The Reason for the Season

The Reason for the Season

Chapter Four: Wintersong


Wednesday was drawing to a close and Hermione was getting ready to leave the office. It was busy this time of year with little ones taking spills on the ice and the demand for Pepper up and cough potions was double.

Her last patient had been Luna. She was doing wonderful and the new addition to Weasley family would be arriving sometime the first week of May. Fauna had been a week late, time would tell if her sibling was a bit more punctual.

She had just finished organizing her files for the day when there was a knock on the door. She called out a welcome and was surprised to see Draco standing in her office.

“I am sorry if I interrupted.” He said still standing in the threshold.

“Of course not, come in.” She rose and signaled to the chairs in front of a small fireplace.

To be honest he had been interrupting her thoughts for the past couple of days. Their parting at the orphanage had wreaked havoc on Hermione’s over analyzing brain.

“I was hoping you would join me for dinner?” he asked, his eyes didn’t leave hers as she joined him in front of a fire.

“That would be lovely, but I have some very important business to attend to.” She smiled.

“Oh, perhaps another time then.” He started to stand, feeling defeated, but her hand on his arm stopped him.

“I need to go pick out my Christmas tree; would you like to join me? Then we can have some dinner?”

“You pick out your own Christmas tree?”

“Oh yes, there is a wonderful little family that owns a farm in the Borders that my parents and I used to go when I was younger.”

“Farm?”

“Yes, will you join me?”

“Sounds like and adventure.”

“Most definitely, let me gather my things and we can pop over.”

“I have no idea where we are going.” He said
“Don’t worry, I promise not to splinch us.” She smiled and held out her hand.

Draco drew her closer and instinctively wrapped his arm around her shoulders, her free arm around his waist.

As soon as the tight pull of apparation started it stopped, depositing the pair on a snowy hill in the middle of the woods.

They both held onto each other for a few seconds longer then necessary.

When they broke apart Hermione kept hold of Draco hand and began to walk decidedly through the forest.

“Where are we?”

“In the Borders, well on the actual border itself. To the north,” she pointed with her free hand, “Is Scotland, to the south, England, and we are in no mans land.”

“Is this were you get your tree?” he asked looked around, he had never been to a tree farm but he was pretty sure this was a forest.

“No, the farm is over the next hill, Mr. Saunders owns it and his family helps him.”

They pair continued through the dense wood, maneuvering around branches weighed down with the damp snow.

Suddenly the tree line broke and Draco and Hermione where looking down upon a field neatly lined with evergreens. A small cottage with a smoking chimney, trimmed in white lights stood on the outer edge closest to them. Draco could see people wandering around the trees, searching for the perfect one.

“I loved coming here as a little girl, I think I may love it more now. Race you!” Her excitement and happiness was contagious and Draco felt himself smiling like a loon as they raced down the hill.

Hermione just beat him to the front door of the cottage where an older man emerged.

“Is that little Hermione Granger?” He gave, what would have been a toothy grin had he remembered to put in his teeth.

“Hello Mr. Saunders.”

“I thought you forgot all about us, you usually come the first weekend of December.”

“I would never! Just been busy, I came as soon as I could.”

“Whose the lad?” Mr. Saunders asked, his dark brown eyes traveling over the young blonde.

“This is my… friend, Draco Malfoy, we went to school together.”

“Draco? Interesting name.”

“Yeah my parents were a bit…medieval, nice to meet you sir.” He extended his hand, which the older man shook.

“Aye, you too lad. Hermione would you like me to send Jamie or Roger out to help you get your tree?”

“Oh no thanks, I think we can handle it.”

“If you are sure, there are some beautiful blue firs in the back.” He winked.

“Thank you, we will see you soon.”

“Take your time.” He waved as they walked off to the field.

At that moment his grandsons Jamie and Roger came around the corner.

“Was that Hermione Granddad?” Jamie asked

“Aye it was.”

“I remember when we use to play during the holidays when she would stay with her great aunt; she had certainly grown up.” Roger commented as he watched her walk away.

“And totally in love.” Mr. Saunders said as he patted his grandsons on the shoulders and went back into the cottage.

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As they walked, Draco was paying more attention to Hermione than the trees and ended up walking head long into a snow laden branch that proceeded to drop its snowy contents on him.

“Ahhh.” he shouted as the cold dripped down his collar.

Hermione, who had witnessed the whole thing, was doubled over laughing.

“That is so cold, and not funny!” Draco whined as he hopped around in some strange snow dance.

“I beg to differ, that was hysterical.” Hermione managed through her laughs before she doubled over clutching her stomach.

“Oh, so you think that was funny?” He asked.

“Oh yes…oh no.” Was her response as she looked up and saw him making a snowball.

She took off like a shot, dodging through the trees, but he was right on her tail.

She had made it to the edge; there were the blue furs that Mr. Saunders had mentioned.

She suddenly felt her self being lifted and then falling again, strong arms wrapped around her.

Draco rolled them to the ground beneath a small tree; his back collided with the trunk sending a snow shower upon them.

Hermione looked up and they both started laughing and dusting snow off the other.

It wasn’t until then that Draco realized how they had ended up. He was laying on his side, his legs trapping Hermione’s. Her small hands were on his chest, his cradling her body to his, her hat falling off and little curls wrapped around her face.

Gods forgive him, but he couldn’t help himself.

He leaned down until they were a hairs breath apart. Her eyes widened then closed, enjoying the feeling of him being so close.

His lips touched her gently, their warmth a drastic contrast to the cold snow and wind.

Hermione leaned up to deepen the contact when heavy footfalls broke them apart. Hermione looked over to see two pairs of work boots.

“Having any luck finding a tree?” It was Jamie Saunders.

“I think I will take this one.” She laughed as they both tried to gracefully unfold themselves and slide from under the tree.

“That is and interesting method of picking a Christmas tree.” Roger said with a smirk on his face.

“That is the best way to view a Christmas tree.” Hermione defended.

“As you say Hermione.” The brothers laughed as the set their saw to work. Draco hadn’t said a word as stared at Hermione wondering what she was thinking.

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They got the tree back to Hermione’s cozy home with little trouble.

“Will you stay for some hot chocolate or tea? Then we can put up the tree.” She was actually blushing and Draco wanted nothing more to kiss her pink cheeks.

“I would love to.”

Hermione wandered into the kitchen while Draco put the tree up, he used magic, and he had now idea what the three-pronged thing was in the corner, a decent spell was all you needed.

She entered again with two steaming mugs, decorated with snowmen.

“I figured these would be appropriate, seeing as we spent most of the afternoon covered in snow.”

They smiled at each other.

“Hermione about this afternoon…”

“You don’t have to worry about it Draco, those things happen, I won’t hold you to anything.” Hermione rushed out, she didn’t want to ruin their friendship.

“I was only worried you would not let me do it again.”

“What?”

“You are…. lovely Hermione, no, more than lovely, you are wonderful and kind and amazingly beautiful…” he was stuttering out everything he had been thinking.

“Really?” she asked, more than a little shocked by his confession.

“Yes…” was all he was able to get out before she went up on tiptoe and kissed his firm pink lips.

She pulled back and smiled over their mugs, the smell of the fresh cut tree filled the room, the firelight danced on the walls, and it was perfect.

Then the firelight changed to green and two little boys came running out of the fireplace screaming “Auntie Mione!”

Shortly followed by their father.

“Jamison! Brian! What have I told you about traveling by floo, you never… Malfoy!

“Harry?” questioned Hermione as her nephews were attacking her for hugs and kisses.

“Good evening Potter.” greeted Draco.

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A/N A little closer.... So the tree is up and the truth is out, lets see how our dear Harry reacts to Draco, and how Draco handles two little terrors.


Thanks to everyone who reviewed, glad I can help spread some holiday cheer!

xox Sarah