It was Christmas time in the city. The trees were decorated lavishly with blinking lights, and wreaths were hung everywhere. Fake Santas were seen here and there, waving at people and pretending to be happy and jolly. It was certainly the best time of the year, especially for Hermione Granger.
She lived in a simple house with her uncle and cousin. After the war, she never found her parents and was forced to accept the fact that her parents would take care of themselves in Australia.
Now Hermione lived with her uncle and was a part of his business of planning events, which was only temporary of course. One day she dreamed of attending Burgsendaury, the most famous Auror training grounds in the world. Only a delicate few were able to attended that school, and ever since she had heard of it, she dreamed of being a student at the school. However, the fees to attend were high, and she had to work to save up enough money to get to the school.
Ding. The oven sounded. Hermione jogged over to the oven and opened it, waving her wand to levitate a fresh batch of sugar cookies shaped into hearts out of the oven. She beamed at the batch and sniffed it, savoring the delicious aroma of the cookies. Placing the cookies on a decorated plate, she proceeded to bustle around the kitchen, carefully placing her many different cookies on different plates.
Just then her cousin strutted into the kitchen.
"Oh, hey Candace," Hermione said.
Candace made a face. "Did you just wake up?" she asked without bothering to say hello.
"It's 1:00 PM, I've been up since 4:00 working," Hermione sighed.
"And you haven't brushed your hair yet?" Candace asked, with a grimace. "Even your muskrat is better groomed," she said glancing at the sleeping cat in the corner of the room.
"Crookshanks is a kitty!" Hermione explained. "Um, are you here to help?" she asked hopefully.
"Ha, no, I'm here looking for the bottle of floo powder. Here it is! Daddy said that I could pick my own christmas gift this year," Candace said with a giggle.
"Great," Hermione said halfheartedly. "Would you be able to drop these off at St. Mungo's for me?" she pointed at the cookies.
"Ohhh, those look really fragile! What if I drop something, then you would have to redo all this work again." Candace smirked.
"That logic wouldn't get you anywhere," Hermione muttered.
"You know, I would feel bad for you, if you didn't just make more work for yourself," Candace said, shaking her head. "You agonize over these sentimental details like, I dunno, hanging glassware for when the year so-and-so was born, and does anybody even notice?"
Hermione sighed. "As an event planner, it is our job to create a magical experience (no pun intended). Anything that helps with that magic is worth it."
"Well it would be worth it if a rich bachelor notices me," Candace said, beaming. "So don't forget to forward me that guest list. Later Cous." She turned around and sashayed back to the living room.
She suddenly stopped and turned around. "Oh hey, what's my dad doing for your present this year?"
Hermione paused and said slowly, "He told me to think about it and let him know. I'm going to tell him I want the event planning business. That way I can get money a little faster and be able to attend Burgsenduary earlier."
"Really?"
"Well, he's been hinting a retirement, and I'm going to offer to buy him out," Hermione said softly.
"You can afford to do that?" Candace scoffed, crossing her arms.
"I have savings...and the money that my parents left me. I'm going to ask him tomorrow night at dinner, so I was hoping that you'd help me support it."
"Sure," Candace plastered on a fake smile. "No problem Cous."
Hermione grinned excitedly, hoping that Candace would keep true to her word.