"Well, I'm glad I didn't have to resort to taking a Muggle airplane," Hermione said to Draco, who sat across from her in their compartment on the Hogwarts Express. "This is much more straightforward."
"What? Those metal tubes that fly in the air?" Draco asked, stroking Crookshanks who sat on his lap. It amused Hermione how much Crookshanks liked Draco, who'd been indifferent about any sort of pet but now seemed resigned to Crookshanks' presence. Hermione thought Draco secretly liked the attention from the cat. "No way. I would have dug out our family's old flying carpet before I let you do that."
"Let me?" Hermione asked, raising her eyebrow at him. "As if you could let me do anything."
"Well, I would have highly advised against it," he said, amending his statement.
"You're just nervous about it because you've never been on one," Hermione said. "They're really quite safe. And sounds more comfortable than a flying carpet where you could fall off at any time, have no bathroom, or drinks."
"You've clearly never ridden a flying carpet," Draco said. "You can set down anywhere you'd like, you have more flexibility, and you can have all the food and drink you'd like. Plus, the carpet can catch you if you fall."
Hermione raised her eyebrows again. "Hmm, I still think a plane would be a better option. Besides, aren't flying carpets outlawed for a reason?"
"The Ministry tries to control everything these days," Draco muttered.
"In this case, it sounds to me like it's for a good reason," Hermione said.
"Maybe," Draco said, looking out the window. Hermione followed his gaze. The snow-covered countryside was lovely. She watched the countryside pass by for a time. She was glad Draco was coming with her. It would have been lonely to do this on her own.
Ginny and Luna opened the sliding door, re-entering the compartment. They'd gone off in search of snacks and to use the bathroom. Ginny's eyes darted to Draco. She was still getting used to having him around. Luna remained as dreamy as ever, sitting down and pulling out her copy of the Quibbler to resume reading.
"We should be there soon," Ginny said. "It's getting late in the day."
"I see the snow thinning out the further south we go," Hermione said. "Once we reach London, it'll be completely gone."
The landscape grew more and more urbanized the closer they got to the station. Soon enough, it changed completely into a cityscape. The train began to slow.
"Looks like it's time to go," Draco said, standing up. They all began gathering any loose items and restoring them into various bags and backpacks. As the train stopped, they joined the queue in the hallway to exit their train car.
"Ginny!" a familiar voice called. Hermione spotted Harry, wending his way through the crowd to them. He reached Ginny and pulled her into his arms and spun her around. After a quick kiss on the lips, he set her down and greeted the others.
"Hello Hermione, Luna. Merry Christmas," Harry said, hugging both girls. Then he nodded at Draco. "Malfoy," he said in greeting.
"Potter," Draco said with a hint of his former sneer.
"I had to see this with my own eyes," another familiar voice said. Ron emerged from the crowd, followed by his parents. He stared at Hermione and Draco with his hands on his hips, animosity filling his face.
Brushing past Ron, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hugged their daughter and then Luna. Mr. Weasley gave Hermione a hug, but Mrs. Weasley was more reserved. She said, "Hello, Hermione," rather stiffly. Hermione's heart sank. It was exactly like that time when Mrs. Weasley had been reading Rita Skeeter's articles and got mad at her for playing Harry. Evidently, she thought the same thing about her with Ron.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," she said cautiously. "Merry Christmas."
"So it's true, then," Ron said eying Hermione and Draco. "You're with Malfoy?"
Hermione held Draco's hand. "Yes, Ron," she said.
"Was this going on when we were together?" he demanded. "Is that why you never told me he was at Hogwarts?"
"No!" Hermione said. "I just didn't think to tell you that. And when I said I needed space, I really meant it. I wasn't interested in getting involved with anybody. I needed time alone. And I spent a good amount of that time alone. This relationship with Draco just sort of…happened."
Luna's father appeared out of the crowd. The Weasleys greeted him while Luna rushed to him and gave him a big hug. "I'll see all of you later," she said. "Happy Yule!" With a wave, Luna and her father vanished.
"So you ditched me to get with him?" Ron said petulantly.
"Did you even listen to what I said?" Hermione asked. "We weren't together."
"They weren't," Ginny chimed in.
"You stay out of this!" Ron exclaimed, rounding on Ginny. "You deceived me!" He said pointing his finger at Hermione. "I was ready to give you space, but it turns out you just were cozying up to Malfoy."
"I've had enough," Draco said, stepping forward Ron. "You can insult me all you want. I can take it. I know I deserve a lot of it. But you cannot insult my girlfriend in front of me and expect me not to do anything. She's telling the truth, man."
"Come on, Ron," Mrs. Weasley said, grabbing her son by the arm. "You're making a scene."
Ron looked like he wanted to shake her off, but then he caught his father's eye. Mr. Weasley looked at him sternly with a no-nonsense expression. It wasn't often that Mr. Weasley got stern, so one tended to listen when that happened.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley began walking away, their youngest son between them. Harry and Ginny hugged Hermione one last time.
"I'll work on them," Ginny promised Hermione, then Ginny looked at Draco, "You better not hurt her," she warned. "I'm going to a lot of trouble because of you. I'm putting good faith in that you have genuine good intentions."
"Right," Harry chimed in. "You'll have us to answer to."
"If there's anything left of him when I'm through with him if something like that happened," Hermione laughed. She did appreciate her friends looking out for her though.
Draco raised his hands in surrender. "I wouldn't dream of it," he assured them.
"Good," Harry said shortly. He took Ginny's bags from her and took her hand. "We'll see you in the new year, then." Ginny waved to them as they walked away.
"Bye!" Hermione called after them. Draco and Hermione were left standing by the train, the once crowded platform now virtually empty as students and families had been reunited and departed the station.
Neither of them had family there to greet them. Draco's mother had wanted to come, but he had told her not to. His father was furious at him for his relationship with Hermione. Apparently, his father thought he was just trying to punish him by dating a Muggle born.
Inwardly, Hermione was relieved she didn't have to deal with his family. If they continued their relationship, she'd have to, one day. That was not something she looked forward to.
"Shall we go?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, let's," Draco said.
They Apparated to Diagon Alley and got a room at the Leaky Cauldron. They'd talked about getting separate rooms, but it was expensive this time of year and neither of them had a lot of spare funds.
Hermione was both nervous and excited about the prospect of sleeping in the same room as him. They'd kept their relationship very wholesome so far, only kissing and some light touching. But she was feeling more and more like she wanted more from him.
Finally, they were not around other students or faculty. No outside influences. Just them.
Tom, the innkeeper, led them to their room and disappeared after giving them their keys. The room was small. The bed dominated the room. There was a small dresser and desk squeezed against the wall next to the adjoining bathroom. It would do. Hopefully.
Hermione set her things down on the desk and released Crookshanks from his cage.
Draco stood in the doorway still, his face distasteful as he took in the dingy room. "Not up to your usual standards?" Hermione asked, amused.
"Not exactly," he said. "Is it even clean in here?"
Hermione pulled back the covers and checked the sheets. "No bedbugs at least," she said. She hadn't been particularly impressed by room herself, but seeing Draco's reaction filled her with humor.
"You're enjoying this," he accused. Hermione didn't attempt to hide her smile.
"You're kind of prissy," she pointed out.
"Fine," he said, stepping further into the room and setting down his elegant leather suitcase on top of the dresser. "I won't deny that I like things to be nice. But I suppose I'll survive."
"Yes," she said coming up to him and wrapping her arms around him. "It's cozy in here."
"That's true," he said. "We can't avoid each other here. Maybe it won't be so bad."
His lips met hers, sending warmth coursing through her body. She stepped even closer, deepening the kiss. Desire washed over her and she bit his lip, demanding more.
His tongue entered her mouth, exploring. His fingers intertwined themselves in her hair, holding her. His other hand was at the small of her back, pressing her to him.
Hermione stood on her toes, reaching up to him so she could be closer and have more access to his mouth. Her arms were around his shoulders, holding him tight and pulling him close.
They kissed with a ferocity released by the fact that they had utter privacy. A privacy they hadn't been able to experience together before now.
"This room is dangerous," Draco murmured into her ear. "I don't think I'll be able to stop touching you."
"Then never stop," she practically purred into his ear, biting the earlobe.
Draco groaned. She felt a hard twitch against her navel as he hardened.
He began to kiss her neck and she tilted her head to the side to give him more access. The delicate presses of his lips tingled against her skin. It felt delicious.
A loud meow interrupted them. Crookshanks was scratching at the door and glaring at them, demanding to be let out so he could explore his new territory.
Hermione laughed breathlessly. "Sorry, Crookshanks," she said, moving to the door and opening it for him. He darted out of the room.
She turned back to Draco, who was straightening his robes and smoothing back his hair. "Why don't we go eat?" he asked. "I have a feeling that I, at least, am going to need my strength.
"Let's do that," she agreed. They had two weeks together. No need to rush things.
