Chapter 15

Holidays at the Burrow were always full of fun. Arthur and Molly's decorations were a sight to behold, Bill and Charlie had amazing stories about their jobs to tell, and George always brought home WWW exclusive products for this family to enjoy. George's joke shop had suffered slightly since his brother, business partner, and best friend died in the Battle of Hogwarts. Ron had stepped in on occasion to help out however he could. But he didn't let it get him down. Fred's final wish, George found out in a note the two wrote to each other if such a situation where to arise, was to never stop laughing. Ironically, he wrote the exact same thing in his letter to Fred. He shared his laughter just as ordered and the shop has been doing better than ever.

Fleur and Molly argued about Christmas music again. Neither of them could agree on a singer who's voice didn't sound terrible to the other. While she had the chance to do so, Hermione talked with Bill about his line of work. From what he described, it combined her favorite school subjects, ancient rune translation, adventuring, and paper work. In the field, she'd venture into tombs, ancient sanctuaries and other dwellings in which a magical being had been laid to rest. Gringotts required gold and other precious metals to be charted and gathered for their inventory. While reports would record of what runes their and any written history or other information they held.

The days until Ron and Harry arrived dragged on slowly by for Hermione. She had discussed the issue of perhaps not being interested in Ron anymore with Ginny, of course leaving out certain details pertaining to Draco. Such a good friend, Ginny didn't even pry as to who her new interest was. Together, they decided that being up from with him would be best to 'break the news', but wait until after Christmas. Hermione didn't want to spoil the holiday. And it would give Ron one more chance before she discussed with him an end of their relationship. Maybe Hermione would change her mind, spending some time with him in person. Surely the distance was hard on both of them.

When Christmas Eve finally arrived, the house was full of cheer. Everyone had slept in save Molly who was fixing breakfast for the late risers. Around ten o' clock is when Harry and Ron arrived. Mrs. Weasley greeted them quietly and shushed them, although everyone knew they were coming that day. A specific time wasn't determined, so she wanted to surprise everyone.

Hermione was the first one to awaken and hurried down the stairs when she heard their familiar voices. "Harry! Ron!" She squeaked in excitement rushing through the kitchen door to hug them both. "Oh, I've missed you to so much!"

"We missed you too." Harry said, his voice muffled by her hair. "Yeah, it's been miserable having some stranger boss us around instead of you." Ron remarked. With that, Hermione released her grip on the boys and turned to Ron, a cross look on her face.

"I do not boss you around and I am very upset with you Ronald Weasley! I waited all semester for a decent letter from you, and all you send me is one measly sentence! I have half a mind to return your gift." She turned away from him and crossed her arms.

"Yeah, about that…I'm sorry Hermione, I really meant to write. But our superiors kept dogging on both of us. I hardly ever had the time." Ron tried explaining. "Harry wrote, why couldn't you?" She asked, not bothering at that. He looked to Harry for help, but Harry just smiled and shrugged.

Just as Hermione was about to continue her lecture, Ginny and George came in, ecstatic to see their sibling and honorary sibling. Soon after, the rest of the Weasley men as well as Fleur rousted, greeting Ron and Harry, essentially rescuing Ron from Hermione's wrath. The large family enjoyed a nice brunch together as Harry regales the group with tales of the cruel boss of theirs, making them clean and do ridiculous amounts of paperwork. As mad as Hermione was at Ron, she couldn't help but giggle at the thought of him being forced to clean and file papers. "It's worse than any detention Snape or Umbridge ever threw at us. Good thing they pay us for it now." They two young man joked.

A little after noon Harry announced that he would be leaving for a bit to visit his godson and the Tonks residence. "Harry, would it be alright if we went as well?" Hermione asked, pulling Ginny close to her, "We'd love to meet little Teddy."

"I don't see why not. I think Mrs. Tonks said that she'd be having family over, but what's Christmas without more family?" Harry says, picking up a neatly wrapped gift for Teddy. One by one the four step into the fireplace and floo their way to the Tonks' residence.

Draco awoke Christmas morning to the sound of a small child smacking his hand against his bedroom door and jabbering, "Dra! Dra! Dra!" Surprisingly Draco got up, dressed in black silk pajama pants and shirt. He threw on his robe then opened the door. "Happy Christmas Teddy." He said groggily to the thrilled toddler, who had no clue what Christmas was but none the less thrilled that Draco was awake to inevitably play with him.

"Choo! Choo! Choo Choo!" Teddy jabbered and had a hold of Draco's hand and led him to the sitting room. His mother sat with regal elegance on the sofa. His Aunt was in the solo chair. In the corner were a decorated tree, presents, and a train going around in all in a circle.

"Happy Christmas Mother." He greeted with warmth. "Aunt Adromeda." He greeted with respectful courtesy as he sat down on the sofa next to his mum. They proceeded to open gifts one at a time. Teddy didn't quite get it, but the toddler had a good time playing with the wrapping paper, trying to eat it at moments.

When they finished opening gifts the little ankle biter had several trains scattered about the room. They sat down for brunch. A little after noon they were just about done eating when the whoosh of the floo network arrival was heard. Andromeda stood up and went to answer it. "Harry! Hermione! Ginny! Ron! What a pleasant surprise. Please come in. We were just about to finish brunch. You're welcome to join us, though I suspected Mrs. Weasley keeps you all well fed, I'm sure." Draco heard his Aunt Andromeda exclaim, as she led them to the kitchen.

Draco was momentarily perplexed at why the Golden Trio plus Weaslette would show up here. Then he remembered who Teddy's parents were and figured they were here to see him. Draco previously told his mother of his near death experience with the fiendfyre. That it was Potter, Granger, and a reluctant Weasley, that saved him from that flaming demise. He also had to rely this in the trial when stating how Crabbe died. Perhaps it was about time to thank them.

They entered the kitchen and dining room and saw him sitting at the table. Ron immediately said, "What is HE doing here?" Draco silently stood, though he managed to do so in a non-threatening manner. "Happy Christmas Granger." He greeted casually. It was the closest he had ever come to having a polite tone of speech in regards to her in front of witnesses. Then he looked to the other three, "Potter, Weasley's."

"Ron, Malfoy is Adromeda's nephew." Ginny pointed out blatantly. Narcissa stood up as well, "Draco's told me all about how you three saved him from the fiendfyre in the Room of Requirement. As his mother I thank you."

"Arry! Arry! Arry!" A small voice squealed from his high chair as the toddler reached for the familiar male figure.

"Happy Christmas, Malfoy's" Hermione kindly responded as the Weasley's nodded and Harry acknowledged Malfoy with a courteous "Malfoy." response.

"You're very welcome, Mrs. Malfoy. After everything that's happened, I'd say we're all about even right?" Harry said with a nervous chuckle. If it weren't for Draco lying about not recognizing him when the three were captured, and then Narcissa lying about Harry being dead to Voldemort, none of them, save the Malfoy's would likely be alive to celebrate Christmas this year.

Little Teddy's hair turned into a messy mop of dark brown as Harry went over to his godson. "Happy Christmas Teddy! I got you something." He sat the package down in front of the toddler and popped it open with his wand. Sitting inside was a plush grey wolf doll. It had a collar and tag that read 'Moony'. "I'm sure you dad would have seen the humor in it. Maybe you will too someday." Harry ruffled the kid's hair as he wrapped his arms around the toy and grinned.

The girls' squealed, "Oh my heavens, he's so adorable!" They fawned over the happy child and Ron stood behind them, watching and chuckling, "A lady's man already, who'd have thought, eh Harry?" He said, and then leaned over to whisper, "Malfoy's probably livid he's getting less attention than the toddler." He joked.

Hermione glared at him, "He's completely different than he used to be, Ronald. You'd be surprised, he's practically pleasant now." At that moment, just as Ron was about to ask how she knew that, Andromeda brought tea for everyone. "I'm so glad you were all able to come. It's been a bit too quiet for my liking."

Draco arched his eyebrow at Hermione's comment, "Did she just call me pleasant? I really need to get my act together if Hermione Granger, of all people, thinks I am pleasant.' He thought to himself. Although he couldn't deny the feeling of happiness that came over him at her compliment. He had never been 'pleasant' to anyone really, except his for his mother. It was refreshing, for someone to think positive of him instead of despite. He could see the same look on the faces of her companions. Luckily his Aunt showed up with tea and that made everything go a bit smoother into more civil territory while they visited.

A while later as the four readied to go, Draco approached and extended his hand out to Potter. "I guess this means were even?" Draco reiterated, Harry nodded and shook his hand. It was a very businesslike gesture, like that of associates, but a gesture none the less. A way to reconcile with the past and not totally burn a bridge to the future.

New Years was certainly different than in years past. Just the four family members together, even Draco was beginning to enjoy the fun times of a one year olds ability to play. When they returned to the Manor in the privacy of his room he pulled out his wand and focused on that conversation in the kitchen, mainly Hermione's compliment and the feeling it gave him. "Expecto Patronum." He said and watched as a silver white light came from the tip of his wand and formed into a serpent 'Asian' dragon. It circled about the room bobbing up and down as if riding the wind, then dissipated.

His smile was ear to ear. It had been a long time since he had felt such a joy of accomplishment. And it was thanks to the most unlikely individual. He definitely was looking forward to returning to school the next morning.