Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 31
Draco took his time getting ready the next morning, trying to buy himself more time before he met with Hermione for their first Christmas together…in the muggle world. If someone had told him a few years ago that he would be spending his holidays in the muggle world or being in the muggle world at all, he would have wrinkled his nose in disgust and scoffed at the insane idea.
But here he was… doing exactly that. He had to admit, he was curious to see how the muggles lived and survived for so long without any magic.
"Father, if muggles are so stupid how have they survived so long without magic?" asked a curious 11 year old Draco one night at dinner. He immediately regretted his words at the look on his father's face.
Lucius' eyes widened and he turned to Draco in fury. "Are you suggesting that they may not be so stupid, Draco?" hissed Lucius, tensely putting down his fork.
"N-no father." he quickly said, putting his head down and turning back to his food as he hoped he wouldn't be punished later on for his question.
Draco shook his head, trying to clear it of the memory. He hated getting unwelcome flashbacks, especially the ones which involved his father. He didn't think like that anymore. Hermione had changed him and his perspective on muggleborns, he knew she did.
Without another thought, Draco grabbed his things and headed down for the train. He walked down the train, peering into each compartment in search of Hermione until he found her fast asleep in the last compartment, head lulling to the side.
He shut the door and put his trunk away before he turned to her, silver eyes examining her sleeping form. Although asleep, she did not look relaxed. A crease between her brows told him that she was tense, and possibly having a bad dream of some sort. Her parted lips moved in the slightest murmur, though Draco wasn't able to make out any actual speech.
Noticing a stray curl fall onto her face, Draco reached out to tuck it behind her ear and out of the way. As soon as his cool finger brushed against her cheek she jumped out of her seat, gasping.
"I swear I don't know!" Hermione cried, staring up at him with wide eyes.
Draco's lips parted in shocked before he clenched his jaw. He knew what she was dreaming about… the terrible night at Malfoy manor.
"I…" he tried, though his throat was suddenly dry and he found he couldn't speak. The guilt he constantly felt was rising up in his chest and he found it impossible to swallow the uncomfortable lump in his throat.
"Oh my gosh…" Hermione's face flushed red in embarrassment as she realized where she was and who he was. "I'm sorry, Draco." she said, purposely avoiding eye contact as she sat back down.
"You have nightmares about that night." he stated, sitting across from her. "Look, I-"
"No I don't." She interrupted quickly, clearly lying. "I wasn't dreaming about… that."
Draco raised a brow at her, clearly not buying it.
"Can we not dampen the mood already?" She continued desperately. "It's Christmas break and I want to enjoy it. We're… friends now. Let's just enjoy the next few days without all of the past drama being brought up." She suggested, offering him a tight smile.
Draco wasn't an idiot. He knew she didn't want to discuss it, so he wouldn't push it. Not now, anyways. "Alright, what's on the itinerary for my first time spending the holidays in the muggle world?" He asked instead.
Her face lit up at the question and Draco's heart skipped a beat at the sudden brightness in her eyes. She looked like his Hermione again.
Shut the fuck up, Draco. He told himself. She's not your Hermione anymore. You're here as friends.
"Well, I've actually rented a car which we'll pickup from the station and then we'll-" she began.
"What the hell is a car?" He interrupted, brows furrowed in confusion.
Hermione burst out laughing at the question, before delving into an explanation of what a car was, much to Draco's interest.
"Come on, Draco." Hermione took his hand, pulling him towards the black car she had rented. "It's perfectly safe, I promise!"
"It doesn't look or sound very safe." He said, eyeing the car as she began loading their trunks in the back.
Draco circled around the vehicle, bending and crouching to inspect every bit of the exterior as he stroked his chin in weariness. Hermione had to hold back a laugh at this.
"Oh, come on!" She finally said, rolling her eyes and pulling open the passenger door before pushing him into the seat. She shut the door before he could protest and then headed for the driver's seat.
She inserted the key in and the engine turned on, causing Draco to jump and whip his head around the vehicle in search of the noise.
"What was that?!" He questioned, a slight panic in his voice as Hermione pulled out of their parking spot and onto the street. "Watch out!" He exclaimed, pointing at another car driving on the opposite side of the road.
She snorted in laughter, turning to him as they waited at a red light. "Draco, just relax. I've had my driving license for years now, I'm a perfectly safe and reliable driver. Just put on your seat belt and sit back." She said, quickly reaching over and buckling his seat belt.
He stared at her in clear unease, gulping before he sat back in his seat. Hermione bit back another laugh as she began to drive at a steady pace.
Hermione glanced over to see Draco sitting in silence, watching the streets pass them. She reached out to turn on the radio, playing the latest hit pop songs. "It's called the radio." She explained before he could ask. "Muggles like to listen to music while they drive."
"I like it." He said in approval after a minute of listening.
She smiled slightly, as they turned into a smaller road with no other cars but their own. A thought occurred to her and a mischievous smirk played on her lips as she stepped on the gas until the gas began to speed up.
Draco's eyes widened as he turned to her in confusion. "Why are you going so bloody fast?" He hissed as the speed continued to increase.
"You go much faster than this on your broom, Draco." She said over the music as she sped down the long road.
"Are you trying to kill me?" He exclaimed, gripping the armrests next to him with clear fear in his face.
She laughed at his reaction, and she couldn't help but find him absolutely adorable. It was really like a child riding in a car for the first time.
She slowed down, feeling slightly bad as muggles walking by stared at them through the windows, though Hermione couldn't tell whether it was because of her extremely amused face or his terror stricken one.
Hermione soon pulled into a parking spot just outside of a hotel, unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching over to do the same to Draco's. "We're here!" she exclaimed, opening her door and stepping out of the car to look up at the grand hotel she had booked for them for the holidays.
She turned back to the car, expecting Draco to be out, though she had to hold back another laugh, watching him through the window as he struggled to figure out how to open the car door and get out himself.
"Sorry!" she giggled, quickly walking around to his side and easily opening the door.
"Whatever," he grumbled, clearly not enjoying himself as he stepped out.
Many of the muggles in the parking lot who were loading and unloading their cars stopped to stare at the pair, though Hermione knew they were mostly looking at Draco. He looked so out of place here in his pitch black robes, towering over most people due to his tall stature. She watched as he glared back at many of them, scowling until they nervously turned away.
"You don't exactly fit in, Draco." she explained, rolling her eyes as she opened the back doors, unloading their trunks. "We'll need to head down to the shops after we've settled in and get you some muggle clothing."
"Muggle clothing?" he repeated, watching her unload their trunks, not offering any help. She knew he was probably used to the help loading and unloading his trunks whenever he needed back home. "I don't want to walk around wearing… that. It looks ridiculous." he gestured to a random man walking by in a hoodie and jeans, who had clearly overheard his comment and looked quite offended.
"Oh, hush." she scolded, shoving his trunk towards him. "Grab your stuff, we're heading in."
He stared down at the trunk, then at her before he pulled out his wand.
"What are you doing?!" she said in a hushed tone, snatching his wand from his hand. "You can't use magic here!"
"You lot carry all of your things everywhere?" he asked in annoyance, watching her walk off with his wand and her trunk dragging behind her. When she didn't respond he grabbed hold of his own, following after her until they walked side by side.
"This is a hotel." she explained as they headed towards the entrance. "It's an establishment muggles use for tourists and people who need places to stay temporarily. I've rented it out for a few nights, since I haven't really gotten a place of my own yet." she glanced awkwardly at him, hoping he didn't ask why they didn't go to her family house.
"Like the Leaky Cauldron." he noted, looking around the lobby as they entered.
Hermione nodded before heading to the front desk, grabbing their key cards and room information. Draco stood a few feet away as Hermione spoke with the receptionist for a few minutes, returning to him with pink cheeks.
"Um," she began, avoiding eye contact. "Well, I booked a room with two beds, but it seems they've made a mistake… and because it's the holidays they're fully booked."
"So where will you sleep?" he asked, smirk playing on his lips at her flushed face.
She held back a laugh, smacking his arm before she began towards the elevators. They headed up to the top floor and Hermione led them to their suite, tapping the key card of the door and pushing it open to grant them access.
"Magic?" Draco asked, staring at the key card suspiciously.
"No, this is muggle technology, Draco." she said, smiling slightly as they entered the penthouse suite.
Hermione looked around, beaming. She had gotten the best possible suite, knowing Draco had grown up with a very lavish lifestyle. After the war, she had been awarded a filthy amount of money herself, which was why booking such a grand suite wasn't a worry of hers.
The suite had a living area with a plush couch, a TV, a coffee table and some armchairs to match. The bed was a large king sized bed with a breathtaking view through the large windows next to it. There was a large jacuzzi style bathtub nearby, sharing the same view with a bottle of champagne in ice ready for drinking just next to it.
"Well, what do you think?" she asked, turning to watch as Draco explored the suite.
"It will do." he said shortly, back towards her. She began to frown until he turned around, his usual smirk playing his lips and she realized he was only teasing her.
After they had put their stuff away and freshened up, Hermione had forced Draco to join her for another car ride to the shops a bit away from the hotel. He had grumbled and moaned as she dragged him through a few shops, purchasing a few jeans, sweaters, joggers and other clothing items she thought would suit him.
They headed to a fitting room after purchasing a comfortable grey set of joggers and a hoodie which Hermione wanted to see him in. The aristocratic Draco Malfoy in a sweatsuit? She had to see it.
"Go put these on and we'll head down to the Christmas market. Christmas is tomorrow so I really want to catch the big tree lighting at the town square tonight!" she said excitedly, pushing him into a room and pulling the curtains closed behind him.
She browsed around the shop, giving him a few minutes to change before she heading back to the fitting rooms. She was surprised to find him changed and out of the room, chatting with a blonde muggle girl.
"I'm having a New Year's eve party, you should totally come." Hermione heard the girl say, a suggestive smile on her face as she twirled her hair in front of him.
Hermione gritted her teeth as she stepped next to Draco, waiting for his response. "Well, Hermione?" he prompted, not at all bothered by her joining the conversation. "What do you say? New Years party."
"Oh…" the girl said, her voice faltering as her eyes fell on Hermione. "Um, yeah. You can come too." she said, less than enthusiastically.
Hermione gave her a fake, bright smile. "Totally!" Hermione mimicked her previous tone, nodding.
The blonde girl stood up straight, now completely ignoring Hermione as her eyes were once again on Draco. "Well, here's the address." she said, smiling suggestively as she reached out, stuffing a small piece of paper into his sweatpants pocket, awfully close to his crotch.
Hermione gritted her teeth, arms crossed as the girl winked at Draco, waved and walked off, not bothering to acknowledge Hermione.
"Making friends?" Hermione asked, trying not to sound jealous. She knew she had no right. She was the one who had pushed Draco away when he had tried to pursue her romantically last. They were friends now. He could flirt or date or party with whomever he pleased.
But still… her stomach flipped as a flicker of insecurity washed over her as she watched the pretty blonde walk off.
Draco shrugged. "Jealous?" he teased, smirking down at her.
She rolled her eyes, deciding to change the topic. "Well, you look awfully comfortable." she said, her eyes running over his form. Even though he was wearing a sweatsuit which most muggles wore on a lazy day, he made it look extremely fashionable. She was now certain that nothing could look bad on Draco Malfoy.
"I quite like these muggle clothes." he admitted, looking down at himself. "So, what have you got planned for us, Granger?" he asked.
"Oh! Right, come on!" she grabbed his hand, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach at the contact as she lead them out of the shop and down to the Christmas market.
They spent the rest of the evening watching carolers, trying different Christmas treats and drinks, and Hermione even managed to get Draco on a few of the rides, much to his protest.
The Christmas market was decorated beautifully, full on festive mode. There were lights and trees everywhere, little elves and men dressed as Santa Claus walking around for the children. Although he didn't comment much, Hermione could tell Draco was enjoying himself. He hadn't complained once and instead of her leading him to different attractions, he had eventually begun to lead her towards activities he wanted to do.
He stopped in front of a skating rink with a grand tree in the middle, watching as the muggles skating around merrily. "Have you ever done it before?" he asked curiously.
"Loads of times!" she said, trying to sound cheerful. She had gone loads of times, but always with her parents. "Do you want to try?" she asked, looking up at him as he nodded slowly.
They got their skates and stepped onto the rink, Draco clutching Hermione's hand tightly as people were gliding effortlessly around them.
"Bend your knees and lean forward slightly," she instructed, turning to face him. He obeyed and Hermione took both his hands, beginning to guide him across the rink. His knees shook a little, though he soon got the hang of it.
"Alright, let me try on my own." he said, dropped her hands as he began to glide slowly around.
She watched as he did well for a few seconds before losing balance and toppling over. She laughed, gliding in front of him and reaching out a hand to pull him up. He took it, though before she could pull him back up he had pulled her down next to him.
"Not so funny now, is it?" he smiled, trapping her under him on the cold ice.
Her breath hitched as their faces were only inches apart. She could feel his cool breath on her face and though there were many others skating around, she could only focus on him. She watched as his silver eyes flickered down to her smiling lips.
"Thanks for agreeing to come spend Christmas with me." she said softly, reaching up to brush some snow out of his silver hair.
His eyes moved up to meet her own, and she saw him shake his head slightly as he pushed himself back up and off her, standing on his skates once more. He reached down and pulled her up as well.
"Thank you for inviting me." he said, avoiding eye contact as he brushed the snow and ice off himself. "I'm actually having quite a good time with you and these muggles." he admitted.
"I'm glad." she said, slightly relieved to hear that. "I am too… I was really scared going into this, you know. I usually come here with my parents and well… I'm just glad you're having a good time. I'll never forget this Christmas with you." she finished gently.
He stared down at her, his silver eyes softening. "Neither will I." he agreed simply.
It was now dark out and the skaters were gathering around the large tree in the middle of the rink. "They'll be lighting the tree now, I think!" she said, taking his hand as they glided over towards the growing crowd.
They watched in anticipation as the crowd began to chant for the lights. Soon after the tree lit up with beautiful coloured lights and Hermione joined the cheering crowd, clapping joyfully. The many coloured lights reflected on their faces and Hermione turned to Draco, beaming.
"Merry Christmas, Draco." she said, reaching out to wrap her arms around his neck in a hug.
"Merry Christmas, Hermione." he said, his long arms circling around her waist and holding her close.
A/N: Don't kill me guys! I'm sorry I went ghost again :( But I promise I'm not abandoning this story! I already have the next chapter written for the most part and will be uploading it ASAP! Thanks to you guys who have been following, reviewing and favouriting this story even through my inconsistency! I love reading you reviews.
I know this was a filler chapter but the next one will be a lot juicier! Promise! As always, read and review! xxxxx
