Chapter 2: A closer Christmas
It was almost Christmas and everyone at Hogwarts couldn't wait to go home for the holidays, well everyone except Hermione. Her parents had decided to go back to Australia for the month of December and sadly wouldn't be back for Christmas. She had just received their letter telling her that they would mail her Christmas gift the day before the break started. She was engulfed in her misery that she didn't notice the tall handsome boy, with white blonde hair take a seat next to her, or the tall dark boy sitting across from her.
"Hey. What's wrong love?" Draco asked looking at the letter in Hermione's hand. He looked up to see Blaise mouthing the word 'love' and tilting his head to the side. Draco gave a noncommittal shrug.
"Oh, it's just a letter from my parents. You know how they're in Australia for December, well they won't be back in time for the break so they're mailing my gift the day before the break. I'm going to be alone on Christmas." Hermione folded her arms on the table and rested her head.
"Hey don't be sad. You can stay with me for the holidays. Mother won't mind, she'll be happy I have friends outside of Gryffindor and fathers in Azkaban so what can he do." Hermione looked up and gave Draco a small smile.
"And Blaise is coming over on Christmas anyways so it'll be like we're still here."
"Oh, Draco you don't have to."
"I know I don't have to, I want to. You're one of my best friends. I'll send a letter to mother tonight, and don't worry about presents."
"Oh thank you Draco. You really are the best." Hermione lent over and gave him a hug. His cheeks turned beetroot red.
A few weeks had past and Draco and Hermione had just appeared in front of the giant Wiltshire mansion. A shiver fell down Hermione's spine as painful memories came rushing back to her. Draco placed a hand on her arm and she started.
"Oh, god. I'm so sorry 'mione. I completely forgot. Are you going to be okay, because if you aren't we can go. My mother will understand." Draco looked down at the young witch, just imagining how she must be feeling right now. The last time they were bother her together, Draco was forced to watch as his aunt tortured her. She shakaly nodded her head.
"Y-Yeah. I-I sh-should be fine. As long as I don't have to go into that awful room." She said tightening her grip on her bag.
"That's a deal. I will make sure you never have to set foot the great room." They walked up to the front door and went inside.
"Mother! We're here!" Draco called into the grand entrance way. Narcissa Malfoy came hurrying out of a small door on the right. Her long, blonde hair was pinned up in a tight bun and she was wearing a flour strewn aiprin. Hermione thought she must have been baking.
"Draco darling lovely to see you." She gave Draco a kiss on the cheek.
"Hermione it's lovely to see you again. I'm sorry for the last time we met and lets just say I'm happy to put that all behind me. I'm happy to welcome you to our family, that is of course if Draco ever proposes."
"Thank again for welcoming me to your lovely home, but me and Draco aren't dating. We're just friends."
"Oh. I'm so sorry for assuming, it's just that Draco never brings girls home."
"Shall we have some tea?" Draco asked trying to change the subject.
"Yes. how about in the great room?"
"No!" Draco and Hermione shouted at the same time.
"How about the lounge instead mother?"
"Alright. You kids go sit down I'll get the tea and scones." Narcissa walked back through the door she came, giving draco a confused look as she did. Draco led Hermione up the stairs and to the couch on the open landing. He lit the fire and took a seat next to her.
The rest of the day went by pretty quickly, and they were all in bed trying to get to sleep before the hectic day tomorrow that would be Christmas day. Draco was lying in bed looking up at the canopy when he thought he heard a knock at the door. He ignored it at first, until he heard it again.
"Come in." He said. It was Hermione that entered. She was wear a black tank top and a pair of sleep shorts that didn't leave much to the stood leaning against the now closed door.
"Can I sleep in here tonight? I'm having a hard time getting to sleep. This house just brings back too many bad memories." She asked getting a little closer.
"Yeah. of course." Draco said, moving to one side of the bed and pulling back the duvet Hermione walked over and got into the bed. After half an hour she had fallen asleep. She moved closer to Draco till their legs were intertwined and her head rested against his chest. Soon Draco fell asleep, but not before lazaly resting his arm around her waist.
The next morning they were awoken by a loud knock at the door.
"Draco mate?! You up?!" It was Blaise. Narcissa must have let him in. Draco sprunge up to answer the door. He opened it just wide enough to poke his head through.
"Yeah. sorry mate had a bit of a lie in. give me a minute to get dressed then we can get 'mione."
"I'll just get her while you get dressed."
"No. let her sleep a little longer." Draco said closing the door a little more.
"What are you hiding?" Blaise went to push open the door. Draco tried to resist but Blaise overpowered him. The door swung open to reville Hermione sitting in Draco's bed.
"Oh. I see. You were just going to bring her home to get in her knickers. I understand. Don't bother telling your best friend anything." Blaise began to storm off down the hall. Hermione and Draco ran after him.
"Blaise wait." Hermione said grabbing hold of his wrist.
"Please." She pleaded. Blaise turned around. He couldn't stand making one of his best friends upset.
"Let us explain mate." draco said standing next to Hermione.
"We didn't do anything last night. I only slept in Draco's room because I couldn't sleep. You know what happened to me the last time I was here." Hermione let go of Blaise, knowing he wouldn't leave now.
"Yeah. I know, I'm sorry. I just got worried. I mean what would happen to our group if guys started dating and then broke up? I don't want anything to happen to us."
"I understand where you're coming from." Draco said.
"Now why don't 'mione and I get dressed and then we can have some lunch?" They all smiled and nodded.
The rest of the break went by in a flash and without even realizing it, Draco and Hermione were back on the Hogwarts express.
