The Gift: A Christmas Challenge Fic

The Gift

LadyBlueEyes


Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter universe. It all belongs to JKR and associated companies. No money is made from the writing of the work of fiction.


Challenge: Hi All!! The holidays are beginning to descend upon us and I feel its time to spread a little cheer! The challenge is simple...It must involve somthing to do with the holiday season. This story is an LM/HG but I will be posting the challenge under DM/HG and Snapes_Goddess will be posting it under SS/HG as well! I can't wait to see what you all come up with!! Enjoy!!

Thanks as always go to LadyVoldemort87, Snapes_Goddess, and Dreamweaver.......your friendship is a gift I will always treasure.


Part One

There were only a few candles lit as Lucius made his way into the bedroom. A quick glance towards the bed showed that the black silk sheets were undisturbed, his wife was not in their bed. She had not been in her study, nor was she in the library. The curly-headed witch couldn't have gone far though. Perhaps she had decided to stop in at the Burrow. It was Christmas Eve and unfortunately he had had to respond to an emergency at Malfoy Enterprises in Rome. There had been an argument of course, Hermione did not understand why Lucius could not delegate the responsibility to one of his executive vice presidents. Lucius was unable to explain his need to have his hand on all aspects of Malfoy Enterprises. She had been upset that he would miss the traditional Christmas Eve dinner with the Weasleys. He had not minded. Although he enjoyed his political debates with Arthur, he simply had no use for the rest of them. Hermione thought he was a snob, the truth was he admired them in some aspects, but not enough to befriend them.

The ending of the war had been tough on all involved. Lucius had walked away with Draco and Narcissa and had gone to Rome while the political scene in Great Britian cooled off. It was there a year or so later, that Narcissa left him for Gianni Arcolo. Lucius' Italian equal. He couldn't even say he was sad to see her go, and the last he had heard of her she was pregnant with Arcolo's spawn.

Draco had stayed with Lucius for a while after that, but after an owl from Hermione, he had decided to return to England. The following year was filled with letters from Draco, expounding on the virtues of the same girl he used to curse when they had attended Hogwarts. Apparently, she had begun a Pureblood Assimilation Service Society. PASS for short. It was her way of helping Pureblood families adjust to the new ministry and the new magical community. Lucius later learned tht Draco had been her first client and he could see that she had worked miracles where his son was concerned. Draco was no longer the spoiled brat of his youth, nor was he the scared young man who had had to live with a monster. He was a confident, self-assured adult who treated those around him with respect. The Malfoy name hadn't received such respect as Draco now commanded in years.

Intrigued, Lucius had finally summoned the courage to return to England, and had requested the services of PASS. He had been sent a bumbling fool, who was still so frightened of the former Death Eater that she practically squeaked each time he shifted his ass in his seat. Immediately he had sent her away, and sent an owl demanding that Hermione Granger be the one to assist him immediately. Shocked at his effrontry at demanding her presence, Hermione had entered his home like a whirling dirvish. She had been prepared to take him down a peg or two, to remind him that his arrogance was part of the reason he needed her services. What she found instead was an introspective man, seated behind his desk, a glass of scotch in front of him and the bottle mostly empty.

Hermione's natural comapssion kicked into high gear and she made it her personal mission to save Lucius from himself. From that moment on all her spare time had been with Lucius. Explaining the new laws that had passed while he was in Rome, introducing him to many a muggleborn, half-blood, and yes, even the Weasleys. That first meeting had been comical to Lucius. The only ones who had known he would be attending dinner at the Burrow that night with Hermione, had been Molly and Arthur. He had met with Arthur the week prior, and had found that the man was extremely intelligent and a worthy debate opponent, even if he did have shockingly red hair.

The moment he and Hermione had stepped out of the Floo, Ron's wand had pointed in their direction. Lucius' first response had been to push Hermione safely behind his back, a move that had not gone unnoticed by Harry Potter. Somehow Potter had convinced Ron to replace his wand, and after awkward introductions were made, they had sat down to eat. Ron however would not take his eyes off of Lucius, so certain was he that the man was up to something. Lucius had made a few moves behind Hermione's back to instigate Ron's temper and each time he would point his wand in Lucius' direction. Finally, Molly had taken Ron's wand away much to his emarrassment.

It hadn't taken long for Lucius to fall for the incredibly brilliant witch and claim her for his own. Their wedding day was the day Lucius was fully accepted back into the wizarding world, and the day he finally acknowledged how powerful a wizard Harry Potter was. Lucius had chosen only Draco to stand up as his best man, but Hermione had wanted Harry to stand up for them as well, so Lucius had conceded. Draco and Harry had been waiting along with him for their presence to be required in the ballroom. Potter had pulled up a chair next to him and had proceeded to describe in detail every little thing he would do to Lucius if Hermione ever was mistreated. Looking into Harry's eyes, Lucius had known then what it was that had driven Harry to never give up against Voldemort.

Thoughts returning to the present, Lucius decided to head over to the Burrow to collect his wife. He had been letting business come first, and it was time to let his witch know how deeply he loved her. It was Christmas Eve and he needed more than just the words this time. He needed to do something that showed her that he knew he would not be the man he was today without her. He thought for a moment then grinned broadly as an idea struck him.


Part Two

The sounds of children laughter and good natured adult conversation came to an abrubt halt as the occupants of the Burrow's living room noticed the man in the doorway. Dressed in a red velvet suit with black belt and black boots the man with the slightly rounded belly gave off a jolly "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" and stepped further into the room. A long, snowy white beard covered his face, and hat to match his suit was perched precariously on his head. A giant sack seemingly filled with presents was hitched over one shoulder and it was only a moment before the children ran to him.

"Santa! Santa!" They chanted. The adults shifted uncomfortably, trying to figure out who was dressed as the Muggle Santa Claus. Laughing heartily the man in the suit followed the children as they led him to a chair near the fireplace. He glanced at each adult he passed and smiled merrily, even chuckling out right into the faces of Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. Hermione received a wink, which caused the wheels in her head to start turning. It couldn't be him, could it?

"Ok children, one at a time." The various children of the extended Weasley family lined up, each taking their turn with Santa and each receiving a small toy in return. He laughed with them, and joked with them, and reminded them all to be asleep by midnight so that he could come back and leave more presents under the tree. Baby Victoire, barely a year old, sat on his lap as the older shildren begged for a story. Santa obliged, telling them a tale of a baby born in a manger, and sent to save people. A little four year-old with blonde curls and an impish smile decided that the baby in the story was none other than Harry Potter and decided to question Harry about all the "aminals" he had met when he was "borned". Victoire had fallen asleep, as comfortable in the arms of the mystery Santa as Santa was holding her.

Eventually, the children had been herded upstairs and into bed, and Fleur removed her daughter from her cozy resting place. Ron approached Santa.

"Who are you, mate? Everyone that should be here is here, so what is your purpose in coming here?" Ron was a bit testy with this visitor. When Hermione arrived she had seemed a bit down, explaining that Lucius had been called away on urgent business. Ron had seen it as an opportunity to get her back, and had just sat down to talk to her when the mystery Santa had arrived. Now he wanted him gone so he could comfort his ex-girlfriend back into his bed.

Ignoring him, Santa reached into his bag and pulled out one last gift. It was small present, wrapped in silver paper and topped with a bright red bow.

"I've got one last present to give out tonight. Hermione Malfoy?" His eyes scanned the room for her and he smiled underneath his beard as she stepped forward. She went and stood near the chair and squeeked when an arm wrapped itself around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.

"I've checked my list, Mrs. Malfoy, and it seems that you've been especially good this year. This is for you." He handed her the gift, aware of the sweet vanilla scent that was hers and wishing they were alone so that he could start nibbling on her and removing the little black dress she was wearing. He also wanted her away from the roving eye of Ronald Weasley. The little prick had probably been trying to get his wife's attention all night.

Hermione slowly opened her gift and recognized the black velvet box as coming from Pasquale Jewelers. The premier Roman jewelry store. Muggles and Wizards alike flocked to him when they wanted something unique and beautiful. There was now no doubt in her mind whose lap she was seated on.

Slowly she opened the box and gasped at its contents. Inside lay a diamond encrusted heart shaped pendant, in the center was a sparkiling ruby. She turned to look Santa in the eyes and saw a wealth of emotion staring back at her. Lucius removed the false beard he was wearing and spoke to Hermione

"This pendant is a symbol, Hermione. When I came back to England I came back to nothing. Except for Draco, I was alone and then you came. You brought with you the light that had been missing in my life. I know that when we married I told you only that I cared deeply for you. I thought it would be enough for you to know that." Lucius spoke in hushed tones that only Hermione could hear. The rest of the room leaned forward, straining to catch what Santa was saying.

"Tonight I realized that ever since we married, I'd been neglecting you in favor of rebuilding the Malfoy fortunes. I'm sorry, love. No fortune could replace you." He took the pendant from the box and motioned for her to lift her hair out of the way so he could place it around her neck. The captivated audience oohed and aahed over the necklace, but they were ignored by Hermione and Lucius.

"This Christmas I give you my heart. I love you, Hermione Malfoy. Always." He placed one hand on the back of her neck and the other on her waist. He tugged her closer and into a kiss that was gentle and sweet. His love for her came through in waves, as he tenderly cradled her against him. The crowd around them seem shocked at the display of affection. Ron walked out of the room, while Ginny could be heard asking Harry why he didn't kiss her like that.

Hermione slowly pulled back from her husband. "I love you, Lucius. Merry Christmas."