Chapter 12
The next morning they all met in the common room, helping themselves to a snack before crashing on the sofas watching TV. Hermione was about to sit next to Draco when he caught her eye, flicking it over to Harry. Changing her mind she sat next to Ginny, much to Theo's dismay. They watched the TV for a while before Hermione sat up.
"I've just realised it's the 23rd December and I haven't bought any Christmas presents yet" she said
"Who have you go to buy them for? We can't very well send them to family. As soon as anyone finds any indication of us or our location you may as well consider us to be dead" Ron said huffily
"I thought to each other" Hermione insisted, "And Ness she's been amazing with us these last few months" Hermione said. All nodding, including Ron they agreed to go shopping. They dressed into something warmer. Theo, Ginny, Hermione and Draco taking a few moments longer than the rest, before bracing themselves for the bitter cold, trekking down to the town. Everyone expected to stop in the shops there and were stunned when Hermione kept walking,
"Where are we going?" Draco asked jogging to catch up with her.
"It's too small here to do proper Christmas shopping." Hermione said stopping suddenly. She walked into a shop telling everyone else to go ad wait in the café opposite and to order her a hot chocolate. Fred insisted that she didn't go alone and Draco 'reluctantly' agreed to stay with her.
The rest walked in it the café while Draco and Hermione walked into a darker, less edible shop.
"Babe what are we doing?" He asked
"We only have one card and I don't trust them all with cash so…" but she was cut off as she was called forward.
Draco and Hermione walked into the café easily spotting the rest indulging in hot drinks and delicious baked goods. They sat down and were handed their own drinks.
"Where did you go?" Theo asked
"We only had one card but there's 10 of us and thought we would split up. So I split the card into 10. We all now have our own card, all still unlimited" Hermione said handing a card to everyone. They finished their drinks, paid and walked further until they reached a bench on the pavement
"What-" Blaise asked but seconds later a large double decker red bus came by.
Hermione bought the tickets to a nearby city and they all got on, travelling to the City.
They stepped off the bus and immediately all their breath was taken away. The streets were lined in bright lights and decorations. Screaming Christmas. Despite the festivities reminding the gang of Christmas as Hogwarts they were filled with a refreshing glow in their stomachs. The gang split up, Draco quickly rejoining Hermione and Ginny quickly following Theo once Harry, Ron and Neville went their separate ways. They walked round the various shops, agreeing to meet in a nearby resultant in a few hours time.
They drifted between the various shops buying gifts as they pleased. After an hour, Hermione had gifts for everyone, except Draco. She knew she would have to split away from him eventually but for the moment she was enjoying his presence and helping him choose gifts.
Eventually they ran back into Theo and Ginny. Who had almost finished their shopping.
"Yay Hermione! We need to go off together" Ginny said pulling her away, barely having time for either of the girls to kiss their beloved goodbye.
Ginny pulled her into a nearby shop, suddenly looking frantic,
"What do I get him?" Ginny yelled, causing a few bystanders to give her a weird glance
"I don't know what do you want?" Hermione asked trying to suppress the shrieking girl.
"I don't bloody know that's why I'm panicking!" Ginny yelled causing everyone to stare now, Hermione took a sharp intake of breath and Smiled nicely. Dragging the panicking witch away to a back corner of the shop.
"Right, firstly calm down. Good. Now think. What sort of thing would he like?" She asked
"Well he loves anything slytherin green but he's quite sophisticated but he does have a childish tint to him" Ginny started going into a sort of daydream.
"OK then. Get him something small to open but I was going to buy myself some sexy green lingerie for Draco. Why don't you get some to impress Theo?" Hermione asked Ginny smiled, nodding.
"Brilliant. But what do I get him?" Ginny asked. "What are you getting Draco?" She asked
"I have a few ideas but I'm not certain. I guess i'll know when I see the perfect gift" She said
"Ok, I'll just stick with you then" she said. They giggled and walked into a discrete alley and into a lingerie shop. They spent the next hour, trying on the lingerie sets, strutting and displaying to the other. Ginny decided on a lacy dark green push-up bra with silver sequins elegantly dusting the tops of the cups and matching thong with suspenders to thigh high dark green stockings. She bought some dark green stilettoes. Hermione bought a dark green silk teddy ending mid-ass which complimented her figure the teddy had a built in push up bra but no underwear, which Hermione didn't seem to mind. there was a black strip down the centre which exaggerated her thin waist and bust. She too bought some elegant get seductive heels. paying for their goods, and hiding them deep within a bag, away from prying eyes of their beloved. They made their way down the high street. Hermione stopped next to a jewellery store, eyeing up a golden wristwatch with emeralds making up the 3,6,9 and 12. walking in Hermione made quick work of buying the watch and getting it placed in a protective box. Ginny searched the shop but found nothing that screamed 'Theo' they walked out and continued down the high street.
Ginny stopped outside an old fashioned book store. she couldn't explain it but something dragged her in. Despite not being as much of a bookworm as Hermione, the touch, feel the smell of an old book was very much an attraction. Ginny took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Enjoying the aroma of literature, the feel of printed text on a page, yearning to be read. She walked round the shelves, fingering gently the spines of some of the books. Then she stopped dead, she gently, ever so carefully pried the book from the shelf, opening the front cover gently. the book mustve been an early edition taken by how fragile the binding and pages were. Ginny flicked through the first few pages after reading the book. Carefully turning the pages. Eyes lighting up as the words absorbed into images within her mind. she flicked to about halfway through before smiling lightly. Closing the book with grace she took it to the elderly man at the desk.
"Lord of the Flies, truly a favourite of mine" He said as he rung it through the she paid, he paced the book in a protective envelope within a paper bag concealed and protected. Thanking the man they walked out.
"Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" Ginny asked laughing lightly
"Whatever do you mean?" Hermione asked
"We just walked into and out of bookstore full of classics and you didn't buy a single one!" Ginny asked
"Oh...Sorry my mind was elswhere" Hermione replied a faint blush crawling on her cheeks.
"Does it have anything to do with that lingerie?" Ginny asked in a hushed voice, smirking
"Maybe" Hermione muttered, her face flushing red now, all the answers that Ginny needed. it was nearing time to meet the others. they made their way back to a restueant ordering them both a both a drink. Rather quickly the others joined them.
They made their way back to the house soon after, as they had all finished shopping. Once in the house they went straight to their individual rooms, to start wrapping. A temporary wall had been put up within Draco and Hermione's room ad Theo and Ginny, to keep the secrecy of presents. Once hey we're done, they set their gifts to each other under the tree and their gifts to Ness in a large bag, neck to the tree. After dinner, Hermione and Ginny made everyone a hot chocolate while they settled down to watch some Christmas movies.
"Hermione, why are they leaving giant socks next to their chimney?" Draco asked, sat the other side of the room, much to his disappointment. He wanted nothing more than to bring his arms round her and kiss her, but not while Harry, Ron and Neville were in the room.
"Their called stockings Draco. You out then near the tree or next to the chimney and if your good Father Christmas, aslso known a Santa Claus will fill them with presents" Hermione said
"Wait. How does he get in?" Blaise asks
"Through the chimney of course" Harry replied
"What does this Santa look like?" Theo asked genuinely curious.
"Grey beard, grey hair, Fat, and chubby. Nose like a cherry and when he laughs his belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly" Hermione recited
"Wait, he's fat but he fits down the chimney" Ginny asked
"It's the magic of Santa Harry said
"Why doesn't he just apparate?" Ron asked this caused silence.
"I guess that would explain how he makes it around the world in only 24 hours" Hermione said.
"There you have it muggles. Your beloved bringer of gifts is in fact a wizard" Draco said. Theo and Blaise brought out some drinks, baileys, vodka, tequila. They all had a few drinks. , even Ron, Harry and Neville.
It went late into the night and they were all suitably drunks. Hermione had hooked an iPad up to the Tv and now they were in the muffle of "Karaoke" which was very funny, as they were all drunk. They payed many games, truth or dare, during which, Fred and Blaise shared a passionate peck on the lips, Neville had to kiss Ginny and after their reaction from last time Ginny and Hermione had to make out for a good ten minutes which honestly, none of them minded, especially when the clothes started disappearing, it was nearing 2AM and they were all Beyond drunk. Ginny was in just her underwear, Hermione was down to jeans, and underwear. Theo and Draco were down to just boxers, Blaise was down to underwear and jeans, Harry too was top less. Ron and Neville however were in their tight briefs. Fred was in his boxers, and George wore nothing but a long shirt. Hermione was dared to drink tequila from Draco belly button. Draco returned the favour. Hermione and Ginny were dared for one to drink a shot, make out and for the other to swallow it.
They payed never have I ever, in which they found out that only Ron was a virgin, they found out that Harry seemed to have a fling of lovers, Neville had a few magical nights with Luna. Ginny had to admit about Theo, to which Harry, Ron and Neville forced her to prove it, which led to a game of seven minutes in heaven, in which Ginny partnered off with Theo, and then Hermione was sent with Blaise. As soon as the door closed Hermione and Blaise backed away.
"Not that your not ravishing my dear, because trust me it's taking every ounce of strength not to devour you, I just quite like living and I'm more than certain Draco would murder me if I even looked At you in such a provocative way" Blaise muttered. She kissed his cheek and they lay down on the bed, just giggling at the randomness of how this was. Draco knocked on the door after exactly seven minutes walking in, kissing Hermione deeply.
"She's mine" he said winning at Blaise, kissing Hermione softly again before leading them both back out. They were all shocked to see Ginny and Theo in liplock.
"Guys you didn't hear the news, Ginny and Theo…They're a thing now" Neville said. Hermione and Draco glanced at each other. A plan forming. The games continued, this time starting with pictionary, more the fun when your drunk because you can't draw and you can't talk. They moved on to karaoke, in which Theo and Blaise did an emotional duet, Harry did a marvellous cover of "I need a Hero" Ron and Neville attempted (And failed miserably) at Upton Girl. Fred and George were surpassingly good at Mamma Mia. Gimme Gimme Gimme. Draco and Hermione did a rather good version of Dirty Dancing's "time of my life" which ended in a rather heated kiss, amazingly supported by all those sat down. Draco sat down after, but Hermione remained standing dragging Ginny up with her. They started with Britney Spears Circus, then Gimme More. During which a few piles had appeared leaving Hermione and Ginny to dance promiscuously on the make shift stage. All the guys in the crowds grew excited at this. (Fred, George and Ron focusing on Hermione, ignoring their sister) the drinks kept pairing and everything was blurry now. Kelly Rowland's Work came on at which point Ginny and Hermione made their way to the guys sat on the sofas. Hermione went forwards teasing Ron, Fred and George, moving her body in a way that drove them wild, Ginny doing the same to Blaise, Harry and Neville. Before they landed in their beloved's laps, grinding. The girls finished as Neville took the stage, rapping Eminem's Rap God, by the second verse they were all rapping in unison, Draco and Theo mesmerised by the speed at which their girls tongues mad ether beautiful sounds that were the lyrics, sending ideas into their minds. The song finished and they all burst into fits of laughter, unable to control themselves or work out what was so funny. Slowly the laughter died out, 4AM now. Theo had Ginny sitting in his lap as he stroked her inter thigh, kissing her neck as she moaned silently. Draco had Hermione's head on his chest, his arm wrapped around her small frame.
Silence overtook them but no one minded. It was a comfortable silence.
Hermione stood up, taking the mulled wine off the hob, handing it to them all.
"Merry Christmas Eve" Hermione toasted, they all rose their glasses clinking before taking a gulp. Everyone except Hermione and Harry choked and swallowed the liquid before placing their glasses away in disgust.
"What is that?" Blaise asked
"Mulled wine, a muggle Christmas drink" Hermione said downing her glass and Draco rejected one. Fred and George thrust theirs at her which she took. "It's got as bad as eggnog" she added
"That sounds vile" Draco said
"It is" Hermione said leaning back against him. They all decided to get to bed at this point, Hermione made them all drink a small glass of milk and a glass of water before hand, insisting that it would help in the morning. They all walked through their doors into their room. Once in their room Draco attacked Hermione's lips with his own, assaulting her body in pleasure which she had no objection to. They kissed a bit more before hiding under the covers, falling asleep.
They all awoke the next morning in the early afternoon. About 1,2. Hermione was right. Their hangovers were virtually non existent. Nothing a few tablets wouldn't cure. None the less they were all awoke and found the common room spotless despite the mess made the night before. The first thing they noticed, wasn't that Ginny and Theo walking out together. This led to Ron questioning it. Knowing that they still had to be secret they threw it off as coincidence,
They were however more shocked to see ten stockings laid out next to the fireplace.
"Peculiar, I know someone who's been particularly bad" Theo growled suggestively aimed at Ginny. Harry Ron and Neville seemed to miss this but it was a firm reminder to the others that they simply didn't remember the night before. Meaning that relationships still had to be kept under wraps. Ness Called them all down to lunch, to which their starving stomachs were very grateful. After filling themselves up, they decided to go into town, just for a walk.
They came across an aquarium, which was still open. They paid and walked in, walking round the tanks, admiring the beautifully coloured fish, they found a tank, in which laid an octopus. There was a worker there, boating how the octopus was one of the largest of the species, which caused a smirk from the gang, they all knew that the Octopus in the Great Lake they saw the sharks, dolphins and even seals. Around 4pm they made their way back to the house. After dinner they had decided that they were rather tired. They settled themselves in their pyjamas in front of the fireplace. Theo, Hermione and Draco were sat in armchairs reading, Ginny was sat on the floor with her head resting against Theo's legs, also reading. The rest were the other side of the room, watching TV, paying little attention to the couples in the corner. It was only 9pm when George declared that he was going to sleep. Followed swiftly by Fred. Harry Ron and Neville followed briskly. Leaving the three Slytherins and the girls. As soon as Harry's door closed, as he was last. All the books flew closed and Draco lifted Hermione into his lap, kissing her deeply. Theo slid onto the floor laying next to his girlfriend. Blaise broke the intimacy with a loud cough. Giggling, Ginny dragged Theo into her room, to which he gladly followed.
Draco and Hermione glanced at the door but then at Blaise. They sat next to him on the sofas. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Blaise spoke up.
"Harry knows" he said. Not taking his eyes off the Tv.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked
"Harry knows about you two. He's just pretending that he doesn't. Ron and Neville have no idea though" Blaise said now turning to face Hermione, on his left.
"How does he know?" Draco asked on his right.
"Your kidding right?" Blaise said turning his attention back to him
"He was so drunk. He made out with Ron. He did he remember?" Hermione asked
"I don't know. But all day his eyes have even flicking between the two of you…He knows something's going on" Blaise said
"Do you think he minds?" Draco asked
"I think he's jealous Drake" Blaise said.
"Why?" Hermione asked
"Mi, look at yourself" Draco said
"Seriously Hermione, your stunning, your smart, your witty, funny, your body is…amazing. And yet your so carefree. You don't slather yourself in make up, not that you need to, your brilliant. Drake really is lucky to have you. You've been Potters Friend since….well since you've known him. He's always been nice to you but he was unsure where he stood. He didn't want to risk losing your friendship but he wanted to take it further. You've had an on-off thing with Ron so he doesn't want to piss of his friend. He's been too scared to try and get you, but he's always wanted you. Then Drake who's been a dick to you as long as he's known you comes and sweeps you off his feet. Harry's probably jealous because he's always bend there to dry your tears but you've gone after the one who caused the tears" Blaise explained Draco looked down. Both Hermione and Blaise noticed. Blaise offered a sympathetic smile and walked to his room, Hermione scooted over to Draco, kissing his lips softly
"I'm sorry" he said
"Don't be" she muttered against his lips
"I shouldn't have treated you the way that I did" Draco muttered
"You made me strong. You gave me the strength I needed. You gave me everything books couldn't" she muttered silence overtook them
"Lets go to bed" he muttered. She kissed him again, dragging him to bed.
-The Next Morning-
"WAKE UP" came a yell from outside the door in barged Fred and George, stopping abruptly to see a naked Hermione and Draco, still untwined in each other's bodies, hidden only by a thin white sheet. Draco awoke first, ensuring that is own body gave Hermione some decency.
"Your so lucky Drake" George muttered as both the twins eyes skimmed over Hermione's form. Draco scowled at them and they swiftly left. He smiled down at his slumbering girlfriend.
"Merry Christmas Mi" he except muttered kissing her lips. Slowly she stirred
"Merry Christmas Dray, what time is it?" She asked. Draco glanced at the alarm clock before sinking back into the pillows
"Quarter past seven, bastards" he cursed. Hermione stood up, swiftly putting on her pyjamas. "I'll meet you out there in 5 yeah? She asked. He nodded. She pecked his lips and left the Tom, immediately greeted by everyone except Draco and Theo.
Blaise hugged her first
"Are we cool?" He muttered
"Of course" she whispered back he smiled at her breaking apart, letting Ginny hug her friend. Draco emerged moments later giving a man-hug with Theo the twins and Blaise, even shaking hands with Harry, Ron and Neville.
"Merry Christmas" hollered the twins, as they discovered their stockings, overflowing in gifts. The fire was roaring, heating the room as the group sat on the sofas, unwrapping their gifts from Santa.
Twenty minutes later when the gang had finished unwrapping, Draco and Theo fought with the flames, throwing the discarded paper on the fire, they decided to get dressed then give their gifts to each other, they swiftly got changed into their chosen clothes for the day, quickly meeting back. They started unwrapping their gifts in unisons, throwing
"Thank you's" and hugs across the room, Theo and Draco opened their green and silver envelopes at the same time, Ginny and Hermione strategically sat either side of them, giving their guys a sly smile as their eyes widened. Ginny shot Theo and smirk and Hermione smirked at Draco. Inside the envelopes were a thin piece of dark green card laced with silver italics and calligraphy lay the words
Tonight baby, you're in for a treat
It took an hour before they had finished unwrapping. Watching Fred and George struggle with piling the mountains of wrapping paper on the fire. By 9:30 they all made their way down to greet Ness. The elves had prepared a wonderful breakfast, full English. The gang helped themselves. Ness informed them that dinner would be at 4pm. But she would like to meet with them at 3:30 as she had some gifts from them. They finished breakfast at 10:30, enjoying each others company. Hermione and Draco playing footsie under the table went unnoticed until Hermione accidentally kicked George with more force than intended. He shot her a frown but Draco replied to this by sending him a snarl, to which George smiled and looked away. Hermione couldn't deny, she was attracted to how dangerous Draco could be.
After breakfast they decided to go outside and make snow angels in the freshly made snow. They started with snow angles, which turned into a snowball fight. Harry, Ron Neville Draco and Blaise against Ginny, Hermione, Fred, George and Theo. Harry's team won but only just. The scoring was random as the battle was a mixture of various games. From a dodge-snow-ball sort of game to a game or tag, to stuck in the mud. It was 2 by the time they weren't cold and wet. They trudged back to the house and inside the gang took to their independent bathrooms and showered, and changed. Ginny and Theo opted to use their separate bathrooms, Ginny wanting to savour that night. Draco and Hermione had other ideas, they walked through their doors but as soon as the door closed, they pounced on each other, stripping off the freezing sodden clothes. The cool wetness of the clothes caused goosebumps to arise on their bodies, as they started to ravish each other, ending up in the shower.
They all wrapped up warm and met in their moon room around 3:15. Just enough time for a cup of tea, while they sorted their gifts to Ness. Once they had finished their drinks they mad ether way back downstairs, greeting Ness with festive greetings. They exchanged gifts sharing thanks. Once all was unwrapped and the house elves had cleared away the mess, they were guided to the table by a house-elf who was rather happy and smiley. Hermione wished the elf a merry Christmas to which Draco rolled his eyes but smiled all the same. Strategically, Ginny and Hermione were sat next to each other, directly opposite their other halves.
After a delicious and rather filling dinner Ness went to take a nap, the gang went up to their common room. As soon as they walked in they had to do a double take. The room had transformed into a games room. There was a pool table in the centre, along one wall was a skittle alley. The kitchenette had turned into a bar, along with ice hockey tables and the Tv had been made even bigger, the size of a cinema screen, playing a movie. There was a jukebox playing all sorts of songs.
They gang entertained themselves to late in the evening. They all had a drink but not enough to be drunk. About 11 they all dispersed to bed, Ginny and Hermione slipping off before the guys in order to change into their "outfits" through the excitement of the day the guys must've forgotten their secret gift, so as Draco and Theo were the last to bed, opening the door, they stopped abruptly in the doorways. They glanced at each other, winked and the doors closed. Needless to say both Ginny and Hermione well lived up to their promise.