AN: I originally had this as one chapter, but it became so long (5400 words) that I broke it into two chapters. The next segment will post in a couple of days.
Chapter 12: A Happy Christmas at the Burrow
Part I: A "lovely girl"
The last week before break came soon enough, but Hermione and Harry were still trying to figure out what was going on with Draco Malfoy. He never talked to Hermione like she'd told him to, never asking for her help again.
Hermione had questioned Professor Snape about it in the best way she could; he saw right through her. And promptly told her it had been taken care of. Dumbledore was no further help, and the two friends couldn't help but wonder what Draco did to achieve his task. Had he gotten someone's blood? Did Snape get "someone's" blood and somehow managed to trick the Dark Lord again?
"No," Hermione had mused to Harry. "I don't think he would risk that a second time, not so soon."
They were in the library studying, in a corner so that no other students could hear them. Not that there were many. Most of the exams were done, and most students were in their common rooms working furiously on last minute papers.
Harry kept noticing that Hermione's eyes would wander over to a nearby table where Ron was studying with Susan. Again. Not that I'm counting, the girl firmly stated to herself.
"Well, I need to go visit Professor Snape." Hermione finally said, gathering her books and parchments and putting them in her bag.
"I thought you were done for the term. Helping him, that is." Harry remarked.
Hermione nodded. "I am, but he did ask me after class if I would come down to record final exam grades. I think he wanted to wait until after our own exam this morning."
"Makes sense, I guess."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Harry."
"Right then."
When Hermione entered the Potions Professor's classroom she was surprised when he warded the doors after her. He hadn't done that for some time, not since the locket was ready.
"It's safe to tell you now." He exclaimed. Her eyebrows shot up. "The Order got a volunteer from within. Someone they can and will be watching closely for the next few months."
"So they didn't want for it to come from a student." Hermione guessed.
"You are correct, as always." He said with a smirk. It was almost a sneer. "It was someone muggle-born, someone who just finished Hogwarts within the past year or two."
Hermione knew better than to ask more. He had given her enough, and likely that was the end of the conversation. "So do you really need those exams graded?" She asked.
"Get to work, girl. You've wasted enough of my time asking me questions. And try not to tell Potter."
Hermione flinched. Was that why he hadn't told her yet? Or was it to protect the Order member? He had likely told her the truth, not that she knew him well enough to tell when he was lying, but she was involved more than she should be, she believed he thought.
Break is here!
The students were all bustling about as they brought their holiday luggage onto the train in anticipation for a two-week break for Christmas. As Hermione boarded the train she saw Ron talking with Susan bones. She watched, while Ginny rambled on about the upcoming weeks at the Burrow, as Susan gave Ron a quick kiss on the cheek. After a long train ride, where Hermione spent most of her time with Ginny while Harry and Ron spent playing Exploding Snap with Seamus and Dean in a separate compartment, they finally exited the train.
Hermione went running up to her parents while Harry and Ron watched. Harry smiled at the obvious closeness she had with her parents, while Ron felt something stir inside of him at seeing the girl run and hug her parents.
Ginny came upon the two boys at this point. "I'll miss her. You two boys ready for another trial at the Burrow?"
Harry laughed, while Ron continued to stare at the scene nearby. "Yeah, Ginny. Hey, there's Molly now."
Molly came running up and embraced all three of them. Fred and George were with her, snickering at "ickle Ronniekins" who was having his turn being smothered by their mum.
At the Grangers
As Hermione settled herself in her room, she decided to rest for awhile before rejoining her parents. They could tell she was exhausted, and had told her when dinner would be ready. She smiled when she saw Hedwig at her window. Her friends had likely barely reached the Burrow before writing her a letter. Or had they written to her while still on the train? She gave Hedwig a treat before sitting down to open the envelope addressed to her in Ron's writing.
Dear Maria,
We just wanted to wish you good (and safe) holidays, and hope that you don't have too much homework over the break. Wish you were with us,
Harry and Ron
She smiled. It was short and sweet. She scribbled a nice note back on a Christmas card she'd purchased in Hogwarts a few weeks before and sent it off with Hedwig, needlessly reminding her to wait before delivering it.
The white owl took off to fly toward the Burrow, where it would linger a day or two just in case she sensed Harry needing her sooner, bringing with her Hermione's letter.
After resting awhile Hermione went downstairs to join her parents. Her mother smiled to her as she brought over a dish with fish fillets to the table, which her father had just finished setting.
"All ready to tell us about your first semester at Hogwarts?" Mrs. Granger asked.
The next week passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was Christmas Eve at the Burrow. After a morning of quick chores, all the Weasley children (minus Percy), their mother and Fleur were now seated at the table ready for lunch.
"So mum, when is my 'package' arriving?" Ginny asked Mrs. Weasley with a smirk on her face. Harry and Ron had been wondering all week what this mysterious package was that Ginny kept hinting at.
"Your father will be going to retrieve it just after his luncheon at the Ministry." Molly replied with a wink.
Ginny squealed. Ignoring the other's questions, she finished her lunch within record time and then went upstairs to make sure her room was in order. Although her mother had suggested giving Hermione Percy's old room, Ginny had insisted that the visiting witch share her room. She had already cleaned out extra drawer space and room in her closet. A second bed was already in place, but she hadn't let anyone else besides her parents see her room.
Harry seemed suspicious, but then, he had hardly ever seen Ginny's room to begin with. However, during the last week the two had gone on several walks together, which had led to much teasing by her brothers. Ginny didn't seem to mind, as she was used to their behavior, but Harry had been nervous about it. He had, in fact, been developing feelings for his best mate's sister during the past several months.
Ginny was just plumping up the pillow on the guest bed when a knock on the door startled her.
"Ginny? It's me, Charlie."
Ginny went to crack open the door, but found her brother pushing past her to let himself in.
"Well, well, well! What have we here?" He said with a sly smile. "Could it be we're expecting a guest at the Burrow? One of your Hogwarts friends, no doubt?"
Ginny blushed in being found out, but shut the door abruptly behind him. "Yes, but don't tell Ron! Or anyone, for that matter!"
Charlie chuckled. "Methinks someone special is coming. Could it be the witch George and Fred were going on about? This new friend of Harry and Ron's? Hermione, isn't it?"
"Yes! But don't tell anyone! It's a surprise! And she's my friend, too!"
"Ron's going to be in shock, isn't he? I overheard the twins say he fancies her."
"Yes, but the git won't admit it. So you'll stay quiet for another hour?"
Charlie nodded. "Yeah, but there's something you ought to know. Bill's met her. Him and Fleur both."
"What!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Yeah, Bill told me about it the other night. He figures there can't be two brilliant witches by that name. Said he and Fleur met her when she was dating Victor Krum."
"She didn't tell me that!"
"Well, it's true. Maybe she didn't put two-and-two together. So much for being the smartest of our age…"
Ginny picked up her own pillow and smacked Charlie with it. "She probably didn't want to say anything. No matter now, she'll be here with dad in a short while. He's supposed to pick her up at her parents in the old Ford." They both chuckled at the thought of their father using any excuse to drive like a muggle in the old thing.
Just then they heard a noise coming from the road outside. "They're here!" Ginny yelped.
As Ginny went running downstairs she noted that Harry and Ron were still in the kitchen with Fred and George. Their mother, along with Bill and Fleur, had gone out back to check on something in the winter gardens. The gnomes were apparently pesky at all times of the year.
It was only a moment later that the front door opened, and in walked Arthur Weasley followed by Hermione. Each carried one of her two luggage pieces. Ginny walked over to them and hugged her friend, then her father in thanks for "delivering" her package. The muggle-born witch shyly looked around as her eyes became adjusted to the business of the Burrow.
It was then that Ron came into the room.
"Dad! We were wondering…" His words fell short as his eyes focused on and then stared into the face of Hermione Granger. She was wearing a mustard-colored winter coat and blue jeans, her neck wrapped in a red scarf. She seemed taller due to the black-leather boots with three-inch hells that she wore on her feet. The two had barely spoken since the night he left her and Harry in her dorm room. "Hermione?" He said, gawking at the beauty in front of him.
Just then Harry came into the room, and ran smack into Ron. "Hermione!" He said as he detached himself from Ron and went to greet her with a hug. "Wow! You look great!"
Ron's face turned red, but it turned even redder when Ginny turned to him and said. "Surprise!"
Even though her statement was supposedly meant for all the Weasley family, Ron knew she meant something further by it.
As the Hermione let go of Harry's embrace, she turned to Ron. "Happy Christmas, Ronald." She said with a slight wavering of her voice. Ron's face turned red as he mumbled his greeting.
As the other Weasley's came into the room, the room suddenly became full on introductions as Hermione met all of Ron and Ginny's brothers (although they knew she had already met the twins), along with Molly and Fleur. It was when Bill and Fleur acknowledged Hermione with "It's so nice to see you again." that the others looked at the eldest brother and his wife in question.
"We met Hermione for dinner one night when she was with Victor Krum." Bill answered.
With that said, Ron scowled and marched upstairs to his room. Harry shook his head, while Ginny let out a slight groan of frustration.
Molly turned to her guest and hugged her. "I am sorry for my youngest son's rude behavior. Hermione, I have heard so many wonderful things about you!"
"I can say the same…Ginny has spoken of all of you and the Burrow with such warmth and affection, and Harry has told me wonderful stories about his times here."
Molly beamed. "He's like one of our own, really." She said as she hugged the raven-haired boy standing next to her. He then went to follow Ron upstairs. "Well, we'll let Ginny help settle you. We'll be having an early supper, by which you'll have time to get to know everyone."
"That means us," George said taking one of Hermione's bags and crooking his other arm.
She hesitantly took it as Fred grabbed her other bag. "Yeah, you'll know all the Weasleys and the Burrow like other second-hand goods by the time we show you around." He crooked his free arm so that Hermione had full escort upstairs to the third floor.
"Just take her to Ginny's room" Mrs. Weasley called out.
Mr. Weasley smiled as he watched the scene. "Nice girl." He commented to his wife once the others had left the room, Ginny following the twins and Hermione.
"Yes, but I'm not sure about Ron. He certainly seemed off about her coming here."
"And they say you're the observant one in our marriage." Arthur chuckled. "The boy is besotted by her!"
"That's what I am afraid of." Molly replied with a sigh. "I just hope he doesn't ruin our holiday with his antics."
Arthur smiled. "Well, she's a lovely girl. Her parents, too! Just wait until you see what they gave me when I went to meet them."
Ron was fuming in his room when Harry came in to join him.
"Er, Ron…"
"Don't say it, Harry. Just don't say anything at all."
"Well, you don't get that luxury this time, Ron. Hermione's a great girl. And I am personally glad she's going to spend the rest of the holidays with us."
Ron groaned. "The rest of the holidays?"
Harry chuckled. "Yes. At least, that's what I just heard Ginny tell the twins as they went into Ginny's room with her. Oh, and Ron?"
"Yes." Ron replied with a groan.
"You're just making it even more obvious."
"Making what obvious, Potter?"
"That you like her. A lot."
Ron groaned. His best friend was right. Too right.
After a short while Hermione found herself alone in Ginny's room. The twins had already managed to show her one of their newest products and got her input on several others. "We'll give you credit of course, and partial proceeds on any sales." The two had promised. Then they made her promise to come down before too long in order to give her the full scale Weasley tour.
Ginny had hung around for a while longer, showing Hermione where she could put away her clothes and other items. The youngest Weasley had groaned aloud, without meaning to, when she saw the number of books her guest had brought with her.
"Really, Ginny, we do have homework to do over the break. I'm almost finished with mine, are you already done with yours?"
Ginny had shaken her head, realizing that she wouldn't be able to get away with playing around too much. But then again, the girl had thought, she'll probably be on the boys' cases, too. That thought gave her a smile, and so she left Hermione while she went off to help her mum clean up the kitchen as she had earlier promised.
Too wakeful to rest, but reluctant to go downstairs yet, Hermione looked around Ginny's room. Several posters were posted up on the girl's wall, mostly quidditch players and several bands from the Wizarding world such as the Baba Yaga Mates and the Weird Sisters. She smiled when she noticed one of Victor with his team, and was surprised to see that the girl had gotten his autograph during his year visiting Hogwarts. She wondered if Ginny was one of the many, many girls who had a crush on the Bulgarian player.
It was then that she noticed a scrapbook laying nearby on Ginny's dressing table. Deciding that it wasn't private, since it was left out in the open, she peaked inside. She smiled as she saw many pictures of the Weasley children and their times at Hogwarts.
Pictures of Harry and his news clippings were included. She knew from Ginny that the girl had a crush on the boy long before she'd ever met him, long before Ron's first year at Hogwarts. There were several pages taken from Harry's fourth year during the Triwizard Cup, including photos taken at the Yule Ball. She could even see one with her and Victor in the background dancing at the ball.
She turned the page and noticed a picture of all the Champions and their dates. As with other photos, Ginny had labeled them with funny quips or comments. She saw that the one below Fleur and her date was not very complimentary. But when she saw scribbling and a heart drawn under her and Victor, she gasped.
"Victor Krum and Ron's mystery girl – not his date!"
Suddenly a memory flashed through Hermione's mind…
At the Yule Ball…
"Mee-ya, I vo to vet us drinks, no?" He said against the loud music roaring. They were standing near a table where some of the non-dancing Hogwart students sat.
She sighed as he continued to call her "Mia", short because he could never pronounce her name properly. "Yes, Victor, that would be lovely. It is rather hot in here, isn't it?"
The two had met the previous year at Durmstrang, one late night when Hermione was frustrated after trying to get her broom off the ground. He took her for a short ride that night, trying to show that it wasn't so bad, and he would get extra credit for helping a third-year still trying to fly. The two had formed a hesitant friendship after that, sometimes studying together at the same table in the library.
She had been elated – but mostly surprised – when he'd written a letter to her the next year from Hogwarts asking her to be his date for the Yule Ball. "I don't really know anyone well enough here," He'd written her in Bulgarian, "And I would only be happy to see a friendly face dancing with me at the Ball."
It was really very sweet of him, and the two began dating the summer after.
As she turned to go sit down, she saw a tall, gangly boy with flaming red hair, dressed in rather hideous robes, gawking at her. The boy quickly turned and walked away.
What she hadn't known was that Ron had turned to her after hearing Victor say "Mee-ya", as he had mistakenly thought he heard Victor say "Maria".
To be continued…
