The Reason for the Season

The Reason for the Season

Chapter Three: A Holly Jolly Christmas.


Ron came over in time to find Hermione cleaning up the kitchen and his little girl sitting on the rug, gnawing on a wooden block.

“Daddy!” The little one shouted as she used her arms to balance herself before running full force at her father.

“Hello beautiful how was your day?” He asked has he picked her up.

“Cookies!” she giggled excitedly, “Dracoo helped make cookies and Auntie Mione made noodles!”

“Draco?” Ron asked his ginger eyebrows shooting up.

“Hello Ron.” Hermione came through the open doorway from the kitchen.

“Was Draco Malfoy here today?” He asked staring at Hermione as if she had lost her mind.

“Yes.” She answered a little shocked at is tone.

“Why?”

“We met up a few days ago by accident, he seemed lonely so I invited him over for Cookie Baking Day.”

“He could have been dangerous, he was a death eater Hermione, and he could have hurt you or Fauna.”

“He was never a death eater Ron! He suffered just as much, if not more than, the rest of us because of the war and he has dedicated his life to making up for what his family did. And he would never hurt me or Fauna or anyone.” She kept her voice calm as not to scare Fauna, but Ron knew her well enough to see the spark of anger in her eyes.

“I am still having Harry check out his records.”

“Ron!”

“No Hermione, this is to keep you safe.”

“I am a grown woman Ron, as much as I appreciate the thought, there is no need. I know he has changed and he needs someone who trusts him.”

“Whatever you say Hermione.’ He said, but Hermione knew he was still probably going to search the records anyway.

“Basket!” demanded Fauna; stopping the big people from talking, she wanted her cookies.

Hermione’s anger melted immediately and went to get the basked she had made up for the Weasley family.

“There you go princess.” She handed Ron the heavy basket and gave the girl a candy cane.

“Oh thanks ‘Mione, now she will never get to sleep.” Grumbled Ron.

“It’s sugar free, my parents were dentist Ron.”

“Oh, thanks again for taking Fauna, Luna didn’t know she would be called into work.”

“It was a pleasure, how is she feeling?”

“Better now that morning sickness has passed, she wanted to know when you are free for her next checkup.”

I will send over and owl once I get back to the office on Monday, if she feels ill though, don’t hesitate to come over here.”

“Mummy?” Fauna asked as she pulled the sweet from her mouth.

“Yes darling we are going home to see mummy.” Said Ron as the little girl snuggled into his shoulder.

“Goo bye auntie ‘Mione.”

“Goodbye pumpkin.” Hermione kissed her niece on one sticky cheek.”

Good night ‘Mione, see you soon and take care.” He warned as he kissed her cheek and entered the floo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Draco sat across from his Godfather in the Headmasters office, enjoying a drink and the warm fire.

“So are you going to explained why you are in such a good mood, or will I have to read your mind?” Severus asked over the rim of his glass.

“I don’t know what you mean Uncle.”

“Okay lets try a simpler question, what is her name?”

“What makes you think it’s a witch?”

“Because I know you far too well.”

“True- you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Surprise me.” He smirked at his godson.

“Hermione Granger.”

“About time you made a move.” Snape said as he sipped at his drink.

“What?” exclaimed Draco?

“You have been lusting over the girl for the past decade, if not longer.”

“How did you know?”

“Spy,” was his only response.

“Should have known.” He grumbled as he took a swig of his drink.

“You deserve to be happy Draco, and if she is the cause of your happiness, you have my blessing. Just don’t screw it up.” He warned with a smile, well as close as you could get when it came to the Headmaster.

Draco grinned at his Godfather, who had been more of a father to him then his actual sire.

“Thank you uncle.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday afternoon was cold and windy.

Draco was on his way to the orphanage, leaving a very shocked staff behind at the office.

Their boss was a kind man but was never cheerful. So to see him smiling and humming Christmas carols had left them all a little confused but glad to see their employer happy.

As he made his way up the front stairs of the large four-story brick building he couldn’t help smiling. Hermione was waiting for him in the entrance hall, her dark blue robes where trimmed in little silver and gold snowflakes, around her feet were colorful bags.

“Right on time Draco.” she smiled.

“Hello, how are you?” he asked.

“Wonderful, you?”

“Great,” he replied surprised by the honesty of his response.

“Here take these,” she handed him two of the large bags and picked up the other two. “All the kids should be in the common room by now.” She led the way down the corridor to the right.

When they entered the room the children erupted in shouts of welcome and joy. Hermione dropped the bags as the children swarmed her.

Most of the older children were there because their parents had been killed during the bloody war, the younger ones mostly had been discovered as the round up of Death Eaters continued for the first few years following the Dark Lords’ death.

Many pureblood women had been kidnapped and forced to produce pureblood children. Most of the women were mentally unstable or had no desire to raise their children, so the ministry had given them a home here.

“Miss Hermione!” their little voices rang out as she embraced the children, there must have been twenty-five or so in the room.

“Who’s that Miss Hermione?” a little boy asked as he stared at the blond wizard standing in the doorway.

“Oh my, how rude of me, everyone this is Mr. Draco, Draco this is, well everyone.”

He was a little overwhelmed by so many pairs of little eyes trained on him.

“Hello everyone,” He managed and gave the children a warm smile. Before he knew it the youngest children too were swarming him. He laughed and tussled their hair.

“Who wants to make Christmas streamers?” shouted Hermione over the chaos.

A course of “I do, I do!” rang out and the children rushed to the small round tables placed around the left side of the room.

Draco looked around and noticed two adults standing over near the sofas and chairs. They walked over, and the man held out his hand.

“I’m Eamon Shelly, this is my partner Cardea McNeil, we run the orphanage, welcome Mr. Malfoy.”

Draco smiled and greeted the pair. They talked for while. Eamon and Cardea explained how they got involved with setting up the orphanage and how they had been so lucky to find Hermione.

“We are so blessed to have Hermione. There has been so little funding for this place; rebuilding after the war has really taken its toll on the Ministry treasury. We couldn’t afford a full time healer but then she came along. I don’t know how she has her own practice and cares for all of us here, but we are so happy to have her.”

“She is remarkable isn’t she?" Draco smiled over at the witch in question who was talking to a small girl with bright golden hair.

She must have sensed his eyes on her because she looked up and smiled. She spoke to the little one who nodded her head in agreement; hand in hand they made their way over.

“Draco this is Adina,” Hermione introduced her little companion.

“Hello Adina.” Draco could not believe his eyes. The girl looked just like his mother had at that age, minus the young ones curls. She was startling blue eyes stared up at him; her pale skin and pink cheeks mimicked the few photos he had from his mother’s childhood.

The girl smiled at him shyly.

“Do you want to decorate stockings with me?” he asked.

She looked at him for a moment then slid her small hand into his and lead him over to the table Hermione had set up.

Eamon, Cardea and Hermione watching in awe. Adina never took to anyone that quickly, let alone some who she had never seen before.

*********************

The day flew by. Draco had helped Adina decorate her stocking and she had helped him. Both were now covered with paste, sparkles and fabric paint.

They had sung songs, Draco and Hermione both off key. The basket of cookies was demolished by the end of the day, all the children having enjoyed decorating their gingerbread people.

Eamon and Cardea watched on with joyful smiles on their faces. Not only were the children happy, but also Hermione and Draco were totally smitten with each other. They were glad their favorite healer had found someone.
As diner time approached, and the clean up effort was complete, Draco and Hermione said their goodbyes with promises to be back soon.

Adina has wandered up to Draco and gave his leg a quick squeeze before disappearing into the mass of children.

Draco helped Hermione slip her cloak on and held the door open for her as they walked out together.

“Oh Draco look! It’s starting to snow!” Hermione was looking to the sky watching as a swirl of white made its way to earth.

“It is?” He turned his face up just as snow stared to surround them.

He glanced back at Hermione who was still watching the sky, her long eyelashes catching the little white crystals.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” he half whispered.

“Indeed.” Draco was looking down at the witch next to him. He was suddenly overwhelmed for some reason. He didn’t know what came over him but he picked up her hand and kissed her gloved palm.

Her whiskeys colored eyes were wide with shock.

Draco bowed quickly over her hand, “I will see you later, good night Hermione.”

“Good night.” She said just as he disappeared.

~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N So our couple gets a little closer and brings some holiday cheer to adorable screaming children. As christmas draws closer so will they.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter next should be up a wee bit faster.

ps. Sorry for the type-o's I have already flooded my beta with work :(