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Hermione stepped through the fireplace of Grimmauld Place and immediately saw Harry waiting for Ginny at the base of the stairs. Hearing her arrival, he pulled her into a hug. A moment later, Ron and Lavender appeared. Hermione was thankful that they had all matured in the years since Hogwarts. Despite a disasterous attempt at a relationship between her and Ron, she and Lavender were actually friends now. A fact that the Daily Prophet never seemed to understand if the jealous ex headlines were anything to go by.
“You look beautiful, Hermione,” Lavender said, with a smile. Hermione was wearing a floor length emerald gown.
“She’s wearing it because she’s hoping to run into Malfoy this year,” Ginny teased as she walked down the stairs.
Heat flooded Hermione’s cheeks. Her friend was right. This was the fourth time she had agreed to the attend the Malfoy’s annual Christmas masquerade. Every time, her eyes scanned the crowd for a certain platinum blond but to no avail. She inwardly sighed at herself. If only she could forget the time they spent together in sixth year, hidden behind the stacks in the library or hidden in the Room of Requirement. She just needed to see him once more to confirm for herself if she were stuck in the past or if there was a chance. If only he hadn’t made it difficult by disappearing from the public eye after the war ended. The elder Malfoys were still active, repairing their reputation, but she only heard news of Draco at their annual Christmas masquerade.
Now that the whole group had assembled, they all donned on their enchanted masks. Hermione watched as the masks obscured their faces and even changed the color of their hair. The tendrils of hair resting against her cheek turned from a warm brown to a cool platinum blond.
Ron chuckled, “you look a Malfoy now. Maybe that’s how you’ll attract him tonight. You know, I still don’t understand it, Hermione.” If Hermione didn’t see the transformation, she would never have guessed Ron was talking to her. With the mask, his voice sounded so different, deeper. She would have to talk to many people tonight in order to find Draco; she hoped she would be able to recognize him.
With a few more jokes about her crush, and many eye rolls later, the group finally departed through the floo. They arrived in a floo parlour decorated with boughs of pine, red ribbons, and magical snow sprinkling from the ceiling and dusting them momentarily before fading away without a trace. Candles and floating baubles guided their path to the ballroom where they could already hear the orchestra playing a waltz. At the entrance, they saw three figures greeting everyone. Hermione assumed the one in the middle with a golden filigree mask and black hair was Draco with an enchanted mask. Even with the mask, she could tell he looked bored while the other two people had the grace to appear excited as they greeted everyone. As they got closer to the hosts, Hermione straightened her back and shoulders. This was going to be the year. Her eye traced his form, memorizing his clothes, his appearance.
“Thank you joining us tonight, I hope you enjoy the festivities. Do watch out for the mistletoe. You may find it in surprising locations,” Narcissa said, sweeping her hand to the entrance. Hermione could already see some bunches of mistletoe hanging in random locations through the ballroom.
“Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy. Everything looks beautiful,” Hermione said before turning to Draco, “I hope you can save me a dance.”
Hermione was admiring the snowflakes drifting down from the ceiling. While dancing with Harry, they subtly avoided the many bundles of floating mistletoe. She had never seen so many in one place. It seemed like every couple of meters, mistletoe floated above them. The last thing anyone wanted was a picture of her kissing any of them under the mistletoe.
“May I have this dance,” a voice said after tapping on Harry’s shoulder. Draco. With a chuckle, Harry bowed to Hermione before passing her hand to Draco’s. Hermione sharply squeezed Harry’s hand in warning.
“I was wondering if you’d come find me,” she said softly as she curtsied to Draco as he bowed to her. Her heart pounded as she felt his warmth spread through her. “I’ve waited a long time to see you. You are a difficult man to get a hold of Draco Malfoy.”
He laughed, but his eyes remained neutral. “You know they say witches love a mysterious man. I must say I am curious now. You speak as if you know me well, yet I cannot tell who you are with these enchanted masks.”
“A mystery makes it more fun, no? Maybe if you’re good, you’ll find out who I am, but right now it’s too early. I want to enjoy this dance,” she said with a laugh. A part of her prepared for rejection while another part of her savored the moment. While dancing, she could pretend that he wanted a relationship again, a real one.
They continued dancing in silence. Draco lifted his arm, and she took the cue to twirl, letting her dress fan out and sparkle under the lights from above. With the last note from a violin, they stared into each other's eyes as they bowed and curtsied to the other. Her skin still felt the warmth from his touch.
“Would you like to get a drink?” she asked.
He nodded and offered her his arm, which she accepted with a smile. Her heart pounded. She would need to confront him soon; there were only so many excuses she could make to prolong their time together. WHen they got to the bar, he ordered himself a firewhiskey while she told him to surprise her. He ended up choosing a rose champagne that would quickly become her favorite.
She took a large sip of the champagne and looked at Draco, “can we talk on the balcony?”
“I’m intrigued. I’ll talk with you, only if you remove your mask.”
She laughed, “breaking the rules, are we? How scandalous. I’ll remove it outside.”
They finished their drinks, and he once again offered his arm. They were about to reach the door to the balcony when suddenly they became rooted to the spot. Looking up, they saw one of the many mistletoes staring them down.
Hermione leaned in, raising herself up on her tiptoes; her hands holding onto his lapels. This close, she could smell the faint scent of peppermint. Even after all these years, he was still a part of her amortentia. Draco closed the distance, curtly placing his lips on hers. He might as well have offered her a handshake with the amount of emotion in the kiss, and yet, she couldn’t help the butterflies that formed.
His mask faded from view, removing the enchantments that turned his hair black and eyes the color of amber. The colors morphed into the platinum blond and silver she was used to. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him out onto the balcony and pulled off her mask.
“Hermione,” he said softly.
She leaned against the railing, feeling the coolness through the silks of her dress. “Hi, Draco.” He stepped closer to her; their breaths mingling in the wintry air.
“You are the most amazing witch I’ve met! I’ve waited for five years for someone to break my curse.” He picked up her hand, laying it on his cheek as he looked reverently down at her.
She brushed her thumb across his cheek, “what was your curse? How did I break it?”
“I was cursed to wear a mask until I received true love’s kiss. You broke it by loving me. You still love me? After five years of no contact?” At her nod, he pulled her into a hug, “I’m relieved. A part of me always hoped you would feel the same. I wanted to find you after the final battle but every other time I tried to seek you out, something compelled me not to.”
“You still love me too?” Her voice was a whisper as she pulled back to search his face.
He laughed, “to be honest, I haven’t stopped. I would happily go back inside and tell everyone we are courting if you’d let me.”
“You can tell everyone we’re courting if you give me a proper kiss.”
Both of his hands cupped her cheeks as he leaned in for a kiss. This time, his lips were gentle and savored each touch. She melted into him, wrapping her arms around him.
“Happy Christmas, Draco. I love you.”
“I love you too.”