The Shadow Lands
By Kyizi
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related items do not belong to me. Only the Story and it's related original ideas and characters are mine. No copyright infringement intended.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix.
Distribution: Please ask, the answer will likely be yes.
Feedback: Is a gift. It's nice to give.
E-mail: kyizifanfic[at]hotmail[dot]com
Yahoo! Groups: KyiziFicNotes:
MatureImmaturity: Yes, I know that Draco is completely detaching himself by calling her Elizabeth, but I think it's the only way he can handle the situation. He has been thrown into circumstances that have forced him into accepting her as a person, not a Mudblood, however, Hermione Granger, to him, has always been a Mudblood. I guess I'm using it as his way to allow himself to see her as more. Having said that, I had this chapter written before I got your review and I think it actually answers some of your reservations about the 'Elizabeth thing'. Thank you very much for your reviews :)
Greenfreek: You mentioned an OOC Hermione bit…what is it?! I might be able to fix it :)
xxxxx
Part Three: Back To Reality
xxxxx
What was that? I jump and grab a hold of his arm, trying to force away the thought that, yes, Draco really was that close to kissing me.
I don't know.
That feeling is back and it's worse than ever. I don't confirm that I'm talking about the strange 'it' that we felt was watching us the day before, because I know he knows what I'm talking about. I guess I'm getting a little too used to him knowing what I'm thinking; it makes me wonder what will happen when this is all over.
Simple.I look up at him and note that his face is blank. We'll go back to being Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy.
Neither of us comment on the fact that we're not sure that will be as easy as it sounds…nor on the fact that neither of us is sure that's what we want.
Come on. Let's get back.
Shivering a little at the sudden draught I can feel, I nod and allow him to lead me through the corridors. We soon fall into step and it's a little strange to think that I don't mind the fact that 'back' means to his room, to Slytherin.
This time, when we reach the passage, I want to be the one to stroke Draco Jr. Okay, I am most definitely the most unnatural colour of red and it is not helping that Draco's laughter is deafening in my mind.I meant the dragon statue, you pervert! You told me you had called him Draco Jr. My indignation would work so much better if I could stop blushing, but that is very unlikely to happen anytime this century. I'll never be able to look at him again.
When Draco's laughter doesn't subside, I smack him on the head and it's a testament to how funny he actually thinks it is that he didn't even bother to move out of the way. After a few moments, I relent and smile at him.
I really hate you, you know that, right? I reach out and stroke the statue's back, smiling when it winks at me.
I know, Draco says jovially. Now there's a contradiction in terms; Draco saying something jovially. I actually think I like it. No, I know I do. I like this Draco, it's as though he's…well, just for me. I don't think anyone has seen him like this before and I think I like that. I like that I'm being allowed to see him like this. Just me. I know it's not really him. No, that's not true, it's a part of him, just like the bitter, sarcastic, nasty side to him is. You don't get one half of a person without the other. I guess, I'm just glad that I got to see this side to him. I doubt I'll ever see it after we get back.
I can't help but wonder if his friends see this side of him. Does he behave like this with Crabbe and Blaise? Did he behave like this with Millicent and Goyle when they were alive? Or is it just me?
I'm not going to fool myself into thinking that he chose me; I know that he had no choice. He was laid open to my thoughts and I to his and we have no power over that. We can't stop it, but I have to wonder if I want to. I'm not sure that, if I could go back and change what happened, I would. I hate being so vulnerable to anyone, so…bare, and I know he feels the same. I guess it's the fact that it's a mutual thing that's keeping us sane. He can't say anything about me or I might say something about him. I wouldn't and I think he knows that…just as I know he won't say anything about me. Not because of the realisation that we both have 'dirt' on the other person, but because he doesn't want to. I think I like that.
Do you ever stop analysing things? He flops down on the bed and I grin at him. He's looking up at me through hooded eyes. He's no longer keeping all his airs around him all the time, so he looks like every normal eighteen year old boy does, young and carefree.
Analysis is in my nature.
And being nasty is in mine, but I'm trying.
Okay, okay, I'll try. But what would you suggest I think instead?
Anything, just stop psychoanalysing me and everything I do. It's getting more irritating by the minute and you need to relax.
What would you suggest, a massage? I ask wryly, but my mind is suddenly filled with images that I know I didn't supply. The intensity is enough to take my breath away and I don't think I've ever been so turned on in my life. Ever.
I think I'm going slowly mad.
Slowly? I think two days is rather fast. I take a deep breath and try to ignore the rather vivid pictures that are still flashing through my mind.
Flashing through your mind? What an appropriate word. He's smirking again and I don't mean in the sexy way.
Well you're the one supplying them! I snap. Rubbing my thumbs against my temples, I try to calm myself. Getting irritable and nasty isn't helping, I know that, but I'm having difficulty stopping myself. Maybe there's an airborne virus here, something that works the same way as severe PMS.
Come here.
Looking at him again, I can see that he's just as affected as I am. I think it's the fact that we can't escape each other. Even when we were at opposite ends of the library, and Hogwarts has a big library, we could hear each other's thoughts as vividly as if we had been side by side.
Splitting up isn't a good idea, Hermione.I know that, but… I frown. Did you just call me 'Hermione'?
He smiles and this time, it is the sexy one. I thought that might make you shut up.
Sighing, I make my way over to the bed and lie down next to him. It's odd. I'm lying on Draco Malfoy's bed. In the Slytherin dorms. I don't even feel that out of place. It's as though his being at ease is coming through the bond we're sharing, calming me as well.
I'm sleepy. I know I didn't have to 'voice' it, but I think it would feel too…forward to suddenly just crawl under the covers.
He chuckles and suddenly his Quidditch shirt obscures my vision. Put it on and get in, he says. I know he's rolling his eyes at me.
The bed moves as he gets up and heads into the bathroom and I waste no time changing and crawling under the covers. Despite the fact that we haven't done much today, I feel tired, inexplicably so. It's not the normal kind of tired, but a bone deep exhaustion, almost as if my energy were being sucked from my very being.
Okay, now you're just abusing melodrama.
Shut up and come to bed. He chuckles again and I groan, not even turning to look at him. No comments, Please. Just sleep.
Now that I think I can handle.
The bed moves again as he settles in next to me. I feel a sense if unease and it takes me a moment to realise that it's coming from him. I try to pick at his head without being obvious and, when I find what I'm looking for, I smile, snuggling back a little further until by back touches his arm. Jerking a little at the strange tingling that accompanies the action, my eyes shoot open. I definitely didn't expect that.
Just sleep, Eliza, he says. It takes him a moment, but he takes the gentle invitation my movement was intended as and eventually his arm bands around my waist as his unease, and mine, disappears.
Night, Draco, I think, sleepily.
Good night, Elizabeth.
I chuckle. Good night, John boy.
What?
Never mind.
xxxxx
Somehow, despite the fact that it's been happening for the last five days, waking up in his arms still feels so…foreign. It definitely a nice sensation, but it's still strange and almost surreal. Who the hell am I kidding? It is surreal.
As usual, I'm awake first. That surprises me still. I had always imagined that Draco had to get up at some ungodly hour and primp until breakfast before he was able to look that good. I have to admit that I'm disgruntled at the fact that he's just naturally gorgeous. It's something I could never achieve and it irks me to no end. I mean, I'm not a particularly vain person, but I think everyone, to an extent, would like to look a little different. Especially if they looked like I do.
Don't be stupid. I also hate that he can wake up without my knowing. There's nothing wrong with you. You're beautiful, especially since you got rid of the rabbit teeth.
You always manage to get in a jibe, don't you?
It's a talent.
It's a pain. But thank you for the compliment anyway.
No need to sound so sarcastic. Why do you find it so hard to accept a compliment when it comes to the way you look?
Because I'm never given one.
You just were.
I'm not really sure what to say to that. I mean, sure, he got in the jibe about my teeth, but he was only being honest about that.
And why is it so hard to believe that I'm being honest about the rest.
Despite the fact that something in me knows it's a bad idea, I turn to look at him. Over the course of the week, he's taken to instantly wrapping his arm around me before we fall asleep, so waking up in his embrace is natural, I guess. But we've always avoided staying like this in the mornings. I think we know it's playing with fire. However, given the conversation, I'd say we're doing that anyway.
His eyes seem so sincere. Hearing his thoughts, I know he's sincere, so I'm not sure why that surprises me, but it does. Spending so much time in his company, it's natural that I would get to know his quirks, but his eyes are still as unreadable as they were last week…just not to me. I think I simply found the key to reading them and the fact that they're mere inches from mine at the moment makes that both easier and more difficult.
He reaches a hand out to touch my hair and his fingertips brush against my cheek. I don't think I can remember how to breathe let alone think.
If I'd known it would stop you thinking, I'd have done this five days ago to give myself some peace.
How he manages to find humour in my glare, I'll never know. It always manages to stop Harry and Ron in their tracks.
But I am more of a man than Potter and the Weasel will ever be, so-ouch!
Oh, you deserved that!
Really?
I don't like that gleam in his eyes. It's the gleam he gets when he's going to do something mischievous and usually something that embarrasses the hell out of me. I don't think my eyes could get any wider. He's actually straddling me. My hands are pinned by my head and Draco Malfoy is straddling me. I must have died, I'm just not sure if I'm in heaven or hell, either way this is torture.
Struggling sounds like a good idea, but it would be pointless, not only is he much stronger than me, he knows I don't want to. Does that make me a harlot?
His laughter catches me off guard, likely as much as that thought caught him. A slow smile creeps onto my features and he starts to sober…
Don't you dare, Granger. His hands tighten around my wrists and he leans closer. You're hardly in the right position to do anything about that thought, anyway.
Really? My innocence is completely feigned and we both know it, but somehow my tone makes him visibly gulp. Plucking a few thoughts from his mind, thoughts he's tried to keep hidden, I smirk and begin to imitate, running my left foot up the inside of his leg. His eyes widen and I know he's wondering if I'll actually see this through, but as I reach the top of his thigh, his mouth opens into a small O and his grip loosens. That was all I wanted.
I slip my hands from his grasp and attack instantly. Draco Malfoy will regret the day he ever let me find out he was ticklish.
xxxxx
As cute as that is, surely you Malfoys have some aversion to pouting.
I am not pouting. Malfoy's do not pout.
Draco, you're pouting.
He glares at me and I don't even bother to hide my grin. He's still sore from the fact that I beat him into submission this morning.
You did not beat me into submission.
Draco, you were screaming like a little girl.
I was not!
Were too.
Was not.
Were too.
I refuse to play this juvenile game, Elizabeth. Malfoy's do not-
-play juvenile games. For goodness sakes, Draco, give it up. You do not have to conform to your father's wishes. He's not alive anymore.
No. You killed him.
There are tears prickling my eyes. I'm not sure when this got so serious, or so personal, but I think it's been brewing for a day or two. Despite the fact that, at night, we seek each other's presence and warmth, being thrown together so forcibly and intimately is beginning to take it's toll. We spend every day in his rooms; aware that they are the only place safe from the ever-watchful 'it' that has plagued every move we've taken outside his personal space. It's not the first time I've been thankful of his food stash, we haven't had to go to the kitchens since we got here. I'm not sure I'd like what I found there anyway.
Why do you find it so hard to say? I finally ask, breaking the… well, it's hardly silence, but we try our best not to pry when thoughts aren't sent our way.
Malfoy's do not-
-say sorry. Yeah, I get it.
No, Elizabeth, you don't.
Then tell me. I know I'm asking him to voluntarily share his life with me, but it's something I'd willingly do in return. I never thought I'd see the day when I ever thought I'd want that, but Draco is not the person I've always seen him as…or rather he's not just the person I've always seen him as. I won't sugar coat him, I know him too well for that now. I can accept that he honestly means the nasty things he says, but I think I've come to realise that everyone is the same; Draco just chooses to voice the negative thoughts that everyone else keeps to themselves.
Please, give me some credit for just being a nasty bastard. I like being nasty; it fills me with a sense of achievement to see the effects.
I glare at him, but he's telling the truth. He rarely regrets it. I blame it on his parents.
You would.
There is a moment's silence and I'm wondering if he's forgotten the request I made. Our thoughts are open to each other, but he's become rather adept at hiding certain things, as I have. I guess some sense of self-preservation kicked in after all.
You won't like it.
I don't have to like it, Draco. I just want to understand you.
Why? People aren't meant to understand me. I don't want them to.
Liar. He doesn't answer. I'm not people, Draco. I'm me. If you won't think of me as Hermione Granger, then believe that you have a friend in Elizabeth, a friend that won't use this against you. I just want to understand you better, Draco.
You already do.
It's gentle at first, but I can feel them there, the memories. It's not something I'm being sent, but he is giving them to me. He is opening his life to me.
I'm not sure how long we've been sitting here like this, but the increased chill makes itself known and I realise that I'm actually quite hungry. Whilst it started out slowly, the sharing began to go both ways and I'm not sure just how much of myself I've given him, but there's something there that wasn't there before, an understanding that I don't think I've ever felt with anyone before now.
Here.
He throws a packet of something at me and it takes a minute for me to register that it's food. Some brand of crisps, but I don't even bother to look at the make, everything he owns is expensive and this one bag of crisps could likely fund my college education.
Okay, that's just excessive, Eliza.
I grin and he rolls his eyes at me. We manage to sit in companionable silence for a while, but I know my incessant thinking is bugging him.
Will you just ask?
Sorry. I shift in my chair. As much as I hate her for what she tried to do to Harry, I guess I can understand why you still associate with her, but…she tried to get you sent to Azkaban, Draco. She tried to frame you for Harry's murder.
I know.
Then how can you-
Ever heard the phrase, 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'?
Slowly I nod. Yeah, I guess that makes sense, but Pansy is dangerous.
I know that. What's worse is that she's smart. Smart and dangerous are not a good combination. Especially when you also have no morals. She covered her tracks well, that's the only reason Dumbledore can't expel her, never mind get her sent to Azkaban.
I know. I've never seen him so angry. Draco agrees and I can't help but laugh at his memory. I've seen you scared before, but that was so funny. Especially when he reeled on you.
It was terrifying! I was sure he was about to send me to Azkaban. I thought he was angry at me, not at the fact that he couldn't touch Pansy for what she had tried to do. I've always known he was annoyingly perceptive, but I never thought in a million years that he'd believe I was innocent.
I nod and try not to think about it.
Really, Granger, you think I don't know that Potty and the Weasel still think it was me?
They don't think it was you.
But they think I was involved. I'm not stupid. I know.
I know you do, Draco. I just wish I could make them believe the truth.
I don't care what they think, Eliza, I don't care what anyone thinks.
I don't remind him that I can tell when he's lying.
xxxxx
So, how long do you think we'll have to wait?
I shrug and snuggle deeper into his embrace. For some reason, after we changed this morning, we decided to get back into bed. It's colder today than it has been in all the days since we got here. Although, even if it hadn't been, I think we would have done the same. I'm comfortable where I am and that's about to change…I'll never be allowed this liberty again and I want to make the most of it.
Sighing, I turn around from our spooned position and lay my head on his chest. Assuming that they found the spell at the same time we did, and I think that's a pretty safe assumption, then it should likely be sometime this afternoon.
So, we have about an hour and then we get to go back to normal.
Yeah, back to normal. I don't think I can remember what normal feels like. I'm so used to Draco and our own little world that I don't know how I'll cope when I don't have it anymore. We said it before and it's as true now as it was then: things will go back to the way they were. They have to. There's nothing much we can do about it. Our lives are ruled not only by ourselves but also by other people and we cannot change that, no matter how much we would wish otherwise.
I wish I could see the snow.
And you think I come out with random changes in thought, Draco says with a chuckle and I grin.
Well, I do. When we look out the window here, all we can see is darkness. I've always loved to watch the snow.
And yet you hate going into it.
Well, it may be pretty but it's cold and wet and I always get bombarded with snowballs. He doesn't comment on the fact that I actually think I'll miss that when we leave school. Everything going to change at the end of the year, but given our current circumstances, I'd say I'm able to handle change quite well. I don't think I'm anywhere near as scared at the thought of leaving Hogwarts as I was when we got here.
That makes two of us. Not that I was scared exactly, I mean-
Malfoy's don't get scared. Of course.
Of course.
I don't want to say it, I don't even want to think it, but I think we both need to face the reality. I want so much to stay here forever. Strange to think that, I know, but it's true. At this precise moment in time, I want nothing more than to remain in Draco's arms, even for just a little while longer.
But we really should head back to the dungeons.
I think I'm glad that he sounds as disappointed as I feel. I have no idea what would happen if we were forced to remain here any longer…no, that's not true, I think we both have a pretty good idea what would happen. But it can't.
We should go, Lizzy.
We should.
Before we do…
Part of me doesn't want to look at him, but I don't think I could stop myself even if I tried. Lifting my head off his chest seems like one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but it seems that I've already done that because his eyes are there, right in front of me. I'm not sure if I like that I now have the key to reading them or not.
I've been kissed before. Shocking to think, I know. Someone actually wanted to kiss bookish little Hermione. The first time, I mean the first time it felt real, was during the holidays after my fifth year, he was a friend I've had since I was little. We had a nice summer, but it wasn't forever. In sixth year, Harry and I finally decided to 'give it a go'. Lets just say it got up and went. Quickly. But this? I don't think I've ever anticipated anything more.
Do you always think about other men before your kissed? It's rather disconcerting.
I smile and blush. Sorry.
He nods and I know I was about to say something else, but I really can't remember what it was…because Draco's kissing me. I know there's meant to be some reason why this isn't allowed, but I'll willingly ignore it.
He pulls back slightly and I can't stop myself from following him. He smiles against me and I grin back. My whole body is tingling, or maybe it's his that is, I'm no longer sure where I begin and he ends and I haven't got a clue what to think.
Don't.
And he's kissing me again. I know he's blocking something out, pretending it doesn't exist…but as he rolls over on top of me, I can hear it before he shuts it away. I'm not quite sure what that means, what does it mean that he's shutting it away? I don't think I care right now.
Malfoy's don't fall in love with Mudbloods.
I think I'll shut it away as well.
xxxxx
A throbbing pain courses through my head and I close my eyes as my hands reach out to grip something, anything. I don't think I could open my eyes, even if I wanted to. There are sounds around me, but I don't know what anyone's saying. I know there is shouting. There hare hands on me but they hurt, they hurt so badly that I want to scream. I actually think I am screaming, but I'm not sure.
Yes, you're bloody screaming, Hermione. Will you quit it!
The same words, but a different name…a different tone. I open my eyes and all I can see is him. Draco. He looks the same, just the same as he did that first time we made the trip between the Shadow Lands and the real world, but he's not really. Not to me at least. He's different in my eyes and I think he always will be.
Draco.
He nods, almost imperceptibly…just for me. That's my signal. I'm meant to be me again. I'm meant to be Hermione Granger again, because Elizabeth doesn't really exist.
She always will to me.
I'm having difficulty hiding my smile, but I have to. Draco knows it's there and that's all that matters. I turn to look at the people who are speaking to us, but I can't hear them. I'm also not quite willing to let go of Draco's arm just yet.
'I can't hear you,' I yell, knowing it's just pointless; I'm just mouthing. I point to my ears to get the point across.
I don't think you were just mouthing, Lizzy, from the looks of it, they can hear you just fine. I think we're the only ones that can't hear.
Another side effect from Neville and Harry's ill brewed potion?
Must be, it definitely wasn't our stunning work, anyway.
I roll my eyes and he smirks. Snape seems to have figured out that we're still under the effects of whatever Neville and Harry concocted and approaches with two vials. I take the one he hands to me and turn to Draco. It seems fitting to finish this one the way we started.
Draco has reached the same conclusion, either that or it was him that thought of it in the first place and I just picked it up. Either way, we tap the bottom of our vials together and down the contents.
Ugh, that's vile.
Tell me about it.
I thought I just had, Granger.
How many time, Draco? Not Granger whilst you're in my head!
He smirks. He did that just to piss me off.
Piss you off? My, aren't we getting a little daring with the curses.
What can I say? Having you in my head for a week has driven me to it.
"Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy."
It's faint but I can hear it and so can Draco. We turn and nod at Professor Snape, letting him know that his potion is working. A few moments later, it's still quiet, but the murmur of noise from the hallway signifies that that is simply because no one is talking.
"Do you mind letting go, Granger?" he says aloud, but he's laughing in my head. "You may be accustomed to kneeling on floor, but I would prefer to stand and that's rather difficult with you clutching my arm like some-."
"If you let me go, Malfoy, I'll do the same." I turn to look at him, glaring. However, I know that my laughter is echoing in his head. Hah, score one for me! I say gleefully. He really hadn't realised he was still holding on to me as well.
Shut up.
I thought that Malfoy's weren't juvenile.
During our conversation, we've somehow managed to let go of each other and stand up. I can see Madame Pomfrey a few steps behind Snape and have the feeling that she'll be whipping us up to the Hospital Wing in a few moments.
"Professor Snape," Draco says, nodding his head and I do the same.
"Thank you, Sir." I'm not sure why I feel nervous. Glancing at Snape, I can't help but frown slightly. For a moment, I saw more in Snape's eyes, in his expression than I ever have before. Perhaps the key to Snape is similar to the one required to understand Draco.
I actually think he was worried about us. Draco is his Godson, so I suppose that's only natural. Through Draco's memories, I know that he and Snape have always been close, well, as close as Draco's ever been to anyone before this experience, and, over the last few years, closer than Draco was to his own father. Closer because Snape allowed Draco to make his own decisions…to be the kind of man Draco wanted to be, not the man Lucius wanted him to be.
You never stop analysing, do you?Sorry.
I'm used to it.
Used to it. Yeah, I think he actually is. I'm used to him as well. The potion Snape gave us has dulled to telepathy. I can feel his emotions and hear the thoughts he sends my way, but it's different now. My head is my own, apart from the sense of him, the emotions people believe he is incapable of, I'm only getting what Draco wants me to get and vice versa. Despite being glad I got to know him so well, I think I prefer it this way. I only wish things were different in our lives, I only wish…
Don't, Hermione.
I know.
Snape nods at us. "Are you experiencing any ill effects?"
"Other than being sent to another dimension, you mean?" Draco asks impertinently and, for a change, I want to laugh.
"I meant, Mister Malfoy," Snape says icily, "is there anything you are still experiencing. Any effects of the thought potion?"
He doesn't know?It would appear that the potion he gave us was meant to stop everything. Even this.
I glance at Draco from the corner of my eyes and see him looking at me. I know he's smiling internally, even though I'm no longer privy to all his thoughts. I know because we're grinning together.
"Nothing, sir," I say, shaking my head.
"Everything's normal with me." Draco nods to Madame Pomfrey. "However, I get the feeling I'm still about to be prodded and poked," he says disdainfully.
Draco-
I know you hate it just as much, Eliza, so don't even bother pretending otherwise.
Wasn't going to. I think we both know I'd like to tell Madame Pomfrey where to stick that wand sometimes.
He laughs in my head and I can almost see a smirk playing on his face. Nice to know that Elizabeth is still in there somewhere, even if Hermione Granger has to take the reigns for a while.
For you, Draco, I get the feeling that Elizabeth will always be here.
He doesn't comment. I can still read him like an open book, even without hearing his thoughts. He doesn't need to.
xxxxx
"Merry Christmas, Hermione! Get down here now!"
Chuckling, I pull back the covers, trying not to shiver at the lack of warmth. I knew that waking up without Draco would be different, but this is normal, this is back to normal so shouldn't it be easier to adjust to than it was to get used to him?
Sighing, I put on my slippers and pull my robe from the back of the door. After picking up the presents I wrapped for my friends the last night, I make my way down the stairs and into the common room. When I disappeared, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Dean, and Alice (Ginny's roommate, with whom I have become good friends over the last two years) decided to stay behind. One last Christmas…just us.
"What took you so long, Hermione?" Alice asks, jumping excitedly in her seat. I smile as Dean gives his girlfriend a quelling look. It doesn't surprise me when her answer is to stick her tongue out at him.
"Sorry, still adjusting, I guess."
Everyone nods and looks a little uncomfortable. Both Harry and Neville have done nothing but apologise since I got back. I eventually had to threaten them to get them to stop. Who would have thought that I'd learn so well from Draco?
Did I hear my name?I don't bother hiding my smile as the thought drifts into my head. It is Christmas after all; I'm allowed to smile. Since our return, Draco and I have gone back to normal…at least in the eyes of everyone else. I mean it's not hurting anyone if we have our own little world inside, is it?
Playing with fire is fun.
Only you would think that, Draco.
Not true. I believe someone called Guy Fawkes had the same affinity.
I chuckle and, luckily, Ginny has just opened her present from the twins, so it's not out of place. Happy Christmas, Draco.
Happy Christmas, Eli…Happy Christmas, Hermione.
Is it wrong that I'm trying not to cry? Go play with your friends.
Yes, mum.
He goes silent but I can still feel his emotions. He doesn't like Christmas. He always knows what he's getting. Well, maybe this year things will be different. After all, Draco Jr. never forgets a face. Getting into Draco's room wouldn't be at all difficult for someone who had been there before…
I smile as I feel a jolt of surprise through our bond. He got it. I can't help but prod him mentally. I want to know what he looks like, sitting there with the sleek pen knife in one hand, clutching at my note in the other; Draco, because you didn't want, or ask for one, Elizabeth. He doesn't say thank you, but I know he likes it.
"Hermione, your turn."
I turn to Ginny and smile, opening up the presents laid before me, one at a time. There are mostly books, but I don't mind. I like books. Ginny and Alice, of course managed to choose something a little different, a small crystalline fairy. It's gorgeous. I can also tell that Alice had a hand in Dean's gift.
"Thank you," I say with a wide grin. I really love my friends, but I can't shake the feeling that there's someone that knows me so much better…but maybe that's my own fault. I don't really give much of myself to other people. Maybe I should change that.
"Hermione, you have one more."
Frowning, I pick up the small box from the floor. It looks as though it fell from the pocket of my dressing gown. It's wrapped in silver paper with an emerald ribbon on it and I don't need to take a guess as to whom it's from, although I won't even venture a thought as to how he managed to get it into the pocket of my dressing gown.
Smiling, I clutch at the little package and look up at my friends. "It's actually a gift from me. It's for my mother. I must have picked it up by accident when I brought your gifts down."
"You could have picked a better colour combination," Ron says with a frown.
"I think it looks classy," I say, and it's the truth. I always have liked silver and green does go well.
Like I said, Lizzy, you should have been a Slytherin.
I laugh, and clutch my present tighter.
We all agree to take our things up to our rooms and meet in five minutes to go to breakfast. I can't help but rush up the stairs, placing my newly opened gifts on my desk. I jump onto my bed and sit cross-legged, much in the same way as I will always remember Draco looking that day. It seems so long ago now.
I gently open the paper, letting Draco into my mind as I feel his gentle 'knock'. He wants to see this as much as I wanted to see him. I make quick work of the wrapping and pick up the note that flutters from off the top of the box.
Elizabeth, so that you'll always have the snow, D
Opening the box I can't hold back a gasp. Oh, Draco, it's gorgeous. He doesn't answer me, but I can sense his pleasure. I guess we were both able to make Christmas that little bit more special for each other.
I carefully remove the necklace from its box and clip it around my neck before getting up. I dress quickly, knowing that I'm going to be late to meet the others. I glance in the mirror, trying to, I guess, see that beautiful woman that Draco seems to think is in me somewhere and, maybe it's the gift, or simply the knowledge that someone sees it, but I think that maybe, just maybe, I can see a little bit of her in my reflection.
"Hermione, come on!"
Tucking the necklace inside my top, I turn and run down the stairs, meeting my friends. As I had suspected, I was the last. We make our way to the Great Hall and I can feel the wonder that is Hogwarts at Christmas making it's way through my bones. I try to send a little of it Draco's way, but I think he's already aware of me.
"What's up with him, do you think?" Ron asks and I glance up, seeing Snape storming into the Great Hall.
"I don't know," I say with a laugh, as I seek out Draco. He's feigning innocence, but that only causes me to laugh harder. "Maybe someone's holding his bunny slippers to ransom."
My friends all give me funny looks and I can't stop myself. I laugh even harder. Ouch! I grunt as I hit the ground; I really should have been paying attention to where I was going. That really hurt.
"Watch where you're going, Granger," he sneers.
"Why don't you watch it, Malfoy," Harry jumps to my defence as Ron helps me from the ground.
Down boy!Draco! He needs to stop amusing me or this is never going to work. I try to turn my smile into a grimace. It seems to have worked. Draco's moving off and part of me really wishes I could go with him. I think there's one thing I wish. I wish I could spend Christmas with him, even just the one. I want to show him how special Christmas can be.
You already have.
He's looking at me as he takes his seat and this time, I don't care if I'm smiling. Don't think you can sweet-talk me, Mister. You need to watch where you're going, in future.
Sorry, Eliza. His face remains the same, but I can see the warmth behind the mask. I don't think I'm going to like it when he fades from my mind. I kind of want to keep him there, tucked away in my head. Maybe he won't fade at all. I think I'd like that.
"Stupid prat," Ron says, glaring at Draco as we enter the Great Hall. "Didn't even say sorry."
"This is Malfoy you're talking about, Ron," Harry says, shaking his head.
"Yeah," I say with a small smile, one hand clutching at the charmed, silver snowflake under my shirt. "Malfoy's don't say sorry."
xxxxx
The End
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Well, that's the end of that! I think I might write a sequel set around five years in the future…I haven't decided yet.
Let me know what you thought, feedback is always appreciated :)