A/N: Draco's novel interest will be better explained later in the story... and i like my chapters short... DEAL!

"Rise and shine." Hermione threw back the drapes in the room, casting beams of light onto Draco's face.

"What the hell?" Draco stirred, shielding the sun from his eyes. He had stayed up late the night before, reading.

"Oh rubbish, it's 8 o'clock, we have a full day ahead of us. I have breakfast waiting for you downstairs, along with a list of things you need to do today. Boy! It's a long list so... come on, get going." Hermione smiled and walked out of the bedroom.

"Who the hell wakes up at 8 o'clock?" Draco yawned to himself.

"From now on... You." Hermione poked her head through the door and smiled cockily.

"Oh, am i glad i married you." Draco sneeringly.


It was 12:45 and Draco had already hung christmas lights, waxed the stairs, and cleaned the kitchen. He was only a quarter of the way done with his list, and already exhausted.

He was fixing the door hinge when Tre appeared at the top of the stairs dressed in boxers and a long robe.

"Morning Draco." Tre loudly yawned. He smiled, seeing his cousin was hard at work, "Been up long?"

All Draco could do was snort.

"Tre. I thought i heard you milling around up there. Come on down, i'll make you lunch." Hermione came out of the family room carrying a christmas bear. She stepped over Draco's tools and Tre followed close behind her.

"Oh thanks for offering Hermione, but really i'm fine, i dont need lunch just yet." Draco commented to himself.

In the kitchen Hermione poured a cup of tea for Tre, and turned on the oven. "How does soup sound? I figure on such a dreary day like this, soup would fit." Hermione asked, smiling sweetly.

"Soup sounds great." Tre was studying her intensely, and for a moment, just a moment, Hermione faltered under his close watch.


Draco heard the phone ring but thought nothing of it. It couldnt possibly be for him, so what did it matter. Hermione and Tre were in the kitchen, one of them could get it.

"Hello?" Hermione answered the phone, extra cheery. "Harry you old dog. How's it goin?" Hermione cooed into the phone.

"I've been pretty good. How's life for you and the ferret?" Harry asked roughly.

"Not too bad actually. But that doesnt matter, are you and the Weasley's coming for Christmas?" Hermione looked at Tre with concern as he choked on a piece of bread.

"Well i Ginny and i will be. I'm not too sure about the rest of them, they dont want to impose." Harry noticed the diversion and went with it, for Hermione's sake, knowing there was more to the story.

"Please. How can you impose when the family who invited you has 27 unoccupied bedrooms?" Hermione countered dismissing their concerns.

"Well it will definitely be Ron, Ginny and i. Did Ginny tell you about us?" Harry asked suddenly interested.

"NO. We havent talked since, oh i dont even remember when." Hermione practically hollered into the phone.

"Well we are kind of a couple now. Anyway's i need to go, time for practice. See you in three weeks." Harry spoked hurriedly.

"But..." Harry hung up before Hermione could finish. Shrugging she turned off the phone and went back to tying the bears bow.

"Does Draco know about this?" Tre asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No." Hermione grew serious, but tried to act nonchalant.

"I'll let you tell him, but do me a favor will you?" Tre smiled at her, and when she looked at him, signaling for him to continue he laughed, "Do it when i'm around." He stood up shaking his head, and clearing his plate. "That was delicious." He walked out of the kitchen, and Hermione let her breath out.

"Draco, what do you want for lunch?" Hermione walked to the doorway and found him concentrating on the door hinge. "Draco!" She practically yelled.

"What?" He barked, not even looking up.

"What do you want for lunch?" Hermione tried to ask sweetly.

"a sandwhich is fine, thanks." Hermione could tell he spoke to her kindly, involuntarily.

"Right. A sandwhich." She whispered, walking back into the kitchen.


Two weeks passed, with the same routine. Hermione would wake at six, go for a two hour run, come home, shower, and then wake Draco. He wasnt as bitter when she did, and she sometimes thought he enjoyed it.

Draco knew Hermione wasnt tell him something, he just didnt know what. Lately she had been fussing with four of the guest bedrooms, and everytime he asked what she was doing, she would get upset and shut the door in his face.

Draco rarely slept, Hermione haunted his dreams. Everytime he closed his eyes he went back to that one, magical night. Sometimes he would let himself divulge, but others would wake up, cursing himself. He knew he was attracted to her, but he didnt want to admit to anything else.

It was a week and a half until Christmas and Hermione knew she had to tell Draco soon. He had taken Tre to the movies one day, and Hermione chose that night to tell him. She prepared a fabulous meal, and set the kitchen table for three.

When the two got home, Hermione heard Draco's laugh for the first time. It sent chills down her spine, and she found it oddly intriguing. "Hermione where are you?" Tre called out, snapping Hermione back to reality.

"In the kitchen. Dinner's ready you two." Hermione called, trying to involve herself with other tasks, like cleaning the counters.

The two boys walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. "What's all this about Hermione?" Draco asked quizzatively.

"We need to talk." Hermione swallowed, then sat in her chair.

"This cant be good." Draco said, looking to his cousin, and noticed that his cousin knew.

"Draco, i invited Harry, Ron, and Ginny for Christmas." Hermione recoiled at the sound of Draco's fork hitting the plate. "And your mom, and my parents." Hermione closed her eyes as Draco took a ragged breath.

"You...What?" Draco spoke slowly.

"I figured, we're family now, we should make a tradition of our own for Christmas." Hermione tried to reason with Draco, but she could tell my the look on his face that it wouldnt happen.

"So you invite your friends? What kind of bull shit is this? Tre did you know about this?" Draco turned on his cousin, the anger expressed clearly on his face. He already knew the answer, but he asked anyway.

"Umm, kind of." Tre quieted, backing away from his cousin.

"Great. This is just great. No. No. I wont have them in my house." Draco stood up, tossed his napkin on the table, and walked to the sink, shaking his head.

"What do you mean you wont have them inyour house? Dont forget i live here too. This is as much my house as it is your's. And yes, they're coming. They'll be here next Tuesday." Hermione set her fork down gently. She wouldnt back down on this one.

"Oh and you choose now to tell me?" Draco spat at her, his eyes cold and empty.

"Don't try that with me Malfoy. You waited until two hours before Tre's arrival, i'm at least giving you three days to get used to the idea." Hermione stood up, and slammed her napkin on the table.

"Dont be so naive Hermione Malfoy. Or did you forget about that small little detail? You're a Malfoy too.?" Draco seemed offended that she had referred to him as Malfoy.

"Unfortunately. I can never forget that." Hermione crossed her arms, and glared at him. For a split second she would have sworn she saw hurt in his eyes.

"Screw you, Hermione." Draco stormed out of the kitchen, wondering why he hadnt just apparated. He knew exactly where his destination was.

"Yeah, you've already done that Draco." Hermione called after him, feeling her temperature rise. She too left the room.
Tre sat there, shocked.