school. She and Harry were as happy as ever. They were going to spend Christmas together. 'That should be nice,' she thought as Lavender went on talking about what to get her brother. 'Then why am I not happy?' she asked herself. Then she remembered Draco. He kept giving her longing and saddened looks when he passed Hermione, but they were quickly replaced with a blank face so that Harry and Ron wouldn't see. Draco and Hermione hadn't kissed each other since the first night at the castle. Hermione, though, would catch herself staring at Draco, longing for another one of his sweet, exciting kisses that would make her lips tingle for hours after. 'I love him, don't I?' she asked herself silently. 'No, Hermione,' she told herself. 'You are in love with Harry. You've loved him for years. He's everything you wanted in a guy.' 'Well so is Draco,' she thought, staring of into space.

"Hermione?" asked Lavender.

"Oh," cried Hermione, shaking herself out of her trance. "What, I'm sorry."

"I asked if your mom liked elephants because I saw this nice rug for sale at Hogsmade that had elephants dancing and balancing monkeys on their trunks," said Lavender, pointing to her nose to help explain herself.

Hermione realized that she couldn't think about anything right now, but about Christmas gifts and what she should give to Harry. "Checkmate!" yelled Ron, startling everyone at the table. "Congratulations!" hollered back Lavender, putting her arms around his shoulders, kissing him, making the two fall to the floor laughing in each other's arms. Hermione and Harry looked over the table to find the pair laughing hysterically, grabbing each other's hands to go find a secret place. As the two walked out of the room, Harry and Hermione decided that they should get going as well. Hermione helped Harry pick up the chess pieces and placed them in the container. The two grasped each other's hands and walked out of the hall, quietly, unlike Lavender and Ron. As they were passing the Slytherin table, Hermione saw Draco laughing with some of his friends. Like Harry and the rest, Draco and his group of friends stayed during the holidays as well. When the two passed, Draco looked up and made his face suddenly blank. He stared at Hermione longer than usual, and then started resuming his conversation with Goyle, but quieter and secretive then usual. Harry noticed that Hermione was hanging back a little and led her to the door a little quicker.

"Are you okay?" he asked her, really concerned. "Yes," she smiled back, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Potter?" Professor McGonagall came up next to the two. "Yes, Professor?" answered Harry. "Your teammates wanted to speak to you about a new play for the game against Ravenclaw in January." "Thank you, Professor," replied Harry. As soon as McGonagall was out of sight, Harry kissed Hermione firmly. "Will you forgive me if I don't walk you to the common room just one night?" he asked, smiling at her. "Of course," she replied. "Now go, you of all people should know how impatient your team is, now go!" She pushed him as he ran down the corridor. As soon as he was out of sight, she turned the opposite direction and headed to the Gryffindor Common Room.

Hermione heard a sharp noise behind her. She quickly turned around and ran into the person she didn't want to see the most. Draco looked at her with those cold dark eyes. He grasped her by her shoulders and placed his lips firmly on hers, filling her with warmth and comfort. She let him kiss her, giving up to his tight grip. Still kissing, Draco led her into an empty classroom, locking the door. The two found a couch in the classroom. Hermione was kissing Draco passionately, surprising him. He kissed even more lovingly and pulled her gently on top of him. The two clung to each other, getting into love even more. He placed his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. He began to work on taking his robe off, wrapping it around Hermione. She pulled him away.

"So you do love me?" she asked him.

He smiled and whispered in her ear, "Yes."

They kissed even more. Then they broke apart. Hermione wanted to get back to her dormitory. "Wait," cried Draco. "Do you love me?" He pulled her closer. "Yes," she said, kissing him on the nose and exiting out of the classroom. Draco stood there stunned. Then he slowly walked back to his dormitory thinking that this was the best Christmas gift he had ever received.