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Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! Why is there a tiny house on the coffee table?” 

Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes as the arrogant voice of her co-head drifted through the Head dorms. She’d have to deal with him, the boy was worse than a toddler when he was ignored. 

“It’s not a tiny house, Malfoy.”
Draco Malfoy turned to look at her incredulously. “It quite clearly is, Granger.” he replied, prodding it. 

“Oh for the love of Merlin! Stop that Malfoy! It's an advent calendar.”

“A what?” He looked genuinely bewildered. 

“Advent calendar. You get a little treat on each day on the run up to Christmas,”

He perked up at the word treat. 

“What sort of treat?”

“It depends. Most muggle ones have chocolate in them, I have one of them in my room. But this one, my parents have filled with things, I have no idea what's in it.”
“You're telling me, muggles give their children chocolate and tiny presents on the run up to Christmas? Every year?”
Hermione laughed, “Yes Malfoy, every year. I’ve had that calendar since I was born.”

“Oh.”
“There's nothing like it in the wizarding world?” she asked, knowing the answer, the Weaselys had been fascinated by her calendar the first year they’d spotted it. She’d made a point to buy them all chocolate ones each year since. She had a spare one this year, she’d forgotten to ask her parents until the last minute and had apparently miscalculated.

“No.” he said slowly, looking intrigued. 

She rolled her eyes. Draco Malfoy and sugar, a match made in heaven. 

“Wait here.” she commanded, returning with her spare. “Here. I had an extra one this year, I have no idea who I counted twice but apparently it was someone. You can have it, I don't need three.”
Draco’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?” 

“Malfoy, it's a one pound cadbury's calendar, take it.”
“I have no idea what that means but….ah….thanks Granger.” The words sounded foreign on his tongue. 

“No problem. Now, leave the other one alone!” 

“Granger! Granger! What is this magic? There’s a little chocolate behind the door!”

Hermione groaned as she was woken from sleep by an overly excited Malfoy. 

“I did tell you that, Malfoy.” she groused as she opened her door to face him. He was still sleep ruffled but clearly excited. 

“You didn't tell me it came in a shape! Look at it Granger!” he forced the tiny chocolate into her eye-line, “It's a tiny chocolate present!”

“Sweet Merlin if I’d known you’d be this excited I’d have given it to Luna.”

The boy scowled. “It's a tiny chocolate present, Granger!” he responded, clearly not understanding her lack of enthusiasm. 

“For the love of Merlin, Malfoy, please just eat it.”

He pouted before he put it in his mouth, his eyes widening. 

“This is really good! What is it?”

“Cadbury’s” she responded drily. “Can I go back to bed now?”

“What? No! You need to open the little house!”
“What? No! I need to go back to bed!”
“Granger!” he whined. “You're up now, just open the little house and then you can go back to bed!”

“Ugh, for the love of Merlin. Fine.”

Hermione marched up to the advent calendar, opening the door. She frowned as she pulled out the tiny box. With it was a note. 

We had a bit of help from Sirius. You’ll need to enlarge some of your treats. He tells us you should manage no problem!

Mum & Dad. x

Cautiously she got out her want and enlarged the box, opening to find a delicate charm bracelet inside. It was beautiful, but currently bare. 

Malfoy peered over her shoulder. “A bracelet? No chocolate?”

She choked on a laugh at his disappointment. “Sorry, Malfoy, not today!”

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! You told me muggles didn’t support cannibalism! Why is there a man’s face on my chocolate?”

Hermione groaned into her pillow. Giving Malfoy that advent calendar was turning out to be the worst idea she’d ever had. Opening the door, still feeling sleepy, she looked up at Draco Malfoy's confused face. 

“It's Santa, Malfoy.”

“Who?” 

Hermione's eyes went wide. “You're not serious?”

“Granger, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh for the love of…..go and sit down Malfoy.”

Looking at her in confusion, Draco sat down on their sofa, awaiting her explanation.

“Santa Claus or Father Christmas lives in the North Pole. He's jolly and rotund and wears a red suit and hat and has a white beard.  On Christmas eve he jumps down chimneys or uses a magic key to deliver presents to the children of the world in his sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. They leave him something to eat and drink in return.”
Draco snorted. “You're not serious?”
“Well, he doest actually exist, but that's the story muggles tell their children.”

“Muggles tell their children that a fat man in a red suit breaks into their house and leaves them presents?”
“I mean when you put it like that…….” she muttered. 

“Muggles are insane.” 

“No they’re not! Santa is magical, the embodiment of all christmas!”

“Oh he's magical all right, he’s clearly using the floo network.”

Hermione thought about it for a moment, frowning. “You may have a point.” she said reluctantly. 

Draco rolled his eyes. “Go open your house. The thought of a creepy old man arriving in my house while I’m sleeping isn't pleasant and I need a distraction.”

“He sees when you are sleeping, he knows when you’re awake…..” Hermione sung thoughtlessly. Draco's eyes went wide in horror.

“Muggles teach their children that this man can see them all the time? Sweet Salazar Granger that's beyond creepy!”

Hermione snorted, “Yes well…..it doesn't feel like that as a kid, it just feels magical and special.” She opened the door of her calendar carefully, unearthing a small tin that she figured she had to enlarge. 

“What's that?”

“Shortbread.” Hermione replied, smiling at the familiar tin.

“Care to share?” Draco asked hopefully.

Hermione snorted, “Your sweet tooth is ridiculous, Malfoy. You can have one bit, I’m hiding the rest in my room!”

“Where has this been hiding all my life!” he moaned as he bit into the shortbread. “Granger, this is better than the shortbread the elves make! Where do I get this?”

Hermione laughed at him, far more relaxed in his presence than she would ever have believed. 

“In a muggle shop.” 

He looked at her carefully. “Would you take me if I wanted to go?”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. This is bloody good shortbread Granger!”

“I….I mean, yes I suppose I could if you really wanted to.”

“During the Christmas holidays then?” he asked hopefully. 

“During the Christmas holidays.” She agreed, wondering what on Earth she’d started with this.

“Granger?”
“Malfoy?” she sighed. 

“Can I have another piece?”

She rolled her eyes as she chucked a bit at him. Annoyingly, he caught it.

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! You said muggles don't have house Elves!”

“Malfoy, for the love of Merlin!” Hermione threw back the covers, stomping to the door. 

“It's five o’clock Malfoy!”

He held up a tiny chocolate elf with a pout “But they want me to eat a House elf Granger!”

“It's not a house elf! It's one of Santa’s elves!”

“What?”
“Make me a cup of tea, Malfoy.” she groaned, “And I’ll consider telling you.”

Draco mumbled something about unreasonable witches and not being a house elf that made Hermione stop.

“You can make a cup of tea can't you?”

He pouted before he whined, “We have elves, Granger!”

“Oh for the love of Merlin. I’m going to get dressed and then you’re going to learn how to make a bloody cup of tea!”

“Granger! Can’t we just call an elf?” He called frantically at her closed door

“Why are the leaves in a little bag Granger?”

“Because it's more convenient and reminds me less of the fraud in the tower.”

Draco snorted a laugh, “Still not over Trelawany telling you you had no talent?”

“The woman’s insane, no ones died yet but she predicts it every bloody year. The only time it’s ever been entertaining was the time she stole Snape’s cup from under him and told him all about his wonderful marriage with ten children while batting her crazy eyes at him and trying to stroke his leg. I’m only sad he didn't murder her, his face hinted that he might.”

Draco choked on a laugh, remembering it. “Father knows him quite well, apparently Dumbledore increased his potions budget to stop him from poisoning her.”
“Pity.” Hermione replied with a shrug. 

“Bloodthirsty little thing aren't you? I’d never have believed it, Granger!”

“I think in this case it would be a kindness to put her out of her misery.”

Draco gave in and laughed at the witch, she was far more interesting than her reputation as an uptight swot implied. He’d been dreading this year, stuck in the Head dorms with Gryffindors resident bookworm but Hermione Granger had turned out to be pretty entertaining. She was a swot, there was no getting around it, but she was also funny, sarcastic and unfailingly kind. He was aware that he had given her no reason to be nice to him over the last six years, and yet, when she had seen who would be joining her, she had called for a truce. He was quite glad he’d agreed now, even if the witch was making him make his own cup of tea. 

“Are you going to explain the House elf now?” he whined, drinking the very first cup of tea he’d ever made himself. Those little bags were genius.

Hermione sighed. “They’re Santa's elves. They live in the North Pole and make the toys Santa delivers.”

“Santa has house elves? Are you sure this guys not a wizard?”

“I’m beginning to wonder.” she muttered, drinking her tea. 

Draco snorted a laugh. “Are you going to open the little house?”

“Yes, Draco.” she responded with an eye roll. 

Draco blinked, he didn't think she’d ever used his given name. He found he rather liked it. She pulled out another tiny box that she enlarged, not that it got particularly big. No shortbread in that one then, he thought sadly, wondering what she’d done with the rest of the tin. 

“What is it?”

Hermione turned, holding up a small dangling, something.

“It's a charm for the bracelet.” she replied, moving closer until he could see a tiny witches hat. 

He laughed, “That's a bit on the nose is it not?”

Hermione shrugged. “Magic is still a bit hard for my parents to understand to be honest. Witches were characters from storybooks to them before McGonagall appeared at the door.”

Draco frowned uncomfortably, unable to imagine how it felt to live without knowing you were magical.

“How did it feel?”
“When I found out I was a witch?” He nodded, “Like everything finally made sense.” she replied softly. 

He smiled at her. “Granger?”

“Yes, Malfoy?” 

“Got any of that shortbread left?”

She rolled her eyes at him and huffed but she summoned the shortbread anyway

Chapter Text

"Granger! Granger! I want to build a snowman!"

"For the love of Merlin Malfoy! It's too early! Go away!"

"But Granger!" he whined through the door, "Your little calendar gave me a snowman and now I want to build one!"
"Then go and wake your friends! I'm going back to sleep!"

"Granger!" he whined.

Hermione turned and buried herself back under the duvet, determined to go back to sleep, furious when she realised she was wide awake and there was no chance of it happening now. Casting a tempus charm she realised it was only six o'clock. Wondering if she should just be grateful he'd given her an hour more than yesterday, she yanked the covers back, pulling open the door with a force that surprised Draco who was still on the other side, wondering what he could say to make her get up.

"This has to stop, Malfoy!" she growled at him.

His eyes widened at her tone as he lifted his hands in supplication. "But it's snowing Granger and I had a snowman chocolate in that callendar and you like all this winter nonsense ergo I surmised you'd want to build a snowman. It was perfectly logical."

Hermione's head thunked against the doorframe. "It's too early, Malfoy!"

"But you have to go out early to get the good snow!"

"Good snow? Malfoy, it's a sodding snowman! It doesn't care about what snow it's made from!"

"That's where you're wrong Granger, Snowmen need fresh snow. They're very picky. Now, go and get dressed like a good Gryffindor and then let's go!"

"I hate you Malfoy." she stated with no conviction. Draco made a small shooing motion with his hands. She growled and stormed back into her room.

Twenty minutes later she was ready, and he was pacing the dorm.

"What took so long Granger? Come on, open your little house and then let's go!"

"Ugh, why are you so perky?" she asked moving over to her advent calendar, pulling out a set of Christmas earrings. Smiling to herself she put on a pair of Santa's faces.

Malfoy pulled a face at her. "Remind me why you would want to wear an old man's face in your ears?"

Hermione shrugged, "It was either that or presents or reindeer. I felt like Santa today."

"It's seriously weird Granger." he muttered, ushering her out the door.

Half an hour later they stood back and admired their handiwork. Their snowman was lopsided, Draco had demanded a sort of holly crown for his head in place of a hat and he was missing a nose. Hermione was still pretty proud of him though, mainly because she'd resisted the urge to murder Draco while doing it. It turned out he had very particular ideas about the correct procedure to use for the best snowman. He was also exceptionally concerned about the snowmans 'aesthetic".

"Why's he tilting?" Draco asked with a frown.

"Probably because you insisted he be made from three snowballs and we didn't pack the snow tightly enough." Hermione snorted. "I told you we should just have made a tower for his body."

"But then he wouldn't look like the pictures!"

"Yes he would. The Snowman had legs and arms and was made from a tower of snow."

"Who?"
"The Snowman! He's pretty popular with muggles. A boy's snowman comes to life and takes him flying off to meet other snowmen and Santa during the night. It's a really famous book."

"A snowman comes to life and kidnaps a kid? Granger, seriously, muggles have a warped idea of what's acceptable to teach their children!"
"He brings him back." Hermione muttered as they trudged back up to the castle.

Beside her Draco snorted, "Oh well that makes the whole kidnapping a child in the middle of the night alright then."

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! Come on, I’ve left you to half six, come and open your little house! Bring the shortbread!”

“Malfoy!” Hermione whined. What was wrong with the boy? He was like a toddler demanding attention. Dear Gods if she’d known giving him the spare calendar would be this much hassle she wouldn't have bothered.

“Come on Granger, I’m bored! I’ll even make you a cup of tea!”

“Ugh. Fine Malfoy. It had better be a really good cup of tea though!”

She wandered through fifteen minutes later, dressed for the day, Malfoy was grinning at her proudly. He gestured grandly to the cup of tea sat next to her advent calendar.

“I did it!”

“Very good Malfoy.” she replied wryly, as he reached for her tin of shortbread. She opened  door number five before she sat down. Her face split into a grin as she pulled out her miniaturised treat. 

“What in the name of Salazar is that, Granger?” 

Hermione enlarged the tube. “Jelly Tots!” she exclaimed happily.

“Pardon?”
“My parents put these in my stocking every year. They’re jelly sweeties coated in sugar. Here.” she tipped someone into his palm. 

His eyes widened, “These are bloody good Granger! But…..why do muggles put sweets in their stockings? That can't be comfortable and it seems like an odd place to store things.”

Hermione choked on a jelly tot. “Malfoy….do wizarding children not hang stockings at Christmas?”

He looked horrified. “What like some weird decoration?”

Hermione looked at him for a beat and then laughed. At his bewildered look she laughed harder, clutching her stomach. 

“Oh! Oh my Gods, Malfoy. Exactly like some weird decoration” she wheezed.

Draco watched the usually composed Head Girl as she laughed so hard she cried as he tried to process what she was telling him. 

“Are you seriously telling me that muggles use their socks as decorations?” he asked with such confusion that Hermione couldn't answer him for laughing. 

“Yes, sort of.” she replied when she could finally speak. “Stockings are special socks, or they are now. They’re far too big to wear on your feet. Muggle children hang them somewhere in the house, at the end of the bed, on their door handle or over their fireplaces if they have one and Santa is supposed to fill it with treats. I used to get jelly tots in mine every year.”

“Granger. Truly, muggles are insane.”

She flung a jelly tot at him, laughing as it bounced off his nose.

“And they put sweeties in their socks!” Hermione heard Malfoy exclaim as she walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. She couldn't help the bark of laughter that escaped her.

Harry looked at her quizzically. “Everything alright, Hermione?”
“I miscalculated the advent calendars this year and had one spare. I gave it to Malfoy. It's been…..enlightening.”

“You gave Malfoy an advent calendar?”
“Yes. As a result, this morning I had to explain the concept of stockings to him. Based on what I've just overheard him telling his friends, I don't think he understood.”
Harry snorted “Sweet Merlin, i can't quite imagine Draco Malfoy attempting to explain muggle Christmas traditions to his friends.”
Hermione laughed, “No. I wish I’d heard him describe Santa to them though, he was horrified.”

“Ye well, it's pretty weird when you think about it, isn't it? A random man breaking into your house to leave you presents while you're sleeping and the whole world is apparently alright with it.”

Hermione laughed as they sat down, “Careful, you sounded an awful lot like Malfoy there.”

Harry pulled a face, “That's just mean, Hermione!” he whined before he chucked a roll at her.

“Oi! No wasting food!” Ron barked, as he caught it. 

Harry and Hermione glanced at each other before they gave in and laughed.

Chapter Text

"Granger! Granger! I got one of those funny socks muggles put sweeties in!" Draco accosted her as she left her room. She supposed she should be grateful that he was at least learning to let her wake up on her own.

"Very good Malfoy."

"Did you finish all the, what were those things called yesterday?"

"Jelly tots?"

"Yeah, those!"

"Ah no. They're in my room."

"Can I have some?"
"Malfoy, do you have no sweets of your own?"
"But yours are better! Ooh have you got shortbread left?"

"Yes," she sighed, "I want a cup of tea though."
"Two bits and I'll make you one."

Hermione looked at him shrewdly. "Deal."

She summoned the shortbread from her room, reaching for her advent calendar. A familiar tiny box came out in her hand. Enlarging it she opened it to reveal a tiny kitten and a note that read:

I couldn't resist this when your parents told me about this particular tradition, Kitten.

Sirius.

Hermione snorted as she attached the miniature kitten to her bracelet, right next to the pointed hat.

"You know Lord Black well?" he asked, glancing over her shoulder.

"Yes. He's Harry's Godfather, he lives with him."

Draco hummed, "Granger? Why does he call you kitten?"

Hermione blushed, and made a vague gesture to her head. "My hair and my apparently sharp claws." she muttered. "I'm sure he twisted my animagus somehow."
Draco's eyes widened. "You're an animagus?"

"Yes. Sirius and his friends figured it out at school. He taught Harry and I last summer."

""And you both managed it?" he asked in awe.

"Yes, eventually."
"Are you really a cat?"
"Unfortunately," she said wryly. "Sirius thought it was hilarious."
Draco sorted. "Show me!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and transformed.

Draco stared down at the fluffy caramel coloured cat at his feet and then smirked, moving quickly to pick her up. Hermione mewed in surprise.

"Calm down Granger, we're just going on a field trip. Now be a good kitty and stay as a bloody cat!"

She yowled in his arms, as he petted her head laughing to himself. Hermione was regretting showing him already as he carried her out of the portrait hole. As they got closer to the Slytherin common room she wondered how much it would hurt to transform back. She'd land on Malfoy, so she'd probably be fine. He might not be but that wasn't important given that she intended to murder him as soon as she was able. Just as she was seriously considering it she heard a voice call out.

"Malfoy? Is that a cat?"
"Yup. Ugly thing isn't she?" he asked, as Theodore Nott appeared at the entrance of Slytherin common room. Hermione hissed, digging her claws into his arm.

"Ow! Feral beast!" he yelped as Theo laughed. "You drew blood!"

"I don't think she liked that description, did you, pretty girl?" Theo cooed as he stroked under her chin. Despite herself, Hermione purred.

Draco choked on a laugh. "I was just going to take her in to introduce her to everyone" he smirked as the cat clearly stiffened, turning to glare at him.

"When did you get a cat, mate?"
"I quite literally found her this morning." he snorted.

Theo looked at him and frowned, "She looks too well cared for to be a stray mate, are you sure she doesn't belong to someone?"
"No. Perhaps we should ask around."
"Oh my goodness, it's darling!" Pansy Parkinson's shrill voice interrupted their conversation as she snatched Hermione from Draco's arms. Hermione's eyes widened in alarm as she yowled, even Draco looked slightly alarmed by this turn of events as Pansy turned and carried her into the common room.

"Oh shit." Draco whispered, "She's going to fucking murder me."

Theo looked at him in surprise. "Who is?"

"That might be Granger in animagus form"

Theos eyes widened as he choked. "Sweet Salazar, tell me you're joking?"
"No….It was meant to be a joke! I never meant for her to actually be taken into the common room! I just wanted her to believe I would!"
Theo was wheezing he was laughing so hard. "Fucking hell mate, shes going to make your death as slow as possible."

"Theo!" Draco whined, "Come and help me get Granger out of Pansy's clutches."

Still laughing, Theo stumbled through the portrait hole with Draco, wondering if Granger would let him watch as she murdered Draco. She was vicious when properly riled, so it it was sure to be inventive and therefore entertaining.

Chapter Text

"Granger! Granger, I've said I'm sorry, come on! Isn't Christmas meant to be the season of goodwill? Granger! Come on!"

Hermione hid under her duvet, torn between mortification and the urge to murder the infuriating boy. It had taken them over an hour to rescue her from Pansy who had attempted to barter with Draco in the hopes of keeping her, snuggling her close, kissing her head and generally loving on her in such a way that Hermione had felt the need for a very long , very hot shower in which she had scrubbed herself vigorously once she was human again. In the end Draco had threatened to hex her hair curly if she didn't hand over the cat, she only complied when she realised he was serious and even then, her reluctance was obvious.

The moment they were through the portrait hole, Hermione had transformed back into human form, landing on top of Malfoy, ignoring his spluttered apologies and his yelp of pain as his head smacked off the stone floor. Apparently she'd given him a concussion and broken his ribs. She wasn't sure she was sorry. It wasn't like Madam Pomfrey hadn't fixed him up. Clearly he was fine if he was back in the head dorms.

"Granger, I'm really sorry!" He sounded pathetic.

Sighing she threw the covers back, wrenching the door open, glaring at the pitiful looking boy on the other side.

"I made you tea," he said, holding up a mug. He really wanted her to forgive him. It didn't feel right to have her this angry at him. Which made no sense as she'd spent the first six years of school being this angry at him, he should be used to it. In fact, he used to enjoy winding her up so he could watch her explode.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "You took me, as a fucking cat, to the Slytherin dorms and let Pansy Parkinson paw at me!"

"You could have transformed back," he muttered.

"McGonagall didn't want everyone to know! She was scared she'd be inundated with requests and half-arsed transformations" she screeched, "I should never have shown you!"

"Fuck, Granger, I really am sorry! It was meant to be a joke. I didn't know Pansy was going to catnap you!"

She sighed, it was partly her fault, she really should have known better than to show him her form. "Fine Malfoy, but if you ever pull a stunt like that again I'm confiscating your advent calendar."

His eyes went wide, "What? No! Granger you can't!"

"Then don't be an arse!"

"I mean I can't promise Granger, but I'll try."

"I guess that will have to do." she sighed.

"Now, what's in your little house?"

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "If it's sweets I won't be sharing." She warned.

"Granger!" he whined. "Don't be mean. You accepted my apology after all."

Hermione reached into her calendar, enlarging the bag and smiling.

"What smells so good?" Draco was sniffing the air next to her.

"Snow Fairy." she said, smiling at the bag.

"What? Granger! Your parents trapped a fairy in that bag?" he asked horrified, "It won't be happy!"

Hermione jerked her head up at him, confused for a moment before she laughed. "No Malfoy, it's a scent. This is a bath bomb, oooh and some body lotion!"

"Granger, what in the name of Morganna is a bath bomb?"
"It's a fizzy thing you put in the bath that smells nice and makes your skin soft."

He frowned. "Ok Granger….like soap?"
"Not really, some of them just smell nice, others have oils and things in them for your skin. You just sort of soak in the water. It's not to get washed with."
Draco wrinkled his nose. "I don't think I like it."

"Just as well it's not for you then!"

Theo wrinkled his nose as Draco sat down next to him. "Mate, why do you smell…..sweet?"

Dracos cheeks reddened. "I may have borrowed some of Granger's lotion."

"What?" Theo asked his eyes like saucers.

"Not like that, arsehole!" She has a bigger version of that funny calendar I told you she gave me. Her parents, and apparently Lord Black have filled it with stuff. Today it was something she called a bath...bomb? I think. And some lotion. I stole some when she was in the bath with the bomb thing."
Theo blinked at him. "Mate….that's really weird. What's going on with you and Granger anyway?"
"What do you mean?"

"You're spending a lot of time with her, she seems to be teaching you muggle traditions and she's got you making your own tea!"

Draco shrugged, "I quite like the calendar tradition. Muggle sweets are good and she shares them. She's...not how I expected."

She's not an uptight swot you mean?"

"Oh no," Draco laughed. "She most definitely is. But she's funny too and sarcastic. And she includes me in things when she doesn't have to. It's nice."

"Nice? You're spending all this time with her because its nice?" Theo snorted. "Sure."

Draco frowned, "What's that meant to mean?"

"You'll figure it out."

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! Don't ignore me! I made you tea!”

Hermione glanced over to her dorm mate, blinking in surprise.

“You made tea?” she asked stupidly. 

“Yes. I made you tea. Do I have to say I'm sorry again?”

“No Malfoy. I just didn't sleep particularly well last night.”

He frowned, “Why not?” 

She shrugged, “I don't feel great, I’m sure it’ll pass.”

“Or….” he said slowly, “You could go back to bed and take it easy today?”

“Don't be absurd Malfoy! I have classes.”

“We’re in all the same ones, Granger, I’ll take notes for you. You look a bit pale.” He moved towards her, putting his hand on her forehead as he’d felt his mother do a thousand times as he was growing up. “Salazar Granger! You’re roasting. Go back to bed you stubborn witch!”
“No.” she pouted, “I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll take you to Madam Pomfrey!” he threatened. 

“But Malfoy! Classes!” she whined.

“You’re not going to fall behind by taking one day Granger. Drink your tea, open your little house and then get your stubborn arse back into bed.”

“Fine.” she replied mulishly, reaching for her tea. “You’re getting really good at this,” she commented as she took a drink, closing her eyes.

“Thanks Granger,” he replied wryly. “Next I’ll really push the boat out and make coffee.”
“Hmmmm or hot chocolate. I really miss good hot chocolate.”

“The elves' stuff not good enough for you Granger?”

“It's not the same. It doesn't have the scooshy cream and marshmallows!”
“Scooshy cream? What?”

She smiled slightly, finishing her cup of tea. “It's cream in a can. I’m not sure if it's real cream. Probably not to be honest. They sweeten it and you press a little button and it squirts out the nozzle all whipped perfectly.”
“That sounds revolting, Granger.”

She smiled, “It's not. It's lovely.”

Draco rolled his eyes at her. “Little house. Bed.” he prompted. 

“I never knew you were so desperate to get me into bed Malfoy.” she quipped before she turned to look at him with horrified eyes as she registered what she had said. 

Draco choked on his tea, meeting her gaze. Not sure about what to do with the little swooping feeling in his stomach at the thought of talking Hermione Granger into bed. That was an absurd thought. Wasn't it?

He attempted to master his usual cocky facade while he pondered that. “Dear me Granger, I had no idea. All you have to do is ask, love.” he winked at her, enjoying the way her cheeks reddened. 

Clearing her throat she turned back to the advent calendar, reaching for door number eight. Something tiny, and fluffy met her fingers as she pulled it out. Reaching for her wand she enlarged it revealing a giant fleecy blanket. Given how horrible she felt it couldn't have come at a better time. 

“Granger?” she heard Malfoy ask.

“Uhuh?”

“Why has your reindeer got a giant red nose?”

Hermione glanced down at the blanket, a giant cartoon Rudolph stared back at her and she laughed. 

“It's Rudolph.”

“Who?” he asked, baffled.

“Rudolph. The red nosed reindeer. He guides Santa's sleigh with his light up nose.”
“Light up nose?” he asked faintly. “Granger, are you delirious?”

“What? No!” she batted his hand away as he went to feel her forehead again. “Rudolph's famous! He has a song and a film and everything!”

Draco snorted, “He has a song? And what's a film?”

Her eyes went wide. “Yes he has a song. It's all about his nose and how the other reindeer's were mean until it was foggy and they needed him.”

“Of course it is Granger,” he snorted. 

“It is! And a film is a moving story with pictures and people or drawings. It's quite hard to explain actually. Like a pensive memory but fiction?”

Draco looked at her, gaping. “What?”

“How about, when we go for that shortbread I take you to a film?” She smirked. “I don't know how else to explain it.”

“And this Rudolph's film will be on?” Draco asked. 

Hermione laughed, “No, it's really old. Something Christmasy will be on though.”

“How many of these films are there, Granger?”

“Millions, Malfoy, millions.”

“Oh.” he replied faintly. 

“Oi! Malfoy! Where’s Hermione?”
Draco looked at Potter and tried not to sneer. Hermione would be cross with him and then she wouldn't share her calendar. If he just remembered that, he could manage to be civil.

“She’s sick, so I sent her back to bed.”

“She's sick? What's wrong with her?”
Draco shrugged, “She was too hot and feeling rubbish.”

“Oh. Tell her to send me a flying note if she wants me to visit later then.” Potter called as he jogged in the opposite direction to his next class. 

“Flying note?” Draco murmured, confused.

“You sent her back to bed?” Theo asked, with a small smirk.

Draco frowned at him. “Yes. She felt ill and was too hot.”

“And how exactly did you know she was too hot?”

“I did the weird forehead check that my mother does.”
Theo snorted, “Course you did, mate.”

“What? Here, did you know muggles teach their children that one of that Santa’s reindeer has a red light up nose?”
“What?” Theo looked at him in confusion. 

“Yeah, Hermione says its famous and has its own song and…..film? She says that's like a pensive but not. I don't really understand it if I’m honest, so she's going to take me to see one when we go to pick up some of that shortbread.”

Theo choked. “She's taking you out into the muggle world?”
“Yes. The shortbread’s really good mate and I want to see this muggle not pensive thing.” he replied as he walked into class.

“Wow.” Theo muttered under his breath wondering when it would be appropriate to point out he’d called her Hermione and that he’d pretty much spoken about her all morning. Probably not any time soon.

Chapter Text

“Granger? Should you be up?” Draco frowned. 

Hermione rolled her eyes. “Yes Malfoy. I feel much better, it must have been a twenty-four hour thing.”

He reached for her, feeling her head. “Hmmm, you don't feel warm any more. Are you sure you’re ok though?”

“I’m fine Malfoy. Although I wouldn't say no to a cup of tea?” she batted her eyelashes at him exaggeratedly. 

Draco snorted as he stood, heading for their tiny kitchen. “You better be hoping there's sweeties in there, Granger!”

She laughed as she summoned her blanket, the head dorms were still freezing at this time of the morning before reaching for her calendar.

“Yes!” she shouted, making Malfoy run from the kitchen. 

“What?” he asked looking bewildered. 

“Malteser reindeer!” she exclaimed before she bit into one and moaned. 

Draco stood for a moment as somewhere in his brain he acknowledged that that explained absolutely nothing while the rest of him tried really fucking hard not to acknowledge that little moan and the look of unadulterated pleasure on her face. It was doing things to him he’d really rather not explore in the middle of the Head Dorms. Not yet anyway. And definitely not on his own. Fucking hell he was in so much trouble.

Clearing his throat, praying his voice stayed even, he spoke. “What reindeer, Granger?”

She cracked one eye open before sitting up properly “Malteser Reindeer. They’re bloody amazing.”
He couldn't contain the snort at that statement. “So I gathered, Granger.” he replied with a wry smirk.

He watched as her cheeks reddened. “Yes well, just for that I’ll be keeping them all to myself.” she said hugging the red packet to her chest

“What? No….come on Granger! You’re not that cruel! Any chocolate that can make a person make that noise must be amazing.” 

She turned even redder as she reached inside the bag and then chucked a miniature red packet at his head. It bounced off his chin, giving him enough space to catch it before hit hit the floor. Opening it he pulled out a tiny chocolate reindeer. Fucking hell it truly was as good as she had made it seem. 

“What is this magic Granger?”

“I told you. Malteser reindeer.”
“Granger!” he whined. “I have no idea what a Malteser is!”

Hermione's eyes went wide as she paused in opening her second reindeer. “You’ve never had maltesers? Oh my God Malfoy you have no idea what you’re missing!”
He snorted, “If it's anything like this Granger, I’m starting to get the idea.”
“Nooo Malfoy! These are good. My gods they’re good but maltesers are next level!”
Draco frowned at her. “Next level? Granger, what? You’re not making any sense!”
He watched as she drew her legs to her chest and smirked. “I don't think you’re ready for them yet, Malfoy.”

He frowned, “What? Ready for what?”

“Maltesers. Jelly tots blew you away,” she continued seriously, “I don't think you’re ready for the awesomeness that is Maltesers.”
He stared at her for a moment before he smirked, dropping down beside her on the sofa pulling her blanket over him so she was forced to scoot closer. 

“Is that so, Granger?” he asked, looking down at her, returning her smirk. 

“Yes, Malfoy. You’d lose your mind and given that you’re related to the Blacks and they have an unfortunate predisposition towards insanity, it would be really cruel for me to give them to you.”
Beside her Draco choked on a laugh. “Ah Granger, you’d love me even if I were insane.”

“I’m not sure what you’ve been drinking this morning Malfoy but your current sanity is questionable at best, and I wouldn't call my feelings for you, love.”

He laughed at her, moving closer into her space, deliberately crowding her. “What would you call them, Granger? Infatuation? Longing? Lust?”

“Annoyance?” she offered, arching a brow as she looked up at him.

He laughed, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “Cheeky. Give me another one of those reindeer's Granger, you know you want to.”

“I most definitely do not!” she huffed before giving in and throwing one at him anyway. “The rest are mine, Malfoy. Don't even ask!”

“You’re feeling better then?” Harry asked as she sat down for breakfast.

“Yes. Apparently I really just needed the day off.” she confirmed. 

Harry hummed in acknowledgement, making her look at him curiously. He rolled his eyes. “You seem to be getting on better with Malfoy,” he said blandly. 

Hermione frowned at him. “We have to live together. Do you want me to hate him?”

“Noo….” Harry said slowly, “It's just….Hermione, you’d have hexed me if I’d tried to send you to bed for the day and by the sounds of it you did exactly what Malfoy told you.”

She snorted. “Yes well, if you had sent me back to bed, I’d never have gotten class notes that were of any use. Malfoy’s are actually useful.”

Beside Harry, Ginny snorted. “Sure, love. You keep telling yourself that.” 

Finishing her breakfast, Hermione frowned at her in confusion, “I have no idea what I've apparently missed but I’m going to the library. See you at lunch, Gin.”

Ginny choked on a laugh as she left. “Do you think Malfoy’s as clueless as she is? Damn it! I bet Seamus they’d have at least snogged by Christmas.”

Harry choked on his pumpkin juice. “You took that bet? Gin, Hermione’ll murder you!”

“Not if Malfoy gets his act together and gets her under some mistletoe she won't. She’ll be too busy to worry about a bet.”

Harry shuddered dramatically. “Gods Gin. No. Please, just no.” 

Beside him, Ginny cackled.

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! I tried coffee! I’ve not tasted it yet but I’m sure it's fine.”
Hermione rolled her eyes at the hyperactive blonde. How had she gone six years of school without knowing how bouncy Draco Malfoy was when he wasn't wearing the mask he wore in classes. The boy was like an overgrown child, the difference in him was insane. 

She arched an eyebrow at him, “Perhaps that's for the best.”

He frowned at her, confused, “What's for the best?”

“Are you always this perky?” she asked instead of answering him. 

“Um….yes?”

“Jesus. Then please, Malfoy, never try coffee.”

“I’ve had coffee, when we were in Italy. Father only let me have it once.”
Hermione snorted, “I cannot imagine why.” she replied wryly. 

He scowled at her, “Here, you try this then Miss Grumpy.”

Hermione took the mug from him, taking a tentative sip, her eyes screwing up involuntarily. 

“Jesus Christ Malfoy, how much did you put in this? I’m impressed it's still liquid!”

“It said 1tsp on your funny container, two  if you like it stronger. I have no idea what that means so I just chucked in two spoonfuls. I heard Potter say your coffee was strong enough to give a man chest hairs. Although I don't understand what that means either.” he replied with a shrug. 

Hermione choked on a laugh, “What size of spoon?”
“The ones in the drawer, the funny sized ones that aren't little but aren't big that you use for those revolting little custard things you eat.”

Hermione bit her lip in an effort not to laugh, “You used two desert spoonfuls of instant coffee?”

“Maybe?”

“Dear God Malfoy, you use a teaspoon, the little ones!”
“Oh. Well surely the bigger spoon makes it stronger, so that's a good thing. Although…” he continued squinting at her, “I assume you don't actually want chest hairs? Do you? Is that a muggle woman thing, having a hair chest?”

Hermione gaped at him as she attempted to work out how to even begin to respond to that. 

“Tell me you’re not serious?”

“What? I don't know what muggles like, Granger!” 

Hermione blinked at him, “Muggle women don't have hairy chests Malfoy, it's just a figure of speech.”
“Are you sure?”
She snorted, involuntarily looking down to her chest. “Pretty sure Malfoy.” 

A small smirk tugged at his lips as he followed her gaze down. “Care to prove it, Granger?”

Turning, he hit him over the head with one of the sofa cushions. “No, arsehole.”

Draco looked at her for a beat, his jaw dropping. “You….you just hit me!”

“With a cushion this time.” she replied with a shrug. “What? Are all the Slytherins too composed to hit someone with a cushion?”

“You've done it before?” he asked, looking bewildered by this turn of events, his usually perfect hair sticking up slightly where the cushion had mussed it. 

It took her a moment before she laughed. “Yes, Malfoy. Frequently.”
“Violent little thing, aren't you?”

“Shouldn't you already be aware?” she asked lightly, “Remind me how old I was when I broke your nose?”
He glared at her. “My mother would have been most disappointed if I had hit you back.”

“Sure Malfoy, nothing at all to do with you being on the ground.”
“I don't think I like you today.” he replied petulantly. 

“I don't think I like you most days Malfoy, so I suggest you live with it.”
He pouted. “Open your little house. If there's sweets I deserve one for not retaliating.”
Hermione laughed at him. “Sure Malfoy.” 

Reaching inside the door, she pulled out a tiny tin. 

“That doesn't look like sweets.” he commented, clearly disappointed.

“Nope. Not sweets.”

“Well what is it then?” he asked as she waved her wand to enlarge it. 

“It's a melting penguin! Oh, I haven't seen one of these for years!”

“Melting penguin?” he frowned, “That sounds cruel!”

Hiding her smile, she opened the tin to show him the contents. “It's not real. You build the penguin and it melts.”
“Why?”

“It's just something fun for kids. They do snowmen too. Look….” Hermione began assembling the penguin, standing it back up in the tin. 

“Granger, that is the most terrifying penguin I’ve ever seen. What's going on with its eyes?”

“They’re just googly eyes, it's what came with it! “ she replied defensively. 

Draco snorted but thought it was better not to comment. “What does it do now?”
“Nothing. We go away, and when we come back it’ll have melted into a puddle.”
He frowned at her, “Granger, seriously, muggles are weird!”

Theo sighed as he listened to Draco talk about Granger. Again. He wondered briefly if he could just lock them in a room together before he realised that actually, they spent enough time together as it was and had managed to be spectacularly oblivious. Perhaps he needed to sound out her friends. He didn't want to. But he also wasn't sure how much long he could stand listening to Draco and not blurt out that the manchild was an idiot. 

“And she hit me with one of the cushions!”

Theo and Blaise snorted. “Why?”

“I asked her to show me her tits?”

There was a long beat of silence where Theo wondered if perhaps Draco wasn't as clueless as he imagined, just spectacularly stupid. 

“You….you asked the Gryffindor Princess to show you her tits?” Blaise spluttered. “And you’re still alive?”

“Well, I didn't ask quite like that.” Draco replied, frowning. “She was talking about a muggle phrase about things putting hairs on your chest and I simply asked her to prove her assertions that it was merely a figure of speech.” 

Theo gaped at him before his head thunked onto the table. Fucking hell. Perhaps he wouldn't have to worry about Draco talking about Granger forever more, she’d surely have murdered him by the end of the week if he kept this up.

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! I’m bored! Come on Granger, hurry up!”

Huffing, her hair half done, Hermione wrenched her bedroom door open. 

“Malfoy, do you think I’m here for your entertainment?” she growled. 

Draco’s eyes widened as he took in her appearance, his face contorting as he attempted not to laugh. He didn't actually have a death wish but bloody hell, her hair! Half of it was  reasonably tamed curls, the rest reminded him of wild puff-skeins. He momentarily fought the urge to stroke it. That was a sure fire way to lose a hand.

“I…I mean…no.” he began slowly, “I damn it Granger, go finish your hair, it reminds me of a puff-skein and I want to pet it.” he blurted.
“Excuse me, Malfoy?” 

Draco's eyes widened at her tone as his brain registered what he had just said. 

“I….I think I’ll make tea!” he exclaimed, sounding panicked to his own ears. “Yes, definitely tea. Do you want a cup?”
He watched as she bit her lip before nodding and ran, as quickly as possible from the door before he said something else that might get him murdered. Hermione very slowly closed the door, throwing up a silencing charm she gave into the giggles that had been threatening to erupt since she’d seen Malfoys horrified realisation that he’d put his foot in it. Glancing at the mirror, she acknowledged that he had a point, she looked utterly ridiculous. Sighing, she continued charming her hair in the hopes of preventing the general populace attempting to pet her.

Re-emerging five minutes later, her hair now at least consistent, if not entirely tamed, Hermione headed to the sofa in the hopes of coming across her promised cup of tea. Draco was watching her nervously, as if evaluating the likelihood of her being angry holding a cup in front of him like an offering. Hermione contained her snort of laughter with considerable difficulty. 

“Thanks Malfoy.” she said lightly as she sat down, cradling the cup in her hands as she savoured its warmth. It truly was unnaturally cold in the castle during winter, even with the fire lit. 

“What's in your little house today Granger?” Malfoy asked into the silence. 

Shrugging, she reached for the door, pulling out a small rolled up piece of fabric and a note. 

Kitten, 

I don't really understand your fascination with these things but I saw this and thought of you! Remus says I’m not allowed to suggest you find someone young and willing to cosy up to so this should hopefully help keep you warm instead. 

Sirius. 

P.S A body would be infinitely warmer, just saying……

P.P.S Don't tell Remus! Last time he withheld his chocolate!

P.P.P.S Love you, kitten. 

Hermione choked on a laugh. Sirius Black had quickly become one of her favourite people, even if he was utterly ridiculous. She could absolutely picture the lecture Remus would give him if he had any inclination of what notes Sirius was sending. Resolving to let him off this once, it was Christmas after all, she enlarged the fabric. A beautiful royal blue scarf with tiny penguins wearing Santa hats appeared in front of her, making her smile. 

“Granger?”

She turned slightly at the sound of Malfoy's confused voice. “Uhuh?”
“Why are the penguins wearing funny hats?”

“They’re Santa hats, Malfoy! It's a Christmas themed scarf.”

“Oh. Why?”
“Why is it Christmas themed or why did Sirius put it in the calendar?”

“Both? Hold on, Lord Black added that? How close to him are you?”
Hermione laughed at his confused face. “Yes, Sirius added it. We argue regularly over whether penguins are useless. I love them, he doesn't see the point, apparently a bird that can't fly is automatically useless. I think he just likes to make me argue with him if I’m honest. And I told you, he’s Harry's guardian. I’ve spent holidays with him since I started school. He's become that annoying older brother you love but want to strangle at the same time. Thank the gods for Remus, he at least is able to keep Sirius slightly in line. “
“Professor Lupin? I’m so confused!”

“Yes. Remus, Sirius and Harry's dad were really good friends at school. After Harry's parents died, Harry obviously went to Sirius as he’s his godfather but Remus was still pretty heavily involved, which is understandable as I’m always amazed Sirius is able to get himself dressed in the morning.”

“Bit harsh Granger!”
“Not really,” she grinned, “I adore him, but he’s Sirius Black. Remus is the sensible one.”
Draco looked at her, he didn't know his mothers cousin well, differing beliefs and disownment definitely contributed to that so her statement didn't mean anything. He knew the man was a Gryffindor, his mother had described him as a playboy but that was it. He didn't like the feelings of jealousy that cropped up when she had casually stated she adored the man, like it was common knowledge. He read the note Sirius had included out of the corner of his eye while she drank her tea, feeling even worse reading the third postscript. What sort of relationship did they have where the man admitted he loved her so easily. He tried to push the feelings back down. She’d called him an older brother, surely that meant he could ignore it. And he had suggested she find a willing body. He chose to ignore the feelings that image conjured up too.

Although it brought up some uncomfortable questions that he wasn't sure he was ready to answer. What did it matter to him if Gryffindors Princess was close to the current Lord Black? Why did he care? And why exactly, when he had pictured it, was that warm body his?

“Fuck.” he muttered softly, he was going to have to speak to Theo. He’d know what to do. 

Theodore Nott was not often speechless but looking across the table at Draco, he found he didn't actually have any words. 

“Mate, say something!” Draco whined. 

Theo shut his eyes, praying to Merlin for patience. 

“Draco. I don't know what you want from me. You admit you’re jealous that she has such a good relationship with Lord Black, you want, and I quote, to be the warm and willing body that Lord Black suggested she finds, you enjoy spending time with the witch and I swear to Merlin you never stop talking about her.”

“Uhuh, I’m so confused, Theo!”
“Confused? How the fuck can you possibly be confused?”
“Because I am! What does it all mean, Theo!”

For the second time in as many days, Theo’s head thunked onto the table in front of him.

“You are not this dense, Draco.” he groaned.

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! Its Friday! In five hours we’re free! Come on, I know you’re up!”
Hermione rolled her eyes at Malfoys exuberance as she reached for the door. 

“Malfoy, for the love of Merlin, can you tone it down?”

He frowned at her. “What?”

She gestured vaguely at him, “You’re very…..excitable.”

“It's Friday!” he pouted. 

Hermione groaned, sinking into the sofa as he pressed a mug into her hands. He really was getting good at making tea, she mused. She hadn’t had to make her own since she taught him. She vaguely contemplated suggesting she teach him how to make coffee properly before deciding that she probably shouldn't in case he decided he liked it. She couldn't cope with a perkier Malfoy, he was bad enough as he was. 

“Little house, Granger!” Draco prompted, “Come on, you know the drill by now!”
Hermione rolled her eyes at him before reaching for the appropriate door. A tiny basket came out in her hand, waving her wand she enlarged it, smiling as she realised what it was. She immediately turned to Draco. 

“Ginny will be here tonight. You might want to go and see your friends.”

He frowned, reaching for the basket, scowling when she swatted his hands away. “Why?”

“Because I guarantee that this was as much for her as it was for me.”

“What is it?”

“Face mask, nail varnish, lotions, scrubs, sweets” she listed rifling through the box.

“Sweets?” he asked, his face lighting up.

Hermione snorted, “Yes, for a sleepover. They’re not for you, Malfoy!”

“Granger!” he whined. “I’ll let you paint my nails if you share.” he wheedled. 

Hermione laughed, “Nice try Malfoy!”

Blaise looked at him as if he’d lost his mind as Draco outlined his plan to persuade Hermione to share her sweeties. 

“You want me to come for a sleepover?” he asked incredulously, wishing he’d followed Theo’s example and walked away at the first mention of Granger's name.

“Yes. She has sweets Blaise! And she’s refusing to share. Apparently they’re for a sleepover and only Weaslette’s invited.”

Blaise snorted, “Has it crossed your mind she just wants some time with her friend, mate?”

Draco pouted, “And she can have it. As soon as she’s shared those muggle sweeties. I swear they’re better than anything Honeydukes sells.”

Rolling his eyes at him wondering if this would be worth the show that was sure to come if he agreed Blaise nodded, “Fine. But I swear to Merlin, if the witch hexes you, I’m not helping.”

The first thing Blaise noticed when he entered the head dorms that evening was that Draco appeared to be far less coherent than normal. 

“Are you alright mate?”

Draco shook his head frantically, his eyes wide in what appeared to be panic. 

“Has Granger hexed you already?”

Draco shook his head again. Blaise froze, not entirely sure what to do about this before deciding he needed Theo. This was insane, he wasn't equipped for this. 

“I’ll be back in a moment….just, sit down or something.”

Theo was harder to persuade than Blaise had anticipated, he had had to promise him exclusive use of his family villa in the Alps for a fortnight before the boy would even consider helping him with Draco. 

“He’s driving me insane, Blaise. How is it he cannot see he's bloody infatuated with the witch?” 

Blaise snorted, “The entirety of his experience is Pansy, mate. Are you surprised?”
Theo frowned for a moment. “Wait, really? What about whats her name with the giant boobs and the legs last year?”

“Morgan Collins? Ravenclaw?”

“Yes. That one.”
“Just rumours mate.”

“And the purple one from Gryffindor?”

“Lavender?” Blaise laughed, “Also rumours, started by her I believe.”

Theo frowned, “And Astoria?”

“Rumours” Blaise sang. 

“Fuck, seriously? Just Parkinson?”

“Yup. And let's face it, Granger’s as far from Pansy as it gets. I’m not surprised he has no idea what's happening. Do you think she even likes him?”

Theo shrugged. “At this point I’m not sure I care. I may just beg the witch to give him a chance so I get some peace. She’s a decent person, perhaps we can appeal to her sense of charity.”

Blaise choked, “You want us to ask Granger to date Draco out of pity?”
“Yeah, that sounds about right,” 

Hermione was the one to open the entrance to the Head Dorms this time, Blaise thought he might have an inkling as to what was wrong with Draco. He was sitting where he left him on the sofa, looking stupefied as he followed Granger's form with his eyes.

Theo coughed slightly, startling him.

Hermione rolled her eyes, “I have no idea what's wrong with him, fix him will you, I really wanted a night of peace and he's scaring Gin.”

Both Blaise and Theo stifled a laugh. “We’ll try Granger.” Blaise managed to choke out before they reached for Draco, hauling him up and dragging him to his room.

“Alright mate?” Blaise ventured looking at Draco who was still frozen. He watched as he swallowed harshly. 

“Where were the rest of her clothes?”

Blaise coughed to hide his laugh as Theo purposely turned his back, his shoulders shaking.

“I think those were her clothes, mate.”

Draco shook his head frantically. “Those weren't clothes Blaise! Is she trying to kill me?”

“Why would she be doing that?”

“Revenge?”

“Revenge?” Blaise repeated, baffled.

“Yes! Fuck. Blaise, did you see her?”

Blaise couldn't contain his laugh, “Yes mate I saw her. Legs for days, that one.”

“Oi! Why were you looking at her legs!”

“Couldn't miss them mate, those pyjamas were practically underwear. I hear she's single too.” Blaise goaded. 

“What? No! Absolutely not! I forbid it!”

“You forbid it? Let's go see how Granger feels about that statement.”

Draco lunged for him as he made a move towards the door, Theo watching with amusement. 

“No you can't!”

“Why not?”
Draco seemed to deflate. “Because she’d be furious. The witch doesn't even like me.”

Blaise was sure he heard Theo mutter “Pity date.” but chose to ignore it in favour of dealing with the mess in front of him.

“You admit you like her then?”

“What's not to like? She's funny and sarcastic and so fucking smart. And did you see her out there Blaise? Sweet Salazar, how am I meant to concentrate now knowing what she's hiding beneath the baggy shit she normally wears?”

“Ok….I’m not seeing the issue. You like the witch, tell her!”

“I can't!” Draco whined, “She might tolerate me now but that's it. I’m pretty sure she doesn't even consider us friends. She tolerates me because I annoy her and only get more annoying if she doesn't.”

“Fucking hell.” Theo muttered. “This is ridiculous, can you hear yourself?”

Draco frowned, “Yes. Unfortunately.”

“Then fix it! You live with the witch, stop being an annoying prick and let her get to know you!” 

“I have no idea how to do that!” he whined. Theo hit his head off the wall as Blaise sighed, it was going to be a long night. 

“This stuff is heavenly!” Ginny groaned, working her way through a bar of galaxy, mindful of her face mask. “What cream are we using tonight?”

“Strawberry or coconut?” Hermione answered, holding up the two tubs. 

“Strawberry. What's going on with you and Malfoy?”
“What? Nothing!”

Ginny snorted, “You are not this stupid, Hermione. He was practically drooling when you wandered out in that get up!”
“He was not!”

“I’m not sure he’d have been able to move from that sofa if Blaise and Theo hadn’t made him.” 

Hermione rolled her eyes. “He's not like I expected.” she said softly. 

“Oh my god! You like the ferret!”

“Shhh! Gin! Come on, he hated me for six years, it's absurd.”

“He definitely doesn't hate you now,” Ginny laughed. “Come on, give him a chance. Even if it's just a fling, what's the harm?”

“I have to live with him!” 

“Right, so let's come up with a plan!”

Hermione groaned, “Gin!”

“Nope! I’ve been dying to get my hands on you for ages! Let's start with that wardrobe.”

“There's nothing wrong with my wardrobe.”

Ginny snorted, “Sure love. I’d agree if any of it actually fitted you. Is there a reason everything's two sizes too big?”

“It's comfy!” 

Ginny rolled her eyes. It was going to be a long night.

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! I know you're up! Get your arse down, I’ve made tea!”

Theo blinked. “Do you do that every morning?” he asked, looking concerned.

“Yes.”

“Every morning?”

“Yes!”

“And you’re trying to be less of a dick? Dear Gods Draco! Let the woman come down on her own!”

Draco pouted, “But I made tea!” he held up a cup slightly pathetically.

“Kill me now.” Theo begged Blaise, “He’s a lost cause. Please, I am begging you, put me out of my misery!”

Blaise patted Theo consolingly on the shoulder. “Have you never heard of a stasis charm, mate?”

Draco looked thoughtful. “I didn't think of that,”he admitted.

“Right so tomorrow, maybe do that and let the witch sleep.”

Draco nodded thoughtfully, as Blaise and Theo sighed in relief. It was short-lived as a furious Ginny Weasley descended on them.

“Is that tea laced with gold, Malfoy?” she asked, hands on hips.

“No.” he replied cautiously.

“No.” she repeated, pointing at him, “So explain to me why in the name of Merlin's saggy left testicle did you feel the need to bang on that door and wake us up? It's half past sodding seven on a Saturday, Malfoy!”

“Well….Granger’s usually up and….I made tea?”

“Oh for the love of Morganna!” Ginny threw her arms in the air, “ She doesn't want tea! She wants to sleep! Because let's not pretend that tea is for me. Now bugger off until at least ten! Then you can come back and seduce her with tea. Am I clear?”

Draco’s mouth went momentarily dry at the thought of seducing Hermione so he just nodded at the Weaslette, his eyes wide. 

“Wonderful. I am going back to bed.” she headed back towards Hermione’s room before whirling round, pointing at Blaise and Theo. ”You two! We need to talk.This is ridiculous!”

With that she stormed back to bed. 

“What’s ridiculous?” Draco asked, panicking.”I’m ridiculous? It's never going to happen, it's so ridiculous? What did she mean?”

Theo closed his eyes counting backwards from fifty. “Mate, why don't we go for a fly?” he asked with exaggerated patience, “then we can come back and you can make more tea.”

Draco was back at ten on the dot, much to Theo’s exasperation and Blaise’s amusement. 

“Do you think I should make tea before I wake her up?” he asked, whirling around to face them suddenly. “Should I make the Weaslette one too?”

Blaise rolled his eyes, “Yes, on both counts. Why don't you just make a pot? We’ll all have some, and Theo and I will attempt to make you seem like a normal human being.”

Theo snorted. 

Ten minutes later, a pot of tea and all its accoutrements on the coffee table, Draco marched up to Hermione's door. He paused, utterly unsure now whether he should knock. What if she was still sleeping? Perhaps he had been a bit over enthusiastic. He just hadn’t expected to like the witch. He stood still for a moment, about to move away when the door was wrenched open and Hermione barrelled into him. 

Despite his surprise, instinct meant that he caught her as they fell, unfortunately, that surprise only lasted a moment before he registered that she was still wearing the clothes from the night before. While straddling him. The Weaslettes' amused face appearing over them didn't help things. He began very consciously thinking of McGonagall. And Hagrid. Naked. Doing the cancan. He barely repressed the shudder as that image took hold. 

“Well, don't let me interrupt!” Ginny laughed, “Although I would advise somewhere other than the hall, at least while you’ve guests. What you do when we’re not here is entirely up to you!”
“Ginny!” Hermione growled, her face turning an interesting shade of red.”You could help, you know?”

“Threesome?” Ginny asked lightly, “Hermione, I had no idea you were into that.”

“Ginny!” 

Draco found himself incapable of coherent thought as the words, Hermione and threesome danced around his brain. He vaguely registered Hermione moving off him, immediately regretting the loss of contact. Ginny appeared to be laughing at him as she offered him a hand up. 

“Alright there Malfoy? You look like someones stunned you.”

“Fine.” he choked out, making her laugh harder. 

“Sure, Ferret. Might want to work on making that believable. You’re welcome by the way.”

He frowned at her not understanding her meaning. 

“Hermione had intended to get dressed this morning before coming down, I persuaded her otherwise.”

Draco gaped at her, clearing his throat. “Are you trying to kill me, Weaslette?”
Ginny snorted, “Not today, Malfoy. I do however intend to talk her into going shopping with me tomorrow though so maybe prepare yourself…..how do you feel about lingerie?”
“Weaslette!” he whined as she grinned at him.

“I’ll take that to mean you like it. Perhaps if you stop being such an idiot you’ll even get to see it on.” she smirked as she walked away.

She was definitely trying to kill him, Draco decided, taking a moment before he headed downstairs to join the rest of them.
When he got there he found Hermione explaining her little house to Theo and Blaise as they looked on fascinated.

“So you basically get a little daily present for all of December?” Theo asked, prodding the house.

“Sort of. Most muggles just have chocolate ones, mum and dad and Sirius tend to make this one with little gifts because I’m away all year. The first year Sirius did it for Harry he got him a broomstick, I don't think they’ve ever been able to top that.” she mused. 

“Potter gets one too?” Draco asked as he sat down next to Hermione. 

“Yup. Ever since Sirius learned of the tradition.”
“What's in it today?”

She shrugged, reaching for the door, bringing out another basket that made her smile. The note fell onto her knees as she removed it. Gin snatched it up reading aloud.

Kitten!

My turn again! Although perhaps you should thank Remus for this one! I put in a few. I know you miss the funny cream so hopefully you can make it last! Enjoy kitten! And remember, you always eat the legs first so they can't run away!

Sirius (and Remus)

Hermione enlarged the basket, laughing as she spotted several chocolate bombs, gingerbread men and a can of scooshy cream.

“Is that the ridiculous cream you were gushing about?” Draco asked curiously.

Hermione grinned as she nodded, “Yup. Scooshy cream.”
“Remember the year Ron squirted it straight into his mouth? Ate the whole can and then vomited. Mum was furious!” Ginny laughed.

The three Slytherins pulled a face of disgust. 

“What are chocolate bombs?” Theo asked, reading over Hermione's shoulder.

“You use them to make hot chocolate.”

“You're sharing, right?” Ginny prompted, laughing at the indecision on Hermione's face.

“Fine.” she sighed. “We can just use the tea cups. Cast a warming charm on the milk, Gin.”

Doing as she was told, Ginny hid her laugh at the fascination on all three Slytherins faces as Hermione instructed them to put their bomb in the mug. Their genuine delight was oddly heartwarming when they poured the milk over making the bombs burst and reveal their marshmallows.

“Now the cream. Who wants some?”
“Me!” Ginny shouted holding out her mug, the other three looked less sure until the cream squirted out the can.

All of them tasted it tentatively before diving in like toddlers, much to the girls' amusement. It wouldn't be so bad if Hermione decided to keep the Ferret, Ginny decided as she watched the boys argue over the best way to eat gingerbread men.

Chapter Text

Hermione was up and ready before Draco had even realised it was morning, Ginny dragging her off to shop the moment McGonagall had given her approval. Draco found himself strangely bereft without their morning ritual. Tea wasn't the same when one drank it on their own and he wanted to know what was in the little house. He was forced away from his momentary bout of self pity by a knock on the door. 

“We saw Granger being dragged out the door by Weaslette this morning and assumed you’d be moping. So here we are!” Blaise announced grandly.

“I want it noted that I was all for letting you mope in peace.” Theo grumbled.

Draco frowned, letting them in, “I was not moping.”
“Do you want to tell that to your face, mate?”
Draco scowled at him.

“Cheer up, we’re here to make a plan!”

“A plan?”
“A plan! Now, we finish up on the eighteenth and I happen to know that a certain Head Girl is staying put for the holidays, so we’re going to get her to take you out.”

Draco snorted,”She’s already said she’ll take me into the muggle world for some of that shortbread and a…..film? Moving pensive thing.”

Blaise gaped at him. “Right well, new plan then seeing as you apparently have that covered. We’ll need to ensure you have some muggle money and then we’re going to plan date number two!”
“It's not a date.”
“Then maybe it's time to make it one! Take her for dinner, go see something christmassy. The fairies in the Forest of Dean do a delightful Yule ritual.”

Draco pondered that for a moment.”I could do that. Do you think Gringotts will exchange our money for muggle money?”

“I know for a fact that they do, mate. Now, what have you got the witch for Christmas?”

“Nothing! I was scared she’d hex me!”
Theo snorted. “She's likely to hex you anyway.”
“Not helping, arsehole.” Blaise muttered, “ You need to get her something that could be taken either way.”

“What?”

“Something you’d get a friend or a girlfriend. Any ideas?”
Draco thought for a moment. “She’s been getting little charms for a bracelet.”
Blaise nodded approvingly. “Do that. What sort of charm?”
Draco grinned, “A teapot?”

Blaise laughed at him, “Good idea. If you manage not fuck this up, that charm will be a delightful talking point with your children when you explain you seduced their mother with tea, and if you do….well a teapots pretty harmless.”

“Children?” Draco choked.

“Yes, small things. Incredibly needy. I’d advise against them if I’m honest, Granger is going to have her hands full with just you.” Theo cut in, dodging Blaises hand as he went to hit him.

Draco pouted. 

“Right so, Gringotts then?” Blaise asked cheerfully as Theo rolled his eyes.

They returned several hours later with the muggle money carefully secured in Draco’s new wallet. The goblins had thought it was hilarious attempting to teach the three boys how the money worked, Draco kept reciting values in his head as he was terrified he’d forget. Their own three coins were much simpler, although he couldn't deny that the little pieces of paper money were far handier to carry around. 

Ginny and Hermione looked up as they entered, the boys looking slightly stunned at the sheer volume of bags surrounding the girls.

“Bloody hell, is there anything left?” Blaise asked incredulously.

Ginny snorted, “Of course there is. Mione was just due a wardrobe update, thats all.”

“That's not an update, that's a complete replacement!”
“Fine. Hermione needed a wardrobe replacement. Happy?”

“Deliriously.” Theo snarked. “What was wrong with Granger's wardrobe that it required all this?”

“What was right with it?” Ginny muttered, earning herself a smack on the arm.

“It was not that bad!” Hermione replied indignantly. 

“Yes, love, it really was. Jesus Hermione, how many sizes too big is that top you’re wearing?”

“It's comfy!” she replied petulantly. 

“Then wear it around the dorms when you’re not going anywhere but for the love of Merlin, wear things that actually bloody fit you!”

Hermione sighed, “It's not like I’ve got a choice now! You donated the rest of my clothes!”

“Of course I did! They didn't bloody fit! Hermione I donated at least three tops that would’ve been baggy on Goyle!”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “You’re exaggerating!”

“I am not. I gave him two of them.”

All of them gaped at Ginny not entirely sure whether or not she was joking. Her face gave nothing away.

“Right, let's get this stuff away and then we can see what lovely things are in your calendar. Did you know Sirius put a bottle of firewhisky in Harry's. Of course Remus found it and swapped it for chocolate, he very kindly left it in Sirius' note though so Harry knew.”

Hermione laughed as she gathered together numerous bags, “Damn I hope Remus didn't check mine!”

All three Slytherins choked, not expecting that from their straight laced head girl. Spotting their stunned faces both girls laughed.

“Gods it's clear you’ve never been invited to a Gryffindor after party. She could drink you all under the table and still be sober. I blame Seamus’ own brew.” 

The boy's eyes grew wider with that comment as they all came to the retalisation that they didn't know Hermione Granger at all. 

Draco smiled slightly as he watched Hermione pull out a tiny ice skate charm and attach it to her bracelet. It wasn't sweeties, and he couldn't deny he was slightly disappointed but it had given him an idea. Hermione had explained that she used to adore ice skating as a child and still made a point to go when she was at home. It meant writing to his Aunt. The one that wasn't insane. She’d know where to find an ice rink. He sent his owl off to her before bed, smiling as he thought of surprising Hermione when they ventured into the muggle world.

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! Theo and Blaise are here, they want to know what's in your little house?”
“I thought we’d discussed him waking her up?” Theo muttered,

Blaise rolled his eyes, “It’s Draco.” he replied with a shrug, settling himself on one of the sofas. 

Hermione opened her door slowly, still half asleep. Draco blinked as she came into view. He vowed silently to send the Weaslette a gift basket. Where Hermione's uniform had been baggy before, Ginny had forced her into clothing that actually fitted her. The difference was startling. 

“Morning Granger.”
“Morning Malfoy,” she yawned. “Gods I hope you’ve not made tea. Today was definitely made for coffee.”
Draco laughed, “It's fine, Blaise and Theo are here, one of them will drink it.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “Of course they are.”

“Do you have any idea what you’ve started with this little house tradition?”
“Apparently not.” Hermione laughed as she wandered down the stairs to their kitchen, calling out a tired “Morning boys.” to the two boys sat waiting on the sofa. 

“What's she doing?” Theo frowned, “I thought she opened the little house first thing?”
“She’s making coffee. Apparently I can't be trusted after the hairy chest incident.”
“Oh Merlin is she?” Theo moaned, “Thank the Gods! Granger!” he called as he moved towards her, “Please for the love of Merlin can I have coffee too? I’ll be asleep by lunch otherwise!”

“Looks like you get the tea.” 

Blaise shrugged, “You make a decent cup mate, Dobby would be proud!”

“Oi!”

Hermione and Theo appeared back clutching coffee mugs like they were lifelines making both Draco and Blaise laugh.

“Little house, Granger?”

Hermione rolled her eyes at Draco, “I’ve created a monster!”
“Nah don't worry, he was just as ridiculous and demanding before, you’ve just given him an outlet.” Theo said consolingly, patting her arm, making her laugh. 

“Oi!” Draco cried again. 

Hermione reached for the door bearing the number fifteen pulling out a tiny canvas bag, frowning in confusion before enlarging it. The boys looked on in anticipation, none of them even able to guess what was inside, shifting impatiently as Hermione grinned at the bag's contents.

“Well? Come on Granger, what is it? Don't keep us in suspense.” Theo whinged, sounding remarkably like Draco

“Jelly sweeties!”

“Granger, what in the name of Merlin are jelly sweeties?” 

Hermione poured the bag's contents out onto the coffee table, picking up the packets one by one.

“Haribo Tangfastic, Haribo Starmix, PERCY PIGS! Oh my gods, I’ve not had these in ages! Cola bottles, strawberry laces, belts, milk bottles, mushrooms! And bizarrely jelly babies. Those must be for Ron, none of the rest of us like them.”

“Granger?” Theo said faintly. “What the actual fuck have you just said?” 

Hermione snorted and rolled her eyes. “I’ll let you taste some. At the end of the day. Ron will cry if he misses out on the jelly babies.”

“At the end of the day?” Draco whined. “Come on, surely we can have something now?”
Hermione sighed at him, “Seeing as it's Christmas Malfoy.” she replied, chucking a percy pig at him before offering the bag to Theo and Blaise. 

Their eyes widened, “Salazar's Soul, Granger! Where have these been hiding all my life?”
Hermione laughed, “In Marks and Spencers Blaise, in Marks and Spencers.”

“I have no idea what a Marks and Spencers is, Granger but I feel like I need to go.” 

Hermione laughed. “Someone needs to arrange a muggle world school trip,” she muttered. 

“If it involves these little pigs, Granger, I’m all for it.” Theo commented, stealing the bag from Hermione.

Due to chess practice for the upcoming tournament, Hermione was forced to hand over the bag of Jelly babies to Ron, with the boy promising an actual visit before the holidays. Harry and Ginny however were lured to the Head Dorms with the promise of sweets, Harry bringing the chocolate offerings from his own calendar that morning and dumping them on the table next to Hermiones. Theo, Blaise and Draco were already there waiting, much to Ginny’s amusement.

Harry sat down eyeing the sweeties, “Godric, they all went all out this year. What's the bets Uncle Remus was involved in this one?”

Hermione laughed at him, “This has Remus written all over it! What did he send you?”

“Um, maltesers” he paused, frowning, when Draco perked up at that.

“Hermione mentioned maltesers,” the boy said with a shrug, “She said they were better than the malteser reindeer she got a while back and those were pretty good.”

Harry gaped at him for a moment before giving him a strange look. “Oo-kay.” he said slowly, glancing out the side of his eyes at Hermione. “Anyway, there's Minstrels, twirls, crunchies, kitkats, ripple, galaxy caramel, cadbury caramel, toffee crisp, oh and milkybar, which I imagine was meant for you Hermione.”

Hermione laughed at him, “Hand it over Potter! Do you think Remus just cleared the shop? Ron must be devastated he's not here!”

Harry laughed, “Yup, I promised to save him some, he asked for some tangfastics and some Percy pigs if we’ve any left. Apparently he imagines shutting Percy up while eating them, which is slightly odd if you ask me but I have no siblings so who am I to judge?”

Hermione and Ginny laughed at him while the Slytherins looked slightly concerned. 

“Right, how are we doing this?” Ginny asked, clapping her hands together. “This lot will never have tried any of it.”
Harry looked thoughtful, “How about we make them up a bowl or something with a bit of everything and after that is a free for all?”
“Good plan, Harry,” Hermione said laughing, summoning bowls and a knife from the kitchen. 

“Right off you pop Malfoy, we need tea for this. I’d suggest Firewhiskey but the last time I drank with Hermione I was ill for days and we’ve still classes tomorrow. Maybe at the weekend, yeah?”
Hermione shrugged, “Seamus not planed an end of term party yet?”

“He's having to leave early this year. He's going to come back the weekend before classes and have a new year one instead.”

“Damn. Owl Fred and George?”
“Ooh good shout. Friday?” 

“Friday. I’ll speak to McGonagall about leaving to organise snacks. I really miss pringles.”

“Oh and Onion rings, Hermione! And those little bacon things? Frazzles?” Harry put in.
“Yes!”

All three Slytherins gaped at them. “Do you understand what's happening?” Blaise muttered.

“Not got a bloody clue mate.”

“Oi! Ferret! tea! We’re planning a party and if you want to be invited move your pretty little arse.”

“Draco scowled at Ginny. “I don't think I like you. And you could not pay me to enter Gryffindor tower.”
“Speak for yourself mate!” Blaise cut in batting his eyelashes at Ginny, “We get an invite Weaslette, don't we?”

Ginny choked on a laugh, “Speak to Hermione, the party is here. Don't make us lock you out Malfoy!”
“Like you could,” he sneered. 

“Seen what Hermione can do with a wand?” Ginny replied lightly, “You’d be in the corridor all night.”

Draco paled slightly, before sighing, “Damn it Weaslette! Who wants tea?”

Chapter Text

“Granger!” Draco called excitedly as she walked down the stairs, “Have you any of those sweeties left? Tell me we can get more for this party the Weaslette’s planning?”

Hermione laughed, chucking a galaxy caramel at him. “Sure Malfoy. Theo and Blaise have already started their list.”

The sweeties had been a massive success, all of them heading for a sugar coma by the end of the night, both Blaise and Theo extracting promises from them that one of them would take them into the muggle world in order to teach them where to purchase all of it. 

“What's in your little house today?”

Hermione shrugged, reaching for the door pulling out a tiny ball that she enlarged and laughed at. Draco peered over her shoulder.

“What in the name of Merlin is that Granger?”

“It's a stress ball.”

“What in the name of Salazar is a stress ball? And why does it have eyes?”
Hermione laughed, picking up the note that accompanied it. 

Kitten, 

I saw this and thought of you. I know that Harry and Ron are frustrating, especially around Christmas. Are you sticking to that vow never to shop with them again? Hopefully squeezing this will help stop the urge to squeeze them…. around their necks.

Love you, Kitten, 

Sirius. 

Draco snorted as he read the note beside her. “Are they that bad?”
“Ugh.” she groaned, “Worse. I swear to Merlin I have never met two such indecisive people in all my life.”

He laughed at her, reaching for the ball, looking surprised when it didn't feel like he thought it would. 

“You just squeeze it, Malfoy. It's meant to make you feel less murderous.”

He snorted, “How kind of Lord Black to try and ensure I survive the year.”
She laughed at him as she nudged him with her elbow “You’re not so bad now you’ve stopped waking me at stupid o’clock. Your tea making abilities make up for a lot.”

He tried very hard to ignore the little swooping sensation in his stomach. It was as close to a compliment he’d ever received from the witch. 

“Yes well, Malfoys are superior in all their endeavours.” he replied, putting on his snottiest voice making her giggle. 

“Oh I can imagine,” she murmured, making the tips of his ears turn pink as he tried to tune out the innuendo lest he make a fool of himself. The witch had a way of unsettling him.

“Did you get permission from McGonagall to go shopping?” Ginny asked, plonking herself down beside Hermione on the bench in the Great Hall.

“Yes. I’ll go on Thursday, she said as long as I’m back before curfew it’ll be fine.”

“Woohoo! I meant to ask, what have you got Malfoy for Christmas?”

Hermione groaned. “Nothing! What do you get the boy who has everything?”

Ginny thought about it. “I don't honestly know. Do you think the Professor would let me come shopping with you?”

“I just assumed you were.”

“Wonderful. Then we’ll find something. What about a tea set?” she asked, grinning wickedly. 

Hermione choked on a laugh, “Gods could you imagine his face!”
“Yes! Yes, I can.” Ginny replied with a slightly evil little grin.

“I could get one of those little individual ones, you know with the pot over the cup.” Hermione mused “And add in some muggle biscuits and sweeties.”

Ginny grinned, “Get a tea for two one.” she said mischievously, making Hermione roll her eyes.

“Why are we friends Gin?”

“Because you love me, and I am wonderful and because I asked Fred and George to send some enchanted mistletoe when they send us the alcohol?”
“Ginny!” Hermione turned to her friend with wide eyes, “Please, please tell me you’re joking?”
Ginny snorted, “Nope! You’ll have your Ferret right where you want him by the end of the week.”

Hermione's head thunked onto the table. “Gin!” she moaned, making Ginny cackle.

Across the hall three Slytherin boys turned at the sound of her manic laughter.

“Do you think we want to know?” Blaise asked curiously.

“No. No, I do not.” Draco answered decisively. He wasn't sure he liked the smirk the Weaslette had sent his way while cackling.

Chapter Text

"Granger! Why was the Weaslette looking so pleased with herself yesterday?" Draco asked, giving in to the curiosity laced with a healthy dose of fear that had been plaguing him since the day before.

Hermione choked on a laugh, "Trust me Malfoy, you don't want to know."

"It can't be that bad!"
Hermione levelled him a look. "How well do you know Ginny?" she asked pointedly. "She has always been The Twins' favourite sibling."

Draco paled at that. "Point well made, Granger."

Hermione laughed as she reached for her calendar pulling out a now familiar small box.

"Another charm?" Draco asked curiously.

"Yes," she replied enlarging the box, "A book. I'm surprised that it wasn't the first one."

"As am I Granger. Did McGonagall give you permission to leave the school?"
"Yes, tomorrow. She did make me promise to not bring back anything she wouldn't approve of." she said laughing, "So I'm hoping Fred and George have a new trick up their sleeve, she figured out their last one."

"Salazar Granger, are you truly telling me that all this time you've been working around the rules?"
She snorted, looking at him with amusement clear on her face before she slid her mask back into place speaking primly. "Of course not, Malfoy. I would never have made Head Girl if I'd been caught breaking the rules."
He gaped at her for a moment as her phrasing sunk in. "And just how many times, oh so prim and proper Head Girl, have you not been caught?"

She smirked, "That, Mr Malfoy, would be telling."

He eyed her for a moment, "And tell me Ms Granger," he purred into her ear, invading her space. "What exactly must one do to persuade you to tell?"

Hermione gave a slightly breathless little laugh, "Ah come on now Malfoy, I'm hardly going to make it easy and actually answer that. Perhaps you'll figure it out?"

"You're a tease, Granger!"
Hermione just laughed at him as she gathered her things to escape to breakfast.

"Here, mate, can you give this to Hermione?" Theo asked, thrusting a sheet of parchment at Draco.

"Hermione?" he asked bewildered

"You know, untamable hair, usually with a book, about yay high," Theo gestured to below his shoulder, "experienced coffee maker, bringer of muggle delights….."

"Arse. I meant when did you start calling Granger, Hermione?"

Theo shrugged, "Somewhere between those little pigs and the maltesers mate."

Blaise choked on a laugh, "You know if you keep this up, he's going to hex you?" he muttered into Theo's ear.

Theo just grinned at him, before plucking the piece of parchment out of Draco's hand, "Actually I forgot I'm due to meet her in the library to work on our Defence essay. Apparently is nice for her not to have to dumb down her conversation."

Draco gaped at Theo's retreating back. "Is he…..? Did he…? Blaise what the fuck is going on?"

Blaise looked as stunned as Draco felt. "Apparently Granger and Theo are friends now?" he hedged.

"No!" Draco growled. "Come on, we've got that Defence essay to do too."

Blaise wondered how long it would be before someone hexed someone else as he followed him to the library. His money was on Granger.

Blaise cornered Theo in the safety of their common room later that night after sitting through one of the most excruciatingly awkward study sessions he'd ever been forced to endure in his life. Thankfully Granger appeared to be oblivious to the undercurrent all three Slytherin's were all too aware of."What the fuck was today about, mate?"

Theo snorted, "Draco is taking forever to do nothing, I just gave him a little extra incentive to actively spend time with the witch. And anyway, I actually like her but we both know she's not my type."

Blaise snorted, "When exactly are you planning on telling Draco that?"

Theo raised his eyebrow pointedly, "Whenever you're ready love."

Blaise sighed, "Soon, ok? Soon. Does Granger know? The last thing we need is for her to develop feelings for you."
"She worked it out. She's promised not to say anything."

Blaise nodded thoughtfully, "Draco'll murder us for keeping quiet so long when he finally finds out Theo, I hope you realise that."

"I'm waiting on you love, don't pin this on me!"

Blaise sighed, resting his forehead on Theo's "I know."

Chapter Text

"Granger! I have my list!"

Hemione snorted as she looked over the piece of parchment. "Bloody hell Malfoy, you cannot possibly think you'll be able to eat all this!"
"Well no, but I thought I'd stock up!"

Hemione rolled her eyes at him, "Fine, Malfoy. Thank god I can shrink it down or I'd never be able to carry it all between you, Theo, Blaise and Ron."

"What time are you going?"

"Two-ish? Both Gin and I have a free period last today so we'll head after our last class."

He nodded, "Fair enough, who's coming to this thing tomorrow?"
"Just Gin, Harry, Ron, Luna, Ron mentioned Lavender but we'll see. And Blaise and Theo obviously, feel free to invite more people. Susan Bones said she might drop in, so did the Patil twins."

Draco blinked, "That's more than i thought. I dont know how many of my friends are staying this year, I'll ask."

She hummed in acknowledgement as she reached for the calendar, pulling out a tiny gnome.

"Awww!"

"Granger, what the fuck is that?"

Hermione enlarged the ornament. "It's a Gonk!" she replied in a tone that implied he should really already know that.

"Oo-kay and for those of us who have no idea what the fuck you're talking about?"

Hermione looked at him and frowned, "It's a sort of Scandinavian gnome type thing that is popular at Christmas. Isn't he adorable?"
Draco eyed the creation sat on Hermione's hand, "Its…..I mean, its definitely something Granger."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him, "I think he's adorable."

"Right so, sweeties, snacks or Malfoy's gift first?" Ginny clapped her hands, calling Hermione to attention.

"Malfoy? The lists they gave me are insane. It'll be like shopping for Ron four times over."

Ginny laughed, "You've created monsters, Hermione!"

"I know! So…let's find something for the boy who has absolutely bloody everything."

"I thought we were getting him a teapot?"
"Gin! I can't actually buy him a teapot!"
"You absolutely can, it's funny! Add in some muggle snacky things, oooh or some fancy smancy tea. Loose stuff, but not the shite Professor Trelawany uses."

Hermione choked on a laugh. "Gods can you imagine! How long until you offer to read his leaves?"
"Beware the curly haired bookworm, she shall feed you sugar and ensnare you in her net. She will force you to do manual labour with boiling water and she will lead you to a pride of lions, nothing will ever be the same again…" Ginny tried to emulate the Professor's wispy voice making Hermione giggle.

"Please never take that up as a career!"
Ginny laughed, picking up a garish pink teapot, "I can't quite see Malfoy liking pink."

Hermione rolled her eyes, reaching for a black teapot with a gold and metallic green splatter design. "I quite like this."

Ginny hummed thoughtfully. "I can see him with that actually. Get that one. Then we'll go buy all the snacks!"

Hermione laughed, "Coffee first though, right?"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "As if you need to ask. I plan to make the most out of not being in the castle. Fancy getting something sparkly for the party tomorrow? Ooh! Remember that dress, the shiny one?"

"The mini dress?"
"Yes that one! Let's go back and get that!"

"Gin! I cant get that, it barely covered my bum!"

Ginny shrugged, "For all you're short, you've the legs for it. Malfoy won't know what hit him."
"It looked like lingerie!"

"Even better!" Ginny grinned lasciviously. "I'll get one too."

Hermione groaned. "I want the purple one."
Ginny thought about it for a moment, she looked amazing in purple, but if it meant Hermione wasn't arguing….."Done." she agreed.

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger, are you awake?”

“Ugh, Malfoy! What happened to letting me come down on my own?”

Draco pouted, “I just wanted to know if the twins had figured something out!”

Hermione snorted, “of course they did. They’re the Weasley twins!”

“Ah. Well seeing as you’re up come and open the little house!”
Hermione groaned. “You’re impossible! Can I at least get dressed first?”

Draco looked at her and frowned. “Nope. Come on Granger!”

Hermione rolled her eyes but allowed him to drag her downstairs towards the advent calendar.  Reaching in she thought she had a good idea of what was inside. 

“What's that Granger?” Draco asked, peering over her shoulder. 

“Sweeties.” she smiled. 

“Why are they in little nets?”

“Because they are,” she replied, enlarging them. 

“Granger, those don't look like any sweets I’ve ever seen!”

“You have to take the foil off idiot. These are chocolate coins, chocolate sprouts, chocolate penguins oh and santa and snowmen.”
“All of them are chocolate?” he asked dubiously as she burst the net and showed him how to open the coin. “Oh. Oh those are chocolate! Whats the point of them though?”
Hermione shrugged, “Most muggles get the coins over christmas, sometimes in their stockings. I don't know why, actually. Maybe because people used to put money in them?”

“Granger, I know I’ve said it before but muggles are seriously odd.”

Hermione tugged self consciously at the hem of her dress. It was shorter than she remembered. 

“Stop that! You look fine!” Ginny scolded, adding the finishing touches to her own face. Hermione pulled a face behind her back. “I saw that!”

Hermione snorted, “of course you did.”

Ginny rolled her eyes, “Right, come on, let's blow Malfoy's tiny mind.”

Taking a deep breath Hermione followed her out the door, too busy watching where she was walking to notice the way Theo pushed Draco’s jaw closed as he watched her walk in. 

“That's not fair.” he whined, “She’s not playing fair, Theo!” 

Theo laughed at him, shrugging. “Rumour has it the Weaslette got the twins to smuggle in some enchanted mistletoe with the alcohol. Perhaps tonight will be your night.”
Draco huffed, “But look at McLaggen! Who brought him! He’s practically drooling.”
“So were you mate! And I believe one of the Puff’s brought him, I’m not sure which one.”

“Well find out, I’m never inviting them back!”
Theo snorted, “You didn't invite them this time mate.”

Draco watched as they all got steadily drunker, and the dancing became uncoordinated. Hermione had been laughing as she danced with various people throughout the evening, currently she was attempting some strange dance with Luna Lovegood with much hilarity. He had to admit, it was pretty funny, even if no one else seemed to understand what they were doing.

Potter had long since ceased all movement, curled up on the sofa with the Weaslette, the Weasel and the purple one on the other side. He watched as Theo drunkenly stumbled into the enchanted mistletoe, wincing as he saw the other boy realise he was stuck.
“Ah, I can help you there, Theo!”  Pansy laughed, heading unsteadily towards him.

Dracos jaw dropped as Blaise darted around her, “No need, love, I’ve got this.” 

“Close your mouth, Draco, it's rude to gawp.”
Draco turned to find himself face to face with an amused Hermione Granger. 

“How long has that been going on?” he all but whined. 

Hermione gave a slight shrug, “Does it matter?”
“They didn't tell me, Granger!”

“They didn't tell me either, I worked it out. How little attention have you been paying, Malfoy?”

He frowned slightly, had he really been paying so little attention to his friends? “Are you telling me they were obvious?”
Hermione snorted, inclining her head towards Blaise and Theo who had long since escaped the mistletoe but hadn’t yet released one another.  “Does that look brand new to you? They’re not exactly subtle with their little touches and sweet little looks. They’re surprisingly adorable.”

He pouted, “It's not my fault I was distracted.”
She laughed, arching a brow. “What on earth had you so distracted that you missed that?”

“You.” the word was out before he registered he was going to say it. Hermione's jaw dropped as she looked at him wide eyed. “Fuck, Granger. I didn't mean…..”

He was stopped from saying anything when she muttered a quiet, “fuck it” and lent in and kissed him.

Chapter Text

“Granger? Tell me you know where the hangover potion is?” he groaned, hiding his head back on her stomach where he’d fallen asleep the night before.  Wordlessly she summoned the vials, downing one before braving opening her eyes. 

“I’m never drinking again.”

Draco snorted, “No?”
“Ugh no. I feel awful.”

“Me too, Granger, me too.”

“Move, Malfoy, I need coffee.”

“Gods Granger, I’ll love you forever if you bring me a cup too.” Theo moaned from the floor. 

“No arsehole, I’m still annoyed that neither you nor Blaise thought to mention you were together. You don't get coffee.”
“Hermione! Lovely Hermione, ignore that arse and take pity on a poor hungover soul!”

Hermione stifled a laugh as she rolled her eyes at them both, moving gingerly towards the kitchen. Hangover potions were good but they didn't get rid of it entirely, she still felt more delicate than she liked.

She returned, levitating a pot of tea, a larger one of coffee, with both hers and Theo’s already in bowl sized cups. She set them down on the coffee table, looking at the bodies sprawled around the room. There were going to be a lot of people cursing the Twins this morning.

“Granger, marry me.” Theo groaned as he took a sip from his cup, closing his eyes as he allowed the coffee to work its way through his system. She couldn't contain her laugh when Draco put a possessive arm around her waist and pulled her to him, “Fuck off, arsehole. Go and propose to Blasie, leave my witch out of it.”

“Your witch?” she asked with an arched brow. 

“Ah well…. It's just an um…figure of speech, term of endearment? Which one is less likely to get me hexed?”

Theo choked on his coffee beside him muttering something that sounded suspiciously like “whipped.”.

Hermione rolled her eyes but allowed him to pull her into his side as she cradled her coffee like it was life giving. 

“Gods Hermione, is that coffee I smell?” Ginny groaned from the sofa, “Tell me its coffee?”

“Yes, but it's mine and I’m not sharing. You’ll need to pour your own if you want some, it's on the table.”
“I could kiss you, ‘Mione”

“I mean if you would, I’m sure we’d all be really appreciative.” someone shouted from the floor, Draco scowled, pulling Hermione in closer to his side. 

“Hermione, make them all go away.” he whined, making Theo and Ginny laugh. 

“Nope. We’re officially on holiday and can stay here if we want!” Ginny taunted, inhaling the scent of her coffee. 

He turned to Hermione, with wide, puppy dog eyes. “Hermione!”

Hermione ducked her head towards her cup laughing. “Later, Malfoy, later.”

He pouted. “Will you open the little house then, seeing as the arseholes are here to stay.”

She handed him her cup as she reached for the door, the familiar little box accompanied by a note this time.

“A charm?”
“Yup, from Sirius by the looks of things.” she replied, opening the note.

Kitten! 

It's almost Christmas! I hope you’re as hungover as hell as is the tradition on the first day of the holidays, don't disappoint me kitten! I had this commissioned just for you, I thought you’d appreciate it! I hear it's the only time you’ve willingly flew anything! Beaky says hi!

Love 

Sirius and Buckbeak.

xx

Hermione snorted, handing the note to Harry who had surfaced and was stealing Ginny’s coffee behind her back. Draco frowned at her. 

“That's a hippogriff Granger.”
“That it is Malfoy,” she replied, biting her lip to hide her smile.

“Wasn't the beast who attacked me called Buckbeak?” he asked accusingly as he glared at her.

“Um…..maybe?”

“Granger! Did you help that murderous beast escape?”

She could hear all those who were awake, laughing. The story of Buckbeak's escape was well known in Gryffindor tower.

“Maybe?” she replied, attempting to look contrite and failing miserably. 

“Granger!”
“What! I wouldn't let him die because you were an arse! He has a wonderful life with Sirius now. And I’m not apologising!”
“But….but… Granger!” he spluttered. 

“Malfoy?”

He pouted, “Kiss it better?”

“Kiss what better! It was years ago!”
“And now my feelings are hurt, my attacker escaped thanks to you!”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “You are actually ridiculous.”
“You like me anyway,” he grinned

“Apparently,” she replied as he lent in and kissed her.

“Oi! Get a room!” Ron shouted, groaning as the noise aggravated his head. 

“We would,arsehole but you lot appear to be it! Can we kick them out now, Granger?” he pleaded. 

She laughed at his pout before she kissed him. “Later.”

He sighed dramatically, “It’s a good job I like you, Granger.”

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! I can't sleep.”

Hermione groaned, casting a tempus charm. “For fucks sake, Malfoy, its half past two!” she whined at her closed door. 

“And I can't sleep. Let me in, Granger!”

Hermione wrenched open the door, glowering. “I swear to Merlin Malfoy, I am going to murder you.”

He grinned at her disarmingly, “You’re adorable when you’re all cross and sleep rumpled, you know.”
“Malfoy!” she growled.

“This will go much quicker if you just let me in, Granger.”
“I’m not rewarding you for waking me up in the middle of the night!”

He rolled his eyes at her. “Come on Granger, I slept better with you next to me last night.”

“You slept better last night  because you were pissed, Malfoy.”

“I disagree. Let's test the theory!” 

She groaned, hitting her head off the doorframe. “Just sleep?”

“Just sleep, Granger.”

“Fine. Get in. I reserve the right to kick you out again if you’re an arse. 

He grinned as he sauntered into her room and flung himself on her bed. “There's a lot of red in this room.”

“Move over. I’m not discussing the decor at half past fucking two!”

“Fine!” he huffed making space before curling around her and pulling her into him. “This is nice, Granger.”

“Hmmm,” she murmured sleepily, “Sleep now.”

She woke again at the far more acceptable time of half nine to find a pair of grey eyes staring at her. 

“S’creepy Malfoy.” she yawned. 

“But you’re so pretty.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Sure. Still creepy. How long have you been awake?”

“An hour or so. I brought tea. I figured I might be able to tempt you to stay here with it.”

She snorted, “You’re seducing me into bed with…..tea?”

He shrugged, “I mean technically, I’ve already got you into bed. But is it working, Granger?”

She stifled a laugh,”Maybe.” 

“That's good,” he murmured as he lent down and kissed her. Much later, they concluded that he could indeed seduce her into bed with tea. 

“You’ve not opened your little house yet, Granger!”
“Someone distracted me!” she retorted. 

“Are you complaining, Granger?” he asked with a grin as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, dotting small kisses down her neck. 

“No.” she replied somewhat more breathily than she’d intended, “But if you want me to actually open it I need you to stop that.”

He sighed, releasing her, “It had better be good today, Granger!”
She pulled out a miniature package that was clearly clothing of some description. Enlarging it, she grinned. 

“What the fuck is that Granger?”

“The Grinch!”
“Granger….” he replied slowly, looking at her as if he could give meaning to her words just by scanning her face. “What the fuck is the Grinch?”

“Um…he's a sort of character who hates Christmas and lives all alone. He decides one year to steal Christmas from the Who’s and so takes his little dog in the middle of the night on Christmas eve and steals all their presents and food and decorations. A bit like a reverse Santa, I suppose. In the morning he hears them singing and returns it all and they accept him.” 

He stared at her opening and closing his mouth as he tried to make any of that make sense. “Granger? Why the fuck is he green? And what the fuck is a who? And why does he involve his dog?”

She snorted, immediately changing into her new pyjamas, distracting him slightly from the character she had no real interest in discussing. “Because he is, Malfoy.” 

“I feel like I keep saying this, Granger, but muggles are fucking weird.”

“Hmmm.I know.” She murmured against his mouth, attempting to distract him from any more questions.

“No but seriously, Granger. Why did he involve his dog?”
Hermione sighed, flinging herself down on the sofa as she began to attempt to explain the story again.

Chapter Text

“Granger?” Draco whispered softly as she stirred, stretching out her body next to him.

“Morning Malfoy.” she murmured sleepily, burrowing back into his warmth making him smile.

“We should really get up, you know.”

“Hmmm. Later, sleepy.” she mumbled into his chest as he stroked a hand over her ridiculous hair. 

He gave a soft laugh as he watched her cuddle into him, refusing to wake up, giving in he cuddled her close, enjoying the way she fit against him.

Draco finally coaxed her out of bed at ten, luring her into the shower with extravagant  promises of seduction followed by tea. She had laughed at his dramatics, maintaining that tea should have no place in a seduction but complied anyway, giving herself over to his whims with delightful results. 

Downstairs, he had presented her with a cup of tea with a flourish making her laugh as she cradled the cup and snuggled back down into his side. 

“Will you open the little house now, Granger?” he asked as she put her cup back down, “I’ve been very patient!”
She huffed out a laugh and rolled her eyes, “You're like a toddler, Malfoy!” 

Reaching into the advent calendar she pulled out a small box. Enlarging it she grinned, delightedly, “Ooh! A gingerbread house!”

“What Granger?” Draco asked, frowning over her shoulder.

“Gingerbread house! Look, it's a little kit that you have to build and decorate.”

“Why?”

“Tradition? And then you get to eat it.”
Draco looked slightly more interested when he realised it was edible, “ Do I get to help?”

“Sure. Although you might want to get the door first, someone wants in.”

“Can't we ignore it, Granger?” he asked pleadingly.

She laughed at him, “No, Malfoy, it's rude!”

“Fine.” he huffed, opening the portrait hole to reveal more Gryffindors than he cared for alongside Theo and Blaise.

“We were bored,” Theo offered as an explanation as he brushed past him, the rest following suit.

“Oh you got one too!” Potter exclaimed, looking at the gingerbread house. 

“Yup, I was about to teach Malfoy.”
Harry thought for a moment. “Boys versus girls?”

Hermione grinned, “Fine. but I want Theo.”

“Do we get any say in this Granger?” Theo asked with a pout.

“Gingerbread, icing, jelly sweeties and coffee.” she replied. 

“I’m in!”

Harry disappeared to get his own kit, before they very seriously began setting them up on the coffee table. Theo dictating colours and sweetie placement so pedantically that Ginny hexed his hair pink. It backfired when he decided he rather liked it.

Across from them Ron was attempting to boss Blaise, gesturing wildly until Lavender had to be dispatched to calm him down. Her methods made them all grimace slightly. 

“Why does he look like he’s eating her face?” Theo asked curiously, making Ginny and Hermione choke, focusing determinedly on the house in front of them rather than bear witness to the scene Theo was staring at in fascination. “No but really!” he whispered, “It really looks like he's eating her face!”

“Shh, Theo!” Hermione hissed, looking faintly ill. “He didn't critique you when you were stuck in that mistletoe, leave him alone!”
“That's because my technique is perfect, Granger, do you want me to give Draco some tips?”
“I think I’ll pass, thanks.” she replied drily.

“Your loss, Granger!”

Ginny snorted, “Given the smug grin on her face, I think the ferrets doing alright on his own. Tell me, Hermione, what's got you looking so….relaxed?”
Hermione grinned, “I have no idea what you mean, Gin. It must be all the tea.”

“Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” Ginny asked waggling her brows as Hermione rolled her eyes at her, unable to hide the grin that took over her face.

“Who’s going to judge these?” Harry asked suddenly, interrupting them.

“Um. Fuck didn't think of that.” Ginny replied looking thoughtful. “Could we bribe a firstie?” 

“Chocolate coins?” Hermione asked, rummaging amongst the sweetie stash for the net, “Or one of the twin’s daydream potions?”

Behind her the Slytherins gaped. ”Why does this not sound like this is the first time you’ve bribed a firstie?”
“Ah, because it's not?” she replied, still rummaging.

“Fuck Granger, you cant bribe firsties!”

“Why not, Malfoy? It's not really bribery, we’re asking them to judge biscuits and giving them a sweetie in return. The little snots are far more amenable when you’re offering them something. ‘Claws especially. Dumbledore tends to be more malleable if you give him sweeties too. Not chocolate though, apparently he’s not fond of that, McGonagall likes biscuits, Flitwick likes socks of all things and Snape can usually be persuaded to help in exchange for maltesers.”

“Snape….maltesers? What, Granger?”

“Actually, I have maltesers somewhere, we could try Snape if you want?”

The Slytherins gaped at her as if they’d never seen her before, before Theo gave an evil little grin, turning their icing green and silver striped. “I won't believe it until I see it Granger, let's find Snape.”

And so they did, he rolled his eyes and made some cutting remark about wasting his time but in the end accepted the maltesers and declared the girls and Theo’s house the winner, demanding half the roof to go with his cup of tea. Draco pouted all the way back to the Head dorms, only ceasing when GInny stuffed a large chunk of wall into his mouth as they divided up the gingerbread and proceeded to ransack Hermione's sweetie stash.

“Tomorrow, we’re locking the door, Granger,” Draco mumbled as he snuggled into her back.

“Tomorrow we’re going to the cinema, Malfoy” she replied, allowing sleep to overtake her.

Chapter Text

“Granger, what did you mean we’re going to the muggle world today?” Draco asked as he lay in her bed watching her get dressed. She threw her wet towel at him.

“Stop ogling and move, Malfoy!” she laughed, “I promised to take you to see a film and find that shortbread did I not?”
“Yes….” he replied slowly, “but we can do it after christmas, can't we? Your bed’s very comfy Granger, I’d be much happier if you’d just get back into it.”
She shot him an amused look over her shoulder as she wriggled into her jeans. “Nice try but no. Get dressed. Now!”

He sighed, doing as he was told. “This had better be spectacular Granger.” he growled, bending down to nip at her neck, making her squeal.

Half an hour later, he was ready but grumpy at being forcibly removed from her bed, especially given that the day was freezing and overcast. 

“We could always change the plan, Granger.” he wheedled. 

“No. It’ll be fine. The cinema’s indoors anyway. Come on Malfoy, let's get the worst bit over with.”

Using the floo in McGonagall's office, they exited from the Three Broomsticks, Hermione apperating to the designated point in Edinburgh. “Come on Malfoy, lets walk, it's too bloody cold to stand still!”

He took her hand, his eyes darting nervously at the sheer volume of people surrounding them as she dragged him into a shop. 

“Shortbread.” she said pointing at the tin. He grabbed two before adding another two just in case much to her amusement. 

“Granger! There's those little pigs!” he said excitedly, spotting the familiar sweeties, several customers gave him indulgent smiles as they passed, clearly assuming he was a tourist as he grabbed a handful of packets. 

Taking him to a till, he suddenly looked nervous. “Granger!” he hissed, “Granger, I don't understand the money!”
She turned to look at him wide eyed, “You have muggle money?”
“Yes, I got my dad to owl some after you first mentioned bringing me but I don't understand it! I meant to ask Potter for a lesson before we came but you sort of sprung this on me!”
Hermione stifled the laugh that threatened at the image of Harry teaching Draco Malfoy how to work muggle money. It was rather sweet really. 

“Give it here,”she replied instead, stretching up on her toes to kiss him briefly. 

They wove through the crowds heading for the cinema, Draco’s eyes going wide as he took in all the snacks on offer.

“We can get these right?” he asked, almost bouncing with excitement.

“Sure, Malfoy, we can get whatever you want.”

Loaded up with more snacks than they would ever be able to eat, they wandered into the theatre. 

“These seats are comfy Granger,” Draco mused, bouncing on them.

“Shh! You can't talk once the lights dim.”

He jumped as the trailers started, spilling his popcorn. “Why is it so loud, Granger!” he hissed into her ear.

“Because it is, now shhh!”

He rolled his eyes but settled into his seat to watch the ridiculous pensive thing.

“But Granger! He could have fit on that door too! Was she just looking for a way to be rid of him?” he cried, scandalised as they walked out of the film. “Granger! Don't pretend you’re not with me!”

Hermione groaned as the other cinema goers snickered. 

“Quite right, lad!” one of them shouted, momentarily startling him before he nodded, “See Granger! That man agrees with me!”
“Malfoy….it wasn't real. Please for the love of Merlin keep your voice down!”
“You told me it was real!” he gasped.

“The ship and the disaster were real, but those people, they were just characters, it was just a story.”

“A rubbish story!” he pouted. 

“Ok, Malfoy, let's agree to never do this again.”

“What? No! I liked the giant pensive! And the snacks, Granger!”
She groaned, dropping her head dramatically onto his shoulder. “Please. Please can we just leave here. Next time I’ll take you to something Disney or an action film. I imagine you’ll like the gadgets.”
“Granger?” he asked, wrinkling his nose. “What in the name of Salazar is a gadget?”

“You never opened your little house!”
“I know,” she called, removing her layers, grateful to be back in the warmth of the castle. Edinburgh had been freezing, they’d braved the Christmas markets and she’d taken him ice skating on the overcrowded rink but it had been too cold and too busy to linger long and they were both grateful to be back. 

“Will you do it now?” he asked, as they hugged warm mugs of tea close to them, snuggled together for extra warmth. 

“Ugh, yes.” Reaching in she pulled out a tiny basket and a note. 

Kitten!
My turn again, don't tell Remus! I’ve sent you some mistletoe, everyone needs a few kisses at Christmas. Just in case you’re feeling like you need to loosen up a little (with or without the mistletoe!) I've also added in some delightful little drinks. 

Have one for me Kitten, 

Sirius. 

Enlarging the box she laughed at the random assortment of miniatures and mixtures Sirius had included. Harry would be furious that hers had gotten past Remus. 

“What are these, Granger?”
“Random alcohol and mixers?”
“You know I think I’m growing rather fond of Lord Black. Just us tonight?”

“Just us,” she confirmed, hiding her smile as she opened a premade cocktail that was a slightly odd purple colour.

“That's good,” he muttered, “I wouldn't want the mistletoe to go to waste.”

Chapter Text

“Granger! Granger! Come on you cant sleep its Christmas eve!”

“Malfoy, I swear to Merlin I will send you back to your own bed!” growled. “Its too fucking early!”
“But its Christmas eve!” he whined.

“And it’ll still be Christmas eve when I eventually consent to get up in, oh I don't know,  three or so hours!” 

“You’re no fun, Granger!”

She ignored him as she burrowed down further into the covers, determined that she wasn't getting up yet. She heard him sigh and flop back down, rearranging himself back around her as he gave in. 

He managed to persuade her to get up two hours later, bouncing down the stairs and making a beeline for the advent calendar. “Last one! Is it odd that I’m going to miss this?”

Hermione smiled slightly, wrapping her arms sound his waist, “No. Its been fun, this year. And its the last one I’ll get, which is quite sad.”

“What? Why would it be the last one?”

“I’m not moving back to my parents, Malfoy, i always knew this would be the last year.”

He frowned slightly, “Why cant you have one as an adult?”
She laughed at his pout, “You can but my parents wont be doing it for me. I’ll still have a chocolate one but the next time that one gets used will be for any children i might have and that's not something I’m considering for a very long time.”

He tightened his arms around her as small, blonde, curly haired children danced through his head. It left feelings he’d rather not examine at that very moment. 

“Well then, lets hope your last ever door has something good.” he replied lightly.

She reached for the door, bringing out a miniature book that made her look like she was going to cry.

“Oh.” she whispered softly as she enlarged it. 

“Grganger?”

“Its ‘Twas the night before Christmas. My parents read this last every year before bed on Christmas eve. We dont even really need the book any more, we know it off by heart. I guess I’m inheriting more than the Advent calendar.”

“Read it to me?”

She smiled slightly, “Before bed?” she gave a small shrug, “Its tradition.”

Reaching over to her, he pulled her into a kiss, “Well, I wouldn't want to argue with tradition now, Granger, would I?”

Later, snuggled back into bed, her teapot charm dangling from her wrist, his actual teapot waiting in the kitchen for him, Hermione opened the book, “Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…….”

Chapter Text

“Granger? What in the name of fucking Merlin is that thing?” Draco asked, his eyes wide as he surveyed the creepiest thing he’d ever seen sat watching him from a shelf on the bookcase with judgemental eyes. 

“What?” His wife popped her head around the door, looking at him in confusion.

“That! What the fuck is that creepy little thing?”
“Its not creepy, Draco! Its an elf on the shelf. Cassie named him Jingle. Addy decided on Snowflake for hers I believe.”
“There are two of those creepy little bastards, Granger?” he asked, utterly horrified. 

“Yes. They move around the house, doing funny things for the girls and report to Santa at night.”

“You want us to teach our children that those things are watching them?”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “They’re incredibly popular Draco. All of the kids at Cassie's school have one.”

“No.”

“No?”
“Granger they’re fucking terrifying. I can feel it watching me.”
His wife smirked at him. “We’ll then. You’d better behave.”

“Hermione!” he whined. “Sweetheart, come on! Be reasonable!”
She snorted, “The girls love them, Draco. Cassie was telling it all the things she’d done at school today and anyway, it's only a month.”
“A month! I have to deal with them watching me for a month? Granger! Do you hate me that much?”

“Daddy!” he turned as a blur of blonde curls came flying towards him. “We got elves!” the blur screeched as it collided with his stomach. 

“So I see.” he said dryly. “Don't you think they’d be happier in the North Pole, little Star?” 

Cassiopiea, his eldest, a carbon copy of her mother, except for the blonde hair, pouted.  

“No Daddy. They want to stay with us!” 

“Do they really though, Cass? Have you asked them?”
Her face took on the stubborn look she had definitely inherited from her mother, “Yes.” she stated, glaring at him and crossing her arms. “Addy! Daddy wants the elves to go back to Santa!” she shouted in the direction of the stairs.

Fuck. Draco swore inside his head. His youngest had his flair for the dramatics and at three, definitely knew how to use them. He could hear her tiny stomping feet as she came down the stairs and advanced on him, her hands balled into tiny fists on her hips. She glared up at him once she reached him and pointed at him sternly. 

“No, Daddy! The elves stay here! Now you be a good boy or Santa won't bring you any presents! Jingle and Snowflake will tell him that you’re mean and don't want them and he’ll be cross!” 

He could hear Hermione attempting to cover her laughter behind him. Traitor. 

“But Addy, sweetheart, they’re watching us.”

Both of his daughters looked at him like he was mental. 

“Of course, Daddy. They’re meant to!”

“But….sweethearts, they’ll give Daddy nightmares.”

Cassie actually rolled her eyes, reminding him forcibly of his wife. His wife who was still fucking laughing. 

“Then ask Mummy to give you a cuddle. Mummy gives the best cuddles to get rid of nightmares.”
“Not Daddy?” he asked with pout. 

This time it was Adhara who rolled her eyes. “You can't give yourself a hug Daddy, that's just sad.”

She had him there he thought wryly. 

“Fine. The elves can stay.” he muttered.

“Yay!” the girls exclaimed. “And they get to come back for years and years and years!
“Wait, what? No! One year! That's all!”

Ten years later, Draco bolted upright in bed. It was three o’clock in the morning and they’d forgotten to move the fucking elves.