When Hermione Fights

Christmas

Chapter beta: Faykan, Dani

Chapter translator: Aivy, (Sophie)

~WHF~WHF~WHF~WHF~WHF~WHF~

I opened my eyes and awoke immediately, just as I had trained myself, only to freeze in place. Then, I recognized the smell, Draco's sandalwood scent, and the warm skin of his arms, which pulled me closer to his chest. I rested on my side, my back to him and tried to recall the events of last night, as I couldn't remember that I had gone to bed.

Then it began to dawn on me. That's because I hadn't, I had been completely done in and fallen asleep on the couch.

Apparently, Draco had carried me upstairs and even put my nightshirt on me, as I was now wearing one. I smiled about his abundant, uncommon solicitousness. Did he feel guilty after all, and was that why he was now mollycoddling me, or, was it an actual character trait of his, which he only showed rarely to anyone?

I was excited too, to experience the real Draco Malfoy, and would wait and watch him attentively, curious to see what was part of his acquired persona and what were his true beliefs and opinions.

His breath tickled my neck; he seemed to be still sleeping soundly. Today was Christmas Eve. I love Christmas, the festive atmosphere springing to life and bringing an all-encompassing peace, and somehow I was in dire need of some peace right now.

Plus, tomorrow would see the arrival of the Twins and then the quiet would be all over.

I tried to free myself carefully from Draco's vice-like grip and succeeded after a short time without waking him. You wouldn't guess from his sleeping form, with its angelic face or his platinum blonde hair draped around his head like a halo, that it hid such a complex character.

Though that was what I liked in him, wasn't it? Who would want it simple? I vanished the long-sleeved, lilac-coloured nightshirt, which was truly not my prettiest, and put my running gear on.

By the time I returned from my run, the scent of coffee filled the whole house, but I sprinted upstairs first and freshened up. As today was a festive day, I put on a white turtleneck, cotton dress and walked down into the kitchen, which was deserted. No Draco?

I was puzzled, but filled my cup first and spotted a note on the pantry.

~ I'll be back shortly, just getting a little something. I made you coffee! Draco ~

This was written, less than informatively on the piece of paper. What did he want to get? Pondering about this riddle, I sat down in the small kitchen bay, savouring the quiet.

In these days I felt like I was married, and Draco seemed to like the straightforward way of life, as he made the meals, the coffee, and all the other things. I had to say, I could like it too after the eventful time I had gone through.

Only one incident disturbed the idyll. Draco's brain failure, fueled by possessiveness, which had resulted in him marking me. I would hold that against him forever and ever. He had nobody to blame but himself.

A few minutes passed before I heard the door opening. Draco was back, though he was making an incredible amount of noise. I listened intently. Somebody was fighting arduously with something else.

"Draco?" I said as I stood and headed in his direction, looking at him, eyes wide with incredulity, when I arrived at his side.

"Draco, what's that?" I asked, sounding slightly overwhelmed at the sight in front of me, which was more than memorable.

"What does it look like? Why is this house so small?" Draco groused venomously, and that together with his totally stressed out expression caused me to burst into heartfelt laughter, which earned me a death glare from storm-grey eyes.