Chapter 18
"Wow, this looks amazing." Hermione commented as she walked into Harry and Pansy's dorm.
The whole living room and kitchen was decorated with Christmas lights and décor. There were snowflakes falling from the ceiling that disappeared before they got the chance to hit the ground. The fireplace was lit and roaring with delight and the flames danced around with excitement. The dining table was filled with all kinds of refreshments. Most of the couples had already arrived and were already mingling with others. There was a dance floor in the middle of the living room where most of the students were having a fun time.
Hermione looked around for Draco, but couldn't spot his blonde hair anywhere. She sighed and hoped that he didn't decide to skip the party all together.
"Glad you like it. I worked really hard decorating all afternoon." Harry said as he handed Hermione a butterbeer. She smiled her thanks and took a sip.
"Excuse me, did I just hear you say that you worked really hard?" Pansy asked, walking up to them with Isabelle in her arms. Harry opened his mouth to respond, but Pansy was quicker. "If you call sitting on the sofa the whole time complaining that it this is so boring, 'working hard'."
Hermione let out a laugh, which almost ended up with butterbeer coming out of her nose.
"You made me sit there for two hours untangling all those lights! And it was boring!" Harry defended.
Pansy shook her head at him and turned to Hermione. "Where are Owen and Eleina?"
"They are around somewhere. They ran off with Ron's kids once we walked in."
Pansy nodded her head and looked around. "And Draco?"
"I'm not sure where he is." Hermione shrugged and she, too, looked around some more for Draco.
"Speak of the devil." Harry said and pointed to the entrance of the dorm.
Pansy and Hermione both turned to the door to see Draco strolling in with a smirk on his face.
What is he smirking about? Hermione thought to herself with a frown on her face.
"Good evening! Wow, this party is really something. Nice what you've done with the place." Draco greeted them, which made Hermione's frown deepen. Oh, he's definitely got something up his sleeve.
"What's up with you?" Harry asked; one eyebrow arched in a way that showed he was confused by Draco's behavior.
"What?" Draco asked back, a little offended. "What did I do now? I just barely walked in here!"
"Why are you so…chipper?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I've never seen you like this." Pansy added.
"It's Christmas Eve, people! The question is why are you three not." Draco said with is eyebrows raised at them.
"Alright, no more butterbeer for you Mr. Malfoy." Hermione said sternly. "I can see that you've already had your fair share."
"I haven't drunk any butterbeer, yet. Lighten up, will you?"
And with that Draco walked off, criss-crossing through the crowd of people. Hermione's frown deepened and decided to follow him. She almost lost him a couple times in the crowd since he kept going around people and switching direction, and everyone dancing was in her way, but good thing his blond hair stood out.
He was acting absolutely out of character. Although he denied it, Hermione had a feeling he had drank too much butter beer. Why else would he be acting so…giddy? She finally saw him stop when he reached the side and was about to get to him when she saw him fall to the ground. Or so she thought. Hermione's eyes widened and she rushed over to him, pushing everyone out of the way, not caring that she was being rude.
When Hermione reached him, she was relieved to find out that he didn't fall or worse, faint, but he was kneeling down, talking with Owen and Eleina.
"Remember, don't tell mommy." Draco said to the two children. "Shh…"
The two children nodded quickly at their father's order.
"Don't tell mommy what?" Hermione asked, coming around and standing behind Owen and Eleina. She put her hands to her hips and looked at the kids with questioning eyes.
"None of your business, Miss Nosy." Draco answered, as he stood back up.
"I wasn't asking you." Hermione answered back and she kept her eyes on the little ones. "What did your father tell you that he doesn't want me to know?"
The two children looked back and forth from Hermione to Draco, neither one knowing what to say. Either way, they knew they would be disobeying one of their parents and they knew they would probably end up getting in trouble for it. Tears were starting to form in their little eyes.
"Look, now you've gone and made them upset. This is supposed to be a fun party, Hermione." Draco said and kneeled down to embrace Owen and Eleina. "It's okay, sweethearts. You don't have to say anything. Now, go run along and find something to play with."
The two children wiped away the tears that had slipped from their eyes and nodded as they ran off to find the other kids to play with. Draco stood back up and was ready to walk away when Hermione grabbed his arm.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Granger, let go of me. I'm going to go and enjoy the party, which you should be doing, too."
"Not until you tell me what you had told Owen and Eleina earlier not to tell me."
"No, I'm not going to tell you. Why do you have to know everything?"
"Because!"
"Not good enough, Granger. Now, let go!" Draco pulled his arm from Hermione forcefully.
Hermione, who was holding tightly and didn't think he would pull so hard, stumbled forward…right into Draco. Draco, with his quick reflex, wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist to keep her from falling and took a couple of steps backwards so that he wouldn't fall backwards.
Yet again, they found themselves in a situation they were all too familiar with. Face inches apart from each other. Eyes locked on one another. Neither one of them spoke. The only movement was from their breathing and the pounding of their hearts as both of their hearts started to race to an incredible speed. It seemed as if time stood still and everyone that had been dancing around them stopped.
Suddenly, the sound of two people snickering could be heard from the side of them. Hermione broke their stare and looked over to see Harry and Pansy watching them with smirks on their faces. She could feel her face getting red and looked away.
"What are you two so amused with?" Draco asked, with a slightly irritated tone.
Harry and Pansy said nothing, but instead both pointed up to the ceiling. Hermione and Draco looked up to find mistletoe spinning around right above their heads. Hermione didn't know if her face could get and brighter.
Draco looked at her, saw how she got so embarrassed and was about to ask her if she wanted to walk away when he got the surprise of a lifetime. In a swift move, Hermione cupped his cheeks with her hands, pulled him towards her and planted a kiss right on his lips. Draco, who's arms never left Hermione's waist, tightened as he pulled her closer to him and deepened the kiss.
Hermione felt a rush that she had never felt before. It was absolutely sensational. But just as quick as it happened, it stopped. They pulled away from each other slowly and Hermione looked up at him to find that his eyes were already fixed on her. She let a small grin form on her face just long enough so that he could see it before she took it back and walked away. Draco just stood where he was, watching her walk away from him. Just a few seconds after Hermione walked off, Pansy strolled over to stand next to Draco, with a sly grin on her face, also looking off to the crowd.
"Well, well, well. Look who got lucky there." Pansy commented, without looking at her best friend.
Draco couldn't help but smirk. He was hoping he'd get a chance to kiss Hermione that night, but he didn't think it would be that easy. And she also forgot that she was angry with him for not telling her what he said to Owen and Eleina. What luck he had, indeed…
"Did I just see what I think I just saw?" Ron asked Hermione. He approached her just as she grabbed a cup of pumpkin juice from the refreshment table and took a huge gulp and swallowed.
After that kiss she gave Draco, for some reason, she felt really thirsty, as if her throat was really dry. She gave him the impression that she was calm and collected afterward, but in reality she was about to sweat a river and her vision was a little foggy, like she was in a daze. But no matter the feelings Hermione got after the kiss, she knew one thing was certain…she enjoyed it.
"What did you just see, Ron?" Hermione asked him and placed the now empty cup back on to the table. That was a silly question. She knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Well, I think I just saw you and Malfoy over there snogging."
"Hm…"Hermione pretended as if she was thinking and put her finger up to her chin. "I just gave him a kiss, but yes I think you did see what you think you saw."
Ron's eyes went wide at her response. "Since when did you and Malfoy become so friendly? No wait, friends don't just kiss each other in front of everyone. Are you two…more than friends?"
"No…"
"Did he take advantage of you, Hermione? Cause if he did I'm going to go over there and knock his teeth in! I'll do it! You just say the word and I'll march over ther…"
"Ron! Calm down. He did not take advantage of me. If anything, I was the one who started the kiss."
Ron's mouth dropped. "Hermione, wha…why?"
"Oh, pick up your mouth from the floor. We were standing under mistletoe, that's all. Don't get your knickers all twisted."
"You fancy him don't you? You wouldn't have done it if you didn't."
"I don't know." Hermione sighed. "Sometimes, I do…feel something for him, but then I think that the only reason I do is because we have Owen and Eleina. We share some sort of bond through that. But once they leave us, we won't have to live with each other anymore, we won't have to even see each other anymore and I don't know what will happen."
"Hermione, if there is something there, if you feel something for him and he feels the same way about you. It won't matter whether Owen and Eleina are here with you. It won't matter that you will no longer be living together. You two will find ways to see each other. You two will be able to work it out."
Hermione smiled. "Wow, Ron. Did you really just say all that?"
"Yea, I guess I did." Ron scratched the back of his head, surprised at himself, and let out a laugh.
"Well, I'm glad you did. I seriously thought you'd go mad from just the mere thought of us being…more than friends."
"Hermione…you're right. I would." Ron said and Hermione frowned. "But if you're happy, then I'm happy. I love you, Hermione. You know, like in a best friend sort of way, not the other way. That would be to awkward and I don't love you in that wa…"
"I get it, Ron. Love you, too." Hermione laughed.
Ron smiled at her and pulled her in for a hug.
"Wow, Hermione. You're showing everyone some love except me!"
The two of them let go of their hug and turned around to see Harry walking up to them with a playful pout on his face.
"Aw, get over here, mate." Ron said and put his arm over Harry's shoulder to drag him over and gave him a big hug. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at her best friends.
"Okay, okay. Thank you, Ron." Harry pulled out of Ron's tight grip. "Hermione, I was just coming over here to congratulate you on your kiss with Malfoy."
"Not you too, Harry. I just had this conversation with Ron." Hermione groaned. "Wait, you and Pansy had nothing to do with the mistletoe being there, did you?"
"Of course not." Harry replied, with a smirk on his face. And Hermione knew.
"Harry Potter, I'm going to get you for that!" Hermione exclaimed as she lunged herself at him. But instead of tackling him, she wrapped her arms around him, giving him a hug instead. Harry smiled and returned the hug.
"Now I feel left out…" Ron commented sadly. Hermione rolled her eyes and put each of her arms around both boys, standing in the middle of them. The three stood together and laughed together.
"This is the best day ever!" Eleina exclaimed as she jumped on the couch.
"I love Chwistmas!" Owen added, as he joined his sister on the couch.
Hermione had just informed them that they would be opening presents before going to bed since they had been so behaved at the Christmas party. The two kids' faces practically beamed with happiness when they found out that not only did they get to stay up way past their usual bedtime, but also they got to open presents. They didn't know what Christmas was and didn't fully understand what it meant, but they didn't really care!
"I wish it was Chwistmas everyday!" Eleina said and plopped down on the couch.
"Can I open my presents first?" Owen asked, as he jumped off the couch and ran over to Draco and Hermione, who were standing a few feet away.
"No, I want to go first!" Eleina also ran over to them.
The two were about to start arguing again, but remembered what happened the last times that they got in a fight and didn't want to get in trouble again. Then they wouldn't be able to open any presents!
"Alright, I know how to settle this." Draco said. "You two may open your presents at the same time."
The two children looked at each other and back at their parents who were smiling down at them.
"Well, what are you two waiting for? Go! Open them!" Hermione said with a little laugh.
Owen and Eleina, with the okay from their mother, rushed over to the tree and started to grab every present in site, even ones that weren't theirs.
"Whoa, slow down. Hold on one minute!" Draco said quickly and marched over to them. "We are going to do this in a more organized manner. Owen you go sit over there and Eleina, you on the other side."
The two kids got up quickly and ran over to their places. Both sat down, legs-crossed, and quietly, trying to show their parents that they were on their best behavior. Hermione and Draco handed them their presents one at time.
After about an hour of unwrapping presents and loads of new toys all over the living room floor, with breaks in between each gift so they could play with all their new toys, it was time for little ones to go to bed. They were both tired and would yawn every fifteen minutes, but they were so happy to have new toys that they wanted to continue to play with them.
"Okay, you two, time for bed." Hermione announced.
"No, I'm not even..*yawn*..sleepy." Owen responded as he rubbed his eyes with his small hand. Eleina's eyes were slowly drooping and she was about to fall over, as she was about to fall asleep.
"There will be time to play with your new toys tomorrow." Draco said and pulled Eleina into his arms and Hermione carried Owen. Even before they reached the children's room, the two kids had fallen asleep. After tucking them in and giving them kisses, Draco and Hermione went back into their own bedroom to get ready to have a good night's sleep.
"Wait!" Hermione suddenly said as she stood up from her bed and ran downstairs. A confused look came across Draco's face as he watched her run out of the room and in a matter of seconds he heard her running back upstairs and into their room with a beautifully wrapped present in her hand.
"You didn't open your present, yet." She told him and stuck the gift out in front of her for him to take. "It's from the kids…but mainly from me."
Draco took it from her and sat down on his bed to open his gift. It was quite big and he wondered what it was. As he started to unwrap it he could tell that the outer part was some sort of frame and when he took the all wrapping off he saw that it was a painted portrait of him and Hermione along with Owen and Eleina.
"I painted it myself." Hermione said after a moment of silence. "I wanted it to be original and more from me, personally. Oh, and the kids did help me out. Well, sort of. I let them put each of their hand prints on the bottom of the painting next to my signature."
"I never knew you are the artistic type." Draco commented.
"I only paint sometimes, when I get some sort of inspiration. It's okay if you don't like it. I know you're probably not use to getting something like this."
And Hermione was right. Draco wasn't use to getting something so personal like this, something that was so meaningful to him. The picture of the four of them together like a real family, a happy family who love and adore one another, something Draco never imagined he'd ever be a part of…and it definitely meant a lot to him. He finally knew what it felt like to be a part of family and he'd always of something to cherish. This gift from Hermione only confirmed it. He didn't expect a gift like this and surprisingly, especially to himself, he loved it.
"No, Granger. This is the best gift I've gotten. Thank you."
Hermione could only smile at his response. She didn't know whether or not he would appreciate her gift. After all, he is a Malfoy and Malfoys can pretty much afford anything they ever wanted. That's why she wanted to get him something that she knew he wouldn't be able to find for sale, something that was specifically from her and no one else could've given it to him. She had never painted something like this for anyone before except her parents and was a little nervous to see what his reaction would be, but was absolutely thrilled to hear that he actually liked it.
"Oh, and you have to open mine." Draco added. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small squared box.
"You got me something?" Hermione was surprised when he handed her the small gift. When she checked the presents under the tree earlier and found that there wasn't one for her from him, she had thought that he probably forgot or just didn't get her anything.
"Of course I got you something. Did you think I wouldn't?"
"Well, I didn't see it under the tree and I thou…"
"Oh, so you've been on the lookout for it. I see…"
"I was not! I just didn't see it earlier when we were opening our other gifts."
"I never got the chance to place it under the tree." He informed her. "So go ahead and open it.
Hermione opened the box and inside she found a golden heart shaped necklace. A gasp escaped her mouth as she took the necklace out of the box and placed it in the palm of her hand. The filigree around the heart was beautiful and she loved the antique look that it had.
"I didn't know what to get you, so I went over to Pansy's to ask her for some advice. Some help she was." He mumbled the last part to himself. "It's actually a locket."
Hermione looked at him, then back at the locket. She ran her fingers along the outer rim.
"Open it." Draco told her.
As soon as Hermione opened the locket, a bright light beamed from the inside and then right in front of her eyes there was a small hologram of Owen and Eleina standing on the inside of the locket. Both of their smiling faces were looking straight at her and waving happily. She didn't think it could get any better, but then they started to speak.
"I love you, mommy." Owen said, it was clear as day.
"I love you so much." Eleina added.
In a continuous vision, it went back to them smiling and waving to them repeating those same loving words over again. Hermione began to cry, both of sadness and joy. Sadness because she knew their time together would be ending soon, but joy because even if they won't be there anymore she'll still have a piece of them that she can carry for the rest of her life. She closed the locket, but kept her eyes on it. Tears still falling down her face.
"How did you ever think of this?" Hermione said, just barely above a whisper.
"Honestly, I almost went crazy trying to figure out to get you. Like I told you earlier, I went to Pansy for some advice and she's the one that gave me the idea to get you some sort of jewelry, but I didn't want to get you just some ordinary thing. I wanted it to mean something to you. And then that one night when I saw how you were feeling with the thought of never seeing Owen and Eleina again, I knew I wanted them to be a part of your gift somehow so that you'll always have them with you."
Hermione was silent, still looking at the locket. He's brilliant, she thought in her mind.
"Is there something wrong with it? I know it's not sparkling with jewels, it's an antique locket. But if you want I can get the person who sold it to me to add some rubies or even better, emeralds on there for you."
Hermione shook her head. "No, don't. It's perfect." She took her eyes off the locket and looked into his eyes. "Thank you, Draco."
Draco nodded his head. "Your welcome. Here, let me help you."
He took the locket from her and got up to put it around her neck. Hermione lifted her hair to make it easier for him. After he hooked the back of the necklace, he turned her around so she was facing him.
"Looks good." He said softly. Hermione let her hair fall back down onto her shoulders. A piece of hair fell over her face and she was about to put it back, but Draco beat her to it. His finger lightly brushed on her cheek as he placed the hair behind her ear. She shivered at his touch and looked down. Draco let a small laugh and began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked, turning back around to see what he was doing,
"Going to get ready for bed. It's nearly two in the morning."
He started to walk towards the bathroom when Hermione stopped him.
"Wait."
Draco looked at her with confusion. "What is it?"
"Um, I forgot to give you the second part of your gift." She told him.
"Oh really?" Draco raised his eyes, wondering what it could be.
"Yeah." Hermione spoke softly. She walked up to him, threw her arms around his neck, and pulled him in for a second kiss that night. The kiss only lasted for seconds before she pulled away from him.
"Me first." Hermione whispered in his ear before running out the door into the bathroom, laughing the whole way there.
Draco, who had been stunned by what she did, flopped down on his bed. He shook his head and let out a laugh at what just happened. He closed his eyes with a smile on his face and the last thing he saw was Hermione's face before falling asleep.