‘Merry Christmas!’ Hermione’s parents yelled.

Hermione was on her knees, holding a wrapped up present from her parents. She shook it wondering what it could be, glancing at them with a huge grin on her face. She was still in her pyjamas as was the tradition.

‘Open it,’ Mrs Granger said, holding her husbands arm.

Hermione started to tear the package and she got it half off when she realised...

‘Oh, that’s nice!’ Hermione exclaimed, grinning.

Inside the present lay a pair of summer boots. They looked beautiful. They were green with white bows and love hearts surrounding it. Hermione chuckled, thinking about how coincidental the colour is. Green. Of course it would be green.

‘Do you like it dear?’ Mr Granger asked and chuckled, adding, ‘completely your mother’s idea. She said you were looking for some nice summer boots. I think you were just dropping hints though.’

‘I love it! Thank you!’ Hermione got up and hugged both her parents.

Hermione had given her mother a pair of long blue earrings and her dad, a black wallet, since he was always complaining of it being old and worn. They also loved their gifts and acted overly surprised and happy as usual.

Hermione excused herself and went upstairs. She was going to change out of her pyjamas, when there was a tap on the window. She neared it and saw a large owl, with two presents.

She quickly untied the presents and saw that it was from Draco. She ordered the owl to wait as she got Draco’s present. The owl waited obediently and let her tie the present on his leg and flew off into the clouds.

Hermione opened the card:

‘Hermione,

Merry Christmas. I love you and always will.

Yours forever, 

Draco.’

Hermione squealed; she hadn't seen Draco for days! Although they had sent a few owl messages to each other, staying up one night until four in the morning. She quickly tore open the present and found a small key.

Confused, she read the letter that came with it.

‘Hermione, 

That's the key to my heart. Keep it safe... God, that sounded corny didn’t it? It’s actually a key to a wooden box I gifted you.

Draco.’

Hermione laughed out loud in her bedroom. She opened the other present and was not surprised to find a small wooden box. On it was carved ‘Hermione’. She, obviously figuring out the key was needed to open it, fit the key in and it sprung open. Music played out of it and two small figurines were kissing. She looked closer and saw the it was Draco and herself

After a few seconds she composed herself and pulled the figurines up, the soothing music floating into her ears. Underneath them were cards, she took them out and looked through them.

There were drawings of Hermione, Draco, both together, both kissing and lots more. The last one was simply of an apple. A green apple. Hermione laughed, thinking of Draco.

There, once again, was a tapping sound on the window. On the sill stood two owls. One was Ginny’s and the other was Ron’s. Placing the wooden box down very carefully, she let them fly in and they landed on her bed. They flew to a glass of water on her desk and started drinking it.

She quickly tore open the present to find a large bag of chocolates. It was from Ron. He wrote:

‘Hermione,

Merry Christmas! Hope you had a great time. When are you coming to the burrow? Mum thinks you're angry with her. And she thinks you won't come to our house because of what happened between us. I'm sure that's not the reason. I'm totally over that. In fact, I have news for you if- when- you come over!

P.S I told mum about Malfoy. She didn't take it well. But she came around in the end. Mumbling ‘If she's happy then I'm happy’ over and over again.

Ron’

Hermione was happy that Ron wasn't angry. She had, somewhere deep inside her, thought Mrs Weasley would be angry but she forgot. Mrs Weasley is like a second mother to her. When she read that Ron had told Mrs Weasley about Hermione and Draco, she was afraid. What if Mrs Weasley didn't approve? What if Mr Weasley told her she couldn't come to their house? What if - What if - What if...?

She shook her head once.

Wouldn't she do anything for Draco? Of course she would.

Shoving the thoughts to the back of her mind she opened the other present. In it were three books called The Lord of the Rings. Muggle books. Of course she had heard of these but she had never read them.

She picked up the note with it:

‘Hermione,

Merry Christmas. I will see you in two days. If you don't show up at the burrow I'll get you myself. Ginny x

Merry Christmas. I saw what Ginny wrote and I agree you have to come. It's not the same without you. Anyway I hope you like your present! Harry x

P.S Mrs Weasley told us to tell you that she wants you to invite Draco over. I can imagine what you must be thinking but hey, he's your boyfriend and you're happy so, we should all get along. Two days- You and Draco at the Burrow. Good luck!

P.P.S Harry and myself (Ginny) invested in the present together. If you want to use my owl you can.

Harry and Ginny x’

A peck on Hermione’s hand made her move her eyes from the three small words that made her heart get stuck in her throat.

She looked over to the owls waiting for her. She somehow managed to tie 2 presents and a note to tell them thank you and she will ask Draco, onto Ron’s owl and it took off, soaring away from her. Ginny’s owl, she gave some food from her drawers and told her to stay put.

She made her way downstairs.

Her parents were on the sofa, cuddling. Their back was to her, she stood at the door, watching them with a smile playing at her lips.

‘But darling, would they want to go?’ Mr Granger was asking stroking Mrs Grangers hair.

Hermione’s ears perked up and she leaned against the doorway, eavesdropping.

‘I don't know... But we need to get to know his family. And if you want, We could invite Harry and of course Ronald’s family?’

Hermione walked into the room, clearing her throat.

‘What’s going on mother?’ Hermione asked.

Mrs Granger jumped slightly, ‘oh, Hermione, dear.’

‘Hermione we have to talk to you.’ Mr Granger stated, grabbing her hand, ‘about Draco.’

‘Yes?’ Hermione said, suddenly felt like shivering.

‘We don't know his family - his mother, that is - that well. And to get to know her better, we thought that in the summer we could all go somewhere? Our treat of course. And, the Weasley family could come along too.’ Mr Granger said, his old eyes stayed on Hermione.

Holiday? With Draco and the Weasley’s and of course Harry? That idea seemed very appealing to Hermione and she had to stop herself from squealing in delight.

‘Sure, Dad! I was going to ask you if Draco and his Mum could come over?’ Hermione asked.

‘Of course,’ they said in unison.

Hermione jumped up and ran to her room. She grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote:

‘Draco,

Thank you so much for the presents! I love them! You have no idea. Also, do you want to come over to my house for dinner tonight?

Love you forever  

Hermione’

Hermione set the owl off and waited until it was out of her eyesight. She went downstairs to a steaming mug of hot cocoa. After she drank the whole mug, slowly, also talking to her parents, the owl had returned. She untied the note, her hands shaking a little in anticipation.

‘Hermione,

Thank you for your present. I love you. I asked mother and she said she would love to. She hasn't had many friends, because of my father... We'll be there at 7.

Yours  

Draco’

‘Draco’s coming over at seven!’ she squealed at her parents.

Her mother got up and started making dinner after smiling at Hermione’s joy. Her father was reading. He looked up to her and chuckled.

‘You better wear something... nicer,’ Mr Granger said, eyeing her pyjamas.

Hermione ran upstairs and got into the shower thinking of Draco. She let herself relax as the water fell onto the shower floor. She quickly shampooed and conditioned. When she was done, she wrapped herself in a towel and made for her room.

She closed the door and looked to her wardrobe. It consisted of jeans and shirts, nothing special. She put her underwear on and raided her wardrobe.

She had to find something pretty and decent for him! She just had to!

Finally, she found the black dress. It was tight at the waist and fanned out to her knees. It had yellow spots dotted all around. She also found some yellow tights, that she didn't know she even had. She grew frustrated when she couldn't find decent shoes.

There was knock on the door and her mum walked in.

‘Darling, so grown up,’ Mrs Granger looked her up and down with a smile on her face, ‘you really suit that dress.’

‘Mum...’ Hermione said uneasily.

‘I'm happy for you. I can see just how much you love him. He's prefect for you.’ Mrs Granger kissed her on the forehead.

‘Oh, Mum,’ Hermione said, feeling herself start to well up a little. She hugged her mother tight.

 ‘Let's go, I have some shoes,’ Mrs Granger said, wiping away her tear.

They walked into Mrs Grangers room and into a wardrobe. She rummaged around before standing up with black high heeled shoes.

‘I can't believe I never bought you black heels!’ Mrs Granger exclaimed, as Hermione tried them on.

Hermione chuckled as the shoes fit her perfectly.

‘Thank you, Mum,’ Hermione hugged her, wobbling a little on her heels but trying to keep her balance.

‘They're coming soon...’ Mrs Granger said.

‘Oh! I still need to do my make up!’ Hermione said, her eyes widening.

‘Make up, huh? You don't have to. You look beautiful.’ Mrs Granger walked out after a fleeting look at Hermione.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Usually she wouldn’t bother but she wanted to make an effort this time, for Draco. She put some eyeliner on and a bit of lipstick, just a bit.

‘Hey, beautiful,’ Draco’s melodious voice sounded, making her heart beat quicken.