I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry that it has taken me this long to update but after the birth of my daughter Paige i just haven't had the opportunity to really sit and type, i have been doing little bits, i still haven't finished the entire chapter, but i decided to post this first part since the entire chapter would end up HUGE if i didn't, also to give my faithful and patient readers a sneak peek at the next chapter. I'm about halfway through the second half of the chapter so hopefully barring any unforseen circumstances it should be up within the next fortnight at the latest.

Thankyou to all of my reviewers i can't believe that its over 300 now 'wow'!!!!

Yes i do intend to finish this story never fear i will finish it!!!

And yes it will be within the next few chapters that Hermione and Draco get together

DISCLAIMER: i own nothing to do with harry potter except this storyline :D

Chapter Sixteen: Christmas Eve: Part 1

Christmas Eve morning, Hermione awoke feeling refreshed and excited about the days events. After a quick shower, Hermione dressed casually in jeans, t-shirt and jumper, before heading down to breakfast. Entering the family dining room, Hermione smiled at Narcissa and Lucius who were already sitting at the table eating their breakfast. Lucius was reading the Daily Prophet while sipping on his morning coffee, while Narcissa was glancing through a Witch Weekly magazine as she ate a bite of her scrambled eggs. Taking her seat Hermione greeted them both before placing a couple of pancakes on her plate and drizzling maple syrup and whipped butter onto them.

"Morning Hermione, did you sleep well?" Lucius asked as he looked over his paper at her.

"Yes Thankyou, Draco still not awake?" she asked as she took a bite of pancake.

"No, he didn't get back from Blaise's until late last night" Lucius replied. Hermione nodded.

"Did Blaise come with him?" she asked after a moment.

"No, Blaise said that he would prefer not to due to his mood, he'll be over later tonight to stay for Christmas" Lucius answered.

"So Blaise should arrive around the same time as Professor Snape?" Hermione asked as she took a drink of pumpkin juice.

"Yes, they'll both be here for dinner" Lucius answered just as Draco stumbled tiredly into the room.

"Morning" he mumbled to everyone as he took his seat and began to fill his plate with bacon and eggs.

"Morning Draco, how was Blaise last night?" Hermione asked.

"Not in the best of moods, you were right though Mia, he did want to talk about what his relatives had done"

"When am I not right Draco?" Hermione asked cheekily. Draco scowled at her and mumbled 'know-it-all' under his breath. Hermione laughed knowing that he was teasing her.

"So what do you men have planned for today while Hermione and I are baking cookies?" Narcissa asked cheerfully.

"Firstly we're heading to Diagon Alley to pick up a couple of things. When we get back we're heading out onto the grounds to pick out a tree for us all to decorate tonight" Lucius answered.

"Draco could you pick up something for me while you're in Diagon Alley, I would like to get Blaise a present" Hermione spoke up.

"Sure Mia, what do you want me to get him?" Draco asked as he took another mouthful of his breakfast.

"Just a large bag of whatever his favorite candy is, I have a feeling that he's going to need it" Hermione replied as she took a sip of her pumpkin juice.

"That's no problem, I'll pick it up for you" Draco responded with a smile. Lucius and Narcissa shared a secret smile at the interaction between their son and Hermione, both delighted at the prospect that perhaps their subtle matchmaking was working.

After Draco and Lucius left for Diagon Alley, Hermione retrieved the recipe for the sugar cookies, the cd of Christmas songs and her mini cd player that was charmed to run off magic from her trunk and joined Narcissa in the kitchen.

"What's that Hermione?" Narcissa asked as Hermione placed the cd into the player.

"It's a cd player, this disc is a cd and has songs recorded onto it, the player uses a laser to read the songs and plays them" Hermione answered as she pressed play.

"Muggles certainly are inventive" Narcissa commented, as the first bars of Jingle Bells began floating throughout the kitchen. Impressed that such a small machine could do so much, Narcissa peered at it curiously.

"They certainly are, I've often thought that perhaps the wizarding world should take a look at their technology and adapt it to our world" Hermione smiled.

"It would definitely benefit our world" Narcissa responded, then she turned to Hermione. "So how do we make these cookies?" Hermione grinned and began to teach Narcissa how to cook the cookies. Soon the two of them were busily making the cookies, bopping their heads in time to the Christmas carols.

Draco and Lucius returned to Malfoy Manor laden down with their packages. Dusty and Ziggy met them in the foyer and asked if they would like their packages taken to their rooms. After relinquishing their purchases and thanking the house elves, they removed their cloaks and hung them up in the closet, intent on grabbing a snack before heading out onto the grounds to find a tree. As he hung his cloak up, Draco heard a strange melody and cocked his head to listen.

"Dad do you hear that?" he asked his father. Lucius paused in his movements and cocking his head in a similar fashion to his son and proceeded to listen.

"What is it?" Lucius wondered aloud.

"Its coming from the kitchens, it must be Mia and Mum" Draco answered. Lucius turned to Draco and raised an eyebrow. Draco grinned then followed his father as he strode towards the kitchens, their noses twitching at the pleasant aroma wafting throughout the halls. They both stopped shocked at the sight before them. The counters were filled with sugar cookies of all shapes and sizes, a few of the house elves were running around attempting to clean the kitchen while Narcissa and Hermione were both covered in flour, dancing around the kitchen giggling and singing along with the song blaring out of a small machine sitting on the counter. The high speed beat faded and Hermione and Narcissa's laughter rang through the kitchen. The next song began to play and Hermione gasped.

"I love this song" then she began to sing along as she grabbed Narcissa's hand and began to dance.

Ooh yeah
Last night I took a walk in the snow
Couples holding hands, places to go
Seems like everyone but me is in love
Santa, can you hear me ?

I sign my letter that I sealed with a kiss
I send it off and just said this
I know exactly what I want this year
Santa, can you hear me ?

Lucius and Draco's eyes widened at the song, its wasn't a classic Christmas song.

I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me someone to hold
Maybe, Maybe
Be all my own in a big red bow
Santa, can you hear me ?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
He's all I want just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa that's my only wish this year.

Draco was mesmerized watching the rosy glow on Hermione's cheeks brighten as she continued to bop around the kitchen in time to the music, removing trays from the oven filled with golden brown cookies.

Christmas Eve, I just can't sleep.
Will I be wrong for taking a peek ?
Cause that I heard that you're coming to town.
Santa, can you hear me ?
I really that hope you're on your way,
with Something special for me in your sleigh.
Ooh please make my wish come true
Santa, can you hear me ?

I want my baby, baby
I want someone to love me someone to hold
Maybe, Maybe
we'll be all alone under the mistle toe
Santa, can you hear me ?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
He's all I want just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa that's my only wish this year

Lucius however was enchanted watching his beautiful wife dancing around the kitchen and laughing gaily along with the teenage girl. It had been years since he had seen her this carefree and happy, the worry lines from her brows had all but disappeared and there was a sparkle in her eyes that had been dulled in previous years.

I hope my letter reaches you in time
woooo yeah
Bring me a love that I can call all mine
Cause I have been so good this year
Can't be alone under the mistle toe
he's all i want in a big red bow

Santa, can you hear me ?
I have been so good this year
And all I want is one thing
Tell me my true love is here
He's all I want, just for me
Underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here
Santa, that's my only wish this year

Ooh Santa
Can you hear me ?
ooh santa
Well he's all I want just for me
underneath my Christmas tree
I'll be waiting here..
Santa, that's my only wish this year
Santa, that's my only wish this year

As the song ended Hermione and Narcissa giggled like schoolgirls and grinned at each other. Before each grabbing a handful of flour and throwing it at the other. Draco and Lucius watched in disbelief as a full out flour fight began in the kitchen. They ducked and bolted however, when the two women noticed them and lobbed a handful of flour at them, their gleeful laughter following them down the hall as they grabbed their cloaks and forgoing their snack, headed out onto the grounds to fetch a Christmas tree.

The song used in this chapter is 'My Only Wish' by Britney Spears. Please read and Review but no flames please.