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Hermione wasn’t sure how she got here, pushing against the masses of shoppers the weekend before Christmas. She had forced herself out on the snowy evening to buy a White Elephant gift of all things.
Like any reasonable person, she finished her actual present shopping early in December — for precisely this reason. She abhorred crowds.
Then Theo had to go and bollocks everything up. He’d gotten on an American cinema kick again and wanted to host a White Elephant do.
Hermione met, or re-met, Theo Nott when they both began apprenticing as Unspeakables. Hermione ended up in the Time room and Theo in the Space room, but they completed their initial rotation together and became fast friends.
Once Theo wasn’t weighed down by the threats and expectations of his Death Eater father, he had flourished.
It was during one of their many lunchtime gossip sessions that she knew he’d become a permanent fixture in her life:
“Granger, you don’t understand. He walks into the room, and I can’t think anymore.” Theo groaned, laying his head on the table.
“My brain ceases to function, and all I can do is stare.” His head lightly banged on the table, sending his coffee sloshing.
“His broom thighs — can they still be broom thighs if he’s an Auror now?” He looked up at her, bewildered.
“His stupid, messy hair, and don’t even get me started on the eyes.” He slumped forward again. “When he looks at me, I’m putty in his hands, and then I just make a complete fool of myself.”
Hermione reached over and patted his back. Her friend was head over heels for Harry.
“Theo, Harry is a normal bloke, he’s not nearly as intimidating as you’re making him out to be.”
His earlier words caught up to her as she paused, raising an eyebrow. “Wait, how do you know what putty is? Let alone how to use it as a metaphor?”
He sat up, smirking as he sipped his coffee. “Oh, Granger, I’m a man of many secrets, didn’t you know?” He paused for dramatic effect.
“While my father may have been a blood purist prick…”
Hermione couldn’t help but laugh at his casual reference to his abusive childhood, shaking her head.
“…My mother was not. When I was a child, she read me Muggle stories. After my father killed her, continuing to learn about the Muggle world became my rebellion.”
He set his coffee down with a soft thump, a small smile on his lips. “He would have killed me if he found out, but I took pleasure in knowing he had an heir who couldn’t give two figs about blood status, and loved Muggle fiction, despite all his ‘lessons.’”
She rose impulsively, her heart tightening, and pulled him into a hug, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“If he wasn’t already dead, I’d Avada him myself,” she whispered as she returned to her seat.
“Now, about Harry.” Hermione steepled her hands, leaning forward slightly. “He and Ginny broke up almost six months ago, and while I don’t know if he is attracted to men, I do know he always asks after you when I come home from work.”
“You’ll never know if there is something there if you don’t try,” she said, narrowing her eyes pointedly.
That was three years ago. Now, they were senior Unspeakables, and Harry and Theo were due to be married in just a few short months. With Theo came Blaise, and eventually Pansy, and even Draco Malfoy was counted as part of their group.
Hermione reminisced on that surprising revelation as she continued her trek to the shops.
It wasn’t even Theo’s doing.
One day after work, Harry came home and informed her that he had been partnered with Draco Malfoy for his next case. He said that Malfoy had apologized for his bullying and actions during the war.
Harry apologized for almost killing him with sectumsempra, and that was it. They quickly became friends.
It wasn’t as easy for everyone. Ron refused to talk to Harry for weeks, spending his free time at George’s joke shop rather than back at Grimmauld. It took almost two years for him to stop side-eyeing Malfoy every time they got together. They’d never be best friends, but had settled into a reluctant acquaintanceship.
In Hermione’s case, Malfoy cornered her in the library at Theo’s manor during a game night.
“No more board games for you, Granger?”
Startled, Hermione’s hand flew to her wand as she turned around, always on a bit of a hair-trigger when Malfoy was around.
“Easy there, Granger, I come in peace,” Malfoy said as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.
She quirked her lips, “Did you just make an alien joke?”
As he walked closer, he cocked his head, stopping a few steps away. “I have no bleeding idea what an alien is, Granger. I simply wanted you to know I’m not trying to fight with you.”
She shook her head in disbelief. Leave it to Malfoy to make an unintentional Muggle reference.
“Of course, the library is big enough for the both of us,” Hermioned joked, shrugging as she returned to skimming the shelves.
She never really knew what to do with him. At game nights like this one or at the pub, he seemed so carefree. The other day, she even caught him joking with Neville. But he never approached Hermione at these events. He was cordial in the group, asking after her work, but nothing more.
He moved closer, standing beside her. “Really, Granger? I’d think you’d want to hoard these books like a dragon, I know how much your swotty little heart loves knowledge.”
Hermione instinctively took a step back, tensing at the familiar dread that came from Malfoy’s barbs. She thought they were past childish insults.
“Well, this swot will be over here. Feel free to go literally anywhere else.” She strode away, wrapping her arms around herself as she sought the comforting warmth of the fire.
“Whoa, Granger. Retract the claws, what just happened?” Draco asked as he followed behind.
“I know you think I’m nothing more than a walking encyclopedia.” Rubbing her temples, Hermione let out a deep sigh and sank into the nearest armchair.
She wasn’t sure why she was even explaining herself to him. “If you must know, I only came in here because I needed a moment away from the noise. The volume is a bit much when everyone is together.”
With her eyes closed, she felt Malfoy move closer, the adjacent chair scraping as he sat down.
“That’s why I’m in here as well, Granger, just looking for some quiet. I wasn’t trying to offend you, and I don’t think you’re just a walking encyclopedia.”
Hermione listened to the crackling fire, breathing deeply as she released the tension in her shoulders. I really need to get a grip on myself when I’m around him.
“I know Malfoy. We’re part of the same friend group now, but old habits are hard to break, and I’m used to a less cordial version of you.”
Opening her eyes, she picked up a book and began to read, letting her comment sit unanswered. After a few moments, she heard Malfoy do the same.
Hyper aware of Malfoy’s presence beside her, she found herself glancing over at him every few minutes.
The next time she glanced over, she caught Malfoy doing the same, their eyes locking as he smirked.
“Like what you see, Granger?”
“You wish, Malfoy.” Rolling her eyes, she turned back to her book. He can be so vain.
“You have no idea.” He muttered, looking down again. Hermione snorted lightly, wondering if he could read her mind.
A few moments later, his book closed with a soft thwack. “Granger, I’ve been meaning to get you alone for a while now, but you’re a hard woman to pin down.”
Hermione looked up at this, confused as to why he wanted her alone.
“You’re right about who I used to be. I owe you so many apologies, ones I know will never make up for how I treated you when we were younger.” He turned toward her, leaning forward.
“Malfoy, I -“ Hermione started, but Malfoy put his hand out.
“Granger, please let me get this out.” Leaning forward further, he continued. “I was a bigot, poisoned by what my parents taught me. I know that there is no excuse for my actions, however.”
He paused, staring at the fire before seeming to come to a decision.
“Because the truth is, I could see how wrong they were just by looking at you, and it made me hate you more.”
Bombarded by memories of all the times he insulted her heritage and her looks, Hermione was surprised at the feeling of relief his words brought.
“I treated you horribly, I said unforgivable things to and about you, and I am so sorry. I want you to know that I haven’t believed those things since before the end of the war. I know blood status means nothing.”
Hermione took a stunned breath at the earnest look in Malfoy’s eyes. She liked to think she had already forgiven him. He was a child after all, and grew up around Death Eaters and those who thought like them.
Yet, she couldn’t ignore that she felt lighter hearing him apologize directly.
“Draco, I accept your apology. Yes, you did and said horrible things, but we were children, and no one was looking out for any of us, least of all you. Children shouldn’t be fighting in wars.”
She reached over and placed a hand on his arm with a reassuring squeeze as Draco visibly relaxed.
“Thank you, Granger, but I am not quite finished, and I need to say this.”
He blinked rapidly before continuing, “I will never be able to forgive myself for my inaction when you were tortured in the Manor.”
Hermione’s fingers tightened on his arm. She’d moved beyond what she went through in the war, but that night still featured in her nightmares.
“I will regret not stepping in to stop my aunt every day of my life. You are 100 times the witch she was, and I am so sorry.” He went to pull his arm from Hermione’s grip, but she held on.
“Malfoy, look at me,” she said, but he wouldn’t make eye contact.
“Draco,“ she tried.
He looked up at that. “Thank you for your apology, but I don’t want you to carry guilt about that day. You didn’t torture me, and you were in a horrible situation. I did not expect you to kill yourself to save me.”
Draco froze as she continued, “and that’s what you would have been doing if you stepped in.”
Hermione took a deep breath, allowing the scent of books to surround her, “Bellatrix was unhinged.”
He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. I, my entire family, just stood there.”
Hermione nodded. “And Harry triggered the taboo, Ron got caught first, and I didn’t think to ward my bag shut. It happened, I haven’t and won’t let it define me. Don’t let it define you either.”
She didn’t want him to spend his life feeling guilty about something he had no control over.
A log in the fire popped, breaking the tension of the moment. “You’re kind of amazing, Granger.”
“Well, they don’t call me the Brightest Witch of her Age for nothing, Draco,” she said with a smirk.
He chuckled in response. “Is this Draco thing permanent? Should I start calling you Hermione?”
She gave his arm one last squeeze before letting go. “You can call me whatever you want. Now, let’s get back to everyone before they come looking for us.”
She stood up, walking toward the door. Draco joined her, holding the door open. “One last thing, do you think we could be friends?”
Hermione responded as she walked through the door. “I don’t think we could avoid it now even if we tried.” She was certain something had irrevocably changed that night.
Over two years of friendship, Draco had become her person. They spent so much time together that their friends joked that they were married.
She knows they don’t act like typical friends or even the brotherly relationship she has with Harry and Ron. In truth, Hermione knew she was in love with him.
But he never did anything to suggest that he felt similarly. In fact, he did the complete opposite, jumping from relationship to relationship. Recently, he’d been seeing Mandy Brocklehurst, a Ravenclaw from their year.
She was blonde and willowy, and a half-blood — everything Hermione knew she wasn’t.
She sighed as she walked into a home decor shop, hoping to find a White Elephant gift quickly.
She was no better. When they began their friendship, she had been in the midst of a rekindled relationship with Viktor Krum, which fizzled a few months later. The more time she spent with Draco, the more she knew Krum wasn’t right for her.
But then Draco was seeing Astoria Greengrass, so when Michael Corner asked her out a few weeks later, she said yes.
She wandered through the aisles, not really searching. Her most recent relationship with Lee Jordan had ended a few weeks prior, and she wasn’t even upset.
She hadn’t seen Draco since the breakup, both of them so busy at work that this was the longest they had gone without seeing each other since their friendship began.
She ran her hands through her curls, huffing. She needed to stop pining over Draco or finally do something about it…but she was afraid.
Draco was her person.
It was unthinkable that she might lose that relationship over an unreciprocated love declaration.
She scanned the aisles, focusing on the task at hand. She needed to find something suitably horrendous for the White Elephant.
After a few minutes of searching, her eyes landed on the perfect gift — an actual white elephant. It was a little shorter than 30cm and, honestly, kind of cute.
Theo would love her contribution, and that was all that mattered.
Hermione purchased the figurine, paying extra to have it gift-wrapped. It was one less thing she’d need to do to prepare for the party the next night.
With her task complete, she made a decision. If Draco brought Mandy to the white elephant, she would make a real effort to move on and treat him only as a friend. If he didn’t, she would finally tell him how she felt.
The next evening, Hermione stared at her closet, cycling through the same few outfits for what felt like the fifth time.
Nothing looked right. Too dressy, too casual, too wrong.
Her stomach clenched at the thought of Draco, dreading that he might bring Mandy as his date.
And if he didn’t, she thought, this could be the night our friendship ends.
She pinched her nose.
Get it together, Hermione. It’s not like you can skip the party. Just pick something.
Turning back to her options, she settled on a dark green velvet wrap dress. The dress was so green it was almost black with delicate bows framing the bell sleeves.
It was a little dressy, but the cleavage made her breasts look amazing, and she needed the confidence boost.
She paired it with a pair of heeled boots and light makeup. Her curls, she left loose, having washed and coiled them earlier that day.
Striding to her fireplace, she bade Crookshanks a quick “Goodnight” and grabbed a handful of floo powder, calling out “Nott Manor!”
“Hermione, darling, you look fabulous,” Theo greeted her with a hug.
“Put your White Elephant contribution on the table, and I’ll get you a drink.”
Hermione placed the package on the already full table. Everyone must already be here.
“Hi, Theo, how is wedding planning going?”
“Practically finished, we just need to secure the licenses.” He said as he led her into the parlour.
“What can I get you? Mulled wine? Firewhiskey? I made hot toddies!”
“I’ll take a mulled wine.” Hermione looked around at the Christmas explosion that was Theo’s parlour. “You really went all out.”
“I was trying to channel the American cinema Christmas in honor of tonight’s party. I almost paid a wizard to dress up as one of those men with the bells and red buckets that are outside of all of their department stores.”
As Theo spoke, Hermione scanned the room, looking to see if Draco had arrived.
Theo handed her the hot drink as Harry walked up and slung his arm around her shoulders. “Mione! You’re here!”
Hermione turned to the ruddy-cheeked Harry. “Someone got into the hot toddies before the guests arrived,” Theo said, giving his fiancée an indulgent look.
“I’ll need to get him a sober-up potion soon, or he won’t make it to the gift exchange.”
“Don’t I have the best fiancé, Mione?”
Harry swayed slightly. “And all because of you and your secretive job. You’re the best friend a guy could ask for.”
“Okay, love, it’s time to take a potion and sip some water. We can tell Hermione how much we love her later.”
Theo turned Harry around, leading him out of the room.
Hermione’s eyes continued to roam, observing the other partygoers. She saw Ron and Padma chatting by the fire with Luna and a dark-haired witch she didn’t know.
Across from them were Blaise, Pansy, and Ginny. The triad were laughing and draped all over each other. That relationship had been a surprise, but Hermione saw how they each complemented the others.
By the bar, Seamus was gesticulating wildly at Dean, Neville, Adrian Pucey, and George Weasley. Seeing George, Hermione did a quick scan to see if Lee was there.
He’d been invited when they were still dating, but he wasn’t really ‘part’ of their group.
She saw him over by the windows, chatting with Angelina and Millie. He looked up, making eye contact. She gave him a small wave and a smile that he returned.
Hermione knew Lee wasn’t that broken up about the end of their relationship either. They met up for coffee last week to clear the air, and he told her that he knew she had feelings for Draco and that he had feelings for someone else, too.
She didn’t know who, but if the way he kept glancing at the bar was any indication, she thought it might be George.
Hermione started walking toward the fire to join Ron and Luna when the door opened.
She paused as Theo walked in with a brighter-eyed Harry and Draco. Draco moved, holding the door open for his companion.
It was Mandy.
I guess they are still together, so much for that.
Hermione felt her heart break a little and hustled toward the others, pretending she hadn’t seen. She knew she’d need to confirm that Mandy was his date before she decided anything, but already she felt a sense of grief for what could have been.
Sitting down with her back to the room, she greeted the foursome. “Hi everyone, happy Christmas.”
She wasn’t really paying attention as the conversation progressed. Luna introduced her witch friend, and already Hermione couldn’t recall her name. Her thoughts raced, and her palms began to sweat.
I need to get out of here and get a grip.
She was jarred from her thoughts by Ron. “Mione, maybe you can answer this. Why is it called a white elephant exchange?” “And why is the elephant white? There are no white elephants!”
Hermione stared at Ron as he looked at her expectantly.
“What?”
“Why is the elephant white, Hermione?” Luna repeated.
Hermione stood up.
“I’m sorry, I’m feeling flushed all of a sudden. I am going to get some air.”
Luna patted her on the hand. “You do seem infested by an army of Wrackspurts tonight, Hermione.”
Hermione put her drink down and headed for the door, but was quickly blocked by Harry, sporting a sheepish grin.
“Sorry about earlier, Mione. I started the party a little early.”
“That’s completely alright, Harry, if you’ll excuse me I just need a moment,” She said as she kept walking.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Draco recognize her and begin to wave her over. She sped up, practically running out of the room.
She stepped out onto the terrace and began to pace.
Why did I make this stupid resolution? Of course, he brought Mandy. They’re dating, and he has never shown even an inkling of interest in me.
Abruptly, she froze. Enchanted mistletoe hung above her head. She was trapped.
Hopefully, someone comes looking for me when I am not there at the start of the exchange.
A moment later, the door opened, and Draco walked out.
“Hermione, I saw you run out of the parlour, and I was concerned. Are you alright?”
She responded as he walked toward her. “I’m fine.”
Avoiding his gaze, she continued.
“It was just hot in there with the fire and the warm drinks. Before you get too close, I’m stuck under enchanted mistletoe.”
He froze at that, looking up at the lightly vibrating mistletoe.
“Oh, uh…” He stumbled over his words. “Do you want me to get someone?”
Hermione closed her eyes, mortified.
“Sure, just go get Harry, he’ll set me free.”
Draco started to turn and stopped.
“Not Lee?”
Hermione winced. “We broke up a few weeks ago, actually.”
Draco stared at her for a moment before turning around again. “I didn’t know that. I’ll be right back with Harry.”
He began to walk away, his footsteps muffled by the dusting of snow on the terrace.
As soon as she thought he was out of earshot, Hermione started muttering to herself — unable to keep her thoughts inside her head.
“I’m so pathetic!”
She turned her back to the door, ignoring that she hadn’t heard the snick of it closing.
“I’m in love with him, and he can’t even give me a peck on the lips to release me from the enchanted mistletoe.”
Her hands in her hair, she tugged at the roots of her curls. “The minute the exchange is over, I am going home, pouring myself an entire bottle of red wine, and cuddling Crooks while I try to forget that Draco exists.”
Pity party over, she took a deep breath, centering herself when she heard a throat clear.
She froze. Merlin, please let that be Harry, or else I may need to avada myself.
She turned around and felt tears start to pool in her eyes. Draco was standing just steps away now.
He never left. He heard everything.
“You’re in love with me?” He asked as she looked away.
This is how I die.
Hermione couldn’t stop shaking her head as she replied, “What?! I don’t know what you think you heard, but…”
She trailed off as he took a step closer, the mistletoe beginning to vibrate harder.
“Hermione, are you in love with me?”
She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye.
“Yes, Draco, I love you. I am in love with you. I think I have been for a very long time.”
Hermione couldn’t bear to look at him any longer and turned her face upward. He took an almost imperceptible step forward.
“And you’re no longer with Lee?”
She laughed at that, her raised head staring at the humming mistletoe.
“No, I broke up with Lee because I love you!” She scoffed, “It doesn’t matter because I know you don’t think of me like that, and you’re with Mandy now.”
She could feel her palms begin to sweat as she twisted her fingers in her hands. “Please, just don’t let this change our friendship. I’ll get over you, I promise, I just need some time.”
He took the last step into the mistletoe ward, bending toward her as the mistletoe went silent.
“I don’t want you to get over me, Granger.”
He put his hand on her cheek and brought her eyes to his. “I love you too. And I’m not with Mandy, we both arrived in the floo room at the same time. It was rather awkward because she broke up with me, you see. She said I was obviously in love with another witch.”
Hermione huffed at that, “You love me?”
“I love you, Hermione.”
Draco bent down and kissed her.
Her hands flew to the nape of his neck as his lips caressed hers with little pecks.
He drew his lips away. “I have been in love with you for the longest time, but I never thought I could ever deserve you.”
He moved to deepen the kiss, but she pushed him back. “Draco Malfoy, I told you two years ago to stop living in guilt. And now you’re saying we could have been together this whole time? How can you not see how wonderful you are?”
He wrapped his arms around her, intending to pick up where they left off.
“You’re right, as always, Granger.”
The mistletoe drifted off, its work done. Eventually, the door to the terrace opened.
“Draco, Hermione!“ Theo stepped out onto the terrace.
“Fucking finally, we have been waiting for you two to get your heads out of your arses for ages!”
Hermione laughed, disentangling herself from Draco.
“What do you want, Theodore?”
“It’s time for the white elephant exchange, Granger. Get a move on.”
He turned around, heading back to the party.
Hermione intertwined her hands with Draco’s. “Shall we get this over with and then continue where we left off?”
“Say less, Granger.” He said, pulling her inside.
A Year Later
Hermione looked around her flat and couldn’t believe how her life had changed in just a short year. Six months into their relationship, they moved into a new flat together with amazing views of the Thames, a short walk to the Ministry, and plenty of space for Crooks to lord over the place.
Theo and Harry’s wedding in February was beautiful, and the lovebirds spent two months honeymooning in the Seychelles. Hermione couldn’t keep her eyes off of Draco as they said their vows, hoping that eventually that would be them.
Ginny, Blaise, and Pansy turned up to their September game night wearing rings and smirking like demons. They eloped, not wanting to deal with the hassle of planning a wedding.
Now it was December, time for another White Elephant exchange.
Hermione couldn’t complain too much; last year’s exchange brought her Draco.
Draco, who chose her elephant figurine during the exchange, threatening anyone who tried to take it once he knew Hermione had picked it out.
Their Christmas elephant sat on an end table in a place of honor among their holiday decorations.
Now, Hermione was running late to the party.
With a quick scratch behind Crookshanks’ ears, she hustled to the floo and called out, “Nott Manor.”
She stepped out of the floo room to see her friends gathered in the hallway.
“Granger, waiting until the last minute, I see,” drawled Blaise.
“I know, I know, I’ve been running behind all day,” she said as she hugged him.
Theo started shuffling the group into the parlour.
“Now that Hermione’s here, we can get started.”
At that moment, Draco walked up, kissing the top of her head. “Hi, love, long day?”
She squeezed his side, allowing him to lead her into the next room.
“Yes, wrapping up a few projects and time got away from me.”
Draco smirked at his girlfriend’s unintentional pun. “Now you can relax and enjoy the night.”
She smiled up at him as Theo began to speak. “Alright, everyone, welcome to our 2nd annual white elephant gift exchange. Since I am in charge, I get to decide the order. Up first is Hermione!”
Hermione walked up to the table, scanning her options. Whatever she chose would most likely be stolen anyway, so she decided to choose the smallest package, hoping the others would be tempted by the unwrapped, larger packages.
This one was no larger than the size of her palm, lumpy, and wrapped in paper decorated with small, white elephants.
She picked it up and turned back to the group, unwrapping it.
Inside was a small, white elephant figurine just like the one she bought the year prior. She examined the figurine more closely and realized it was actually a box.
She went to open it when a hand covered her own. She looked up, and Draco was standing in front of her, beaming.
“Granger, before you open that, I have something to say.”
“Draco, what?“ Hermione started before being shushed by everyone. Hermione looked around, realizing they had planned this.
“Hermione, a year ago, you told me I had to stop living in guilt. The last year with you has been perfect. I fall more in love with you every day.”
Hermione’s heart began to flutter, more certain by the moment where this was heading.
“I want to spend the rest of our lives reading books, arguing over obscure magical theory, and hopefully chasing after a gaggle of mini-Grangers.”
Hermione chuckled, even as tears began welling in her eyes.
Draco took the elephant from her and knelt on one knee.
“Would you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you spend forever with me, Granger?”
“Of course, I will!” She cried as she kissed him.
Draco took her hand, and she looked down at the object in his hand. Inside the elephant sat a ring with a beautiful, deep blue sapphire surrounded by small diamonds.
As Draco slid the ring on her finger, Hermione had never been more appreciative of Theo’s love of American cinema.
Turning to the group, Draco growled, “You wankers better not try and steal this, it is off limits in the white elephant!”
Fin