Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers.

Chapter 32

Draco's POV

I sighed as I watched Granger elatedly push open her window, red cheeked and misty eyed as she stared down at the idiot that I called friend. Theodore stood in the middle of the large circle of ice which now was the central feature of the Grangers back yard, he was balancing precariously on the ice skates he insisted on wearing, a massive smile on his face as he stared up at his girlfriend.

He then turned to me, gesturing at the large blanket on the grass that he laid to the side of the ice circle and I straightened up from the tree I was leaning against, it's not enough that I had to sit through a whole dinner with Granger's parents, not to mention sleep in Granger's house, now I must aid in his frivolous antics for Granger.

I knew I should never have listened to him when he said we'd only be five minutes, that he just wanted to give her her gift and be gone, I grumbled out the spell, pointing to the large blanket as I spotted the large stormy grey eyes staring down at me.

Theodore may have been the one that dragged me here…but she was the reason that I had stayed…that I even agreed to tag along in the first place.

The sheet of purple ascended, hovering just outside the window that framed the two girls, the brunette held a pink blush, a contrast to the red face of anger she sported through most of dinner, her dark haired companion held no smile yet her features were soft, her grey eyes contemplative, an expression she held through most of dinner…

Was she angry…I did stand her up…well it wasn't my intention, Snape got me all riled up about the stupid mission…I knew if I saw her after my confrontation with my godfather she would inquire why I was upset and I wasn't in the mood to lie…I didn't even think I could find a suitable one at the time and all I really wanted was to just get away from the damned man…and the truths he spoke…

He was right, the muck up with the cursed necklace was an embarrassing blunder…the Bell girl could have died…I needed to practice the control curse more rigorously because I was sure I had told the stupid bar wench to tell the bloody girl not to open the case…that whole scenario wasn't thought out at all…like the Old Fool would have just touched the pearls…I just needed to show them at the time that I wasn't just sitting around…that I was making an attempt to fulfil the task I was set…

But now what do I have to show for it? Yes, I was trying to fix the cabinet, but I barely spent any time on the thing, what with classes and Ky…Ky…it was getting harder and harder to spend time away from her…but I needed to get my shit together, if Snape only knew how little time I was affording my attempt to complete my mission…I can't let any of them know…I needed to pay more attention to my task…if I failed…

"I'd never peg you for the big, romantic gesture type?"

I snapped out of my thoughts, Ky was standing in front of me, her usually tan cheeks were pale making her grey eyes look black in the night, her hair was out of the hair tie she used for dinner, lightly dancing in the slight wind that caressed the night, she had swapped her jeans for a light grey tracksuit pants with a matching hoodie that was zipped up halfway, a white tank top hinting out from underneath.

"None of this was my idea." I added drily… if there's anything I disliked it was being called out on something I did that wasn't deemed befitting my natural behaviour...yes, it wasn't like me to tag along with Theodore, it was even less like me to stay for dinner, and agree to stay over? I was beginning to think I didn't even know who I was…

"Yet here you are." I watched as the pink lips stretched across the soft face, the action slowed down in my mind so I took in every crinkle of the eye, crease in her cheeks…and all thoughts of why I stayed vanished as a tingle ran through my body as she directed that smile at me…not a smirk like she had been doing for most of dinner…a smile…her smile…

Her eyes flickered away momentarily as Granger's squeals of laughter cut through the otherwise silent night, Theo looked up at her, laughing as well, his butt on the ice floor as Granger began pulling him to his feet. I knew it was coming, she was bound to ask, I could see she wanted to join them and I braced myself for the question, it was always harder than usual to tell her no. I was fool enough to pitch up at Granger's house, I was fool enough to stay the night…but I had my pride…I had never ice skated before…I wasn't about to start now.

Instead she lay the blanket that had carried her down from the window, at the foot of the large tree and tossed herself down on it's warmth, the action causing her hoodie to ride up, displaying a slip of lightly tan skin at her side. As if that sight was an invitation I settled on the floor next to her, using the less than comfortable tree trunk as a back rest.

Her eyes were lost in the night sky, her thoughts even further away and I couldn't help but think it…Potter. That's why she was in the state she was in, she must have seen him at that party a week ago…that's why I wasn't keen on her staying the whole time. And definitely not with Longbottom, not after what I saw of the boy in Alya's thoughts.

"I apologise for not showing up last Friday. It turns out I couldn't change my plans. I should have sent a letter but I lost track of time." Her eyes flickered to me, taking in my words in with a slight frown…she was upset.

The frown fell just as quickly to be replaced by a smirk, "It's OK. I entertained myself just fine." I bit my lip at the smirk…fuck…she could melt snow with just one of those looks. "Anyway, turns out you were right about Carrow. Don't worry; it was nothing I couldn't handle."

I scoffed, "I wasn't worried. I'd be sorely disappointed if a play as easy as the one he made at you worked, I'd think I would have to rethink my choice in playmates."

She cocked her brow at my choice of words but didn't comment on it. What else could I call her though? Lover? She definitely wasn't my girlfriend. "How did you get here?"

"Car. Taxi to be specific. Muggle was annoyingly inquisitive, are they all like that?"

"Are you sure he were being annoyingly inquisitive, or was the poor bloke making polite conversation?"

I rolled my eyes, "Do I look like the type of guy you make polite conversation with."

Her grey globes flickered to mine's in amusement, "No, not at all. You look like the type of guy who you avoid at all cost."

I smirked, "Out of fear?"

She laughed and I knew the answer was not going to be in my favour, "Yeah, fear being victim of death by pretentiousness."

"You're the girl snogging the pretentious guy, so I wouldn't laugh so hard."

She sighed, her eyes still twinkling in amusement and I couldn't help the relief that flooded through my body, relaxing my back and shoulders at the fact that she was finally being her usual self…and I was the cause of that. "You sent word to your Nan?"

I glared at her, her lips perking up at the question, her grey eyes met mine and as if on reflex from her laughing eyes I launched forward, swinging my leg over her body and hovering over her I attacked her sides with my fingers and her body wrenched forwards with laughter, I smiled down at her expression as her laughter tickled my face as it blew out in soft gasps, "Fine…fine…stop!"

I relented and she lay back down on the floor, her hair a black cushion that felt like silk and her eyes wide, whirlpool of emotions. I felt her soft fingers at my cheek and she tilted her head as she gazed up at me, "What is it?"

I didn't answer, moving off her and to my previous position. She made me act without thought much too often…

She sat up, turning to me with questioning eyes, "Did you send word…that you won't be going home tonight."

I turned away from her, choosing to stare at Granger's house. It was small, well anything was small in comparison to the manor, it was neat though. "I didn't."

"Wouldn't your mother worry?"

I sighed…mother used to worry…mother used to notice thing…now all mother was was a shell, a shell that just sat around waiting for her husband whilst strangers walked in and out of her house.

Of course some days it was different, when I was around she was better, she seemed more like herself, she had someone to fuss over…but every moment in her presence was just a reminder of the noose I had around my neck…tightened when I ran into Alya on my way down to dinner…tighter still when I saw the red cloaks guarding the door…suffocating tight when Aunt Bella decided to invite her fellow death eaters for supper…and tonight was going to be the worse…the Ball. The annual Yuletide Ball the Malfoy's hosted for centuries past and of course something small like the resurrection of a dark lord and the imprisonment of the Head of the family did little to break the tradition. "Draco?"

When she said my name like that, it wasn't my ears that sensed it; it was an internal organ that I wished had more resistance, especially against this girl. "The Manor is big. Vast. My wing alone is like the size of Granger's whole house." My voice held no pride and she listened carefully as I spoke. "My mother is used to not having me around, assuming that I am just in my quarters. She'll assume so tonight."

She bit her lip in thought at that, staring at me and I was relieved that the stare held no pity, as I spoke a sudden thought cross my mind and I voiced it, "Where do you live?"

She laughed at the question, turning around and leaning against my left shoulder for support, looking at Granger's house as well, "The Castle is big. Vast." I pinched her side and she smiled up at me, showing me that she was just playing, "Well…I've become something of a nomad these days. Hogwarts will always be home, but I guess if you're asking where my residential address is, it would have to be New York, even though I haven't been there in…forever…"

"Do you miss it?"

"No." She answered without missing a beat, "I miss seeing Linus and Lenzo everyday…I miss watching TV whilst we all ate supper, oh creeping into Linus' study when I couldn't sleep and insisting he play chess with me, I miss sneaking into Lens room and messing up his Skype dates." I didn't ask what that was; mesmerized by the look she had on her face. "They've always been home to me…"

"You miss them."

She sighed, "Painfully so." I looked down, her voice was so small and I threw my arm around her has her nose twitched and the drops escaped her eyes and suddenly I felt like an idiot. It was Christmas. And she wasn't used to being alone. She missed her brothers. That's what has got her down.

"I'm sorry." That was the first time I ever slung those words together. I never said it, usually hiding behind the insincerity of 'I apologize', but right now I really was sorry.

I didn't have to ask why her brothers weren't with her today, I heard their names mentioned in the few meetings I attended, coupled with a flurry of swears by Katerina Karetnikov, they were really a hindrance in her Red Cloak movement. Nobody knew much about it within the ranks, even in the inner circle; we all knew that there was something not right about those Red Cloaks, something unnatural. I didn't know where she was getting them from, but they all seemed to follow the Dark Lord with the utmost loyalty…it was frightening…but then most of everything at those meetings was just one long scare fest.

I pulled out the parcel from my pocket and cast an enlargement charm on it. It really helped that Granger was of age, I was used to doing magic in the Manor walls, but outside I would be subject to adhere to the underage magic laws. But considering any magic sensed on these grounds would have been assumed that it was in fact Granger casting spells, hence our ability to make the ice circle and the flying blanket.

"Here." I pushed the red wrapped parcel into her hand and she took it, her face dry but her nose slightly red, "Merry Christmas."

She licked her dry lips, picking at the wrapping with trembling fingers which had more to do with the cold than anticipation, but her brows were drawn down in curiosity. They quickly lifted as she clamped her eyes on the contents of the box, and she lifted up the first item, a watery smile breaking her face.

"I didn't know what to get you. You're very spoiled." She really did have anything I could think of getting her and jewellery didn't seem her thing. She didn't seem to hear a word I said as she stared down at the first picture; it was quite hard to come by.

I had to get Liam to talk to that Potter loving fool, Creevey who was notorious for taking photos of most of the waking moments in his life. I practically paid the price of a diamond necklace for the set of photographs, and I wasn't even the one that purchased it. I figured he would run off to Prince Potter if I asked and we really didn't need anyone inquiring into the nature of our relationship. He was curious as to why Liam wanted these pictures though, but his curiosity was easily purchased.

"This is from the Christmas two years ago." She laughed at the sight of her fourteen year old self, staring up at her grandfather in wide eyed admiration, there were specks of snow hitting their faces but it did nothing to hinder both their smiles, the headmaster was sporting a badly knitted blue scarf which seemed to be the source of all their amusement.

The second picture was more recent, and I had to admit it was one of Creevey's better ones. It was of the Beach Day, Ky and her brothers were seated under the old Beach tree by the lake, she was leaning on Lorenzo Thornton's shoulder as Quilinus Thornton was lazing on the grass, an elbow propping him up and a huge smile on his face as his siblings laughed at whatever anecdote he was reciting. The sun was setting, throwing the landscapes in the background into dim light…giving the picture an ethereal look.

She cleared her throat, going to the next picture which was the most recent one, and she smiled down at it. It was a picture of her; leaning on Snape's shoulder by the drinks table at Slughorn's Christmas party…I was surprised at this picture. I don't think I've ever seen my godfather look like that…his onyx eyes were clear and emotive and his face held no cynism…

I stopped looking at this pictures and looked at her as she laughed at the next one, I knew it was the one with her and McGonagall, she was hanging off the stern transfiguration Mistress with a conspiratorial gleam in her eye and smirk on her face as the older lady chided her with her eyes at whatever she was plotting, it was my favourite picture, I really liked her smirk. I really liked the way she smiled. Her laugh was…the best. Genuine, in this world full of fake things. Fake smiles and fake friendships and worst still were the forced ones…everything was so forced…but not her…never her…everything was natural…no pretence…

I felt her lips before I even saw her coming and I lazily kissed her, she pulled back, a smile that made my head dizzy on her lips. "Thank you."

I nodded, not trusting my voice right now as I was still recovering from the look she was giving me.

"Draco, are your going to take it or just stare at my face?" I looked down at what she was talking about and I was surprised to find there was a long black velvet box in her hand. I took it tentatively, wondering what the crazy girl could have got me and I couldn't harness my features of shock when I clicked it open.

"How did you know?" Nobody knew. I didn't even speak it aloud before. I didn't even say it when we went for our career counselling last year, pretending that what I wanted was to take over the family business and Snape didn't question my authenticity.

"You're not as mysterious as you like to think Mr Malfoy." She smirked, "Last year when you...when you helped me on Astronomy Tower, when you warmed me up. You used a counter curse to hypothermia, when Madam Pomfrey was checking me up she said it was cast on me…you can only learn that spell in a healing text book…and you'd only read one of those-"

"If you wanted to be a healer." I muttered as I looked down at the recitator, a thin metallic object the size of a standard quill that was found in the pocket of most healers, it was used to read standard measurements like temperature and pressure. I looked at the object, rolling it in my hands; I saw my name engraved into it in green slanting writing, a single green emerald sitting at the bottom of the recitator…

And for the second time today I uttered a pairing of words that were unusually sincere, "Thank you."

"Spread them. Further. Further. Bend your knees. A little bit more. More."

I looked up at Granger, I was practically squatting on the floor. I quickly rose to my full height as the bushy browned devil started laughing and I was about to fling the bat to the ground and walk off but she ceased her laughing and held her hands up in apology, "Sorrry. I'm sorry, just a harmless joke. Consider that payback for yesterday." She said in soft tones, I glared at her but I remained in my spot.

It was around noon and we were engaging in a game of cricket on Mr Granger's pleading, Granger and I somehow found ourselves on the same team, along with her mother whilst Ky, Theo and her father were on the opposing teams.

"Just spread your legs like a hip distance apart and bend your knees slightly. Now when Ky throws the ball at you, just use your bat and try and hit as hard as you can. OK?"

I nodded and turned away, staring at Ky who was standing with her hand on her hip impatiently waiting to throw her ball at me, she smirked when she saw I was finally ready and did a little run up, releasing the ball as she swung her hand over her head.

"YESSSS! YES!" I wasn't sure what had happened, Mrs Granger had flung her hands around my neck, jumping in celebration as the ball I hit went over the fence and now lay in the middle of the road. "That's four runs! We won!"

She let go of me and begun doing a little victory dance in front of her husband and I couldn't help but smile at the antics, Granger was giving Theo a superior look as if she was the one that won the game. Some people.

I turned to Ky who had a 'who cares this game sucks anyway' look on her face, rolling her eyes as Granger began to do some sort of dance in front of her.

"Granger, keep that for the bedroom."

She stopped her dance and raised her brows at me, "You wish you could see this in the bedroom Malfoy."

I sighed, ever since last night she was in an annoyingly chipper mood. We all headed back into the house, I walked as close as I could to Ky without being too obvious, I felt her pinkie hook into mines and I smiled down at her, "What were you saying this morning? Something about kicking my arse in any game even if you didn't know the rules?"

She scrunched her nose up at me, "I let you win. I know how you boys get when your manliness is contested."

I pulled out a chair for her and she sat in the one next to it…something's never change. Granger sat in the chair Theo pulled out for her, her fingers on the diamond necklace he had given her last night. My eyes caught Mr Granger's as he smiled at his daughter, and he laughed at the look I had on my face, I must have been looking on in disgust at the pair…but it wasn't true disgust…maybe that looked comical.

I dished out, I was considerably hungry as we woke late and headed straight outside for the game. Ky poured me a glass of orange juice, and I raised a brow, that is akin to her preparing a three course meal for me and she rolled her grey eyes at me in response.

"And here you go." I looked down at the little statue dragon Mrs Granger placed in front of me, an identical one in front of Granger, "I thought we needed trophies to commemorate today's win!"

"This is from your three piece dragon set you got from Hong Kong mum, you sure you want to break it up?"

Mrs Granger shrugged, "I'm not too sure I'm breaking it up. Seems like it will find its way back into the family somehow." I furrowed my brows at that queer statement, what?

Granger banged her palm to her forehead as Ky giggled next to me, I was more confused by the glare Teddy was giving me. What?

"Well I got actual trophies for my team." Mr Granger handed a small gold trophy of a girl with an opened book in her hand to Ky and Theo, both taking it with huge smiles.

"Trophies for what!" Granger said in disgust.

"For coming out second." Mr Granger added jovially. Granger's eyes widened and she made to snatch the trophy from Teddy who held it out of her grasp. "DAD! Those are my spelling bee trophies! From the first grade! Dad!"

"What darling? You have dozens of them. Don't be selfish."He chuckled.

"Selfish? Selfish?" She stated, her eyes wide, she stared at the occupants at the table, even looking at me for help. Upon finding nobody on her side she attempted snatching it back from Theo.

"Fine. How about we have our own spelling bee for the trophies." Ky said with a tone that sounded like she was being so charitable. "I'll pick a word, and Teddy and you will have a chance to spell, and whoever spells it right gets the trophy." Granger opened her mouth to protest, "Phenomenal."

"This is ridiculous." Granger rolled her eyes, "P-h-e-n-o-m-e-n-a-l. Phenomenal. Now give it here."

"K-y-r-i-a-n-n-a. Phenomenal." Teddy finished with a wink and I sighed in exasperation at the cheap tactic knowing that it would work on the dark haired lunatic at my side.

"Sorry Mi. You lose this one."

Granger gasped and looked to me again. I apparently was the only other sane person at the table, I smirked in reply, she'd get no help from me and she glowered at me as if I had taken her trophies from her. I glanced at the little golden statues trying to figure out why they were called Spelling Bees…muggles were weird.

"What? Don't tell me you want one too." I glanced away from the trophy at her words and rolled my eyes at Ky, "Please, my dragon's bigger than yours."

She laughed, placing a piece of garlic bread to her lips, "Is that so."

I shook my head at her perverseness, chuckling softly into my meal. My eyes caught site of the Grangers wall clock and I swallowed what I had bitten in haste, "Salazar, it's one thirty."

Theo finally turned away from Granger to look at the clock as if I would be lying.

"You boys have another appointment?" Mrs Granger inquired.

"Unfortunately yes, Mrs Granger."Theo wiped his mouth on a napkin and stood and I mimicked the action from across him. "I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality." He glanced down at Granger with a soft expression, "It really was…something else."

"Well let me at least make a plate for your Nan."

I bit my lip as I heard Ky's soft chuckling next to me and I held a sincere look on my face, "It's OK Mrs Granger. She's…vegetarian."

I heard the giggle and I turned and looked down at her as everybody said their goodbyes, "Don't you want Uncle John to leave you in Smith Street?" She asked innocently.

"No." I added quickly, hiding my glare at the troublesome girl, patting my stomach, "I think its best we walk off the meal."

Teddy gave Mrs Granger a peck on her cheek and I realised that it was probably customary I do the same; I did so in haste, we really were getting late. I raised my hand at Granger who waved back and I followed Mr Granger to the door, I caught her grey eyed gaze just before I could walk out and I winked at her, she smiled in reply…fuck…that smile…

"Now you boys are welcome whenever. Been a while since we had young boys in the house." Mr Granger sighed, "Its nice not being the only male around." His laughter died down and he looked at Theo sternly, "Now, I know you and my daughter are a couple. Now, they say the average man's greatest fear is of the dentist…don't let me show you why now."

Theo responded not with fear but a soft chuckle, "Yes, sir."

"Bye. Thank you again for all your hospitality." I muttered walking out of the house; the man stopped me with a tight squeeze to my right shoulder.

"Thank you Draco. I can see you two are good boys, take good care of my girls."

And with a friendly wink he sent us on our way. Theo and I glanced at each other, me with a shocked look and he with a happy one… muggles…they were…weird.

A/N: So I always wondered why the ministry assumed it was Harry who performed magic in his second year and not Dobby, so I assumed it's because they monitor the house and not the person itself. Like Harry would have been the only wizard in Number 4 and he was underage? That was the only sense I could make of it. What do you think

Don't worry, this is leading somewhere

Thoughts are always welcome

Kalina