A Christmas Carol
Author: Kaydotsidot
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: Not mine, the characters belong to the brilliant author J.K. Rowling and this was inspired by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
A/N: Alright, I know that I shouldn't be starting a new story while my old one is still in progress but I got the idea for this in language class since we were reading A Christmas Carol. The plot of this story will be similar to the real story in some ways and most times it will be different. This is planned out to be a Draco/Hermione post-Hogwarts story.
A/N 2: This story is meant to be more serious or at least more in character than my other story, Wilderness Survival, which is meant to have Draco and Hermione sort of OOC. Please review when you are done reading the chapter, it means a lot to hear what the readers feel about your story.
Chapter 1
Today had been a very successful day for Malfoy inc. Three new major business contracts had been signed by leading wizarding companies, sales had been steadily riding all day and the head of the company, none other than Draco Malfoy himself was on his way to becoming the youngest multi-billionaire ever to be seen in the wizarding community. Yes, things were definitely going well.
With all of the day's accomplishments, one might think that Draco Malfoy would be in a good mood, but then it would become obvious that that person did not know Draco Malfoy. Christmas time was almost upon him, a time, which Malfoy considered to completely and utterly useless. So far in one day seven employees had asked for some time off for the holidays, to which, of course, Malfoy had scoffed at before refusing to give each of his employees more than a day off. He most certainly wasn't going to pay his best employees to sit home on a perfectly good workday so they could exchange gifts and sing songs spreading good cheer. And if that wasn't bad enough, at least half a dozen charities had come bearing hope of a small donation from the wizarding world's leading business company. As if that was going to happen.
Right now all Malfoy wanted to do was to get back to Malfoy Manor and do something worthwhile, like making his house elves count out his money for him. Yes, that always cheered him up. All he now had to do was make his way across the hallway before he'd be able to floo home, and be able to enjoy the one person's company he liked best; his own.
Malfoy had almost made it clear across the hall and just as he thought his luck was improving, she saw him.
She would be Claire Penworthy. Claire was rich, blonde, and beautiful, but also the world's biggest ditz. Always offering jolly greetings to her fellow workers and most times seeming to be in her own little world. On more than one occasion Malfoy had seriously reconsidered his decision of hiring her but as his good friend, and business partner, Blaise Zabini, constantly reminded him she was invaluable. Claire definitely had a way with convincing people to do things. Malfoy couldn't remember how many business deals were secured thanks to her. Nevertheless Malfoy went out of his way to avoid all unnecessary interaction with her.
Malfoy stared determidly ahead as his pace sped up. His hand tightened around the handle of his designer briefcase. Malfoy was pleading silently to himself that she wouldn't talk to him.
"Mr. Malfoy!" Claire exclaimed running to catch up with him. Draco sped up even more. Only a little way's more and he could floo home. 10 feet, 9, 8, 7, 6, almost there, Malfoy thought to himself. "Mr. Malfoy," Claire greeted him cheerfully as she caught up with him. Malfoy scowled. "I just wanted to wish you happy holidays. I know I will be. Me and my husband- Malfoy resisted the urge to roll his eyes- are going on vacation to the United Stares, during my week off."
Malfoy snapped to attention. "Vacation?" he asked. "Who authorized a vacation?"
"Why, Mr. Zabini of course. He said I could have a week of for the holidays. He told me he'd tell you."
Malfoy was furious. He couldn't have Penworthy on vacation, especially not at this time of year. He made a mental note to kill Zabini later.
"Yes, well, I must be going." Malfoy said as he made the remaining walk to the fireplace. Grabbing the jar of floo powder he shouted out Malfoy Manor and within seconds arrived back at home.
Stepping out of the fireplace into his home office, he was greeted be the sight of two of his house elves.
"Seri," he commanded, "take my coat."
Without a word Seri took Malfoy's designer coat and ran to hang it up.
"Jink, I would like something to eat. A snack if you would."
Jink nodded. "What is Master be wanting?" he asked.
"Butterbeer," he said, "A tall glass of butterbeer."
Jink nodded and bowed slightly before setting off.
Malfoy exhaled and took a seat be the fire as he waited for Jink. It felt good to be home. Malfoy felt himself getting increasingly more tired as the warm fire lulled him to sleep.
"Sir?"
Malfoy was drawn back into reality.
"Jink is bringing Master his butterbeer."
"Thanks," he said taking a long sip. "You may go," he said dismissing Jink, who bowed before leaving with a resounding, POP! Malfoy drank his butterbeer slowly, letting the warmth of it spread throughout his body, before drifting off into a deep sleep, as thoughts of wealth and riches danced throughout his head.
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In another part of London another family was celebrating the holidays, although they welcomed any greetings of holiday cheer from friends, family, and coworkers.
"Mommy, mommy!" a young girl around the age of five exclaimed as her mother appeared before her with a, POP!
The mother laughed as her daughter ran and gave her a hug. "I missed you too Aedin," she told her daughter. Honey brown locks framed Aedin's face, which was covered by freckles. Her hazel eyes shone as she remembered what today was.
"Are we going to decowate the Chwistmas twee today mommy?"
"Of course we are honey," she said. The mother of Aedin was none other than 26-year-old Hermione Granger. Aedin's father was Seamus Finnigan. Unfortunately he was killed, along with many others in the war against Voldemort. Hermione had been pregnant with Aedin when Seamus was killed. It made Hermione want to cry to have to see her beautiful 5-year-old daughter grow up without ever meeting her father. Hermione and Seamus had started dating in 7th year and got engaged just 2 years after that. They had decided to get married after things had cooled down a bit with the war. Unfortunately Seamus was killed by one of Voldemort's followers before he could see the end of battle. Shortly after his death, Harry defeated Lord Voldemort and the wizarding world was back in peace.
"What did you do today?" Hermione asked her daughter.
"Gwandma was weeding me a storwy," Aedin told her. Aedin had definitely inherited her mother's love for reading. When Hermione was at work Aedin was watched by Hermione's mother, who had been living with them since Hermione's dad had died from a stroke 3 years prior.
"Gwandma was almost at the good part of Cinderwella," Aedin told her mom excitedly.
"Hermione dear," her mother told her, "You go rest up. You look exhausted, I'll keep Aedin busy."
"No, no. You've watched her all day, I'll be fine."
"Just look at you dear, you're dead on your feet. Come on, go rest up. And don't make me tell you again." Mrs.Granger said sternly.
Hermione sighed; it was true she did need rest. Mr. McClanney, head of Hermione's department at the Ministry had really loaded them down with work today. "Thanks, mum," she said as she gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Hermione laid down on her bed to tired to even change out of her work clothes. Within a matter of minutes she was fast asleep.
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Twelve-year-old Hermione Granger stood on the Quidditch field beside Ron Weasley. She had been engrossed in rereading, Hogwarts; A History, for the sixth time.
"Come on," Ron told her drawing her out of her thoughts. "Malfoy's coming. There's going to be trouble."
The scene played forward just as it had so many years ago.
"Mudblood."
As many times as she had heard it, it never hurt any less than the first time Malfoy had called her it. If Hermione hadn't realized why Harry and Ron despised Malfoy so much before, that moment showed her. The scene fast-forwarded to later that day. Hermione was sitting alone in her dorm, crying; or at least she just had been a few seconds before.
"Maybe Malfoy's right," she whispered softly to herself. "Maybe, this life isn't for me." Hermione knew it wasn't true but she was hurt. She didn't know why Malfoy had had such a strong effect on her, and she hated herself for letting him make her cry. She wiped her eyes on her sleeve of her robes and went to find Harry, and Ron.
The scene fast-forwarded again to third year when she had slapped Malfoy across the face. Hermione had never felt so good as giving Malfoy what he deserved. That slap hadn't just been for the comment he'd made; no, it had also been for all for all of the times he'd hurt her, by using that word. "Mudblood."
One more time the scene played forward, now to seventh year. Hermione had been Head Girl. During one of her patrols she had caught Malfoy and some other Slytherin snogging in the halls. Hermione didn't say a word she had been too shocked at the feeling that had sprung up inside her. It felt like jealousy but Hermione wouldn't admit it. Whatever the feeling had been it hurt, bad. Hermione had, at the time, blamed it on lack of sleep. This of course had been before she'd begin dating Seamus.
"Hermione, Hermione dear," Mrs. Granger said, lightly shaking Hermione awake. "Honey, wake up. You promised Aedin we'd get the Christmas tree tonight."
"Tell Aedin I'll be out in a few minutes," Hermione told her mother giving her a smile.
Mrs. Granger returned the smile and left the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Hermione sat on her bed for a moment, as she reflected upon her dream. She hadn't even thought about Malfoy, save a few occasions, since her Hogwarts graduation ceremony. Hermione decided to talk to her good friend Ginny Weasley, now Ginny Potter about it when she got the chance. She grinned; right now she had a Christmas tree to get.
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"The master Malfoy has to get up now. Mr. Zabini is wanting him, sir." Jink hesitantly told his master. He hoped he wouldn't get punished for waking master up from his rest.
Malfoy shot up upon hearing Zabini's name. "Zabini, you said?"
Jink exhaled. Master was obviously not going to punish him. "Master Zabini be waiting in the front hall sir. He be flooing over. Says he be wanting to talk to Master, sir."
"Very well, you are dismissed."
Jink bowed and disappeared with a POP!
So Zabini wants to talk? Malfoy thought to himself.
"Draco," Blaise Zabini greeted his friend and business partner.
"Blaise," Malfoy greeted his partner.
"I really can't stay long. I must get down to business," Blaise told his friend.
So that's what this visit is all about, Draco mused, business.
"I've been getting some… complaints from the workers. Seems you said they can have only one day off for the holidays, even though many of the workers have some vacation time left?"
"So what if I said that?" Malfoy asked Blaise more coolly than he had previously greeted him. "I can't have all of my best workers out on holiday when there's work to be done!"
"Well, that's good then," Blaise said, "Seems we're actually weeks ahead of schedule and it seems that there isn't any more work to be done, so I've taken the liberty of giving some of the workers holiday vacation time. One week each. There will be plenty of workers left to tend to the odds and ends that need to be taken care of. I do wish you good holidays, Draco. I really must be going though. Goodbye!" Blaise said cheerfully before dissapearating out of Malfoy Manor.
Malfoy groaned at Zabini's Slytherin-like actions. He'd completely turned what Draco'd said around to suit his own purposes. "Damn you, Zabini," he cursed.
SsSsSsSsSsS
"Ooh, what about this one, mommy?" Aedin asked her mother as she pointed to a 20 foot Christmas tree. Hermione had gone with her mother and Aedin to look for a Christmas tree at a wizarding store. The good thing about the wizarding trees was that they never needed to be watered and once you were done with them they magically disappeared so that you wouldn't have to go through the trouble of getting rid of them.
Hermione laughed. "I don't think that will fit in the house, sweetie. Why don't you try to find a smaller one?"
"Alwight," Aedin said cheerfully as she skipped off to try and find another tree.
"Sometimes," Hermione told her mom wistfully, "I just wish that Seamus was back so that Aedin could have a father in her life."
"I know what you mean, but I'm sure you will find another man someday, to take care of you and Aedin."
"I hope so," she replied. "But what man would want to marry a single mother?"
"There'll be someone someday," Mrs. Granger told her daughter, "Don't you worry about that."
Hermione smiled at her mother. "Thanks, mum."
"Mommy, Gwandma, come quick!" Aedin called excitedly. "I found the pewfect twee for decowating!"
"It's beautiful honey," Hermione told her daughter. "Just let me go pay for it and we can go home and decorate it."
"And I'll make us all some hot chocolate," Mrs. Granger added.
Aedin's eyes lit up. "Can we put whipped cweam on top?"
"You bet."
"I love whipped cweam," Aedin told her grandmother licking her lips.
Back at the Granger residence, a joyful sight could be found as the three generations of Granger's put store bought and homemade decorations on their Christmas tree in preparation for the holiday that was steadily approaching.
"Aedin, would you like to put the star on top?" Hermione asked her daughter.
"I can't weach the top of the Chwistmas twee, I'm too little."
Hermione laughed as she reached for her wand and levitated her daughter to the top of the tree.
"All done," Aedin said as she placed the magical star on top of the tree. Hermione had enchanted it to glow nonstop until the holiday season was over.
"It looks lovely," she told her daughter. "Now why don't you go get ready for bed and Grandma will come in and read you a bedtime story."
"Alwight," Aedin agreed cheerfully. She loved when Grandma read her stories. She always had different voices for each character.
"Do you mind reading Aedin her bedtime story tonight, Mum?" Hermione asked her mother, "I would but I'm wiped, and was hoping to head up to bed."
"Of course dear," Mrs. Granger told her daughter as Hermione headed up to bed. Before collapsing on her bed Hermione said a short little prayer asking that she one day find another man, if not for her own sake but for Aedin's.
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Well how'd you like it so far? Don't worry if it doesn't sound like A Christmas Carol yet, it will soon enough. Please remember to review even if you didn't like it just tell me what was good or not so good about it so I can improve next chapter. Thanks,
Kasey (Kaydotsidot)