Author's Note: Thank you for all of the reviews! I love getting them and
they definitely make my day brighter and my creative juices to flow! Oh
yeah, this is probably one of my favorite chapters of my story and you'll
know why in a moment! I'm sorry if I fail to make some of the conversation
be like in the medieval times. I was too tired to research the words. Oh
what am I babbling here for? Read on!
Chapter 12: Christmas Day
Hermione woke up to the sound of bells. It was definitely a nice way to wake up on Christmas morning. Smiling, she got up from bed and got ready for Christmas morning mass.
She had not worn the dress that Draco gave her. Instead, she wore a cream-colored velvet gown that Rose and Mathilde had given her before. She decided that she would wear the silk gown later for the party that evening. After braiding her hair and slipping on her white slippers, she opened the door to her room... and went face to face with no other than Draco Malfoy.
"Draco!" She exclaimed and smiled up at him, closing the door. "Merry Christmas!"
"And to you, Hermione." Draco said then looked up and down at her in a sort of hurt expression, seeing as she did not wear the dress that he gave her the night before. Hermione quickly explained herself.
"I'll wear it later, Draco. Don't worry. I was just saving it because I want it to be special." Hermione said and slowly Draco's hurt began to fade. "I'll wear it for tonight's festivities."
"Very well, Hermione." He replied. "Now, shall we?" He asked, offering his arm to her.
Hermione nodded and took it. Together, they went down and out to the chapel where Christmas Service would be held. When they got there, already many people were kneeling and praying, waiting for the priest to come in. Hermione and Draco were seated in the front pew. After a few minutes, the priest came and said mass.
The mass was purely in Latin. Hermione could only decipher a few words and phrases she recalled from memory. She'd taken up Latin when she was in college, but she never really liked the language.
After the service, the whole group went inside for breakfast.
Laughter and sublime gaiety abounded during that time, mostly due to Emil and his antics. Goyle would laugh along with his friend, but Draco would look on with an impassive expression on his face. Hermione sighed, wondering when Draco would ever smile.
The next part of the day was spent in preparation. Hermione oversaw everything, all the men just had to step back and watch her do everything from the cooking, the cleaning, the decorating and the confirmation of the entertainment.
It was in the afternoon when the three men, namely Draco, Emil and Goyle, were sitting around in the Great Hall, simply looking in awe at Hermione's energy and creativity. She was busy ordering where to put up the torches and the candles. Hermione was thankful for the stone castle, as there was no need for precaution when dealing with fire. Kate was also around, helping in the laying out of the tapestries.
The room was bustling in activity. But the three were simply there to sit and watch.
"Ah, Lady Hermione really is fascinating force, isn't she?" Goyle remarked.
"Aye." The two answered in unison, then looked at each other. Emil smiled, Draco merely raised an eyebrow. Then Draco turned back to watching her.
"So, Draco..." Emil began. "Have you stolen her heart yet?"
"What?" Draco demanded, glaring at his cousin. Goyle tried to keep an impassive face, but he was really on the verge of laughing. Draco, knowing all too well what his friend was thinking, warned him. "Goyle, one chuckle to escape your lips and I would be forced to use measures to keep it shut."
And Goyle straightened up. But it was Emil who was laughing.
"Saints, Draco..." He said in between his laughter. "No need to be so violent. What would Hermione think?"
"What do I care?" Draco replied.
"Oh?" Emil said, in mock surprise. "You don't care about her?"
"Do I have any reason to? And why in God's name are we having this conversation anyway?"
"Well, I am just curious, dear cousin." Emil replied. "But it would seem that you are important to her."
"And-"
"Because," Emil interrupted another one of Draco's questions. "Look at her!" Emil exclaimed and emphasized by gesturing towards her. "She's decorating your hall! She's making all these preparations just for you. You did not ask her to help out, did you? You simply sat back and she does all the work for you."
Draco looked at Hermione for a moment before turning back to Emil who was smiling sincerely. "And so?"
"And so?" Emil repeated and looked to Goyle for help. Goyle put up his hands as if to say that he had no part whatsoever in the conversation that was going on. "Well... is there any chance that I might run into you two... oh, in the garden perhaps, with you professing your undying love to her?"
"What?!" Draco exclaimed, standing up and glaring down at his cousin. "I would do no such thing!"
"Really?" Emil asked, unfazed by Draco's outburst.
"Sit down, Draco..." Goyle prodded. And Draco sat, but he was still glaring at Emil.
Emil continued. "So, there is no love between Hermione and you?"
"Of course not." Draco replied. But he was beginning to doubt every word he said in this particular conversation.
"Well then, you wouldn't mind if I woo her, would you?" Emil asked innocently.
Draco glared once more. He debated on what to answer. He even debated on whether to answer or not. Fortunately, it was at that time when Hermione came toward them.
"Hi guys!" Hermione greeted, smiling at them. The three looked up. Emil and Goyle smiled. Draco though, simply looked up in his own way that made him look more handsome than he already was. Hermione tried her best not to swoon right then and there. Who would ever turn away from this man when he looked at you like that?
Oh yes, she decided that he was definitely the man for her. In fact, not only did she decide it, but she had been the lucky girl to have fate decide for her!
So, she continued. "What were you three talking about anyway?"
Emil looked pointedly at Draco, but Draco ignored him.
"Nothing important." Draco replied before Emil could say anything.
"Oh, it seemed though that you were going to get into a fight a while ago." Hermione commented. "But then, I guess it was just the lighting in here, making shadows and making me think that you guys were on the verge of fighting. So, anyway, do you like the decorations? And the whole Great Hall?" Hermione said in one breath. She was, for some reason, nervous. And she always babbled when she was nervous.
Goyle laughed and Emil smiled. Draco just looked at her in what she hoped what amusement. But then, it could've been the lighting making shadows and making her think that... Hermione grinned at her own folly.
"Well, I'm sorry to leave you three, but I have to go and change for tonight's festivities." Hermione said, giving a small bow.
"Wait, I'll accompany you." Emil spoke up, standing up and walking towards her. She smiled at him and thanked him before taking his arm and together they went up.
Draco merely looked at them and he felt definite twinges of jealousy. In his anger, mostly to himself, he stood up and made his way towards the tower.
Goyle looked on in helplessness. He did not know Emil's motives for this 'wooing' so to speak. But what he did know was that Draco was starting to give in and admit that he had some feeling for Hermione, other than him being the host and she being a guest.
And that was when he briefly looked up into the heavens and prayed that Christmas would have something in store for Draco other than a very big headache.
* * *
The party was progressing along great, or so Hermione observed. She was currently sitting on a chair which had the perfect view of the jesters. Every once in a while, she would burst out laughing when she would see those people make definite fools of themselves. And what was more was Sir Goyle was right beside her, making those jokes and critiques that made her giggle like a schoolgirl.
The food was exceptional. Of course, Hermione knew that. She ate until she couldn't take it anymore. The whole Great Hall was alive with the people talking, laughing and dancing. As the jesters performed, the musicians were continuously playing. The night was still young and people from the village and other near places were still coming in for the festivities.
Hermione settled back into the high-backed chair. Then she looked at Goyle... and smiled. Goyle was staring off into the other side of the room. His eyes were full of longing, as she noted. She turned to where he was still staring and found the one responsible for such a longing gaze.
Kate de Gervais. Hermione shook his head and smiled. Leave it to Goyle to simply sit and watch her from afar when he could go up to her and ask her to dance. She was wearing an exquisite gown of golden-colored velvet, her hair was fixed similarly to how Hermione's hair was fixed: with an ornate fillet or a tiara. Kate was contented to watch the dancing couples, after she had no one to dance with.
"Goyle," She called and he snapped out of his reverie and looked at her somewhat dazedly. "Why don't you go and dance with Kate?" She asked, smiling. Goyle's jaw dropped and he looked at her with wide eyes. Hermione laughed. "Oh Goyle, don't think that no one's been noticing the way you've been looking at her, because I have!"
"B-but..." Goyle stammered. He wasn't used to being interrogated (or rather, informed) on his feelings. He knew about courtly love and everything, but only when it applied to someone else and not him. He had never been able to use what he knew on any particular girl.
"Shush, Goyle." Hermione said kindly. "Go and ask her to dance, before someone sees her and beats you to her!"
Now, Goyle was torn. Ever since the party and ever since Hermione had come down to join it, every male had turned to look and gape at her. They still were looking at her, waiting for the moment that she was alone and they would no doubt take turns in dancing with her. Hermione was of course oblivious to all the attention she was receiving. He couldn't leave her alone, could he? If he did, Draco would surely hang him.
But where was Draco anyway? Goyle looked around. He saw no tall man with blonde hair.
"Goyle, better go to her right now, before I drag you to her and humiliate you!" Hermione threatened, straightening up and putting her hands on her hips (as much as she could with her sitting down, of course). She narrowed her eyes and looked at him with much venom (or mock-venom) as she could muster.
"But Lady Hermione-"
"No excuses, Goyle! Go and dance with her this instant. I'll be fine right here."
Goyle thought about it. Yes, he desperately wanted to dance with Kate... And so, finally, after much debate with himself, he nodded his head. Hermione smiled at him and gave him a few words of encouragement. Then, she more or less pushed him off his chair and watched him straighten his clothes and walk towards her. He looked back once and smiled at her before continuing on.
Yes! One point for Hermione's match-making skills! Hermione thought to herself before placing a hand on her mouth and laughing discreetly. Now that she was alone, she had a lot more freedom to think about other things.
Like where in the world was Draco?
She had not seen him ever since coming down. She assumed that he was simply putting off his appearance until later so that he would come in a grand way... but he wasn't like that.
Maybe he's still changing or something, Hermione thought. Or maybe he's anti-social. Or maybe-
But her thoughts were cut as she felt a hand on her arm. She looked up and saw Emil smiling at her. Feeling somewhat disappointed that it wasn't Draco, she smiled a small smile at the black-haired man who was towering over her.
"Good evening to you, Hermione." Emil said, removing his hand.
"Good evening, Emil." Hermione replied. "So... how's the party? Is it up to your expectations?"
"Aye. And much more." Emil paused as the band struck up another tune. "I came here, Hermione, to ask you if you would care to dance with me." He then bowed and held out his hand.
"Oh... I would love to dance with you, Emil." Hermione said, smiling and taking his hand. He pulled her to her feet and guided her to where the other couples were dancing. The music was quite fast, and Hermione not knowing what the dances were during this time, let Emil simply guide her. The whole "dance floor" as she termed it, was alive with twirling and skipping. Hermione laughed at her awkwardness and Emil laughed with her as he took her hands in his and led her to another set of dance steps.
As Hermione and Emil danced, a figure in the back watched them with a steady gaze. He had just come into the Great Hall when he was faced the current scene. He looked at Hermione, with her face alight with laughter and she was dressed in the gown that he gave her. White silk suited her, she looked like an angel. Then he turned to the man across her and he felt the undeniable urge to walk up to them and haul him off her.
He stayed that way for a few more minutes. The more he watched, unable to move, the more the fury inside him began to build. Then, without warning, he whirled around, almost sending a servant crashing to the ground. Without a word of apology, he strode to the staircase and took two steps at a time in ascending. He did not stop nor decrease his speed until he was alone in his tower.
Without any other thought except for the way Hermione looked when she was in Emil's arms, Draco took his fist and slammed it against the stone wall with all his might.
* * *
After about an hour more of dancing and being enthralled with Emil's anecdotes and stories, Hermione once again searched for Draco.
Oh where in the world is he? Hermione wondered, looking around. After a few more head turns and twists which were futile, Hermione decided to do the looking herself. She excused herself from Emil, saying that she needed to get away first from the stuffiness of the Great Hall. When he started to accompany her, she quickly waved him off, saying that he should stay and enjoy himself in the party. Before he could say anything else, she quickly dashed off to the entrance of the Great Hall.
Once she was in the entrance hall, she breathed a sigh of relief. The revelry was far away now; she could even barely hear the laughter and the gaiety. She looked around, wondering where she should go first in her search for Draco. She thought... and came up with the most probable location: The Tower.
Wasting no time at all, she raced up the stairs, thankful that no one was there. She was breathing heavily when she reached the landing, but paid her concerns no mind. She was intent on finding Draco. She walked briskly to where the stairs to the tower was located. When she was there, a thought entered her mind. The stairway was never lit with torches, since almost no one ever went up there and Draco knew the way by heart. And Hermione was never the one to like dark stairs or rooms.
But being the ever determined woman that she was, light or no light, she squared her shoulders and headed up. She felt her way going there though, taking one step at a time and feeling the cold wall. Before she knew it, she was on the landing... and the door to Draco's room was slightly ajar.
She eased it open, wincing at the creak it made on its hinges. She peered inside. Three candles were lit on the mantle. There was no fire and it was only then that Hermione felt the chill of the night air. The moon, as she guessed, was covered by the clouds, making it hard to see inside.
"Draco?" She called tentatively. There was no answer and so Hermione let herself in. She walked only a few steps then was met with the harsh wind.
"Draco?" She repeated, rubbing her hands over her arms in an attempt to get herself warm. She walked towards the three candles, knowing only the placement of the furniture through memory.
"What are you doing here?" Came a cold and hard voice. Hermione gasped and jumped when she heard him. She put her hand over her chest and took deep breaths.
"You scared me..." Hermione replied after a few moments. She then continued to walk until her knees felt the soft fabric of the couch. "You wouldn't mind me sitting down, right?" And so she sat and wrapped her arms around herself. She always babbled when she was nervous, and right now, she was so nervous she could swear that she would have a heart attack right then and there. "Where are you, anyway? I mean, it seems really strange for me to talk in the dark..." She laughed, nervously. "I feel that I should be in a mental institute or something. But then, you don't find those in here, right? I mean-"
"I'm by the window. What are you doing here?" He interrupted. His voice was void of emotion except almost-anger. Hermione swallowed, she didn't know why he got angry and so, she decided to simply answer him.
"I was looking for you." She replied, willing her voice not to break. She was nervous and scared and cold. That did not make a good combination. She licked her lips. "It seems inappropriate that the lord of the castle wishes to be confined in his tower when all his guests are enjoying themselves downstairs."
"Inappropriate?" Draco echoed. "It is not when this lord cannot even find enjoyment in the midst of people. Therefore he wishes to be alone."
"Draco, what are you-"
"Have you been enjoying yourself?" Draco asked. "Surely, Emil has been more of a host than I could ever be." Hermione grimaced at the tone that Draco used, especially when he said Emil's name.
"I'd have you know, Draco." Hermione replied. "That Emil has been entertaining twice as hard to make up for your absence downstairs... But..." She paused, pressing her lips together. "No, I haven't been enjoying myself down there."
"And the reason is?"
"I keep looking around for you." Hermione answered without hesitation.
He was silent. Hermione resumed rubbing her hands up and down her arms. "It's freezing in here, Draco. I wonder how you manage to stay here in your room without a fire."
"I didn't need one." Draco answered. "Why were you looking for me?"
"Well, aside from the fact that you are being a very rude host, leaving all your guests to fend for themselves," Hermione began. "I was looking for you because I was wondering where you were on Christmas night... and why you decided to just be on your own tonight. And besides, I was getting bored down there."
"Bored?" Draco repeated.
"Bored." Hermione confirmed, nodding her head.
"How can you be, when I thought that Emil was entertaining you and others? I know that he has a talent for keeping his audiences captivated with his stories. You laugh, you smile. How can you be bored?"
"Well I just was, even with Emil and all his storytelling." Hermione insisted. "I laugh and smile to keep my mind off you. But once I stop, I keep thinking about where you are and what you're doing." She paused. "I was getting bored because you're not there, Draco."
"Why? I don't recall ever keeping you captivated... I rarely talk and tell stories." Draco said.
"You do..." Hermione said softly. Incredibly, she felt the anxiety lift from her body. "You do captivate me... I don't know how, I don't recall the exact time or the exact place... but you do. When I was down there, all I thought about was that the party would be so much better if you were there."
He was silent for a few moments. And she stared down at her hands. As if to intervene, the clouds covering the moon were blown by the wind. The moonlight illuminated the room... and Draco saw Hermione as if he was seeing her for the first time.
"Come here." Draco suddenly spoke up. The coldness and harshness of his voice were gone. It went back to his normal tone. Hermione turned towards him and saw him leaning on the wall beside the window, looking at her. Without thinking twice, she stood up and with the help of the bright moonlight, walked over to where he was and looked up at him.
He was clad in black velvet. Everything from what Hermione could only know as his shirt and his pants were in black velvet. The color contrasted with his pale skin, even made paler with the help of the moonlight. His hair was left loose and it glinted in the moonlight. His eyes were a brighter shade of gray.
"Look out." He said, tearing his eyes away from her and looking outside. She followed suit... and was met with the most incredible sight she'd ever seen.
The stars were out, twinkling their own greetings to any person who happened to look up and see them. The moon was big and full, lighting everything for miles. And the snow...! The snow sparkled and shined, almost blinding her. Due to the abrupt adjustment to the bright light, Hermione squinted at first, then was able to open her eyes fully and take in the scene.
"Oh my... it's so beautiful, Draco!" Hermione gushed, smiling and looking up at him. He nodded.
"Now do you see why I wanted to spend the time here, instead of down there?" He asked.
Hermione laughed and nodded. Then she looked out again, not able to tear her eyes from the wonderful scene.
"Do you still smile and laugh to keep your mind off me?" Draco asked.
"No." Hermione replied. "You've successfully captivated me ever since I came in here. I don't smile or laugh to keep my mind off you... I smile and laugh because you make me."
He was silent for so long after that that Hermione finally had to look up at him. The second that she did, he immediately bent down and kissed her fully on the lips. Hermione was so shocked that she went rigid. But then slowly, subtly, surely, she closed her eyes and let herself be pulled down in his kiss.
His lips were soft and gentle on hers. His hands came up to her waist and lower back, pulling her closer and holding her in place. She didn't argue. After all, she was busy returning and deepening the kiss. Her hands ran up his hard chest and stole around his neck, wanting to be closer to him.
Their bodies fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. Everything was perfect. The kiss went on and on, from soft and gentle to almost hard and insistent. Hermione felt as if her body was on fire... and still she couldn't get enough.
The kiss went on for an eternity more before Draco pulled away in the most gentle of ways. He opened his eyes and waited for her to open hers. When she did, she smiled. They were still holding each other close, never wanting to let go. And they simply stared into each other's eyes.
Hermione broke the eye contact when she turned her head to the side and promptly blushed. Draco simply watched her as the pink appeared on her cheeks. He loosened his grip on her body as she pulled her hands back, trailing down his muscular arms. That's when she felt the wound.
She gasped and looked at his right hand. Dried blood was evident and two of his knuckles seemed to be broken. "Draco, what happened to your hand?!" Hermione exclaimed.
It took him quite a while to tear his eyes from her face, look down at his hand and remember. "Accident." He said finally.
"What kind of accident?" Hermione demanded, stepping back and holding his hand in hers. Her fingers brushed over the wound, making Draco momentarily lose all feeling except for the softness of her hands cradling his broken one.
It was then that he knew and accepted that he would have her. No matter how long it took or how hard it would be, he vowed to himself that he would have her. His life wouldn't be worth living without her making him feel as if he was the most powerful man on this earth. And now that she did, he would do as all powerful men would do, and exhaust all possible means to achieve what he wanted.
And what he wanted right now was Hermione Granger.
"Draco, what kind of accident?" Hermione repeated, beginning to worry. She looked up at him.
In an attempt to make her worry less about him, he answered her question with a spark of humor. "A stone wall fell on it."
Hermione's brow furrowed and he looked at her with a gleam in his eye. Hermione repeated his answer in her head before realization dawning on her... and she laughed. Instantly, all worries left her and she knew that Draco had some humor still left inside of him, despite the hard demeanor. When she looked back at him, she almost fainted from shock when she saw a half-smile on his face.
Her jaw dropped and she stared at him. "You're smiling, Draco. You're actually smiling!" She smiled up at him.
"Ssshh..." He replied, putting a finger to his lips. "Not a word, lest others would use it against me."
And Hermione laughed again. "Yes and your reputation might be in a predicament after all the people learn that Draco Malfoy learned how to smile." Hermione replied.
"Exactly." He said.
Hermione tilted her head to the side and considered him. "I like it when you smile." She said finally.
"Remind me then, to give you smiles more often."
"I would like that very much." She replied. "Don't grin first though, I might need to sit down for that."
He nodded. "As you wish, my lady."
"Now, can we go and join the festivities downstairs?" Hermione asked and Draco agreed. Then, he took her hand and held it in his. Hermione first looked at her hand in his unscathed one and looked up at him and smiled. He gave her that half-smile. Together, they went down the stairs of the tower, not thinking about the steepness or that there was no light.
Sometime during the journey which they were taking in a leisurely pace, Hermione took the initiative and intertwined her fingers with his, then she brought his hand closer to her body and clasped her other around it. She continued to walk as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But Draco simply looked at her, shocked.
They made it downstairs and when they entered the Great Hall, Goyle was the first one to see them. At first, he was about to welcome them to the party. But then he noticed their hands and the way Hermione sidled up to Draco... and Goyle stood with his mouth agape.
Hermione laughed at Goyle's appearance and Draco shook his head. Before all the people came to know that the Lord of the Castle was here, Hermione took the time to pull Draco down and whisper in his ear.
"What about your hand?"
"Which one?"
"The right one, silly."
"What about it?"
"Doesn't it hurt?"
"No... I don't think so."
"We'll take care of it tomorrow, alright?"
"Alright."
And soon everyone took notice and the party went on, welcoming Draco and Hermione into the festivities.
* * *
The party lasted for a few hours more before the people started to leave. It was then that Draco gently pulled Hermione away, as they have been together for the whole time, and gently guided her to her room. Hermione didn't argue.
Once they reached the door to her room, they stopped and turned to each other. Hermione smiled up at him.
"I forgot. I never gave you a Christmas present." She said.
Draco shook his head. "There's no need."
"Nah... I'll get you one, even if it's going to be a little, no wait, a lot late." She answered chuckling.
"Merry Christmas, Hermione."
"Merry Christmas, Draco."
And with that, Hermione placed her hand on his arm, reached up on tiptoe and kissed him sweetly on the cheek. When she was about to settle back down, he turned his head to the side and met her lips. His hands quickly came up to support her and gently stroke her hair. Hermione placed one hand on the back of his neck and pulled him closer to her.
Little did they know, that two pairs of eyes were watching them from the stairway. One was green, the other was brown. The owners were both in ear-to-ear grins. After a few moments, the two figures in the stairway began to descend the stairs, relieved that Draco had finally given in to her.
Ah yes, it was a wonderful Christmas indeed.
Chapter 12: Christmas Day
Hermione woke up to the sound of bells. It was definitely a nice way to wake up on Christmas morning. Smiling, she got up from bed and got ready for Christmas morning mass.
She had not worn the dress that Draco gave her. Instead, she wore a cream-colored velvet gown that Rose and Mathilde had given her before. She decided that she would wear the silk gown later for the party that evening. After braiding her hair and slipping on her white slippers, she opened the door to her room... and went face to face with no other than Draco Malfoy.
"Draco!" She exclaimed and smiled up at him, closing the door. "Merry Christmas!"
"And to you, Hermione." Draco said then looked up and down at her in a sort of hurt expression, seeing as she did not wear the dress that he gave her the night before. Hermione quickly explained herself.
"I'll wear it later, Draco. Don't worry. I was just saving it because I want it to be special." Hermione said and slowly Draco's hurt began to fade. "I'll wear it for tonight's festivities."
"Very well, Hermione." He replied. "Now, shall we?" He asked, offering his arm to her.
Hermione nodded and took it. Together, they went down and out to the chapel where Christmas Service would be held. When they got there, already many people were kneeling and praying, waiting for the priest to come in. Hermione and Draco were seated in the front pew. After a few minutes, the priest came and said mass.
The mass was purely in Latin. Hermione could only decipher a few words and phrases she recalled from memory. She'd taken up Latin when she was in college, but she never really liked the language.
After the service, the whole group went inside for breakfast.
Laughter and sublime gaiety abounded during that time, mostly due to Emil and his antics. Goyle would laugh along with his friend, but Draco would look on with an impassive expression on his face. Hermione sighed, wondering when Draco would ever smile.
The next part of the day was spent in preparation. Hermione oversaw everything, all the men just had to step back and watch her do everything from the cooking, the cleaning, the decorating and the confirmation of the entertainment.
It was in the afternoon when the three men, namely Draco, Emil and Goyle, were sitting around in the Great Hall, simply looking in awe at Hermione's energy and creativity. She was busy ordering where to put up the torches and the candles. Hermione was thankful for the stone castle, as there was no need for precaution when dealing with fire. Kate was also around, helping in the laying out of the tapestries.
The room was bustling in activity. But the three were simply there to sit and watch.
"Ah, Lady Hermione really is fascinating force, isn't she?" Goyle remarked.
"Aye." The two answered in unison, then looked at each other. Emil smiled, Draco merely raised an eyebrow. Then Draco turned back to watching her.
"So, Draco..." Emil began. "Have you stolen her heart yet?"
"What?" Draco demanded, glaring at his cousin. Goyle tried to keep an impassive face, but he was really on the verge of laughing. Draco, knowing all too well what his friend was thinking, warned him. "Goyle, one chuckle to escape your lips and I would be forced to use measures to keep it shut."
And Goyle straightened up. But it was Emil who was laughing.
"Saints, Draco..." He said in between his laughter. "No need to be so violent. What would Hermione think?"
"What do I care?" Draco replied.
"Oh?" Emil said, in mock surprise. "You don't care about her?"
"Do I have any reason to? And why in God's name are we having this conversation anyway?"
"Well, I am just curious, dear cousin." Emil replied. "But it would seem that you are important to her."
"And-"
"Because," Emil interrupted another one of Draco's questions. "Look at her!" Emil exclaimed and emphasized by gesturing towards her. "She's decorating your hall! She's making all these preparations just for you. You did not ask her to help out, did you? You simply sat back and she does all the work for you."
Draco looked at Hermione for a moment before turning back to Emil who was smiling sincerely. "And so?"
"And so?" Emil repeated and looked to Goyle for help. Goyle put up his hands as if to say that he had no part whatsoever in the conversation that was going on. "Well... is there any chance that I might run into you two... oh, in the garden perhaps, with you professing your undying love to her?"
"What?!" Draco exclaimed, standing up and glaring down at his cousin. "I would do no such thing!"
"Really?" Emil asked, unfazed by Draco's outburst.
"Sit down, Draco..." Goyle prodded. And Draco sat, but he was still glaring at Emil.
Emil continued. "So, there is no love between Hermione and you?"
"Of course not." Draco replied. But he was beginning to doubt every word he said in this particular conversation.
"Well then, you wouldn't mind if I woo her, would you?" Emil asked innocently.
Draco glared once more. He debated on what to answer. He even debated on whether to answer or not. Fortunately, it was at that time when Hermione came toward them.
"Hi guys!" Hermione greeted, smiling at them. The three looked up. Emil and Goyle smiled. Draco though, simply looked up in his own way that made him look more handsome than he already was. Hermione tried her best not to swoon right then and there. Who would ever turn away from this man when he looked at you like that?
Oh yes, she decided that he was definitely the man for her. In fact, not only did she decide it, but she had been the lucky girl to have fate decide for her!
So, she continued. "What were you three talking about anyway?"
Emil looked pointedly at Draco, but Draco ignored him.
"Nothing important." Draco replied before Emil could say anything.
"Oh, it seemed though that you were going to get into a fight a while ago." Hermione commented. "But then, I guess it was just the lighting in here, making shadows and making me think that you guys were on the verge of fighting. So, anyway, do you like the decorations? And the whole Great Hall?" Hermione said in one breath. She was, for some reason, nervous. And she always babbled when she was nervous.
Goyle laughed and Emil smiled. Draco just looked at her in what she hoped what amusement. But then, it could've been the lighting making shadows and making her think that... Hermione grinned at her own folly.
"Well, I'm sorry to leave you three, but I have to go and change for tonight's festivities." Hermione said, giving a small bow.
"Wait, I'll accompany you." Emil spoke up, standing up and walking towards her. She smiled at him and thanked him before taking his arm and together they went up.
Draco merely looked at them and he felt definite twinges of jealousy. In his anger, mostly to himself, he stood up and made his way towards the tower.
Goyle looked on in helplessness. He did not know Emil's motives for this 'wooing' so to speak. But what he did know was that Draco was starting to give in and admit that he had some feeling for Hermione, other than him being the host and she being a guest.
And that was when he briefly looked up into the heavens and prayed that Christmas would have something in store for Draco other than a very big headache.
* * *
The party was progressing along great, or so Hermione observed. She was currently sitting on a chair which had the perfect view of the jesters. Every once in a while, she would burst out laughing when she would see those people make definite fools of themselves. And what was more was Sir Goyle was right beside her, making those jokes and critiques that made her giggle like a schoolgirl.
The food was exceptional. Of course, Hermione knew that. She ate until she couldn't take it anymore. The whole Great Hall was alive with the people talking, laughing and dancing. As the jesters performed, the musicians were continuously playing. The night was still young and people from the village and other near places were still coming in for the festivities.
Hermione settled back into the high-backed chair. Then she looked at Goyle... and smiled. Goyle was staring off into the other side of the room. His eyes were full of longing, as she noted. She turned to where he was still staring and found the one responsible for such a longing gaze.
Kate de Gervais. Hermione shook his head and smiled. Leave it to Goyle to simply sit and watch her from afar when he could go up to her and ask her to dance. She was wearing an exquisite gown of golden-colored velvet, her hair was fixed similarly to how Hermione's hair was fixed: with an ornate fillet or a tiara. Kate was contented to watch the dancing couples, after she had no one to dance with.
"Goyle," She called and he snapped out of his reverie and looked at her somewhat dazedly. "Why don't you go and dance with Kate?" She asked, smiling. Goyle's jaw dropped and he looked at her with wide eyes. Hermione laughed. "Oh Goyle, don't think that no one's been noticing the way you've been looking at her, because I have!"
"B-but..." Goyle stammered. He wasn't used to being interrogated (or rather, informed) on his feelings. He knew about courtly love and everything, but only when it applied to someone else and not him. He had never been able to use what he knew on any particular girl.
"Shush, Goyle." Hermione said kindly. "Go and ask her to dance, before someone sees her and beats you to her!"
Now, Goyle was torn. Ever since the party and ever since Hermione had come down to join it, every male had turned to look and gape at her. They still were looking at her, waiting for the moment that she was alone and they would no doubt take turns in dancing with her. Hermione was of course oblivious to all the attention she was receiving. He couldn't leave her alone, could he? If he did, Draco would surely hang him.
But where was Draco anyway? Goyle looked around. He saw no tall man with blonde hair.
"Goyle, better go to her right now, before I drag you to her and humiliate you!" Hermione threatened, straightening up and putting her hands on her hips (as much as she could with her sitting down, of course). She narrowed her eyes and looked at him with much venom (or mock-venom) as she could muster.
"But Lady Hermione-"
"No excuses, Goyle! Go and dance with her this instant. I'll be fine right here."
Goyle thought about it. Yes, he desperately wanted to dance with Kate... And so, finally, after much debate with himself, he nodded his head. Hermione smiled at him and gave him a few words of encouragement. Then, she more or less pushed him off his chair and watched him straighten his clothes and walk towards her. He looked back once and smiled at her before continuing on.
Yes! One point for Hermione's match-making skills! Hermione thought to herself before placing a hand on her mouth and laughing discreetly. Now that she was alone, she had a lot more freedom to think about other things.
Like where in the world was Draco?
She had not seen him ever since coming down. She assumed that he was simply putting off his appearance until later so that he would come in a grand way... but he wasn't like that.
Maybe he's still changing or something, Hermione thought. Or maybe he's anti-social. Or maybe-
But her thoughts were cut as she felt a hand on her arm. She looked up and saw Emil smiling at her. Feeling somewhat disappointed that it wasn't Draco, she smiled a small smile at the black-haired man who was towering over her.
"Good evening to you, Hermione." Emil said, removing his hand.
"Good evening, Emil." Hermione replied. "So... how's the party? Is it up to your expectations?"
"Aye. And much more." Emil paused as the band struck up another tune. "I came here, Hermione, to ask you if you would care to dance with me." He then bowed and held out his hand.
"Oh... I would love to dance with you, Emil." Hermione said, smiling and taking his hand. He pulled her to her feet and guided her to where the other couples were dancing. The music was quite fast, and Hermione not knowing what the dances were during this time, let Emil simply guide her. The whole "dance floor" as she termed it, was alive with twirling and skipping. Hermione laughed at her awkwardness and Emil laughed with her as he took her hands in his and led her to another set of dance steps.
As Hermione and Emil danced, a figure in the back watched them with a steady gaze. He had just come into the Great Hall when he was faced the current scene. He looked at Hermione, with her face alight with laughter and she was dressed in the gown that he gave her. White silk suited her, she looked like an angel. Then he turned to the man across her and he felt the undeniable urge to walk up to them and haul him off her.
He stayed that way for a few more minutes. The more he watched, unable to move, the more the fury inside him began to build. Then, without warning, he whirled around, almost sending a servant crashing to the ground. Without a word of apology, he strode to the staircase and took two steps at a time in ascending. He did not stop nor decrease his speed until he was alone in his tower.
Without any other thought except for the way Hermione looked when she was in Emil's arms, Draco took his fist and slammed it against the stone wall with all his might.
* * *
After about an hour more of dancing and being enthralled with Emil's anecdotes and stories, Hermione once again searched for Draco.
Oh where in the world is he? Hermione wondered, looking around. After a few more head turns and twists which were futile, Hermione decided to do the looking herself. She excused herself from Emil, saying that she needed to get away first from the stuffiness of the Great Hall. When he started to accompany her, she quickly waved him off, saying that he should stay and enjoy himself in the party. Before he could say anything else, she quickly dashed off to the entrance of the Great Hall.
Once she was in the entrance hall, she breathed a sigh of relief. The revelry was far away now; she could even barely hear the laughter and the gaiety. She looked around, wondering where she should go first in her search for Draco. She thought... and came up with the most probable location: The Tower.
Wasting no time at all, she raced up the stairs, thankful that no one was there. She was breathing heavily when she reached the landing, but paid her concerns no mind. She was intent on finding Draco. She walked briskly to where the stairs to the tower was located. When she was there, a thought entered her mind. The stairway was never lit with torches, since almost no one ever went up there and Draco knew the way by heart. And Hermione was never the one to like dark stairs or rooms.
But being the ever determined woman that she was, light or no light, she squared her shoulders and headed up. She felt her way going there though, taking one step at a time and feeling the cold wall. Before she knew it, she was on the landing... and the door to Draco's room was slightly ajar.
She eased it open, wincing at the creak it made on its hinges. She peered inside. Three candles were lit on the mantle. There was no fire and it was only then that Hermione felt the chill of the night air. The moon, as she guessed, was covered by the clouds, making it hard to see inside.
"Draco?" She called tentatively. There was no answer and so Hermione let herself in. She walked only a few steps then was met with the harsh wind.
"Draco?" She repeated, rubbing her hands over her arms in an attempt to get herself warm. She walked towards the three candles, knowing only the placement of the furniture through memory.
"What are you doing here?" Came a cold and hard voice. Hermione gasped and jumped when she heard him. She put her hand over her chest and took deep breaths.
"You scared me..." Hermione replied after a few moments. She then continued to walk until her knees felt the soft fabric of the couch. "You wouldn't mind me sitting down, right?" And so she sat and wrapped her arms around herself. She always babbled when she was nervous, and right now, she was so nervous she could swear that she would have a heart attack right then and there. "Where are you, anyway? I mean, it seems really strange for me to talk in the dark..." She laughed, nervously. "I feel that I should be in a mental institute or something. But then, you don't find those in here, right? I mean-"
"I'm by the window. What are you doing here?" He interrupted. His voice was void of emotion except almost-anger. Hermione swallowed, she didn't know why he got angry and so, she decided to simply answer him.
"I was looking for you." She replied, willing her voice not to break. She was nervous and scared and cold. That did not make a good combination. She licked her lips. "It seems inappropriate that the lord of the castle wishes to be confined in his tower when all his guests are enjoying themselves downstairs."
"Inappropriate?" Draco echoed. "It is not when this lord cannot even find enjoyment in the midst of people. Therefore he wishes to be alone."
"Draco, what are you-"
"Have you been enjoying yourself?" Draco asked. "Surely, Emil has been more of a host than I could ever be." Hermione grimaced at the tone that Draco used, especially when he said Emil's name.
"I'd have you know, Draco." Hermione replied. "That Emil has been entertaining twice as hard to make up for your absence downstairs... But..." She paused, pressing her lips together. "No, I haven't been enjoying myself down there."
"And the reason is?"
"I keep looking around for you." Hermione answered without hesitation.
He was silent. Hermione resumed rubbing her hands up and down her arms. "It's freezing in here, Draco. I wonder how you manage to stay here in your room without a fire."
"I didn't need one." Draco answered. "Why were you looking for me?"
"Well, aside from the fact that you are being a very rude host, leaving all your guests to fend for themselves," Hermione began. "I was looking for you because I was wondering where you were on Christmas night... and why you decided to just be on your own tonight. And besides, I was getting bored down there."
"Bored?" Draco repeated.
"Bored." Hermione confirmed, nodding her head.
"How can you be, when I thought that Emil was entertaining you and others? I know that he has a talent for keeping his audiences captivated with his stories. You laugh, you smile. How can you be bored?"
"Well I just was, even with Emil and all his storytelling." Hermione insisted. "I laugh and smile to keep my mind off you. But once I stop, I keep thinking about where you are and what you're doing." She paused. "I was getting bored because you're not there, Draco."
"Why? I don't recall ever keeping you captivated... I rarely talk and tell stories." Draco said.
"You do..." Hermione said softly. Incredibly, she felt the anxiety lift from her body. "You do captivate me... I don't know how, I don't recall the exact time or the exact place... but you do. When I was down there, all I thought about was that the party would be so much better if you were there."
He was silent for a few moments. And she stared down at her hands. As if to intervene, the clouds covering the moon were blown by the wind. The moonlight illuminated the room... and Draco saw Hermione as if he was seeing her for the first time.
"Come here." Draco suddenly spoke up. The coldness and harshness of his voice were gone. It went back to his normal tone. Hermione turned towards him and saw him leaning on the wall beside the window, looking at her. Without thinking twice, she stood up and with the help of the bright moonlight, walked over to where he was and looked up at him.
He was clad in black velvet. Everything from what Hermione could only know as his shirt and his pants were in black velvet. The color contrasted with his pale skin, even made paler with the help of the moonlight. His hair was left loose and it glinted in the moonlight. His eyes were a brighter shade of gray.
"Look out." He said, tearing his eyes away from her and looking outside. She followed suit... and was met with the most incredible sight she'd ever seen.
The stars were out, twinkling their own greetings to any person who happened to look up and see them. The moon was big and full, lighting everything for miles. And the snow...! The snow sparkled and shined, almost blinding her. Due to the abrupt adjustment to the bright light, Hermione squinted at first, then was able to open her eyes fully and take in the scene.
"Oh my... it's so beautiful, Draco!" Hermione gushed, smiling and looking up at him. He nodded.
"Now do you see why I wanted to spend the time here, instead of down there?" He asked.
Hermione laughed and nodded. Then she looked out again, not able to tear her eyes from the wonderful scene.
"Do you still smile and laugh to keep your mind off me?" Draco asked.
"No." Hermione replied. "You've successfully captivated me ever since I came in here. I don't smile or laugh to keep my mind off you... I smile and laugh because you make me."
He was silent for so long after that that Hermione finally had to look up at him. The second that she did, he immediately bent down and kissed her fully on the lips. Hermione was so shocked that she went rigid. But then slowly, subtly, surely, she closed her eyes and let herself be pulled down in his kiss.
His lips were soft and gentle on hers. His hands came up to her waist and lower back, pulling her closer and holding her in place. She didn't argue. After all, she was busy returning and deepening the kiss. Her hands ran up his hard chest and stole around his neck, wanting to be closer to him.
Their bodies fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. Everything was perfect. The kiss went on and on, from soft and gentle to almost hard and insistent. Hermione felt as if her body was on fire... and still she couldn't get enough.
The kiss went on for an eternity more before Draco pulled away in the most gentle of ways. He opened his eyes and waited for her to open hers. When she did, she smiled. They were still holding each other close, never wanting to let go. And they simply stared into each other's eyes.
Hermione broke the eye contact when she turned her head to the side and promptly blushed. Draco simply watched her as the pink appeared on her cheeks. He loosened his grip on her body as she pulled her hands back, trailing down his muscular arms. That's when she felt the wound.
She gasped and looked at his right hand. Dried blood was evident and two of his knuckles seemed to be broken. "Draco, what happened to your hand?!" Hermione exclaimed.
It took him quite a while to tear his eyes from her face, look down at his hand and remember. "Accident." He said finally.
"What kind of accident?" Hermione demanded, stepping back and holding his hand in hers. Her fingers brushed over the wound, making Draco momentarily lose all feeling except for the softness of her hands cradling his broken one.
It was then that he knew and accepted that he would have her. No matter how long it took or how hard it would be, he vowed to himself that he would have her. His life wouldn't be worth living without her making him feel as if he was the most powerful man on this earth. And now that she did, he would do as all powerful men would do, and exhaust all possible means to achieve what he wanted.
And what he wanted right now was Hermione Granger.
"Draco, what kind of accident?" Hermione repeated, beginning to worry. She looked up at him.
In an attempt to make her worry less about him, he answered her question with a spark of humor. "A stone wall fell on it."
Hermione's brow furrowed and he looked at her with a gleam in his eye. Hermione repeated his answer in her head before realization dawning on her... and she laughed. Instantly, all worries left her and she knew that Draco had some humor still left inside of him, despite the hard demeanor. When she looked back at him, she almost fainted from shock when she saw a half-smile on his face.
Her jaw dropped and she stared at him. "You're smiling, Draco. You're actually smiling!" She smiled up at him.
"Ssshh..." He replied, putting a finger to his lips. "Not a word, lest others would use it against me."
And Hermione laughed again. "Yes and your reputation might be in a predicament after all the people learn that Draco Malfoy learned how to smile." Hermione replied.
"Exactly." He said.
Hermione tilted her head to the side and considered him. "I like it when you smile." She said finally.
"Remind me then, to give you smiles more often."
"I would like that very much." She replied. "Don't grin first though, I might need to sit down for that."
He nodded. "As you wish, my lady."
"Now, can we go and join the festivities downstairs?" Hermione asked and Draco agreed. Then, he took her hand and held it in his. Hermione first looked at her hand in his unscathed one and looked up at him and smiled. He gave her that half-smile. Together, they went down the stairs of the tower, not thinking about the steepness or that there was no light.
Sometime during the journey which they were taking in a leisurely pace, Hermione took the initiative and intertwined her fingers with his, then she brought his hand closer to her body and clasped her other around it. She continued to walk as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But Draco simply looked at her, shocked.
They made it downstairs and when they entered the Great Hall, Goyle was the first one to see them. At first, he was about to welcome them to the party. But then he noticed their hands and the way Hermione sidled up to Draco... and Goyle stood with his mouth agape.
Hermione laughed at Goyle's appearance and Draco shook his head. Before all the people came to know that the Lord of the Castle was here, Hermione took the time to pull Draco down and whisper in his ear.
"What about your hand?"
"Which one?"
"The right one, silly."
"What about it?"
"Doesn't it hurt?"
"No... I don't think so."
"We'll take care of it tomorrow, alright?"
"Alright."
And soon everyone took notice and the party went on, welcoming Draco and Hermione into the festivities.
* * *
The party lasted for a few hours more before the people started to leave. It was then that Draco gently pulled Hermione away, as they have been together for the whole time, and gently guided her to her room. Hermione didn't argue.
Once they reached the door to her room, they stopped and turned to each other. Hermione smiled up at him.
"I forgot. I never gave you a Christmas present." She said.
Draco shook his head. "There's no need."
"Nah... I'll get you one, even if it's going to be a little, no wait, a lot late." She answered chuckling.
"Merry Christmas, Hermione."
"Merry Christmas, Draco."
And with that, Hermione placed her hand on his arm, reached up on tiptoe and kissed him sweetly on the cheek. When she was about to settle back down, he turned his head to the side and met her lips. His hands quickly came up to support her and gently stroke her hair. Hermione placed one hand on the back of his neck and pulled him closer to her.
Little did they know, that two pairs of eyes were watching them from the stairway. One was green, the other was brown. The owners were both in ear-to-ear grins. After a few moments, the two figures in the stairway began to descend the stairs, relieved that Draco had finally given in to her.
Ah yes, it was a wonderful Christmas indeed.