Chapter 15

Draco finished packing the last of his stuff for holiday break. He looked around his dorms room for anything that he missed. Once he was satisfied that he had everything, he closed his trunk and levitated it behind him, picking up the small wrapped box sitting on the dresser as he walked out the door. He walked out to find Hermione sitting in the window seat that looked over the grounds. She was watching as the other students left to get on the train.

"It's not too late to take me up on the offer to join me at the Manor for the break, you know." He said as he walked up to her.

Hermione turned her head slightly, a tiny smile gracing her face. "Thank you, but I will stay here. Tonks has plans for us once everyone is gone. Besides, you need time with your mother, planning for the New Year extravaganza she wants."

Draco sat behind her and pulled her to him, planting a kiss to the side of her head and breathing in her scent before he left. "If you say so, love. I will miss you until I see you in a week. It will be a long week."

"I know. I will miss you, too. But we will write until we see each other again." She snuggled into his embrace a little longer.

They both sat there in silence until Draco broke it. "I must go. I don't want to miss the train."

Hermione nodded and stood with him. She hugged him one last time before she suddenly let him go. "Oh, I almost forgot!" She ran to her room and come back with a medium sized wrapped package. "Don't open until Christmas. It's charmed to make sure you don't open or peak until that day." She smirked.

Draco smirked back. "Stealing my smirks now, huh?" He placed he gift to him in his bag and then handed her the gift he had for her. "Same goes to you. Don't open until Christmas morning."

She took the gift and gave him a smile. "I won't." She leaned up and gave him a kiss, one in which he reciprocated.

"Alright you two. Cut it out. Better get to that train station, little cousin, before you miss it and Aunt Cissy has a ferret."

The two looked to see Tonks standing by the portrait opening, arms crossed, smile on her face.

"You're right. I better go. I'll see you in a week. I love you." Draco said to Hermione, giving her a quick kiss.

"I love you, too."

Draco walked out, giving Hermione one last look, before he disappeared out the door.

Draco arrived at Platform 9 3/4, looking around to spot his mother, looking graceful as ever in her burgundy robes, standing beside the posts.

"Hello, Mother. You look well." He gave her a kiss on her cheek as he walked up to her.

"Hello, my dear. You look well. Ready to go home?"

He gave her a nod, then the both of them Apparate to the Manor. Once there, Draco was met by his childhood house elf, Twinkle.

"Good to have you home, Master Draco. Can Twinkle take your trunk?"

"Yes, thank you, Twinkle."

Twinkle bowed and took the trunk away. Draco and Narcissa retired to the small lounge room to catch up on school and start discussing the New year's party. All the while Draco's mind wondered to a certain brunette still at Hogwarts.

Hermione woke Christmas morning to Tonks jumping on her bed. "Mione! It's Christmas! Wake up! Presents!"

The witch laughed at her older friend. "Okay! I'm up! Let's go see what we have."

The two ran down the stairs to find gifts under their makeshift tree. They both sat down underneath it and sorted through the gifts. Hermione relieved gifts from Mrs. Weasley, her usual baked goods and a new purple jumper. Harry even sent her a gift, New self inking quills. Tonks gave her new clothes, some that resembled her's, only purple. Hermione opened Draco's last. Under the wrapping was a black velvet box. She opened it to find a amethyst stone sitting in the middle of a heart that was made from emeralds. On the back of the jewels, the words "Always Thine, Always Mine" inscribed. She smiled and put it on. This was the best Christmas she could have without being with her parents.

At the Manor, Draco opened the gifts from his Mother. She gifted him First Editions of the Shakespeare tombs, a new set of robes for the party and a new dragon hide wand holster. He picked up Hermione's gift and opened it. Inside the green box was a book. He opened it to find a note written by Hermione.

My Dearest Mr. Darcy,

May this book bring you happiness. I know it has me. After all, it is how we become to love one another. This is our story.

All My Love,

Hermione

Draco flipped the page to find that it was a First Edition. He smiled.

"I haven't seen that smile in a very long time."

Draco looked up to his mother. "I know."

"Whoever has given you that smile, I want to meet her and thank her."

"You will, Mother. She will be here for the party next week."

"Wonderful. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go meet with the planners to make sure that everything is in order." Narcissa stood, hugged her son, and left the room.

****One Week Later****

Draco stood in front other the mirror, making sure he looked his best. He turned when he heard a faint pop.

"Twinkle has been sent Master Draco to inform you that guest are arriving. Mistress would like your presence to help welcome them."

"Thank you, Twinkle. I'm on my way." Draco gave himself one last look over and headed down the stairs to the main foyer.

"Ah, Draco, there you are. You look very handsome tonight."

"Thank you, Mother. You look as lovely as ever."

She gave him a smile that he hadn't seen in ages. He turned his attention to the guest arriving. He greeted them courtly. Shaking hands and nodding when he needed to. He groaned when he seen the Parkinson's walk in.

"Oh, Draco! You look dashing tonight. Will I be seeing more of you?" Pansy asked, hanging from his arm like a rag doll in a skimpy dress.

"Possibly. Excuse me, I have more guests to greet." he shook her off and turned back to his mother.

"I'm pleased you never pursued her. She is like her father, after some one for the money. When will your guest arrive, dear?"

Draco was about to answer her when he seen her. His breath was lost at the sight of her. When she walked through the foyer, no one else mattered. She gave him the most beautiful smile he had everything seen. She was in a beautiful deep Violet velvet dress, it hugged her curves in the right places, a layer of silk lined the top and hugged her shoulders, making a small V shape in. the front. It was floor length, with a slit going up to her calf. She was wearing the necklace he had given her and matching amethyst earrings. Her hair was in a elegant updo, small tendrils hanging down to frame her face.

"Hermione, wow, you look absolutely stunning tonight." He said as she finally made it to him.

"You look absolutely dashing as well." She said as he took her hand.

"Mother, I'd like to introduce you to Hermione Granger, my girlfriend. Hermione, this is my mother, Narcissa."

"It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy." Hermione nodded curtly.

Narcissa hid the look of surprise from her face before either could noticed. She nodded to the young witch and went about her business.

Hermione's smile faultered a bit, but turned back to Draco. "The Manor looks lovely."

Draco shrugged. "It was mainly Mother. I gave an input here and there. Shall we go into the Hall?"

Hermione nodded and took Draco's arm that he had offered. He led her into the Hall and enjoyed the look on her face when she seen it. His input was purple fairie lights hanging from then ceiling with Garland of lavender hanging everywhere.

"Wow, this is gorgeous!"

"I'm glad you like it."

The evening was pleasant for the both of them. The danced, talked and Draco even took her for a walk in the garden. It was there that midnight found them. They were lost in each other as the clock struck midnight and fireworks went off. Draco held Hermione close and gave her a breathtaking kiss. Hermione pulled him in closer. The night was perfect to her and she never wanted it to end.

A/N: Here y'all go! I hope you enjoyed it. And Hermione's dress, think of Pretty Woman. The red dress she wears and her hair, just a purple one. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter going soon.