A/N Slightly losing the motivation for this now that we're post-Christmas but determined to finish. Big thanks to my lovely reviewers, especially Hanatsumi- this one's for you!

Ferris Wheel Magic

Hermione was feeling smugly superior at her upright landing. Some of the others had not been so fortunate and were lying in ungainly heaps on top of each other. Draco, who had also managed an upright Portkey landing, caught her eye and smirked at her, knowing exactly what she was thinking. She laughed and shook her head at him for knowing her so well.

Looking about her she saw they were in a very dark alley and realised that it was very cold.

"Where on earth have you taken us Theo?" demanded Blaise, pushing Theo off him as he stood.

Once Theo had righted himself with Harry's help, he smiled his megawatt smile at them all. "Follow me my little ducklings," he said and they all dutifully followed.

When they were all out of the alley way their jaws dropped, even the ever unimpressed Blaise's.

"Welcome to the best Christmas market in the world!" declared Theo.

Hermione squealed with excitement and ran and hugged Theo who laughingly hugged her back.

"And for the rest of us who aren't Christmas fiends, care to tell us where we are?" said Daphne shivering.

Still smiling at her, Theo replied, "We're in Nuremburg in Germany, which…"

Hermione couldn't help interrupting, "It's one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world as it can be traced back as far as 1628," she enthused.

"Yes yes," said Theo, slightly dismissively, "and more importantly the red wine spiked hot chocolate is apparently to die for."

Hermione cast a warming charm on herself and rummaged around in her bag until she found her hat, gloves and scarf. She looked up when Draco nudged her, pointing to Daphne. Ron had gallantly taken off his own coat and had wrapped it round her shoulders. Daphne looked up surprised but graciously thanked him with a peck on this cheek, turning his face crimson.

Groaning Hermione handed over a galleon to a very pleased looking Draco. He had bet her ages ago that Daphne and Ron liked each other, something which Hermione had denied vehemently.

Smiling down at her now he said, "For the Brightest Witch of Our Age, sometimes you miss things that are right in front of you."

Harry let out a scoff and Draco gave him an annoyed glare in response.

It was at that point that Theo announced he had drawn out Muggle money for them all, to be paid back at their leisure. Some of their group were unused to being out in the Muggle world and were feeling slightly apprehensive but Theo admonished them with a, "It's my birthday, come on and live a little."

Hermione was over the moon and completely in her element, delighting over all the different stalls. When it started to snow she had clasped her hands together in glee and had started twirling round, much to everyone else's embarrassment.

After a while everyone separated off as different things caught their interest and Hermione found herself alone with Draco. She insisted he try the red-wine spiked hot chocolate that Nuremberg Christmas market was so famous for, and he insisted on paying. He had come prepared and already had Muggle money with him, so he hadn't needed to borrow any from Theo.

"What's that over there?" asked Draco, pointing to a large upright wheel.

"Oh that's a Ferris Wheel, highest one I've ever seen," said Hermione, gulping nervously as she looked up at the height.

"Must be a great view from up there," said Draco casually.

"I'm sure it is," agreed Hermione, "but I'm perfectly fine on the ground thank you very much."

"Are you a Gryffindor or aren't you?" Draco taunted her.

"Fine," huffed Hermione, "but I'm blaming you if we plummet to our deaths!"

Draco simply rolled his eyes at her dramatics.

They joined the short que and before Hermione knew it they were at the front of the line. Draco practically had to push her on, paying the attendant at the same time.

As they ascended their car started to swing in the wind and Hermione automatically grabbed onto Draco's hand in fright, burrowing her head in his shoulder so she missed the pleased grin that appeared on his face.

Once their car had stopped at the top a "Wow," escaped Draco's lips at the view of the city.

Hermione's curiosity won out and she looked out the window. "Wow," she said, echoing Draco.

As she looked at the view, Hermione realised how content she felt with the world at large in that moment. Tummy warmed from the hot chocolate with the sweet taste still on her tongue. Beautiful view and the sense of ease she had come to associate with being with Draco.

Abruptly she realised she was still holding onto his hand tightly and sheepishly removed it. "Sorry," she said, "Hope I didn't cut off your blood circulation."

"Anytime," Draco replied, giving her a wink.

She wasn't sure what to reply to that, if she didn't know any better Draco Malfoy was flirting with her, and part of her really liked the idea that he was.

As they looked at each other, The Quill Moment suddenly came to her mind and the attraction she'd been supressing for Draco since then, causing her to gulp nervously once again. Was it just her imagination or did his eyes just glance down at her lips?