Love by Winter Break

Chapter 9. Thanks!

'I should probably go.' Hermione said awkwardly as she fixed her dress and took the broom.
'Yeah. Down you go, and up your heart goes.' Ginny smirked.
'Ginny, it's not we're going to smooch again.'

--

'She'll be waiting. Blaise, keep an eye on Pansy. She might just tear up everything that I own.' Draco put a Slytherin blanket over the Pygmy Puff.
'Sure, mate.' Blaise replied, straddling a writing Pansy.
'I hope she likes singing dyed cotton balls.'

--

The Great Hall was empty, except for a few students who were finishing their third helping of Christmas pudding.
'He's not here.' Hermione glanced around. No sign of Malfoy.
'He might be in the Owlery. He does write back often.'

--

Draco walked eagerly into the Great Hall, hoping for Hermione.
'Oh great.' He cursed softly as he couldn't find Hermione.
The Puff started wriggling.
'Stop, you stupid furball!'
The Puff let out a big un-Christmassy screech and wiggled itself out of the cage and toddled up to the stairs, going up.
'Come back here, mutt!' Draco hissed, then chased after the Pygmy Puff, who was singing O Christmas Tree.

--
Hermione padded slowly up to the Owlery, and found Hedwig flying into the Owlery with a letter in her beak.
'Hi, Hedwig!' Hermione rubbed the snowy owl's head.
Hedwig dropped the letter at her feet.
'I'm not Harry. You're his owl.'
Hedwig hooted angrily, then picked up the letter and spat it at Hermione's face.
'Hedwig!' Hermione exclaimed, but opened it.

Dear Hermione,
How's your holiday going? The Dursleys have moved back, but this time just opposite to the road. I can still threaten Dudley though.
Sirius has been sending me letters often now, he's living in London with Buckbeak. I hope Hedwig's not caused a fuss. She is a very snooty bird. I still remember the time she bit you for fluffing her feathers the wrong way.
Happy holidays! Ron is writing to you too (possibly later).

Hey Hermione! It's me!  I've been experimenting with different Gillyweed in salt and freshwater. I think you'd love it! Anyway, Harry, my annoying brother and I are going to visit Luna and Neville tomorrow. I hope you're having a wonderful holiday!
Harry and Ginny

Hermione chuckled at their letter. Hedwig flew back to her perch and started preening her feathers.
'WILL YOU STOP RUNNING, YOU PRAT?' A yell sounded around the stairs.
'Huh?' Hermione poked her head outside the Owlery walls. A purple puffy thing was jogging up the stairs, carolling something Hermione couldn't make out.
Draco's blond hair emerged.
'Malfoy?' Hermione screeched, hiding the Radius 229 behind her.
'Granger!' Draco snatched up the Pygmy Puff, who was now sniffing at Hermione's legs.
'I didn't know you liked-those.' Hermione gestured to the Puff, who was yodelling a high note.
'I do-well, I don't-or do, uh... actually this is for you.' Draco garbled his words in one breath.
'For me?' Hermione picked up the Pygmy Puff, who was carolling another song.
'Thank you! Oh...um...I actually wanted to give my present at the Great Hall...but I couldn't find you...uh, I mean, I bought-no, I got something for you too.' Hermione held out the broom.
Draco's jaw gaped.
'It's...'
'The newest broom. Radius 229.' Hermione patted the Pygmy Puff's head. Or body.
'Well, thanks. My father stopped buying me brooms after my fifth year.' Draco swept a hand over the broom.
'Why don't you try it?' Hermione's eyes widened hopefully.
Draco looked unsure at first, then a malicious smirk came on his face.
'Sure.'
As he mounted the broom, he suddenly pulled Hermione on too. The Radius swooped off.
'Dracooooooooo!' Hermione's scream echoed around the land.
Her hands quickly flew to his waist, hugging him tightly.
'I didn't know.' Draco made the broom go a loop.
Hermione screamed again.
'I don't like flyinggggggg!' She squealed as the broom zipped even faster.
'You don't, but you do when you're with me.' Draco smirked.
A gust of dragon current swept by, sending the broom swirling around.
Hermione screamed even louder.
'MALFOYYYY!'

Draco landed first on the grassy ground, then a broom landed beside him. Hermione then dropped down above him.
Hermione was on top of Draco.
Grey eyes stared into brown.
'Oh-oh-I am so-sorry-' Hermione began, stuttering, but her lips were smacked together with someone else's.
She was kissing Malfoy.