Charms

For the first time in all her years at Hogwarts, Hermione wasn't awake overly early (not that it made much difference, as there was no one in her room anyway). Nor did the other Gryffindors, encouraging her to open her gifts with them, awake her. Instead, she awoke slowly, stretching in the delicious warmth of her bed. Suddenly, she became aware of a wonderful scent, much stronger than either the roses or the bouquet of Herbology flowers.

*~ Christmas Lilies! ~*

Sure enough, when she opened her eyes she saw a huge bunch of pure white Lilies by the fire, as firelight glittered off the envelope beside them. She quickly moved over to it, and opened the envelope with trembling hands.

For the Twelfth Day of Christmas
You are supposed to receive 12 Drummers drumming.
But I don't believe in the giving of people.
Except for myself.
So, follow the drums, and enjoy!

As she picked up the first little drum (they were Christmas tree decorations), she could feel a feeling drawing her down into the Common Room (empty, as the others were still asleep), and out into the Halls. She walked quickly, following the tugging of the decoration in her hand. It led her to a second, drum, which led her to the third, and so on. As she was led by the drums in the direction of the Arithmancy classroom, she was grateful for the fact that she had pulled on her new cloak, brushed her teeth and hair, and put some shoes on (it was rather cold, as outside it was snowing furiously).

*~ I'm going to meet my admirer, I'm going to meet my admirer.~*

She turned a corner, following the tugging of the eleventh drum, and saw -

"Draco!" He was standing by the window, fingering a pocket of his robes while the twelfth drum sat beside him on the windowsill. He turned slowly, keeping his eyes on the ground. "Merry Christmas, Hermione," Draco said quietly as he extended his hand towards her, a small, rectangular wrapped gift in his palm. She recognised the paper.

"YOU?"

"Me," he nodded.

She sat down on one of the benches around the walls. "Why?"

"Because you are beautiful, intelligent, charming, caring...must I go on?"

He walked towards her, still holding out the gift. "Please, just open it."

Hands shaking slightly, Hermione reached out and took the gift.

*~ It was him. It all makes sense.~*

She opened it, and was greeted by the sight of a black leather journal. She looked quizzically at him. "Open it. It's not Voldemort's, that was Lucius' game not mine. And as you said, I'm not him."

Upon opening it, Hermione saw a very nicely done watercolour of herself and Draco. They were standing outside of Hogwarts, holding each other with smiles on their faces. As it was a Wizarding picture, they moved slightly to reveal their shadows: A lion, entwined with a snake. Looking up at Draco's anxious face, Hermione smiled and reached up for him.

"Merry Christmas, my love," she said quietly as their lips touched in their first kiss.

**********

Later that day, Draco and Hermione could be found snuggled in front of the fire in Draco's chambers.

"The gifts were perfect. I couldn't figure out who it was."

Stealing a quick kiss, Draco grinned. "I thought it was painfully obvious."

A small pop interrupted them, and Hermione's unopened Christmas gifts came tumbling out of the fire.

"Guess Bumblebee knows I'm here," murmured Hermione.

"Won't the others get suspicious?" "Why? It's the first Christmas after Voldemort's defeat. Everyone's spending it at home. I know all of Cho's dorm-mates are gone, so Ron will be with her. Ginny wasn't in our room when I woke up this morning, so I'm guessing that she's with Harry. We won't see any of them today. Possibly not until school starts back again." "So no one will notice that you're spending all your time down here?" "Nope," Hermione replied with a wicked little grin.

"Excellent," purred Draco.

**********

After a nice, long snogging session, Draco broke away. "We should open our presents," he panted, trying to get himself under control.

**Don't rush it, she only just knows that you love her. You have plenty of time. **

Having an inkling as to what Draco was thinking, Hermione moved over to where her presents were and pulled them closer. Once both her and Draco's presents were beside them, they turned their attention to opening them. Draco received two books (one on Quidditch and one on Potions) from Professor Snape, while his mother had sent him a new racing broom. Hermione received a sweater and some sweets from Mrs. Weasley, some more parchment and quills from Ron, a book on becoming an Animagus from Harry and Sirius, some hair-clips from Cho and three kinds of flavoured lip balm from Ginny. However, it was Draco's last present that really made the two laugh: a bumper box of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and a note.

To Mr. Malfoy We would like to thank you for purchasing so many of our fine items, for a certain you-know-who, and for your offer of financial backing.

"Financial backing?" queried Hermione.

"Well, they were funny. And some of their stuff is genius."

Here is a complementary box of some more of our latest inventions. Feel free to test them on our little brother.

We hope your plan worked (if so you probably don't want to waste valuable snogging time by reading a letter, so we will end this here).

Yours sincerely, Gred and Forge Weasley.

"They knew that you were my 'True Love'?"

"Yes, I had to tell them. They wouldn't trust me otherwise."

Still smiling, Hermione reached out and took Draco's hand. Pulling him to his feet, she grabbed her Concentus from the pocket of her robe, and activated it. A slow, romantic song started to play as they started to dance.

So close no matter how far,
Couldn't be much more from the heart.
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters.

Never opened myself this way,
Life is ours, we live it our way.
All these words I don't just say,
And nothing else matters.

Trust I seek and I find in you,
Every day for us something new.
Open mind for a different view,
And nothing else matters.

Never cared for what they do,
Never cared for what they know,
But I know...

So close no matter how far,
Couldn't be much more from the heart.
Forever trusting who we are,
And nothing else matters.

Never cared for what they do,
Never cared for what they know,
But I know...

Never opened myself this way,
Life is ours, we live it our way.
All these words I don't just say...

Trust I seek and I find in you,
Every day for us something new.
Open mind for a different view,
And nothing else matters.

Never cared for what they say,
Never cared for games they play.
Never cared for what they do,
Never cared for what they know,
And I know...

As they slowly stopped dancing after the solo, Hermione whispered right in Draco's ear.

"So close no matter how far,
Couldn't be much more from the heart.
Forever trusting in who we are,
And NOTHING else matters."

His lips met hers in a passionate kiss, and they were swept away in the moment.

**********

Fin.