Draco entered the room to find Hermione engrossed in a magical maladies book, similar to the one he was always reading. He loved that she cared enough to try to help. He kissed her softly as a greeting and they started working on his form. After about three tries he decided he needed to follow Neville's advice and focus on something that gives him hope. He thought hard about his relationship with Hermione, her constant support and the way she made him better.
"Expecto Patronum!" He yelled, and what used to be a silvery mist, was now a full fledged Dragon, flying at the dummy and engulfing it in the silver. He couldn't believe his eyes, and all he wanted to do was kiss Hermione. Which is exactly what he did, running at her full speed, he scooped her up and kissed her passionately.
His hands were on her thighs which were tightly wrapped around his torso. He spun them around, and her legs unwrapped and landed on the ground. They were panting lightly, breaths taken away by the passionate kiss. Hermione leapt up, pulling him towards her by way of her hand on the back of his neck. He snaked his hands just under her pant hem, holding her waist securely. Many moments later they parted, smiley idly at each other.
"I think I love you Granger." Draco whispered, placing his forehead against hers. "You don't have to say it back, it's okay." He said, seeing her hesitation.
"I know that I'm getting there, and that I will someday, but I don't want to say it early." She said, grabbing his face and kissing him softly. "Is that okay?"
"Yes, that's fine." He answered reassuringly, pulling her into a tight hug. "Let's go to bed." He added coaxingly, and they two did exactly that.
They went back to Draco's chambers and spent many hours enveloped within each other before falling asleep. They slept soundly yet again, Draco waking before her and letting her sleep in for a little while.
They spent the next couple weeks in the same peaceful rhythm. They were happier than ever, going through their work days with ease, and their personal time together was always amazing. They spent Saturdays alternating between their friends, Andromeda and staying in together. Sunday's Draco went to see his mom, while Hermione researched in the library, sometimes seeing Harry and Ginny. A week before Christmas was when Nott's parents came to school reeling about Draco's detentions. Nott had been acting quite well since the discovery, he did not tell his father it seemed. In fact, the commotion started because Nott told his parents he did not want to come home for the Holiday's. McGonagall came bustling into Draco's chambers as he was grading papers.
"I've heard quite the story about you." McGonagall announced.
"Is this about Nott?" Draco asked, already knowing it was. The rumor mill at Hogwarts was pretty quick and loud.
"It is indeed. His parents say that you told him that his family line is not pure?" McGonagall asked, with judgment in her voice.
"I did not tell him that." Draco answered flatly.
"So his detentions did not consist of him reading up on his family tree?" She countered.
"No they did."
"So please enlighten me on how you did not tell him such information." McGonagall challenged, looking rather cross.
"His assignment was to make his family tree as far back as the books go. I supplied him with the books. While doing the assignment, he came across information that someone in his direct line married a muggle. Mr Nott did ask me about the discovery, to which I told him he should ask his parents. The only thing I did tell him directly was that every single pureblood line has the same er…deviances." Draco said, his voice monotone.
"Well regardless, his parents are offended to say the least." McGonagall seemed to be softening.
"While I am truly sorry for offending them…" Draco started, trying to give nothing away. "...all I really did was teach him a rather in depth History of Magic lesson."
"Very well. I'll handle his parents then." She said tersely, turning on her heels and placing her hand on the door. "Well played Malfoy." She added before heading out the door.
Draco laughed to himself, knowing that those words were the highest agreement she'd ever give him on the subject. He knew that McGonagall was on the same page as him, she just wasn't allowed to say it. He continued grading papers and then went to dinner in the great hall afterwards. When he entered he was immediately approached by Neville, whose nerves were so high you could physically see them on his being.
"You alright mate? Neville asked.
"Yea I'm fine, what's up?"
"Heard Minerva was coming to you about Nott."
"She came and she left." He said nonchalantly.
"Come on, tell me." Neville probed.
"She came and talked to me about it and then she said she would handle it."
"That's it?"
"That's it." Draco mimicked, and Neville smiled widely.
"Anyway, are you staying for the Holidays?"
"No, are you?"
"No, Luna and I are going to her father's for a bit, we also are planning on stopping by the Weasley's at some point, we going to see you there?"
"Probably, we are going to Andromeda's and then Weasley's. I also want to see my mother." Draco explained, the two of them heading towards the table now.
"Let me know what day you are going, we can go together." Neville offered, and Draco nodded, joining Hermione.
"Where have you been all day?" Draco asked her, placing his hand on her thigh.
"The library." She said evenly.
"Well I missed you." He whispered, and she smiled.
"One more day and we have a whole week to ourselves." She whispered back and he squeezed her thigh lightly.
They went through the rest of the dinner chatting with their peers, and the next day flew by quickly. McGonagall made a speech at the end of dinner about how to get to the train to get home for the Holidays and then everyone was released for the break. Draco decided to pull Nott aside before going back to Hermione's chambers.
"Nott." Draco called to the boy who was walking out of the hall alone.
"Yes Professor." He answered glumly.
"I heard you aren't going home for the holidays, is this true?"
"Yes Professor." He repeated.
"Why's that?"
"I don't want to be around people who lied to me." The boy answered sharply.
"There's a good chance they didn't know.."
"They knew." The Boy growled, slightly interrupting his professor.
"Word of advice?" Draco offered, giving Nott a knowingly look, who nodded. "When people show you who they are…believe it. That is to say…that when you see somebody making choices that are unprovoked and unforced, that's who they are." Draco said, trying hard to indicate that his whole family might not all be in charge of those decisions.
"But if someone makes bad choices because they have to, it still hurts people." Nott said, countering his argument.
"Of course it does, but maybe all those people need is a change in circumstance to be better people." Draco said, speaking from experience.
"Maybe…" Nott said thoughtfully. "...but that doesn't mean I have to put myself back in the bad situation."
"No it does not, I do hope you have a good holiday Nott." Draco said, feeling satisfied with this conversation.
"You too, Professor." Nott said back evenly, making his way to the dungeons.
Draco headed towards Hermione's chambers. They were planning on leaving tonight, going to her flat for a change because she felt Crookshanks would be more comfortable there. They had almost a full week before Christmas, seeing as it landed on a Saturday this year. Their break always starts the week of Christmas, so technically this Sunday would start the week of Christmas. Classes resumed on January 3rd, which gave them just a little over two weeks of was running through the schedule for the week in his head. He was excited to bring Hermione to Blaise and Astoria's, who were even more excited to host a game night for them. They were going there on Saturday and then Draco would visit his mother on Sunday as usual. He had told Neville such, so that they could meet. Draco was done with his shopping, but Hermione and Ginny were scheduled to go on a shopping spree Monday which gave Draco plenty of alone time. On Tuesday they were going to Andromeda's and on Wednesday Hermione wanted to visit her parents again. Thursday was the only day that was free, and Draco planned on surprising Hermione with a dinner and movie under the stars. Friday was Christmas Eve, which they would be spending with Andromeda, who was kind enough to invite Blaise and Astoria. Which just leaves Christmas Day, which would be spent at the burrow.
"Ready?" Hermione asked, snapping him out of his head.
"Yes, let's go." He said sweetly, taking her hand and stepping into the fire with her.
Their feet landed on the hard stone of the fireplace in her flat. Crookshanks purred and sped out, throwing himself on the couch. Hermione laughed at the dramatic cat and placed her bag on the floor. She went into the kitchen and looked in the fridge, not surprised to find nothing there. Before she could offer, Draco apparated out and back in with two swift POPS with groceries in his hands.
"I didn't get too much, seeing as we will probably be given food to take with us all week." Draco said knowing he was right.
"Smart move, also I wanted to ask…" Hermione started, seemingly getting nervous. "When did you want to exchange?"
"You mean between us?" Draco asked, and she nodded. "When do you usually do it?"
"Christmas morning, but we will be at the burrow, seeing as we are sleeping there the night before." Hermione answered quickly. Draco had forgotten this detail, which made him a bit uneasy.
"Are you uncomfortable exchanging in front of them, seeing as Weaselbee will most likely be in attendance?"
"Not really, he's going to have to get used to it. Are you?" She asked softly.
"Not at all, just following your lead." He answered with a dramatic bowing gesture.
"Ignoring you." She said stubbornly. "Is there anything you think Blaise would want?" Draco's eye shot open in shock.
"You don't have to get him anything." He said a bit forcefully, but he knew he didn't have a leg to stand on given he himself had bought gifts for her friends, including Weaslebee.
"Well I got something for Astoria, I don't want it to be awkward." She said, already making it awkward.
"That was sweet of you." He said reassuringly. "Honestly Blaise is simple, a scarf or a sweater would be just fine."
"What's his favorite color?" She asked, seemingly unsatisfied with his answer.
"Dark blue."
"Does he like quidditch?"
"Yes."
"What did he play?"
"Chaser."
"Okay!" She said excitedly.
Draco watched as she skipped into the living room and he couldn't help but smile, that was most certainly the girl that he loved.
