Wow! The amount of reviews I received for the last chapter were incredible! Thank you all so much! I'm really glad you liked it all. I have been a bit worried about Draco becoming too OOC as I proceed but you guys seem to like it, of which I'm really glad.

Huge hugs to White-Pink-Fluffy-Strawberriez, Obnoxiously Peachy Twit 2008, ProwlingKitKat, Chrissy8887779999, mgleteacher, and Kandygurl4.

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Fairy Gal: Incredible, did you really read my whole fic in one shot? That's so great! I'm glad you thought it was worth it!

Efa: I feel so lucky you liked my story so much that you wanted to review it! Thanks so much!

Here is the update so many of you demanded of me!

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It was nearly mid day with Hermione woke up on Christmas day, she stirred and stretched, noticing that Draco's side of the bed was empty.

When she opened her eyes and saw snow falling softly outside. The air inside was warm however due to the fire that had been burning throughout the night.

"I thought you would sleep through your favourite day of the year." A teasing voice drew her head to the doorway where an already dressed Draco stood causally.

She smiled "Merry Christmas to you too."

"Merry Christmas." He replied, sitting at the foot of the bed "So what do you plan to do today?"

Hermione laughed "What everyone does at Christmas; open presents and eat lots of warm food."

He raised an eyebrow "More food? And who said you got any presents?"

She looked pointedly at a small pile of wrapped gifts on the floor in front of the fire place.

"How did they get there I wonder?" He smirked, throwing her a dressing gown and stepping towards the door. "I'll be in the study when you're dressed."

"Do you honestly feel nothing for this day?" She asked, getting up to find some clothing.

He shrugged "Not really I suppose, I haven't for what feels like a long time."

She didn't miss the hint of sorrow in his voice. "You will like it just as much as I do soon."

"I'll take your word for it." He shut the door and she heard his footsteps going down the hallway, wondering what caused him to seem so melancholy.

She sat down once she had put on a pair of jeans and a warm woollen top. The first present was from Ron and Padma who gave her a large book and green scarf that seemed to be longer than she was tall.

A larger box from Harry and Cho contained an assortment of expensive quills and ink pots. There was a small note attached, it read:

Dear Hermione,

Merry Christmas! I hope you like my present for you, Cho was most pedantic about the range of quills and I chose the coloured inks.

Cho and I are going to Ron's for a Christmas lunch, it would be great for you and Draco to come.

Have a wonderful Christmas,

Harry.

A smile formed on her lips and she didn't bother to wipe it away, if anyone looking thought she was a raving lunatic for the grin that was spread on her face, she would let them think so.

Other aurors and members of the Ministry of Magic she had worked with over the years sent her boxes of chocolate and books, many of which she had read before.

She had saved Draco's present to last even though it had been near the top of the pile.

It was large flat box that had been wrapped in purple paper and tied with a white ribbon. Carefully she undid the bow and pulled aside the paper, when she opened the box she saw a spectacular dress.

It glittered along it's navy blue outer layer. When she took it out of the box, it made a beautiful 'swish' sound and fell to the ground gently. Under the outer layer of blue was a netting of white and another layer of white silk beneath that.

She stood before the mirror and held the dress in front of her, it was stunning.

A note in Draco's curly script had been under the dress.

Dear Hermione, it read

I was at loss as to what you would like for Christmas, you seemed to have everything you wanted and never told me anything that you would desire.

We have been cordially invited to the annual Dupere ball in London, so I thought to get you this dress to wear to the occasion.

I have a suspicion you will look beautiful wearing it.

I suggest you hurry to my study and stop spending so much time sitting on the floor, it is most un-Malfoy-like to do so.

Draco

Hermione laughed at his last statement, knowing it was his way of dealing with the awkwardness of intimacy. She placed the letter beside her other cards and hung the dress up with a wave of her wand.

When she entered the study, Draco was seated at the desk, his chair slightly turned as he stared out the window.

"I hurried over." She teased.

He turned and smiled at her "You took much longer than I expected."

She shrugged "I open the best presents last."

He blushed slightly then but tried hard to cover it, "So you…will go to the ball then?"

"Yes, I don't want that gorgeous dress to go to waste." She leaned over and kissed him in thanks. "I like it very much."

"I'm glad." He whispered, his eyes clouding over with an unfamiliar emotion; sentiment?

"Do you know, you're eyes are the most unique shade of grey." She sat on the desk, peering into his swirling orbs.

He seemed uncomfortable under her open scrutiny "No, I never took note."

She laughed "They've got to be what has gotten you this far."

"What do you mean?" He stood up and faced the window, his hands clasped behind his back.

"They're very scary when you want them to be, they can tease, mock and sometimes, they can make me feel that everything in the world is just perfect." She finished softly, knowing it was only true for her.

He was silent, showing no signs of reaction.

After a while, he turned to face her, "I would have thought these eyes of mine had seen too much for you to feel safe."

She was struck by the words he did not speak but hung in the air, fragile as the ice sculptures he had given her last night.

"I don't see your memories, I see your soul." She replied evenly.

"Then you see a broken wall." He told her sadly.

She reached out and placed a comforting arm on his, "It's fixed; didn't you not notice?" She said, her voice earnest.

He held her gaze then, she saw some confusion in his expression but it soon cleared "Yes, I can see it is."

She grinned and their lips met.

Outside, it stopped snowing, leaving the world coated in a new layer of pure white snow.

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"Only one month to go!" Ginny exclaimed when she saw Hermione on February 19th.

Hermione nodded enthusiastically "Yes I know, everything is set."

"That's incredible planning Hermione."

"I had two very good helpers." She smiled, leading Ginny to the guest lounge where they sat, enjoying the warmer weather.

"Do you think Draco is nervous?" Ginny asked.

The thought hadn't ever occurred to Hermione, he always seemed so calm and had everything under control.

"Maybe he is, though I can't tell." She said honestly, looking up at the portrait that now sat above the fire place.

It had been painted just before Christmas. Her image sat on a richly decorated chair and Draco stood behind her, a hand placed on her shoulder.

The two painted figures smiled and waved in her direction. She returned a smile, before Draco stepped out of the frame to the painting next to it to sit down himself.

"He probably is." Ginny said after a moments thought "Are you?"

"Me?" She leaned back on the couch "Maybe I will be on the day, but not at the moment."

"Excited then?" Ginny pressed.

Hermione laughed "Yes, you could say I'm excited."

"I wonder when Harry is getting married."

Hermione had been thinking the same thing "When he's ready I suppose."

Just then, Draco entered the room. "Ginny." He greeted formally.

"Is everything alright?" Hermione asked, turning to him.

He nodded "Everything is fine, I was wondering if you ladies would like to join me for lunch?"

They obliged and made their way to the dining room where three places had already been set and their dishes materialised when they took their seats.

"I've been asked by the Prophet to attend a press conference after the wedding, with you of course." Draco said, looking at Hermione.

"Really? About the wedding I suppose."

Draco nodded again "They wanted to 'have a word' afterwards."

Hermione smirked, "Seeing as it will be our wedding day, I think we should be generous and give them two." Draco raised his eyebrows in question. "How about, 'bugger off'?"

The three of them laughed merrily, the atmosphere was light and for the first time, Ginny found herself enjoying a game of wizards chess with Draco.

He gloated when she admitted defeat but that didn't take away the playful glitter in his eyes that seemed to be forever present now.

"Perhaps you would like a rematch Weasley?" He offered with a smirk.

Ginny grinned "Anytime Draco."

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This chapter was very short, but I'm sure you know why. I hear wedding bells in the distance! (actually very close by!) Hope you're as excited as I am!

Leave a review and I'll get onto the next chapter as soon as I can. Thank you once again for your great response to my last two chapters. I have a music competition on next week so I will have to put it on hold (cruel, I know). Wish me luck!