Oh. Yes. Draco. Last night. She'd kissed him on a whim, and it had turned from a simple kiss into so much more... a connection, a hunger. Just thinking about it flushed her cheeks and warmed her considerably. She'd thought it was crazy just a few days ago that she'd begun being attracted to him, which is why never in a million years would she have expected that to happen. But... she made it happen. She was the one who stepped up on her toes. She's the one who closed the distance between them. Yes, it was Draco Malfoy, the boy who had tormented her for years, but maybe he's changed... maybe things could be different now. Or, they could be until Harry and Ron got back... they'd never forgive her for any of this, if they believed her, if she even told them in the first place!
She pulled the blankets up over her head. Maybe choosing to skip lunch as well was a good idea. She could get a few more good hours of sleep in before sledding...
When she woke, she realized she'd never set her alarm. It could be any time of day right now, anything could be happening, it could be the next day for all she knew...
But it wasn't. It was 3:00PM, granted, but it wasn't too late for sledding. She hastened to dress very warmly and mentally made a note that some baking could get done that night just after dinner. She made her way to the entrance hall before she heard someone calling her name.
Turning to see who it was, a very tired-looking Dumbledore stepped towards her from another corridor. "Ah, Miss Granger. A delight, as always. I'm disappointed that I haven't been able to partake in any of the festivities myself... however, I am a very busy man, as usual. And I am also very pleased with the things that I hear about your plans for these holidays. Never in my years at Hogwarts, has a student made so much effort to make students far away from home, feel as thought they might be in their own homes for the holidays. Fifty points to Gryffindor, for your spectacular display of caring. I've another thing I've been meaning to ask you for a day or so now, I noticed you and Mr. Malfoy have been meandering around on your own. This is, as you must know, unusual. Care to explain?"
Hermione blushed. There was, of course, no way he could have known about last night, even being Dumbledore, but at this point she had to realize that everyone had probably noticed her and Draco becoming very friendly.
"Well, professor... I'm not entirely sure what the reason could be. But Draco has been... more than pleasant, I'd say, but absolutely friendly and adoring. He bought every single student that's staying behind a gift for Christmas. And he's been helping decorate, and plan, and he's funded everything, down to the last Knut, I have no idea where this change came from. It's spectacular, really." Even then, Hermione could tell that her reply had been very enthusiastic.
"I see... I find that sometimes, people just need a certain time, place, and person to push them out of bad habits. Perhaps, Miss Granger, Mister Malfoy's habit will be broken with you. All his life, he has been taught to hate, and to feel as if he himself is better than those around him. He has never been truly cared for by his family, and it is a guess of mine that his friends are more like followers, though not to the extent of Death Eaters, of course. Maybe it is just the occurrence of his first real Christmas, his first real time feeling included, that will change him. All he might need is a push in the right direction, supporters, and perhaps a thoughtful gift. "
"I see what you're saying, Professor. He's just... well, he's an absolute enigma. I'll figure him out someday, if need be, but for now I think I'm happy with who he is now."
"It would take a true Gryffindor to befriend someone as you just have, under these circumstances. I sincerely wish you well, and a happy holiday."
After the little chat with Dumbledore, Hermione was deep in thought all the way outside. Maybe all it would take to turn Draco into a decent human being for good was a good holiday. And maybe something about what he said was right, about a thoughtful gift... if Draco didn't want to accept anything anyone might buy him, she'd try her hardest to give him something he'd truly appreciate. She trudged through the snow to the hill where they'd been just two days before. It was slightly larger, and students were going down quite a bit faster, but everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves. A group of fourth years was making a family of snowmen. Most of the younger ones were sledding. Only Draco stood by himself, invisible to Hermione at the side of the hill, snowball in hand. He'd been waiting for her to show up, as he knew she would, and for whatever reason - he couldn't bring himself to say something as simple as 'Hello' to her, this might start a snowball war, he had a general taste for mischief - he was going to throw a snowball straight at her as soon as she came into view. He hadn't planned, however, on her asking a Slytherin girl where he was, and said girl giving away his hiding place. Damn. He dropped the snowball to the ground and stood up straight, turning around the hill just as she did.
"'Mione. Someone wake up a bit late this morning?"
"I did. Not until just a short while ago... and Professor Dumbledore found me in the Entrance Hall, we had a little chat."
"Sounds interesting. About what, if I may ask?" He raised one eyebrow. Surely, it had something to do with the plans.
"Oh, nothing." But even as she said it, he could see her turning her face and blushing. Not that he needed this cue to know anyway - he'd been with Dumbledore just that morning.
*Flashback*
Upon waking up and finding the common room deserted, he decided to stroll around the castle on his own, marveling at the feeling of complete solitude amongst thick stone walls. His footsteps echoed up and back down on him from the high ceilings, and Draco used the time to think for a while, until he heard a second set of footsteps coming up just behind him.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy. Enjoying a walk? Not getting into any trouble?" The old man smiled, but it was forced.
"Actually, Professor, I am. Enjoying the walk, I mean. No trouble from me, not now anyway." He grinned, and this time Dumbledore chuckled.
"I see. Draco, can you tell me anything about what Miss Granger is doing?"
"Oh, the holiday plans, yeah... you see, she's been getting all the students together..." Draco launched into a full explanation of the plans, and the schedule, and before he knew it, had gotten completely carried away. Stopping himself - mostly because he had nothing left to share - Draco suddenly fell silent.
"I see. Lots to say on the matter, I suppose... and what part do you play in the grand scheme of things?"
Draco thought for a minute. He could tell the truth - that he'd been partnering with Hermione the whole time, that he was shelling out almost 300 galleons to make this all absolutely perfect, that he'd been helping her with every step - or he could lie, and just let the one good deed he'd done, go unsaid.
"Well, I mostly just enjoy that things are happening. Christmases at home, as you can imagine, aren't like they're supposed to be..."
"I can imagine indeed. Well Draco, Hermione seems to be putting plenty of work into this, as she usually does... I just think perhaps she's a bit overworked. From school to social events... not a jump I expected her to make, but she still must be tired. I think she may be in need of some appreciation, this must be draining on her energy, and quite possibly her pockets as well."
Draco said nothing, determined to keep his lie solid.
"Well then, Draco, I do hope you enjoy the rest of your Holidays. I'm glad to see you... as you are. Do give Hermione praise as well, she deserves it."
"I know sir, she's... amazing."
"Ah? I think this may be the first time I've ever heard you speak so well of anyone. Any thoughts on that?"
"Well... I just know that she's been able to see completely past what we've been through before, and how I've been to her... she's been spectacular."
Dumbledore smiled an all-knowing smile again, and gazed off down the hall.
"I suggest, Draco, that you give Hermione a proper gift. Not one you can purchase, as that wouldn't mean a thing coming from you. I believe you might know what I'm talking about?"
"Actually sir, I have no idea."
"Ah, boy, but you will soon. I'm sure of it. I might fancy a chat with her later on these very plans..."
He smiled and nodded, leaving Draco, slightly bewildered and very contemplative, to himself again.
*End Flashback*
"Oh. Alright then. Well. There's a good hour of sun left before it starts getting really cold... fancy another sled race?"
She rolled her eyes. "I don't know if I can handle another one of those. But I might be up to helping with that snow family..." she turned her head to watch the students drop - and smash - the head for the fourth time. "Honestly, are you wizards or what?" They flushed and laughed at their obvious mistake.
He hesitated before reaching out - she wasn't looking at him but her body was mostly still turned towards him, and her hand was just in front of his own... he grabbed it, intertwining his fingers with hers. Her attention immediately flashed back to him. She smiled, pulling him along to help her.
At the end of the hour, students had begun to file back into the castle. Draco and Hermione, in a last ditch effort to do everything they could on that snowday, started a two person snowball fight, raced down the hill once more, and put the finishing touches on the snow people. At last, Hermione grabbed Draco's hand and started walking with him, talking about that short afternoon. Suddenly, she stopped. "Wait! I know what we've forgotten!" She released his hand and fell flat on her back into the snow. In a moment, she stretched out her arms and legs, sweeping them to the sides, up and down, eyes closed.
"Are you completely mental?" Malfoy laughed slightly.
"Are you... Malfoy... do you honestly not know what I'm doing?" Now it was her turn to laugh. A common snow trick, unknown to Draco Malfoy!
"Not... at all, actually."
"I'm making a snow angel! You lie down in the snow, and move your arms and legs like this, and once you get up, very carefully, the shape you've just made looks like an angel. Try it."
Shaking his head, he fell back beside her, moving his arms and legs as she did. It was an odd feeling, like sweeping the snow around with your body, but it wasn't altogether unpleasant. He closed his eyes, and it was almost relaxing. After a moment, they stopped.
"I'll come help you out of yours... you've a little more experience than I do..."
Draco rolled over his own snow angel, damaging parts of it, and stepped over to her, carefully helping her up so that she wouldn't make a mark.
When she was up, he really looked at it. And he did see the angel, sort of.
"Draco, look at that. Two snow angels."
He turned to look at her. Hermione had bits of snow stuck in her hair, and on her shoulders and back, but she didn't care. And he realized it, right then, this was her time, this was her holiday, and she'd invited everyone in to celebrate their own traditions with her. In the process, she'd even picked Draco up from wherever he'd been and brought her up here. Wherever this was, it was nice.
"Ah, well. One anyway. Yours is great, mine is sort of lumpy anyway, and I rolled over half of it..." he took off his glove to brush a bit of snow off her cheek with his thumb, resting his warm palm on her cheek. She closed her eyes again, and turned her head to face his.
"... and I think it's absolutely perfect." She opened her eyes just before he bent his head down to hers. He kissed her just once, softly, and they silently made their way back to the castle, connected by the same hands that might have hexed each other before.
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