Chapter 8: Mind Over Matter*

Winter had arrived, and the Yule Ball was just two days away. Hermione and Draco were in dire need of a moment's rest, but Narcissa had them dancing and attending etiquette classes to the point where even Lucius was reaching his breaking point. "Darling, I understand you've been busy with the children, but let them have some fun. They look utterly exhausted. Please, let them be kids," Lucius pleaded. Hermione glanced at them. "Yes, darling, I'll let them relax after the professor says they're ready." Lucius wasn't having it. "Look, they're fine, dear. Please!" He gave her *the look*—the one she couldn't refuse. "Alright, I'll give them a break, but if they fail at the ball, it's your fault," Narcissa relented. Lucius took it as a victory. "I'll go free the children, and we'll have a talk."

He entered the classroom, where the children were visibly struggling to hide their boredom. The etiquette professor turned to him. "Lord Malfoy, what are you doing here? Lady Malfoy instructed me to finish the class before the ball." Lucius raised a hand, signalling for the children to leave. "Class is over. Lady Malfoy wants the children to have a moment. They've been working tirelessly and need rest before the ball. Thank you for your efforts, but I believe today will be their final class before the ball. Enjoy Yule." He left the now-empty classroom, and the two pairs of eyes that met his seemed to regard him as their saviour. "Narcissa has given you both the day off because I wanted you to enjoy the Yule vacation. Rest this morning, but be in the salon by 2 pm. We're going shopping for Yule." They both nodded. Hermione just wanted to crawl back into bed. Most of her holiday schoolwork was done, but Narcissa's insistence on perfection for the Pureblood class—what Draco called "a moment of pure insanity"—was wearing her down.

Hermione called for Millie to draw her a bath and bring her some pyjamas. She desperately needed rest, and this constant grind wasn't what she'd signed up for. She'd been working non-stop since finishing her holiday tutoring. Millie arrived, drew the bath, and prepared her bed. Narcissa had woken Hermione and Draco at 6 am for classes, and Hermione had been up until midnight finishing her homework. She was exhausted and just wanted to catch a few hours of sleep. The etiquette teacher had scolded her for the bags under her eyes.

"Miss Davenfort-Granger, you should have had your beauty sleep last night. What were you doing? Lady Malfoy won't be pleased to see you looking so tired. This isn't how a proper lady should appear at a ball," the teacher had snapped. Draco looked just as worn out. All they wanted was to play and fly, but Hermione also longed to read. She'd nearly finished all the books she'd received for her birthday, and the upcoming classes on Occlumency and Legilimency excited her. Narcissa and Lucius were thrilled that both children would be able to attend the classes that summer.

Millie interrupted Hermione's daydream. "Miss Hermione, your bath is ready, and I've laid everything out for you. If you need anything, I'll be assisting the other elves." Hermione smiled. "Thank you, I'll be fine. Just wake me 30 minutes before Lucius expects me. I need a long nap, and don't worry—I won't need anything else." She headed to the bath, set aside the uniform required for her class, and stepped into the warm water. The aches from endless nights of dancing melted away. Millie had been bringing ice buckets and potions to ease her pain, but now Hermione just wanted to relax. She started reading the book Millie had brought her, but her eyes grew heavy. She eventually left the bath, got dressed, and collapsed into bed for a nap.

Draco, on the other hand, was far from pleased. He understood his mother's desire for perfection, but the past few weeks had been torture. Yule was usually his favourite holiday, but this year, it felt anything but fun. The endless dance classes and Pureblood etiquette lessons were draining him. Like Hermione, he'd stayed up late finishing homework, but he'd managed to avoid the teacher's wrath in the morning. Still, he was exhausted, and his mother's relentless demands weren't helping.

When his father finally freed them, Draco called for Dobby to prepare his bed. He, too, wanted a nap. The thought of shopping for Yule before the party brought a smile to his face, but first, he needed rest. Before drifting off, he began drafting a list of things he needed, including gifts for Hermione. He glanced at the holiday books the Prophet had sent, searching for gift ideas, but the comfort of his warm bed proved too tempting. His eyes closed on their own.

The house-elves tasked with caring for the children checked on them. "Master, I think they're truly exhausted. Mr Draco and Miss Hermione fell asleep less than 20 minutes after you freed them from class. Should we wake them for the trip to the Alley this afternoon, or let them sleep?" Hermione's elf asked. Lucius sighed. "I didn't realise they were so tired. Let them sleep. We'll go when they're rested. Millie and Dobby, make sure they're comfortable." The elves bowed and returned to their duties.

Lucius knew the children were worn out, but hearing how exhausted they were troubled him. Hermione had needed ice most nights, and Draco's feet were sore from constant dancing. Narcissa's relentless pursuit of perfection was taking its toll. He wanted them to enjoy their holiday and have some normalcy. The trip to Diagon Alley would have to wait.

When Hermione finally woke, it was dark outside. She stretched, grateful for the long nap. She'd asked Millie to wake her earlier so they could enjoy the afternoon in London, but the elf arrived with a tray of food instead. "Miss Hermione, Master Lucius instructed us to let you both sleep. He said the London trip will be tomorrow afternoon. Millie and Dobby made sure you both rested well, and Master asked us to bring you a tray when you woke up." She placed the tray on the table. Hermione stretched and walked over just as Draco burst into the room. "Master Draco, your father said you should rest and relax," Dobby called after him, carrying a tray of food. Draco took a seat beside Hermione. "Sorry for the noise, Elf. I don't like eating alone. Mind if I join you?" Hermione smiled. "Not at all. I was about to ask Millie if you were awake. I hate being alone too, especially since losing my parents." They shared a smile and began eating.

It was a rare moment of camaraderie, and Hermione was starting to feel at home. She saw Narcissa as a mother figure, though she wasn't ready to call her "Mum" yet. Her therapist had suggested finding a title for the Malfoys that felt right, and Hermione was considering it. She glanced at Draco and smiled at the thought. "I'm a bit disappointed we didn't go to London today. I wanted to do some Christmas shopping," she said, finishing her starter and moving on to the main course. "I've got shopping to do as well, but it's hard not to think about how much has changed since the accident in August," Draco replied.

Draco smirked, trying to lighten the mood. He'd seen Hermione improving every day and hoped she'd soon see them as family. Narcissa dreamed of having a daughter call her "Mum," and Hermione was getting closer to that point. They finished dinner, spent time in the library, and were sent to bed by the elves at 11:30 pm, as they had a long day in London ahead.

When Hermione woke the next morning, she saw the first snowfall and smiled. Today, they'd be heading to London, and Narcissa had promised a full day of shopping to prepare for Yule. Hermione and Draco dressed in their finest winter attire, complete with stylish cloaks. "Hermione, we've been paired up for shopping. Where would you like to go first?" Narcissa asked. Hermione consulted her list. "Could we stop at the tailor and then the bookstore? I've got some gifts to pick up." Narcissa nodded. "I've a few stops as well, but first, we'll visit Gringotts." Hermione took Narcissa's arm, as etiquette dictated, and they set off.

"While we're in London, do you need any clothes replaced, Hermione?" Narcissa asked. Hermione nodded and called for Millie. She'd grown out of some of the clothes Narcissa had bought her and planned to replace them during this trip. "I thought so. Before we head home, we'll stop in Muggle London," Narcissa said. Hermione smiled, grateful for the chance to visit the Muggle world. She felt more at ease there than in wizarding London.

The day was spent shopping, and they ended it at an Italian restaurant. When they returned home, Hermione asked Millie to ensure all the Yule gifts were packed and placed under the family tree by morning. She took a bath and went to bed, knowing tomorrow was Yule.

Enjoy !

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Audrey