A special Christmas
"What are we doing here again?" Rose asked, her voice shaking a little from the icy wind that accompanied the big snowflakes foliating the old village street. She didn't really understand why they were there.
Hugo didn't bother asking. He was quite content catching the snow with his hands, his face glowing with delight every time the soft white mass disappeared in his small hands. To him it was a far greater magic than moving things or any other charms or spells, his parents did.
What were they doing there? A good question, indeed. Right then Hermione wasn't too sure about it, but she tried to answer the best she could. "We are visiting Aunt Minerva," was the best she could come up with.
"Aunt Merva?" Hugo asked confused, catching another flake.
It tugged at Hermione's heart that Hugo had to ask who she was. That wasn't what she had had in mind when she had left Hogwarts to start her life with Ron. In her dreams, Minerva had always been a part of her life, a big part in her children's lives, … but it hadn't turned out that way. They hadn't stayed in contact as much as Hermione would have liked, and she knew that was her fault as much as Minerva's. Now she had come to the point where she had to think of an event when her children had met her mentor. Digging through her memory, she was glad to find an occasion. "You've met her at grandma Molly's birthday last year, remember?"
Hugo slowly shook his head, and Hermione started doubting if it was such a good idea then. She just assumed Minerva would be alone tonight but even if she was, how dare she think that the older woman would enjoy spending it with her and two children she barely knew? They certainly didn't know her – not like she would have imagined years earlier.
"Why are we visiting her? Did she invite us?" Rose inquired further and moved a little closer to her mother for warmth. It was December 24th, and as if the weather had decided to gift Scotland with a white Christmas, it had started snowing during the night and hadn't stopped ever since.
"No, she didn't invite us, my darling. This is a surprise." She tried to sound enthusiastic, but the frown on her daughter's face told her that she had failed miserably.
"A surprise?" the brown haired girl asked suspiciously. "Aren't her children with her?"
Hermione smiled warmly. Being a part of the Weasley clan, it was totally unthinkable for Rose and Hugo that there was the possibility of not having any children. "I don't think she has children or any other family, but I am not sure. If she has someone with her, we will go home."
"No family?" Hugo asked aghast. He looked thoughtful for a moment, then added, "I would be sad if I hadn't you and daddy and Rosie."
Hermione stopped, eliciting the same response from both children, and squatted to talk with her kids on eye level, taking a hand of each of them in hers."Yes, it would be lonely without a family, don't you think? That is why I want to visit her so that she doesn't feel alone today." Looking at two understanding faces, Hermione felt slightly better. That's what Christmas was about after all: giving love and care, even if that meant showing up uninvited at one's doorstep to make sure that person wouldn't have to be alone this special night.
"OK," Rose agreed, and Hugo nodded in confirmation. "Because Christmas means love, right?" he asked, already knowing the answer. These were Hermione's and probably every mother's favorite moments: when it becomes visible that the seeds you have sawn in your children finally blossom.
A tug at her hand stopped Hermione's moment of bliss. "Mummy, can we go in now? I'm cold." As if on cue, Rose started shivering violently.
"Of course, love." Taking a deep breath, Hermione knocked firmly on the door. There wasn't a sound to be heard, and the young mother was a little upset with herself that she felt so relieved that she wouldn't have to actually put her plan into action. Godric Gryffindor would be severely disappointed that she wasn't so brave after all. As if the founder wanted to prove her wrong, she suddenly heard slow footsteps coming towards the door. "Please behave," she whispered to her children and put her hands on their shoulders right when the door opened.
Xxx
The tree in the small and cozy living room looked far from what Minerva was used to at Hogwarts, and with a little pang of regret she thought of the richly decorated castle. Back when she was still a professor she had loved to decorate the trees for the pupils, secretly happy to watch especially the first years' eyes grow big in wonder when they saw the Great Hall for the first time at Christmas. Now as the Headmistress she hadn't enough time to help the Elves and other professors. Well, it all didn't matter at the moment, because the damn Healers had been quite firm about the consequences of the cold on her hip. Poppy had informed Filius, and they had strongly suggested she'd spend Christmas at home. Surely, the warmth and less walking around had done wonders to her hip, but she still had preferred to stay at Hogwarts. She could live with the pain during the winter time with the aid of a few potions. Go home, was what Filius had said. Home. Where was that? She looked at the undecorated tree again and wondered if that was what Filius had had in mind when he 'ordered' her to leave. Well, next year she'd stay and send him on holiday.
Minerva McGonagall had just sat down and poured herself a cup of her very special tea when she heard a knock on her door; probably some Muggles asking her to donate some money for the poor. She sighed and carefully pushed herself up. Sitting wasn't the problem and neither was standing, but she could do without the movement in between. Slowly, she started limping to open the front door. The hallway was quite chilly, and she pulled her favorite beige cardigan a little tighter around her. A long time ago she had decided to wear Muggle clothing while staying there, in case someone would knock on her door. She could only recall one or two times that had actually happened, but still, she lived in a small Muggle village, far away from the rest of the Wizarding Community. It had been uncomfortable to leave her usual clothing behind at first, like renouncing of a part of her usual shield, but in the end it had become a liberation of sorts.
Xxx
The door opened, revealing a person Hermione had never imagined to see: Minerva McGonagall dressed in comfortable dark brown cotton trousers, a long sleeved shirt and a beige, knitted cardigan. "Good afternoon, Minerva."
"Hermione? What are you doing here?" To say the older woman was shocked, would be the understatement of the year.
"We are visiting you," Hugo explained helpfully, "but only if you are alone, said mummy."
Trust Hugo to announce it as bluntly as possible – a trait most definitely inherited from his father. Minerva raised her eyebrow in a fashion that looked very familiar to Hermione, but before the young witch could even utter a word, Minerva set her eyes on the shivering little girl beside her mother.
"Please come in, before Rose freezes on my doorstep," she invited her unexpected guests into her house, opening the door a little wider.
"Thank you, Aunt Minerva," she said politely as she stepped inside, and Hugo chimed a happy, "Yeah, thank you, Aunty Merva."
Hermione, whose face was red with embarrassment by now, nervously reached out to stop Hugo from running straight to where he suspected the living room to be. "Minerva, I must apologize. I know I should have Owled. Please let me know if this isn't a good time."
"This time is as good as any," Minerva soothed and smiled at the children, who both were struggling with their jackets. "I suggest you take off your wet jackets and then we will go and have tea." She saw the children's faces fall for a second, but instantly return to normal. There was no doubt Hermione raised them well. Minerva bent down a little and asked, "Would the two of you like hot chocolate instead?" A smile broke out on the small faces, and while Rose modestly nodded, Hugo threw his arms around Minerva's leg to express his gratitude. "Yes!" he squealed.
Minerva ignored the pain that shot up her spine due to the extra weight against her leg and ruffled his hair. "Then we need to hang up your jackets," she said and smiled at Rose.
Hermione quickly helped Rose and hung both her and Rose's dripping wet jackets up. When she turned around she was gifted with the sight of her son allowing Minerva to help him. Once they were done, he held his clothes out for his mum to take and slipped his small hand into Minerva's. She looked surprised but not displeased, and Hermione wondered when had been the last time someone had dared to do that.
"Why are you limping?" Hugo had noticed the uneven walk, because the hand he was holding onto was moving up and down unlike his mother's did when walking together.
Rose's eyes went wide at the impolite question. "Hugo!"
Minerva smiled at the straightforward question. While she had always found, especially Hermione's, tactful behavior very likable, it was a nice change that someone said exactly what he thought. She stopped at the door to the living room and turned to look at Rose. "That's all right, lass." She smiled at the girl, knowing that she was very much like her mother. "I've hurt my hip a few times, and now it is bothering me sometimes. Nothing to worry about."
As the children walked into the warm living room, Hermione cast her host an apologetic look. "Let me know if he gets too much for you, will you?" A soft hand touched the young mother's arm, meaning to reassure. "Do not worry so much, Hermione. They are fine kids."
Rose and her brother had managed to sit, or in Hugo's case climb, on the sofa and were now waiting patiently, glancing at the unfamiliar surroundings. They had left some space in between them, and Minerva – who had mistakenly thought they had left room for their mother – was pleasantly surprised when Rose shyly patted on the place beside her. "Aunt Minerva?" she asked, hoping the elder woman would sit with her.
Hermione smiled encouragingly at her mentor, communicating that it would be perfectly fine if Minerva would take her usual place. It was nice to see that her kids seemed to like the old professor, although it hadn't come as a surprise. Well, looking at the silent astonishment in Minerva's face, it had obviously come as a surprise for her.
Minerva was about to sit down, when she remembered the hot chocolate she had promised. "Please excuse me for a moment. I think I promised some hot chocolate."
"Yes, you did!" Hugo confirmed and hopped from the sofa. He took his aunt's hand again and announced, "I'm come and help."
"I will come and help," Hermione corrected gently, "or even better, may I come and help?"
"May I come and help?" he repeated obediently and gave Minerva the sweetest angel face he could muster.
Recognizing his charm as an old Weasley trick she smiled silently, memories of the twins running through her mind. It was a tragedy that Fred had had to leave them so soon. "Of course you may," she told him and led him towards the kitchen.
Hermione was happy that Hugo was bonding so well with her old mentor, but she felt a little sorry for Rose. She was a gentle girl with a mind as sharp as a razor, but not as forward as Hugo. If he wanted attention he made sure he got it. He was nice and well-behaved most of the time, but he stood up for his needs. Rose was different. She didn't tell people what she wanted. No, she waited until other people recognized what she needed. Having been very much like her daughter, Hermione was an expert in reading her and making sure she got enough attention. Sadly, other people tended to forget about her. One look at Rose told Hermione that she'd love to follow Minerva into the kitchen as well, but instead of speaking up she remained sitting on the sofa with a sad look.
Hermione was about to take action when she heard Minerva's deep voice. "Rose?" The elder woman reached out her hand to the shy girl that reminded her so much of Hermione and was rewarded with a bright smile. Rose didn't need any further encouragement and carefully took Minerva's hand.
Not wanting to be left behind, Hermione followed the others into the small kitchen and watched Minerva interact with her children. It was different to see the stern Headmistress caring so openly, and Hermione was sure she hadn't been involved with children so young for quite a long time. She had seemed unsure at the beginning, but as soon as Hugo and Rose had shown her that they wanted to be with her, she had started becoming warm and affectionate with them.
"Mummy, Aunty Merva puts real chocolate into the milk. I like her chocolate best!" Hugo explained in awe. He was certain he had never had better chocolate than that one. "Can we visit her oftener?"
"More often," Rose corrected and stepped a little closer to her aunt, waiting for her own cup. A moment later she was rewarded with a large blue cup, full of liquid brown bliss.
Minerva was about to answer Hugo's cute question, but Hermione was quicker. She didn't want Minerva to feel obliged to do anything. She was a very busy woman after all, and it would be wise to wait until they had spent a little more time together before talking about further visits. "That is up to your aunt, Hugo. I suggest we let her get to know you and Rose a little better, and you can ask her when we leave."
Hugo wanted to talk back, but he knew his mother's look and decided not to. Instead he offered, "Okay", but I bet she likes us." Having said what he wanted to, he concentrated on holding his cup even and headed for the living room. Rose, who wanted to make sure that her brother wouldn't spill the chocolate and make aunt Minerva dislike them, followed to watch over him.
Hermione smiled shyly at her former professor. The old woman hadn't said anything and remained leaning against the sink. It was difficult to read from the elder witch's facial expression at the best of times, but right then it was impossible for Hermione to guess what was going on in her mind. Only when an amused smile graced the elder witch's lips, Hermione was able to breathe normally. "Thank you for involving Rose," she said. "Most people, even the rest of her family, seem to forget about her, but I know she wanted to go with you."
"How could I forget about her? I've raised one of her kind before, and I am sure she will turn out to be as special as her mother."
Minerva didn't wait for a comment. She simply joined her little guests in the living room, happy to see that once again they had left a space for her between them. It was such a joy to be with them. They were really lovely children, and she had never had the opportunity to enjoy children under the age of eleven. Even then she had a different role and wasn't allowed to spoil them with hot chocolate or show affection. She had often regretted not having children of her own. In her life, fighting had been much more prominent than love. With three wars she had fought in, there had never been the time to even consider children, and at some point she had gotten too old. Lately she had thought more often about the loss of family in her life. Maybe it was because old age reminded her that she wouldn't be Headmistress forever, and the few people who seemed to care about her would remain at Hogwarts. Who would come to see her when she wasn't the representative of Hogwarts? It would have been nice to know that there was a family waiting for her when she decided to retire, but well, … what wasn't, that wasn't.
Noting the faraway look of her aunt, Rose placed her cup on the table and carefully leaned against her. "Are you all right?" she asked concerned. "You look sad."
Minerva laid her arm around the small frame of the observant girl and drew her a little closer. It felt good to have her solid warmth against her. "I'm fine, my bonny lassie."
Rose wasn't at all convinced, so she tried to comfort her aunt the best she could and maneuvered under the warm cardigan, gently wrapping her arms around the old woman's waist. She felt her aunt's hand stroking her hair and sighed contently.
Hermione was still in the kitchen, pondering over what Minerva had said. I've raised one of her kind before. Hermione had never thought of it like that, but it was true, of course. Her parents had been lovely and caring, – they still were, – but most of her time as a teenager had been spent at Hogwarts. One could say that Minerva had raised her. She had been the one to turn to when she had a problem; she had encouraged her to step into her talents, had seen when she was sad and tried to help. She even had been the one to punish her when necessary. It had simply never occurred to her that Minerva might have thought of it that way. The stern woman had never seemed maternal, at least not openly. It was oddly touching that the proud witch would think of her like that.
A soft smile pulled at Hermione's lips when she looked into the living room and saw Rose cuddled up against her mentor. Minerva had never before shown her motherly side, but today there was no doubt that she behaved and probably felt very grandmotherly. There was a certain glow in her face that hadn't been there when they arrived; a glow Hermione had never seen before on Minerva's face. She looked truly happy holding Rose close to her while whispering to Hugo.
Hermione grabbed a cup for herself, very amused that Minerva had forgotten all about her, and walked back into the living room.
Minerva tried to look as stern as always, but she couldn't keep the smile from her face. "Please help yourself." She watched her former pupil pour some of her special tea and waited for the complaint, but it never came. Instead Hermione closed her eyes when the warm liquid touched her throat and smiled conspiratorially at her mentor.
"Aunty, you are not finished with your tree!" Hugo exclaimed scandalized upon seeing the bare green tree in the corner of the room. He turned to look at the old woman and added with a slightly chiding voice, "You are lucky we are here to help you, you know?"
How did you explain a little boy that she had had no intention of decorating the tree? "It seems this is my lucky day," she said instead of explaining anything, and with a whisper summoned a big dusty box from a long lost layer in her living room closet. She hadn't seen it in very many years, and a swirl of emotions and memories ran through her upon seeing it.
Hugo was the first to jump off the sofa and run to open it, revealing the most beautiful Christmas decorations he had ever seen. Rose wanted to join him, but she somehow sensed the mood shift in her aunt and squeezed her arms tightly around the elder woman's slender waist. Minerva was once again surprised by the girl's thoughtfulness, but seeing Hermione's concerned look she knew she shouldn't be. After all, she was holding a smaller version of her most trusted pupil. She gave mother and daughter a smile that she hoped to be reassuring and let her hand rest against Rose's cheek for a moment. The small girl let go of her aunt and sat a little straighter. "Don't be sad. You have us now," she whispered into Minerva's ear and pressed a gentle kiss on the wrinkled cheek, before joining her brother in unpacking the box.
Minerva closed her eyes for a moment, deeply touched by Rose's words. She hadn't known she'd be overwhelmed by the decorations she hadn't seen since her childhood. It was a reminder of happy times, and one of the few things she had rescued from the fire that had burned the family manor during the first war. Her brother, sister and parents had been slaughtered only weeks before the fire. Albus had taken her in that night, and she had never looked at that box until that day. She felt Hermione sit beside her, and she opened her eyes again to look at the younger woman. She laughed when Hermione handed her a cup of the special tea.
"It helps, if only temporarily." Hermione reached out and carefully patted her mentor's thigh. "Will you tell me?"
A cold hand covered Hermione's. "That's a story for another time."
"Alright," Hermione gave in, knowing that pressing the subject would get her nowhere. "I'll be there when you need me."
The proud witch nodded and gave the hand under her own a little squeeze. Hermione would be there. They hadn't stayed in contact as much as she would have liked, but she had no doubt in her heart that Hermione would be there for her should she ever need her. It wasn't a new realization; she had just forgotten about it. Leaning back more comfortably into the sofa, Minerva finally voiced what had been on her mind since her visitors arrived. "As nice as it is to have you, to what do I own the pleasure of your visit?" She suddenly looked a little concerned when a possible reason crossed her mind. She cast the children, who were still busy unpacking the decorations a look, and whispered, "Is everything alright between you and…" She didn't want to say it aloud in front of the children, but she didn't have to.
"Oh no, everything is fine," Hermione assured her mentor. "The Weasley boys have decided to do something for males only today, and all the females of the family are off to a spa. They wanted to do something for their souls." She said the last part as if it was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard.
"And you?" It was untypical for Hermione to miss out on a family event.
"I'm doing something for my soul."
I had planned on finishing my other stories before posting this one, but I figured as Christmas is over already I really should post it now. There will be three parts.
I thank Bola for her endless support!