LOVE AT SECOND PUNCH

Chapter 1 (A)

Hermione hummed a simple tune as she danced around the kitchen, preparing dinner. Draco had gone out to run a mysterious errand for the afternoon so she was stuck making their meal. She really didn't mind, though. Most of their meals since Narcissa and Lucius had left a few months prior had been prepared by Hermione.

Draco had told Hermione that tonight was going to be one to remember, so she planned their dinner to follow suit. She cooked a stuffed turkey with fresh dinner rolls and vegetables to side it. It was similar to the type of meal she would eat on Christmas, which was fitting as they were less than a month away from the holiday.

"I'm home!" Malfoy's voice rang from the front door.

"Just in time," Hermione replied as she set the turkey on the table.

"It smells amazing in here," Draco remarked, placing a kiss on Hermione's cheek.

She smiled in return and they both sat across from each other at the table.

"I've got something special in store for you tonight," Draco said as he consumed his slice of turkey.

"I know, don't you remember telling me about ten times already? The suspense is killing me," Hermione answered.

"Sorry, it's just been on my mind for so long."

"It must be quite important, then."

Draco smirked and nodded in response before quickly finishing his meal.

Hermione didn't even get the chance to ask him if he wanted seconds before he pulled her from her seat and started walking out of the room.

"Draco, what are you doing?" Hermione laughed.

"We haven't danced together since the masquerade, have we?" Malfoy asked, breaking into a run.

"No, I don't think we have," Hermione replied, gasping for air as they rounded the corner into the ballroom.

It was gorgeous. Not that it hadn't been before, of course, but it had obviously been decorated further by Draco. Only one of the three chandeliers on the ceiling was lit, making for a much more intimate setting. Rose petals were scattered across the floor, and Hermione worried that she would slip on one of them as she walked into the room. The wall of windows displayed snowflakes playfully gliding to the ground. Warm music filled the room.

"Oh, Draco. You've outdone yourself," Hermione swooned.

Malfoy grinned and held out his hand.

"May I?"

Hermione giggled and took it, putting her other hand on his shoulder. He wrapped his other hand tightly around her waist, pulling her close. They swayed around the room, careful to not step on any of the petals that littered the ground. Hermione rested her head against Draco's chest and felt his lips brush her forehead.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," Hermione whispered.

"We could," Draco answered.