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Draco gazed across the frozen lake, admiring the way it glistened in the light.
What ifs flooded his mind as he considered how life might’ve been different had his parents sent him here instead of Durmstrang. They’d both attended, of course, but his father always wanted something different for Draco.
It was still a mystery to all of the students as to why there was a collaborative holiday season between Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, but Draco had welcomed the break from the frigid coldness of his school’s grounds. Not that it wasn’t cold here. But it was nothing compared to there.
Nestled within great lakes and frosted mountains, Durmstrang had seemed so impressive at first. Now it seemed lifeless and dull against the vibrancy of Hogwarts.
The letter in his pocket, the one he hadn’t yet dared read from his parents, burned with anticipation.
Before he’d finished his steadying breath, meant to calm him before reading their dreaded words, a flash of brown hair whizzing across the lake caught his attention. Someone, a girl, was skating across the top; gliding as though she was one with the wind.
As she stopped, Draco watched, entranced, as her breaths misted out into the air; her hair wild and free, with long curls that draped down her back. Reddened cheeks framed the bright tip of her nose and she wore a pale pink cardigan with a red and gold scarf draped around her shoulders.
Breath-taking, was the word he found to describe her.
“Did you want to join?” Her voice was soft and light as it pulled him from his observations.
He blinked. “Sorry?”
The girl skated over towards the edge of where he was sitting.
“Did you want to join me? I saw you watching me skate and wondered if you’d like to try.”
She was even more beautiful up close and Draco’s words caught in his throat. He offered her a sharp nod instead, standing to move towards her. With an expert flourish of her wand, the girl transfigured his black boots into a perfectly fitted pair of skates.
Now she was just showing off with all the ways she was perfect.
Clearing his throat, and finding a small crumb of courage, Draco extended his hand.
“I’m Draco Malfoy. It’s nice to meet you.”
The girl smiled brightly, and the world around them paused for a moment. The light from the setting sun danced in the deep brown of her eyes, and they pulled him in until he was entranced.
“I’m Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you.”
She took a hold of his hand and gave it a brief shake. Their hands were gloved but Draco wished he had felt her skin on his. He knew there would’ve been a spark at her touch.
“Have you ice skated before?” Hermione asked.
Draco nodded. “Yes. We have quite a few lakes that freeze over winter at Durmstrang. Though none have afforded me the beauty of the view here today.”
She smiled again. “Yes, Hogwarts is beautiful at this time of year.”
He, of course, was not talking about the school, but he agreed nonetheless.
Gesturing towards the lake with his hand, Draco stepped onto the frozen plane. “Shall we?”
A rush of warmth washed over him and he turned to see Hermione pocket her wand.
“It’s colder on the lake, especially when we start skating. The wind is bitterly cold today.”
They both sped off into the centre, spinning circles around each other before exploring the full expanse of the lake. Draco glided through a figure of eights, balancing on one foot then the other, and tried his hardest to stay upright. Although he was a skilled skater, the proximity to Hermione was making him nervous. It would only be his luck that, this time, he would fall on his arse.
A soft flurry of snow began to fall and each snowflake decorated the tips of the curls on her head. Draco was sure he had never seen anyone more stunning. Her smile was infectious and Draco’s cheeks were hurting by the time the snow began to slow and the sun dipped below the horizon. He didn’t think he’d laughed and smiled this much in ages.
They discussed the lives at the respective schools, their favourite subjects – of which Draco was pleased to find out they not only enjoyed similar ones, but were also top of their classes.
Pretty and smart. At this point he didn’t see any downsides.
She explained who her friends were, and how infuriated she was that they didn’t share her love of academia. Draco reassured there were some people in his group that were the same. They spoke about Christmas traditions, and how the unity Christmas project was a nice idea, despite being slightly useless once they all break up tomorrow and will be going home to spend the break with their families.
The sun slowly disappeared and, sufficiently tired out, both of them called it for the day, heading back to the edge of the lake. Once sat, Hermione transfigured their skates back into shoes.
Draco was breathless, and his nose was most assuredly frozen off, but he didn’t care. This was one of the best days of the year.
“Are you spending Christmas with your family?” Draco asked.
Hermione nodded. “Yes. It’s always heard this time of year to be away from them, but I love getting to go home and tell them all about the magic I’ve learned each term.”
Draco’s brow furrowed, but she continued.
“I can imagine it’s hard for you being so far from your parents.” She hesitated. “I, er, recognised your surname. Your father works in the Ministry alongside Ron’s father.”
He nodded. “It’s okay. Yeah, it’s hard, but we write a lot. My mother was not excited about sending me to Durmstrang, she loved Hogwarts and wanted me to attend here, and be closer to home.”
The snow began to fall and a snowflake landed atop Hermione’s cheek. Draco fought the urge to swipe it from her skin and bottle it for eternity. A pleasant silence settled, but something she said niggled at the back of his mind.
“Sorry,” he started. “You said tell them about the magic you’ve learned. Are your parents not…”
“I’m a muggleborn.”
“I see.”
There was a change in her expression as her back stiffened. “Is that a problem?” There was something defensive in her tone – but also nervous.
It did cause a slight hiccup in his plans to marry her, but he was sure his father would come around once he met her. His mother wouldn’t mind, though. His aunt was married to a muggle-born.
“No,” he rushed. “Not at all.”
Hermione relaxed, but a slow blush crept up her neck.
“Ugh, I’m sorry,” she said. “I was rude. Some people just, well, they can be a little judgey of those of us who have non-magical parents.”
Draco chuckled lightly. “If that was you being rude, I’d love to see what you deem being angry to be.” She huffed a laugh. “It’s fine, I understand that some people think like that. I find it ridiculous personally. My uncle Ted is one of the nicest people I know, and he’s a muggleborn.”
Hermione’s eyes blew wide.
“Really?” she said excitedly.
“Yes.” Draco laughed at her eagerness. “Maybe one day you can meet him?”
“That would be great. I adore my friends but sometimes I struggle to integrate into the magical world. They use references I don’t always understand and, because they’re used to it, they don’t know why I enjoy reading about the history of the magical world.”
An idea sparked in his brain.
“Well, if you enjoy reading. Malfoy Manor has one of the largest libraries in Britain. You could visit.”
If he thought she couldn't get anymore expressive, he was wrong. At the mere mention of a library, Hermione seemed as though she was about to bubble over with the buzzing energy she now had.
Although, a moment passed and the excitement dwindled, eclipsed by a sad look across her face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Well, I was just thinking that,”– she sighed –“we won’t see each other again. So I guess it won’t really work out for me to visit. After Christmas, you’ll return to Durmstrang and I’ll be here.”
Silence spread once more, but this time it was solemn.
Hermione took a breath before continuing. “It’s a shame really, I was enjoying your company. I mean, it isn’t everyday a smart, handsome wizard lands in my lap who wants to discuss charm theory and potion techniques. Or offer for me to come and visit his century old library.”
She laughed at her comment, but Draco was hung-up on the fact she’d called him handsome. Sure his mother said it all the time; but this was different.
“Maybe? Or maybe not,” he quipped.
Her brow lifted in question.
Draco pulled the crinkled letter from his inside pocket, passing it between his hands as nervousness built within him. This letter could now not only hold the answer to his wish, but also the hope for a future in which he could get to know Hermione better.
It was small, and the Malfoy seal was a vibrant green against the brown paper.
“This letter is my parents' response to my asking if I could transfer to Hogwarts. I sent it two days ago, once I’d seen how beautiful the castle was. I was already worried they’d decline, but now,” he looked at her, “I’m terrified. Because, if they say no, I won’t get to see you. And I so very much want to see you after the holidays.”
She smiled and Draco couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out.
“I want to come back and the first thing I see is your beautiful face. Bright and rosy from the chill. I want you to talk my ear off about all of the things you did over the Christmas holidays, and all the traditions you and your parents have in the muggle world. I want to speak to you about assignments and classes. I want to get to know you better and…”
He trailed, unsure of whether to continue.
Hermione placed her hand over his. “And?”
“And I want to be someone who you feel everything for. The way I do for you. I didn’t believe in fate, but something brought me here to you, Hermione."
She was quiet for a second. Dread rushed through him in the fear that he’d over spoke.
“I don’t like divination,” she began. “But I might be inclined to agree with you there, Draco.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “I guess we better see if it’s still on our side.”
With trembling hands, Draco popped the seal on the letter and unfolded it. His eyes skimmed the text, but he didn’t truly take in the words until Hermione spoke up.
“Well, Draco. It seems I’ll be able to tell you all about my Christmas holidays.”
He looked up at her, watching the happiness spread across her face.
“Welcome to Hogwarts.”