A/N: Hello readers from all times of the day. This special chapter is from Hermione's POV though in third person.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Harry Potter franchise.

Special
Those who (learn to) understand

Merry christmas little one...

A feeling of good will warmed Hermione's heart and a warning of an impression of...scarf? Hermione shook her head mumbling about reading too deep into the night for bedtime stories. Which reminds her; she has a Potions essay left and need to catch up on reading for her other classes... Hermione just shook her head again and checked for any traps her dear roommate Pansy Parkinson left behind. After a couple of minutes of inspection, Hermione looked around her dorm that she alone occupy since the other three Slytherin girls left home for the holidays. Hermione looked over Tracey Davis' bed and sighed, Don't know if being considered inferior species or an amusing specimen for another makes having roommates worth it. Daphne was an interesting girl who really didn't care much about blood status, so long as you leave her alone and she will do the same. Parkinson learn it the hard way. Ah good times, smirked Hermione.

Hermione gasped when she looked down and saw couple of presents.
She first saw her parents' present of a souvenir of their trip to France. Hermione smiled sadly as she shook the snow globe of the Eiffel tower which came with a couple of books of French history. When she saw Ron's present of a book about Quidditch, Quidditch through the Ages, she blinked and gripped it, I would not regret my decision. I will not leave my friends celebrate Christmas by themselves. She may be eleven and naive but she is one of the bright students in her year, after all.

She notices when Harri is practically an open-book to her, but goes blank when her relatives are mention or Ron looking longingly at the Gryffindor table where his brothers sat. Hermione always known her parents love her, though she is slightly jealous of Ron having siblings whereas she was an only child. Yet when Ron's parents owled him when they were going to visit his brother, they told Ron that he had to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas. Unsurprisingly a couple (most) of the older Slytherins made fun of Ron saying his family is too ashamed of him and the longer they don't see him the better.

Right then and there Hermione decided to owl her parents if she can stay this Christmas to help a friend of hers. They responded that they were proud of her and happy with the fact she feels comfortable somewhere that isn't home or books.

Looking around for other presents other than from Tracey and Daphne which were books of blood status history or Etiquette, she notice a small package.

It was from Harri.

At first glance, Harri's present was a deceivable simple bracelet. As Hermione scrutinize it, she gasped. She can tell it was handmade for it was not a perfect braid of three colored yarn of yellow, silver, green with a snake charm. Hermione concluded Harri made it herself. Hermione subconsciously rubbed her eyes as she thought back of her old school, her classmates gave gifts of friendship between them and she the bookworm lonely freak craved for such a gift.

Hermione remembered before The Troll Incident, Harri tried to catch Ron's and her attention. But both Slytherins agreed for the little Hufflepuff girl shouldn't get involved with traitorous and bullied Slytherins. This way, she will be safe.

Ron admitted to her during their "self-impose exile" study lessons that he felt jealous and shadowed once again by someone great as Harriet Potter befriending him of all people, a poor blood-traitor. So Hermione proceeded to slap him. Telling yes you are an idiot, but her idiot (though for the record he did had an insane ability to defeat almost all Slytherin students in wizard chess. Severus was amused at this and decided he now upgraded from Typical Slytherin to Strategic Slytherin. Ron denied to her that he fainted). Of course Hermione still believe in following rules, but here in the wizardry world is so difficult. A perfect example was the prefect who was Ron's brother. Really what is wrong with these people?!

Suddenly Harri came in from being bullied by the older Gryffindors and their prefect. Hermione wondered with Harri's "brash" actions that maybe the hat was wrong and instead of Hufflepuff, Harri was better off as a Gryffindor. Later when they complain about "professor" McGonagall accusations to Severus (as he insisted to be called in private after the influx of points made by her), he warned them is not the sleeping lion they should be wary of, but of the silent badgers.

Getting sidetrack here, Hermione thought as she went to dress up for the day.


She was surprise to see Ron staring at the fireplace in a rare, intense look that gave Hermione unusual shivers. She was surprise the heavy sleeper Slytherin was already up and dressed up for the day. Though Hermione wonder how to snap him out of his strange mood. Fortunately Ron began talking, "Mum has a strange tradition of knitting handmade sweaters to everyone. Every year she always makes me a maroon one. I hated it."

Hermione wasn't sure what to say to that.

"...but this year...she sent nothing..." he whispered to Hermione when she sat next to him. The girl pretended not to see his eyes shining too brightly as he stared at the dying flames. Hermione wasn't sure what to do until she heard the familiar foreign murmur,

Harri...

"Lets go find Harri, she must be waiting for us," she stood up and pulled Ron up, "we better hurry before she finds a way to break into our common room."

"Well we can't have that," Ron stood up shaking off nonexistent dirt, "we could be blamed and Severus might use us for exotic ingredients for his renewal Potioneer license," gave a half-hearted smirk.


Hermione saw Harri was waiting impatiently at them as if barely bursting with news. Hermione shook her head in amusement when Harri yelled, "What took you so looong?!"

Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron huffed, "Here I thought you were different."

"What does that suppose to mean?" Harri narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"I am a man," Hermione snorted at this, "as men we don't wear girly bracelets," Hermione open her mouth in protest as Ron crossed his arms. Hermione saw Ron barely showing off his bracelet similar to the one she is now wearing. It also had a serpent charm that twinkle in the light. Hermione turned and saw Harri just standing there shocked, but snap out of it with her rare genuine smile.

"Lets march for breakfast, I need food!" Ron punched the air.

"...fine, I guess I'll show you guys something later," Harri sighed dramatically.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Must be serious if you who eat a lot like you are starving girl, would rather eat later." Harri looked away blushing.

As they started to walk, Hermione felt Harri tugging her sleeve, "You think maybe the Christmas trees in Hogwarts look better than in the Muggle world Hermione?"

"Mm," Hermione scrunched her face thinking, "Well not sure...I only like my Christmas tree because my family and I decorated the tree," she wistfully smiled remembering.

"Then why didn't you go with them this year?" Ron asked Hermione confused.

"Well is my first Christmas in the magical world," Hermione thinking fast for an excuse, "so I was curious to know how different wizards and witches celebrate it." Hermione will never tell her real reason to her best friends. She knows showing pity in this case solves nothing.

"Oh," Harri bought it and looked ahead as they walk to the main floor of Hogwarts. It was silent for a few minutes, but Hermione wondered why Harri was glancing at them every so often.

After a while Harri faced them and she took a deep breath and shyly smiled, "Merry Christmas!"

They stared at her and for a second Hermione felt uneasy at Harri's shyness toward them, but decided not to push it. So they greet her back. It was worth Harri's beaming smile.


They arrived at the entrance to the Great Hall going toward the Slytherin table with Harri towed. Hermione took out her Potions textbook (secretly reading the Quidditch through the Ages book inside of it) and Harri chattering to Ron about the first Quidditch game of how Gryffindor was pulverized by the Ravenclaws. Eventually when Hermione tune in again, Ron was excitedly talk about something about his favorite team, the Chudley Cannons and possible ideas for tricks Harri could try out from what he read about.

"Ron willingly read?!" mock gasped Hermione.

Ron scowled, then tried to impersonate a disinterest Malfoy when he was trying to cover up something, "Only for Quidditch Miss Granger."

Then he froze staring something behind her, but he scowled, "You know what forget the rules, Harri you are sitting with us!"

"Uh, Ron, I been sitting with you guys..." Harri looked confused worried about Ron's mental health.

"No! We're going to the Hufflepuff table!" announced Ron walking dramatically as he bluntly ignored the Gryffindor table. As they waited for breakfast to be served, they saw Prof. McGonagall giggling as Hagrid kissed her cheek. Harri elbowed Hermione as she covered her mouth in mirth as she pointed out the Slytherin Head smirking at Prof. Sprout who look normal drinking her chalice to the untrained eye, but weeks of some subtlety in Slytherin, Hermione saw how smug Prof. Sprout looked eying at the Gryffindor head. As for the Ravenclaw head, Prof. Flitwick, he looked down his cup warily not drinking a sip. The headmaster seemed to hum in amusement as his eyes twinkled at the teachers.

Suddenly Ron almost whimpered slightly behind her. She turned and quickly reached for her wand (ever since day 2, she carried her wand in a sewed pocket in her sleeve or inside her open robe on her uniform). The Weasley twins were walking toward the Hufflepuff table carrying a large suspicious package, with grins that send her in high alert.

"Merry Christmas ronnikins!" They frowned as Hermione and Harri glared in defense of Ron.

Their smirks became profound, "Well, we were about to break into your common room," began the one with the letter F on his knitted sweater.

"...but you came just in time," finished the other twin with the letter G on his knitted sweater.

"Now you saw us, and now you can leave," scowled a recovered Ron.

"Don't you want Mum's present?" They both grinned at him.

Hermione gasped as she stole a look at Ron.

"Don't joke like that!" Ron shouted at them.

The twins blinked and gave him a small smile as they walked closer.

"We wouldn't do that," they both began.

"After all we do have morals..."

"...and keep our promises,"

"Besides Mum told us we take care of you and we will,"

"Even if that idiot over there is blind right now." They pointed at an annoyed Percy who tried not to look at them.

Then they turned mischievous, "Though for the record this presents seems is for three people," said the F lettered sweater twin.

Ron cautiously opens the package and three sweaters come out.

One was maroon.

Ron laughed. Hermione stared at him as he places a silver sweater and the rich black one on the table on top of his sweater.

"Huh?" Hermione was confused and look up a sheepish twins.

"Guess Mum knew if she didn't want to embarrassed her little Ronnikins with any Slytherin that stayed behind and decided to leave it to us," shrugged the G lettered sweater.

"What we want to say is..."

"...now Mum makes you sweaters, means you all now considered family and will never forget you."

"NO," Ron deadpanned.

"What do you mean no?!" Twins cried out as Hermione smirked when she saw Ron's eyes.

"Not if you follow three conditions," lifting his hand to silence the twins, "and a certain amount of time of no pranking me doesn't count. Do you accept these terms?"

"Figures that he will become one of them, I'll say no," Percy responded in disdain behind the twins. Hermione glared at him.

"Shut it Percy for this time, you lost your older brother privileges for not doing your duty of protecting your brother," scowled the twins. At this Hermione's opinion of the twins went up.

Turning toward Ron in a sudden mood swing, "Forge believes Ronnikins is growing up, Gred!"

"Yes Forge, Gred is so proud!" They wipe each others fake tears. Then in mock seriousness the twins asked, "What are your conditions?"

Ron tapped the table in thought for a minute. Then he looked up at Harri for a second, "Hmm no pranking... Draco Malfoy."

"What?!"

"I thought you hated the Malfoys?" The twins gapped.

Hermione notice he gave a sad smile before smirking, "Never thought I'll see the day I'll leave you guys speechless."

"You were kidding?!" The twins shouted.

"Nope, I'm not kidding because teaching Draco a lesson is up to his advisor."

"Advisor?" One twin mouth to his brother confused.

Hermione smile shaking her head when she saw Harri blushing. Hermione giggled as she turned toward the shocked twins, "Well second condition will be no tormenting Sev- Prof. Snape, except once a year."

They sighed and turned a fidgeting Harri, "Um...I'll like to do a prank with you guys one day."

They grinned, "We accept those terms!" giving them a thumbs up when Ron stared at them confused. Hermione whispered to him it means ok in the Muggle world.

Meanwhile Percy uncharacteristically smirked, "What? No Unbreakable Vows?"

Hermione looked the other three Weasley brothers pale and the one with F almost gripped his twin from falling and it wasn't with the usual dramatic flair, either. Note to self research Unbreakable Vows, Hermione thought curious why does it sound foreboding. In the meantime Hermione needed to work on damage control, but had nothing, "Ron snap out of it, what's wrong with you?"

The twins must have heard Hermione was trying to say because they faced Percy, "Just for that I will owl Gin-Gin and there will be retribution" Forge threaten Percy. Said brother paled looking faint.

"Gred believes", the one with a giant G began, "its time for the Weasley Christmas breakfast."

"Forge thinks as well." The roughly pulled a still shell-shocked Percy to the Gryffindor table.

"Are you three coming?" The twins turned to face them.

"Yes, the Weasleys always eat together, no matter what," they winked.

Ron shook his head in amusement and pulled Harri and Hermione to the Gryffindor table.

As they walked, Hermione asked, "So Gin-Gin is your girlfriend's name? The one you owl all the time?"

"Wht?! NO! She's my sister! I wanted her be ready for Hogwarts and stuff." They sat down as Percy sat sulking between the twins.

"That will be Luna," smirked Forge.

"No way! She's weird even for a girl!"

Harri just laughed, while Hermione grinned at the lively breakfast.

Mom and dad I am sorry I couldn't go with you, but next year I will. But you know what, you were right: friends are the best and better than books, she thought, maybe.


The trio crowded around Hermione's jar of warm flames as they went down toward the Hufflepuff dorms.

"That was hilarious!" Ron laughed, echoing the dark cold corridor.

Hermione frowned, "Really Ron? It was rather rude when the twins shot infinite snowballs to the back of Prof. Quirrell's head."

"Tur~ban Hermione," Ron corrected her in a sing song voice.

"I really loved the snowball fight, though," Harri's face still flushed after leaving the cold.

"How can you stand the cold Harri?" Ron complained

"Practice," responded Harri.

"Show off!" Ron complained ignoring Harri's deadpanned.

"So Harri what is the thing you wanted to tell us?" Hermione asked her. Harri was silent biting her lip as if having second thoughts at telling them. Hermione stared at the girl.

"Fine. Wait here," Harri quickly went around the corner. Curious, Hermione and Ron looked over and only saw a barrel twitch.

"Darn!" Ron cursed.

"Really Ron?! Don't you have no shame or any respect for anything?" Hermione hissed at the boy.

"Speak for yourself, besides I never went into the girl rooms!"

"Your nose is getting long," deadpanned Hermione.

"What how? Did you curse me or something?!" Ron touched his nose as he crossed his eyes inspecting it.

"Is a muggle expression for someone is lying."

"You muggles are so weird.."

"Speak for yourself!" Hermione throwing back his words, "You people ride brooms while we use it to clean kitchens with it!"

"Hello! You're one of us!"

"Oh, just because we have magic, it makes you so-o superior meaning my muggle parents are the lower species?"

"Hey! I didn't say that!" Ron took a step forward as he clench his fists.

"Well you imply!" Hermione took an angry step forward.

"Hermione, Ron is the type of person to be blunt especially to us, no matter how hard he tries to be subtle so he didn't mean to say that." Hermione heard Harri sighed behind her.

Hermione turned to Harri's voice, "Well sorry this doesn't concern you...Harri?" The corridor was empty in exception of the two Slytherins,"...Ron?"

"...yeah?" Ron looked around them confused as Hermione's face paled.

"You did hear Harri right now, right?"

"Yeah..."

Then they heard giggling next to them as they jump toward each other and hugged in fear.

Suddenly Harri's head was floating in front of them.

Naturally Hermione screamed as Ron yelled, "Wicked! Since when you own one?!"

Hermione gaped at Ron, "Huh?!" She missing something, but...

How in the world Ron figure it out before her?!


"An invisibility cloak, huh," Hermione and Ron sat on the barrels near wherever the entrance to Hufflepuff basement is located.

Harri grinned, but frown as she rubbed the back of her head where Hermione slapped at. Yep Hermione was not amused.

"It was from my fathers," Harri fingered the silky shimmering cloak in reverence, "is kind of funny how I hear more about my dad and the only thing I know about my mother is some journals she wrote, but even then some of the journals are missing and are out of sequence." She sighed. They sat on the barrels silently for a couple of minutes.

"Hey I have an idea! Lets sneak out around with it!" Ron grinned maniacally.

Harri agreed to Ron, but Hermione responded, "No."

"Why?!" They cried out.

Lifting one finger, Hermione uttered, "One word: Snape."

"Ok," Ron numbly agreed.

"What?! Just like that?! Is it because he is your Head of house or something?"

Ron stared at her with a dark aura, "Severus knows all."

Harri stared at them speechless, then she sighed, "I'm guessing going to the third floor corridor is a no go as well."

"Are you insane?! It has been said one will die a horrible death! I don't want to be expelled!" Hermione was horrified to be kicked out of the one school she feels comfortable in.

"Expelled?! You sound more insane than Harri!" Ron looked shocked at Hermione. Hermione and Ron glared at each other that sparks flew between them. Honestly that infuriating boy just doesn't understand anything!

When Hermione stole a glanced at Harri, she felt dread. She looked too suspicious eying her cloak and a familiar crazy glint in her eye. Hermione sighed and looked at Ron resigned. Ron stopped glaring at her and smirked realizing what Hermione was about to say.

With a last glare, Hermione agreed to Harri to use it, "Just exploring and no third floor expeditions!" Harri fervently nodded as Ron looked a bit too smug.

Wait a minute...no way...he planned this?! Hermione mentally outraged.


They had a close call with a vicious cat. It gave a loud meow and out of no where an elderly man appeared, that Hermione believes to be the school's caretaker. Good thing the invisibility cloak did its job of confusing the pair.

Honestly that cat is giving bad reputation to all cats everywhere. Which reminds me, I should get a cat since I still don't have a familiar like Ron's old rat Scabbers (for the record he claims to forget to bring his rat, but decided he is much safer at home than a Slytherin dorm) and Harri's lovely white owl, Hedwig, she shook off her tangent thoughts and focus on walking quietly inside the large cloak.

They passed by a couple of suit in armors that Ron swears he saw one move. Hermione just rolled her eyes.

Unfortunately Harri uncharacteristically tripped and crashed into said armor.

The caretaker came back with glee, "Come sweet Mrs. Norris, we found a couple of late night bad children out of bed."

Harri cursed as they quickly look for a place to hide. Hermione pulled them harshly into a room and quietly locked the room. They hold their breath at the doorknob rattle.


It felt like hours when in actuality it was couple of minutes the old man and his cat, Mrs. Norris decided to leave.

"What a strange large mirror...?" Harri looking something over Hermione's shoulder.

"Hmm?" Hermione saw the old dusty tall mirror that is 3 times her height. "Interesting..." Hermione looked at the mirror and as she poked it with her finger, she gasped.

She saw herself older with her hair controlled with a confident air. She was surrounded with a many doctorates and many awards from Nobel prizes as well as for magical achievements. She murmured, "I wonder if this mirror shows the future? I have so many awards and great stuff of being the best of everything!" she was enchanted by what she saw.

Ron cried out in excitement, "My turn! My turn!" Hermione just shook her head and reluctantly let him stand where she stood, "Sweet! I'm Head Boy, and, and Quidditch Captain!" He looked around in the mirror though Hermione cannot see what Ron's sees, " Whoa! I'm so tall and cool looking, and my brothers are cheering for me!"

"My turn!" Harri went to look. As Hermione waited for Harri to see, Hermione notice Ron looking impatient wanting to see his reflection again. She heard a gasped near the mirror. Hermione quickly turned to see a shocked, shivering Harri. Once she seemed to over come her shock, Harri covered her mouth looking behind her.

"Harri?" Hermione began to worry that Harri saw something horrible. The Hufflepuff only look wistfully tragic as she gently placed her hand on the mirror with a very intense look deciphering what she only could see.


It was way past curfew when they silently walk back after they dragged Harri out of the room with the mirror.

"Be careful Harri, alright," Ron warned Harri as he notice the crazy glint her eyes. Hermione quickly turned to him in surprise. "Is just...my parents always warns us to be careful of magical items especially if you don't know where its brain is," he explained.

"Oh really?" sneered Harri uncharacteristically, "well you just being paranoid." Now Hermione wonders what exactly she saw.

Ron frowned at her as Hermione speak up, "Well he knows more about the magical world."

Harri just snorted sarcastically.

"You better not go back Harri," Hermione thought back on the mirror; mirror of Erised... and if it is a mirror...

Her thoughts were interrupted by the shouting match between Ron and Harri.

"Shh! Are you insane is late...oh no, its late!" Hermione panicked, "Its past curfew and Severus always check us," hissed Hermione as Ron paled.

After leaving Harri at her dorms sulking, the Slytherins left cursing themselves as they have no means to sneak down their dorms.

"The old fashion way it is," muttered Ron.


Harri ignored the Slytherins for the next 2 days. After waiting long enough, they came into a silent agreement they will wait for her outside her dorms. Hermione felt it was a necessary evil to be out pass curfew or so she tells herself. It didn't help earlier Prof. Snape stared at them with narrow eyes throughout the day. Not even Ron distracting her with books calmed her nerves.

Eventually they saw Harri walking about with her cloak in hand. She looked around before putting it on.

"Ron you remember where is the room with the mirror?" Hermione turned to her partner in crime. He nodded as they slowly followed the invisible girl.


Hermione sense someone else was with them in the room, but right now Hermione focused at the girl who looked hungrily at the mirror.

"Harri... " but said girl didn't hear her. Sighing she looked around the room, Hermione notice some inscription on the mirror from earlier and realize is reversed, Mirror of Erised...mirror, reflect, reverse the word...Desire! Mirror of Desire! Hermione mentally cheered for solving it, but her face darken at realizing the mirror doesn't show the future. If it is what she remembered, there are some magical objects one should be wary of and remembered this mirror is one of such. People went insane looking for things that their heart desire especially if those desires are impossible to fulfill, while forgetting the present. She feared for Harri, remembering how Harri was out of it and fidgeting, and didn't even pay attention to her surroundings. It didn't help that Harri was the type of person who always pays attention to her surroundings.

When Hermione looked up to Harri, wondering how to snap her out of it, she saw Ron dragged Harri back. For a second she heard someone chuckling behind and thought she saw someone at the corner of her eye. She turned, but saw nothing.

That is when she heard a thump. Ron had pushed a hysteric Harri against the wall, "Ron?!" They seemed to ignore Hermione as they had a stare down. After a minute Harri slumped down holding in tears. Gently he let her go.


"...I think I saw my parents," Harri began to explain what she saw in the mirror.

Embarrassed, Harri confesses she saw many people with dark hair and some red hair. She guessed the couple behind her were her parents since the man looked like her and the woman had the same eyes. Or so people told her.

It dawned on Hermione maybe Harri never knew how her parents look like. How dare they do that! Hermione mentally shouted as Ron cursed the whole trip back.

"Tomorrow we'll go to the library," Hermione stared at him in awe: if Harri is famous, then information should be available. Harri looked at them confused, but pleased about earlier when she apologize to them.

Ron and Hermione had waved her off as Ron explained, "Forget it, you were not in your true mind, besides is what family and friends do, we fight and forgive and forget", but Hermione heard the unspoken most of the time.

When they arrived to the Hufflepuff dorm entrance area, Harri stopped, "Do you need my cloak? I can let you guys borrow it."

Ron's sparkled, but Hermione pulled him, "Sorry Harri, but we will be fine, thanks though," yawn Hermione.


As they walked back and gave the necessary password at their common room entrance, they whispered to each other. Hermione said as she rubbed her eyes, "I'll ask if we can make copies."

"Copies of what?"

"Of Harri's' parents! Honestly Ron didn't you see Harri admitted she never even had a photo of them..." Hermione trailed off when she saw Ron looking behind her in silent scream. She quickly thought back at the previous question and gulped knowing it wasn't Ron.

It was Prof. Snape, standing formidable in front of them.

"Well, do tell me what the two, pardon three of you been doing in the past few days," drawled Severus.

"Wait you were spying us and laughing today behind me?!" Hermione trying to reflect his question.

"What are you talk-" they heard him mutter "noisy," "manipulating old man." They subtle looked at each other and slowly turned around toward their dorms.

"Tomorrow. Lunch in the dungeons." They flinched. When they looked back, no one was there.

"If it wasn't for the fact being worried about tomorrow, I would have thought that our head is so wicked awesome," Ron whispered to Hermione. She mutely nodded.

A/N: Thanks for reading and till next chapter Chapter 7 Flight in two weeks.