Hullo hullo lovelies!

I know, it's only been two days and I am updating again. I warn you, don't get too accustomed to this swift updating schedule because I'm not sure how long it'll be between posting chapters. I just know that I really want to get to the end of Part I by the end of this year. Something that seems tentatively feasible.

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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, and only the story line and any OC's belong to me.

For AEdmo13, your reviews always bring me such joy as do our long discussions x

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Friday, December 1st, 1978

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"For graduates, you must love this school if you keep visiting with such frequency." Minerva stated, using the flame at the tip of her wand to light the trio of black wax candles on her coffee table.

Hermione was curled up on the loveseat, her legs tucked under her. Her black cardigan had fallen off of her shoulders. Draco was beside her, reclining comfortably, an arm across the back of the loveseat, and one leg crossed over the other.

"Although, I should have expected your arrival today of all days," McGonagall said softly. She extinguished the small orange flame, and stowed her wand behind her ear. The witch was dressed comfortably in casual emerald day robes, and her wavy, raven hair was freely flowing down her back (a rare sight that Hermione had only been privy to once before). Hermione smiled at the black slippers with the silhouette of a white cat stitched across them on her feet.

More and more disappearances were reported by the day, and Hermione did not envy Harold Minchum's job. The Muggle Prime Minister, James Callaghan was dealing with what would be one day be known as the 'Winter of Discontent'. Thus, Hermione imagined the steady disappearances and mysterious deaths of his people only served to make the man's life inordinately more difficult. She wouldn't wish that burden on anyone.

A bright spot in the darkness was Peter's semi-regular visits as of late. He'd been round at least thrice a week for the past two weeks. He joined them for dinner on the weekends when James and Sirius were off from Auror training. Last week he'd been on an Order mission with James and Lily and they'd invited him back to the Manor for the evening. (They'd been tasked with transporting a few Muggleborns' parents out of the country, as Voldemort's followers appeared to be targeting them as of late.)

Hermione's potion had been more potent that she originally anticipated and thus Remus still had pink hair. Peter was greatly amused by this when he first saw it, and mercilessly teased him during every subsequent interaction. Mipsy emptily threatened to cut Remus's long hair on a daily basis.

The werewolf wanted to press for details when Hermione informed him that Draco and herself would be out late and not to wait for them to eat supper. They didn't budge an inch. He asked if he was at least allowed to know if they were meeting with anyone. Draco muttered McGonagall. Remus'd sighed, but accepted the vague answer.

It was a quiet evening, and Hermione and Draco managed to share their first impressions of each other when they'd first met, as well as a harmless story with Minerva. The Vow wasn't as forceful and unforgiving around the witch. Hermione also decided to show her former Professor her animagus form. McGonagall was displeased that they hadn't registered with the Ministry, but on the other hand seeing how things were going, perhaps that had been a wise decision. She did let the pair know how proud she was of them practicing such advanced magic successfully at a young age.

Draco asked after the Quidditch team, his underclassmen and how they were running things. Minerva smiled triumphantly and informed them that May and Jasper were keeping the team in tip-top shape and she hoped to secure the Quidditch Cup for the eighth year in a row.

The trio idly passed the hours by chattering about the state of Hogwarts, the state of their society and more lighthearted topics like how they were doing. Hermione informed McGonagall of Lily's new baking obsession and the witch cracked a large smile.

It was almost midnight when the Potters bid their former Professor farewell. She hugged her robes to her person as the pair disappeared into the green flames of her fireplace. She'd opened her floo connection for the evening as her instincts dictated she should. So when Draco's fox Patronus had arrived earlier that evening requesting a visit, she hadn't been surprised.

Minerva found herself lost in thought as she stared at the orange flames. From their past haunted looks and grave tones she knew the war would be dreadful, but she couldn't help but wonder just how dreadful.

The thought plagued her the rest of the night, and she did not rest well. And when she saw Albus the following morning at breakfast, she refused to pass him the pumpkin juice in a petulant act of defiance.

Hermione and Draco Potter were some of the strongest wix she'd ever come across, and the fear she'd seen in their eyes before never failed to strike terror within her heart. She admired the mental fortitude they possessed to live with the knowledge of everything to pass. She also hated that Albus had ripped away their choice and free will; for the greater good. So, she would not pass him the pumpkin juice, nor the toast when he asked. He could get his own damn juice.

Tuesday, December 5th, 1978

Hermione and Draco Potter's Nineteenth 'Birthday'

Potter Manor

Lily had briefly heard about what happened to the Potter 'twins' last birthday cake, and took it upon herself to make another version; one they would actually eat this time. The lioness was enthusiastic, and overjoyed at the prospect of throwing a party.

Hermione and Draco insisted she needn't go to too much effort, but the pleas fell on deaf ears. The daily news held within The Prophet's pages had dulled the shine on their sanctuary in the past few weeks, and Lily was determined to bring some brightness back into their home.

She'd enlisted James and Remus's help with the baking: Remus snuck small tastes throughout every stage, James was intently focused but somehow got buttercream in his hair, and Lily made delicate, dainty sugar butterflies whose wings moved with the assistance of some nifty charmwork.

The multi-layered lemon cake with vanilla buttercream frosting, adorned with magical, sapphire butterflies and shiny, pink edible pearls was in the middle of the Dining Table.

Over in the Sun room, Mipsy floated about, adding black and gold balloons and streamers around the space.

Hermione and Draco were firmly instructed to not participate in any of the decorating or dinner prep (Sirius was in charge of that). They settled for hanging around the kitchen whilst Sirius cooked, wondrous smells swirling about the room.

Remus, James, Lily, Peter, Mary and Marlene were busily helping Mipsy ready the Sun Room for the impromptu party. Several of their friends would be in attendance later that evening: Frank, Alice, Dorcas, Emmeline, Kira and Nancy. Peter would be staying the night, as would Mary and Marlene. Peter and Mary would share his old room, and Marlene could pick whichever she fancied amongst the free ones.

Sirius was finely chopping a red onion, when a frown knitted his brow together. He paused, carefully placing the knife down on the cutting board. He placed his hands on either side of the board and in an unreadable tone said, "throw up silencing charms, maybe lace a repelling charm in there as well."

Before Hermione or Draco could, James wandered into the room. He seemed to be searching for something, focused on the task at hand as he wandered from cupboard to cupboard.

Hermione raised a brow, and Sirius shrugged. Hermione complied with his request. She had a cherry lollipop in her mouth, her lips stained red due to the confectionary. Peter had brought a basket full of sweets and pastries (a lot of the pastries Mary had baked). Draco was munching on Sugar Quills beside her.

The couple was on the opposite side of the island, out of Sirius's way, flipping through a Quidditch Magazine. Even in times of war, the sport was going strong and the Arrows were set to play against the Cannons the following week. Hermione was contemplating obtaining tickets.

"Are you ever going to tell, Lilypad? I think Red can be trusted with the secret at this point. She's one of us."

Hermione removed her lollipop with a satisfying popping sound. She handed it to Draco, and he wordlessly took it into his own mouth. She licked her bottom lip, and carefully said, "Draco and I were just discussing that."

James halted in his search, leaving one of the upper cabinets ajar. He leant against the counter. "It's completely up to you both. It is your secret…but—"

"We should still tell her?" Draco asked, the lollipop pushed into his right cheek, creating a small hill.

A cheeky grin made its way onto Padfoot's features, washing away the grave air hanging around the kitchen. "How about we make a wager on how she'll react."

"She'll be surprised. That much is a given, but she'll probably take it leagues better than you did, Pads." Draco teased softly.

"My reaction was completely justified," Sirius reminded him. Sirius picked the knife up once more, and meticulously resumed his onion chopping. The sound of the knife's blade hitting the wooden surface filling the room.

"Of course it was…but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt," Draco said in a startling moment of honesty.

All movement ceased. Sirius halted in his chopping, placed the knife down again, wiped his hands across the front of his apron, and cautiously strode around the island. There was a thin space between Sirius and Draco when the former came to a halt.

Draco had removed the lollipop, and Hermione had taken it back, but she was rolling its white stick between her fingers absently. Her eyes were glazed over as she stared at the image of the Arrows Seeker whizzing about a Quidditch Pitch.

Draco's face was contorted in a grimace, and he'd lowered his gaze as if ashamed. Wordlessly, Sirius turned the man towards him and pulled Draco in for a hug.

"I don't know what I'll do if she reacts similarly," Draco confessed. His fingers wound into the fabric of Sirius's jumper as he buried his face in Sirius's shoulder.

"Are you crying, Paws?"

"No," Draco bit out, but the word was muffled.

Hermione poked his side, taking a lick of her lollipop. "She won't. It's Lily. She may hex us both for not telling her sooner…"

"But she won't hate you," James supplied, he'd moved whilst their attentions were elsewhere and was now a calm presence behind his sister. He tugged her back against his chest, wrapping his arms loosely around her shoulders. Curving over her as he bent to drop a kiss to her head.

"She could never hate you," Sirius said kindly. "It shocked me, and I reacted badly…but I could never hate you."

Draco's body shook at Sirius's words, still refusing to show his face. "Do you promise?"

A soft noise of pleasant surprise left Sirius's mouth. "Paws," Sirius tried, but Draco didn't respond. Sirius shifted to grip Draco's face, hands on his cheeks as he raised the wizard's head.

Draco's eyes were watery, bloodshot, but he wasn't crying. He looked pained, and Sirius was taken aback by the fragile state of his best mate. "I could never hate you, Draco." Sirius said. A dam of relief burst through Draco, as time wore on, that was a question that plagued his nightmares.

"I love you, Padfoot," Draco said. The admission gobsmacked Sirius. Draco rarely spoke his feelings aloud. The rest of the pack knew how much he cared about them through his crude but loving teases, his nicknames and physical affections.

"Did you break something? Steal the last gingersnap cookie? Kill someone?"

Draco let out a wet laugh, "none of the above, Padfoot. Is it really so strange for me to say I love you?"

"Yes," the three of them chorused. Draco shot Hermione a droll stare over his shoulder, lips twisted in annoyance.

"You're the last one who should say that, witch."

"You haven't told me for a few weeks. I said what I said," Hermione smiled, unlike her significant other, tears were welling up in her eyes.

"Well. It's true. I love you all."

"You love me the most, of course. Aside from Hermione," James said confidently, tears pricking the corners of his eyes as well, emotion crashing about inside him.

Draco was endlessly grateful that he'd thrown caution to the wind all those years ago, choosing to stick by Hermione. Draco was thankful he'd become a part of this family, and that he'd been gifted with James Potter as a brother.

"Maybe," Draco teased. James protested loudly, letting go of his sister to tackle Sirius and Draco to the ground. The men ended up entangled, laughing on the hardwood.

The party that evening was raucous. They all needed to blow off steam. Frank and Alice were both toned and stronger than when Hermione had last seen them; the effects of Moody's relentless training. Dorcas had pasties over her nipples, a sheer, blue, long-sleeved button down shirt that was cinched at the wrist and tucked into her denim shorts. She'd lost her shoes at some point. Emmeline's hair was turquoise and almost to her shoulders. She'd climbed onto Sirius's shoulders and had tasked Marlene with throwing random trivia her way. For every answer she got wrong, she'd have to take a shot of Firewhisky.

Mary and Peter were more subdued than their friends, sharing an armchair—Mary was comfortably seated sideways in Peter's lap—and they were feeding each other some of the delicious birthday cake.

Kira was attempting to do three cartwheels in a row, and Nancy was watching her, a glass of elf wine in hand as she did.

Hermione and Lily passed a bottle of Odgen's Finest between them, doing a folk dance of sorts. James, Remus and Draco joined in. They moved in a large circle, but broke off into pairs. James with Remus, Lily with Draco and they spun around Hermione.

Emmeline eventually hopped off of Sirius's shoulders, and the rest of the room's occupants began to dance with the quintet. Oscillating between pairs, and linking arms to twirl in a massive circle.

Magic charged in the air around them, the twinkling balls of blue light Mipsy created danced about the ceiling. Hermione threw her head back and the lights spun in a dizzying, bewitching way. Their surroundings were awash with the light they gave off.

The first snowfall of the year gently cascaded outside, and they could see it through the vast windows if they only dared to look. The world was painted a wintery blue hue. Sirius swept Hermione off of her feet, skipping about in the centre of the circle.

Lily had been right. They needed this.

The crimson haired girl had been stolen away from Draco by his brother, and James held her closely as they waltzed about. They were lost in each other. Emmeline interrupted their moment—popping their bubble—by stealing Lily away, and twirling her artfully.

Sirius put Hermione down, spinning her in front of him. Her feet were a bit clumsy, but hastily moved in front of the other to keep her upright. She slammed into the warm front of her Alpha. Her werewolf. Hermione toyed with the silky pink strands on his head as he wrapped her up in his embrace and the pair swayed back and forth.

James jumped on Draco's back and the boys were spinning, their colours blurry and streaky as they moved. They were alive, vibrant, bright and shiny.

Hermione didn't know what time the party ended. But she awoke, her body entangled with Remus and Sirus's. They were lying on the ground in the Drawing room (Merlin knows how that happened), and one quick peek told her that no one had made it back to their own homes that night. The room was brimming with their slumbering friends. Hermione clung to her boys in the darkness, her eyes fluttering shut, and she slipped into a deep sleep once more.

Sunday, December 24th, 1978

Christmas Eve

Potter Manor

None of the Manor's occupants were in a particularly festive mood that year. Everyone except Sirius was ready to let the day waste away. He'd burst into all of their rooms, banging pots together and declaring they were going to build a blanket fort.

Draco had thrown a pillow at him and asked if they were five. Sirius had grinned wolfishly and replied, "see that's the spirit, Paws. Now pick up that pillow and let's get going. We have a fort to build."

Several hours later, Lily and Remus were putting the finishing touches on the fort in one of the living rooms. It spanned from that space, down the corridor and ended in a spare room they didn't really use. Sizeable spaces were built with pillows connected by long, winding cushion tunnels. Blankets thrown over the tops created roofs.

Their friends were in the other room, hanging balls of light and decorating the space of their elaborate fort. It was rather extravagant, but Sirius had a vision.

Quietly, Lily asked, "are you going to leave again, Remus?"

The pair had been dutifully working in silence until that point, and the sudden question shocked the wizard. He adjusted the blanket flaps that led into the main part of the fort in this room, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.

Lily didn't repeat her question or seek out an answer. The silence around them was soft. Remus considered that perhaps she hadn't meant for him to hear her.

"I don't want to," Remus said eventually.

Lily pushed aside the flaps and crawled into the fort, away from him, or mayhaps urging him to follow her. He did. She was sitting in the middle of the quaint yet not confined space, her knees drawn to her chest, bright eyes sparkling in the dim light as she watched him. A pinstripe black and white button down shirt with a crisp collar that wasn't buttoned at the top was tucked into a pair of black culottes. Red socks were on her feet.

"Then don't," Lily said in a fierce whisper.

"I'll have to. I don't know when…I'm the only one who can garner information from the packs for the Order."

"That went so well last time," Lily said. Her voice was harsh and full of concern. Lily played with the tops of her knees, shifting the fabric of her pants in the process, the litany of thin, finely made copper rings on her fingers catching the meagre light. "You've barely gained back the weight you lost."

"They are starving, Lily. Suffering. It makes Full Moons worse because their wolves are restless, famished and irritable. And I've heard Belby is working on a Wolfsbane potion, but they don't have that option available to them."

"Why doesn't Draco—"

Remus shook his head. "The Unbreakable Vow won't allow him to share it with anyone else."

Hermione and Draco's Unbreakable Vow was a touchy topic. Lily knew it existed, but that was the extent of her knowledge. The only reason she was aware of it was because Draco had tried to break his several months ago, and as a result the Vow had retaliated, trying to kill him.

"What sort of Vow did they make?" Lily asked, but couldn't inquire further as movement rustled from the tunnel of couch cushions to their right.

The wizard in question appeared, a curious look about him. His hair was wild, standing on edge as if he'd been electrocuted. Draco noticed their eyes on his head and he shrugged, "Hermione." As if the witch's name was a satisfactory answer. Remus snorted, but shifted from the entrance to allow Draco room to crawl into the space with them. He knelt before them, hands resting on his thighs.

"A pesky Vow that makes me want to gouge Dumbledore's eyeballs out," Draco answered after a moment, a dreamy smile affixed to his attractive features. Half of a snort, half of a laugh left Remus. Lily's eyes widened. Remus knew she was aware there was no love between their former Headmaster and Draco, but she'd probably never heard him plainly voice his disdain of the man.

Remus supposed it was because his interactions with the man were limited now that they had graduated, and in school he was wise enough to not denounce one of the wizarding world's heroes for all to hear.

"Is that all you heard?" Remus asked warily. Draco's head snapped in his direction.

"Why? Is there something you don't want me to know about?" Draco shot back, a frightening calmness wafted off of him.

"No," Remus lied badly; he never was any good at lying to his fellow Marauders. Draco saw through it, but with a wry twist of his lips he decided to let it go.

"The others are waiting in the other room. I was sent to fetch you," Draco said. With that, he turned around and crawled back down the tunnel; Draco was wearing black socks, and his wiggling toes were the last thing Remus saw before he disappeared round a bend in the tunnel.

"You do have a choice, Moony," Lily said. She reached out to cup his cheek. "You don't have to go back." With that parting sentiment, she got onto all fours and followed in Draco's wake, until she too vanished. Remus swallowed thickly, alone for a moment.

"But I do," Remus whispered shamefully into the oppressive quiet space. Because he truly thought he did, he was convinced that this was a bit of good only he could do with condition. Remus didn't wholly understand that he didn't have to. Some part of him felt he owed it to Dumbledore, despite everything he'd done. The man gave Remus a place to belong when Dumbledore advocated with his parents for him to attend Hogwarts. A place that allowed him to meet his pack.

Remus didn't understand that he was already in the best place for him, the place where he could do the most amount of good. Not as a werewolf, but simply as a Marauder, as a wizard, as a man; as Remus John Lupin.

Sunday, December 31st, 1978

New Year's Eve

Potter Manor

The Potter brood brought in the new year quietly. They hosted a 'small' gathering for all of their friends. James had spontaneously invited Kingsley and Moody. Their floo lit up numerous times that evening as their guests arrived.

Unlike Hermione and Draco's boisterous birthday celebration, this one was more refined and civil. The guest milled about the rarely used Ballroom. Yesterday, Mipsy had polished the marble floor until it glittered and gleamed. The Potters rarely used this wing of the house, but decided it fit the theme they were going for.

Wintery decorations of silver, ivory and pale blue were carefully placed and organised. Lily had seen to that. It was another one of her projects in between Order missions.

An ice statue of a lion, snake, raven and badger interacting was in the middle of the room. The statue felt alive, despite its inactivity. It was a moment of the animals interacting frozen in time. Charms had been cast to prevent it from melting.

For the first time in years the Shacklebolts did not host their annual New Year's party. Kingsley informed Draco that his Mum didn't have the heart for it. Especially after Charlus's passing.

They'd all dressed formally, and were a sight to behold.

Hermione's dress was silvery blue with a salacious slit up the left side that hung tightly to her curves. The fabric was sheer but bits that criss-crossed over the swell of her breasts with cropped sleeves that ended on the curve of her shoulders. Her impractical, slender heels glittered with silver as she moved.

Lily's dress was a shade darker than her hair, sleek, with a deep, plunging v-shaped neckline that ended above her belly button, and the entirety of her back was exposed; part of her doe tattoo peeked through. James had almost tripped over his dragonhide shoes in all his finery when he saw her.

Draco opted for an emerald and black ensemble, his robes impeccably tailored. Sirius had grumbled about it, but was wearing an all black outfit. His black waistcoat and matching button-down shirt were unbuttoned at the top, exposing his chest. Remus's attire was similar to Sirius's except he wore his properly, his waistcoat was plum coloured, and crushed velvet.

Hermione had gone all out purchasing their outfits in Diagon Alley earlier that week. Since their prior incident, the Death Eaters left the area alone for the most part. However, there was a heaviness that hung over the cobblestone streets and several businesses had closed. The interiors of the shops that you could glimpse through the cracks in their boarded-up windows were dim and dour.

Nancy played the violin in the corner, its smooth, dulcet tones gleefully bounding through the room. Dorcas was accompanying her on the piano, and Emmeline was singing in a siren-like manner, ensnaring the room's occupants in her net.

The grand piano was a relic of parties and days long gone, but Mipsy popped in every now and then to tend to it.

At one point, Moody dragged all his Auror trainees together and told them they had the following day off, and to spend it wisely.

Marlene was donned in emerald: her jewellery and gown alike. It was similar to Lily's aside from the fact that it ended shortly after the curve of her arse, leaving her long legs on display. It clung to her in all the right places. The girl had chopped off her hair again, and it brushed the bottom of her earlobes, cut in a sharp, angular bob. Black satin gloves came just above the crook of her elbow.

The emerald rings on her fingers glinted in the bright light coming from the floating orbs around them as she examined the tattoo behind Draco's ear. She turned his head to the side with one hand to get a better gander at it.

"How did I not see it the last time I was here?" Marlene asked. Draco teased and said perhaps she wasn't as observant as she thought. She swatted him lightly on the arm for his cheek. She left his side in search of her date for the night, Fabian Prewett. The pair had been courting casually since that first Order meeting.

Hermione was an excellent host, flitting from one group to the next. She was also the first person to find out that Frank had proposed to Alice. She squealed in joy when she saw the modest diamond on Alice's finger. She hugged them both tightly as she congratulated them.

Draco watched the interaction from across the room, saw the ring, and swallowed thickly. A tinge of jealousy rushed through him. What came so easily for them, was a treacherous, practically impossible path for him to tread. He couldn't openly shower his witch with affection, he couldn't place the ring burning against his chest on her finger.

Ten days ago, Draco was holding the ring Charlus had given him, and contemplating proposing to Hermione.

Draco was standing by one of the windows in his room. Hands tucked in his pockets, and a square box was nestling in his right palm. He'd been thinking about his future recently and in every possible version Hermione was there, and children were involved. Draco wasn't ready for children, but the concept of their future children made him smile wistfully.

One day—in the future—they would have a wedding where all of their friends and family were invited.

It was a foolish dream to envision all of their friends from the past amongst their loved ones they'd left behind in the future, but it was a picture he liked. It kept the nightmares at bay some nights. Draco also imagined Ron and Harry beside James and Lily, both of them smiling brightly, arms outstretched, welcoming him into the fold.

That was another dream. Draco knew it would take time before either Ron or Harry opened up to him. A thought that stung, but he understood why. No time at all would have passed for them if his and Hermione initial calculations were correct. To them, he would still be Draco Malfoy.

"Why are you all glum and broody?" Hermione asked from his doorway. Draco continued to stare out at the winter wonderland before them. Draco didn't answer her. Hermione sighed heavily at that.

Draco leaned against the window frame, he exhaled hotly through his nostrils, partially fogging up the window panes. Draco's bedroom door softly clicked shut, and he heard her footfalls as she made her way over to him.

Hermione slid her hands around him, her wand in hand. She swished it behind his back, muttering softly. "Look up," Hermione urged him gently. Draco's eyes flitted upwards, his head following the motion. Mistletoe. A sprig of it had sprouted from the ceiling, it sparkled as it grew.

Draco smiled morosely, his hand clenched on the velvet box in his hand, still hidden from view. "Hermione."

"The mistletoe means you have to kiss me."

"I know what it means—" Hermione tiptoed, and kissed the tip of his chin. Draco bent at the middle, words failing him as he captured her lips in a sweet, gentle manner. Trying to convey what language could not. The left hand left his pocket and wound around her waist, his fingers fisting in her lacy black robes.

They part, and confidence threaded through his veins, and in a clumsy fashion not befitting his usual demeanor he withdraws the box from his pocket. Hermione barely caught a glimpse of its black exterior before she pulled away from him.

"No."

"Hermione—"

The witch's eyes were rounded in shock, one hand raised to her lips, the other holding her wand tightly at her side. "No."

"Why not? We are planning on spending the rest of our lives together. We love each other—"

"It's not the right time, Draco. In every conceivable way. This isn't our time," Hermione said sadly. The hand by her mouth furling into a fist as sorrow filled her hazel irises.

Draco shoved the box back into his pocket. It was a foolish fantasy. Part of him knows she is right, but the other part wants to cuss and scream his protestations. He worked his jaw, eyes ablaze with sapphire shards as he avoided looking at her.

"When we return to the future…when we're able to be together, truly be together. Ask me again." Hermione took a small step forward, Draco flinched backwards.

"I want to marry you, Draco. But I can't properly wear that ring right now. Lily doesn't even know we're together."

"That's a piss poor excuse, Hermione."

He might as well have slapped her with how cruel and cold his tone was. Hermione trembled on the spot, with frustration at their circumstance and irritation at his behaviour.

"I want to proudly claim you as mine, and one day I'll be able to, but you know as well as I do that that time is not now."

Draco sighed, his cold anger ebbing out of him. He understood that. It's logical and reasonable.

Hermione swallowed thickly, hugging herself as she repeated her earlier sentiment. "One day, when we get back...ask me again."

Draco nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Hermione quietly left the room, leaving him with a torrent of tumultuous thoughts. He doesn't know how long he stood there, his vision blurring as he turned to gaze out the window once more.

Mirthful sounds reached his ears. A flash of crimson. Lily, Remus, James and Sirius burst out of the house and tumbled into the snow. Bundled up in thick layers, they played in the white powder much like young children, bright-eyed and bushy tailed.

Remus and James made snow angels side-by-side, faces flush with the nipping cold. Lily and Sirius engaged in a snowball fight, forming the balls by hand, their wands stashed away and hurling the packed snow at the other with breathy laughs.

It's not our time. Hermione's words reverberated through his skull. He knew it wasn't, but that didn't make this any easier.

Initially things had been a touch frosty between the couple after Draco's botched proposal, but they were almost back to normal now. It was as if it had never happened.

Draco'd slipped the ring onto the chain with the pendant Hermione had given him years ago. He was often painfully aware of its presence. Sirius, Remus and James had all noticed since, but none of them commented on it. Lily was blissfully oblivious in this regard, she hadn't detected the new addition around his neck. Hermione never mentioned or acknowledged it.

Draco watched more of their friends become aware of Frank and Alice's news. Exclaiming congratulations and praise. Sirius instead made for him, and he slung an arm around Draco's waist.

"One day, mate. That'll be you."

Draco wrapped his arms around Sirius's shoulders, letting his head fall against his best mate's. "How did you know, Padfoot?"

"I know you, Draco Potter. You try to hide your feelings, but I can read you plain as day."

Draco snorted, and tried to smile but faltered. He closed his eyes, breathed in and out deeply, and managed to banish all of his tragic thoughts. A small but genuine smile painted over his twisted grimace. He was happy for Frank and Alice. He simply wished that he could join in their revelry with his own joyous news, but alas it was not to be.

Hermione was right. It was not their time.