Written for the Golden Snitch Forum's Advent calendar challenge,.
10: (dialogue) "I can't repair the star. Now what are we going to put on top of the tree?
I do not own anything. only JKR does.
"Aunt Hermione?"
Hermione turned around. There was Tom Riddle, the younger. Wasn't he with his mother in the kitchen?
"Tom?" There was Merope. Hermione breathed a silent prayer of gratitude, as she always did when she saw either Merope or her son. Tom was happy, smart, and surprisingly naive for a descendant of the most cunning wizard in history. Well, he was only ten. For him, there was only his mother, and his father. Aberforth Dumbledore. Hermione was very, very glad she had introduced Merope to Dumbleodre's brother. Abe had taken a very personal intrest in Merope, and with Hermione, had convinced Merope to use the Imperius. As it turns out, the imperius wasn't nessecary... once that Tom Riddle Sr... well, it was nearly Christmas. The time of peace one earth, good will to men. It wouldn't do to think about this sad affair. Merope was well, everyone was well.
"Hermione?" A familliar voice. Without looking, Hermione turned around and gave him a hug. "What was that for?", said Gellert Grindelwald, in a pleasantly surprised voice. "Nothing." Hermione said. She was just so happy. Gellert was just another one of those people she was so thankful for. She was thankful that her accidental shift in time had somehow stopped something. She was thankful. For everything. She was thankful Merope had found a man who raised goats and didn't chase women for their bodies. She was thankful.
Gellert bent down and kissed her. Tom tried not to look. "Tom," Hermione said, pulling back, "go to the kitchen." Tom was very glad to do so.
Hermione smiled, and looked at the gold wedding band on her finger. Had it been more than a year? "Let's decorate the tree." she suggested.
And they decorated the tree, smiling and laughing. Each ornament was lovely in its own way,...except for the star.
"I can't repair the star. Now what are we going to put on top of the tree?" Gellert said, laughing.
"Let me see that." said Hermione. Gellert handed the star to her, along with a quick, sweet kiss.
She tapped it with her wand. "Merlin's beard." "Watch your language, young lady." said Gellert, kindly.
"Well, this star just won't work."
Suddenly, Hermione burst out laughing. "Just turn the tip of the tree into a star!"
Gellert sighed. He tapped the treetop with his wand (and no, it was not the elder wand.) A tiny star replaced the top branch.
"All right, my dear.." said Gellert. "What is it?" said Hermione. "I've never really liked stars on Christmas trees."
Hermione laughed. "Really? I thought I was the only..."
Her mouth was covered with a kiss.