A merry Yule, indeed.

the end!
thanks for reading 🎄

interruption.

"I'd like you to meet Holly," Draco said, scratching the puppy behind her ears.

"And this is Ivy!" Hermione grinned, and planted a kiss on his head.

To wrap up the sweetest sweetest competition they ever shared, Hermione and Draco exchanged I love yous followed by puppies.

Snoozing in Hermione's arms was a honey colored Dachshund with a deep green ribbon on his neck.

They met one another's disbelieving gaze before dissolving in a fit of laughter. They well and truly knew each other. A yip from Draco's arms and a long lick on Hermione's chin provided a gentle

Simultaneously, their eyes landed on the other's arms.

"Bollocks, Hermione!"

"Merlin, Draco!"

This day would, forever be known as, the day their rivalry ended. For they have given the same gift.

Curled up in Draco's arm was a cream colored Dachshund with a soft red velvet bow on her neck.

He smirked at the thought as he held the gift to his chest, wrapped with a red bow. He felt Hermione's smaller frame press against his back.

"On three," she said.

"One. Two. Three!" he shouted and spun.

"Happy Yule!" the couple shared exclaimed together.

grave it was him (his father wasn't good for anything else since before fifth year).

Hermione was proud of her gift this year. Something Draco would not guess but something she told him he needed more of in his life.

Draco was proud of his gift too. Hermione would most definitely not expect it.

years of friendship evolving to the next natural step: where platonic love yearned for more, where competition never left.

They let only one rivalry stand: who was the better gift giver? Who knew who better than they thought. Hermione would swear up and down it was her. Draco would swear on Luci's

Absolutely adoring this fic ✨

they are so precious!