Christmas
Dear Ron,
Merry Christmas. I hope this finds you as well as it leaves me. It's weird being with juggles again. I have to make up stuff about school, as only my parents know about Hogwarts. Are you still looking for Nicholas Flamel? I have been, but I'm not having any luck. See you soon,
Hermione.
Before I knew it, Professor McGonagall was collecting the names of those who were remaining at Hogwarts for Christmas. Of course, I never even thought of staying, not that first year anyway. I felt sorry for Harry, not having any choice in the matter, but he actually seemed happy about it, and at least he had Ron to keep him company.
The Great Hall was amazing around Christmas. I eventually got used to the decorations, but as a lowly first year, I Denver seen anything like it. My decorations from last year had nothing on this. Holly and mistletoe cascaded down the walls, and twelve massive fir trees had been placed around the hall, some covered in sparkling icicles, others in glittering candles. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were busy putting bows and baubles everywhere, and had already decorated the house tables with arrangements of fir, holly, mistletoe and cones. It was beautiful, there was no other word for it.
After the first quidditch match Hagrid had let slip something about Nicholas Flamel. I forgot to mention my, Harry, Ron and Neville's encounter with Fluffy, Hagrid's three-headed dog. We were convinced it was hiding something, but we couldn't think of where to start to figure out what. Until Hagrid's slip up of course. Since then we had combed the library for any information on Flamel, but to no avail. I made Harry and Ron promise to keep looking over Christmas, while I would look through some muggle books. I think I knew we wouldn't find anything, but I couldn't not look.
Christmas that year was great, possibly one of the best of my life. Mum and Dad had invited my Grandparents over, along with all my aunts, uncles and cousins. Due to the International Statute of Secrecy I couldn't tell them I was a witch. Instead, they thought I had been awarded a scholarship to Cheltenham Ladies College, and we're proud to have such a high achieving child in the family. Of course, this caused awkward questions, but I had prepared some answers beforehand. My subjects were the hardest. Of course I took English and Maths, every muggle child does. History of Magic became English History, Herbology and Potions were Biology and Chemistry. Charms and Transfigurations were harder to deal with. I eventually settled on Government Politics and Modern Foreign Languages as subjects I thought would please the family. Personally, I was glad I was at Hogwarts!
Mum and Dad didn't really know what to get a budding witch for Christmas, so they bought me some muggle novels and a new sweater, green to match my eyes. Over the years, they branched out a bit more, but I guess they decided to play it safe the first time!
I had decided to get Ron and Harry candy, as I didn't really know what to get 11-year-old boys. Turned out I guessed right! And they both gave me sweets as well, so it turned out we were all thinking along the same lines that year.
Overall, I really enjoyed Christmas that year. It turned out to be my last 'normal' Christmas, and I still look back on it fondly. But, as much as I enjoyed it, I couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts. Back to people like me. To Harry and Ron. And to Nicholas Flamel.
A/N. So, we're halfway through the first book. This is where it starts to get really interesting! Thanks to those who have stuck with me this far, hopefully it'll keep getting better as it goes on. NG.
