Wednesday, December 23, 1998

Waking up, Hermione felt as if it had all been a dream. The previous night had practically been something out of a muggle fairytale and she couldn't believe it had truly happened. But it had.

Flashback: Tuesday, December 22, 1998

After a moment, Draco pulled back, the smell of Firewhisky hung between them as he met her eyes, "That Bulgarian bastard had his bloody chance. You're worth more than you know, Hermione and if he can't see that, then you ought to know that I fucking can."

She swallowed, "Draco…" she breathed, "I…I don't know what to say."

He nodded, "Well, it would help to know if you felt the same way about me." He spoke quietly.

She rolled her eyes and nodded, a smile forming on her tingling lips. "Of course, I do."

With a grin, he nodded and stepped closer to her, "Then, would you care to go into Hogsmeade with me tomorrow and get a Butterbeer? Perhaps shop a bit? I just…I want to spend the day with you."

Hermione could feel the blooming blush on her cheeks as she nodded, "I'd love to."

"Brilliant." He said with a wide smile, his grey eyes glancing down at her lips before he leaned in and pressed a firm but much less intense kiss against them.

As he began to pull away, Hermione's hand went straight to his jaw, keeping him close as she kissed him back, building the intensity. When his hands gripped her waist, she felt weak in the knees but didn't stop snogging him.

It was indescribable…feeling his lips against her own…soft yet firm in a way that was so unlike any kiss she had ever experienced.

When they separated, he met her eyes and said, "So, I'll meet you in here in the morning. Perhaps we can even get breakfast in Hogsmeade instead of eating breakfast in The Great Hall."

She nodded, "I think that sounds perfect."

He nodded, "I'll meet you down here early in the morning." He said before leaning in and pressing a single, soft kiss to her lips, "Sweet dreams, Hermione."

She smiled, "Sweet dreams, Draco." She replied before turning and going up the stairs.

End of Flashback

Wednesday, December 23, 1998

Hermione smiled and gently touched her lips, smiling before she slid out of bed. She walked over to the lavatory to take a shower before getting dressed.

She pulled a pair of dark grey jean trousers and a cream-colored, cable-knit turtleneck jumper. Leaving her hair down in tamed ringlets, Hermione looked in the mirror, grabbing her coat and wand before going down to the Common Room.

She smiled, seeing that Draco was waiting for her.

He smiled at her, "Good morning, Hermione." He said quietly, "You look lovely."

The brunette smiled in return, a slight blush blooming on her cheeks, "Good morning, Draco. Thank you."

Walking over to her, he asked, "How did you sleep last night?"

"I slept wonderfully. How about you?" She asked.

A smile formed on the wizard's lips as he stepped closer to her, "Well, I also slept wonderfully." He said before adding, "Are you ready to go to Hogsmeade?"

She nodded, about to put her coat on.

"Here." Draco said. "Let me help." He took the coat from her before holding it up for her to slide her arms into.

She blushed as she slipped her coat on.

He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, making her smile.

"So…" He said, holding out his hand, "Where would you like to eat breakfast?"

Taking his outstretched hand, Hermione replied, "I'm not sure. Have you got any idea which place in the village has the best breakfast?"

"I've heard that the new place…I believe it's called The Hogsmeade Café…has an excellent menu." He said as they stepped out of the Common Room.

Hermione nodded, "Let's go there for breakfast."

The wizard nodded and together, the two of them made their way toward the village, holding hands.

"What would you like to do after breakfast?" Hermione asked, looking over at him.

Draco shrugged, "We can do anything you'd like to. I know that we had discussed going shopping. We can still do that, or we can do something else. It's completely up to you." He replied before adding, "I honestly…I just want to spend time with you."

She smiled and met his eyes, "Me too."

He grinned and squeezed her hand as they continued their leisurely walk toward The Hogsmeade Café.

As they entered the café, they made their way over to a small table near the front window. Draco pulled one of the chairs out for Hermione, causing her to smile as she sat down. He walked around and sat down across from her as menus appeared in front of them on the table.

After ordering their breakfast, Draco asked her where she'd like to go shopping first.

"Well, I don't know about first, but at some point, today, I'd like to go to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop." She replied, "I could use a couple new quills."

He nodded, "Me too."

After they finished eating breakfast, Hermione reached into her bag to pay, but Draco quickly stopped her and paid for the meal. She smiled, taking his hand as they walked out of the café and over toward the quill shop.

They spent the entire day shopping and wandering around the village hand-in-hand. As the sun began to set over the snow-covered hills, they went over to The Three Broomsticks to get a couple Butterbeers.

The Pub was busier than the previous time they had been there, leaving only a few tables empty. Hermione took the shopping bags and went over to the same table they had sat at before. She placed the bags under the table, took off her coat and sat down, exhaling.

Most of the people in there were clearly in town shopping for the holidays as they also had several shopping bags on or under their tables.

Draco walked over, pulling off his own coat before sitting down across from her with a grin. "Have you had as nice of a time today as I have?"

A smile formed on her lips, and she nodded, "I have. It's been lovely."

Madam Rosmerta brought their Butterbeers over to their table and kindly said, "Let me know if you two need anything else."

They both thanked her and spent the next hour chatting, laughing, and simply enjoying one another's company.

While sipping on their second round of Butterbeers the door to the Pub opened and Viktor Krum entered before angrily storming up the stairs to the Inn without noticing them.

Hermione choked on her drink when she saw him, feeling shocked and disheartened.

Draco, who had also noticed the Bulgarian Seeker, looked at her and asked her what she wanted him to do. Just as the words came out of his mouth, Krum came back down the stairs, reentering the Pub. He walked over to the bar, slamming money onto the wooden surface as he frustratedly ordered a drink before spotting Hermione at the table by the window.

Krum's jaw set sharply in anger as he walked toward them, weaving his way through the crowded Pub.

Hermione sighed and looked at Draco, quietly saying, "I should talk to him, but I'll meet you back at the castle soon. I promise."

Draco nodded as Krum made it to the table. The blond wizard stood up, grabbing their shopping bags before leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to Hermione's cheek.

As he straightened up, he met the dark-haired wizard's eyes who appeared to be on the verge of violence.

Draco's face, however, showed no emotion at all, knowing that a smile or a smirk would be disrespectful toward Hermione. He walked past the broad-shouldered Seeker and left the Pub.

Krum slumped down in the Draco's empty seat, "Well…" He said with hostility in his tone and a glare of rage aimed at her, "that answers most of my questions."