Disclaimer: I own nothing, but if Draco Malfoy came into my bed in the middle of the night, I wouldn't protest.

Ch. 41

Needless to say, waking up this morning felt…different.

In a good way. As I turned in my blankets and opened my eyes, light seemed to flood into every single crevice of the room, making the space glow with brightness and warmth. I smiled and crawled out of bed to sleepily make my way to the bathroom.

Halfway there, I realized why I felt so different. Pausing, I quickly recalled my mind for dreams that I had had the previous night. My mind was as blank as a clean slate.

No nightmares? None at all!

Immediately, I took a detour and began to make my way to Draco's room, nearly sprinting. "Draco!" I wanted to yell out, but then I remembered that it was barely eight in the morning. Reaching his door, I rapped my knuckles smartly against his door. No answer. I waited for a moment that felt like an eternity before I couldn't take it anymore. Quietly, I turned the doorknob. It was unlocked as I had expected it to be, and I fought the urge to swing it open. Peering inside, I frowned in disappointment when I saw that he wasn't in bed. I had expected to see him there, nestled within the blankets, probably shirtless with messy hair. Just the thought of it brought a rush of warmth to my stomach and tingles up my spine. Snapping out of it, I listened for signs that he was in the bathroom, but there were none. I sighed, and made my way downstairs. My stomach curled with excitement and anticipation to see the look on Draco's face when I told him. Perhaps his nightmares had taken a hiatus too? I certainly hoped they had.

Making my way downstairs, a familiar, elevated laugh filled my ears. My eyes widened at the sound, and soon I was bounding down the stairs and into the living space below. I made a beeline towards the kitchen as the laughing increased in volume, and with barely any breath left within me, I took in the scene.

Draco and my mum were sitting at the kitchen island talking joyfully to a girl in white with wondrous, cascading, strawberry blonde hair –

"Hannah!" I exclaimed, and before she could fully turn in her seat to see me, I had already pulled her into a hug.

"Hermione, oh my God!" Hannah cried out in shock and happiness, and before anyone could stop us we were holding on to each other and squealing like little girls. "It feels like I haven't seen you in ages!"

It was true. Hannah was my Muggle best friend, and I hadn't seen her since last summer. We had been best friends since birth, and although it was hard to maintain our friendship while I was at Hogwarts, we managed. Hannah also went to a boarding school, in Oxford, although it wasn't magical in any way, shape, or form. I had visited once, and to my surprise, it reminded me of a would be Muggle version of Hogwarts! Not like Hannah would know anything about that...it was forbidden to mention Hogwarts to Muggles outside of your family, and although Hannah was practically my sister, it was a risk I simply couldn't take.

Pushing the slightly depressing thoughts aside, I focused on the girl squealing like mad in front of me. It seemed like Hannah became increasingly beautiful each time I saw her. I also noticed faint changes that hadn't been there last summer, like the barely there freckles that now dusted her nose and cheekbones, and the small pearl stud piercing the cartilage of her left ear.

"It's so good to see you." I murmured before wrapping her into my arms again. Hannah chuckled and sqeezed me back.

"I've missed you like you can't beleive, Herms! How have you been?" She exclaimed, her warm, honey eyes taking in my appearance. I was halfway to answering her before I realized how rude I was being. Turning back to the island, I saw that Draco and my mum were observing me with bemused expressions. Draco smirked, and tingles in my spine from earlier returned.

"Alright there?" He mused, looking awfully smug at my behavior. Here I was, jumping around with my best friend in the kitchen. In my pajamas. Hannah giggled and he rolled his eyes from me to her.

"I see you've met Draco," I grumbled, smiling slightly. "He's visiting..."

"Oh, yes," Hannah smiled at Draco. "From your school for all the gifted kids", she teased. I didn't miss the obvious smirk that was plastered onto Draco's face. I could tell it pleased him immensely that he knew something she didn't. I could already hear him mimicking what she'd said about "The school for all the gifted kids."

"Does that mean you're as smart as Hermione? She's ruddy brilliant."

"Smarter, actually," Draco informed her, and I snorted aloud. Hannah laughed.

"Draco's been keeping me company while I waited for you to wake up. He's quite nice, I don't see why you tease him so much..."

So the little bugger had been telling her stories? Not even an hour of Hannah visiting and he had already found a way to have her on his side. I laughed nervously and sent a murderous glare towards Draco. He ignored it.

"Let's go to my room and catch up!" I said hurriedly, dragging Hannah out of the kitchen. I purposely didn't invite Draco along. Instead, I left him in the kitchen. If he wanted to be a prat, he could just sit there and endure my mother's constant fawning over him. Then again, I'm sure he didn't mind it at all.

VVVVV

"So let me get this straight," Hannah inquired as she kicked her sandals off and plopped herself onto my bed, "Draco is just a friend?"

I nodded and she raised her eyebrows. "Oh, don't be ridiculous, Han. Don't you think I would've told you already if there was anything going on?" I swallowed, thinking about the kisses and the near kisses that Draco and I had shared over the course of the past few months. Perhaps Hannah didn't need to know about that. After all, it was our secret...

Hannah scoffed. "I know how you get about boys. Even if you like them, it takes you a while to admit it and I personally think that you need to take more risks. Remember what happened with that Rodney boy? You liked him for the longest time –

"Ronald." I corrected sadly. "And that's not ever going to work out." I had waited too long, and now look what had happened...it was too late.

Hannah's eyes softened. "What happened?"

"Everything that shouldn't have happened,"I whispered, feeling hot tears cloud my eyes. "And it's not like we're exactly friends anymore...we both said things we shouldn't have."

"You're really nothing but a jealous prat, Ron! I don't know what I ever saw in you."

"Yeah? Well I don't really know what I ever saw in an arrogant, boring girl like you either!"

I turned to face the window as I remembered, not wanting Hannah to see the few tears that had managed to to escape. Hurriedly, I wiped them off and turned back to her, smiling. "But I've accepted that. I mean, some things just aren't meant to be, you know? I have Draco now, and he's helped me realize that."

At least that was partially true.

Hannah nodded slowly, but I could still see the suspicious hint in her gaze. I had fooled her for now, but I knew she wasn't going to let this go. As I observed her, I noticed her incredibly light layers of clothing. Although we were in a heated space, we were still in the middle of winter, and all she had on was a matching white camisole and an above the ankle, flowy, bohemian skirt. Hannah had always been artsy and eccentric with her clothing choices, but this was just downright torturous to watch. It was as if she'd dressed for a picnic during the summer!

"Hannah, are you mad?" I exclaimed, going into full on Mrs. Weasley mode. "Please tell me that you have a long coat that you just happened to leave downstairs! A skirt in this weather, are you mad?" I shrilled. She laughed calmly.

"Oh relax, Herms. I'm perfectly fine! I think the breeze is wonderful –"

"Wonderful? Oh sure, you'll think it's bloody fabulous when you get frostbitten toes –"

"It's refreshing, Hermione! Just the thought that it could snow any minute? I find that exhilirating! And maybe if you tried it you would stop being so damn uptight all the time!" Hannah scolded. "You haven't changed since we were kids you know," she continued as I huffed and crossed my arms. "God, I remember you wouldn't even run out into the rain, or play in mud puddles..."

Well, I huffed to myself, she didn't know that I was running around snogging a would be Death Eater and notorious Slytherin prick...I bet no one would've expected that of me! Not to mention that I was betraying my friends in process...as if that was something to be proud of. I sighed.

"Well if you must know, Draco's been helping me with my...err...frigidness." I muttered, hoping she was satisfied. She looked intruiged, and sat up on my bed, indian style.

"Really? How?"

My heartbeat increased and I shrugged nonchalantly. "Just in general...nothing in specific."

Unless snogging your brains out counted as specific, along with giving you looks that had you fighting for air...

"Oh." Hannah said, and I detected a flicker of dissapointment. She just wouldn't give up, would she?

"He probably thinks you're very pretty, Draco. You're just his type of girl, blonde...gorgeous..." I stated, trying to veer her off the subject before my placid composure cracked and revealed everything I wanted to scream aloud. For as long as I could remember, every male I knew had once fancied her, so why not Draco? Hannah giggled.

"You think so?"

"Yes," I said tightly, ignoring the sudden roar of jealousy that ripped across my chest.

What the bloody hell...?

This went unnoticed by Hannah, who was too busy playing with the frills on one of my pillows. "Thanks, Hermione, but honestly, I think you're being daft. Haven't you seen the way he looks at you?"

Yes.

"He looks at everyone that way! It's his eyes...they're...different. Must be the color." I muttered. Merlin, why was this so hard? Seeing that I was resilient, Hannah just shrugged.

"He does have nice eyes. They're very...smoldering, I guess you could say. I've never seen such intense expression in a person's eyes before...especially when he talks about you."

My heart fluttered against my ribcage before I could stop it. Did he really?

"His whole family's got the same eyes. Along with the hair. It's like silk isn't it? Damn aristocrats," I giggled, and Hannah joined me.

"He's like a fucking angel sent from heaven, to be honest. He's gorgeous. He's just so charming and polite and all..."

I snorted, and Hannah laughed loudly. "Don't let that angel face fool you. He's a devil." I warned jokingly. Midway through our small laugh session, Hannah caught sight of the time and gasped, scrambling out of my bed.

"Bugger, is that really the time? I've got to go now, I'm afraid. Mum's being so fussy about our trip to Edinburgh, and I haven't even gotten started on packing! Christ, I just get home for the holidays and the woman is already dragging all of us on a family trip." Hannah hissed, slipping on her sandals. I chuckled as we left my room.

"Tell your mum and dad I say hi, will you? Oh, and Charlie and Scraps as well."

Scraps was Hannah's large, clumsy golden retreiver. I loved him to pieces. As for Charlie, her fourteen year old brother, I decided that saying hi would make him smile. He'd had a never ending crush on me since I'd come home the summer after my Fourth Year.

"I'll give them both a huge kiss from you," Hannah promised with a wink, and we descended down the staircase giggling like madmen. Apparently we weren't the only one's laughing. As we entered the kitchen so Hannah could bid my mum and Draco goodbye, we came upon a surprising sight.

My mum was baking again, which wasn't surprising. However, what was surprising was that Draco was right alongside her, clad in a baking apron. That alone was comical. Increasing the hilarity was the fact that it was one of my mum's, which happened to be lavender with frilly pockets. Draco hadn't noticed us standing there, yet. This was probably because he was completely focusing on learning how to roll a piece of dough with a rolling pin. His face was scrunched up in concentration, as it often was during Potions, and I noticed that he had a streak of flour across his already pale cheek.

Hannah's composure broke before mine did, and before I could do anything, she had collapsed into a heap of giggles. Draco's head shot up immeadiatley. At my smile that threatened to burst into full fledged laughter, he scowled.

"Bitch," He mouthed, and before I knew it, I was keeled over in laughter along with Hannah. Mum shot me a dissaproving look and petted Draco's hair, which did nothing to soothe his irritation.

"Don't let them fool you, women love a man who can bake!" Mum exclaimed, before letting him remove the apron. Draco stalked past me, murmuring something about a bathroom. On his way out, he passed Hannah who was still on the floor in a heap of laughter.

"I love him already!" She exclaimed, before regaining her composure. Mum clicked her tongue dissaprovingly before smiling.

"You girls."

VVVVV

After Hannah bid goodbye to my mother, I walked her outside. Halfway there, she'd demanded that I close my eyes.

"Stop peeking!"

"I'm not!"

It was hard to walk on the cobblestone outside, and I stumbled before Hannah grabbed me by the shoulders and pressed me against something. It was large, and cold, but glossy.

"Hannah, what –"

"Surprise!" She yelled, and I opened my eyes. Immeadiatley, cold wind hit them and caused them to water, but I turned around to see the object anyway. My eyes widened. In front of me sat a a brand new, creamy yellow mini cooper, shining and glossy even in the freezing, misty air. A smile broke across my face.

"Oh my God, Hannah, it's beautiful!"

"Isn't it?" She sighed, lovingly sliding a hand across the top of the car."Mum and Dad finally thought I was ready for car. Unlike the last time."

It was true. Last year, Hannah had gotten her first car and had crashed it not six months in when a dog had unexpectedly crossed the road. She'd panicked and veered to the side to avoid it, but at a cost. The car had swerved into a ditch and two of her friends had been in there with her. Luckily, everyone had made it out safely, but the front of the car was totaled.

"This is car is my baby. I will not let that happen again," She promised me, and I beleived her. Hannah didn't make the same mistake twice. While I admired the car, her mobile rang and Hannah hissed.

"Now I'm really in for it", She muttered, before tucking it away into her purse. Hannah looked me over once more, a dulcet gaze glazing her eyes. "It was so great seeing you again, Herms. It's been too long." She smiled. We hugged once more before she got into her car.

"I should be back a few days after Christmas, so expect another visit, okay?"

I nodded, smiling. We hadn't spent enough time together, that was for sure. "Wouldn't miss it for the world!"

Hannah laughed before her eyes settled on something behind me. Turning around, I saw that Draco was leaning against the doorway of the house, looking smug as he waved goodbye to Hannah.

"Prick," I breathed, and Hannah chuckled.

"Do me a favor? Plant a huge one on Pillsbury Dough Boy over there for me. He's ridiculously sexy." Hannah winked, and I choked on a laugh. Before I could respond, she had already backed up out of the driveway and onto the street.

"Bye, Draco!" Hannah waved, and before I knew it, she was gone. I waited for a few moments before turning back to Draco. He looked unbearably smug, and as I approached him I noticed a sliver of flour on the side of his nose. Wordlessly, I reached up and brushed it away, locking eyes with him for a moment. I didn't let it last long however, instead opting to rip my hand away from him and frown.

"Bet you loved that, didn't you, you prat?"

And with that, I trudged into the house, leaving him to smirk at the back of my head.

VVVVV

"No, Draco, you're doing it all wrong!" I fussed. We were decorating the gingerbread house and gingerbread men that Draco had attempted to help my mum make. This year, it seemed that he had taken my place as the family decorator, not that I minded. I actually encouraged it. It was another expirience he could add to his list for his visit here. But that didn't mean I could help myself from correcting him on the family's ways and customs.

Draco scowled. "What is it now?"

"The gumdrops are never used for eyes, it's always the chocolate or icing." I stated bluntly, looking down with disdain at Draco's creation. The gingerbread man had two red gumdrops for eyes and chocolate buttons. It also had a crooked smile sloppily created out of icing that looked more like a smirk. Comparing it to my batch of perfect gingerbread men and women, it had no place!

Draco sighed. "And what if I like it this way? For Merlin's sake, Granger, it's just a gingerbread." He shrugged.

"But it doesn't fit in with the others!" I spluttered. "It'll ruin the whole family –"

I was cut off by Draco's nearly frigid stare in my direction. I paused for a moment, before completely faltering out into silence. Well it was true. I had created versions of myself, mum, and dad as accuratley as I could on the biscuits...so what could have possibly been...oh.

Oh.

It was then I realized that Draco had painted a crooked squiggle of white icing for hair on the top of his gingerbread man's head. It was supposed to represent him, and I might as well have just said that I didn't want to include him in my family, that he didn't fit in. It all seemed so silly, it was silly, but as I took a moment to think, Draco crushed his gingerbread in his fist and scattered its remains onto the tray. I watched, wide eyed, as a harsh look clouded Draco's already stormy eyes. He was shutting in on himself again.

"Forget it, it doesn't matter," He muttered before grabbing another gingerbread and starting afresh. I stared at the pieces of gingerbread that littered the tray as he returned to work in dead silence. It had been so much fun just moments before, why did have to be like this now? I grabbed my wand.

"Reparo," I said firmly, and then wordlessly picked up Draco's repared cookie to place it with the others. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Draco turn his a head a fraction of an inch to watch me do so. I smiled.

"There. Perfect."

VVVVV

Hello, lovelies! Oh God, I know what you're thinking. It's been ages since my last update. I'm so sorry guys! I have so much on my plate right now, and I feel so guilty for not updating when I said I would. I had to move and re-connect my internet with a different company which took a while, and I was working at a camp, and then I felt uninspired...just a whole bunch of stuff, but I really don't want to make excuses for myself. I'm now working from a different computer without Microsoft Word (I know, major pain in the butt), so sorry for any grammatical errors. Anyone know where I could download the program, by any chance? I'd just really like to say thank you to everyone who is sticking with this story, and for those that were patiently waiting for me to update. You guys are the best, thank you 3. I have a surprise coming up in the next chapter as a massive token of my lurveeee hahah! I'd also like to thank SuperShays, who suggested the Draco baking idea (I thought a little fluff was needed), and Padfoots-Sister5, for helping me get back into my groove of writing and such. I love you all, and please don't be hesitant to leave a review, comment, or idea! It's been so long! Shall we have a good old round of questions? :D

Do you think Draco's nightmares have dissapeared? For good?

What do you guys think about Hannah and the role that she will play?

For those of you who've seen the film, WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2? Didn't our Draco look absolutley flawless?

That's about it for now. Love to all! x