Chapter 22
The Christmas holidays had arrived and Hogwarts was covered in a blanket of snow, Hermione watched from her new dorm room window as the students hurried out the grounds, heading to the station eager to see their parents, Hermione, however would be stuck at Hogwarts this Christmas due to unforeseen circumstances. As much as Hermione hated being away from her parents at Christmas, it was probably for the best; at least this way she didn't have to endure her parents lectures on how immature and stupid they think she is by getting pregnant, and seeing as her mother never did write back, she thought it best to leave her mother come to terms with it. On the flip side, once everyone's left it will just be madam Pompfrey and herself, well until she leaves to see her daughter on Christmas that is, and Hermione will finally be allowed to walk the halls without her concealment top on and better yet, no Malfoy. Two weeks free from hiding, Hermione could think of nothing better.
The first week of the holiday flew by, she had found being alone quite calming. She and madam Pompfrey shared lunch and dinner together every day and discussed other students and some of the completely ridiculous things that people had been brought into the hospital wing for, Hermione found madam Pompfrey rather fun to be around; as tomorrow was Christmas, Madam Pompfrey was to leave shortly to be with her daughter "Are you sure that you'll be fine dear?" madam Pompfrey asked, concerned about Hermione being alone in the castle "I'll be perfectly safe madam, and I know how to contact you if I need anything. Now go and be with your daughter" Hermione ordered ushering her out of the gate. They exchanged smiles before madam pompfrey caught the last train out of Hogwarts.
When Hermione returned to her dorm she searched for her old record player, once she dug it out she popped in The Beatles and started to dance; she looked around the room and decided to make it look more festive, with a flick of her wand a perfectly trimmed tree appeared next to the fireplace and trimmings hung from above her. The room smelt like hot chocolate and cinnamon, it was perfect.
As Hermione sat on the sofa with the clock nearing midnight she noticed that the star on top of the tree was slightly crooked, she found a step ladder in one of the cupboards and started to climb it when a voice coming from the corner of the room startled her "You shouldn't be stretching" the deep voice belonged to a man she hoped she wouldn't see for at least another week "Why is that Malfoy?" she asked slightly aggravated "You might hurt the baby" he stated with a small hint of sarcasm "I'm pretty sure that in the 19 weeks I've been carrying her, I've stretched" Hermione stated smugly before fixing the star and carefully clambering off the step ladder "See? No harm done" she threw him an irritated look before returning to the sofa; Draco decided to sit next her "Granger I—"he paused "Never mind"
Hermione didn't mind him sitting next to her, it was rather comforting actually, and the heat radiating from his body was making her tired. She wanted to ask him why he had come to her instead of being at home for Christmas, but that question would have to wait; Hermione could feel herself drifting off to sleep, as the clock chimed midnight Hermione slumped into Draco's shoulder "Merry Christmas Granger" he said softly "Merry Christmas Draco" she replied sleepily, finally letting her tiredness consume her. Draco planted a small kiss on her head before wrapping his arm around her shoulder, allowing her head to fall into his chest before he too fell asleep in front of the warm fire.