Seeds of Seduction

Chapter 14: Christmas Eve

The next week passed by quickly. The Order building now looked very different as the holidays approached. The worn and depressed building had now been decorated with holly and wreaths. Trees twinkling with tinsel and sparkling glass ornaments adorned the rooms. The walls were sparkling and the floors were squeaky clean. On the staircases lines of wreaths had been wrapped around the handles and white small lights gave the stairs a heavenly glow. Mistletoe had been hung from the ceilings but Ron who had been appalled at the show of affection when Ginny and Harry were under a sprig caused him to eradicate the building of the romantic flower.

It seemed as if the decorations had also boosted the moods and morals of the members of the Order. As Christmas approached, the mass of aurors and members became tightly knit. Hermione felt as if she had never had as much fun as she was having now. She spent many enjoyable afternoons shopping with Ginny, wrapping presents, playing games with Harry, Ron, Ginny and to her disgust, Lavender. Many of the card games ended with Ron and Lavender kissing resulting in Hermione's rapid escape. Much to her dismay and confusion, the thought of Draco often crossed her mind. But she shrugged it off, thinking it was a sheer coincidence. Her feelings and relationships for both Draco and Ron were confusing her.

. & .

On Christmas Eve Hermione opened her eyes blearily. Mumbling incoherently, Hermione rolled over and buried her face in her soft velvet pillow. After the need for air became too great, she looked up and picked up her alarm clock. It read 10:31. Tossing the alarm clock back on the dresser, she wrapped her arms around her pillow and closed her eyes. Just as she was dozing into dreamland, she heard a tap at her window. Swearing, Hermione threw off her covers and climbed out of her warm bed. Rubbing her eye, Hermione stumbled over to her window and pulled open the glass pain.

"Damn," exclaimed Hermione as a gust of cold wind rushed into the room.

Reaching out, Hermione grabbed the twittering owl and slammed the window shut. She unraveled the letter and unfolded it hastily thinking it might be an urgent letter from the Ministry.

Dear Hermione,

How are you? It's been too long since I've seen your beautiful face. If it wouldn't be an inconvenience, may I have the pleasure of seeing you this evening around 6? I understand that it will be hard for you to come on Christmas, as you must have plans to see Potter and the Weasleys. Please send a reply with my owl.

Love, Draco

Hermione smiled as she folded the letter. Biting her lip, she slowly walked over to her desk and grabbed a quill and a new piece of parchment.

" It would be nice to see Draco tonight. After all he IS all alone because his mother and father are both died. It would be a shame for anyone to be alone on Christmas Eve and Christmas. I don't think he's ever had a real Christmas and it would completely heartless of me to deprive him of that. But should I tell Harry about this? It would be a prefect opportunity for me to tell him a meeting place. Nah, today's not a good day to do that. Maybe later, after Christmas. Yeah, that sounds good."

Quickly, Hermione scribbled her response on the crisp piece of parchment and tied it to the anxious owl's leg. Nimbly, Hermione pushed open the window and threw the owl out. Hermione swore as another wave of chilling air swept in. Rubbing her arms, Hermione ran over to her fireplace. Brushing aside the piles of ashes that lay in the tray, Hermione grabbed logs of fresh pine and arranged them. After waving her hand and muttering an incantation, a fire exploded in the fireplace. Hermione smiled and rubbed her hands together as the waves of heat washed over her as if she had just sunk into a hot bath.

The rest of the day passed in a blur to Hermione as she flitted around the building getting ready for her dinner date with Draco. After wrapping the dragon carefully in silver and green striped paper and tying a silver bow around the square box, she set it lovingly next to her brown leather handbag. By the late afternoon Hermione had primped and given instructions to her faithful house elf on how to place Ginny's, Harry's, and Ron's presents under the tree the next morning.

Hermione glanced at her clock as it chimed 6 o'clock. Rushing over to her mirror, she ran her eyes quickly over her tight brown velvet pants, her 2-inch cork platforms, and her white sweatshirt. Her eyes were ringed with brown eyeliner and her lips were a rosy red. Reassuring herself that she looked fine, she grabbed her bag and present and ran down the stairs.

"Hermione?" asked a voice to her left.

Hermione turned and saw Ron standing there in only a pair of blue jeans. He was staring curiously at her. Hermione's cheeks heated up as her gaze landed on his muscular arms and his bare stomach.

"Hi," she said cautiously praying that she wouldn't squeak.

"Where are you going?" asked Ron curiously as he walked towards her.

Hermione blushed even harder as he reached over and touched the package.

"You going to Malfoy's tonight," said Ron more than asking.

"How did you know?" asked Hermione frowning.

"Look at the colors," said Ron, "Why didn't you tell Harry and me you were going to his house? We could have deceived him once more?"

"NO," said Hermione hotly, "I cannot do something like that on Christmas. It'll have to be later on in a week or so."

"Look," said Ron.

"Nothing doing Ron," said Hermione her brown eyes staring into his brown eyes with determination.

Ron sighed. He knew that it would be futile to argue with Hermione. When she had made up her mind, nothing could divert her from it. Sighing, he turned around and sloped away back into the dark depths of the hallway. Hermione pulled her thick dark brown coat from the rack and pulled it on. Yanking her hair from where it had gotten caught in the collar, Hermione walked out into the cold evening. The stars were sparkling against the black sky and the night was still. The ground was covered in a thick blanket of snow and Hermione's shoes crackled as she walked on the powdery snow. Taking a deep and then exhaling it, Hermione closed her eyes and muttered "Diagon Alley."

Hermione knew that Malfoy had placed spells on his mansion that prevented wizards and witches from apparating there. Similarly, the Order had placed magic on their building to prevent Death Eaters and people who were witches or wizards from apparating. Of course, the protection was much higher on the Order than Lucius Malfoy had placed on his manor.

A few seconds later, Hermione found herself in front of Draco's house. Opening her eyes, Hermione gasped as she saw the scenery in front of her. Hermione was facing a wooden manor that was painted dark brown. Behind the house were purple and pink mountains covered by snow. An expansive rich green lawn was laid in front of the house and a thin trail of cobblestones led to the front door. Smoke rose from a brick chimney and lights were lit within the house giving it a cozy and homely look. The snow had started falling gently and in the distance Hermione could make out a Quidditch pitch. Sighing softly, Hermione trudged up the path and paused when she reached the front door. Raising a hand, she knocked softly. Tapping her feet, she waited. Footsteps approached and Hermione straightened up her stomach feeling as if it had been twisted into knots. Each second seemed like a millennium to Hermione. Finally, the door swung open and Draco stood in the entrance.

"Hermione," he said, "Please come in."

Hermione stepped into the warm hall as Draco closed the door. Hermione took off her coat and hung it on the rack. Draco just watched her and a smile tugged at his lips. Just watching her reminded him of his mother. He had never had a Christmas before. His father had shrugged off the holiday as if it was any other day of the year. When he was younger his mother would try and compensate by giving him love and small presents. But his seventh birthday, his father had found out and hurt his mother. Draco had curled up in the corner and wept as if his heart had been broken. After that day, there was no more Christmas, no more joy or fun.

Unknowingly, his gray eyes had filled with tears and one slid down his cheek. He simply stared into the distance, until he felt Hermione's finger wipe away the tear from his cheek. Blinking, he just waved his hand and smiled.

"Don't," whispered Hermione placed a finger against his lips, "Remember what I told you at the café last week? Don't Draco."

Draco swallowed as Hermione leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. Closing his eyes, he wrapped his arms around her. He didn't know why he had invited her. Part of him reminded himself that a boyfriend would have invited his girlfriend over. But the other part wanted to see Hermione again. There was something about that that he had never seen in anybody else. Not in his friends, not in his mother, and definitely not in his father. And once a Malfoy wanted to know something, they needed to get to the bottom of it. Everything vanished as Draco focused on the warm body that he clutched in his arms. His memories of his father, his worries seemed far away and unimportant. His idea to force a meeting place out of her seemed cheap and unworthy of this moment. Christmas was pure and to taint it would be unforgivable.

A few seconds later, Hermione leaned back. Draco smiled in thanks to her and then captured her lips with his. This kiss wasn't full of lust and wanting; on the contrary, it was full of thanks and understanding.

"Thanks," said Draco.

"No need," said Hermione smiling radiantly. "You've got a beautiful place here."

"Thank you. I've been contemplating on whether I want to move out," said Draco leading her into his sitting room.

"Why would you want to do that?" asked Hermione wrinkling her nose as she seated herself next to him on the soft leather carpet in front of the fire.

"It's too big for one person at the moment. And then I have many memories here, mostly bad of course," explained Draco.

Hermione studied him for a moment. "I understand."

Hermione shivered and Draco wrapped his muscular arm around his shoulder. Sighing, Hermione leaned against him. The minutes passed as the pair just stared into the fire. Suddenly, there was a tapping at the window. Draco grumbled and stood up. Pulling open the door, Draco winced as he saw a folded not waiting for him. Opening it, Draco grimaced as he read the familiar handwriting.

Draco- Reminding you that even though this a time of Christmas, you must remain aware and keep your mind on the task.

Draco tore it into shreds and scattered onto the snow covered ground where it was covered a few seconds later. Stupid fucking order from Voldemort. Closing the window, Draco turned around and trudged back to Hermione who was staring at him with confusion and worry.

"What was that?" asked Hermione as Draco wrapped her arm around him.

"Oh nothing, I don't want to trouble you with it. It's not meant for you," answered Draco vaguely.

"Anything concerning you is a part of me," said Hermione softly her face turned to him.

Draco froze and turned towards her when he heard her say that. Staring into her brown eyes, he found nothing but truth and warmth. Overwhelmed, Draco leaned down and kissed her. Breaking away, he kissed her harder, with more passion. Turning so she faced him, Hermione responded. Grasping her shoulders, Draco pushed her down until her back was against the carpet. Draco kissed her eyelids and then her cheeks. Hermione shivered as she felt his nimble fingers unbutton her shirt. But unlike last time, she didn't feel uncomfortable or scared. It felt right. Closing her eyes, Hermione let herself succumb to Draco's magic.

. & .

Hermione was in heaven, if heaven was this good. She was lying on the large leather couch in front of the enormous fireplace with Draco. The fireplace was cracking with orange and yellow flames. The room was cozy. Two tall thin glasses of champagne were on the dark wood table in front of them.

They had not spoken once but... talking might ruin the atmosphere.

Hermione was lying against Draco's muscular chest. Hermione closed her eyes as she fell in rhythm with his heartbeat. Her body which was only clad in a pair of Draco's boxers and a white camisole was covered with a blanket. Her hair fell over her left shoulder gracefully. Behind her, Draco was semi sitting. His shoulder rested against the headrest and Hermione's head just came a few inches below his chin. Hermione shuffled a tiny bit closer to him and he held her tighter beside him one arm around her waist and the other hand on her bare leg.

Draco's silver eyes studied Hermione's peaceful face. Her chest rose and fell with every heartbeat. She look so angelic and perfect lying in his muscular arms. Draco and Hermione's legs were in front of them, entangled together. Hermione mumbled and turned her head so her nose was in Draco's muscular arm. Her curls fell on Draco's arm sending shivers up his spine. Hermione turned all the way so she was facing him. Draco smiled as she curled up in his lap and leaned her head on his chin. She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes.

Draco placed his head on hers and cradled her. The minutes passed. Draco felt mellow and calm. It had been so long since he had felt this way. Smiling, he gently kissed the top of Hermione's head. To his surprise, he realized that she had fallen asleep. He was unsure of what to do next. He did not want to wake her. Could he sleep here tonight? He hardly ever slept properly anyway. And often he was unable to sleep in his own bed. He saw no reason why not so he shifted into a more comfortable position and, with his head resting on hers, he closed his eyes too...

Please Review!