The Reason for the Season

The Reason for the Season:

Chapter Six: It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Draco lay on his side watching Hermione sleep. They had talked, held and kissed each other for about an hour before her eyes started to get heavy. He had tucked her in close to him and felt her fall asleep.

He was beyond stunned at his luck to be there, holding the witch he had longed to have for so long, in his arms. The fact that she had admitted she had been attracted to him while at school only made his heart more certain that this was where he was supposed to be.

He had slept a few hours, but he had slept better than he had ever remembered, and woke when the sun just started to peek over the hills of the village.

It was early yet, but he needed to stop home to shower and change for work, sadly.

The sound of little feet in the hall made him glance over his shoulder. The door creaked open a crack and Hermione woke instantly.

“Auntie ‘Mione” came a dramatic whisper.

“Come on in boys.” She said as she sat up, Draco’s arm still resting on her waist.

They boys didn’t need to be told twice and were quickly scrambling up onto the bed and crawling between the two adults.

“Good morning” they greeted the adults.

“Good morning, would you like waffles and hot cocoa for breakfast?” Hermione asked as she kissed their heads and nuzzled their soft hair. She couldn’t get over how different the two brothers were. Jamison had his fathers black hair but Ginny’s blue eyes; Brain on the other hand, had beautiful auburn hair and Harry’s emerald gaze.

“Yes please.” They chorused.

Hermione rose from the bed and slipped on her slippers and grabbed her robe form the chair and draped it over her long nightshirt.

“Do you want help?” Draco offered.

“No thank you, you can stay here with the rascals.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek and slipped out to the kitchen.

“Draco do you know Miss Mary Mac?” Jamie asked

“Should I know her?” he asked confused.

“No silly, the game.” Explained Brian.

“No, can’t say that I do.”

“We’ll teach you!” promised Brian, and to two boys began the tedious lesson on the art of clapping games.

Hermione returned with a large try piled high with breakfast. The boys were laughing watching Draco trying to learn the game.

“No you need to put your hands like this.” Jamie held up his hands in example.

“Breakfast boys!” Hermione laughed as the three of them looked up and smiled the same sweet smile.

She placed the tray on the bed and handed out the mugs of cocoa. Breakfast was a fun affair, with marshmallow mustaches and syrupy chins.

She sent the boys to wash up and banished the dishes to the kitchen. Draco rose, she watched with appreciation as he stood there in his black boxers and white undershirt.

“Will I see you soon?” she asked as he stepped into his dark trousers and pulled them up.

He walked over and smiled down and gave her a kiss, sweet and slow. “Most definitely love.”

She reached forward and fastened the buttons of his slacks and closed the buckle of his belt. “Glad to hear it.” For some strange reason she felt the urge to lean forward and kiss his stomach, so she did.

Draco let out a strange noise, which sounded almost desperate, in response to such a small, tender act of intimacy.

“Are you free anytime this week?” he asked as he stepped back to shrug on his shirt.

“Around lunch I am usually free and I get out of work around five.”

“I am free during lunch as well, I will try to pop over soon, or I will send a note, I still owe you a dinner.” He said.

“Sounds lovely, I will walk you to the floo.”

With one last kiss Draco headed back to the manor and Hermione went to find her nephews who had managed to flood the bathroom with bubbles.

~~~~~~~~

Friday Hermione was walking by Draco’s office and decided to pop in and say hello. She made it to his reception area and walked over to his secretary, a middle-aged war widow named Mrs. Stafford.

“Hello Mrs. Stafford, I was wondering if Draco was in.”

“No I am sorry dear, you just missed him, he was on he way to the orphanage, you might be able to catch him there.”

The orphanage? She thought. “Thank you I will try to catch him there. Have a good afternoon.”

“You too dear.” She smiled at the younger witch.

***

Draco was sitting in Eamon’s office. He and Cardea had to go handle a fight that had broken out in the common room. He was looking at the pictures on the office wall when he heard the floorboards squeak.

He looked up and found Adina looking at him, a small smile on her heart-shaped face.

“Hello Adina.” Draco held out his hands to the little girl. She walked forward and placed her smaller hands in his. They were cold and Draco closed his hands together to warm them up.

“Do you want to know something?” he asked.

She nodded, her little curls bouncing.

“You remind me of my mother when she was a little girl.”

She cocked her head to the side and look at him with her bright blue eyes.

“She was very pretty, with blonde hair, rosy cheeks and blue eyes.”

Her smile grew and she pulled a hand from his and reached up to touch his hair.

“Yeah, just like mine.” He answered her unspoken question.

That is how Hermione found Draco.

Hermione walked into the office followed by Eamon and Cardea.

“Hello Draco, hello Adina.” Hermione greeted.

The little girl made a beeline for Hermione who opened her arms to catch her.

“So Hermione, we are glad you're here, Draco stopped by to talk about ways to raise some funding for this place. With the majority of the children reaching Hogwarts age, and may families unable to adopt…”

“I understand, any ideas?” she asked

“We were thinking about a silent auction, or something of the like.”

“Oh that is a good idea, do you have any ideas?”

“That is where you come in.” Draco said as he perched Adina on his lap. “You are the best for the job, we know you have a lot going on right now,”

“Oh course I will, when do you want to have it?” Hermione answered.

“At your earliest convenience.” Said Cardea.

“How about the solstice?”

“The 21st ? Isn’t that is a little soon?”

“Of course not, I will start tonight.”

The pair left together after saying good-bye to Eamon, Cardea and of course Adina.

Draco wanted to help with the upcoming event, so Hermione suggested that they meet up at her house, and he could pick up something to eat since he was so adamant on buying her dinner.

**

By the time Draco arrived at seven with curry dinners, having to ask Mrs. Stafford how to order take away and where to get it from, Hermione was calling the sixth venue.

“What do you mean infested…with what?...Are you serious? Well good luck with that.” She hung up the phone and let out a sigh.

Draco walked over and gave her a peck in her frowning lips, “What’s going on?”

“The only place not booked out on the 21st was the LaFey ballroom, but they are infested.”

“With what?”

“Knargles, of all things.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“Well unless you know someplace that can hold a decent amount of people and is free on the 21st, we will have to postpone the event.”

“I think I know a place.” He smiled at her.

“Really?”

“Yeah, it is going to need some work but I think it will function for the purpose.”

“And where is this place?”

“They west wing of the Manor.” He smiled

“Your house?”

“Why not, I mean I haven’t been to that part of the house in years, but there is a large ball room and I am sure Mustard-seed and Peas-blossom will love hosting a ball again.”

“The fairies from Midsummer?”

“My house elves, well the Mistresses Elves, but since there is no Lady Malfoy at the moment they have taken over the role of head elves.”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Positive, now let’s eat and make some lists.” He suggested as they made their way to the kitchen.

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A/N Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks to all my readers and reviewers!

I wish you all the joys of the season!

xoxo Sarah