Foolish Hearts

Eight

Hermione's Pov...

After a month of languishing in bed, Draco began helping me to walk again. At first, it was slow going, because my muscles were just too weak from not being used all this time. But now, I can walk a few steps without tiring, and I no longer have to wear that awful IV.

I went to my purse and plugged in my smartphone. I wasn't sure if the service on it was even active or not, but I wanted to message my friends so they wouldn't worry about me in any case. I probably didn't have a job any more. What in the world would I do for money? Was Ron worried about me? His family?

Oh, who was I kidding, his family, save for George, Fred, and Ginny, never cared for me. I was like another Percy to them, honestly. It was a shame he was such a prissy jerk, he was kind of cute. I opened the lace curtain, and looked out on to the streets below. It was snowing outside, and muggle kids were playing in the streets, all bundled up against the elements as the sun shined down on them. Other people were getting into their cars, others were shoveling out their driveways to leave for the day.

I heard a knock on my bedroom door, and Snape came in, dressed in his usual black teaching robes. I looked back at him, and I didn't know whether to smile or be distant from him.

"You are up, I see," He said. "Would you like to join me downstairs? I think that Christmas is best spent in front of the tree, don't you think?"

"Christmas?" I asked, having totally lost track of time in my recovery process.

Snape nodded, "Indeed, Christmas. I have never had real cause to celebrate it before, but with you here, I will make an exception."

My cheeks flushed pink as he took my hand in his, and led me to my closet. He let go of it, and rummaged around until he found a lovely black sequined cocktail dress with no back, and was very short. Ron would kill me if I wore something so revealing.

"Um, are you sure it's not too...revealing?" I asked lamely. Snape came up behind me, and began taking down my hair from the little braids Smocky put them in until my hair flowed down my back.

I saw him in the mirror behind me grin. "No, it's not too revealing," He finally replied. "Besides, I want you to look nice for your celebration from your marriage."

I turned to look up at Snape, shocked. "What do you mean free? I...I don't understand."

Snape smiled. "You'll see. Get ready. You will like your surprise, I just know it."

"Okay. But jeans and a sweater are usually what I wear for Christmas day," I blurted out. "This is a little much for me."

Snape kissed the top of my head. "It won't be this time, trust me. Now, get ready. I have already instructed the house elves to help you with whatever you require to help you get ready on time."

"Okay," I said lamely. Snape nodded, and left me alone. Smocky popped in and began fussing over my appearance in my simple tank top and flannel pajama pants.

"Oh, Mistress! This will look gorgeous on you!" Smocky gushed. "When I'm done with you, Master won't know what hit him."

I giggled. "Smocky, are you trying to set me up with my former Professor?"

Smocky put her hands on her hips, and nodded. "It wouldn't be such a bad thing, Mistress. Master is happy, happier than Smocky has seen him in a long time. Just think about it."

"Okay, I will," I said, grinning. "Just help me get ready."

"Yes, Mistress."

I was led to the shower, and it felt good to have a shower without help for once. I had put on weight, and all of my bruises had long since faded, but there were still some scars here and there. Some of them I got during the course of the war, others were from my hellish marriage to Ron Weasley. I was still very thin, though, but it was a good thin, and I could wear designer clothes at this weight if I wanted. I stepped out of the shower, and dried off.