Hermione's
Winter Break (Part One)
This
is Part One of what will probably be a two or three part story. I tried to make
it as realistic as possible. Please Read and Review. I hope you like it :)
Hermione sat in a corner of the empty Gryffindor
common room flipping the pages of Healing and Protection Spells looking
for something of interest. Her mind drifted away from the book to Hogsmeade. The
trip was tomorrow and she had twenty galleons saved up and that was after the
five galleons needed for the new caldron for Potions. Snape had insisted they
needed new ones by next term because the old ones were too small and weren't
durable enough to make the new potions they would make next term. She was also
going to find a present for Harry and one for Ron also. Conveniently the trip
for Hogsmeade was schedule right before Winter Break. But since everyone was
going, it wouldn't be easy to hide Harry and Ron's presents from them. She
wouldn't have much time to search for them and she was adamant on getting
Harry a better gift this year than the past years. Hermione wouldn't mind
spending a galleon or two on some things for herself either. Just the other day
she was telling Harry and Ron about a charm that many successful witches had
that enhanced their spells. She pulled Healing and Protection Spells
closer to her face and flipped to page two hundred and sixty. It was
supplemental reading to yesterday's lesson of Charms.
She heard footsteps coming from the entrance of the
common room and looked up. Harry and Ron had come back from breakfast at last.
"I'm telling you that the Chudley Cannons are going win this year," said
Ron.
"No,
they still have a long way to go. They're only third in the league now,"
said Harry flatly.
"They've
come a long way. They were only ninth a few years ago," he said sounding a bit
annoyed. Hermione thought that Harry would know better than to argue with Ron
about his Quidditch team. She continued reading. Harry and Ron approached her.
"Hullo
Hermione," said Harry.
"Hello
Harry," said Hermione feeling a bit cheerful that he was with her now. She put
Healing and Protection Spells down and looked up at him. He seemed happy
especially since the school term started he was depressed since he blamed
himself for Cedric's death. Hermione was glad.
"I'm
going to Quidditch practice," said Harry.
"Fred
and George are actually acting serious about practice for the match against
Slytherin next month," said Ron. Hermione thought it was fortunate Fred and
George, the new co-captains were not morning people and Harry could still wake
up and get some breakfast before practice.
"Are
you coming, Ron's going to watch," asked Harry. Normally Hermione would love
to go and support Harry, but she had a ton of work that she meant to do, but
hadn't even gotten around to starting. Hermione enjoyed watching the game, but
she didn't really understand all the moves Harry and Ron talked about.
"No,
I can't. I've got too much work to do," she replied.
"Okay,
I'm going to change into uniform now," said Harry. Hermione watched as he
made his way to the boys' dormitories.
She
picked up Healing and Protection Spells again and began to read. "Bye
Ron, Hermione," said Harry turning around. He turned to Ron. "See you in
about a half a hour."
"Sure,"
said Ron. Hermione continued reading and felt Ron looking at her. She shifted
self-consciously in her seat. Suddenly, Hermione felt Healing and Protection
Spells being snatched from her fingertips.
"Hey!"
cried Hermione in protest. She rose from her seat.
Ron
looked at the book. "Honestly, why are you reading this? It isn't even part
of the syllabus," said Ron. "Are you trying to score 112 percent again?"
"It's
supplemental reading for Charms. You should try to do it sometime," said
Hermione irritably trying to snatch the book back.
"We
shouldn't have to. Flitwick has piled enough homework on us to last a few
weeks." Ron handed the book back to Hermione.
Hermione sighed and sat but down on sofa next to
the window. Ron took the seat next to her. "It's Saturday, do you want to do
something? Want to play a game of chess?" asked Ron. Hermione knew that if she
played Ron she wouldn't win. She knew that Ron knew this, but her magic chess
set was begging to be broken it. There was still a chance she could beat him,
maybe if she concentrated hard enough. Ron couldn't beat her in every game,
she thought. Hermione also knew she wouldn't be able to read peacefully when
Ron was there.
"All
right, but just until you need to go to watch Harry's Quidditch practice."
"That
should be plenty time," said Ron. Hermione
didn't know if he meant that would be enough time to beat her. She ignored
him.
"I'm
going upstairs to get my chess set," she said.
"Me
too," said Ron. Hermione headed up to the girls' wing to get her chess set
and Ron headed to the boys'.
Hermione wondered if Harry had gone to Quidditch
practice yet. Lavender and Parvati were still in the girls' dormitory. "I
don't think she likes him that much anymore," whispered Parvati. "Hello
Lavender, Parvati," said Hermione.
"Hello,
Hermione," they both said.
"I'm
looking for my chess set. Have you seen it?"
"I
don't think so," said Lavender.
"Have
you looked in your trunk?" asked Parvati.
"I'll
check there," replied Hermione.
Hermione
made her way a few bunks down to her trunk. Lavender and Parvati continued with
their conversation. Hermione was curious whom they were talking about, but tried
not to eavesdrop. "I don't think he ever liked her. She's just his best
friend's little sister." Hermione's ears perked up. It sounded a lot like
Harry and Ginny. She couldn't blame Ginny for liking Harry. Lavender lowered
her voice. "He's cute. I'd know exactly why'd she like him. Not that I
do or anything."
"He's
not that cute," said Parvati. Hermione thought she might have said this
because of what happened at the Yule Ball last year. She knew exactly why Ginny
liked Harry. Hermione knew that Harry would never like Ginny. He thought of her
like a little girl. Harry was definitely something special. She didn't know
how he did it. Time after time he confronted You Know Who, and escaped or
defeated him by himself. Harry was smart, almost as smart as her, but that was
because he never put as much effort in as she did. He was clever and figured
things out easily. She especially loved the way defended others, and always kept
his cool. She supposed it didn't hurt that he had jet-black hair and was a
Quidditch star either, though she learned to judge by looks alone after
Lockhart. She remembered where her chess set was by the table on the other side
of the dormitory where she was playing with Ginny last week. She continued
rummaging so she could hear the rest of Parvati and Lavender's conversation.
Unfortunately, Parvati and Lavender didn't feel
like talking anymore. "Want breakfast," asked Parvati.
"Yes,
I didn't eat dinner last night," said Lavender. They both got up and threw
black robes over their clothes.
"Bye
Hermione," said Parvati.
"Bye,"
said Lavender.
"Bye,"
Hermione answered back still pretending to look for her chess set. They left the
room and down the steps to the common room. Hermione shrugged and she went to
get her chess set from the table on the other side of the dormitory when Parvati
came back up the steps.
"Hermione,
Ron's downstairs. He says he wants to know what you are doing up here that's
making you take a century. Hermione had nearly forgotten that Ron was waiting
downstairs.
"Tell
him that it won't be that long and it will take only half a century."
"Okay,"
said Parvati. Parvati headed downstairs. Hermione grabbed her chess set and went
after her.
Ron was there with his worn chess set. He sat at a
table in the middle of the room. His pieces looked as if they were ready to
battle. She opened her set and started placing the pieces onto the board.
"Hogsmeade is tomorrow," he said while ordering his knight to advance.
"Yeah,"
said Hermione trying to predict what strategy Ron was up to. A few turns later
she wanted to move her rook to get Ron's bishop, but his queen was there ready
to pounce if she got his bishop. Hermione was only half listening to what Ron
was saying.
"I've
got almost ten galleons saved up."
"Hmm,
that's nice."
"Only
five after a new caldron for Potions," he added bitterly. Hermione found a
solution to getting Ron's bishop without sacrificing her rook. She smiled. She
ordered her queen to move horizontally and take Ron's bishop. The queen bashed
Ron's bishop over the head.
"Ha,
ha!" she exclaimed. She was winning. She knew she had to beat him
sometime.
"Checkmate!"
said Ron.
"What?"
exclaimed Hermione. She had been falling into his trap all along. "Argh! I
should have known," said Hermione hotly. "I want a rematch," she demanded.
"Can't
play now," said Ron. "We got to go to the Quidditch field."
"We?"
asked Hermione.
"Come
on let's go Hermione, I know you want to," he said smiling. Hermione
didn't know why, but she wanted to strangle him.
"I
don't think I should," she replied.
"You
do want to support Harry don't you? I'll give you a rematch tomorrow after
Hogsmeade" said Ron anxiously.
"Oh,
all right," said Hermione.
Quidditch practice had gone pretty much as expected. They were a lot of
people from Gryffindor in the stands supporting the team including Ginny,
Neville, and Colin. Harry did a few moves that looked good like a dive to catch
the snitch and a few twists and turns in the air. It was very impressive.
Hermione had never seen anyone so adapt to a broomstick. Ron kept on trying to
point the moves and naming them, but it was difficult to catch on because most
of the Quidditch names made no sense, and there were too many of them. Hermione
found it surprising how he could remember all of them. After practice Harry flew
down to them. He was smiling at them. He looked almost like he was glowing,
probably because he was sweating. His hair was a mess as always. Ron looked from
Harry to her. Hermione looked away from Harry. "It's get lunch," said Ron.
"I'm
starved," said Harry. Hermione nodded.
"I
am too."
Lunch was delicious as usual and Hermione wondered if the house elves
had spent too much time cooking it. There were eggs and bacon left over from
breakfast as well as freshly grilled sandwiches for lunch. Hermione saw Pig and
Hedwig fly in from the large open windows. "That's funny," said Ron.
"They didn't give us anything in the morning."
"Maybe,
the mail just came in," Hermione replied. Harry's letter was from Sirius.
Sirius was a great guy. He was Harry's only parent-like adult. "He's
asking me how I'm doing. I'm going to write back saying I'm doing good,"
said Harry. "Things have been quiet lately except that Dumbledore taking a lot
of precautions. Well, Vol--," He cut off. Ron cringed. "You know who
hasn't seem to be up to anything."
"Harry
you still have to be careful," said Hermione.
"He
has nothing to worry about," said Ron. Hermione began to protest, but thought
the better of it. She might get Harry thinking about it too much.
Ron
tore open up his letter. "It's from Percy," said Ron. He spoke as
he read the letter. "He's telling me that Penelope, do you remember her?
She's applying for a position as a student teacher here."
"That's
great," said Harry.
"I
don't know what she sees in Percy," said Ron. He shook his head.
"Maybe
she likes boys who are diligent and smart," said Hermione. "Percy was head
boy! I any girl would like that and both of their names start with the same
letter." Hermione looked away from Ron and Harry. She thought she had said too
much. Harry laughed and Ron wrinkled his mouth in disapproval. Ron continued
reading. "It also says there might be some other people applying for student
teacher positions. He doesn't know who. Anyway, they are arriving tomorrow and
he wants me to stop Fred and George from playing any tricks on Penelope."
The next day Hermione woke up as usual except couldn't remember what
she was dreaming about. It was definitely a happy dream. Something unexpected
had happened. She told herself to forget about it and focus on what was more
important. Hogsmeade. Hermione grabbed her bag with twenty-five galleons and
washed up. She headed down to the common room, which was strangely empty.
Everyone must have gone to breakfast, she thought. She made her way past several
confused suits of armor and a few paintings that didn't see there before. When
arriving at the Great Hall she was surprised to see that Fleur Delacour was
sitting at the Gryffindor table.
In
the next part Hermione reacts to Fleur Delacour's new position as student
teacher. She goes on the Hogsmeade to buy Christmas presents for Harry and for
Ron and something unexpected happens. Review and give me any criticisms,
compliments, or comments.
Disclaimer:
I don't own any of the characters in this story. Harry Potter and the other
characters are property of JK Rowling and Scholastic.