Chapter Six:

The Gift

Draco woke up the next morning after a solid night of sleep. He felt so rested and so alive, he didn't mind that he ran his toe into his desk as he moved towards his dresser. He pulled a black t-shirt over his head and stepped into a pair of muggle jeans. Hermione would probably like them, he decided. Their kiss the previous evening was relived over and over in Draco's dreams. He had awoken with a smile. He couldn't remember the last time he had had such a wonderful sleep. And for that matter, he couldn't remember the last time he had felt such chemistry when he kissed someone. She definitely knew what she was doing, but she held an aura of innocence that made her so intriguing. Hoping that he'd see her in the common room, he ran his hands through his hair and left his room. The sky was still gray, and more snow covered the grounds. It looked like it was about to begin snowing again, but Draco didn't mind. No, he definitely appreciated snow after yesterday. Unfortunately, the common room lacked the Head Girl. The fire was crackling warmly in the fireplace, and some breakfast dishes had been dirtied. Sighing, he realized he must have missed her. Her being a morning person had bothered him at first. On some occasions, her bustling about the common room had woken him up. They had had words about it. But now it bothered him for an entirely different reason. He had been looking forward to seeing her. The moment he closed his eyes the night before he couldn't wait to open them again the next morning. The moment he opened his eyes this morning, he couldn't get out of bed fast enough. In fact he had gotten tangled up in his blankets and had crashed to the floor. But his efforts were futile. She was no where in sight. Disappointed, Draco wandered aimlessly out of the dormitory. His thoughts brightened when he saw the library on his right. Thinking that she must be in the library, Draco barreled through the doors, attracting attention from everyone in the library. Madame Pince gave him a harsh glare, but remained silent. Draco didn't even care. He set off towards the Forgettables section, praying that he would find her there. Rounding the corner, he held his breath, sending up one final prayer. He exhaled with disappointment when he saw that the section was vacant. Even more depressed than before, Draco left the library and wandered down to the Great Hall. He poked his head inside to see if she was there, but only found more frustration. Ready to give up, Draco began climbing the stairs to their empty common room. Pausing in the middle of the second staircase, he doubled back to the window.

"Of course!" He muttered to himself. Why didn't I think of it sooner? He chided himself angrily. He bolted down the staircases and flew out of the front doors. A gust of icy wind greeted him, but he ignored it. Glancing down at the snow, he noticed her small footprints heading towards the lake. He quickened his pace and traced the imprints, finally pausing where they stopped. He raised his eyes from the snow to her beautiful face and grinned.

"Good morning." He greeted her, his breath visible in the cold atmosphere. She offered him a timid smile and shifted her gaze to the Forbidden Forest. The snow weighed down the tree branches, the lowest ones nearly scraping the ground. Draco felt uneasy. Did I do something wrong? As if sensing the doubt in his mind, Hermione's eyes sought his again. A reassuring smile crossed her lips.

"Where did it come from?"

"Where did what come from?" Draco asked, confused. Her eyes sparkled.

"The mistletoe. Did you put it there?" She asked, grinning more widely.

"No. I was just as surprised as you were." Draco replied. He was being truthful. He had no idea that there had been mistletoe in the doorway. But he was certainly thankful to who ever put it there.

Hermione wandered down the streets of Hogsmeade. A fresh layer of snow was falling around her and her cheeks were flushed with the cold. Inside she was thoroughly happy. Kissing Draco had been amazing. Never had she felt such passion. They hadn't advanced on their new level of friendship. The only changes were shy smiles when they saw each other in the halls and more laughter and comfort when they were in the common room at the same time. Otherwise, it was as though nothing happened. Hermione was almost to the end of the strip when she spotted a curious little shop to her left. Squished between two much larger stores sat a tiny shop with the title Intricacies in gold letters on the door. Intrigued, Hermione stepped out of the cold and into the shop. There were hundreds of shelves lining the walls, and they all contained detailed figurines. Some moved, some spoke, but many were stationary. In fact, if it weren't for the odd shapes of magical creatures, one wouldn't know that they were magical productions at all. Moving slowly, Hermione examined every trinket carefully, not wanting to miss a single detail. By the last shelf, Hermione was slightly disappointed. She had hoped to find something for Draco, but everything was too elaborate, too expensive, or just not his style. The very last item on the shelf made Hermione grin. It was absolutely perfect. A simple silver ring with a green snake slithering through the polished surface.

"Pretty thing, isn't it?" A raspy voice came from behind her. She jumped in surprise, nearly knocking things off of the shelves. An old little man with stringy gray hair and dull gray eyes grinned toothlessly at her. She shifted uncomfortably but cleared her throat.

"How much is it, sir? There's no price tag." The man laughed a wheezing sort of chuckle and starting coughing hard. He grasped a flagon of fire whiskey from his cloak and took a long pull.

"That there's an antique. Believed to be worn by Salazar Slytherin himself." Hermione didn't like the sound of that. It must be incredibly expensive.

"It's expensive then?"

"More than your whole life, darlin'." He looked at the ring with reverence.

"How can I pay for it? Without money, I mean."

"You mean you want to pay in favors?" The man eyed her curiously. Hermione bit her lip, not sure of what she was about to do. But it was for Draco.

"Yes, sir." The man looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Well, darlin', I'll tell you what. Come back sometime before April and clean up the shop. All these trinkets and things will be dusty and won't fetch a decent price. They need a thorough cleaning every four months or so."

"I'll do it, sir. You have my word."

"No tricks now, darlin'. You look like a fine young lady, so I don't think I'll have a problem trusting you."

"You won't, sir. Thank you very much." Hermione held out her hand to shake. He grasped it firmly and grinned toothlessly. Then with great care and veneration, he lifted the ring off of the shelf and carried it over to the large wooden desk. Hermione watched with interest as he went about the process of wrapping the ring in emerald green cloth and placing it in a well-cushioned black marble box. Finally he handed it to Hermione and grinned.

"I'll see you in the future, miss."

"You can count on it, sir. Thank you." She offered him a smile and left the little shop. She sighed thinking about how much work it would be to clean every single trinket in the shop. It had taken her hours just to look at every figurine. But she smiled at the little black box. Draco was going to love it. She almost couldn't wait to see his face. Satisfied with the shopping she had accomplished at Hogsmeade that day, Hermione headed back to the carriage Dumbledore had generously provided. Once at the castle, Hermione hurried up the stairs to the Head dormitories. She didn't want Draco to see her enter with her gifts. He might want to see what she had purchased. Inside the common room, she was relieved to find it empty. She crossed the room quickly and went into her room. After placing the other gifts on her bed, she picked up the black box and tucked it carefully away in her bedside dresser. When she reentered the common room, Draco occupied the couch. He glanced up from the book he was flipping through when she entered.

"Did you have a productive morning?" He asked her, moving to make room for her on the couch. She accepted his invitation and sat down. Realizing she had been walking around Hogsmeade for hours, she appreciated sitting down more than she anticipated.

"Very. But I'm completely exhausted." She sighed, staring into the fire. Maybe she'd just wrap herself in a blanket and sit in front of the fire all day. That's not such a bad idea. She decided.

"So what are you up to now?" Draco asked, turning his attention back to his book.

"I think I'm going to spend the rest of the day in front of the fire, relaxing."

"Sounds wonderful."

"Yes it does...did you want to join me?" Draco looked up at her, grinning.

"Aren't we already sitting in front of the fire together?"

"Well I was going to change into my pajamas and get some hot cocoa before settling down. You're welcome to join me if you'd like." She elaborated, standing up to do what she had planned.

"I'd love to, but I still have to finish Sprout's essay on the reproduction and raising of liptoads."

"That essay was due before vacation."

"I know. That's why I need to finish it." He winked at her before concentrating on his reading again. Hermione rolled her eyes and went to change. When she emerged from her room wearing a silk sapphire nightgown, Draco was gone. Shrugging to herself, she pulled her hair out of a French braid and let it fall to her shoulders. The hot cocoa she had ordered from Dobby had appeared on the table and she picked it up on her way to the couch. She covered the couch with soft, fluffy throw pillows and sat down. She had never felt more comfortable in her life. She closed her eyes and imagined what Draco's face would be like when he opened her gift. It was, without a doubt, the most perfect Christmas present he would receive.

"What are you thinking about that is making you smile like that?" Draco's voice interrupted her thoughts suddenly. Her eyes flew open and Draco's face was only inches away. He was kneeling on the floor next to the couch, wearing a pair of black sweat pants and nothing else. Left breathless by his sculpted upper body and sinewy muscles, all Hermione could do was gape and blush. He watched her curiously, a sparkle in his eyes that said he was used to the reaction but it never got old.

"Nothing. I'm just very content this morning." Hermione struggled to say. Draco flashed her a handsome smile.

"Can I be content with you?"

"I thought you needed to finish your essay."

"Oh I see...you don't want me intruding upon your relaxation time. I understand." He got up to leave, but Hermione grabbed his arm quickly.

"Stay." She exclaimed. He looked down at her and one side of his mouth lifted in his sexy half smile.

"You're sure you want me to?" He asked, dropping to his knees in front of the couch once more. His gaze was level with hers, and he was only inches away. His face turned serious and he edged closer.

"Yes." She replied in a whisper, begging him to kiss her. And he did. Gently, as if teasing her. Then he kissed her again with deeper passion.

"Wait...Draco..." She protested, pulling away. "Maybe we shouldn't do this." She began to second-guess. Draco looked at her with disappointment, and she felt her heart melt instantly. She reached for her wand on the end table and muttered an incantation. The mistletoe that was hanging in the doorframe floated over to them and levitated above their heads. Draco grinned and took it as an invitation to kiss her once more. His fingers slid over the silky fabric of her nightgown, raising goose bumps on her skin, but igniting fires underneath. Somehow, her fingers entangled themselves in his blonde hair, turning Draco on. He deepened their kisses, licking at her lips to gain entry to her mouth. Approving entry, Hermione's tongue tangoed with Draco's. Eons later, they pulled apart, out of breath. Draco's lips were red and swollen from ardent kisses. His hair was sticking up in all directions, but Hermione decided that he looked cute that way. He was breathing heavily, his muscular chest rising and falling with heaving breaths. Hermione, herself, was attempting to regulate her breathing patterns. Draco flashed her a grin.

"Was it as good as you dreamed it would be?"

"I haven't dreamed about this." Draco raised an eyebrow.

"Oh come on, Hermione. I've seen you eye me."

"If I admit that, then you have to admit that you were looking at me as well."

"I can't even begin to deny that. But I'm a guy. It's instinct."

"Oh that's flattering." Hermione was slightly wounded at his statement. It was obvious that Draco could see the hurt in her eyes, because he raised himself onto the couch and caressed her cheek with a long slender finger.

"Hermione, you're beautiful. More beautiful than any girl I've ever seen. I couldn't deny that if I tried."

"You denied it for six years."

"I never really saw you until this year. Beauty isn't just sparkling eyes, smooth skin, and feminine curves." He gave her that sexy half smile that melted her bones.

"That's something I never thought I'd hear from the lips of Draco Malfoy."

"I'm not that shallow, Hermione."

"Say my name again."

"Why?"

"Just do it. Please."

"Hermione." She smiled at the sound. It sounded so wonderful coming from him. She wanted to listen to him whisper her name over and over for the rest of her life. He grinned back at her and brushed his lips over hers lightly. A sharp rapping on the window jarred them both back to reality. Draco recognized Poseidon hovering outside the glass; a heavy parcel attached to his leg.

"Finally!" Draco muttered, rushing over to the window and letting the black owl fly inside. He lacked grace as he landed with a thump on the couch next to Hermione. Draco thanked god that her present was wrapped. He untied it quickly and brought it into his room. She was going to love it. When Draco reentered the common room, Hermione was stroking Poseidon gently. Poseidon seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.

"Your owl is adorable, Draco." Hermione cooed. Poseidon nipped her finger affectionately. Draco raised his eyebrows.

"He's never taken to someone so fast. He doesn't even like me." Draco grumbled, almost jealous of his stupid bird. Hermione kissed the owl on its beak, and it hooted happily.

"All right, all right, get out of here." Draco rolled his eyes, scooping up Poseidon and throwing him out the window. Hermione laughed lightly.

"Are you jealous of your owl, Draco?" Draco whirled around.

"Are you bloody mad? Of course I'm not."

"Don't worry, Draco. Your owl might be adorable, but he can't possibly kiss as well as you can." She grinned at him, her eyes sparkling.

"Damn straight." Draco grinned back, kissing her briefly. He glanced at the mistletoe still floating above their heads. He wondered if as long as the mistletoe was there he still was supposed to kiss her. Hermione was staring at him, as though waiting. Draco lowered his gaze to look at her.

"Well...what are you waiting for?" She asked, with mock impatience. He smiled at her before sweeping her into another fervent kiss.

Draco awoke on the couch with a sleeping Hermione in his arms. He closed his eyes and smiled. He had spent the most wonderful afternoon of his life laughing, talking, and kissing with Hermione Granger. He would have never seen it coming. He noted the mistletoe still above their heads and he pressed his lips to her forehead. She stirred and stretched out. Her eyes blinked open and she caught sight of him.

"Did we fall asleep out here?" She asked, sleepily.

"Apparently."

"Then we are in violation of over five school rules." She sat up quickly. Draco rolled his eyes. Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor. Then she turned back to Draco and kissed him so suddenly, he was caught off guard. Shock wore off and passion took over. He smiled through the kiss. She pulled away, eyeing him curiously.

"What?"

"When are you breaking the news to Potter and Weasley?"

"News?"

"You just spent the night kissing and cuddling with your hated arch nemesis."

"Oh I forgot about that..." She murmured, sounding suddenly upset. Draco wanted to slap himself for bringing it up. "I can worry about it later, right?" She said, suddenly. Draco grinned and nodded, pulling her towards him again. After awhile, the pair retreated to just sitting in each other's embrace, staring into the fire. Hermione's head rested on Draco's chest, and she listened to his heart beating irregularly fast, but in tempo with her own. Draco's fingers made lazy circles on her side, as he just enjoyed her presence. Breakfast suddenly appeared on the table and Draco felt his stomach rumble. Hermione laughed.

"You're hungry too?"

"Starving. Kissing makes me hungry." He teased her, kissing the tip of her nose. She pushed a throw pillow into his face and left the couch. He followed her, almost as though there was a magnetic attraction. Now that he had experienced what it was like to be near her for extended periods of time, he wouldn't be able to be alone.

"So Christmas is tomorrow. When should we exchange gifts?" Hermione asked, buttering a piece of toast.

"What makes you think I got you anything?" Draco asked, with mock repulsion. Hermione gave him a serious stare and he broke into a smile. "Fine. Let's meet for dessert since we're required to attend dinner in the Great Hall."

"Dumbledore made it mandatory?"

"I think Heads are required to attend holiday feasts."

"I guess I should go anyway. Harry and Ron are going to start wondering if I died."

"Are you going to tell them about us?"

"That all depends. Are we making this relationship of ours public?"

"Only if you want it to be. We both have a lot at risk if the whole school knows."

"True. Let's keep it classified then. I won't tell Harry or Ron for as long as I can hold out. I won't be able to lie to them if they ask me directly, though."

"How do you think they'll take it?"

"Horribly." Hermione grinned. It was the bitter truth, but they both knew it. Draco reached across the table and grabbed her hand.

"They'll have to live with it. I'm not going anywhere."