"Mister Malfoy, why haven't you signed up on the paper that you are staying at Hogwarts this Christmas? I do recall your mom not wanting for you to be near those... people." Draco heard Snape's cold icy voice.

"Well if you must know sir, I am going to be with a.. friend this Christmas." He walked away but Snape followed. "And who is this so called friend? I for a fact know it's not Zabini as I saw his name on the list."

Draco tried his best to think, "I- umm well that's none of your business." He turned around and tried to walk but Snape put his hand on his shoulder. "I made a vow with your mother so it is my business. If I didn't know any better I'd say you might be doing something your father wouldn't approve. Maybe hanging out with a certain mudblood?" Snape raised an eyebrow at Draco who looked away.

"That's an outrage! What would a Malfoy do with a... mudblood. Professor I think the not showering is also clogging your brain with junk." Draco turned to meet his icy glare. "Well then, explain this photograph of Granger in your coat." Snape snatched away the photograph, "Oh look it's folded." He unfolded it, "and look at that, there you are. Grabbing her hand, how sweet. I am sure your father wouldn't like to hear about this so I have a deal. You can go wondering around with the mudblood and even go with her for Christmas. BUT you have detention every day for a week. Be happy I'm only giving you one week because when you leave, I have to do your assignment. Now go off and this also means 20 points from Slytherin as much as it pains me." Snape let go of Draco and walked away thinking of one person, Lily.

Draco surely didn't expect that from Snape. He went looking for a gift idea for Hermione. He wanted this Christmas to be special, he knew he was going to be around muggles and their customs.

Suddenly he bumped into Hermione on his way because he was too concentrated on her book. "Mione careful, you might fall." She closed her book embarrassed. "Hey, how about we go to Hogsmeade and buy gifts. On the way you can tell me what your family does for Christmas." She nodded and told him to wait for her since she had to go for money and put her book away.

Once they started walking Hermione told him everything her family does for Christmas. "We put up the tree of course and put our wrapped gifts under it. We go see the lights around our neighborhood and sing Christmas songs. That's all before Christmas Eve of course. During Christmas Eve, my whole family rents a room in a hotel and they come dine with us. I have fun with my cousins and sometimes we watch Christmas movies." When she finished she saw Draco confused, "what do you do?"

"Well in my family, we just give each other's gifts. When I was little I tried decorating a tree with my drawings but my dad threw them to the fire. He told me that only muggles are allowed to do that because it's weak. He grew my drawings to the fire along with my gifts to teach me a lesson. Then for New Years, we have a party but I never attended because they don't know how to have fun." He looked down at the snow and Hermione hugged him. He looked down at her, locking his grey eyes with her brown bright ones. "I hope I don't make a fool out of myself in front of your family." He lightly chuckled. He looked up and noticed that they were at Hogsmeade. He lightly pecked her lips, "how about we meet in the three broomsticks in an hour?" Hermione nodded and went her way.

----1hr later---

They sat at the tree broomsticks with bags of gifts. Draco had more since he was going to make Hermione something special.

They went back to Hogwarts laughing and talking.

Finally the winter break arrived for them. Draco had finished his surprise just in time.

"Mione what're we doing first?" He questioned looking nervous about his first real Christmas. "Wrap our presents, then decorate the tree together." She informed him grabbing his hand. He seemed to relax at her gentle touch. They went to their rooms and wrapped their presents which took a few minutes.

After a while they all met in the living room. There was boxes of decorations waiting. "Mum, dad this is Draco's first time decorating around the tree and house." She informed her parents quickly and they nodded. Draco felt embarrassed but Mr.Granger patted his back, "come on son, there's a first for everything."

They put Christmas carols which Hermione sang, while they decorated the tree.

They went for their presents and put them under the tree. Draco didn't want to put Hermione's though, he wanted to give it her personally. After all he did work really hard on it. He made it by hand, barely any magic.

The music was still on and he grabbed his girlfriend by the waist to a free space. He twirled her around and danced. She places her head on his chest and her ear above his heart.

Everything about her looked so perfect to him. Her hair was not tamed at all which he loved the most. She didn't have makeup and it made him happy because she looked much better like that. The sent of her vanilla perfume invaded his nostrils. He held her like a fragile porcelain doll but he knew what a warrior she was. 'How come I became so lucky? She deserves much better but she chose me.' He took a good look at the girl in his arms and made a silent promise that he would try to protect her no matter what.

Hermione's parents watched how they danced. If it wasn't Draco dancing with his daughter, her dad would've stopped it. Mr. Granger was cool with Draco because when he asked to date Hermione, they had a long talk about it. It made him happy that his daughter was with him because he saw how much he cared about Hermione.

When the music stopped, Hermione's parents were in the kitchen making food. Hermione looked up at Draco who was still staring at her. "What?" She giggled. "Nothing, just admiring how cute you look." She rolled her eyes, "I'm not cute. I had no makeup and my hair isn't at it's best." Draco chuckled, "that's why. Come on let's go send our friends gifts." He went for his gifts and met Hermione in her room. "Okay so I bought Blaise, Pansy, and she Weasley something. I'm frankly scared of what she can do so I bought her something." He looked at Hermione who was holding a laugh at the last part. "What did you buy her?" She raised an eyebrow. "I bought her a broom like I did with Blaise. She deserves a better broom, plus I want for Potter to feel inferior. When is that guy going ask her out?" Hermione was shocked he knew. "What? That guy's feelings are really obvious. Since we're talking about feelings, " he sat down next to her pushing her hair back, "I really like you." He whispered in a husky voice. He leaned is and kissed her softly. She put her arms around his neck and his put his hands on her waist deepening the kiss. "Let's stop because if we don't, o won't be able to control myself." Hermione didn't listen and kissed him again. He sighed and began tickling her to stop. "Told you to stop or I wouldn't contain myself." She squirmed in her bed straying to get out of his grasp.

He finally stopped tickling her, "let's go eat." He grabbed her hand before she could object.

"Just in time for dinner you two love birds." Mrs.Granger greeted them handing them each a plate of food. They began eating asking Draco about his family since they've never had the opportunity to. Everything was fine until they saw part of the dark mark and they asked him about it. Draco looked down and quickly excused himself. "Nice going. Don't ask about it please. It's personal." She quickly went to comfort Draco.

"Draco come on talk to me." He had a serious face and looked down, "I'm marked for life aren't I?" Hermione hugged him, "maybe but like I told you before, a tattoo can cove it up." She rested her head oh his chest and began humming Silent Night making him sleepy. She didn't bother moving since she was so comfortable in his arms. Soon they both fell asleep in each other's arms.