Last Minute Man for dramionedrabble 2009 Christmas quote challenge (original) (raw)

Title: Last Minute Man
Rating: PG-13 for some language
Summary: His wife had instructed him to go out and shop for Christmas presents over a month ago, but being a man, he had waited until the last minute.
Word Count: 1,016
Notes/Warning: Post-DH, no spoilers, fluff, written for dramionedrabble '09 Christmas movie quote challenge
Quote: Christmas shopping, never an easy or a pleasant task. - Love Actually

Oh bugger Draco thought as he stared at the window display of a muggle toy store. His wife had instructed him to go out and shop for Christmas presents over a month ago, but being a man, he had waited until the last minute. Sure, he only had to buy for his wife, five-year-old son, three-year-old daughter, and parents, but it was just so … difficult! What could he get for the family that had everything?

He knew that his wife loved to buy the children muggle toys because she claimed they were educational as well as entertaining. Draco thought that was a complete bucket load of shit, but he knew not to go against his wife now that she had the say of when he could make love to her. By the looks of the window display, the toys did not look very appealing, but maybe it was because he was a man of thirty and his children were nearly twenty-five years younger.

Looking at a woman who had come out of the store, Draco grudgingly stopped her to ask her opinion. “What should I buy my three-year-old daughter out of there?” He gave her his most dazzling smile to keep her from continuing to scowl.

“I’d recommend the pretend dresses and interactive books,” she said with a nod before walking away.

What the hell are interactive books? Draco asked himself, rubbing his temple. Bloody hell, he’d just have to ask one of the workers in the store. Walking inside the store, he scrutinized what he saw because nothing seemed to be of high enough quality. Even the smell of the place was sickening, but hopefully he wouldn’t have to be there long.

“Excuse me,” he said, getting the attention of a short, plump blonde woman in a red shirt. “Could you help me find presents for me children? My wife usually does most of the Christmas shopping.”

“Of course,” she said, smiling at him. “How old are they?”

“My son is five and my daughter is three,” he said, looking around.

“What do they like to do?”

“My daughter likes to pretend all sorts of situations and my son likes to draw.” Draco placed a hand on his chin and raised his eyebrows. “Hmm, I guess that they are both artists.”

“Oh, that’s easy,” she said, bustling towards the aisle that catered to budding artists.

Ten minutes later Draco had bought a watercolor paint set and a pack of colored pencils for his son and a pretend princess dress and classic fairy tale storybook for his daughter. Now, he had to buy for his mother and father. That would be easy because his parents loved to wear matching accessories to important occasions and Draco knew they would love matching watches.

His wife, though, was a completely different story. Draco had given everything Hermione ever wanted and she had told him so many times. She did grow accustomed to his spoils for her, but he knew she wanted a meaningful material item. Walking past a shop that was full of vintage antiques, he suddenly saw something that reminded him of the stories her mother liked to tell about her childhood. It would be perfect for her! Grinning, Draco walked into the shop, amazed that he was going to finish shopping with the hour.

On Christmas morning, Draco was woken up by the excited cries of his son and daughter as they jumped onto the bed he shared with Hermione. He groaned and tried to hide, but the two little buggers were persistent.

“Daddy! Wake up!” cried little Electra. Her curly blonde locks fell over her eyes and Draco couldn’t help but smile at how adorable she looked.

“Momma! Momma!” came the voice of Abraxas as he pulled the covers off Hermione. “Presents!”

Hermione laughed and looked at her husband, kissing his cheek. “Merry Christmas,” she said before pulling her son into her arms, tickling him. “Are you ready for Santa’s gifts?”

“Yes!” Abraxas said in between his fit o giggles.

Draco sat up as well and kissed Electra’s, or Ellie’s, forehead. “Come along, let’s see what we got!” he said, holding her as he climbed out of bed.

Hermione and Abraxas followed suit, the little blonde boy resting his head on his mother’s chest. All four of them happily hummed Christmas songs as they descended down the stairs to the sitting room. As soon their parents put them on the floor, Ellie and Abraxas ran for the presents surrounding the tree. Draco turned around and smiled at his parents as they walked into the room and pulled Hermione into his arms.

“Would you like your present now?” he asked, grinning at her. She raised an eyebrow, but nodded excitedly. Draco pulled her with him and picked up a fair sized white box, handing it to his wife. “Merry Christmas, Hermione.”

Narcissa and Lucius sat down and watched the children, but still looked back at Hermione as she opened her gift. Hermione smiled at her husband and hesitantly opened the box, pulling away the tissue paper. She was speechless as she pulled out a pearl necklace nearly identical to the one her grandmother used to have. Still thinking of her eccentric and inspiring Granny Granger, Hermione noticed the music box that had beautiful angels painted all around it. She let Draco place the pearl necklace on her neck and she opened the music box, tears welling in her eyes when she heard the familiar tune of Pas de Deux The Nutcracker. The ballet always reminded Hermione of her grandparents who had helped shape her into the intelligent woman she was today.

Smiling at her husband, she dabbed at her eyes and kissed him passionately. “Hwo did you remember?” she whispered, resting her forehead against his.

“Because I love you,” Draco whispered back, stroking her hair.

“I love you, too,” she whispered, kissing him again.

“Ew!” Ellie and Abraxas cried in unison. The wiggled their noses and looked at their grandparents.

Narcissa laughed and shared a look with her husband. “You two will understand someday, my darlings.”