Three

He didn't expect to see her again that day, but when he caught the Snitch for the sixth time, he heard someone clapping. Looking down at the Quidditch stands, he saw her, looking up at him and waving. He flew down and landed next to her.

"What brings you here, Professor Granger?"

"You really are a good flyer," she commented, ignoring his question.

He decided not to take offense at the comment, and merely thanked her as he flopped down on the seat next to her. He waited in silence until she spoke next. It didn't take her very long.

"So why are you here over the holidays?"

"Why are you?" he snapped, his good mood suddenly evaporating. She looked at him in surprise, took in his lips, set in a thin line, his eyes dark and cool, and the tension in his shoulders.

"I'm sorry, it's none of my business."

He didn't respond. She took a deep breath. "I'm here because I have nowhere else to go and I didn't want to spend Christmas alone. Ron and I broke up a few months ago and it wasn't pretty. He's still angry. Harry is spending the holidays with the Weasleys, of course, and I wouldn't want to keep him from it, but… I just didn't want to be alone. So I stayed." She paused, swallowing.

Draco had turned back to her when she started speaking, and his sharp eyes noticed the tears she was fighting. Clearly the whole situation still hurt.

"I didn't realise everything here would remind me of them, you know. So many memories, good and bad. With the students gone, there's nothing but memories left. I've been hunting ghosts for days."

Draco let a couple of sarcastic comments run through his head before pushing them firmly away. He was an adult now, not a child, and somehow he couldn't relish in the pain of a woman he had seen nearly tortured to death in his own home. The thought made him shudder.

"You deserve better than the Weasel, you know," was what he finally said, although the words surprised himself.

She laughed. "Ron isn't so bad, but he just wasn't the one for me. We always fight, and I can't be what he wants. It's for the best, but he's having a hard time letting go. That's why it would be so awkward to spend Christmas at the Burrow, you know. It's not that they don't want to see me or I don't want to see them, it's just that Ron is their son and I'm… I'm just an ex."

Then she shrugged, and smiled at him. "Sorry, I shouldn't burden you with all this. I'm sure you're not interested in the least. I just… I don't know." Then she laughed again. "Imagine what our old school fellows would say if they saw us sitting here talking amiably."

Draco smirked. Then he coughed uncomfortably and looked away.

"I've stayed at Hogwarts every Christmas since I started working here. I have no friends to visit and my father didn't like my career choice so he's denied me access to the Manor until I come to my senses and marry a nice Pureblood girl to continue the family name." He scoffed. "He has the girl lined up, of course, all I have to do is say the word. But I don't want an arranged marriage, and I don't care about his threats of disowning me. What has he done but made my life a misery and bring shame to the Malfoy name? At least I'm trying to regain respect."

He felt a hand on his arm, and again marvelled at the heat of her touch that seemed to travel through layers of winter cloak and Quidditch jumpers.

"I think that's admirable, although I'm sorry you've lost your family over this. Now I understand why Minerva kept complaining about your foul moods in December."

He shrugged, still not looking at her but acutely aware of her presence at his side.

"I think it's time to get back to the castle, Professor Granger. It will be dark very soon, and I wouldn't mind a hot shower and a change of clothes after all that flying."

He wondered later if the flush on her cheeks was his imagination.

"Maybe you should start calling me Hermione," she offered, as they made their way down the Quidditch stands.

"Why?"

"Well, you always call me Professor Granger, it feels… distant. And maybe, you know, we should try to be friendly? Since we are both working here, and, you know, for the holidays. I mean, if you want to."

"You're rambling, Professor Granger," he said, amused.

She huffed and they continued their walk in silence. As they separated in the entrance hall, however, she stopped him.

"Will you be at dinner in the Great Hall tonight?" He hesitated, then answered without turning around, "Maybe. See you later… Hermione." He didn't wait to hear her own soft "Bye, Draco" before walking away.