Chapter 16

Draco strolled down the corridor with Owen in his arms. He told Hermione that he would be going to visit Pansy for a while because there was something important he needed to discuss with her. He was about to leave when Hermione asked if he could take Owen with him since Eleina is napping and she wanted to nap as well. Draco wanted to say no, but of course he gave in and agreed to take Owen with him.

"Where are we going, daddy?" Owen asked. "Can we go play outside in the snow?"

"Not right now. We're going to visit Aunt Pansy."

"Can we play in the snow after?"

"Maybe…but you have to ask mommy first."

"But she's going to say no." Owen said with a pout. Draco couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"Well then, sorry, but if mommy says no then it's a no."

"But if you say yes, then it's a yes!"

"Unfortunately it doesn't work like that. We don't want mommy getting mad at us, do we?"

Owen shook his head ferociously.

"Then whatever she says we have to follow." Draco concluded as they reach the Potter's room. He walked into room to find Harry sitting on the couch reading the Daily Prophet. He looked around for Pansy, but she was nowhere in sight. Draco opened his mouth to say something, but Harry beat him to it.

"Pansy's upstairs with Isabelle." Harry said without even glancing at Draco.

"Thanks, Potter." Draco drawled.

"Thanks, Potter." Owen mimicked.

Harry looked up surprised. He hadn't noticed Owen in Draco's arms when he sensed Draco walking in. It was rude what Owen called him, but he smiled anyways.

"Owen, that was not very polite." Draco told his son, although he too thought it was pretty funny that Owen called him Potter. He felt somewhat proud and wanted to smile, but he knew he had to set a good example. "Apologize to Uncle Harry."

"Sorry, Uncle Hawwy." Owen apologized with a sad look on his face.

"It's all right, Owen. Don't worry about it." Harry smiled, causing Owen to have a smile of his own.

Draco walked up the stairs and into Isabelle's room. He found Pansy scrambling through her book bag for something while Isabelle sat on the floor playing with some dolls. He knocked on the door lightly to let Pansy know that someone was coming in. She looked up and smiled when she saw Draco with Owen and dropped her book bag onto the couch as she approached the two.

"Hey Draco." Pansy greeted, but he eyes were locked on Owen. "Hello, little Owen! Oh my, you are such a big boy now! Did you come to visit Aunt Pansy?" She reached her arms and plucked Owen from Draco to hold him in her arms.

"Hi Aunt Pansy! You look lovely today." Owen said.

"Aren't you the little charmer?" Pansy laughed.

"Learned from his father." Draco joined in.

"I'm sure he did." Pansy grinned. "So, what brings you two here?"

"I wanted to ask you something."

Pansy placed Owen on the floor next to Isabelle. "Hey Izzy, play with baby Owen while mommy speaks to uncle Draco, okay?"

Isabelle nodded her had and smiled as she gave Owen some toys.

"What's on your mind, Draco?" Pansy asked and sat down on the couch. She patted the space next to her, indicating that she wanted Draco to sit. He walked over and sat down.

"I need your help with something."

"Oh? What is it?" Pansy asked with raised eyes.

"I need you to help me pick a Christmas gift for Hermione."

"You want me to help you pick a gift for a girl that I barely even know anything about? Shouldn't you be asking Potter or Weasley to help you?"

"Well, I thought that since Hermione is a girl and you're a girl, you would know what kind of stuff she would like."

Pansy let out a laugh.

"Just because we're both girls doesn't mean we like the same things, Draco."

"So, you're not going to help me?" Draco questioned, but it came out more like a statement than anything.

"I don't know anything about her, Draco! Except that she's a bookworm, maybe you can buy her some books."

"That's so original and thoughtful, Pans." Draco said sarcastically.

Pansy rolled her eyes at him. "It was just a suggestion…and it's not like she doesn't. Everyone knows that the girl loves to read."

"Yes, well then they can get her books, but I'm not going to."

"How about some new robes or…maybe jewelry? Every girl loves jewelry. I love jewelry." Pansy paused for a moment. "By the way, what are you getting me for Christmas?"

"Nothing."

"What?! But I'm your best friend!" Pansy exclaimed with a hurtful look on her face.

"Relax, Pansy, I was just kidding. Of course I'll be getting you a gift, like I do every year. And like every year I'm not going to tell you. You'll just have to find out the day of."

"Fine, but I'm just putting it out there that I like jewels."

"Yes, I know that." Draco laughed. "Now, can we get back to the subject of Hermione?"

Pansy stopped for a moment to think. "I'm sorry, Draco, but I really don't have any other suggestions."

Draco sighed. "It's okay, I kind of had a feeling this would happen. I'll just continue thinking about it myself."

"I'm sure you'll think of something great. You always do."

"Daddy, what's chwismas?" Owen asked, getting up from the floor and running over to Draco.

"It's a holiday, sweetheart." Pansy answered for him. "For Christmas, everyone exchange gifts with their friends and family."

"But why?"

Draco and Pansy looked at each other, both of them not knowing the answer two that.

"No one knows why. We just…do." Draco answered, hoping that it would be a good enough answer.

"Okay!" Owen said and ran off to play with Isabelle again.

Draco and Pansy couldn't help but let out a laugh at the little boy.

"What were you doing before we walked in? You looked like you were trying to fish something out of your bag." Draco said.

"Oh! Thanks for reminding me." Pansy jumped up from her seat and grabbed her bag. "Could you watch Isabelle while I run to get my potions book from the classroom real quick?"

"Actually, Owen and I have to get going. Hermione is probably wondering why we're here for so long."

That was a lie. Hermione was probably still napping, but Draco did not feel like babysitting today even if it was just for a few minutes, in fact he hoped to never have to babysit.

"You've only been here for twenty minutes, Draco." Pansy said with narrowed eyes.

"Really? It felt longer, well we have to get going anyways. Sorry Pans." Draco walked over and picked Owen up in his arms. "See you later, Izzy."

"Bye, Uncle Draco! Bye Owen!" Isabelle waved and turned her attention back to her toys.

"Potter's down stairs, you should ask him to look after his own daughter." Draco said over his shoulder before leaving the room.

Pansy shook her had at him, but smiled in spite of it. "Come on, Izzy, let's see what your father is up to."

"When can we go outside to play in the snow?" Owen asked.

"A little bit later, not right now." Hermione replied.

After Draco and Owen returned from their visit to the Potter's, Owen had asked Hermione if they could go outside to play, despite Draco's warning. He had expected Hermione to say no, of course, with what happened before. But surprising she had agreed to it.

"Mommy, why are you planting the tree next to the window?" Eleina asked as she sat on the couch along with Owen.

"It's so small! It's a baby tree!" Owen chimed in.

"I'm not planting a tree, sweetie, I'm just putting it here in celebration of Christmas. Remember how I explained it to you before?" Hermione replied.

"Oh, we get to put things on the tree!" Owen exclaimed and started bouncing on the couch from excitement causing his sister to follow.

Hermione smiled at them and turned her attention back to placing the tree just the way she wanted it. It had to be at the right spot at the right angle. Draco walked in a few minutes later with a box of decorations and a look of annoyance on his face. He placed the box on the floor next to the tree and stood up to stretch. Once the box was settled on the floor, Owen and Eleina took no time to rush over and start rummaging through it, throwing everything out onto the floor.

"Don't make a mess, please." Hermione called from behind the tree.

"Honestly Hermione, couldn't we just us magic to decorate the Christmas tree? It'll take all day, if we don't."

"Don't be silly, Draco. The tree is barely three feet tall and there are four of us. It is not going to take all day to decorate it."

"Why do we have to hand put every single thing on there?"

"Because it's more fun this way and I'm sure Owen and Eleina will love decorating the tree themselves. They are too young to do magic so this is how we will do it." Hermione explained, beginning to get a little irritated at him.

"Fine, fine." Draco put his hand up in defeat, not wanting to get into an argument when this was supposed to be a fun bonding time, the way Hermione called it.

Half an hour later, the tree was almost finished with the only thing missing is the star at the top of the tree. Draco didn't want to admit it, but decorating without magic wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. He even found himself enjoying it most of the time. He loved watching how much fun and how happy Owen and Eleina looked when they would place an ornament on one of the branches. Him and Hermione would share a smile with each other when one of the little ones would let out a joyous laugh.

"Alright, who wants to be the one to put the star at the top?" Hermione asked, looking down at her kids, but as soon as she did she regretted it.

"I do! I do!" Eleina exclaimed jumping up and down with her hand raised in the air as high as she could reach.

"Me! Me!" Owen shouted, also jumping up and down with a raised hand.

"No, I'm doing it!" Eleina yelled at Owen.

"No, I am!" Owen argued back.

"No, you're not!"

"Yes, I am!"

Before Hermione and Draco could even get the chance to stop their fight, Eleina reached back and slapped her brother on the arm. Owen, who was surprised at the attack, started crying out loudly, but that didn't stop him from hitting his sister back causing her to cry also. The two then began to hit each other back and forth.

Hermione's eyes went wide at the situation in front of her, shocked out how violent the two acted towards each other. Draco, on the other hand, was angered by their behavior.

"Stop!" Draco called out in a loud and strict voice causing both of them to stop crying and hitting at once. "You two are in really big trouble and neither of you will be putting the star at the top of the tree."

"Owen started it!"

"Eleina hit me first!"

"Enough!" Draco was beginning to get really frustrated and had to restrain himself from going overboard. "We never ever hit another person, especially if they are your sister or brother or anyone else you are related to. It doesn't matter who did what first. You both hit each other and you both are in trouble for it."

"But, daddy…" Eleina tried.

Draco just shook his head with a frown still on his face.

"Mommy?" Owen looked to Hermione.

"I agree with your father. You two know better than to hit each other." Hermione finally said and with a flick of her wand, the star floated up and settled itself on top of the tree. And another flick caused the whole tree to light up.

All was forgotten as the bright lights illuminated the whole room with its divine colors. Little gasps could be heard from Owen and Eleina when they watch the lights dance around the tree. The ornaments spun around in their own accord, dancing along with the lights. The angel ornaments flew around the tree and landing in different spots, but always coming back to their original place. It was quite the magical Christmas tree. Hermione smiled at their finished tree. Draco, unknowingly, was smiling too.

"It's so pretty!" Eleina exclaimed. "It's my favorite thing ever!"

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Hermione ran up to the bedroom and came out a few seconds later with three wrapped presents in her arms. She placed them under the tree and brushed her hands together, satisfied.

"Are those for us?" Owen asked.

"Yes, but you may not open them until Christmas Day." Hermione answered, and then turned to Draco. "Did you get your gifts yet?"

"Oh, um, almost." Draco replied. It was the truth, he did have Owen and Eleina's gifts, but he still hadn't even thought of what he would be getting Hermione.

"Well, place them under the tree when you do."

Draco nodded his head and helped Hermione clean up the left over decorations, putting them back in the box.

"Can we go play in the snow now?" Owen asked, that thought never left his mind.

"No, you two are still in trouble, remember?" Hermione reminded them. "As your punishment, we will not be going out to play in the snow."

Owen and Eleina both open their mouths to protest, but Draco wouldn't allow it.

"Don't even start…" Draco said to them and they both shut their mouths quick.

"It's dinner then straight to bed." Hermione added.

The two kids pouted as Draco and Hermione each grabbed one of their hands and began to walk to the Great Hall for dinner. They pouted the whole way through, not saying a single word. When they arrived at the Great Hall and sat down at their usual table, they were greeted with Harry, Pansy, Ron, Millicent, and their children already eating and chatting.

"Hey Hermione, Pansy and I are throwing a Christmas Eve party. We'd love for you and Malfoy to come. Bring the little ones, of course." Harry said once they settled down at the table.

"Of course we'll be there!" Hermione replied. She looked over to Owen and Eleina, but they still had their pouts attached.

"What's with the long faces?" Ron asked.

"They're upset because they got in trouble and are no longer aloud to play outside. It's straight to bed after dinner." Hermione informed him, while she scooped food onto Owen and Eleina's plates. "Eat." She told them and began to gather her own dinner.

Ron leaned in close to Owen, who was sitting next to him, and whispered into his ear. "Don't let mommy put you down. She can be really mean sometimes, I know from first hand experience. Uncle Ron will take you and your sister out to play later, okay?"

Owen's face suddenly lit up. He nodded happily and began to eat his dinner with a smile on his face. Ron sat back straight and smiled down at the happy little boy. Little did he know that Hermione heard it all.

"Nice try, Ron, but if you even think about going against my parenting rules, then Owen and Eleina won't be the only ones who are going to be in trouble with me." Hermione said without even glancing up from her dinner.

"Sorry, mate." Ron said to Owen and they both ate dinner with a frown on their faces.

After dinner, everyone bid their goodnights. All the other families were going outside to enjoy some time in the snow, but the Malfoy's had other plans. Hermione bathed Owen and Eleina while Draco gathered their pajamas. When bath time was done, Hermione and Draco carried their kids into the bedroom to tuck them in. But right when Owen and Eleina were set in bed they rushed to the window and pressed their little hands and faces on it to look out at the other kids playing in the snow.

"What are you two doing?" Hermione asked, as she sat on Eleina's bed. They both turned around and gave her and Draco the saddest look they could possibly put on their little faces and turned back around to look out the window, again.

"That's not going to work with us." Draco commented.

"Can't we stay up? We're not even tired." Owen said.

"Yeah, we'll stay inside and play. I don't want to sleep yet." Eleina added.

"I'm sorry, but we can't let you off without any punishment for your bad behaviors." Hermione said strictly.

They pretended not to hear and continued to stare out the window.

"Bed time, now." Draco ordered and walked over to them so that they got the message loud and clear.

"You're mean!" Both of the kids cried and ran over to their beds, clearly upset over this.

"I've heard worse." Draco mumbled as he walked over to tuck them in.

They wouldn't have any of it and every time Draco and Hermione tried to lean down to kiss them on the cheek they would turn away. Draco just shook his head at them and got up to turn off the lights, Hermione trailing behind him and closed the door as they stepped into the hallway. She turned around to stare at the closed door, her shoulders slightly slumped.

"Don't worry about them, Hermione. They'll fall asleep soon and forget about the whole thing." Draco comforted and placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and nodded at him before going into their own bed room.

Hermione slipped into bed as Draco did the same. They laid in silence for a while when Hermione tossed in her bed and sighed.

"Are you still thinking about them?" Draco asked in the dark from across the room.

"Yes." Came a quiet reply.

"They're just upset right now, but they'll get over it and tomorrow will be another day."

"No, it's not that. I...I'm just thinking about not being able to see them anymore. Draco, after a few more weeks we won't have them anymore and...I don't think I'm ready to let them go just yet." Hermione confessed, a slight pain in her heart as she said this.

"It's going to be difficult for all of us, Hermione. But we'll get through it, I promise. We'll get through it together." Draco said sincerely.

Hermione nodded even though Draco couldn't see it. "Thanks, Draco."

"Anytime."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Hermione."

Draco closed his eyes, looking for a good night's sleep, but right before he fell into a deep slumber he finally figured out what he would be getting Hermione for Christmas.

A/N: I am soo sorry I haven't updated this story in months! I've been having a horrible writer's block and could never find the time to sit down and actually write. But I do plan to finish up this fic because I don't want to disappoint you guys. Hopefully I can finish up soon so that you don't have to wait so long for the next chapter. So sorry again, and thank you for continuing to read and review this fic!

-CHIBZ