The rest of the month that they were living in Minerva's manor was difficult, but enjoyable. Hermione spent most of her time in the library reading through the books at a speed that had Minerva impressed; for not only was she reading, but she was also comprehending and teaching herself extremely advanced magics. Hermione still had lapses where she reverted back to acting like she had under the Grangers. Though they had become fewer the longer Hermione was at the manor. Hermione actually asked Minerva to teach her Transfiguration, and when Minerva told her that Albus was an expert in Occlumency and Legitimacy, Hermione tentatively asked him to teach her. Albus, who was ecstatic that she had asked him for anything, immediately said yes. He didn't know the hell that her past was and half way through their first lesson had to call it a day. Hermione thought she had done something wrong and it took Minerva awhile to be able to explain that it was not her; it was what was done to her.
However, Christmas was an interesting affair. Minerva had told Albus that Hermione probably had never had a Christmas before and Albus, being Albus wanted to surprise her. Albus purchased all the books that were on the curriculum for the next seven years; Minerva bought Hermione a drawing set.
Minerva and Albus stayed up late Christmas Eve decorating, Whinny was busy getting Christmas dinner ready.
Hermione woke up on December 25, thinking that it was just another day. She got dressed and made her way down stairs for breakfast, not noticing the decorations; she had been up late, reading – again.
"Good morning, Kitten." Minerva smiled
"Morning." Hermione mumbled as she slid into her seat at the table.
Just then Albus flounced into the room, "Good morning!"
Hermione's head hit the table with a resounding 'thunk' and mumbled, "Must you be so chipper in the morning?"
"Hermione" Minerva asked, "How late did you stay up last night?"
Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. I was reading this really interesting chapter on Animagi and I lost track of time."
"Sounds like some other witch I know." Albus chuckled.
Minerva slapped him on the shoulder, "Shut up."
Hermione shook her head at their antics.
"Hermione, what do you have planned for today?" Minerva asked.
"Studying" Hermione mumbled around a mouthful of cereal.
"Do you know what today is?" Albus asked, eyes twinkling.
"Yeah, December 25, why?"
"You do know what today is, right?" Albus pushed for an answer.
"Christmas day" Hermione shrugged. "So?"
Albus spluttered at her nonplused reaction.
"I think you have finally made the grate Albus Dumbledore speechless, Kitten." Minerva chuckled. "After you finish breakfast we have a surprise for you."
"Wh-what kind of surprise." Hermione warily asked, suddenly not hungry.
"It's about time that you have a Christmas. You saw the decorations on your way down, didn't you?" Albus asked.
"Decorations, what decorations?" Hermione looked around the room.
The adults chuckled.
"Finish you breakfast, kitten." Minerva ruffled Hermione's hair.
Hermione scarfed down her breakfast, "Okay, I'm done. May I see the decorations now?"
"Why are you excited about seeing the decorations?" Albus asked, he thought that she would be more excited about getting presents.
"The Grangers never put up decorations." Hermione was hopping from one foot to the other, obviously excited.
"Of course you can see the decorations." Minerva smiled. As Hermione was about to dart out of the room, she called after her, "Although you might want to know that you have presents."
Hermione skidded to a stop, "Presents?" she asked in disbelief, "You got me presents?"
"Of course." Albus stated like it was nothing, "We always get each other presents and you are part of our family."
"I get presents." Hermione said in awe. She ran to Minerva and threw her arms about the elder witch's waist. "Thank you. Thank you both." Hermione sniffed.
"Hermione, are you crying?" Albus asked.
Hermione giggled into Minerva abdomen. Minerva squatted down, "Hermione, are you okay?"
Hermione nodded, smiling through her tears, "I've never gotten presents before."
"Well, I think that needs to be remedied." Minerva bopped her on the nose with her finger, "Come on, Kitten."
Minerva led a giggling Hermione to the sitting room. There was a seven foot tall tree, decorated with Gaelic ornaments and the Hogwarts Houses' colors. There was silver tinsel and mistletoe everywhere and crystal snowflakes hanging from the ceiling.
"Oh my, this is beautiful." Hermione breathed, "Did you do all this last night?"
"Yes, little one, we did." Albus beamed, he loved Christmas it was his favorite holiday.
Minerva gently pushed Hermione toward the tree, "Would you be our Santa and pass out the presents?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes ma'am!"
She scurried to the tree and picked up a small package covered in silver wrappings, "'To Minerva, Love Albus.' Minerva, I think this one is for you."
Minerva took the package from her, and carefully took off the wrapping paper and took the top off of the box. Inside the box lay a small tabby cat on a silver chain. "Thank you Albus." Minerva gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.
Hermione scrunched up her nose at their display of affection. "I think this one is for Albus."
"Thank you." Albus tore his open revealing, a huge bag a lemon drops.
"Those should last you the rest of the semester." Minerva winked, causing Hermione to giggle. "There are two more under the tree, kitten."
Hermione grabbed Albus' present first, and almost dropped it on her foot. "Books!" Hermione exclaimed, grinning from ear-to-ear, "Thank you, Albus."
"You are very welcome."
When Hermione opened Minerva's present, she had to bight her lip to keep from crying. She loved to draw; but when the Grangers caught her, she was beaten severely.
"Hermione, what is it?" Minerva asked.
"I-I-I'm not a-a-allowed to draw." Hermione whimpered.
Minerva slid off of the couch and pull Hermione into her lap. Hermione buried her face into Minerva's shoulder and wrapped her arms about her waist.
"Hermione, what happened?" Minerva asked, as she ran her fingers through Hermione's hair, calming her down.
"I-I was dr-dr-drawing in one of m-m-my note books and-and-and…" Hermione shook her head, and sobbed.
Minerva rubbed Hermione's back, "Shh, they can't hurt you anymore. We'll protect you. You can draw all you want, if you wish."
"I like drawing." Hermione sniffed.
"Then you should draw to your heart's content." Albus smiled at her.
Hermione looked at them, "Thank you."
"Whatever for, kitten?"
"Christmas." Hermione smiled and hugged Minerva.
However, Hermione meant more than just Christmas and all three of them knew it.
A/N: Hello my lovelies! This is kinda a fluff chapter, but I hope ya'll liked it! And a thank you for all who reviewed. Sorry, there isn't an Easter Egg this time :( made me sad.
