At last the update.

Sorry it took so long to all those waiting patiently for the next chapter, i hope this one make's up for it.

As usual, i hope you all enjoy.

happy reading, :)

Before Hermione knew it Christmas had arrived. It had snuck up on her without as much as a 'hello' and left her wondering where the time went. Of course she had been told by her Mother that it was just around the corner. But that was when she had thought it had yet to actually turn that corner she had to go and get present's for Harry and Ron…Yes even him though he still at times tried her patience and taxed what little fondness she had for him to its limit. She still wasn't going to ignore him.

So that was how she ended up of the street of Diagon Alley. She had badgered, pushed and annoyed the older woman until eventually with an exasperated sigh and much mutterings she had been allowed to go get some present's hence why she came to be stood in the middle of the street with her tongue sticking out slightly as she pondered on where to go first. Minerva had stood next to her saying hello to passers-by who recognized them.

"So, have you decided yet?"

Hermione nodded slowly after much deliberating as she tore her gaze away from the list and looked up she saw the older woman's waiting gaze and smiled.

"I wanna go get Crook's things first" Minerva rolled her eyes at hearing that 'Of course she would get the cat's things first' before shaking her head much to Hermione's confusion as her smile faded a little.

"What do you mean no?" The older woman bent and plucked the list from her hands before looking at the writing and clucking her tongue before she looked back

"We'll be looking for your friends stuff first dear the cat can wait." She saw the near protest and held up her hand. "Your HUMAN friend's first, dear." She smiled at the indignant little huff and small nod as they set off up the street. Lazily setting the pace Hermione didn't bother saying the greeting's that came their way. She left that to her other woman as she eyed the items in the window shop with a scrupulous eye wondering what would be best for the two boys.

She had only known them a short while and yes, she may have spent most of her time with them half of it was wasted telling them off or not listening to what they talked about. It might have been mean but she had no care or will to hear about thing's that did not concern either learning or of idle gossip, not that they did such a thing but the stuff they did go on about was about as interesting to her as gossip.

Dam if only she had actually paid attention she would be stood outside looking like an idiot. She sighed and shook her head, if only they knew the length's she was going to, it was hard to think and pretty soon she was sure she was going to inherit a headache but to get this done first would be one worry off. She looked around and saw her Mother still talking, one of Flitwick's children she noted with slight interest.

It had confused her at how all of them seemed to be taller than he tiny teacher and laughed when saw them together. The mental image made her smile as she turned back to the window. Standing in front of the quidditch shop wasn't her idea of a good time. In fact if she was to go as far as saying, it would be a form of torture for her but apparently that was still not enough for them to take the hint and stop talking about it in front of her though.

She wouldn't give up though. They would learn in time, she just needed to let them learn their mistake if not then she could always hit them like she planned. It was fun and it would get the message through. She eyed the things in the window and thought about each one carefully, there were a few things on brooms, some on snitches and some about teams from the league. Closing her eyes she sighed once more just as a presence next to her had her opening them.

"What's the matter" Minerva asked seeing the resigned look on the younger girls face. Smirking though she tried not to, she waited for her to answer as another sigh was lost from her lips.

"All….This" She said throwing up her hands to show the example of her annoyance and scowled at the innocent items lying motionless as the cause for her trouble. The older woman smiled slightly and took in the pout forming on her face. Hermione was a bright girl, she really was, but when it came to things like this? She was as hopeless as Neville at Potions. Taking pity on her poor daughter she placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Would you like me to help you choose" She offered kindly seeing as she had more experience of the two as Hermione nodded gratefully.

"Yes, please." Minerva chuckled but led her into the shop.

They came out twenty minutes later with a few bags as Hermione ranted about the less than helpful man behind the counter, she fumed at the lack of insight he seemed to have about the product's she asked on and was glad to have just paid and left when they did. Minerva was amused to see the annoyance all over her little face and thought it cute but wisely stayed silent. If the younger girl ever got wind of being called, 'cute' she would throw a fit the like's of which the street had never seen.

And she really didn't want to subject the poor passers-by with such torment.

"Stupid fool….What good was he…..Sat there….Idiot man….Supposed to work there!" Was all she heard as they carried on their journey, she calmed down once they got to the book store. It wasn't the next place on their list but Minerva figured it was the only way of stopping the tirade that was directed at the oblivious man back in the other shop. He might not have heard it but she certainly could and didn't fancy listening to any more.

Just like magic….Pardoning the pun. Her one girl rant vanished as she caught sight of her beloved book store and immediately her mood changed from irritated and moody to silent and smiling. The older woman rolled her eyes once more but allowed herself to be rushed into the shop that held the salvation to possibly what could have been a horror show on the street.

They spent considerably longer in there than that of the sports shop, something that didn't surprise the older woman as she browsed the shelves wondering if she should add to her collection. Hermione had no such problem and was doing just that as she ran round the aisles like a kid in a sweet store. Minerva took the time to watch as she held the books she intended to buy as a thought occurred to her.

She had never actually seen the little girl go into the sweet store that were situated at the top of the street. All the others kids couldn't wait to go in and often pushed in the bid to get there but now that she thought on it more. Hermione wasn't one of those in fact, it was the other way around for her as she often ran away from the child filled building.

Musing on that she hadn't felt the small hand tug on her cloak until sharp jab had her recoiling slightly and looked around instantly angry at the cause until she found another equally annoyed set of green eyes staring back at her.

"What was that for?"

"You didn't look at me."

"Did you have to poke me" She asked slightly rubbing her side.

"You didn't answer me,"

"So you resorted to physical violence?" She asked still staring at her as Hermione shrugged

"Worked didn't it?"

Minerva grumbled under her breath at the smart arse comment's coming from the child but didn't reply. She merely turned her towards the direction of the counter and marched her onward, determined to get out of the shop. It gave Hermione too much power when based around her energy source and she didn't care for the sass she got back they left the shop once more bags in and which Minerva had taken and shrunk down so she could put them in her pocket before they set off back up the street.

After a few more shops and almost finishing with the last of their shopping they finally stopped at the pet store. Crook's was a demanding cat and so only the very best in gifts would be enough to appease the furry fireball. They entered the shop as Hermione looked around for the cat section before skipping between the isles to the corner dedicated to the felines as Minerva waited by the front.

It wasn't that she didn't like animals but she just didn't fancy another episode of being caught unawares and end up taking another cat home. One monstrosity was enough and so busied herself with looking it the owls' who hooted at her in greeting. Hermione was gazing at the amount of cat products on show and frowned, none of it was good enough for her Crookshanks. He was the best cat ever and only the best would do for him.

Still searching she looked around to see if her Mother was in any way looking. She had another idea in coming here and so, still thinking about the cat's present she turned and made her way to the shop assistant at the other side. She was going to get Addie a gift like she had promised herself. He had been a big help to her whilst at the school though he didn't know it and so for his help and advice she was going to get him something.

But what to get a snake who didn't care for anything of value? This was difficult. For Crook's it was a no brainer, the more bigger and expensive the better and so choice were really limited on that scale. But for an outdoor creature it was little harder. She came to as stop in front of the woman who turned to see her there and smiled

"Can I help you, miss?"

Hermione nodded as spoke. "I'm looking for a present for a snake. The woman blinked for a few seconds before replying.

"….A snake." Hermione nodded.

"I've been thinking about it for a while but I just don't know. He lives outside you see, and so doesn't really need much."

The shop assistant looked at her strangely for a minute as if trying to work out whether it was a joke but the look on the little girls face told her is wasn't she coughed and replied. "A snake"

Once more Hermione nodded not understanding why she had to repeat herself. "I'm sorry, did I stutter?"

Perplexed the woman shook her head as the little girl returned her smile. "Then why did you feel the need to make me repeat myself?"

She was silent again as the older woman did a remarkable impression on a stunned fish. Hermione watched as she opened her mouth but no sound came out until she got annoyed.

"Do I have to go and find somebody else to help me with what I thought was a simple enough question?" She waited as the woman shook her head slowly

"Well then…What can I get for a snake who lives outside?"

On leaving the store with her Mother who had looked at the large cat post and sleeping poster bed she had got him simply rolled her eyes and followed on as they left the building. She didn't know about the box of sleeping mice tucked neatly in her pocket for Addie once they got home. They only had one more day until the school broke up for the holidays and she was looking forward to going home. Not that she wouldn't miss her friends but she had been dying to see her reptilian one for a while.

She should have realized that asking for presents for a snake would raise some questions and that fact that she had answered with 'He helped me' was going to make her seem insane. But it was the holidays and she really just didn't care. She had what she wanted and she was confident Addie would be pleased. Finally they had gotten all that they needed they returned to the pub as Minerva waved to Tom who had served people coming in from the cold outside. Before using the floo to return to their home.

She spent the night once she had tea with her Mother up in her room busily wrapping her gifts though the school had officially broke up, she could use the network from her house to the head's office or her Mother's to and give them their present's she couldn't wait to see their faces when she gave them their gifts. And with that happy notion in mind she carried on with her task with more vigor until she heard the sound of the elf coming in and told her it was time for tea.

With only two more days until the actual day Minerva was watching with thinly veiled amusement at how excited the little girl was getting. Sure she had been happy at the other Christmas holiday's they had, but she suspected that because this was the first she had with friends and that she was able to give them things that she had gone out and bought was what gave her that extra added….Spark.

She was happy at seeing her like that as she was glad as well to have gotten to come home for the holidays. It wasn't that she didn't like seeing the school at the festive time. It was actually beautiful and a wonder to see, but she was glad that Hermione was with her, she hadn't been liking the new behavior in the little girl and partly suspected that the school had something to do with it or, rather, the people inside.

It hadn't even been the end of the first year and already she seemed to have made a mortal enemy in the young Malfoy child. How they had taken to hating each other so quick she would never know. She also knew that he and Mr Potter had taken an instant disliking to the other but it wasn't anywhere near the level of contempt that Hermione and Draco held for each other. It was that reason she had seen some alarming characteristic's come from the younger girl and as much as she hated to she couldn't ignore the persistent and foreboding thought at the back of her mind that was telling her this was just how Bellatrix acted when faced with an enemy.

The sarcastic attitude was the just main one. She had known that first hand as she had heard her when engaging Draco in an argument. And how she had shown him up which led to another small fight, it was classic Bella, goading her target into retaliating before finishing them off. And with the way her magic was progressing at a very fast pace. She was just glad she was there to stop it or Mr Malfoy would have spent his holiday in the infirmary.

Which was why she was more than happy to have been able to take her away from the place that seem to draw out some less than honorable behavior to be able to come back home and just be themselves in a place they both knew was something short of relief for the older woman as they sat down together at the table. She saw the smile that had spread over her face when she was talking about her friends.

It was innocent and childlike. Just as it should have been and so to see it again made her smile inside. She hated the small smirks and back chat that had seem to take over of late and so made it her mission to put them back where they came from and enjoy the time they had just the two of them before returning to the castle.

Once dinner was done with the moved to the library, it had been a while since they had set foot in the sanctuary reserved for their books and so to be back again was something they both had missed. Running ahead, Hermione moved to take her favorite spot near the fire that Minerva had lit before she joined her, once making sure that her spot on the comfy sofa was just hers, she got up again and ran to get a book in which her Mother had promised to read to her.

She was glad to be home. She had missed so much about the house in which they lived, it was peaceful. Situated in a little valley like dip where the place was unknown to those but a few…Her uncle for one. In fact, as she perused the books that lay untouched on the shelf. Apart from the older man she wasn't actually sure anyone else knew about it of course they knew that they lived somewhere but that was just it, the where part was the mystery.

Picking one that she hadn't read on a while she pulled it from its resting place and ran back to where the older woman was sitting. Minerva looked to see her return and smiled as she was given the book as Hermione retook her place. She looked at her lap where the book was placed, and gave a little smile. She had enjoyed this as a small girl and when Hermione had read it the first time she was happy to see her entranced by its tale as it became one of her favorites very quickly.

"The Fountain of Fair Fortune"

Hermione nodded and smiled as she settled back to get comfy and lent against her Mother who opened the book at the first page and wrapped her arm around the younger girl's shoulder as she began to retell the tale that had captured them both.

A few hours later Patches popped into the room, she hadn't seen either the little or big miss in a while and so knew that they must have fallen asleep, on seeing them like she had predicted. She frowned at the way they had lied and knew that they would have sore necks on waking. She very carefully shook Minerva who on feeling the touch, opened her eyes.

She blinked a few times as she got her bearings before turning to look at the wide eyes elf who was gazing down at her and nearly swore when her neck cracked.

"OH Bloody h…." She stopped herself when a movement in her arms had her remembering Hermione was in the room though she couldn't hear she still didn't like swearing in front of her and so bit down the profanity as she looked back at the small creature.

"Yes, Patches?"

The elf bowed a little before replying.

"Sorry Mistress. Patches knew how bad yours and little misses neck would be if left to sleep like that all night. I figured going to sleep in your bed would be better."

Minerva smiled and nodded at the thoughtfulness of her and so thanked her before looking down to the little girl asleep in her arms and taking note of just how young she looked as she breathed in and out evenly and was loath to disturb that but like Patches had said, it would do no good to leave her here as much as she found it adorable, she would have a cranky little girl on her hand's and that she did not want.

Shaking her gently she smiled when a noise that sounded like a cross between an indignant kitten and a snort followed by the batting of her hand as Hermione clung to her tighter, she chuckled and shook her again as a low whine fell from her lips.

"Nooo...Go away" She muttered and turned her head only to freeze as it clicked.

"….Ow"

That had her laughing as she turned it the other way and looked at her, her eyes narrowed as she watched the older woman.

"Not nice." Minerva grinned apologetically as she moved from her body pillow and sat up,

"Sorry dear, but you looked so cute. Couldn't help it." Hermione glared as she stretched.

"So my neck ha to pay the price for that fact you thought me cute?" She glared again but it were cancelled out by the yawn that came after causing the older woman to snort again as she stood up pulling her along as they made to leave the room she placed the book on the side that they left unfinished with the promise to finish tomorrow before she took her hand and led her from the room with Patches trailing the rear.

They soon bade the small elf goodnight before making their way up to their rooms before they separated at the top, as Hermione went to her room to begin her nightly ritual before climbing into bed and mentally ticking off one more day before Christmas arrived.

The next day saw it go by with the two of them planning last-minute preparations. Making sure they had not left anything unattended, they had got all the presents and that the decorations were put up correctly, Hermione also used the free time to go to the garden. It had grown considerably colder and so had put on her cloak as she went to the bottom hoping to find Addie. She knew snakes often slept and so was not actually expecting to find him awake.

But she had to tell him she had gotten him a present. And so moved close to his home near the water before making sure that neither Patches nor her Mother had come to see what she was doing and turned back round so she could call to him.

"Addie!"

She waited in silence before calling him again and waited some more. Eventually she heard the unhappy hisses and the sharp rustle of the long grass before one unhappy looking snake slithered out to meet her.

"What is it! Can you not see I was sleeping!" He hissed loudly and snappily making her take a step back before addressing him slowly.

"I'm sorry Addie. I just wanted to say hello. And tell you I have got you a present." The irate reptile stared at her with narrow eyes and a very disinterested look before replying.

"A present?" she nodded, "What for?"

"Well, it's Christmas, and that is the custom for this time of year to get…What are you doing?" She suddenly stopped speaking at seeing the now large snake moved close to her before making its way around her legs and slowly move up her body. She eyed the ever creeping snake with slight fear before speaking.

"Is this were you kill me? Because if it's about waking you up, I'm sorry."

She heard him hiss lightly as he made his way up her body, he burrowed under her cloak and slithered inside as Hermione jumped a little at feeling him move, she waited until he had made his way around the back of her, before coming out at the top and rested his head on her shoulder.

"No little one. The ground is unforgiving this time of year and if I'm to be talking then I need to keep warm. You're the only source of that around."

She listened to him as he talked. It did make sense she guessed and so nodded happy in the notion that he wasn't out to get her for interrupting his slumber, though if she was him she wouldn't have been so lenient. She loved her sleep, and would gladly murder whoever disturbed it.

"Now what is it that you have to tell me that saw you fit to wake me?" She looked at him feeling guilty for that bit as he reminded her of jut why she had, her face perked up and she smiled at him.

"I have brought you a gift." The reptile lifted his face to stare at her with his cold, beady blue eyes.

"A gift." She nodded still smiling. "Why would you do that?"

"Well….We are friends. And friends get each other things." He continued to stare at her before replying.

"You do realize that I' am a snake." She nodded.

"And that I live outside." Again she nodded not seeing his issue before he carried on.

"Well that saying, little one. How I'm I meant to give you something back when I live in the wild?"

She didn't speak only returned his stare for a few minutes before she shrugged and replied.

"I didn't expect a gift back from you, I know that as a snake you would find it hard to go out shopping and so wasn't wanting anything from in return."

He refrained from pointing out that as a snake he didn't know what shopping was but was content to stay silent as she carried on.

"But I got you this for your help.

"My help, little one? She nodded happily,

"Yes. You told me that at the start of school, I would find a friend that wasn't you. And I have. You were right and so as a thank you, I decided to get you something."

He listened to her tale all about the first term of school and chuckled at the stuff she had gotten into as he wrapped himself a little closer to her body, not that she seemed to mind before carrying on as she told him the rest of her story. She stopped at the day in Diagon alley as he flicked out his forked tongue.

"Seems you have quite the attention little one." She blushed a little but nodded.

"I didn't mean it…it's just I hate Draco so much that he makes me do it."

Addie chose to say nothing but knew that it wasn't the case. The more she went on about this gift the more he had to say he was intrigued and so spoke.

"So little one. This gift you got me?" She looked at him before nodding happily. Taking care so that he didn't jostle and fall, she made to reach into her cloak and pulled out a box that she had been protecting. Lifting it up so that he could see the reptile cocked his head slightly before flicking out his tongue once more and lent in.

"Is that a mouse I smell?"

She smiled but shook her head. Waiting for her to explain she held the box closer to her chest before speaking.

"Well it is a mouse yes, but it's not just one." She brought the box that was now squeaking closer so that he could see. She lifted the lid carefully as he poked his head in and hissed.

"I figured that it would be hard for you to find any food with the cold weather. I kinda forgot that you actually slept." She added shyly but had to grab the box as all of a sudden Addie had launched his head in midst the panicking rodent's and snapped one up, she grimaced at the noise and the terrified squeal's of the poor mice inside who had nowhere to run. He eventually emerged looking considerably happier and glowered as he rested his head back on her shoulder.

"Thank you, little one. As far as gift's go. That is the best i have received."

She didn't say nothing but gave him a smile. "So I was right in saying food is hard to come by." He nodded.

"It is indeed. I'm sure these will help with the rest of the winter." Still holding the box and thinking on what he had just said. Hermione was suddenly struck with an idea as she turned to look at him again.

"Why don't you stay in the house with me."

Cold eyes observed her once again as he took in what she had said to him.

"I'm sorry little one?"

"Stay in the house. It's much warmer and I'm sure that it will be more comfortable."

He didn't respond merely looked at her as they remained still for what seemed like ever, until finally he opened his mouth.

"I'm not sure that is a good idea."

"Why not." She pouted a little making him chuckle

"Because. Little one. Your Mother is there. And I'm sure that she is smart enough to know when a snake is in her house."

"She won't know your there" The little girl insisted as the reptile let her speak.

"I'll make sure that your well hidden enough so that no one will know that your there. You can stay in my room. It's just that you said it is cold and hard to find food, why not stay somewhere warm and where you can have the mice I got you." She held up the box to further her point. He didn't speak again only narrowed his eyes as he thought it over, she bit her lip and waited for his answer silently hoping that he said yes. He was her friend and as the first she had ever made. He deserved to stay in the warmth rather than the harsh and bitter wind that they lived in.

Finally he lifted his head and nodded making her smile.

"If you can make sure that no one find's me then I accept your offer of warmth little one." She beamed once more and promised as said cold wind swept past her making her shiver.

"Well now that's all settled I think we will go in. I'll show you my room." She told him excitedly as she turned them and started slowly back up the path to the large house at the top. Halfway up the path he burrowed back underneath her thick cloak making her jump once more as he wrapped his body around her waist so that neither Patches nor her Mother would see him as she made her way inside and very quickly to her room before anyone had the chance to call for her.

Once inside she shed her cloak and took note of how he was wrapped snugly around her waist and giggled a bit. He had grown so much that he had coiled himself around her tiny body twice as he looked up and at the new surrounding's that he was now in.

She didn't have to ask if it was nice as she knew it was better than outside and near the coldness of the water as he unwound from her body and lifted up to rest on her shoulder again his new position forced her to pick up the slack of his body and hold him as he looked around more closely.

"It is much warmer than my last bed for the winter I will say. Thank you once more." She smiled happy that he was happy before moving to the bed and allowing him to reside there. He stayed on his new ground, comfortable as he watched her try to find him a place that would be both warm, comfortable and out of sight should any of the other's come and see him.

In the end she had found him a box that had once held her cloak in the closest she kept her clothes in as she placed a pillow from her bed in and went to show her new guest as he inspected the offering and nodded. He was a snake it didn't matter to him where he slept though he was oddly touched at her efforts before making his new bed his own as she left him to it.

Sometime later she went down when tea was made and sat with the older woman who had been curious as to where she had been all day. She had to lie and told her that she was making sure that all her presents were properly wrapped before taking a walk outside. Minerva laughed at the meticulousness of the little girl before busying herself with making a cup of tea leaving Hermione to feel bad for what she had just done.

She hated lying and promised that she wouldn't do it no more. But she didn't want Addie to be found out, not when she had invited him in and it would make her feel worse if she had to kick him out he was her friend, and she feared that he would no longer be if that was to occur so lying was the only choice she had, but it was all for the best she had told herself as they sat down to eat.

Like the night before once tea was finished the returned to the library to finish off reading the book they started. Taking their places on the sofa she resumed the position she had been in last night and welcomed the embrace as the fire crackled and she let the older woman's voice wash over her before getting lost in the story once more. As it was the last night before Christmas, they were not going to be reading on the actual day so she was determined to finish the story that night but once again fell asleep as the combination of the fire's warmth and her Mother's soothing tone lulled her to sleep.

Minerva looked down once she heard the slight deep breathing and smiled at the scene that had been mimicked the night before. Stopping she placed the marker in the book and placed it on the side before very gently and placing a light charm on the tiny body that was not so easy to carry anymore. She lifted her up and made to take her to her room.

She ascended the stairs and down to the little girl's room before toeing open the door and moving inside. She didn't have the hand free to switch on the light and so very carefully walked to where she knew the bed to be ad placed Hermione down on the soft cover carefully a she gazed down at the peaceful young girl and smiled before leaning down to kiss her cheek and made for the door as she looked back once more and shit it behind her.

the snap of the door had her rousing slightly as she turned over in a bid to get comfier only to jump up right when she realized that she wasn't in the library with her Mother anymore a she took in the darkness of the room to find with slight horror that she was in her bedroom.

'Crap' she thought and ran to switch the light on 'Addie' and gazed around quickly hoping that he had the sense to hide himself. He had been oddly perceptive in the past and so she prayed that he had been this time when a sound from under her bed had her running to the other side and sighing when the familiar red colored head of the reptile popped out he took in her panicked look as she explained that she had fallen asleep and that her Mother had come and brought her up making her think that she might have spotted him to which he shook his head.

He had been exploring whilst she had gone and found himself underneath her bed which reminded him of his hole in the garden and ending up with him falling asleep. She nodded happily that he had not been caught before her sudden adrenaline burst wore off and the sleep caught up with her once more as she yawned. On his suggestion that she retire to bed, she nodded and moved to get ready.

She returned ten minutes later and came and picked him up from the floor before moving him to his box and set him down on the pillow. He moved around as he made himself comfy for the night before looking up at her as she spoke.

"Do you want me to put you back under the bed? If it helps you sleep." She asked as he nodded. He did like the quietness of the hidden part of her room and so settled down as she lifted the box from the bed and lowered it to the floor before pushing it under, but not before biding him goodnight and smiling when he returned the sentiment as she shut of the light and climbed into her own bed and snuggled down.

All in all it had been a good day. And with luck tomorrow would be even better, she had her friend with her, all her present's where neatly tucked in the corner and she would visit Harry and Ron to give them theirs. Yep, she sighed and turned over, it would be the perfect day.

Hope you all enjoyed.

And until the next chapter, :)