The school holidays were always a source of happiness. The best ones happened where nobody tried to have a good time on purpose, and it just happened; those were the ones Hermione could remember, the clearest pictures in her mind.
She did like having guests round, and after being told by her husband that she was a 'better host than he'd ever be' she seemed to have taken it in her stride, and now felt like it was her duty to invite as many as possible. She did like having Ron's parents round, and their friends, and even on occasion, her colleagues (not that they were particularly interesting - on the contrary, most of them were terribly dull, one of the down points of working in law).
But when it was just the family, nattering on about school things, just the house to themselves for once... that made her the happiest.
She looked around the magicked crooked table, watching the three of them making as much noise as a household of seven would. Hugo chatting to his father about the new broomsticks on the market, dropping hints subtle enough to make Hermione proud; and at the same time, piling his plate with more roast chicken. He really did need to get a new haircut soon... Ron was only half-listening, hoarding his plate with his favourite sausages in a similar vein to his son. She felt herself smile fondly, the sight not making her exasperated as it might usually, but instead this time only pulling at her hearstrings.
Errol II hooted dolefully from the corner, and Hermione turned her head slightly to see Rose diligently tossing him an Owl Treat from a huge box next to her chair, and then another after a small fight ensued between him and Hugo's new tawny, Terminator. What a name, Hermione thought with an inward groan, but her thoughts were interrupted as Terminator's owner turned and began cheering him on, waving his fist cheerfully and knocking over a jug of gravy.
"You idiot!" came the result, as Rose turned indignantly to find her book soaked. Hermione didn't feel she had the strength to sort it out, and so just watched, inwardly hitting her face with her palm. Another Christmas present ruined - this happened every year, and they never learnt.
"You shouldn't be reading at the table anyway, then," Hugo said dismissively, with a slightly accusatory tone, although he looked a little worried and Hermione knew he really hadn't meant to do it. Rose looked close to tears as she gingerly lifted a few pages - Hermione recognised it as Hogwarts: A Revised History.
"Never mind, we'll get you a new one," Ron said finally, obviously feeling like he had to intervene. He looked a little afraid at suggesting such a thing to his daughter, as both parents knew how much books meant to her.
"But I liked this one!"
The conversation faded from Hermione's focus, as she returned to her mashed potato with a slightly pressured grimace. Perhaps it would have been best to have guests round this time after all. She looked up as she felt a hand over hers, stopping her fork, and saw Ron gazing at her with concern all over his face.
"You okay?" he asked, looking a little surprised, since this kind of thing was highly common. Hermione stared at him for a moment, and then smiled and nodded. She'd been wrong. School holidays made her life worth living.