Hermione Riddle

Chapter 6

I quickly took my wand out of my pocket and cast a charm to create a pile of snowballs. I slowly turned around to greet the boys. 

"I told you I'd get you back!" Draco yelled, a fair distance away from me. With a roll of my eyes and flick of my wand, snowballs began chasing the two around the village. I laughed at how stupid they looked. Never in a million years did I imagine that I would be having a snowball fight with Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy. It was enjoyable. They were much different to Ron and Harry. With the Gryffindor's any jokes had to be proper jokes and not a snide comment at someone else's expense. I wouldn't have minded being in Slytherin at all. I can insult Draco and Blaise and they just feign hurt and say something equally rude. It was like a breath of fresh air. 

I realised I had been thinking for too long and stopped the snowballs flying. Both boys gave me looks of gratitude and we made our way back to the Manor, for real this time. Narcissa had the house elf prepare us hot chocolate and we all just had some fun. 

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Days had passed and all the gifts were wrapped and under the tree. I had just spent time with the Malfoy's (and Blaise) over the last few days. It was Christmas morning and I was lying in bed, asleep. 

My bed was bouncing up and down as it seemed and I soon found out why. I opened my eyes and jumping on my bed were Blaise and Draco, both sporting huge grins. 

"It's Christmas, Hermione," Blaise squeals, sounding a lot like a six-year-old. All Draco does is smirk at me. 

"Calm down, Blaise. I'm awake." I groan. He beams at me. Both he and Draco start to get off my bed. 

"Good. We'll let you get dressed. Come on, Blaise." Draco grabs Blaise's shoulder to get him out of the room. I shake my head again. Boys. I smile to myself when they're out of the room. I quickly shower and put on some clothes. I pick out an emerald green dress with some matching flats. I leave my hair in loose curls and run downstairs. 

I reach the dining room and was surprised to see no one there. I felt a tug on the hem of my dress. A house elf was trying to get my attention. 

"They are in the living room, Miss Riddle." She shrieks before disapparating with a small -pop. So I make my way to the living room, which was full of people. My father wasn't there. He had left yesterday, no one knew why. We had already exchanged gifts. I smile a little before addressing everyone. 

"Merry Christmas, everyone."  All eyes in the room turn to me. There was a loud chorus of 'Merry Christmas, Hermione's. I go to sit next to Narcissa but am pulled away at the last minute by Draco and Blaise grabbing one of my wrists each. They sit me between the two of them and everyone laughs at them. Who would've thought I'd be dragged to sit next to Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini at Christmas? No one in their right mind. 

"Time for presents!" Lucius announces joyously, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The boys beside me lean forward in their seats, awaiting their gifts. They are so childish. 

"Who's the child in the sweet shop now, Blaise?" I ask sweetly. He shoots me an innocent glare. I chuckle. 

"Don't bully them on Chrismas, Hermione," Narcissa scolds, although she is smiling. In a whisper she adds: "Not that you can't as soon as Christmas is over, of course. I have no grip on you after that." She winks at me and I wink back. We all looked back at the piles of presents. Mine is slightly larger than the others because of Harry and the Weasley's gifts. I sent theirs to them yesterday. 

"Hermione, this one is from Mrs Weasley," Lucius says, passing me a present. "It seems you are playing your role very well." I open the gift and it includes a box of caramels and a homemade scarf in Gryffindor colours. Great. Mr Weasley had given me a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Only now do I realise that all eyes are on me. Most of them in shock.

"I didn't know Molly Weasley could knit." Narcissa states. 

"Yeah, she does. Ginny and I get a scarf every year and all the boys het a jumper. Ronald hates the colour of his. It's a Weasley tradition." I explain shrugging. We all continue to open our presents in silence. After around ten minutes, all the gifts are opened. 

"Thanks for the broom kit, Hermione." Draco says. 

"It's fine." I respond. 

"Thank you for the necklace, Hermione. Where did you get it?" Narcissa asks. 

"And my ring?" Enquires Bellatrix. 

"I got them in Madame Pauline's magical jewellery store." I answer. Bellatrix nods. 

"Ohhh, that's a great shop," Narcissa tells me." I got Lucius' wedding ring there." 

We talk a bit more, laugh and celebrate. I think, and although I would never have thought it possible, this may be the best Christmas I'd ever had.