Monday, December 21, 1998

As the sun rose over the grounds of Hogwarts, a russet-colored Barn Owl pecked on Hermione's window, waking her from a night that had been packed full of vivid, and utterly blissful dreams. She groaned and slowly cracked open her toffee-brown eyes, reaching out from under the heavy quilts to casually wave her hand, wandlessly opening the window to allow the owl entrance.

The bird flew into the warm sanctuary of the dormitory and landed on her bedside table, dropping a letter on top of the book that was currently set there.

It took her a moment to fully comprehend that a letter had arrived for her but after a moment, her eyes snapped wide open, and she sat straight up in bed. She quickly pulled her hair up in a messy bun before grabbing the letter and looking at the handwriting. Sighing in slight disappointment, she realized that it was, in fact, not from Viktor but rather from Ginny.

She broke the golden wax seal and opened the envelope, pulling out the letter.

Mione,

I know you wanted time to yourself, but I couldn't wait until returning to Hogwarts to hear about what happened with Krum. So bloody write back and tell me if you wrote to him and, if so, how he reacted!

Also, how is it going, having the entire eighth year dorms to yourself? I know it must be boring, or perhaps it's marvelous and you're enjoying that gift I gave you. Which you should!

Anyways, Mum misses you and really did nearly throttle me senseless when she realized that you didn't come home with me. Harry and Ron are also rather upset but I told them to shove it.

I hope you're getting whatever it is you need, Mione.

Write back!

Love,

Gin

Hermione sighed, and slid out of bed, stepping into her slippers before walking over to the table to write to Ginny. She exhaled and thought for a moment before writing out a somewhat short response.

Gin,

I sent Viktor a letter a few days ago but haven't heard back from him. I'm not certain if he's busy, angry, hurt, or simply doesn't care, but for whatever reason he hasn't responded.

As for being alone in the dorms, well, as it turns out, Draco Malfoy stayed at Hogwarts as well. We've been getting along rather well.

I'm sorry about your mum, Harry, and Ron, being upset but I am getting the time I needed. It's been quite nice here. Draco and I have spent a lot of time chatting and he's easy to talk to.

Anyways, I hope you are having a marvelous time at the Burrow.

Happy Christmas!

Love,

Mione

She looked over the letter and nodded before sealing the envelope and sending it back with Ginny's russet-tinted owl.

Once she took a shower, and got dressed, Hermione made her way down to the Common Room and sighed, seeing that it was, as expected, empty. She knew Draco had gone to see his family at the reading of his grandfather's Will and Testament, but she still found that she missed him.

As she walked toward the portrait hole, she caught a glimpse of something to her left. Looking over, she spotted a letter in the chair that she usually occupied when she and Draco chatted by the fireplace.

With a furrowed brow, she walked over and picked it up, seeing that it was, indeed, addressed to her. She turned it over, seeing that the seal had the letters 'DM' on it.

She smiled and broke the green wax seal before pulling out the letter.

Hermione,

I'm sorry that you'll be alone for most of the day. When I return, perhaps we can play some chess. You've become rather skilled at the game.

I do hope that you have a pleasant day. Maybe you'll even miss me a bit.

- Draco

She smiled, re-reading the short note repeatedly before re-folding it, putting it back in the envelope and slipping the envelope into her pocket.

She made her way to The Great Hall for breakfast and ate by herself, reading the Daily Prophet, though her mind was mostly focused on an image that had been in her dreams the entire night.

Lovely slate-grey eyes that sparkled in the firelight, and soft lips that she couldn't help but imagine against her own lips.

She knew that many people wouldn't approve of her thoughts and feelings, but she found that she didn't care. Draco was a completely different person, and despite the fact that it might never actually happen, she wouldn't allow other people's opinions to make her feel embarrassed or ashamed of her feelings.

She smiled, thinking about it…about him. She fancied Draco Malfoy. Never in a million years would she have thought that would happen. And yet, it felt completely…right.

She spent most of the day in the Common Room, reading. Only venturing out to go to The Great Hall for lunch.

It was nearing dinnertime when Draco entered the 8th Year Common Room. Hermione looked up from the book she was reading and swallowed. The wizard was wearing a set of sleek, solid black dress robes and looked utterly dashing, nearly taking her breath away.

He met her eyes and smiled, "Hey." He said, slipping his cloak off and hanging it over the back of a lounge chair.

She swallowed once more and cleared her throat, "He…hey." She whispered.

"That bad, eh?" He asked, looking down at his outfit.

She shook her head, "No. Not at all. You look…you look like you're going to a much classier Yule Ball." She said, a smirk forming on her lips.

He chuckled, "That's quite a compliment. I'm flattered, but I doubt anyone could ever look nicer than you did at the Yule Ball."

Words failed her upon hearing his. She hadn't expected him to say such a thing.

"That's…that's incredibly sweet of you to say, Draco." She said.

He smiled and shrugged, "Honesty isn't too difficult." He said, sitting down in his usual chair with a tired exhale as he undid his bowtie, letting it simply hang around his neck.

Hermione bit her bottom lip and looked away, asking, "So erm…how…how did it go?"

He sighed, "Well…I hadn't seen my cousins since I was a child, and after seeing how they all behaved, I was rather grateful for that. Everyone there was a little too eager to see what Grandfather had left them. I sure as hell didn't like the man, but I'm not celebrating his death as if it's the best Christmas gift I've ever received." He huffed, shaking his head.

Hermione furrowed her brow, "That's disgraceful."

He nodded, "I know. And now they all hate my bloody guts."

"Why?" She asked, surprised, and confused.

"Because according to Abraxas Malfoy's last Will and Testament, his 'favorite' grandchild, Draco Lucius Malfoy, is to receive absolutely everything." Draco replied, reading off the copy of the Will he had been given.

Hermione's eyes widened in shock, "Really?"

Draco huffed dryly and nodded, "Yep. I have no idea what to do. I suppose I'm going to spend some time after graduation sorting through all of his belongings, weeding out the cursed objects, of course. I hadn't anticipated any of this whatsoever."

Turning to fully face him, the brunette said, "Draco once you've sorted through his belongings, you'll have the time and the money to do whatever you want. You truly could learn any sort of hands-on art that you could possibly want to."

He nodded, thinking over her words.

"I don't mean to speak up about your life…" She said quickly, "I just thought…"

"No, you're right, Hermione." He said, meeting her eyes.

She smiled with a slight blush.

He grinned and nodded, "You're right. Though it will take quite a bit of time to sort through all of the shite that he piled up over the years. You ought to see his estate." He said, chuckling before suddenly going silent with a thoughtful expression on his face.

Hermione furrowed her brow after a few moments of silence. "Draco?" she said quietly.

He met her eyes, "Sorry, but you really should see his estate." He said, confusing her even more before he continued. "I know this might sound strange, but just consider it. You had stated that you have been thinking about taking a year or possibly even two years off to travel or pick up a hobby. How would you feel about using a month or two of that time to help me clean out Malfoy Estate?"

"Really?" She asked, stunned by his offer.

Nodding, Draco said, "Yeah. You're the most brilliant witch, or wizard for that matter, that I know. I can't imagine anyone better. Besides, I truly enjoy your company." He smiled, "I do hope that you'll at least consider it."

She nodded, swallowing, "I'll…I'll consider it."

He smiled widely, "Brilliant! Now, how about a bit of Firewhisky and some chess?"

She laughed and nodded.

They spent the next several hours chatting, and laughing while they played chess and sipped on some Firewhisky.

It was nearly 2 o'clock in the morning when Hermione yawned tiredly and spoke up, "I ought to get to bed. I'll see you at breakfast in the morning though?"

He nodded, "Absolutely." He grinned and finished his drink before standing up, grabbing the vest and dress robe jacket which he had taken off and slung over the back of a nearby chair.

Hermione bit her bottom lip, forcing certain words to remain inside.

"Goodnight Hermione." Draco said, surprising her by reaching out and touching her forearm, affectionately squeezing it. He smiled, "Sleep well." He said softly.

She smiled, "Goodnight Draco. You too." She made her way over to the stairs that led up to the girls' dormitories but stopped on the first step, turning to look back at him, finding that he was still watching her. "By the way, Draco…"

"Yeah?" He asked, raising his brows.

"You truly do look dashing in those dress robes." She said with a smile before making her way up the stairs, warmth blooming in her chest at the image of the slight tinge that had graced his cheeks at her words.