7. Christmas in Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley was one of Hermione's favorite places at Christmas time. Peddler's carts clattered on cobblestones under streetlights that were lit and adorned with holly wreaths, ribbons, and bows. The festive alley produced a cacophony of sounds from the bustling traffic to the chorus of carolers and the cackling of so many vendors and shoppers. Smells of pastries baking, scented candles, and evergreens coalesced in the crowded alley. So many shop windows and doors were adorned with little twinkling and blinking lights, and it seemed good cheer and bright spirits were especially contagious along the narrow alley.
It had been a cold and frosty day and the grey skies warned of the snow that was certainly on it's way. Hermione had wanted to come the night before, but Winky had to work a banquet at the castle and insisted they make it tonight instead. Just days before Christmas she was desperate to complete her shopping list. Shopping for gifts had turned into a real challenge for Hermione. She got everyone on her list books. But the recipients never quite appeared to be as delighted as she would expect. It was possible she wasn't finding the right books, so this year she spent much more time in selecting the titles. Ron, in particular just didn't seem to light-up the way he did with other things she gave him. Flourish and Blotts were especially packed on this evening and the clerk appeared to be having difficulty finding one of the books on her list.
"I'm sorry Miss, but I can't find Wand Psychology and the Wizard by Wiley Underwood," the clerk admitted apologetically. "If I order tonight, we might could get it from the publisher before Christmas."
"Thanks, but I'll check around first before I take a chance," Hermione said, trying hard to hide her disappointment. She had really wanted to get this book for Harry. It was possible Obscurus Books or Whizz Hard Books might have it in stock.
"I'll just take what I have here," she added and paid the clerk. She checked her coat pocket for the beaded bag with the undetectable extension charm.
"Oh my goodness," she cried, "I've left it at home."
"You've forgotten something Miss?" the clerk asked.
"Yes, I have," she admitted, "and I can't handle all these by myself," she said and the clerk returned a puzzled look. "Wrap and bind them please – I'll try and manage," Hermione added, looking around for any sign of Winky.
"Yes Miss," said the clerk and disappeared with the books. She returned a few minutes later with the pile wrapped in brown paper and bound and tied together with heavy strands of Manilla cord.
Hermione thanked the clerk and struggled out of the shop and into the alley. It was all she could do to manage the load of books through the crowded and icy streets. Winky could apparate back to her flat and get the beaded bag if Hermione could find her. Winky had quickly disappeared to find gifts for her friends. Not many house-elves could buy gifts, but with the money she had earned working for Hermione this would be a first. Sugarplum's Sweet Shop was the next stop for Hermione. She still had to find little Teddy Lupin a few stocking stuffers, since he was too young for books. With a little luck she might run into Winky along the way.
Hermione was trudging along, keeping her eyes on her footing and hoping at any moment to run into Winky. There standing in front of her, a few storefronts down, was a familiar and darkly clad figure. He was wearing a dark cashmere great-coat with snowy blonde hair and a black lacquered, sliver capped, cane. Damn-it, of all people. His house-elf Gilbert was beside him and they appeared to be focused on something going on inside the shop. Struggling clumsily, Hermione looked for a place to hide. She had no desire to encounter Draco on this evening. Potage's Cauldron shop was nearly empty and just a few steps away. She could probably duck into the shop before being spotted.
She had met with Draco for lunch in the Ministry canteen a couple of times since his re-assignment to the hospital and things had gotten a bit tricky. His performance reports were okay, but just so. She had the feeling someone on the St. Mungo's staff was covering up for him. He was still reluctant to discuss work and seemed to express a true aversion to anything like it. It was difficult to keep the interview on a professional level. He absolutely loved to steer the discussions away from the business at hand. Several times he had complemented her on her physical appearance and she found this quite awkward. First, comments like that were uncalled for in a professional environment and second, she didn't know if he really meant them to be genuine or if she was just being played. She suspected the later, and when she mentioned this he just laughed and said she didn't how to take a complement. He had quickly grown tired of the Wednesday's menu of roast beef and potatoes in the canteen and suggested they split the distance between the Ministry and the hospital and go somewhere else. She was stalling for time on this one. There really wasn't any solid reason she couldn't, but a little voice in the back of her mind kept reminding her it would be a mistake.
She was almost off the street and into the Cauldron Shop when she heard the call.
"Miss Hermione!"
She turned back to see Winky coming her way with an arm full of gifts.
"Oh... uh Winky," she said, obviously caught in a quandary. She motioned as best she could for Winky to follow her into the shop. She quickly looked in the opposite direction and realized all eyes were on her. Draco and Gilbert had taken full notice and both were frozen with puzzled expressions as to why she was trying to escape. Should she just ignore them and enter the cauldron shop? No, social protocol and the fact that it was nearly Christmas argued in favor of bidding them a greeting of some sort.
"Good evening," she said to Draco and Gilbert. Winky was now gleefully standing at her side.
"Good evening Hermione," answered Draco.
She was a little surprised he used her first name. Draco also appeared to be caught a little off guard himself, but the syllables rolled off his tongue with mastery. Some first time users would over emphasize the wrong ones.
"Looks like someone is a little late with their shopping?" he added before she could disappear into the shop.
"Yes," she said, and stepped back to face the pair. "So what brings you to Diagon Alley tonight Draco? Surely you don't do your own shopping?"
"Well, it's something you seem to approve of Granger," he fired back. Now that the formalities were over, it was back to using her last name. "It's something very close to work – would you like to hear it?"
"Well, I'm kind of tied up right now," she said and looked around while planning her escape.
"Yes, I can see that. Would you like some help with those packages?"
Before she could say no thanks, a young lad jumped out the doorway of the Magical Menagerie with a bag overflowing with gifts. He ran up to stand beside Draco and looked curiously looked her way.
"This is Timmy. Timmy this is Ms. Granger," introduced Draco.
"Good evening Timmy. It looks like you're having a nice time," she said.
"Yes Miss, a very good time," the lad said and grinned. Draco stepped forward to relieve Hermione of a bundle of books.
"That's not necessary – really I can manage," she said
"Timmy, Ms. Granger works at the Ministry. She's the one who assigned me to the hospital."
"Thank you Miss Granger," the lad said, and Hermione was more than a little puzzled by the remark.
"Why don't we all have some tea and cauldron cakes at the Leaky Cauldron? Granger, you must be tired of carrying all that?" Draco said with a wry grin.
"That's very nice of you Draco, but we must be getting along," she said.
"Can you spare a minute Miss?" Gilbert pleaded. "I'm sure Timmy and Winky could use some refreshment," he croaked.
"Yes Miss!" Timmy and Winky chorused.
She felt slightly outnumbered at four to one, "Okay, take one of these then," she said and sourly handed Draco one of the bundles.
‡‡‡‡‡
Inside the Leaky Cauldron, the mood was just as festive as outside except warm and toasty. Winky and Gilbert opted for a nearby table and left Hermione, Draco, and Timmy to one of their own. Draco set the heavy bundle of books on the table.
"What on earth could be this heavy Granger?"
"Uh... just books," she said. "So Timmy, you know Mister Malfoy from the hospital?" she asked curiously.
"Yes, Miss Granger – he works there," he said and looked at Draco with a smile.
Hermione nodded and shot Draco a curious look. Hannah had arrived at the table with a slightly amused expression on her face. No doubt curious at seeing Draco sitting across from her.
"Tea and Cauldron cakes okay with you," he asked Hermione.
"Make mine coffee please," she said looking at Draco and then quickly at Hannah.
"And pumpkin juice for Timmy here," Draco added.
Draco stood up and removed the heavy great-coat. "Can I take your coat Granger?" he said, and she thought it more out of politeness than of concern.
"Sure," she said, and Draco watched her peel out of the coat.
Hermione sipped her coffee and mused at how Draco had won this little battle, which had been going on between them for some time. He had been trying to get her away from the Ministry and now he had. They engaged in pleasant chitchat and the mood began to lighten considerably. She was curious about Timmy and why Draco was treating him to an evening in Diagon Alley. She hoped one of them would volunteer the information, but they didn't. It obviously had something to do with the hospital and she felt it would be a mistake to pry.
While Timmy was scarfing down the cauldron cakes and pumpkin juice, Draco noticed that Winky and Gilbert were sharing a mug of butterbeer with two straws. Neither had legs long enough to reach the floor and their huge feet dangled playfully as they snuggled over the mug of beer without a care in the world.
"I think our house-elves are fond," he said with a look of suspicion.
"Could be," Hermione said and looked away.
When the drinks were finished and Timmy had polished off most of the cauldron cakes Hermione began to fidget.
"Well, we best be shoving off. Winky are you about ready?" she said looking toward Winky and Gilbert.
Winky just shrugged her shoulders and went back to leaning against Gilbert.
"So where are you headed next – maybe we could come along? Timmy would you like to do some more shopping?" Draco asked and Timmy seconded the motion with a huge smile.
Hermione tried quickly to assimilate an excuse.
"Well that would be very nice, but you see, we have to do something with this pile of books – and I thought of running them home – or something like that," she said, obviously ad-libbing.
"I've got a free arm," Draco protested. "Timmy can you carry one of Ms. Granger's books?"
"Oh, I would hate to impose on you," she protested in a panic.
"No trouble at all," he said smiling, "I'll get our coats."
‡‡‡‡‡
Draco handed the silver capped cane to Gilbert and with two gloved hands he grabbed the manilla rope bindings of both book bundles. With their items firmly secured, they headed through the passageway to Diagon Alley. Hermione had considered disapparating to her flat for the beaded bag, but it was so wickedly amusing to watch Draco struggling with the bundles of books.
Gilbert and Winky were patiently walking a few steps behind the group. Gilbert was escorting Winky with his left arm and most nobly wielding the cane, almost as tall as he, with the right. Together, they made a regal pair as they strolled down the alley in the wake of Draco and Hermione, exchanging elfish chitchat. Draco continued to struggle along the icy cobblestones with the heavy books as Hermione paused to consider the passing shops. They arrived at Obscurus Books and Hermione paused at the door.
"What – more books," Draco asked, totally baffled.
"Just one Draco," she said and grinned.
With no luck there, they headed off to Whizz Hard Books. After a few minutes in the shop, Hermione announced, "I found it – it's here." She paid for the book and Timmy volunteered to carry it in his shopping bag.
They passed by Sugarplum's Sweet Shop and there was a line of children waiting to see Santa. Santa had a large chair sitting in the small space between buildings and just off the alley.
"Timmy, is there anything you need to ask Santa?" asked Draco.
"I don't know. Does Santa Claus come to St. Mungo's?"
"Sure he does," Draco said and looked at Hermione, "Can you wait for him?"
"Sure," she said through a smile and nodded.
"Get in line – you'll have plenty of time to think of what you want," Draco added.
As they got a little closer, Hermione was pretty sure she recognized the man playing Santa.
"I'll find out later – what he asked for, " Draco said, and Hermione studied the blonde wizard with puzzled scrutiny.
"Don't be shy Timmy – you go right up and ask for what you want," Draco said and coaxed Timmy up to the huge white bearded man.
‡‡‡‡‡
The festive mood lingered until well in the evening. The group went into several more shops for goodies and whiz-bangs until Timmy had a second bag almost full to the brim. Hermione herself had a small bag of last minute items for Teddy Lupin. All evening, Draco had been a polite, considerate, and thoughtful host. Upon entering one shop, Draco went ahead to open the door and she could feel his hand gently along her back, like the perfect escort. She gave him a wry and curious look, but for him it was probably just a force of habit.
After everyone's list was filled it was time to the call the adventure to an end. Gilbert and Winky said their goodbyes and Winky returned to Hermione's side to help with packages.
"Gilbert, could you and Timmy wait for me at the Leaky Cauldron? I'll be along shortly," asked Draco.
"Yes sir," the house-elf croaked. Timmy said goodnight and they watched them disappear in the crowd.
Once more she looked at Draco and studied him for any clues as to what the hell was going on here.
"Draco, you're making my job awfully difficult."
"It's Christmas Granger – I know when it's over you'll be back to your normal poisonous self," he said with a chuckle.
She laughed and said, "Just as long as you know that, then we're okay here."
"Don't worry Granger, these kinds of things are a part of my job now," he said. "And it's easier than emptying bedpans."
"Yes, but you never mentioned it. Is Timmy part of this job?" she asked.
"Timmy, and a few others. But Timmy is the favorite," he said.
"Yeah, why's that," she asked with bright eyed interest.
"The healers have done wonders with him lately – they really have," he said. "And he doesn't have a proper family."
"So... he's been very sick?" she asked.
"Yes very – oh, the magical treatments have done wonders for him, but will be less effective as time goes on," he said flatly.
"He's not getting better then?"
"Over time his condition will worsen."
"You mean..."
"I'm afraid so," he interjected.
Hermione suddenly felt very bad – she'd been so selfish. Here Draco was taking this child out, for maybe his last Christmas and she'd acted the total bitch for most of the evening.
"Can I help you with the books – to your place?" he asked, still being the gentleman.
"Are you for real," she asked and stifled a laugh. "Thanks, but Winky and I can manage," she said. "But... I had a good time – It was good to run into you," she added and then chuckled. "Why am I talking like I've been out on a date," she said, shaking her head.
Draco responded with only a shrug and a smile.
And at that moment it finally began to snow. Not small flakes, but huge Galleon sized snowflakes were raining down from the heavens. They quickly began to form snow white epaulettes on the shoulders of the dark great-coat. Transfixed by the sight, she stood for a few moments until the situation was getting awkward. The blond hair appeared unaffected by the snow, but a swatch of forelocks had fallen across a grey eye when he bent down to drop the bundles.
She tentatively stepped forward to get the books and then paused as she gazed into grey eyes. Once again she was tempted to brush the hair away. It was a silly emotion but it came from a warm place deep insider her, and she silently cursed the rigid confinements of their situation.
"Wednesdays at the canteen are getting old – you pick the next place," she said smiling.
"Happy Christmas Granger."
"Merry Christmas Draco." And she watched the tall shadowy figure fade through a snowy veil.