Overall, Christmas at the Grangers' was a comfortable, relaxed affair. However, at the same time, Hermione's parents were trying to figure out what to do about their identities now that they knew who they were again.
While Hermione had changed their documents for them when she altered their memories and she'd done it once again for them, they'd established themselves at a dental practice nearby and had gotten to know people under their pseudonyms.
Ultimately, they'd decided to tell their new acquaintances that they were moving back to Australia and actually move themselves back to the south England town that Hermione had grown up in near Dover. It would be unlikely that they'd ever run into those people again. But for now, they weren't going to worry about all the details. They would enjoy the holiday.
Draco's family had never done much in the way of holiday festivities, thinking it beneath them. Primarily, he'd grown up going to fancy, stuffy events where there was very little holiday spirit.
In contrast, Hermione's parents loved Christmas time and went all out. They sung Christmas carols, prepared special meals, and popped Christmas crackers — though they were nothing like the wizarding crackers. Draco pulled his with Hermione, half braced for an explosion and had thought the gunfire sound to be rather tame.
A few days after Christmas, Draco and Hermione visited Draco's cousin Andromeda Tonks. Despite the fact that she and Draco had been corresponding via letters for some time, she was still a little wary around Draco at first. After all, he was a Malfoy and after her sister married Lucius, her sister had become even more snobby and disdainful.
As their visit continued, however, Andromeda warmed up to Draco. They seemed to understand each other in a way that Hermione would never be able to, given that she hadn't come up from their particular upbringing. Hermione wondered sadly how Draco might have gotten on with Sirius and Tonks, for that matter. The losses they'd experienced still staggered her sometimes.
Watching little Teddy toddle around the house helped clear any sadness away from Hermione's mind. The youngster was precious, getting into all sorts of trouble. Andromeda constantly had to run get him out of this mishap or that. She certainly had her hands full.
Yet Hermione could see how much Andromeda loved her grandson. He was the only living remnant of her immediate family, as she'd lost her daughter, husband, and son-in-law during the war. Hermione guessed that Teddy kept her so busy that Andromeda had no chance to let grief consume her.
They learned Andromeda had spent Christmas Day with the Weasley's, which had been crowded, mad, and filled with holiday spirit. Andromeda had been grateful for the invite and, as Teddy was Harry's godson, they were part of the family.
Hermione felt a brief pang that she hadn't been at the Weasley's, but the holidays with her parents and Draco was extremely special.
To Hermione's delight, her parents took quite well to Draco. In particular, Draco got along especially well with Hermione's father. Draco unwittingly got Hermione's father started on the subject of history and mythology. And once you get Hugo Granger started on history and mythology, it's almost impossible to get him to stop. Thus, Draco got a crash course on Muggle history and literature. Surprisingly, he didn't seem to mind the lectures and would ask Hermione's father thoughtful questions.
Aside from stolen moments here and there, Hermione and Draco had very little alone time, but Hermione found the time spent with family invaluable after spending so much time being estranged from them.
As Hermione promised, a couple days before they were meant to ride the train, they said goodbye to Hermione's family and returned to the Leaky Cauldron. Draco and Hermione took good advantage of their time together.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'm starting to appreciate this room," Draco said as he held Hermione to his chest in bed. "It's started to grow on me."
Hermione idly ran her fingers along his bare chest, playing with his golden chest hair.
"It's certainly cozy," she said. "And we've taken advantage of every surface here."
"Indeed," Draco said. "I dare say I might even miss it."
"We can come back when I graduate," Hermione said. "If you miss it that much."
Draco pulled her tight. "I think I'll be able to make better arrangements for us by that time," he said. He stroked her hair. "It makes me happy to hear you talking about the future."
"Thinking about the future makes me nervous," Hermione admitted. "I haven't figured out what exactly I want to do. But the one constant I see in my future is you. And that fills me with hope and happiness. I feel much less worried about the future than I have in years."
"I feel the same," Draco said. "And I think it's okay we don't know what we want to do. We have time to figure it out."
"Well, for me, at least until I graduate," Hermione said. "After that, I have to figure out how to make money somehow."
"There's always Hogwarts," Draco said. "I'm sure McGonagall would give you a post."
"That's true," said Hermione. "But I don't think that's the right thing for me. I want to do something to help change the world. We're in a fresh opportunity to start over."
"So what might that look like?" Draco asked.
"I don't know," Hermione said. "I used to think I wanted to take my Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare further. I'd love to take that a step further and advocate for all sentient creatures who are oppressed by wizards."
"Including goblins?" Draco asked, a note of skepticism in his voice.
"Goblins, centaurs, werewolves, vampires, giants, house elves, and all sentient creatures," Hermione confirmed.
"Not all of those are guilt-free," Draco said. "Many have done serious harm to wizards."
"And why is that?" Hermione said hotly, sitting up in bed and looking down at him. Her hair fell over one shoulder, cascading down over her breast. "Because wizards have oppressed them and looked down on them as other. They've wanted to dominate those they deem lesser. Like Muggles."
Draco considered her. "You're so sexy when you're angry and fired up about something," he said, his eyes filling with desire.
"Don't change the subject," Hermione said, feeling herself growing even more hot and flushed despite herself. The way he was looking at her…
Draco sat up beside her, the sheets covering his naked lower half. "I see where you're coming from," he said. "And my first instinct is to say you're wrong and that goblins, werewolves, and other creatures are foul. But yet, if I step back a little, I realize I need some time to reevaluate my stance on this."
Hermione smiled softly at him. "Of course," she said. "And I'm so thankful that you're even aware of that and willing to do so."
She kissed him softly. And then they didn't talk for quite some time as they lost themselves in each other once more.
The night before returning to Hogwarts, Draco's mother met them at the Leaky Cauldron for dinner. As she entered, her face had the usual pinched expression of smelling something distasteful. Her eyes took in the dingy atmosphere of the pub and clearly did not look eager to eat there. Yet as she saw her son, her expression brightened and she made her way to their table.
"Hello, Draco," Narcissa Malfoy said, kissing her son on the cheek.
"Hello, mother," he said. "Please officially meet my girlfriend, Hermione Granger."
Narcissa surveyed Hermione, who felt very dingy and uncomfortable under her gaze. Hermione was aware that she was wearing Muggle casual clothing, while Narcissa and Draco wore richly fabricked robes in wizard fashion.
After what seemed like forever, Narcissa nodded at Hermione and said, "I've heard so much about you."
That could mean anything, Hermione thought. She could have heard bad things and she could have heard good things. It was a very neutral sort of statement.
"And I've heard a lot about you from Draco," Hermione said. "He's very fond of you." Hermione added a positive note to the statement.
Narcissa raised her eyebrows. To Hermione's amazement, the expression mirrored on Draco's face. How alike they look, she thought. And yet not.
They all sat down at the table. Tom came by and took their orders.
Overall, they had a pleasant meal. Narcissa did not insult Hermione but she mostly talked to Draco of people they knew or places they'd visited. Hermione didn't mind that his mother focused her attention on Draco. She wouldn't know what to talk about with Draco's mother.
At the end of the meal, Narcissa paid for their meal, which Draco protested and she waved him off. "Let me," she said. "Since you refuse to visit and to allow me to send you anything, give your mother this small comfort."
Draco acquiesced and soon, she stood up and they stood up as well. Narcissa kissed her son goodbye and said to Hermione, "Farewell Miss Granger." Narcissa gave Hermione a nod and added, "Take care of my son."
Hermione held Draco's hand. "I will," she said, smiling. In that small way, Hermione understood that Narcissa was giving her acceptance to their relationship. Perhaps Narcissa wasn't glad that Draco had chosen Hermione but she demonstrated that she could accept his choice.
Returning to Hogwarts was thankfully peaceful. Ron had not made an appearance at the train station, so Hermione got to catch up with Harry in peace before the train departed. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley also came to see Ginny off.
"This is the last time we'll put any of our children on the Hogwarts Express," Mrs. Weasley said tearfully. "It's almost the end of an era."
Mr. Weasley wrapped his arm around his wife. "I hadn't thought of that, dear," he said. "You're right. It's time for new beginnings."
"I'm not sure what I'll do when all the children are out of the house," Mrs. Weasley wailed.
"The house is never empty very long, my dear," Mr. Weasley pointed out. "As long as you never stop cooking, there will always be at least one child coming to visit." He chuckled. "And remember Bill and Fleur's news?"
At Hermione's puzzled expression, Ginny chimed in, "Oh! I didn't tell you!" Ginny said. "Fleur is expecting. She told us at Christmas."
"Oh, how wonderful!" Hermione squealed. "I'll have to write them my congratulations."
Mrs. Weasley eyed Hermione, studying her. She then examined Draco, who stood somewhat aloof at Hermione's side.
"I'm still not sure what to make of this new development," Mrs. Weasley said looking at the couple. "But in the name of Christmas I'll let bygones be bygones." She patted Hermione on the back. "You've every right to follow your heart. Even if I don't understand it."
Thrilled, Hermione hugged Mrs. Weasley. "Thank you," she said. "Our relationship means a lot to me. I'd hate to think I'll never be able to spend time with you again. Perhaps one day I can get more cooking lessons."
"I think that could be arranged," Mrs. Weasley said, patting Hermione on the back. "You made some improvements over the summer and I'd hate to let that improvement go to waste."
Luna drifted over to their group. "Shall we get on the train?" she asked in her dreamy way. "It's starting to fill up."
"Yes," Ginny agreed. "We want to make sure we get a compartment."
They bade their farewells and boarded the train, securing one of the remaining few free compartments.
Without further ado, the second term of the school year started back up and they all fell back into a familiar pattern.
[BONUS FLUFF!]
Now that Draco and Hermione had deepened their relationship over the holidays, they began to take more risks to see each other.
One day Draco pulled Hermione into an abandoned classroom when Hermione had a free period. He cast the Muffiliato charm and sealed the doors, striding towards her.
"Draco!" Hermione said startled. "This is pretty public."
"I don't care," he said. "Besides, I cast some enchantments around. We shouldn't be bothered."
"Shouldn't," Hermione muttered, her protests ending as Draco met her lips and pulled her tight. He pressed her up against a desk, lifting her up so that she could straddle her legs around him. She pulled him in tight, throwing her arms around his neck.
Their kiss deepened as he pulled up her school robes, so that they pooled around her waist. He gripped her thighs, hard. She moaned at the intensity of his grip. She began to rub his back with her calf, pulling him even closer.
He pulled up his robes and unleashed his enlarged member. He slipped her panties to the side and entered her.
She grinded against him, meeting him thrust for thrust. Riding him hard and fast, she found her release at the same time he did. She buried her face in his chest to muffle her cry of pleasure.
They held each other for a few moments, panting. Then, he kissed her and stepped back.
Draco grinned at Hermione. "See?" he asked, straightening his robes and smoothing out his hair. "This was a good idea."
Hermione stood and straightened her robes, "I suppose I can't disagree," she said primly.
"Even if you don't admit it," he said. "Your body admits it. And those little sounds you make."
Hermione turned a bit pink at his words but smiled. She kissed him lightly on the lips.
"This term won't be over soon enough," she said.
"I don't know," he said. "I enjoy it. You as a student. Me as a professor. It's hot."
"Assistant professor," Hermione said. "And I am older than you, you know."
Draco shrugged. "And yet, I'm the one on faculty and you're not."
"I chose to come back to school," she said.
"Still doesn't alter the situation," he said.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I need to study," she said.
"I'll come with you," he said.
"You can walk me there," she said. "If you want. But that's it. I need to focus. You always distract me."
He took her hand. "Very well," he said. "It would be a shame if you didn't get all O's on your N.E.W.T.s and not come out on top of this crop of seventh years."
