Sorry this one is so short but I think the next chapter is a bit longer. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 2

25th December 1985

Today was Christmas day and the first one Hermione had been able to properly celebrate. She had Draco had quickly become close friends after their first interaction and even Lucius had started speaking to her on occasion.

Her parents were on holiday in Norway, so Narcissa invited her to stay over on Christmas Eve, and for the first time, Hermione said yes. She had stayed in the guest room across the hall from Draco. She and Draco talked to each other regularly and he even hung out with Anna, Lily, Emily, and her at break and lunch times sometimes.

Hermione had managed to keep Joseph away from their parents as much as possible but that meant that they kept being even worse to Hermione when she was home. They didn't ignore her as much anymore and that wasn't a good thing.

Hermione had been awake for a while reading and watching her brother sleep when Draco came into her room.

"Did you sleep okay?" He asked as he sat down on her bed.

"Yes, thank you, Draco".

"Maya, why aren't your parents spending Christmas with you?" Draco asked looking concerned.

"You wouldn't understand".

"Of course, I would".

"My parents don't love me the way your parents do," Hermione said with a sigh. She didn't want to have to explain her relationship with her parents to Draco and wished he could just drop the subject.

"Oh," he said leaving them in silence.

They sat like that for a while just in silence. It wasn't the awkward silence like before but nice, quiet silence.

"There you guys are," Narcissa said entering the room and smiling at her son and his friend.

"Merry Christmas Mother," Draco said to turn and smile and her.

"Come along children, Lucius is already downstairs," Narcissa before Draco and Hermione, holding Joseph, followed her to one of the three sitting rooms.

"Presents!" Draco exclaimed as soon as they entered the room. Hermione just laughed at him whilst Lucius told him to be patient. Narcissa smiled as she started to hand out presents.

Hermione was surprised when Narcissa handed her a few. She smiled in gratitude. She opened them and found a black notebook with her name engraved in the back, a set of books Hermione briefly mentioned she would like at supper one time, and a box of chocolates.

"Thank you," Hermione whispered with a smile.

"Of course, Maya. I helped mother and father pick out that notebook for you and then we sent it away to have your name printed," Draco stated matter-of-factly before opening a bag of sweets and handing one to Hermione. She muttered her thanks before putting it in her mouth.

"What flavor is it?" Draco asked.

"I think it's raspberry," Hermione answered with a smile.

That evening they were all eating Christmas dinner and for the first time, she felt like she had finally found a family for herself. Joseph was upstairs asleep, and Hermione just felt happy and at peace.

"Some people believe in this guy called Santa, do you Hermione?" Draco asked his friend once they had finished their main course.

"Uhm no. This is the first Christmas I've ever really had presents and such so I've never really had the chance to believe in him," Hermione explained before taking a sip of her water.

Lucius raised his eyebrows. He hadn't taken much interest in Hermione before. He never really understood Narcissa's fascination with the young girl before but now he understood. She must be going through a tough home life, and he could see the signs now. He now realized that her parents must be neglectful or abusive, or God forbid both.

Narcissa could sense her husband's change in expression when Hermione had spoken. She did feel sorry for the girl who was practically her own at this point but had no idea what her home life was like. It had taken a while for Narcissa to get her to even talk to her and she knew she wouldn't get an explanation from her anytime soon. She just hoped Hermione would feel that she could open up to her one day.

"Did your parents never give you presents, Hermione?" Lucius queried.

"I don't think they care about me enough to do that," Hermione whispered not wanting to address the subject "Can we talk about something else now?"

"Of course, do you want to wait for dessert or have it now," Narcissa asked wanting to make Hermione as comfortable as possible. Hermione mouthed a thank you to her from across the table.

"Can we have it now? I'm starving!" Draco complained unaware of what was happening around him.

"Draco, you've just eaten loads, you can't possibly be starving," Lucius said shaking his head at his son.

"I am, you don't understand,"

1st August 1985

Hermione had decided to join the Malfoys at one of their dinner parties as Draco wanted to introduce her to his other friends. They had spent the morning at the park with Emily, Lily, and Anna. It had been the first time they had met up outside of school. It had been amazing before they all had to go home.

Narcissa had invited Hermione to join them at one of the less formal dinner parties they were attending, and Draco said that there would be loads of children there and Hermione reluctantly agreed. Joseph had been staying at her uncle's house all week who lived about 2 hours away, so she didn't even have to worry about him.

Narcissa and Hermione had been shopping and Narcissa said she would pay for anything Hermione wanted. They ended up coming back with a dress for the dinner party as well as a few books. Draco said that she looked stunning, and Hermione smiled before they left.

The adults had all left the children to go play together. Draco pointed out all the children there. Daphne and her sisters Astoria, Pansy, Blaise, and Theo. Draco said there were two others called Vincent and Gregory but none of them liked those two much. Hermione felt awkward as they all looked like rich kids and Hermione, although rich herself, didn't fit in with the rich crowd.

"Hey guys, this is Hermione my friend from school," Draco said to the group. Hermione gave a small smile before looking at the ground. She felt Draco squeeze her hand in reassurance and she smiled at him.

"Hey Hermione," One boy, Theo, said to break the silence. "I'm Theo. I'm the most handsome person in the room".

"You have such a big ego Nott that one day it's gonna make you explode," Daphne said before smiling at Hermione. Theo just turned around and stuck his tongue out at her. Maybe they were nicer than Hermione had originally imagined.