We follow Draco in this chapter. Hope you enjoy!
Tuesday, December 29, 1998
Draco woke up to the sound of pecking on his dorm window. He looked over and saw a dark owl with wide, bright eyes perched on the windowsill. Sighing, he waved his hand, opening the window for the bird to enter. After dropping a letter on his bed, the owl flew back out the window, into the sky that was just barely light from the rising sun.
With a wave of his hand, Draco closed the window and looked at the envelope on the bed. He exhaled, seeing that it was from Pansy.
Breaking the seal, he took a deep breath before pulling the letter from inside.
Drake,
Granger? Really?
I never would have pictured the two of you together, but based on your letter, you appear to be extremely happy. Honestly, I'm thrilled for you, Drake. I truly am. All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy.
You've truly been through more than anyone should have to endure over the past few years, and you deserve to finally enjoy yourself.
I've got to ask. Does Lucius know?
I saw the Daily Prophet and after receiving your letter, I wondered if perhaps your new relationship led to the disownment. Not that you deserve such treatment, but somehow, I don't think you mind all that much being separated from that bastard of a man.
Personally, I think Lucius needs to bugger off, but that's just my opinion.
Does Narcissa know? I somehow think she'd take it better than Lucius but who knows.
What's it been like with Granger? She must be a bit different than we all assumed. Then again, you've changed quite a lot since the war ended.
I hope it is wonderful for the two of you. And I hope you both have a splendid New Years.
I can't wait to see you when we all return to school.
Love,
Pans
Feeling an immense amount of relief, the wizard let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
He cared too much about Hermione to allow anyone to change how he felt about her. However, the fact that his best friend approved of their relationship made him feel such relief and delight.
Draco stood up from his bed, stretching, before walking into his ensuite to take a shower.
When he stepped out of the shower, he wrapped a dark green towel around his waist before walking back toward his bed. He pulled on a pair of black jeans, a white tee, and a casual green Slytherin jumper.
As he made his way down to the Common Room, he could hear a loud pecking sound coming from the Common Room window. Draco let the owl inside and put a Knut into the pouch attach to his claw before taking a copy of that day's Daily Prophet from the bird.
He sent the owl back out to continue its deliveries before shutting the window. Once he was sitting in his usual chair, Draco looked down at the Daily Prophet, his eyes widening in shock at the headline.
Narcissa Malfoy Spotted at Wizarding World's Most Renowned Divorce Advocate's Office
"Bloody hell," he murmured as he began to read the article.
"What's wrong?" He heard Hermione say as she came down the stairs.
He looked over and smiled. Despite what he had just read, seeing Hermione always made him smile.
Standing up, Draco walked over, shaking his head, "Good morning, Darling." He said before adding, "According to todays Daily Prophet, my mother was seen at the Arlo Sable's office."
"The Divorce Advocate?" Hermione asked, surprised.
He nodded, "Yes." He replied as he tossed the Daily Prophet onto the nearby table.
Hermione stepped closer to him, tilting her head, "How does that make you feel, Love?"
He shrugged, "I suppose that I hope she succeeds." He replied.
Nodding, the brunette said, "Then I do as well."
The wizard smiled and leaned in, kissing her softly on the lips.
Hermione smiled into the kiss. As they separated, she whispered, "Good morning, Love."
"You look beautiful this morning, Darling." Draco muttered.
"Thank you." She replied with a slight blush tinging her cheeks.
"Would you like to go get some breakfast now or wait a while?"
"We can go now." She said, taking his hand.
They made their way to The Great Hall and sat at the Slytherin table where they began to eat their breakfast.
"So…what would you like to do today?" She asked him.
He looked at her and smiled, "Anything you'd like to do is fine, Darling."
Seeing her smile made his heart soar as she replied, "How about we go for a stroll in the snow?"
Draco nodded, "That sounds lovely." He said, "If you're all right with it, I'd like to write my mother a quick letter first."
"Of course." Hermione replied, placing her hand on his thigh. "That's perfectly fine."
He smiled and leaned over, kissing her lips before whispering, "Thank you."
After breakfast, the couple made their way back to the Common Room.
"I'll be back down soon." he said before kissing her deeply.
She hummed, kissing him back.
As they separated, Draco whispered, "It'll only take a few minutes."
Nodding, she smiled, "All right."
He headed up the stairs to his dorm and sat dorm at the small desk in the room where he began to write to his mother.
Mother,
I saw the Daily Prophet this morning and felt that I should check in on you.
Are you divorcing Lucius? Are you all right?
Can you tell me what's going on?
Please write back soon.
Love,
Draco
Once Draco sealed the envelope with green wax and his seal stamp which had his initials, he stood up from the chair. Draco grabbed his coat and pulled it on before picking the letter up and heading down to the Common Room where Hermione was waiting for him.
She stood up and turned to him, smiling, "Are you ready?"
Draco nodded, grinning, "Yeah." He said.
He noticed her looking down at the letter as she pulled her coat on.
"We can take that to the Owlery first." The brunette suggested.
He smiled, "Thank you, Darling." he said.
Together, they walked out of the Common Room and made their way to the Owlery to send Draco's letter to his mother.
He could feel Hermione's eyes on him as he whistled for his owl, Ajax, to fly down to him. Once his sent the bird on its way with the letter, Draco turned to the brunette and raised his brow with a small smile in place.
"Is there something on you mind?" he asked her, stepping closer.
She smiled, though it didn't meet her eyes, and shook her head, "No, Love. Everything is fine. Are you ready to go?"
He could easily see that something was either upsetting her or simply consuming her thoughts, but he chose not to push the topic.
"Yeah. Let's go." He smiled.
The couple made their way outside, strolling through the snow that thickly blanketed the ground.
Draco felt something smack him in the shoulder blade and turned to see the brunette smirking at him with a snowball in hand.
He chuckled and obtained a couple snowballs for himself before the battle began.
Laughter echoed through the nearly empty grounds of the school as they threw snow at each other. Draco ran after her and picked her up, making her laugh even louder. He lowered her slightly so that her face was even with his before kissing her softly.
She hummed and kissed him with fervor. Draco gripped her waist and deepened the snog, unable to contain the quiet groan that slipped from his mouth when she pressed her body completely against his.
As they separated, he met her eyes, seeing that they were a shade darker than their usual brown.
Hermione bit her bottom lip and took a small step back while taking his hand. "Come on." She said quietly, "I want to check on something."
When they arrived down at the Quidditch Pitch, they found that the snowman they had built as well as the Snowdragon, were both still completely intact.
Draco chuckled, "They look good."
Hermione laughed and nodded, "Yes, they do."
He noticed her shiver and suggested that they go back up to the Common Room to warm up a bit. She agreed and together, they headed back up to the castle.
Upon entering the Common Room, Draco poured them each a glass of Firewhisky while Hermione warmed up by the fire. He sat down on the sofa, and she walked over to join him.
He could see that whatever had been on her mind earlier was still bothering her.
Quietly, he cleared his throat and turned to face her. "Hermione…" He said, immediately catching her attention by using her first name. "What's wrong? You're worrying me."
She quickly shook her head, "It's nothing to worry about, Love." She said, cupping his jaw, "I just erm…I have a question for you and I'm a bit anxious to ask."
He nodded, "You should never be anxious to speak to me about anything, Darling." He said, taking her hand in his.
She licked her lips and quietly said, "Well erm…Ron, Harry, and Ginny are obviously staying the night at The Three Broomsticks on New Years Eve. Harry and Ginny are getting a room together. I was erm…I was…" She sighed, "I was wondering if perhaps you wanted to share a room with me?"
He nodded, understanding her anxiety. As he opened his mouth to answer, she cut in.
"Please don't answer right now. Just wait until tomorrow. I want you to truly think about it."
He nodded, "Okay. I'll answer you tomorrow." He said before leaning in and kissing her lips softly.