The Gift Wrap Competition

Chapter 2

Well Saturday had arrived, and Hermione had several wrapped packages strewn about her room. Which to take to the judging? They were all wrapped close to the same.

Fancy sparkley paper that crinkled with you picked it up, just the way it was meant to, tied tight with coordinating ribbons, that and the ends she had fashioned into bows. Just the way gifts were supposed to look. She was sure no matter which she chose Draco wouldn't be able to compete with her.

So, she just grabbed one and went to meet them in the common room. She didnt realize until she was out of her room, its the gift she had gotten for Draco. Why she wasnt sure, but it was a spur of the moment, an impulse buy. Gosh she hoped no one took the time to read the tag. She hadn't actually meant to give it to him.

Draco was already waiting with Blaise, Luna, and Ginny. They were all seated in front of the fire, surprisingly talking and laughing. This was odd, but hey thats why they chose who they did. Three different houses and still they could get along with most anyone. Blaise was the first to speak.

"Bout time Granger, let's get this show on the road. Some of us actually have family to see soon." He said without malice, more teasing actually.

Ginny and Luna both admitted they would like to get going soon. After all it was Christmas holiday.

"Well, I say we place them both on the table while your backs are turned and cover them. Then one of you can unveil them and choose which is best. And when you have chosen, we will pick up the gift we wrapped." Hermione recommended.

"Sounds fair. That way there isn't any favortism." Draco agreed.

So the three impatient judges covered their eyes. And waited for them to put their parcels on the table, cover them and step away.

"Ok, we're ready." Draco and Hermione said together.

The three opened their eyes, walked over to the table and uncovered the gifts.

To everyones surprise the gifts were wrapped identically. Same wrapping, ribbons, and both tied the ends with bows. Everyone gasp in shock.

"Alright Granger, how did you manage to indentically copy what I did? That was low even for a mud-blood!" Draco was angered because with them being the same, he wouldn't win what he sought out to.

"Me! How dare you accuse me of cheating you little ferret!" Hermione screamed. "You must have snuck into my room and looked at the gifts while I was out."

"Like I have nothing better to do then snoop. And haven't you wrapped all your gifts yet? I have. I'm assuming you aren't sending the gifts you always buy for the Weasleys and Potter unwrapped." Draco said.

"Will you two stop bickering. Obviously you two are more alike then you want to admit, because its clear these weren't wrapped by the same person. They are addressed in two different hand-writings." Ginny so clearly pointed out.

Hermione winced. She just remembered they were looking over the packages, and they were bound to see it was addressed to Malfoy. But she was yet to be surprised.

"Did you really mean to buy and address gifts to each other? Was that the prize you were to win? If you won, you got the present that was yours and if not you didnt?" Luna asked in her whimsical voice.

Draco quick thinking "Yes, that was it. "

"Well since they look the same, I suggest you both unwrap them. You both win!" Blaise said with excitement.

He was hardly believing that it had been that easy.

"Well, I dont want her to open mine til Christmas. Wouldnt be right, ya know." said Draco. He would be mortified if anyone saw what he'd gotten Hermione.

"Right, I agree. Well thanks for your help. Although now its obvious we cant compete with each other on parcel wrapping. Best be off. I'll send an Owl, Ginny if I change my mind about holiday. " Hermione's voice going up octaves at a time.

Everyone looked at her like she had grown a second head.

Whats wrong with Hermione?

Is she that upset she didnt win, that its a tie?

Surely not, she's competitive but not that bad. They were all thinking the same.
Ginny, perplexed as she was, gave Hermione a hug and told her she hoped to see her but if not she would understand.

The rest wished each other Happy Christmas and they were off.

That left Draco and Hermione alone.

For the whole Christmas Holiday.

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Hmmm, what's to come? Please review. Happy Reading!