AN: Oi. I still love you guys. k? k.
Chapter 6 - Yule
"Someone's been altering the tombs."
"I thought getting through the protections was part of your job."
"Well, yes, but there's been things added, well, curses of a sort and well.."
"Bill! Harry! It's Christmas! Enough with the shop talk. George, get out of the kitchen! Arthur, put out some extra plates would you dear? Hermione and Draco will be stopping by." Molly Weasley reprimanded her family while she bustled around the chaos of the Burrow. She brandished her wooden spoon, daring her family to defy her even as Bill and Harry's voices lowered to continue their forbidden conversation. As much as they adored Molly, they didn't relish the idea of being beat about the head with her spoon.
"Is that what Hermione meant when she said they had been another? Malfoy and I have been working tirelessly to decipher the runes but we're sort of shite at it and Hermione refuses to help us." Harry sighed, keeping an eye on his wife.
"She's refusing? She's a Specialist. How can she refuse?" Bill scratched his head, running his fingers over the scar Fenrir Greyback had gifted him years before.
"China patterns. Narcissa is demanding they choose a china pattern and Hermione won't lift a bloody finger to help us until Malfoy gets his head out of his arse."
"I still can't believe she's marrying him. They don't seem well suited at all." Bill shuddered.
"They're perfect for each other, actually. They're both too completely stubborn to see it."
"How can they not see it? They're getting married. They must love each other.." Harry grimaced, forgetting for a moment that other than the parties involved and himself, the Weasley's hadn't the slightest clue when it came to the contractual marriage.
"You're right of course. Their bickering is a bit trying on my nerves is all." Harry tensed as the Weasley's Floo roared to life and an angry Hermione Granger emerged.
"That man!" With a wave toward Harry and Bill, Hermione immediately settled beside Astoria and Ginny. A moment later, Draco Malfoy emerged with a scowl. He pointedly ignored his fiancée and stalked across the room to sit beside Harry.
"That woman!" Draco pulled a flask from the back pocket of his Muggle jeans and taking a sip while Molly's back was turned.
"What now, Malfoy?" Harry whined, wishing Arthur would distract them with another strange invention. Bill patted Draco awkwardly on the back, taking a small sip from the offered flask.
"What's wrong..er Mal-Dra..mate?" Bill fumbled, still slightly uncomfortable being on friendly terms with the former Death Eater.
"What isn't wrong?" Draco snarled, waving his hands about, "Malfoy, you humiliated me. Malfoy, your mother sent another owl. Malfoy, are you going to sleep all day you lazy git? Malfoy these runes are incorrect. Honestly, Malfoy, do you know anything? Malfoy, this flat is a disaster. Malfoy, we need a guest room. Malfoy, I am not your mother. Malfoy stop staring at me. Malfoy, don't touch my arse. Bloody hell." His impersonation of Hermione would have been amusing if she hadn't been glaring at him from the living room with her wand pointed in his direction.
"Malfoy, you should...uh...run." Harry's green eyes widened while he slowly edged his way out of his seat. He had no intention of being caught in the cross-fire.
"Bugger it, Potter. Let her hex me. I give up." Draco didn't lift his head from the table and the slouch of his shoulders actually made Hermione lower her wand.
"Harry, Bill, why don't you take Draco out to the garden. I'm sure there are a few errant gnomes to be dealt with." Arthur Weasley shook his head at Hermione while the boys silently ventured outside.
"Hermione. You've been like a daughter to Molly and I. You're family. I've spoken with Kingsley and well I honestly expected more of you. I'm not going to say more than that, well, that's not true. I never thought I'd see the day where I was truly disappointed in Hermione Granger." Arthur sighed, gave Molly a quick peck on the cheek and went back into the shed.
"I can't say I know the intimate details of your relationship, Hermione. Merlin knows I was always hoping you and Ron would end up together, but I know that's impossible now. Draco Malfoy was always a bit proud and incredibly arrogant. It took us a long time to come to terms with that, some days we still have a bit of trouble. He's not the same horrid little child he was and you'd do best to remember that. He's welcomed you into his home. He cared for you after that ridiculous stint in Egypt. He worried for you. Now look at what you've made me do! Defending Draco Malfoy. You should be ashamed of yourself. Get out there right now and apologise to the poor man. I'll not have you ruining Yule!" Molly waved her spoon, flicking bits of what looked to be mashed potato across the table before wringing her hands on a damp tea towel.
"Molly, I.."
"Young lady, go!" Molly pointed at the door with a glower until Hermione finally made her way out doors.
"Wow, mum." Ginny snickered into Astoria's shoulder, reveling in the feel of the baby tumbling beneath her hand.
"I wasn't wrong was I? He cares for her, yes?" Molly flicked her wand, setting the dishes to wash.
"Oh he cares for her, Molly. A great deal quite honestly. Has for a long time. Sometimes I think Hermione is completely clueless." Astoria sighed, rubbing her stomach, giving Ginny's probing hands a slap.
"Why'd she agree to marry him then?" Ginny was completely enamored with the child growing within Astoria and regardless of Astoria's grumbles of discontent, spoke directly to the bouncing stomach.
"Why indeed." Molly sniffed, her eyes narrowing. Astoria gulped and closed her blue eyes. She had no desires to entertain the Weasley women's suspicions.
"Stori knows, mum." Ginny pulled her multi-coloured scarf tighter around her neck, bundling into her knitted sweater.
"Ginny. Leave it. Will your beau be joining us?" To Astoria's surprise, Ginny blushed, yet shook her head.
"No, mum, we didn't think, I mean uh, well.."
"She didn't want her brothers embarrassing her." Astoria sighed while struggling to her feet. "They best not take all night, I'm bloody starving."
"C'mon Malfoy, give the gnome a kick. You'll feel better." Harry dangled the struggling garden gnome while avoiding it's snapping teeth.
"I don't want to bloody kick it, Potter." Draco slumped on the stone bench and sighed.
He didn't want to be at the Burrow. He came for her, not that she'd appreciated it or anything. He was trying and she didn't even notice. All she cared about were the things he wasn't doing. It was obvious she was unhappy, but it was if she didn't even notice his misery.
"Come on then, tell us what happened." Bill was used to being the sounding board of his younger brothers and their woman troubles, though he never expected to be standing in the snow offering comfort to Draco Malfoy.
"Yeah, Malfoy, we're...sort of your...friends." Harry shrugged before punting the gnome through the hedges.
"I haven't got friends. Not really. Blaise is all bloody married and disgustingly happy and Theo is completely enamored with..well you know, Potter." Draco was careful to avoid mentioning Theo and Ginny. He knew the young Weasley wanted to break the news to her family and he didn't wish any further ire thrust upon him.
"We're partners, Malfoy. That's sort of like friends. I mean, don't go spouting it about or anything but, if you need to talk it out, we'll listen." Draco sighed deeply. Part of him was afraid to start talking. He had never really bared himself to anyone other than Stori, though she wasn't particularly helpful these days.
"She doesn't see me." He remembered saying the same thing to Astoria and she'd rolled her eyes and made some flippant remark. It had hurt his feelings, but he'd never tell her.
"I think, Hermione is having difficulty adjusting. She's used to the Draco Malfoy from Hogwarts. She's used to the Draco Malfoy at work. She doesn't know this particular Draco Malfoy and it's going to take her time to realise he's different." Bill cast the Burrow a surreptitious glance before withdrawing a Wizard Stick from his cloak. He knew his mother detested them, but that was neither here nor there. Using his wand, he lit it quickly and inhaled as the pale wisps of purple smoke swirled about his head.
"It's all fast, you know Malfoy? And Hermione requires order. She absolutely hates the unknown and this whole situation is an unknown." Harry waited patiently for Bill to pass him the Wizard Stick, keeping the Burrow at his back. He knew his wife would pitch a fit if she saw him now.
"Of course it's fast. You think I like it any better? I made room in my library for all her books. I'm in the process of disassembling my bloody lab because she decided we needed a guest room. Never mind the fact I've been brewing potions in there for years, that doesn't matter. I offered to purchase a new residence and she vetoed that idea without even considering it.
You know she's not even living there yet? She absolutely refuses. If she's not living there, why do I have to do this? She took off to bloody Egypt without even asking me how I felt about it. I mean, it's not like I would have stopped her or anything. She's a Specialist. It's her job. I know her job is important to her, but would it have killed her to inform me? Thought I was going to lose my mind. Didn't know where she was, what she was doing, and if anything had happened, you'd think anyone would tell me? I know how they look at me. Some things never change; I've come to terms with that. Doesn't even bother me anymore. I know I'll never be seen as anything other than a bloody Death Eater, it's just...I thought..."
"You thought she'd see you." Harry found himself actually pitying Draco Malfoy and he didn't like it, not one bit. The poor bloke was right.
"Well yeah, is that so wrong? Merlin I sound like a woman. Gods, I am a woman! I know exactly how she takes her tea. I know better than to try and talk to her before she's had her coffee in the morning. I know she hates pancakes but loves waffles, which boggles my mind really; they're the same aren't they? She thinks blueberries are absolutely disgusting. She's expecting a weekly parcel from Flourish & Blotts because she's always ordering new books. I've been doing research for her. I know she misses her parents terribly and Dumbledore never got to teach her how to properly remove the Memory Charm without causing damage. I tried to tell her about it but she wouldn't hear of it. I know more about china patterns, flowers and colour swatches than any bloke has the right to know and it's still not good enough."
"Malfoy, she's only been back for two days, what the bloody hell has been going on over there?"
"I pay attention, Potter. We have worked with her for years. How did you not know anything? She's your best mate yea? Don't you listen when she speaks? I mean, I knew Weasel's eyes glazed over the moment she starts rambling, but I thought you were better than that."
"I've been distracted. My wife's pregnant you know!" Harry blushed furiously while attempting to defend himself.
"You're lucky Stori and her parents planned your wedding, Potter. Emerald or sage? Willow or Diane? Afternoon or evening? Plain or patterned? Roses or Lilies? I never want to taste another cake as long as I live. I'd rather elope than do any of this. My mother of course would never hear of it. I've vetoed half the guest list because I don't relish the idea of my distant relatives hexing my bride. I've booked the honeymoon, which I don't even know if she wants one but it's expected. I don't care about the money or anything but she could pretend to care. Is that so much to ask? I sound like a woman. Quick, give me a drink and one of those Wizard Sticks. Don't tell her. She'll bloody hex me." Draco sucked from his flask greedily, cursing himself for venturing outdoors with Bill and Harry in the first place.
"You love her then?" Bill snorted while handing Draco a lit Wizard Stick. He closed his eyes, missing the wide eyed glances between Draco and Harry.
"It doesn't matter." Harry held his breath, hoping Bill would let it be.
"Doesn't matter? Of course it matters." Draco leapt from the bench, throwing his Wizard Stick into a drift of snow.
"No, Bill, it doesn't. The great Hermione Granger is never going to love a bloody fucking Death Eater like me, so it doesn't matter how I feel." Without waiting for another rebuttal, Draco stalked up the hill from the Burrow, snarling as he caught a glance of Ron Weasley bumbling toward him.
"Malfoy! Wait!" Draco knew if he turned to look at her, he'd never leave.
He stopped, ignoring the Weasel even as he rudely bumped into his shoulder. Hermione called him again and there was a certain pleading quality to her voice, but he couldn't go back. He couldn't force himself forward either. Draco stood in the blustery winter wind, watching flurries of snow spin toward the ground. He knew he was still within the wards of the Burrow and if he took a few more steps he could Apparate to his flat, yet he didn't. He could hear the laboured breathing behind him as someone trudged toward him and he hoped it was her.
"Malfoy. Are you leaving? It's Christmas." Hermione stared at his back, watching his pale hair lift in the frigid breeze, yet she did not touch him.
She had heard him speaking with Bill and Harry in the garden. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but she'd heard more than she knew she was supposed to hear. Hermione felt guilty for her previous actions. She honestly hadn't considered his feelings in the matter at all. She was so busy feeling disgruntled with the contract, with Dumbledore, with the new issues concerning the tombs, let alone her impending wedding and the plans to go with it, she had lashed out at Draco as if it were his fault. She knew it wasn't his fault; it was hers if it was anyone's and he had been trying. She knew she was stubborn, more than the usual witch if she were being honest with herself.
"It's alright, Granger. I-I don't belong here. Go; spend Yule with your family. I'm sure my parents would be thrilled if I visited them at the Manor." Draco took a step forward, shivering at the sensation of walking through the Burrow's wards.
"Malfoy, wait. Don't go." Hermione grasped his hand, halting his forward progression instantly.
Her fingers laced through his, tugging him lightly as the warmth spread through him. He hated the way his body responded to her slightest touch. He hated the feeling of loss and emptiness which surged through him the moment she moved from him. It wasn't supposed to be like this. They were supposed to be building a friendship and remain good friends who occasionally had to shag. It was most unbecoming for a Malfoy to entertain the very idea of love. He didn't love her. He cared about her, more than he was willing to admit, but love? She could destroy him if he loved her and he wasn't willing to give her such power.
"It's obvious I'm not wanted. It's fine, Granger. You can enjoy a lovely meal with the Weasleys. You can gossip with Stori and Ginny and I'm sure by the end of the evening you'll have forgiven the Weasel and the two of you can curse my very existence." Draco tried to sound bitter, but it fell short even to his own ears.
Hermione realised she had truly hurt him. She'd never seen him in such a state. He wasn't the arrogant, angry man she'd always known. She knew in her deepest heart of hearts, he hadn't been that man in years, but she hadn't wished to entertain the possibilities. She was afraid. Hermione Granger didn't show fear. She barreled through life, shouting instructions and demanding results, yet Draco Malfoy was a different matter. He made her feel unsettled.
Hermione was used to witches and wizards casually tossing insults in her direction. She was used to being doubted and having to prove her worth. She was also used to being disparaged by the wizards she had dated. The idea that of all the witches and wizards she'd ever known, besides Harry and the Weasleys, it was Draco Malfoy being exceedingly kind, confused her. Why would he do that? He couldn't possibly have strong feelings which didn't revolve around revulsion for a Muggleborn witch.
"I'm sorry. Please, come back. We'll...we'll have a chat." Draco stared at their entwined fingers and knew he would return. His father would call him weak, but was it weakness really? Draco knew Lucius would have hung the moon to please Narcissa, was that weakness?
Hermione willed him to look at her. She squeezed his hand, yet still he wouldn't meet her gaze. She inhaled deeply, refusing to flinch when his empty palm stoked her cheek. She took a step toward him, ignoring the cold seeping into her feet. His frigid lips brushed her forehead before he bent toward her ear.
"I-I shouldn't, Granger. I.." Draco sighed with obvious frustration, "I can't bloody resist you." Hermione shifted until her lips brushed his cheek.
"Please." She kissed the corner of his mouth and Draco froze.
"What do you want from me, Granger?" He released her hand to bring his to her face, even as her eyes closed. He stroked her cheekbones, keeping the breadth of space between them, even as he wanted to envelop her in his arms.
"I-I don't know." Neither of them had realised their close proximity until Hermione's words were spoken against his lips. Their breathing was stuttered and nervous as their skin felt warm despite the coldness in the air.
"Figure it out, Granger." Hermione shivered and pressed her lips to his. It was sweet as far as kisses go and Draco appreciated that. His shock kept him from properly responding, which was probably for the best. He didn't relish the idea of devouring his fiancée in the freezing cold in front of her ex-boyfriend's family. He waited for her to break away from him, but she didn't.
Hermione sighed while tugging the lapels of his coat. If someone had asked her why she was desperately snogging Draco Malfoy in the middle of a snowstorm, she wouldn't have had an acceptable answer. She didn't know. It was simply a compulsion she couldn't resist. She was drawn to him. She found his subtle vulnerability endearing. He could get under her skin like no other and the twisted part of her reveled in it. For the first time in her life, she felt as if someone saw her exactly as she was, instead of what they wished her to be.
The snowball smacking the back of Hermione's head, crashing her forehead into Draco's broke them out of their embrace.
"Oi! Wankers!" George Weasley magically hurled a pile of snowballs toward Hermione and Draco, causing them to duck and laugh their way back toward the Burrow.
Victoire and Fleur scurried around the side of the Burrow in a flurry of giggles and flying snow. It didn't take long for Harry and Bill to join in the fray deciding Hermione and Draco should receive the brunt of their frustrations. Hermione squealed, immediately ducking for cover, even as Ron glowered with the garden gnomes.
"Mum! It's Christmas! Why is he here?!" Ron shouted over the peals of laughter as various sized snowballs whizzed past his head.
"Oh Ronald, do shut up!" Molly sent a boulder of snow flying toward her youngest son in the moment before George tackled his mother to the ground.
"Aw, but mummy, Ickle Ronnikins.."
"SHUT UP GEORGE!" Ron tossed a garden gnome at George, his face red with fury as a running Hermione rounded the house with Draco in quick pursuit.
The gnome hit the side of Hermione's face, causing her to lose her footing. Her hands immediately shot out to cradle her fall, when strong arms grasped her from behind and she was twisting in midair. The air rushed from her lungs upon impact as Draco groaned in pain beneath her. Hermione opened her eyes to find Draco grimacing in the cold snow.
"Y-you..you caught me." Hermione's breathless whisper rang in the night air, through the flurries of snow as if it were a shout of wonder.
Draco pushed Hermione's unruly mane off her face and smiled. Hermione tilted her head slightly, stunned by the sight of Draco Malfoy smiling, so used to his customary smirk. Her brown eyes wide with wonder, she shifted as if to move off him, when he lifted his head off the cold, hard ground and captured her lips with his own. They ignored the snort of disgust coming from Ron and the snickers of laughter from the rest of the Weasleys, lost in each other.
Draco didn't care if there was a bloody audience to their impromptu snog session. He nibbled her bottom lip, drawing it between his teeth, sucking lightly. The barest hint of a whimper, perhaps even a gasp, echoed between open mouths and a curtain of golden brown curls. Draco broke away from her pink lips to kiss along her jawline until he reached her earlobe.
"Always." He spoke, with a nibble and a sigh, almost making Hermione forget what words she had spoken.
"Alright you two, that's quite enough. Come along then, you lot! Inside!" Hermione flushed with embarrassment as Arthur Weasley broke through their haze.
Draco kissed Hermione quickly, helping her to feet before pulling her into his arms. Harry clapped him on the back before venturing inside, dragging along a protesting Ron.
"I need you." The words slipped between his lips unexpectedly and he almost mentally cursed himself, until Hermione smiled.
"Later." Her eyes full of promise, Hermione clasped his hand in hers, leading him into the Burrow.
"Ronald, I won't hear another word of it. Hermione is family. Draco is now her family and he's as welcome here as any of you. If you can't be civil, then your father can escort you back to that facility until you suss yourself out proper." Molly slammed a heaping bowl of gravy onto the table, signaling the end of their disagreement.
Ron grumbled incoherently and shot daggers at Draco but sat at the table, piling food onto his plate. There was a collective sigh of relief and if Hermione was correct in her assumptions, several wands were placed back in their pockets.
"So, Malfoy, I hear you've enjoyed sifting through china patterns for your upcoming nuptials?" George grunted, rubbing his side from an errant elbow but smiled congenially anyway.
"Actually, I uhm, sent Narcissa an owl and everything's been chosen. Thank you for reminding me, George." Hermione smiled sweetly, yet her eyes were flashing with a barely concealed rage.
"You did? Honestly? China patterns?" Draco choked on his glass of pumpkin juice.
"Yes. It was down to the Willow and the Diane and I chose the Diane. There shan't be a bit of bloody Slytherin green at our wedding, Draco Malfoy and I informed your mother of such as well."
"Merlin, you went through all those bloody swatches?" Molly smiled serenely, daring any member of her family to disrupt the calm.
"Of course I did. Your mother wanted green and silver and of course your father agreed. As a Gryffindor I couldn't abide such things. I mean, it shouldn't be a bit of a surprise, however, we came to an agreement, though your father was less than pleased."
"Should I be expecting a Howler then?" Draco stared at his plate, pushing his peas to the side. Hermione sighed in exasperation and snatched his plate from between his hands.
"Molly, Draco detests peas." She rolled her eyes and scraped them onto her plate, before adding another dollop of mashed potatoes. "No Malfoy. You shouldn't expect a Howler. It was all very amicable. The colours are blue and silver. I know your affinity for the colour blue and well, silver was a small concession to make. They're very festive in a New Years sort of way."
"The flowers as well?" Draco stared at his plate, wondering when Hermione had discovered his distaste for little, round, green vegetables.
"I hate roses, so we settled on a medley of orchids, white asiatic lilies and pussy willows. I adore pussy willows. They were my favourite as a child because they always made me feel a bit wicked."
"There are only the linens then?"
"Of course not. Simple white linens with silver napkins and blue napkin holders, it's the least outlandish thing we could agree upon. There's also music and the guest list but seeing as I don't know half the witches and wizards on the list, I thought it wouldn't be much trouble for you to go through it? Your mother said she would owl us a copy."
"You're bloody amazing. Have I told you that lately?"
"Not once, Malfoy. Not once." Hermione smirked to Draco's great chagrin and he couldn't resist pecking her lips quickly despite the present company.
The rest of the meal followed with easy conversation which pointedly excluded Ron. He snarled silently beside the crackling fire when Hermione was pulled into Draco's lap. It took every ounce of his self control not to hex the man when Hermione simply laughed instead of slapping him soundly. Bill gave him a none too gentle nudge forcing him to his feet. While Bill remained silent, the message was clear. Ron Weasley was permitted to visit his family on Christmas in order to make amends.
"I have something to say." Ron stared at the ground, pulling on the sleeves of his newest maroon sweater, courtesy of Molly and waited for the chattering to cease.
Draco draped his arms around Hermione's waist, resting his chin on her shoulder and squeezed. He wasn't sure he was going to like anything the Weasel had to say, but for Hermione's sake, he would remain silent.
"I don't remember much of anything the night I visited you, Hermione, but I said some particularly nasty things, so I'm told. I shouldn't have gone to the pub, I know that. I know I have to find new ways to deal with things. The Healers used bigger words than that, but I can't remember them now. It's not important. I only remember having one drink, but seeing as I'm not supposed to have any, I could see how quickly everything went to shit. Sorry, mum. I didn't handle the uhm, the aftermath of the war very well, now did I?" Ron chuckled without mirth, feeling incredibly uncomfortable as all eyes fell on him.
"None of us did, Ron, not really." Hermione's soft voice drew Ron out of his haze and Draco knew the young Weasley would always love her.
"Well, you did alright then, didn't you? You're a Specialist now. I don't know what that is exactly, but I know they created the position just for you. You've always been unique and I've always loved that about you. You're smarter than anyone I've ever met and I knew I was never going to measure up and I think that's why I hated you too.
'Look. I didn't come here to talk about us. There never really was an us before and we tried to make a half arsed sort of go of it but I messed it all up because I couldn't sleep. I didn't know how to let it all go. The only way I could get some bloody relief was if I was completely pissed. Then I started craving it and sometimes I wouldn't even remember how I got home. I was a right bastard, to you, to my family and to myself.
'I've uh, well, I've started this Potion and I can't drink with it. It's an idea from some Muggle treatment. I don't understand it all exactly but the Potion lasts for a month and if I have a drink, I'll wind up incredibly ill. I'd rather not spend my days regurgitating my food and drink. I uh, see a special sort of Healer and St Mungos opened a new sort of ward for witches and wizards with...with...problems like mine.
'I'm not asking you to forgive me. I haven't earned it. Malfoy was right. I was a bit of a git and an utter and complete tosser. I just, well, I wanted my family and friends to know that I'm sorry. I'm trying. I still hate the idea of you marrying Malfoy, Hermione and I'm never going to be bloody friends with him, but I won't hex him. Unless he hexes me first." Ron sat down abruptly with shaking hands. Bill pressed a small amber bottle into his hands and Ron gulped it down greedily.
Hermione and Harry remained silent, stunned by their old friends speech. It was the most they'd ever heard him speak in one sitting unless it revolved around Quidditch or food. Molly smiled with tears in her eyes and embraced her son, squeezing him until he protested.
"Pwesents!" Victoire shouted, tired of listening to the adults talk.
"Mon cheri! Do not bee zo rude." Fleur reprimanded the toddler with a smile, swinging her up into her arms.
"She has a point. Definitely presents." George tossed parcels to his family members and ruffled Victoire's head.
She snorted with disdain yet hugged her parcel with a toothy grin. She spied Hermione across the room and toddled over. Without asking she climbed into Hermione's lap and immediately began swinging her feet.
"NeeNee. Open." Hermione laughed, pulling Victoire's hair off her chubby face and kissed her cheek.
"Auntie NeeNee!" Teddy Lupin wriggled out of his grandmother's arms and rushed Hermione, giving Victoire a shove.
"Teddy. Apologise. That's not how we treat people, now is it?" Teddy pouted, his nose wrinkled in distaste as his hair flared a brilliant red.
"You my NeeNee, no hers." Teddy crossed his arms, shaking his head furiously. Hermione picked Teddy up and settled him on her knee, hugging both children to her tightly.
"Nana! She kill me!" Teddy coughed dramatically until Hermione released him. He laughed while running across the worn wooden floor toward Andromeda Tonks.
Draco swallowed with difficulty. While he had met his Aunt a few times since the end of the war, it always took him a moment to realise Andromeda was most definitely not Bellatrix. The resemblance was uncanny, until she spoke. Her eyes lit with warmth and her voice was honeyed with affection, which was nothing like her deceased sister.
"You're really good with them." Draco tore his eyes away from his laughing aunt, returning his attention to the witch in his lap.
"Well, I've known them practically since they were born. I adore them. I always wanted.." Hermione stopped. She closed her eyes and drew a shaky breath. As an only child she'd always wanted a houseful of children. Of course she'd wanted to be older and secured in her career, but she always saw children in her future. Now however, she saw a Malfoy heir and wondered if she'd ever find a bit of happiness in the life laid out before her.
"My parents always wanted more children. My mum had a bit of difficulty carrying me. She'd lost a few before I finally came along and my father was afraid of losing her, so they never tried to have more. I think it could have been nice to have a sibling or two." Draco's thumb caressed the back of Hermione's hand. He knew children wasn't a subject they had broached, but having seen the light in her eyes while spending those few moments with the toddlers sparked his interest.
"My parents didn't want more children. They barely wanted me. I always wondered what it would be like to have siblings. Being an only child is so incredibly lonely." The bitterness in her words was palpable and he didn't know how to ease her pain. He quickly changed the subject so as to avoid furthering her obvious pain.
"Would you like your presents now or later?"
"I'd like to wait for Molly to open hers first. I have yours stashed in Ginny's room." Hermione never took her eyes off Teddy and Victoire who were dancing around the adults with bits of wrapping in their hair.
"Oh! You didn't! I can't! It's..oh you sweet, sweet girl." Molly clutched her parcel to her breast with a sob of joy.
"It's not just from me, Molly. We all put in." Hermione blushed even as she reveled in Molly's joy.
"Arthur! Can you believe it?! Celestina Warbeck's complete works. Merlin! Are those really? You didn't! They're so expensive!" Molly rifled through the Muggle tissue paper and withdrew a pair of concert tickets before fainting dead away.
"You killed her, Granger." Hermione smacked Draco's arm with a laugh.
"I've listened to her talk about Celestina Warbeck for over a decade. It's about time she bloody well gets to see the woman. She's done so much, for all of us."
"You really love them, don't you?" Hermione nodded, stifling a giggle as Arthur tried to revive Molly.
"I splurged on everyone this year. What's the point of receiving an obscene amount of money from the Ministry if you can't spread it around a bit?"
"What'd you get me, Granger?" Hermione ignored him; instead opening a lumpy parcel which she knew contained another knitted sweater from Molly.
"No, no, Harry! That one is for you and Ron. You must open it together. Stori! Would you smack him?!" Astoria laughed yet smacked her husband about the head at Hermione's request.
"You bought a present for the Weasel? After everything?" Draco hissed into her ear, less than pleased.
"In all honesty, it wasn't my idea. Stori and I had an idea for a present for Harry but it would have been silly for only himself. George suggested making it a joint present and well, he convinced us it would be better for them both. So all three of us split the cost."
"BLOODY HELL!" Harry and Ron shouted together, leaping off the sofa with an envelope in their hands.
"I can't believe it! Chudley Canons! Tickets for the entire season!" Harry and Ron jumped up and down clutching each other's arms.
"Granger, can we...go home now?" He'd never had the camaraderie with someone the way Harry and Ron did with each other. Their exuberance made him feel unsettled, as if something were lacking in his own life and he didn't like to dwell upon such notions.
"I thought you wanted your presents, Malfoy?"
"Can you be my present?" Hermione gasped. Of course it was during a lull in the festivities that Draco had spoken, causing every eye to focus on the couple.
"My NeeNee! No you!" Teddy shouted from across the room, twirling one of Victoire's new dolls by the hair.
"He told you, didn't he Malfoy." Ginny laughed, pulling her new Holyhead Harpies throw around her shoulders.
Hermione slipped out of the room to retrieve the parcels she had set aside for Draco. She was nervous. It wasn't often one had to purchase a present for someone who was so bloody rich they could buy anything they liked. She knew he rarely made practical purchases, so she had started there. Hermione wasn't sure he would appreciate the rabbit fur lined gloves, nor the cashmere scarf in a multiple shades of blue, silver and white, but quite frankly she was tired of seeing him shiver whenever he ventured into the cold.
Harry had informed her Draco had a particular affinity for art. She didn't know his favourite artist or even his favourite piece but after prodding Harry, she had discovered his secret obsession with an old photograph. She had found it creased and worn in the pocket of his cloak. She didn't know how he had gotten it or why he had held onto it. Draco was always scoffing when it came to Muggle technology and yet he carried a Muggle photograph of her.
It had been taken the day Harry and Astoria married. Hermione was walking through a meadow of wildflowers, her golden brown curls tumbling down her back. The cap sleeves of her ivory dress had slipped off her shoulder, baring the smattering of freckles she normally kept hidden. She was holding a large ivory hat in her hands and it trailed over the tops of the poppies. She was smiling in profile, barely looking over her shoulder at whomever had taken the picture.
It hadn't taken her long to find a struggling artist desperate for a commission to put it on canvas for her. While she wasn't fond of her likeness in any form, it evoked an unfamiliar emotion to discover Draco Malfoy had coveted a photograph of her. She was quite nervous to present it to him and rethought her gift while she struggled with the cumbersome package.
"Mione, did you forget you're a witch?" Ron snickered from his place on the floor beside his sister.
Hermione bristled; she never had been fond of the mangling of her name. Even Harry had eventually learned to stop using it, but Ron Weasley was always a bit thick. She clenched her teeth and ignored him.
"You really should stop calling her that, Weasel. She doesn't like it." Draco drawled, twirling his wand between his long fingers.
"Mione! Tell him he's wrong. I've always..."
"He's NOT wrong, Ronald. Perhaps if you'd listened just once of the countless times I'd told you I detested it, but you never did listen to me, did you!" She realised how much anger she still harbored toward Ron while she shrieked at him.
"C'mon then, love, give me my presents." Draco smirked, effectively distracting Hermione before she said things she would later regret.
Harry smiled at him appreciatively before kissing his wife in a way which no one would deem appropriate for present company. Bill hefted a sleeping Victoire in his arms, with Fleur leaning into his shoulder. Molly and Arthur conversed quietly over the Muggle flashlight Hermione had gifted him. Andromeda rocked a sleepy Teddy on her lap while watching her nephew with affection. In that moment, Draco Malfoy felt as if he actually had a real family and it rocked him to his core.
Draco didn't know what to expect as he took in the parcels Hermione placed in his lap. He was particularly interested in the largest parcel leaning against the back of the sofa, but he opened the smallest one first.
"Of course she bought you a book. I win. Give me my galleons!" George smiled broadly, holding out his freckled hand to Harry, Ron and Ginny. They rolled their eyes and plunked their galleons into his waiting hand.
"It's...it's not just any book, you wankers." Draco fingered the leather bound book with reverence. He had been searching for it for years. He had heard rumours that his Godfather had the last copy in existence but hadn't the heart to look through his things.
"What is it then?" Harry perked up, keeping one hand resting on his wive's extended abdomen.
"Potions: Past & Present. The last printing was before I was born. This was the book that changed his life. Well, not his life but it's how he became so accomplished. I've been searching for it for..for...years." Draco sighed as he opened the front cover and gasped. He found himself gazing into warm pools of brown, a smile dancing on the edges of full lips.
"Oh yeah. It's about bloody time you gave that to him, Hermione."
"I told you I was saving it for Christmas when I found it in that box, Harry!"
"Potter, you're...you're alright with this then?" Draco's grey eyes flicked from the inscription to the green eyed wizard in quick succession.
"Absolutely. I was right shit in Potions really. Never had the patience for them. Sorry, Molly."
"Oi! What's it say then?" Ron demanded, his lip curling as the tips of his ears turned red.
"Severus. The journey to the future begins with the past and present. May the path lead you to place where we belong. Love, Lily."
"Why did Mio-uh Hermione have Snape's book? Why did your mum write anything to him?" Ron scratched his head in absolute confusion.
"Ronald. If you paid attention to things beyond Quidditch and your next meal, you'd know the bloody answer. There was a box of Severus' books at Grimmauld Place. Harry gave them to me for safe keeping and we forgot about them. I went through them and discovered this rare text and I asked Harry what he wanted me to do with it. He told me he wasn't interested in any ruddy Potions book considering what happened with the last one. Considering Severus Snape was Draco Malfoy's Godfather we thought it was only appropriate that he should have one of the last remaining copies of a book which helped Severus become the Potions Master he was." Hermione huffed with indignation. Draco carefully turned the pages, studying the tiny writing in the margins. Only Severus Snape would have the audacity to 'improve' tried and true potions.
"Open the others." Hermione prodded with a slight trace of impatience even as Draco shook his head.
"I don't need others."
"Fine, then give me my presents." Draco reached into his pocket and withdrew two small packages. He placed them on the sofa beside him, his eyes finally lifting from the worn pages.
"Don't open the smallest one until you're ready to leave."
"Malfoy, I.."
"Granger, for once, don't argue." Hermione rolled her eyes, picking up the long thin parcel and ripped the paper off. Harry smiled, recognising the box from Draco's personal Gringott's vault.
"My word..." Hermione breathed as she opened the box and spied an exquisite bracelet. She had never seen anything like it. It was obviously hand crafted, perhaps even Goblin made. Circlets of platinum comprised the bracelet, in each cage like orb was a smattering of blue sapphires and each orb was connected by twinkling diamonds. The piece matched her ring perfectly and she was touched by the thoughtfulness.
"Granger, don't...don't cry." Draco whisked the bracelet from the black velvet box and clasped it around her wrist before wiping her tears with his handkerchief.
He never had understood a witch's tears. He ripped off the silver wrapping paper from the parcel remaining in his lap and laughed. His intention had been to distract Hermione yet again and instead he found himself adoring another present.
"You're so bloody practical." Draco slipped his hands into the gloves and was pleasantly surprised to find they fit well. He wondered if she had them specially made. He'd always had such difficulty finding any sort of hand covering to fit him properly and here was Hermione providing him with just that.
"One of us has to be." Hermione sniffed while wiping away the tears which trickled down her cheeks.
"These are fantastic. My parents normally gift me copious amounts of Puddlemore United tickets.." Harry and Ron groaned loudly as Ginny hissed.
"Malfoy.." Hermione carried the largest parcel and set it on the floor before him. Harry thought Draco looked particularly ridiculous sporting a cashmere scarf and rabbit lined gloves while wearing a button down shirt and slacks and shared a look with Ron. The two dissolved in a fit of laughter while Draco pulled the plain brown paper off his final gift.
"Potter. I'm going to bloody Avada you."
"Better men than you have tried and failed, Malfoy!" Harry shouted swinging his glass of firewhisky about until Draco turned the painting toward him.
"Bollocks." Harry snatched his wife from the sofa while simultaneously placing his glass on the wayside table. "Er Molly, Arthur, thanks for having us. Stori's exhausted. It's uh hard work carrying around a baby. Dinner was lovely. Bill! I'm sure I'll see you soon. G'nite then!" Harry dragged his wife to the Floo and with a flourish of green flame, they were gone.
"That wanker."
"D-d-do you not...like it?" Draco whipped his head from where Harry had stood to see Hermione chewing her bottom lip with nervousness.
"I bloody love it, but that's not the point. I nicked that picture from Potter's office when he was going through the ridiculous pile of wedding photos. He was bloody sworn to secrecy and look where it got me. A bloody gorgeous painting, no doubt but.." Draco sighed, raking his fingers through his hair.
"But everyone knows you've fancied her for years; who cares? You're marrying the witch. Go home." George rolled his eyes, finished Harry's drink and clambered up the stairs to his bedroom.
"C'mon then, love. You can open the last one at home." Hermione and Draco were subjected to numerous hugs, kisses and promises of owls before they ventured back to their flat.
"I don't get it." Ron grumbled as he helped clean up the remnants of Christmas dinner.
"What now, Ron?" Bill found himself alone in the kitchen with his youngest brother while they flicked their wands to wash dishes.
"I mean, Hermione and bloody Malfoy. He was a right git in school. He called her Mudblood and made her cry. He almost killed Dumbledore. He let the Death Eaters into Hogwarts..."
"He didn't identify any of you lot at Malfoy Manor in the face of that crazy bitch Bellatrix. He and his family not only provided vital information concerning the remaining Death Eaters but if you remember correctly they defected from Voldemort. There's nothing dishonorable in doing what's necessary to protect your family, Ron and you might well remember that."
"Alright, alright, he's a bloody saint now."
"He's an Auror. He's your best mate's partner and your other mate's fiancé."
"Well yeah, but how did that happen? How did he go from hating her to loving her? It's obvious he loves her and I bloody well hate admitting that. And I thought Hermione was the brightest witch of our age and all that nonsense and she's fallen for him? How did that happen, Bill?" Bill sighed, leaning against the sink basin. He stared out the window for a moment, watching the snow drift through the garden before answering.
"He sees her, Ron."
"What does that mean? I see her. You see her. You'd have to be blind not to see her and if you were blind you'd probably hear her. STOP HITTING ME!"