Song for the Chapter: Love ~ Lana Del Rey

Draco's POV

Hermione giggled, twisting her wrist and admiring the little sparkling charms on the bracelet. "I don't think you deserve one," she grinned.

"What?" I demanded, in mock-surprise. "I'm the perfect friend. I'm annoying, irritating, dashing and handsome --"

"And the biggest git on the planet," concluded Hermione, getting to her feet. "Honestly, though, there's nobody else I'd rather spend my Christmas with."

Alarm bells! I wasn't expecting that.

"Oh..." For once, I had no idea what to say to her. "Well, that's...thanks, Hermione." I forced a smile. She shouldered her bag and grinned.

"I'm going to the library," she announced.

"Seriously?" I asked incredulously. "Hermione, it's Christmas! Even Madam Pince has a break sometimes! Have the day off, please."

"I would, but that would mean more time spent with you..." smirked Hermione, tapping her chin as though deep in thought. "No. I think I'll pass. See you at dinner."

I gaped after her. Oh, she was definitely going to be a workaholic when she was older.

↟↟↟

It was freezing in the castle.

I couldn't find Hermione anywhere. It was way past dinner, and apparently, Hogwarts: A History was way more interesting than food. Not in my opinion, anyway.

So I headed out of the great hall and stumbled down the dark corridors until, finally, I reached the library.

It was totally dark in there, aside from a flickering lantern that I could just see between bookshelves. Swallowing, I crept towards it, and almost face palmed.

There was Hermione, her head on the desk, hands resting on a half-open book, fast asleep. The candle on the desk was almost out, and her arms were in serious danger of slipping off the desk.

I didn't really want to wake her up. Most likely, she'd shoo me away, bite my head off, or both. So I waved my wand and had the lantern float just above my shoulder while I tackled picking up Hermione.

I'd done this before, right? Should be pretty easy. I wrapped my arms securely around her waist and lifted her up. She was even lighter than usual, which I hoped was from missing dinner. She really needed to eat something.

The corridors were totally deserted. I wanted to take her back to her common room, but there was no way I was getting in there. For a start, I didn't know the password, and anybody who saw me in the Gryffindor girl's dorm would most likely have me killed.

So that was a dead plan.

My only real option was going back to my common room, but that was just as bad. If anybody other than Blaise saw me carrying a Gryffindor, and a Muggle-born at that, they'd probably kill me, too. Only, more violently.

And with more aggressive mauling.

But it really was my only plan. 

"Christmas lights," I muttered, stood outside the sliding passage door to the common room. The stone creaked and I slipped inside, wondering where I could put Hermione. Not in my bed. Granted, the only other person in the dorm was Blaise, since everyone had gone home for Christmas, but I still didn't trust her there.

So I set her down on the nearest sofa, opposite the fire, as gently as I could. I blew out the lantern, got the fire going with a tap of my wand, and then found a blanket to throw over her. This was probably the nicest thing I'd done in weeks, and I wasn't exactly a nice person.

I didn't want to leave her alone, go back upstairs and be nice and snug in my bed while Hermione was about to wake up in an unfamiliar common room, full of people who hated her.

That would be horrible.

I groaned and grabbed another blanket, threw it out on the floor beside the sofa, and settled myself for what was about to be the most uncomfortable night's sleep I'd ever had. 

Not before I leant over her and gently kissed her forehead, though. Just to make sure she was okay. Obviously.

Author's Note: Hi! I know it's been a while but I'm going to try and be more consistent with my updates. Vote and comment as usual! Thank you SO much for 1.5K!!