Yes, I know. I know. Another Briar POV chapter, but she is my OC and understanding her connections and emotions is important too. We'll be getting back to Draco's POV next chapter for the second half of the chapter after Briar meets a certain someone;) Also omg two chapters in one day? Today must be your lucky day!

Briar POV

Over the next few weeks, I continue my work with Snape while I stay at Malfoy Manor. The very first day I came to the Manor, I was nervous about meeting Narcissa, but I quickly found she was the most amazing mother to Draco and was the complete opposite of Lucius. She encouraged Draco to talk about his time at school, mostly about Quidditch and how unfortunately the Slytherin team was slacking in training. He talked passionately about how he loves being a Prefect and how he hopes to be one again next year so he can continue to have his own dormitory. His reasoning will forever be one of my favorite things to laugh about.

"Crabbe and Goyle are great when I need information, but those two idiots mumble in their sleep more than Saint Potter. Don't even get me started on the noises that come out of their fat arses." I start laughing so hard I have to clutch my sides with tears streaming down my face.

"Draco! Language. You are in the presence of a lady!" Narcissa reminds Draco. He rolls his eyes.

"Yes, mother," he says in a bored tone before turning to me to send me a wink. I laugh even harder and soon all three of us are laughing happily.

I smile thinking of the memory as I walk around to my closet to find clothes for the day. Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed the door to my room opening. Strong arms wrap around me and I lean back into Draco's strong chest with a hum of contentment. I stare into my closet and try to figure out what outfit to wear for today out of all of the ones I've gotten over the break. One of the perks of being here is Narcissa always wanted a daughter so shopping sprees have been a weekly thing. I always refuse when she offers to pay because I have enough money to last me a life time through my parent's will, but every time we get back I always find something I didn't buy nestled into the tissue paper of my packages.

"Happy Christmas, my doe," Draco whispers into my ear. A shiver runs down my spine and I feel him squeeze me to him tighter knowing he had that effect on me.

"Happy Christmas, my dragon," I whisper back while turning in his arms. His arms settle loosely around my waist and mine wrap around his neck so I can play with the hair at the base of his neck while leaning in for a much needed good morning kiss. His arms slip down to pull me to him by my ass. He lets out a hum of approval and squeezes lightly before letting his hands just rest there. I can feel his warm hands through my very thin sleep shorts and I have to squeeze my thighs together to keep my hormones under control. Living in close proximity with Draco has been a test of self-control for both of us, but his mother purposefully gave us separate rooms so I want to be respectful of her wishes. Now, does that mean Draco and I haven't snuck off to explore each other in the dark corners of the manor when she went out? Absolutely not because we're both hormonal sixteen year olds, but when she's right downstairs, I know I need to get him to behave.

"Remind me to thank Snape for making you learn how to spar. I'll have to convince him to train me at the same time so I can see your workout." After I mastered keeping Snape out of my mind successfully for four hours, he started physical training with me saying it would make it easier to strengthen my mind if my body was just as strong. I have shredded off the left-over baby fat I had left on my body and have toned every part of my body. I'm rather proud of the definition to my stomach, arms, and legs, which are pure muscle now, while Draco is just having fun with the extra curves he can grab onto like my thighs and ass.

"Hmmm watch you work out? I think I'll have to have a talk with Snape," I say teasingly. He leans down and gives me another peck on the lips.

"What are your plans today?"

"I'm staying here until the evening and then I'm going to visit Harry." His hands clench a little where they're resting causing me to let out a needy whimper. I stare up at him with sad puppy dog eyes and he smirks evilly before doing it again to gain the same result.

"Why are you going to see Potter when you could stay here with me making noises like that for hours? Mother is going out with some friends to a Christmas ball so we have the whole place to ourselves," he whispers suggestively as he leans towards me to try and steal another kiss. I groan and shy away from his kiss.

"I have a present for him because we are friends whether you like it or not as well as Ginny. Plus, we're going to visit Mr. Weasley so he can be a part of Christmas." Draco lets out a scoff.

"Yes, I remember you were writing the little Weaslette the other day. How did you two become friends again? Potter I get the Dumbledore's Army thing, but Weasel too?" I roll my eyes at his Malfoy attitude, but choose to ignore it.

"I saw what she went through with Tom Riddle's diary. She's a very good student and has picked up a lot of techniques in training. I approached her and I told her about my ability and how I was the one that alerted Dumbledore about her and Harry being in danger and she hugged me before thanking me profusely. She's a great friend and she's actually really fun to talk to! She understands growing up as the only girl in a house full of brothers so she understands how frustrating boys can be," I say with a teasing edge to my voice.

"Oh yeah? Do I frustrate, Griffin?" His hands pull me closer by the curves of my ass and gets close to my face. I hum in agreement.

"Yes, more than you'll ever know," I say in a raspy whisper. I lean forward to start to close the distance between the two of us so I can tell him through action how turned on he managed to make me with just a few words, but just before our lips can meet, there is a knock on the door.

"Briar, are you…Oh! I'm sorry, dear," Narcissa says opening to door to see us standing with my back to Draco's chest as both of us look like we were staring into my closet. Draco's arms are now wrapped around my waist again. "I didn't realize you were here with Briar, Draco."

"Yes, mother. I was just coming to get her for breakfast when she said she couldn't figure out what to wear so I was helping her." A smile crosses Narcissa's face, but I can tell she doesn't believe that lie for a moment.

"Well, come on down when you're ready. I'm sure you're both so excited to open the presents," she says with an excited smile before closing the door again. I hear Draco moan behind me.

"She has no idea how excited I am," he whispers while nipping at my neck.

"Oh yes, I can feel it against the small of my back so if you don't mind." I move forward and walk towards my closet and grab the outfit I decided on. I turn and see him pouting at me. I chuckle and with a quick "later" directed towards him, I send him downstairs so I can get ready. Quickly changing into my black leggings, a light blue blouse, and my leather boots; I move onto my make-up and apply minimal nude shades with a light pink shade of lipstick. Waving my wand, I fix my hair into loose curls and, after a quick check in the mirror, I make my way downstairs.

The day goes by uneventfully with breakfast and lunch passing quickly before Narcissa gathers us for presents before she leaves for her ball. Draco and I were invited, but we decided we wanted to have a night in after I get back from visiting Harry and the Weasleys. Narcissa gets me lots of make-up, beautiful dresses, and earrings as well as an enchanted brush that keeps static out of your hair in the winter. For Draco, she got him some new button down shirts, Quidditch gear, and new cuff links with his initials on them. Between both Draco and I, we got Narcissa new dresses, Draco got her a framed photo of her and him from his first day at Hogwarts, and I got her an enchanted journal that shows rare flower remedies that will help with her garden. She sheds some tears when she opens the photo and the journal and gives us both a hug before wiping her tears away and saying she has to leave.

Once she leaves for the ball by the floo, Draco and I exchange gifts. For him, I got him one of those advanced cleaners for his Quidditch equipment, a new Potions book he had eyed when we visited Hogsmeade the other day, and a necklace. When he opens the necklace, he looks at me with tears in his eyes. I take it from him and place it around his neck so that it rests right next to his heart.

"This way I'll always be with you no matter where you are," I whisper as he stares at me with love in his eyes. He glances down at the necklace again and lifts it to admire it closer. It's a silver chain with a dainty, silver doe attached to it. I had enchanted it so that the emerald in place of the doe's eyes will not only sparkle in the light, but they will also release a tiny rainbow when I need to see him immediately.

"The eyes are enchanted. If I'm ever in trouble, it will flash a tiny rainbow from the eyes like mine do. It'll also warm up so you can feel it too in case you don't see the rainbow if it's under your shirt." Draco lets a tear fall out of his eye before standing up and rushing over to the tree. Staring at him in confusion, he grabs one of my presents from him and pushes it into my hand eagerly with a bright smile. Opening the package, I gasp when I see what he got me. Inside the packaging is a rose gold chain with a dragon attached to it. In place of the eyes, there are two light blue, aquamarine stones.

"I didn't even think to enchant it so you would know when I was in danger. Would you maybe…?" He stares at me happily and expectantly as I cast my spell on the stones and with a flash, I see a tiny rainbow disappear into the eyes of the dragon.

"Done," I say with a proud smile. "Now I'll know if you need my help. Help me put it on?" I turn and move my hair and he places it around my neck before clasping it into place. It's the perfect length and rests right next to my heart, nestled between my breasts. I open his other present and have to stop my lip from trembling. I cover my mouth with one hand and hold the frame in the other as I let out a soft sob. In my hands, I see my sixteenth birthday photo with me in an emerald green dress between my parents. My father is standing on the right of me with a white button down shirt, a black bow tie, and black dress pants and shoes. My mother on the left of me is wearing a long, pale pink gown that reaches the floor with her diamond, heart necklace my father got her proudly on display. We're all smiling.

"This is the last photo I took with them before…How…?" I stare at him with wide eyes.

"I called in a favor with Snape," he says bashfully. I place the frame on the table and crawl into his lap to straddle him with my arms wrapped tightly around his neck as I thank him into his hair. I place kisses to the side of his head as his arms wrap tightly around me as he rubs his hand up and down my back soothingly as my sobs get quieter.

"Thank you," I say leaning back to kiss him sweetly on the lips. "I love you so much, my dragon." He smiles at me warmly and brushes my hair behind my ear.

"And I love you, my beautiful doe."