If Only in My Dreams (Dramione)

Chapter 16: Walking in a Winter Wonderland

When Hermione awoke that morning, she was greeted by a pain in her heart unlike one she had ever experienced. Waking up and remembering the events of the previous day made her heart hurt afresh.

The clock downstairs struck eight and she glumly remembered it was Christmas.

Happy Christmas, she thought morosely to herself.

Her heart ached for her parents. For her friends. She wished she was at the Burrow, celebrating with the Weasleys, even though Harry had told her he and Ron likely wouldn't be back from their mission by then.

Really, she wished she was anywhere but where she was.

She got out of bed, resolving to not even think about the fact that it was Christmas. She would treat it like any other day. That way it wouldn't be too painful when she was forced to walk the halls of the lonely house, or was ignored by Draco and his cold eyes.

She had three Dream-Blocking Draughts. She could attempt to put her plan into action, although if Draco kept himself as distant from her as he had the previous day, she might not have a chance to put the pills in his food.

But she had to try.

She grabbed the sock containing the three draughts from her dresser and headed to the bathroom.

After showering, she dressed in a red knit sweater dress with black leggings and comfortable leather boots. She chose the outfit not for her Christmas spirit (which was non-existent) but for the fact that the dress had two small knit pockets in the front where she could hide the crushed sleeping draughts until she had a chance to use them.

In the bathroom, Hermione emptied the small cosmetic container of eye cream. She washed the container thoroughly, dried it, then laid out a thin piece of paper she had ripped out of the back of one of her books (feeling most sacrilegious as she did so). She crushed the pills into the paper with the bottom of the metal soap dispenser until they were a fine powder. Carefully, she poured the powder into the container, taking care not to spill any of it. She needed three full capsules if she were to expect it to knock Draco unconscious.

When she was satisfied, she twisted the cap on tightly, checking it twice to make sure it wouldn't come loose, and secured the container in her pocket. She looked in the mirror and was pleased to see the small thin vessel did not make an obvious lump behind the thick material of her dress.

Heading downstairs, Hermione knew Draco would have already eaten breakfast because it was almost nine, so she was not surprised to see the kitchen vacant. She would have to try to catch him at lunch or dinner. To avoid his suspicion, she also had to be careful she didn't act too eager to cook for him. Unsure if the powder would have any taste, she needed to make sure she hid it in something with a lot of flavor.

As she approached the stove, Hermione was surprised to find a hot breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes waiting for her. She ignored it, preparing herself a bowl of oatmeal instead. She wasn't about to eat anything Draco had made for her after everything he had said yesterday.

She ate a solitary breakfast and gazed out the window as soft snowflakes fell from the sky. At least it would be a white Christmas.

After eating, Hermione decided she would take what, she hoped, would be her last walk around the grounds. Even though she wanted nothing more than to leave, she had grown somewhat fond of what she had started thinking of as her "winter wonderland." It was so peaceful out there, and the way all the trees looked covered in snow and ice made her feel like she was walking in a crystal palace.

She put on the thick, rich cloak that she'd worn since she got there, along with her gloves, scarf, and hat. As her feet crunched in the snow and gentle flakes fell on her face, she felt a slight return to peace. Soon, she would be home. Then she could put this all behind her.