After the Christmas dinner, the noise in the Great Hall gradually subsided, and the sky was tinged with a gentle deep blue.
Hermione went back to her dorm to pack her luggage. Now, with the otter's space bag, she could easily fit all her things in.
A few clothes and a few frequently used books were put away, and everything was tidied up in no time.
The two met at the castle entrance; snow was still falling gently, its cool touch landing on their shoulders.
Hermione adjusted her bag and was about to head towards the train station when Draco gently grabbed her wrist.
We don't take the train.
Hermione looked up abruptly, her eyes wide with surprise, and froze in place. "Not by train? How are we going to get back? London so far away..."
She quickly made a mental guess, first whispering tentatively, "Could it be... that you borrowed a flying broom? Or... do you have a secret Floo Powder passage?"
Draco, seeing her earnest expression as she pondered, couldn't help but smile and softly uttered three words: " Apparition."
Hermione froze, her eyes widening in shock.
It's important to know that Apparition is a high-level spell that only adult wizards can master.
Furthermore, one must pass a rigorous exam; the slightest mistake could result in the Splinching apart.
She immediately grabbed Draco's arm, her voice tinged with urgency:
" Apparition so dangerous. We're not old enough, and we haven't even passed the certification exam. What if... what if Splinching two?"
Hermione still looked incredulous, staring at Draco and asking softly, "When did you learn Apparition? It's not a spell you can just learn casually."
Draco smiled again at her words and gently brushed away the stray hairs that had fallen across her forehead.
With a touch of her usual pride, she said, "Even now, don't you know your husband's capabilities? This little thing is no problem for me."
Hermione's cheeks flushed, but she couldn't care less about being shy; her heart was still pounding. "I know you're talented, but Apparition is different... that's magic for adult wizards."
Draco nodded slightly. "I've practiced for a long time, and I'm so skilled that I won't make a single mistake. I'm more reliable than many licensed wizards."
Hermione shook her head again, her brow furrowed slightly. "Even if you knew it, this spell is too dangerous. We're not old enough, and we don't have permission. What if... what if it Splinching two?"
Draco saw that her eyes were slightly red with worry, and his heart softened. He stopped her from worrying. "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Nothing will happen."
Hermione grabbed his wrist, her voice trembling slightly, "But I'm scared..."
"How could I possibly gamble with my wife's life?" Draco looked at her, his eyes becoming very serious again.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat as she looked into his light gray eyes, which held no trace of jest, only unwavering certainty and deep affection.
She opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed her worries.
Her willingness to agree was not due to a lack of fear of danger.
Rather, she genuinely believed that Draco would never say something he wasn't sure of, and would never let her suffer any harm.
Just as the two embraced and stood firm, preparing to Apparition, a letter from the Malfoy Manor arrived in Lucius and Narcissa's hands.
In his letter, Draco simply wrote that he would be staying at Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays to continue his studies and would not be able to return home.
Lucius folded the letter and put it back in the envelope, then gently tapped the armrest, his face expressionless.
He simply nodded, as if he completely believed his son's explanation.
In his view, his child was naturally ambitious, so it was only natural for him to take advantage of the holiday to study magic and strengthen his abilities.
Narcissa gently placed the letter on the dressing table, a warm smile in her eyes.
She gazed at the fine snow falling outside the window, assuming her son was truly focused on his studies, and didn't think anything of it.
In his mother's eyes, Draco had always been sensible and sensible, so if he said that, he must really be prioritizing his studies.
Neither of them asked any further questions or had any doubts; they simply believed it without question.
Little did they know that their proud and noble young master was currently holding the girl he loved, preparing to Apparition to meet his future in-laws in the Muggle world.
A glimmer of light appeared in the snow at Hogwarts, and the two figures vanished without a sound.
Hermione only truly came to her senses once her feet touched the ground.
She had prepared herself for dizziness and nausea, but at that moment she only felt her body become light and steady, without feeling uncomfortable at all.
Her eyes widened, her face filled with shock. "How can you not feel any discomfort at all?"
It's important to know that even licensed wizards often experience dizziness and unsteadiness when Apparition two people.
Draco, seeing her surprised expression, smiled and gently patted her shoulder.
"I told you long ago, your husband is very capable; this little thing is nothing to him."
Hermione's cheeks flushed red, and she quickly lowered her voice. "Now that we're at my house, you're not allowed to call me that anymore! If my parents hear me, I'm finished."
Draco raised an eyebrow, feigning difficulty. "This is a bit tricky. We're used to calling him that at school; it's not something we can change overnight."
Hermione pinched him lightly in exasperation, whispering a threat, "I don't care! If you can't control your mouth, I'm never bringing you back again."
Draco chuckled and conceded, "Alright, alright, I'll do as you say. When we get to your house, I'll just call you Hermione politely, and I won't say anything inappropriate or use any other names. Is that alright?"
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, looked around, still somewhat dazed, and asked, "Where are we now?"
Draco gently raised his chin and said softly, "You'll see when you turn around."
Hermione whirled around, her eyes widening instantly.
Before her stood her familiar little villa.
She was utterly astonished. "How... how could it be so accurate? Not a single fraction off..."
Draco chuckled softly and reached out to take her hand naturally. "Let's go, Miss Granger, let's pay a visit."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly grabbed him, her expression instantly becoming tense. "Wait."
"What's wrong?" Draco asked, startled.
Hermione looked up, her gaze falling directly on the HG-embroidered wristband on his wrist, and her cheeks flushed slightly again.
"You need to take off your wristbands before you come in."
"Why?" Draco asked, feigning confusion.
As he spoke, he raised his wrist, revealing a wristband embroidered with "HG" that stood out prominently.
Hermione's cheeks flushed, and her voice was soft. "My parents will understand immediately... They'll overthink it. I haven't told them about us yet."
Draco teased her deliberately, raising an eyebrow. "What are you thinking? Didn't you give this to me? It's perfectly legitimate."
Hermione, in a moment of anxious anticipation, gently tugged at his sleeve, her tone slightly pleading:
"Just pick it first, just for a little while, I'll tell you when I'm ready... okay?"