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“Draco, what on Earth have you got with you?” asked Granger, her eyes going wide as she took in the scene before her.
Draco petted his new best friend. “It’s a baby reindeer, Granger. I found him abandoned while I went outside to the Manor gardens. It seems like he’s been charmed to have something that resembles a clown nose, but luckily it doesn’t affect any of his bodily functions.” His reindeer seemed to be doing just fine, breathing through his red nose. His nose was a bright red, but other than that, a normal reindeer nose.
“Are you seriously considering taking it in? What happens if he had just gotten lost, and his mother was looking for him? Do you even have the capacity to take care of him?” Granger’s voice was going rather shrill. Draco cupped his reindeer’s ears to protect his eardrums from disintegrating.
“I cast a detection charm around the area and noticed that there were no reindeer in this area. I have no idea how he even got here. Maybe a passing witch or wizard thought that it’d be funny to transfigure something into a reindeer.” He frowned at the thought. “We’re not transfiguring him into anything, though. The Manor has plenty of ground for him to roam.”
Granger sighed, running a hand through her thick curls. “I see you’ve grown attached. What’s his name?”
“Rudolph,” he stated proudly. “I heard someone yell ‘Rudolph!’ when I was bringing him inside, and felt as if the name fitted him perfectly.”
“Good; that’s the only acceptable name for him,” Granger muttered under her breath. “Why did you bring him inside, anyways? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable for him if he was outside?”
Draco gave her an incredulous look. “He needed some warmth and to bathe, and the tingle of my magic frightened him. I think he’ll get used to it after a while, but I don’t want to shock him with it at first.” It was Granger who looked at him this time, her expression softening.
He paused. “Why are you visiting me?” Granger had never taken upon herself to visit him before, much to his chagrin. He’d had a rather obvious crush on her over the years, and it seemed like everyone but Granger seemed to have noticed that. Her obliviousness was rather frustrating.
She blushed prettily. “I was, erm, just coming around to see if you wanted to go out for lunch…” she trailed off hesitantly. “It seems like that’s off the books due to your new friend.”
“Oh?” asked Draco, who couldn’t believe his ears. Granger was going to ask him out for lunch? He would’ve accepted in an instant, except of course he had had other plans, such as taking care of his newfound buddy. He felt a surge of irrational anger towards Rudolph for ruining his lunch plans, before reprimanding himself for thinking so as Rudolph did not deserve his anger.
He looked at Granger, and then at Rudolph. “We could have lunch together, but with all three of us.” He smiled at her, happy with the compromise. “I have no idea as to how to raise a reindeer, but I’m sure with the help of your mind, we’d be able to find it out easily.”
Granger engaged in a staring contest with Rudolph, who looked back up at her with wide, unblinking doe-like eyes. She smiled. “Yes, of course. I’d love to.”
He sat them down at one of the Manor’s smaller dining tables, and conjured a soft cushion for Rudolph to lay on. Granger fished around the Manor’s kitchen cupboards, making herself comfortable in his space, until she found some raw baby carrots and handed them off to Rudolph. He crunched on them happily.
“Let’s get down to business,” said Draco, clasping his hands together and leaning forward. “Rudolph seems to be pretty young, but nowhere near newborn. He looks pretty healthy altogether, but a bit malnourished.”
Granger nodded, fishing a black rectangle out of her pocket. The black rectangle flashed, and she pressed a multitude of invisible buttons before looking triumphantly at him. “Aha! It says here that reindeer calves should be fed things such as grains, pellets, hay, and grasses. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be too detailed… Reindeer aren’t common pets, after all.”
“We should probably talk to a magical veterinarian,” Draco said, reaching down to scratch behind Rudolph’s ears. Rudolph made a soft sound, not unlike a purr. He could feel his heart melting at every second.
“Yes, of course! Do you know any good ones we could Apparate or Floo to nearby?” asked Granger curiously. She took a bite of the ham and cheese sandwich she’d hastily prepared.
He smirked at her. “We used to have albino peacocks here – of course we know good magical veterinarians. Our family were frequent clients of hers, I’m sure she won’t say no to an impromptu appointment.”
He walked towards the fireplace, taking a fistful of the green powder and calling out “Betty Fursor!” The smiling face of an old woman soon took place in his fireplace.
“What is it, Draco?” she asked. “I haven’t seen you in a while, dear.”
“I now have a reindeer,” he said, gesturing behind him. Rudolph stood up from his soft cushion and leaped over to nuzzle Draco. Betsy gasped when she saw him.
“Oh! Those reindeer are magical reindeer, so it’s a good thing you didn’t take him to a Muggle vet. Reindeer such as him are descended from a couple of original reindeer that were cursed permanently with bright red noses, which eventually inspired the Muggle film ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.’” Draco was shocked at this revelation – as it meant that Rudolph’s red nose was permanent, and that the reasoning behind his pet’s name was because of a Muggle film.
“Here, Draco, you should come through and I’ll give you a packet with information on how to take care of them. I haven’t encountered many in my lifetime, but enough to know how they work,” Betsy said, gesturing towards herself. Draco obliged and stepped through the fireplace, hoping the whoosh of green flames wouldn’t frighten poor Rudolph.
Betsy rushed over, pressing a thick pamphlet into his hand, which was adorned with designs of mistletoe and moving pictures of baby reindeer. “Magical reindeer are automatically immune to all Muggle diseases, so there’ll be no need for vaccinations. Magical maladies are relatively easy to treat, especially for magical animals, as you know.” Draco nodded, filing the information away in his brain. “Off you go now!”
Not one minute later, he was already back in the lavish expanse of the Manor, and spotted Granger sitting on the ground with Rudolph’s head in her lap as she stroked his pelt. It warmed the cold cockles of his heart to see Rudolph and Granger so intimately acquainted already. He knew she was good with animals, and all sorts of creatures really (he flashed back to seeing Dobby wearing a dozen S.P.E.W. knitted hats in fourth year), but it was something else to see it in person.
“Hello!” she said when she spotted him. “Oh, is that all of the information? May I take a look at it?” He said that of course she could, and he sidled over next to her, scooching himself closer under the pretense of allowing her a better view of the pamphlet.
It detailed that for reindeer calves, they should eat a mix of hay and some magical nutrient-infused grains, and give them a steady source of lichen in the winter months once they got older. Draco knew that the Manor’s grounds could definitely afford to dedicate a patch of land specifically for reindeer feeding, and he told Granger so.
“I’m sure we could find all of this in Diagon Alley, and if not, I could definitely look elsewhere. Rudolph deserves the best quality food,” he said, looking down at Rudolph, who was still laying in Granger’s lap. (Draco was slightly jealous of Rudolph for this action, but then was incredulous that he was jealous of a reindeer.)
“That’s great, Draco,” Granger said, smiling softly at him. His heart thumped in his chest. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go now, but I’ve enjoyed lunch with you. I’m sure you’ll be a great person to take care of Rudolph – and be sure to update me on him! It’s very sweet that you’re doing all of this.” Her cheeks turned slightly pinker, but he could’ve been imagining it.
She waved at him as she walked out the door, and he could only raise his arm in farewell before the distinct crack of Apparition permeated the silence.
—
Over the next couple of weeks, Draco took Rudolph on daily walks. Rudolph was becoming more and more used to magic, and stopped jumping around and looking spooked whenever Draco would cast a quick Scourgify or warming charm on him.
Draco had no idea that taking care of a reindeer could be so fun. As a child, his father had never allowed him to have pets. There were the albino peacocks outside, of course, but they were always more comfortable strutting about instead of playing around with a small child.
He made sure to feed him at the same time every day to get Rudolph used to meal times, and would let him graze on the grass while they walked. Rudolph seemed to instinctively understand whatever Draco needed from him – coming to him after Draco called him, not eating too much grass so the field wouldn’t turn bare, and relieving himself outside.
All in all, Rudolph was the perfect pet, and Draco was immensely glad that he’d found him. Taking care of Rudolph allowed him to have something productive and worthwhile to do, as he frequently had too much time on his hands.
The only other thing that brought him constant joy in his life were the friendly weekly social gatherings he’d do with Theo, Blaise, and their Gryffindor friends. The Slytherins had become well acquainted with Potter, Weasley, Weaslette, and Granger due to their mutual love of Quidditch (except Granger) and multiple apologies given over the years. He had fallen for Granger then, for her quick wit, compassion, and intelligence, and constantly looked forward to the weekends in order to talk to her.
On one walk, Draco had an epiphany. The air was crisp and cool outside, a dusting of snow across the grounds, and the bare trees sparkled with white. Rudolph was nibbling on some bark from a tree, and Draco was gazing over the land.
An idea sparked into his head – why not have Granger join them on their daily walks? Granted, she probably couldn’t join them for most of them, but she most likely had some time on some days to hang out with Rudolph and him. She had, after all, been there with Rudolph on day one.
He sent off an owl once they arrived back at the Manor, asking whether she’d like to join them tomorrow. His owl returned with her response, stating that she’d love to. Draco felt himself smile unwillingly at the words, hastily scrawled onto the parchment.
—
The next day, Granger joined them. She told Rudolph about how big he was getting (“You’ve grown so much in such a short time!”) and beamed at Draco, telling him how he was doing a great job at taking care of Rudolph and how she felt like he was perfect for him. He thought about how perfect she’d be with him, but decided against saying it.
They walked out into the field beside the gardens, which were blanketed in a heavy coat of snow. Rudolph seemed to be adjusting to the colder weather splendidly, and needed fewer warming charms each time.
Granger had donned a thick wool coat and a fuzzy scarf, and when combined with her voluminous hair, made her look like a Puffskein. He told her so, and she laughed, sticking her tongue out at him.
He, too, was bundled up, but more so in warming charms rather than thick layers. He had wanted Granger to be able to admire his body as she saw fit, and made sure it wasn’t cloaked heavily in robes.
“How long will it be before he reaches maturity? I remember reading about it, but forget the precise number,” she told him, extending a gloved hand to brush some snow off of Rudolph’s fur.
“Around 4 to 6 years, so he still has a couple of years left,” Draco reminded her. “Part of me is secretly hoping that by then, a female reindeer would’ve somehow found its way here so I’d be blessed with reindeer children.” Granger laughed at that, her eyes twinkling at him. His stomach lurched pleasantly.
“I think it’s adorable how taken you are with him. Who knew the stoic Draco Malfoy would get so soft over a reindeer calf?” She elbowed him playfully, and then leaned down to kiss Rudolph’s head. Rudolph, interrupted from chewing the moss, nuzzled into her side before returning to his meal.
Draco refrained from telling her how he had a soft spot for her too, as it probably wouldn’t have gone over well. “I guess I just needed some company, and Rudolph filled that hole in my heart,” he murmured, his tone a bit more serious than he’d intended.
Granger caught on and walked over to him, placing her arms around his back and hugging him. “I’m glad, Draco. If you two ever need any company, I’m always free.” She stepped back and smiled at him.
Draco’s mind was befuddled, still reeling over the fact that she’d hugged him so casually, as she would’ve to any of her other friends.
He must’ve been staring at her for too long, as he thought he saw her expression shift. His gaze dropped down to her lips, which were pink and slightly chapped, and he could’ve sworn he saw her leaning in.
Rudolph loped over, nudging against Draco’s thigh, and the moment was over.
They walked around the grounds together, Granger telling him anecdotes from work and about Potter and Weasley, and he felt content to just listen to her speak.
—
It was Saturday night, and Draco was getting ready to head over to the Leaky Cauldron to meet up with his friends and the Gryffindors. He supposed he could call them his friends too, but his inner petty self wasn’t ready to deal with a – shudder – friendship with the other House. Even if they were technically already friends.
He had invited Teddy and Andromeda over to watch over Rudolph, after giving the pamphlet and a thorough explanation of how to feed him and what the reindeer was comfortable with to Andromeda.
Teddy, still a young boy, was overjoyed at getting to meet and play with Rudolph. Rudolph had taken an instant liking to the boy as well, and had even let him ride on his back. The current shrieks of joy and off-tune singing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from the other room was courtesy of Teddy.
Draco smiled, checking himself again in the mirror before saying goodbye to his cousin and aunt. He Apparated himself right outside of the Leaky, spotting Theo and Blaise in their usual table already.
Potter, Weasley, and Weaslette came over, greeting the trio. Draco craned his head around to see whether Granger had arrived, and he saw Blaise smirk at him out of the corner of his eye.
“Hermione’s running a bit late,” said Potter, noticing where his eyes were straying. “She’ll be here in 5 minutes, though.”
They started off with talking about a recent heated game between the Wimbourne Wasps and the Appleby Arrows and the plays that’d gone on then. Draco tried to stay focused on the discussion, but found himself glancing at the door every so often, wondering when Granger would arrive.
He’d been thinking about her nonstop lately. She had joined him a couple other times to walk Rudolph, as they strolled across the grounds. His mind always went back to the moment they’d had the first time she walked with them – when it seemed like they were going to kiss. When it seemed like she was willing to do so.
“Earth to Draco,” drawled Theo, waving a hand over Draco’s face. Draco blinked, realizing he’d probably been staring into space, daydreaming like a fool.
Weaslette smirked at him, catching his expression. “Don’t worry, Malfoy. Hermione’s not going to skip out on this.” He scowled, flushing slightly, and heard Blaise chuckling beside him. “You know,” she started, “I wonder when the two of you will ever get together. I mean, it’s been dragging on for so long-”
She stopped, hearing the jingle of the door opening to the Leaky. Granger hurried through, sitting herself at the only open spot, which happened to be right next to him. Just his luck.
“I’m sorry I was late,” she said. “There was some paperwork to file and I got caught up doing that- well, it’s not that important. How’ve you all been?”
They all chorused different variations of “good,” and she smiled pleasantly at them all, before calling a waiter over for their drinks.
“How’s Rudolph been, Draco?” she asked, turning her head slightly to look at him. “I haven’t seen him in a week!”
He could see the various confused looks his friends (and sort-of-friends) gave each other at the mention of Rudolph. “As in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?” asked Potter, scratching his chin.
“Yes! Draco has this adorable baby reindeer who’s named Rudolph, and he actually does have a red nose. He’s been taking care of him, and I’ve accompanied them on walks, and it’s very endear–” she cut off, blushing. Draco wished she’d continued.
Weasley looked at them weirdly. Weaslette grinned. Blaise was trying to hold off a triumphant grin.
“Who would’ve thought, Draco sodding Malfoy taking care of baby animals,” droned Weasley, although it lacked malice. He saw Potter nod furiously.
He saw Granger smiling at him out of the corner of his eyes, her eyes distant. She noticed him watching, blinked, and looked away.
He spent the rest of the night chatting, and wondering what Granger had been going to say.
—
“Rudolph! I’ve missed you!” cried out Hermione, rushing forward to hug Rudolph. Draco sniffed. It had been two weeks since she’d seen Rudolph, and two weeks since she’d last seen Draco. Where was his hug?
He voiced this particular thought to her, and her mouth twitched in amusement. “Of course, how could I forget you?” She rushed forward, and hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her warm body, thinking about whether he could extract this memory and rewatch it over and over in a Pensieve later.
She pulled away, far too early, and went over to feed Rudolph a treat of sliced green apples. Rudolph crunched on them as she ran her hand through his fur, a smile perpetually on her face.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said, rolling his eyes when she gave a dramatic gasp. “We should keep Rudolph outside from now on. I could build him some sort of shelter, protected against the weather, but because he’s growing and a wild animal at heart, he should be kept outside. He’ll outgrow the Manor soon enough, and it’s not practical to have him be living inside.”
Hermione seemed to agree with his plan. “That’s reasonable. I was a bit worried about that, but didn’t want to bring it up in case you’d be lonely without always having Rudolph by your side.”
“I can start building the structure of the shelter tomorrow, since it seems like he wants to go on a walk right now. Would you like to join?”
“That’s what I’m here for!” She opened the door for Rudolph and Draco to walk through, eyes roving over the snowy landscape. Large and delicate flakes were drifting down, a couple catching in her hair. The sunlight glinted off of it, making it seem like she was sparkling.
They took a new route today, walking through the gardens instead of around them. He trusted Rudolph to not munch on Draco’s mother’s precious roses, and to not stomp on the herbs. Rudolph took this new responsibility very seriously, displayed by his gentle footsteps around the flowers and careful sniffing of the still-blooming ones.
“The garden is beautiful,” breathed Hermione. She was right. Most of the flowers were still in full bloom, due to the carefully curated selection of plants and charms that allowed them to stay in peak bloom the longest. Even though it was snowing, the flakes disappeared before they could reach the plants, reaching an invisible barrier.
“This was, is , my mother’s favorite part of the Manor. She’s in Italy now, lounging around, but the gardens were always her pride and joy.” Draco fingered a blood red rose, wary of its thorns.
“I can see why.” Hermione’s face was effervescent; full of awe and wonder. He wished he could see her like this more often.
It was in moments like this, where he felt the most vulnerable with her. Because the words that ran through his mind every day, confessing his feelings, would threaten to burst out and overwhelm him. He thought back to the time where they almost kissed.
Maybe she wanted to be overwhelmed. Maybe she’d want to hear his thoughts, the ones that filled him up and the ones he’d clamp down hard on.
Here goes nothing.
“I like you, Granger- Hermione,” he blurted out. He took a deep breath. “I’ve liked you for a while now. Weekends at the Leaky, with our friends, are the highlight of my week. Even being with Rudolph, the other joy in my life, is connected to you. Every day, I think about how much I’d like to be with you, be in a relationship, be able to kiss you whenever I want, and be able to share thoughts freely.”
He chanced a glance at her. Her eyes were shining.
“I’d like you to be my girlfriend, Hermione, if you’d give me the chance. If you share my feelings.”
“Oh Draco, of course I share your feelings! Talking with you at the Leaky is always a pleasure, even if my friends have caught on to my obvious attraction to you.” She chuckled weakly. “Seeing you take care of Rudolph, be so gentle towards him, was and is so bloody attractive.” She shook her head. “Honestly, most things you do are attractive.”
“Oh, really?” he said, raising an eyebrow smugly. She blushed.
“You don’t need anyone to feed your ego,” she muttered. “I’d like to kiss you now.”
Draco couldn’t think or speak after those words, so he did as she asked and pulled her towards him, kissing her softly. She tasted like peppermint and smelled like jasmine.
They stood like that for a while, the snow swirling around their entwined bodies.
They pulled apart, lips swollen, eyes dark, and flushed cheeks. He grinned at her, heart too full to care, and she smiled back.
Rudolph, noticing his parents had finally broken apart, trotted over and nudged them both with his head. They both laughed, imagining what Rudolph had been thinking and whether he’d witnessed their scene, and petted his soft coat.
They both walked back amongst the flurries, snow dotting their clothes and hair, with Rudolph trotting with them.