Disclaimer: the characters do not belong to me, I'm just borrowing them.

Chapter Fifteen - Christmas

It was Christmas morning at The Burrow and the place was a hive of activity. Molly Weasley was busy in the kitchen with help from Adromodea who had arrived early, wanting Teddy to be around as many people as possible, plus he was an early riser.

Narcissa was also helping with the decorations and necessary charms. Due to the increased size of the celebration a marquee had been set up outside so that they could all fit. Harry, Ron and Arthur were setting up the chairs, casting heating charms and generally getting it all set up.

Gradually throughout the morning more and more of the family arrived, with more and more presents appearing under the huge tree Narcissa had had delivered for the occasion. As each person arrived you could hear them gasp as they saw the inside of the marquee. Just as you entered there was a huge U shaped table, taking up almost half the marquee. Behind the table, in the back half of the marquee, there was a huge Christmas tree in one corner, with a mantlepiece and fire in the middle of the wall, with a stocking for everyone. There were also plenty of chairs and sofas around the fireplace where everyone could sit.

It was about 11am when Narcissa asked Harry if he had seen Draco or Hermione.

"Actually no" Harry replied

"Hmmm" Narcissa mused

"I'll go get them" Harry said, trying not to sound concerned, while wondering why his always punctual best friend was running late for something as important as today.

Harry apprated straight into Hermione's kitchen and was surprised by how quiet it was. There was no cup in the sink and the teapot was not on the bench meaning Hermione had not had her morning cup of tea. Moving though her cottage he saw the living room curtains still closed and then Crookshanks sitting in front of her bedroom door.

"Hey Crooks" Harry whispered while bending down to pat the cat "where is she?"

As Harry stood and went to knock on the door, Crookshanks hissed and arched up, hitting Harry with his paw, claws out.

"Ouch" Harry hissed, looking at the cat who was sitting looking at Harry telling him clearly he was not entering the room. Harry sighed, damn cat. Shaking his head, he bent down to talk to the cat, "you need to let me in" he said "she's late and you know she hates to be late".

In response Crookshanks just laid himself down back in front of the door, "its Christmas and everyone's waiting for them and if I don't get them there soon they are going to worry". Crookshanks still refused to move.

On the other side of the door, Draco was stirring and he was sure he could hear someone talking. The more he woke up the more the voice sounded like Potter. He looked down at Hermione who was still sound asleep and curled into his chest and then looked across at the clock on the bedside table. He suddenly realised why Potter was outside the door.

Draco must have moved because Hermione stirred before lifting her head to look at him, "morning" she whispered before leaning up to kiss him.

"Ow, stupid cat, just let me in" Harry shouted.

Hermione pulled back form Draco with a shocked look on her face.

"We're late" he said, indicated to the clock.

"Oh my God" Hermione gasped and was out of bed in a second, flinging open her bedroom door to reveal Harry and Crookshanks staring at each other.

"Oh-my-God-Harry-I'm-so-sorry" Hermione blurted out "we-overslept-and-didn't-realise-the-time-and..."

Draco had walked up behind Hermione, placing his hands on her shoulders and whispered "calm down" in her ear, whilst moving his hands up and down her arms to calm her. Hermione's response was instant, she stopped her rambling and leaned back into Draco

"Go take a shower" he said, while turning her in the direction of the bathroom and giving her a slight push. Hermione nodded and walked towards the bathroom.

Draco turned to Harry, "as Hermione said, we overslept, sorry. I guess we forgot how reliant we are on alarm clocks" he smiled.

"Understandable" Harry replied, still smiling at the way Draco was able to instantly calm his best friend, "I'll go back and let your mum know you are on your way".

Twenty minutes later, Draco and Hermione arrived at The Burrow, presents in hand. "Wow" Hermione gasped as she saw the marquee, "mother always was good at decorating" Draco smiled.

As they made their way into the marquee everyone had started to gather around the fireplace.

"Oh you made it" Ginny smirked, leaving Draco and Hermione to realise that everyone knew they were late and probably why.

"So I didn't set an alarm, shoot me" Hermione smiled, knowing that it was the Weasley way to tease, "its not exactly like we've had many days to sleep in".

"As long as you were sleeping" George joked, wrapping an arm around each one, as everyone else giggled and Hermione turned pink.

"George" Molly said "behave, and leave them be. Its nice to see you dears, I'm sure you enjoyed your restful morning" she continued with a certain smile, as everyone else sniggered.

It was several hours later and the extended Weasley family and guests were still sat around the fireplace in the huge marquee, now fed and content. Presents had been exchanged, with all of the children and grandchildren sporting new Weasley sweaters, Draco and Teddy included.

Narcissa smiled as she watched Draco and Hermione, who were presently curled up in a chair together. She couldn't remember Draco ever looking so happy and content, and she was happy they had managed to have the type of family Christmas she'd always dreamed of having.

"An unexpected pair" Andromeda said quietly as she sat down next to her sister.

Narcissa looked at her and smiled, replying "a well matched pair".

As the sisters were talking they didn't notice the couple watching them, Draco smiling happily at seeing his mother with her family and looking comfortable. It was far removed from any other family event he could remember.

"She deserves it" a voice whispered in his ear "and so do you". He turned to see Hermione smiling at him, before she leaned in to give him a kiss.

"Hey, you had all morning" shouted George, getting everyone's attention and making Draco and Hermione both blush at being the centre of attention.

"Now all of you are listening, can you please make your way outside, I have some Weasley Wizarding Whizbang's awaiting your attention" George concluded with a flourish.

Everyone gathered outside, smiling and excited for the display, and George did not disappoint. After the amazing display put on by George, everyone started to head home, loaded with presents and leftovers.

Draco made his way over to Narcissa, "are you ready to go home Mother?" he asked, as she was helping collect up Teddy's presents for Andromeda. Narcissa turned to him smiling, "your coming home?, I presumed you would be going to Hermione's?"

Draco blushed again, "don't think I didn't notice that there was a present missing from Hermione's pile".

"I was going to give it to her this morning but we slept in" Draco explained, before taking a deep breath and saying "I told her everything last night, everything I did, everything I saw".

Narcissa hugged her son, knowing how hard that would have been for him. Even she didn't know everything he had been subjected to, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to be. "Go home Draco" she whispered "Home with Hermione".

Draco looked at his mother, and she nodded her head slightly, indicating that she would be ok, "I'm staying at Andromeda's tonight". He smiled before kissing her cheek and heading off to find Hermione.

Hermione was saying goodbye to Mr Weasley when Draco found her. "Aah Draco" Arthur said as he approached, putting his arm around Draco "do me a favour and make sure my little girl here gets enough rest, she looks worn out. I know she doesn't like being told what to do, but I have a feeling you might get away with it". He then kissed Hermione on her head before walking away.

Hermione was blushing slightly, she knew Mr Weasley was as protective over her and he was Ginny, but she'd never experienced him being a dad to her boyfriend.

"Well that sounds like I am to take you home to bed" he smiled, pulling Hermione into his arms, "and as my mother is abandoning me for her sister and great-nephew I think that's a great idea".

Hermione smiled up at him, and whispered "lets go", before pulling Draco's hand so that they could go say their goodbyes.

Once they were back at Hermione's cottage, Crookshanks was fed and Hermione headed into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Draco used this opportunity to pull out Hermione's real present. He'd given her a first edition of Hogwarts a History at the Burrow, but given it had lived in the Malfoy library for years he didn't class it as a present. Narcissa had easily agreed that Hermione would appreciate it more than it sitting on a shelf never to be read.

Draco moved into the bedroom before quickly changing into his pajama pants and sitting on the bed, his back against the headboard, fiddling with the box in his hand. He was suddenly nervous, and double guessing himself about whether Hermione would like it.

Before he could hide it again, Hermione came in wrapped in her dressing gown. She wandered over to the bed and said "what have you got there?" as she kneeled down in front of him.

Draco had been so lost in thought he hadn't heard her enter. He looked up at her and smiled, "your Christmas present" he replied.

"But you gave me..."

"I gave you a book that had been sitting in my family's library for years unloved and unread. This, this is something I bought for you. Something special".

He handed her the box, and Hermione gently opened the box to reveal a diamond encrusted heart on a beautiful thin white gold chain. It was breathtaking and elegant.

Draco moved so that he was kneeling before her, placing his hands on hers around the box. "I was going to tell you this morning that I love you, and that you have my heart, and I wanted it to be with you always, but last night..."

"Its perfect" Hermione interrupted, "I love it and I love you" she finished, before leaning forward to kiss him. Draco took the box from her hand and removed the chain, signaling for her to turn around, which she did so that he could lay it around her neck.

After fastening the clasp, Draco kissed the back of her neck before whispering "I love you". Hermione leaned back into Draco and whispered "I love you too" back.

They lay there for a few minutes just enjoying being together, before Draco said "come on, into bed before you fall asleep".

Hermione smiled as she moved away from him, "mmm, best give you your present too then" she smirked as she stood up and moved just away from the bed, dropping her dressing gown to reveal an emerald green neglige.

"I love you Draco Malfoy, and tonight I am going to show you just how much", she smiled as she moved towards him. It was less than a heartbeat later when Draco had her in his arms kissing her, and showing her just how much he loved her too.


AN: ok, so this chapter ended up a bit lemony but that can sometimes be a good thing :)

Graduation is up next, and then who knows...any ideas welcome