Hermione found that Christmas morning came as early as it always did. She was too excited to sleep in. And it certainly didn't help that she was spending Christmas in England for the first time in what felt like forever. She loved her grandparents but it was nice to spend the holidays with her friends.

"Happy Christmas," Her mother said when Hermione finally made it to the dining room.

It was only eight in the morning, but Hermione had spent most of the morning reading. She was keen to return her library books soon after they returned to Hogwarts and had managed to read for over an hour.

"Happy Christmas mum."

"Hermione! Did you see the presents under the tree?" James nearly yelled.

Hermione bit back a laugh. "No. I just left my room."

"You have to see it," James said. There was a groan in his voice. "It's so pretty and magnificent."

"Breakfast first," Draco said. "Mother will kill me if I sneak people in right when we're supposed to be eating."

"Right," James said. His face fell for a second but then rose back up as he looked around the dining room.

"Don't worry, they won't disappear," Blaise said walking up to them.

"I thought you were heading back to Italy," Hermione said almost accusingly.

"It's too much hassle to get an international portkey or floo license at this time of year for more than one trip. And you should know that the break isn't long enough to really justify going back."

Hermione did have to admit that she did know. She knew exactly what the problems with such a journey would be. She didn't know how flooing or portkeys would change things, but the jet lag alone was enough to make her pause.

"Fine. I suppose I can't begrudge you too much."

"Are you four going to sit down?" Mr. Granger asked.

Hermione flushed a tad and hurried to her seat. Once everyone was seated the meal started.

It was a much more intimate affair than the ball the previous evening. And there were at least three conversations going on at once even though it was clear that the Malfoys were the kind of people to try and keep things as polite as possible. And had it not been Christmas and breakfast, things might have been different.

As it was, the meal finished quickly, James having scarfed down his food as quick as anyone possibly could. Hermione wasn't sure that he should have been able to do that. He seemed to be bouncing off the walls.

Once everyone was done they migrated to the parlor where the family tree with presents was situated. And slowly, one by one, the presents were passed out and opened.

Hermione got quite the assortment of books but closed the small box from Draco after looking at it.

"What's that?" James asked.

"None of your business," Hermione said.

It was a beautiful pair of earrings. They were teardrop black pearls. She loved them but wasn't quite ready to share that Draco had given her jewelry. It was a rather forward move from someone who hadn't yet openly declared his betrothal. Even if said betrothal was to the recipient.

"Probably something sentimental," Blaise said. "Why don't you open her gift to you?"

It was flat and about the size of a textbook aside from the fact that textbooks were often long. James tore off the paper to find a black and white drawing of himself. It waved at him and winked.

"Did you draw this?"

Hermione waived the question off. "Everyone gets a drawing from me. Draco has at least twelve."

"I still like the one you did of Pansy," Draco said.

Hermione had to bite back a laugh, but her smile grew and Blaise did most of the laughing for her.

"I think I'm missing something," James said.

"Pansy's portrait hates her guts," Draco said. "Thinks she's something gross. Or something like that. Keeps looking down on her."

James smiled. Everyone could get frustrated with Pansy. It was strange that a picture of her would feel that way, but it made enough sense.

Finally all the presents were opened and the children settled down to play while the adults went off to talk about whatever it was that adults talked about when children weren't around.

"How long do betrothal negotiations last?" James asked eventually.

"I think you'd have to ask my mother," Draco said. "I'm not exactly a normal case and hers was one of the longer ones I've heard of. It wasn't even agreed on until she was fourteen."

"I don't think I can wait that long," James said as he flopped down on a sofa.

Hermione smirked. "You're not going to die because you don't have a marriage agreed to. Your own parents weren't betrothed until they were seventeen."

"How do you know that?" James asked.

"Grownups talk. And if you're quiet, they'll say a lot before they remember that you're there. And if you are doing something else, they usually forget that you have ears."

The rest of them nodded. It was true. Even teachers sometimes forgot that students could listen and write at the same time. Which they should, since they had more encounters with things of that nature.

"Don't worry about Daphne's parents," Blaise said. "They'll be happy to agree to anything as long as Daphne's happy. And she has a lot of sway which is why her parents haven't pushed her on Draco."

"And the time I pushed her in the mud and the peacocks attacked her," Draco added. "Rather a traumatic experience I think. But we were four."

"And the fact that Daphne's two months older than you," Blaise said. "It's not uncommon but isn't considered ideal. And since Astoria is only a year younger, she seemed the better choice."

James thought it over. "I'm younger than Draco. Is this going to be a problem?"

"Daphne likes you," Hermione said. "I doubt that there's gonna be any issue. And if there is, we could always find a way to magically bond the two of you."

"Do you even remember how we did that?" Draco asked.

"Nope."

A/N: so glad to be writing again. hope you guys like this. i know it's not my best but i hope it's still enjoyable