She was everywhere. He hadn't noticed her before at work in the last year until the Christmas function particularly but suddenly she seemed to be everywhere he looked, he just couldn't seem to escape her.
'Seriously? I can't get away from your sorry ass' He said one morning in surprise as she walked towards him, bright red face and covered in sweat in running gear, then cursed himself for speaking. It would be easier if he still disliked her but as much as he tried to force that emotion he just couldn't. He settled for indifference and trying to forget anything to do with her.
'Pretty fine one though' she quipped, leaving him dumfounded as she headed off to her office, although he was inclined to agree. The running explained why she was still so tiny, that combined with he'd somehow noticed she often didn't break for lunch and worked late so she probably wasn't eating much, not that he was watching or anything. Or cared. Oh damnit he still cared. He'd tried to think of a traditional Malfoy comeback but he couldn't, she always seemed to steal his words and she'd got some confidence from somewhere in the last few years. He just walked away instead.
A few days later she got in the lift with him in a ridiculous Christmas Jumper. He overheard her say something about Muggle Christmas Jumper Day to a question from the person next to her, pointedly ignoring him. He'd rolled his eyes at that one but admitted to himself he wouldn't have thought anything less of her. He'd also been given some work in the Magical Law Enforcement office for the first time, a bit of a step up and on his own too, without Strickson as a bodyguard. Some British Wizards had been causing uproar in France, defacing L'arc de Triomphe so he had to go and calm down the ever overreactive French. It was great for him but meant he had to go to her department rather more than he liked.
The Christmas break soon rolled around and Malfoy put his quill down thankfully, heading home slightly early. Whilst it was another year with no real plans or celebrations the break from work would be nice as he worked hard. 'Arghh' he muttered in frustration as once again Hermione joined him in the lift.
'Something wrong Malfoy?' She asked indifferently.
'No, nothing' he muttered, ignoring her and looking at the ceiling. Despite him seeing her everywhere they hadn't really spoken since their revealing dinner two weeks ago instead pretending they hadn't even talked and tonight was Christmas Eve. She didn't speak again until the lift stopped and was empty.
'What are you doing tonight?' She asked quietly. He looked surprised but replied 'nothing' without thinking.
'Me either' she said candidly, getting out the lift. He cursed himself and her. Why had he bothered replying? Why had she asked? It seemed an unusual comment, and he chastised himself for agonising like a girl over what she meant, had she been inviting him over or just making polite conversation?
Her fire roared at 8pm that night. She wondered who was coming to visit as only a handful of people had her address and she knew they were all busy, hence why she was sitting on her own on Christmas Eve. She had to admit though she also liked it that way. She was dressed in pyjamas and her ridiculous Christmas jumper which she wore to remind her of her parents. After Harry's wedding she had travelled to Australia but Wendell and Monica Wilkins were so happy. They'd adopted two children and looked just like the perfect family. Hermione watched them for a week but just couldn't bring herself to ruin their new, blissfully unaware life for her own gain; they'd always supported her but knew they'd mourned the loss of their only child to the wizarding world and she couldn't even be sure the memory reversal would work- it was a relatively unknown and very difficult spell. She'd come home feeling more alone than ever but deep down knew it was for the best. They'd always wanted two children but hadn't been able to have more than her. She'd done some digging and the brother and sister they'd adopted had come from neglectful and abusive parents but now they were thriving. She'd kept an eye on them and paid for a holiday for them all by pretending it was a competition prize but had otherwise left them alone. She put down the book she was reading and watched as a blonde head followed by a long body climbed out her fireplace.
'This is a surprise after last time' she remarked at Malfoy dusting himself off.
'You're not the only one' he replied 'only this time I did bring gifts. Not interrupting anything am I?'. He glanced round nervously, of course he should have expected she'd have company, gregarious Gryffindor she was.
'I'm alone' she confirmed, sitting up properly and suddenly feeling very self conscious.
As if noticing he asked incredulously 'what are you wearing Granger?'.
'It's a muggle Christmas Jumper. My parents and I used to wear them every Christmas Eve. I kept up the tradition even though, well I kept it up' she explained badly, standing up. 'Can I get you a drink at all?'
He offered forwards his gift almost shyly.
'We always used to have a champagne reception on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately all our usual guests are otherwise Er, detained, but the house elves still stock the champagne so we have a fair surplus.'
She smiled at his little joke. They were still cautious around each other but he had quite a dry sense of humour she noticed when he wasn't hurling insults at her.
'So, seeing as we have all this spare from the last few years I brought a bottle and wondered if you wanted to share it? As friends. Peace offering' He asked hesitantly. She nodded and went to the kitchen to get two champagne flutes. He glanced around her front room. It was beautifully yet simply decorated for Christmas. There was some wizarding photos of her, Harry and Ron through school and more recently at Harry's wedding that first summer. There was one from their fifth year, the DA, and one of the renewal of the Order of Phoenix, must have been end of sixth year. He recognised many who sadly were no longer with them, including his cousin and then a couple of photos of what must be her little boy as he had different coloured hair in each one. There were a couple of older muggle photos of her with her parents, then her parents again but somewhere else and with their arms round other children. She came in and caught him looking.
'I obliviated them' she said sadly, seeing where he was looking as he picked up the photo. She handed him a glass. 'I knew they'd be targeted when I went with Harry and Ron and they'd never have understood going into hiding. I went to try and get them back after NEWTs and they were so happy I just couldn't do it, they had adopted those two children and given them a proper life. The knowledge of all this hurt them, no matter how proud they were it wasn't their world. I couldn't do it to them again. They don't remember me and never will and I always knew there was a chance they wouldn't come back. Probably best though, those two kids got new parents they deserved and my parents have children they understand' she said sadly, sinking into her couch. He stood quietly for a while, not really knowing what to say.
'You didn't tell me this' he said quietly.
'We didn't exactly talk' she scoffed in reply, taking a deep drink
'Family causes such problems sometimes, no matter how much you love them. You did the right thing, getting them away. They were a target later when they realised you were with Potter, after the Ministry. Avery suffered for not finding them.' He grimaced at the memory, Voldemort has let his wrath be known.
'And the DA? Is that what I was trying to find in 5th year? I was so mad that you outsmarted me every time. That charm work was pretty impressive. I'm surprised you're alone tonight though' he remarked, sitting down on the other end of the couch. He was wearing fairly relaxed clothing for him Hermione noticed but he was still sat primly, almost awkwardly as if not used to a sofa. She curled up with her legs underneath her, facing him.
'I'm heading to Harry's tomorrow but everyone is busy tonight with their own plans. I fancied it too, sometimes I like my own company' she replied.
'Oh, i'm sorry if I'm interrupting then'
'Don't be silly, not interrupting at all, I was actually getting bored so you're a welcome distraction and champagne will always win me over. Old champagne from a dusty cellar even more so. Just sometimes the big family gatherings grate a bit. You?' She asked.
He scoffed almost. 'Really Granger, like anyone would be seen dead at the Manor these days' he snorted before realising his mistake.
'It's ok' she said seeing the look of horror on his face. 'I didn't die there and technically Dobby died on the beach. I don't blame you anymore if I ever did. You helped us out really although you wouldn't have realised just how much at the time'.
She debated telling him more but in the end changed her mind and reached down and touched her arm subconsciously.
'Did it scar?' He asked seriously, almost not daring to ask but wanting, needing so much to know. He'd not looked purposely before.
'Only a little' she said, pulling her sleeve up to show him. He had to concentrate but he could just make out the word mudblood etched into her arm. He felt disgusted looking at it but tentatively reached out and stroked it.
'I may have thought I hated you then but you didn't deserve what she did to you. I should have stopped it. I don't, can't go in that room anymore, although living there isn't exactly pleasant either' He shuddered.
'It shows more in the light. It's still occasionally painful- it took some healing after. It's still cursed but we think it's frozen in place. You weren't in a position to stop it, not really. She'd have done the same or worse to you. You know I hold no blame with you and death was too nice for her. Although Molly is fierce it does make me chuckle at the irony. We should have used her more, she was something else.'
He started to say something but thought better of it. She took a sip of her drink and got brave. 'I've shown you mine, you show me yours? I guess you covered it before'
She was emboldened by champagne but he shook his head.
'It doesn't cover, but yes I hid it. You don't need to see that'.
'Think I can't handle it?' She asked quietly. In answer he pulled up his sleeve and shoved it in front of her. She recoiled slightly, she'd never really seen one up close before.
'See, ugly' he spat. He drained his glass.
'It didn't fade then?' She observed curiously, reaching out to touch it.
'Does it look like it?' He snapped, snatching his arm away. He was touchy about it and had never really shown it to anyone. He'd always been careful to keep his arm covered, much to the amusement of the muggle girls he regularly found company with.
'No. I'm surprised. When he disappeared the first time it disappeared too on the arms of his followers but obviously not this time. I wonder why, probably some self preservation but strange Voldemort thinking beyond death as he tried so hard to prevent it. It must be hard' She asked intrigued.
'I'm not some specimen for you to study or deliberate over Granger, or pity. You don't have to know everything' he snapped, standing up and pacing.
'Now now Malfoy, I'm sure you didn't come here just to pick a fight' she said.
'You're right, I don't know why I came' he said, grabbing floo powder.
'Don't disappear on me again' she said candidly, picking up her book and ignoring him. He put it back and turned around, sitting down with a huff.
'I won't ask again. Tell me, where did you go in third year?' She asked.
'This again?' He shot annoyed.
'We discussed why, not where last time' she said, peeking over her book. He sighed and relaxed back.
'It was too suffocating. I loved the course but you were a constant reminder of why I was there and not, well there was a lot of adjustment after the war and the trials. I had to alter my whole way of thinking, take over the family business or what was left of it, prop up Mother. Then, then we've talked. I took the sandwich year in France, finished the fourth year starting at the Ministry when it had finished. Nearly two years ago now, it's gone so fast. I needed to properly get away, not just from you. I stayed with with some distant relatives of my grandmother. It was. Interesting. France hasn't quite devolved the old ways of thinking. I had to tell them I was working at the French Ministry but mostly we rubbed along ok.'
He refilled their glasses and sat back.
'Plus, gave me a chance to graduate top without you beating me to it' He deadpanned.
She grinned. 'You can't win if there's no competition' she replied.
'Well, my score was higher than yours. I checked.' He grinned wickedly.
'Look at us being sociable' she laughed, refilling their glasses.
'Prophet would have a field day' he joked.
'Well, I know stuff that'll make their hair go grey' she grinned wickedly.
'Could you imagine?' She said as her fire turned green.
'Quick' she hissed, tapping him on the head with her hand and vanishing him.
'Wandless Granger?' he muttered as she turned to her guest, ignoring him.
'Hey, 'Mione. Wanna come over?' A drunken Ron slurred, stumbling out the grate.
'I'm good thanks Ron, it's getting late so I was heading for bed' she lied, standing in front the side of the sofa where a now dissolutioned Malfoy sat, jumping as she felt him stand behind her. She fought down panic and then a giggle as she noticed his glass on the table but he must have as the same time as she felt him move and it disappeared.
'Come on 'Mione, it'll be fun' He slurred, smiling dreamily at her.
'Don't you dare' she heard Malfoy whisper breathe in her ear as he played with her hair.
'I'm not dressed for it Ron, I think I'll stay. I'm tired' she said firmly, subtly putting her foot back and standing hard on Malfoy's, hearing his sharp intake of breath.
'Oh well, if you're sure' he said easily. 'Mum just sent me in case you changed your mind. I'll see you tomorrow' he turned round slowly but not before Malfoy untied his shoelaces magically.
'Stop it' she hissed, hearing him moving.
'What was that 'Mione?' Ron asked, turning back to her before he got in the grate and looking confusedly at his shoes. On the third attempt he managed to get them retied. Hermione bit back laughter as Malfoy tied them together without Ron noticing.
'Merry Christmas Ron' she said a bit too brightly.
'And you, Oh, shoelaces' he grumbled, bending down. Try as he might he couldn't catch them.
'Oh, bet this is George's doing' he said good naturedly. 'Bye Mione'.
He grabbed a handful of floo powder and was gone. Hermione whirled round on Draco who burst out laughing.
'Stop it' she hissed, reaching out to whack his arm but he'd moved. 'Not funny' hissed again as he'd moved again. She could hear him laughing so picked up her wand from the table and tapped her head. 'Finite incantantum' She said, aiming her wand at him stood behind the sofa. He jumped over the back and started laughing hard as he reappeared.
'That was not funny' she snapped.
'Oh but it was' he laughed, tears running down his face. 'He couldn't work out why he was dropping it' he heaved, not able to stop laughing.
'What if he'd have noticed?' She asked angrily.
'I couldn't resist. He'd never work it out. And ashamed I'm here?'
He finally managed to stop laughing. 'No, of course not but I can't imagine it would go down too well with them. Well, Harry would come round. Maybe. Ron, never. You're an idiot' She fumed.
'It's always going to be there isn't it?' He asked gently, almost sadly.
'Yes. It is especially if you pull stupid stunts like that. People can change but it won't go away'. He leant forward and gently took her chin in his hand.
'Merry Christmas Hermione' He whispered at her angry face, and before she knew it he'd disapparated.
Hermione sighed and sat back down. She wondered what that had all been about. She thought after last time she wouldn't see him again but he'd come with a seemingly never ending supply of champagne. Still, he'd left the bottle and champagne dulled the ache of Christmas. She tried to put him out her mind, Harry and Ron would be livid if they even knew what had happened and she'd be seeing them tomorrow. She wasn't massively looking forward to it, truth be told but they wouldn't have let her be on her own. She sighed again and headed upstairs to bed.