The November weather this year was much more pleasant. The brightly colored leaves were swirling around Hermione’s feet as she made her way back to her flat. She had just gone down to the corner market for some more chicken stock.
If her aunt Judy was here she would definitely scold her on the store bought item stating firmly that “ Hand made stock elevates your dish just that little more, and you can always taste the love!” She pushed that thought from her mind, and continued towards her flat with her brown paper bag.
Once she was home she immediately ditched her trainers for her pink, fussy, slippers. She flicked her wand and her radio started playing. She sighed in contentment as the music filled her ears, reaching down to her soul. Yes, this Friendsgiving was going to go great! As she poured the offensive ,store bought ,chicken stock into the bottom of the roasting pan, she thought about her first Friendsgiving.
Her parents tried to explain to her the best they could. This was an American holiday that her sudo aunt missed desperately since she moved to England. So since she couldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving here, she practiced Friendsgiving. Aunt Judy would open her home to all her and her husband's friends, and they would feast!
Hermione thought back to the noises ,music, and laughter that would fill the entire house. The smell of roasted turkey, and pies of all varieties, would make her salivate the moment she walked through the door. All the adults were so happy, and seemed to have such a lovely time. Friendsgiving had become a holiday she looked forward to every year!
The turkey was finally ready to be placed in the oven. She then pulled out a menagerie of vegetables and started chopping them. “ Carrots for good sight, celery hearts for healthy hair, and little trees to shield you from bad luck this year.” She said to herself as she placed the veggies on a tray. She knew most of that saying was a lie, but it was repeated to her every year as she made her plate.
Last year’s Friendsgiving was nothing at all like the ones from her childhood, but she loved her friends a little more because of it. To say it was tense was an understatement! The four slytherins were all completely overdressed, the three other guests just kept to themselves. Theo saved them all by trying to discuss what little he had heard about Friendsgiving from Hermione at work.
“ Granger told me her muggle cuisine would be the star of this party! I immediately told her we would be here wearing bells!”
Ginny looked at Harry then back at Theo. “ Wearing bells? Wrong holiday, Nott.”
The three other slytherins all started to laugh.
Theo threw his hands in the air dramatically” It's a saying you uncultured swig. Honestly Potter you were raised muggle. How does your wife not know this!” Pansy walked over to the small little group, and took a seat saying “ I have told Theo not to use muggle sayings if he is going to cock it up”
Draco moved to the group as well, sitting in a chair next to Ginny. “ He also unsuccessfully tried to quote that muggle children's movie. The one with the toys and talking pig vault. I believe he should have called you an uncultured swine, Ginerva.”
Yes Theo single handedly saved her Friendsgiving last year. Thankfully they have had many more get togethers and the group is much more at ease with each other. Dare she say they all like each other now? No not out loud to any of them, they would all deny enjoying one another's company.
Hermione tied her apron around her waist and started to work on her desserts. She was running well above schedule, she may even be able to pack a box or two. As she rolled out her crust she thought about how her next year would look. Would they have Friendsgiving in their house? The doorbell rang, abruptly pulling her out of her anxious musings.
Crossing her living room she put a quick disillusion charm on her stacks of books.She did not want him to see she hadn’t packed them yet. Another, louder knock, had her rushing towards the door. She opened it and her breath hitched as she looked into a pair of gray eyes. “ Granger” he said in greeting as he leaned in and kissed her cheek softly.
He held up a few small boxes. “ Mother had Ruby make those rose apples for your cider, and she also sent those turkey leg rice krispies for Potter's offspring.” Hermioe moved out of the doorway letting him walk into the living room. “ That was so sweet of her, I will make sure she gets some of Ginny’s banana pudding.”
Draco shrugged off his suit jacket and placed it on the jacket stand. He swept his hands through her jackets `` Granger, you still have not packed these yet? Your lease is up in two weeks, we need to start moving your things into my flat.” Hermione shrugged “ I’ve been busy, and no talking about the move tonight please.” He rolled his eyes `` let me guess you haven’t told boy wonder and his sidekick yet that you're moving in with me. Don’t think I have overlooked the fact you are refusing to wear the bracelet I gave you.”
Hermione huffed .” It just hasn’t come up yet, that is not something you just blurt out.” She raised an eyebrow at him, and tried not to smile “ And don’t think I don’t know what that bracelet means Draco Malfoy. Theo gave me that sacred twenty-eight book ,remember? I know a commitment bracelet when I see one.” She smirked at him as his eyes widened for a moment.
Draco rebounded from his misstep quickly and started to walk towards her. He stalked her until she was bumping her back onto the wall next to her door. “ So you know my reasoning behind the bracelet and yet you still won’t wear it. Should I take that as a sign Granger.” He drawled, his eyes looking her up and down hungerly.
She opened her mouth to speak, but a whimper slipped out as he softly ran his finger tips up and down her arm. “ No” She squawked out. Clearing her throat she tried again, willing her voice to portray confidence. “ As for the bracelet I’m cooking, I can’t exactly stir gravy with jewels hanging from my wrist.” He wrapped his fingers over her wrist and brought it to his mouth. He kissed the back of her hand saying “ This wrist should be dripping with jewels, cooking or not.”
He pushed her hair to one shoulder and kissed her exposed neck. “ This neck should ache with the weight of the biggest gems the Malfoy vaults can produce.” She shivered as his mouth skimmed up to her ear. “ I plan on spoiling you rotten Hermione Granger, let me.”He whispered. Her arms wound around his neck, her fingers played with the hair at the base of his neck. “ Draco, I don’t need all of that, just you.” His hands squeezed her hips firmly “ You have me”
Just as their lips were about to meet, the floo roared to life. Theo stepped out with arms filled with paper turkeys. “ Gross! Could you two cool it with the passion, and wanting until after we eat? I want to enjoy my muggle food, and all of that.” he waved his hand at Hermione and Draco “ will make me lose my appetite.” Hermione rolled her eyes and took the turkeys from Theo. “ Yes, Yes we are love sick puppies,we get it. But don’t think we aren’t talking about the way you were eyeing Charlie Weasley at the gala last week.”
Theo threw his hand on his chest theatrically “ I was not eyeing Charlie Weasley, I was simply impressed a Weasley could look.. Like that!” Draco smirked and started helping Hermione place the brightly colored paper turkeys at each place setting on the dining table.
The floo turned green again, the same time as the doorbell rang. Daphne and Blaise stepped out of floo, holding a bottle of wine in each of their hands. Hermione opened the door and two little bodies ran past her legs, and straight to Theo. Ginny kissed Hermione’s cheek and handed her a dish, as she ran after the children. “ Lily, Rubs, manners! Theo, don't you dare give them candy yet!” Hermione smiled at Harry and Ron as she closed the door behind them.
“ I see I'm chopped liver, since Theo is here.” Hermione said loud enough for the two small children to hear. Harry just shrugged “ Nott is just an overgrown child, they see him as on of their equals apparently.”
“ Oi! If you have something to say Potter say it to my face!” Harry shook his head and headed towards the outstretched wine glass Daphne was holding. “ Happy Friendsgiving” Daphne greeted. Draco took the dish from Hermoine and disappeared into the kitchen.
Pansy walked out of the floo with a bowl full of apple cider, jingling as she walked. “ You did not wear those!” Theo grumbled and Ginny and Daphne howled with laughter. Pansy shot Theo a wicked smile “ It's festive Theo, not everything is about you.” She busied herself, putting the apple roses in the cider.
Hermione walked over to Harry and Blaise. Blaise tipped his glass towards her in greeting. “ Granger, we decided a red would pair well with the turkey.” Hermione accepted the glass and took a small sip. Nodding in approval “ Yes I believe this will be lovely!”
The room suddenly filled with piano music. Blaise rolled his eyes “ I see Theo has found your music box.” Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled, “ What are we going to do with him?I think I created a monster.” Blaise nodded “ a tone deaf monster.” Theo walked out of the kitchen with a wooden spoon held to his mouth. “ Stars shining bright above..” He held the pretend microphone out to Lilly who sang proudly “ You!” He picked her up and started to dance.
Hermione made her way back into the kitchen to find Draco shirt sleeves up, rolling out the rest of her pie crust. She moved behind him and placed her palms on his chest. Her cheek on his back she inhaled his scent. Expensive cologne, sweet apples, and now mixed with all the smells of her Friendsgiving feast.
“ Who would have known my amortentia would have been you, cooking in the kitchen.” She felt him chuckle. “ Funny, I recently realized mine is your shower gel, maple syrup from those breakfast cakes you make, and your laundry hanging to dry.” Hermione couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. She hummed in agreement “ your right that is funny.”
“ Ok you two, enough spit swapping. Some of us would like to eat!” Ginny said as she sailed into the kitchen. She started rummaging around Hermione’s cupboards, opening and shutting the doors more aggressively as she went. “ Ginerva, what in Salazar’s name are you looking for? Do you honestly think slamming the doors will help?” Draco rolled his eyes at the redhead.
“ Can it ferret,” Ginny acknowledges while still searching. “ Hermione, where in the bloody hell are all your bowls? I know you had at least six last time we were here for dinner.” Hermione caught Draco’s eye and shook her head. Draco just smirked and sent her a knowing look. “ When was the last time you were here ,Ginivera? Perhaps Hermione hadn’t packed her extra kitchen items yet.” Ginny didn’t stop her mission, but shot Draco a wicked smile.
“Come off it ferret, I know what that bracelet means. I figured since Hermioe wasn’t obsessing over finding her next place, she must have already found one.” Ginny swatted at his shoulder. Laughing, Draco moved out of her way. “ See Granger, you’re not as clever as you think you are.. If ShePotter knows they all know.” Ginny scoffed, “ of course we know. Can I use this?” She pointed to a smaller bowl. Hermione nodded, stunned into silence. She watched as Ginny transformed it into a bowl big enough for her banana pudding. “ We all had a bet, actually hold that thought.” She walked towards the kitchen door and kicked it open. “ Theo, you owe me five gallons, HE told me before dinner.”
Ginny walked back to her dish on the counter, as Theo came barowling into the small room.
“ Damn it Draco, you big ass! Do you know how impossible she is going to be now that she won?” Ginny put one hand on her hip and held out the other hand towards Theo. “ Pay up!” Theo fished a few gallons out of his pocket and slammed them into Ginny's outstretched hand. “ Money won is sweeter than money earned, Nott.” Ginny sang.
Theo looked at Hermione. “ How do you stand her Granger?” Hermione shook her head and held up her hands. “ Wait, wait you ALL knew we were planning to move in together. Then bet on when we would tell you?”
Theo smiled and rocked back on his heels. “ This is better than some awkward dinner conversation right? Just say thank you.” He went and kissed her cheek and shot Ginny a dirty look. “ You cheat SheWeasle, you know Draco was going to spill it before dinner and you corned him.” Ginny smiled and the two left the kitchen arguing over proper rules for bets.
Draco came up behind her and wrapped her in his arms. “ See Granger, no big deal.” Hermione smiled, “ I suppose you’re right, but I do have one point we haven’t discussed yet.” She felt him huff as his mouth hovered over her ear. “ What point is that Granger?”
“ Will we still have Friendsgiving?” She asked quietly. Draco turned her in his arms to face him. “ Will it make you happy? She nodded. Draco pushed a curl behind her ear. “ Then yes, but I have one condition.”
She looked at him quizzically. “ What's your condition?” she asked. He searched her eyes, his gray eyes looking worried.This made Hermione nervous,but before her brain could run through a thousand scenarios he bent down. He ran a hand from behind her knee towards her ankle. “ These pink slippers are to be the only thing you wear while you're cooking.”
A chorus of “ Gross!” rang out from the other room. Draco rolled his eyes and shook his head. Hermione giggled. Draco smirked and looked at the closed kitchen door. “ Very smooth you two. I don’t know if I should be more impressed, or pissed.”
“ Impressed” the two yelled back. He turned back to Hermione and whispered “ Theo and Ginny aren’t invited next year.” He kissed her softly and took out the tray of veggies to the others, who were all either laughing or yelling. Hermione paused at her kitchen door.She watched as the man who held her heart, offered food to her best friend. She heard the laughter and love coming from around her table.
Her Friendsgiving was perfect, her family was perfect.