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Hermione soon found herself feeling alone amongst a house full of people. Even with the lively arrive of the twins and an adorable Teddy Lupin causing chaos like a new circuses arrival, she still felt alone.
After Ron interruption and inaccurate hot headed demand of what Hermione and Harry were doing the atmosphere of what she had once thought of her second home became uncomfortable and unwelcoming.
Harry's attention was quickly pulled into the arrival of his godson Teddy and the festive feelings of baby first Christmas.
The twins soon arrived with their regular fan fair and merry joy that was always kicked up a couple of notches for the holiday season.
Soon she was being greeted by the whole Weasley clan. Arthur and Molly who stated both how she looked a little peckish. Bill and Fluer with there baby girl wrapped in more ribbon's and bows the gifts under the tree. Charlie imposing form, grinning brightly and even Percy all deck out in the most hideous holiday sweater.
She still felt alone though. She missed Draco. She even missed Theo as Blaise who could be fun and happy without her ear drums being pierced. She didn't fit in here. The bustling and boisterous climate was something she had just recently released she abhorred.
Quietly taking a seat by Fluer at the kitchen table Hermione sat and listened to her gush about what a wonderful baby Victoria was, she made sure to nod, while making the appropriate ohh's and ahh's. When Ginny set a steaming mug of tea in front of her before being called back for more hosting by her mother she paid little attention to it. Hermione gave a quick thanks before Ginny's departure while she quickly searched for an escape from Fluer constant blathering. Luckily Bill soon arrived by his wife's side and Hermione promptly took her chance of escape.
"Ohh Bill, I'm sorry I am in your seat." Jumping to get up and moving swiftly out of the way she continued talking before her actions could be halted by him. "I just saw Percy and I wanted to talk to him about the new reforms at the Ministry. Your welcome to the tea, Ginny just dropped it off and I didn't get a chance to fix it up yet. I will pick up another mug on my way to Percy." She smiles at him while quickly follows up with a tactic she had learned well from Theo. "Your baby is gorgeous just like your wife, no wonder you want to steal all their time to yourself," she smiles even brighter at them. Knowing that she had cornered him into staying or face insulting his wife.
Not being able to dispute such a truth Bill quickly takes a seat by his wife and daughter, "they are gorgeous aren't they." Following up the compliment with a sweet kiss to both their heads.
"Yez arz zuch a remantic William." Fluer gives her husband a quick peck on the cheek while he started fixing his tea, turning back to Hermione Fluer continues. "Ez waz fanteztic to zeak to yez again, Hezminey wez zhould zeak again zoon, yez?"
"I would love that." Hermione confirms with her while giving her a big smile before heading over to Percy.
While she busies her time with Percy with a conversation that she could have half asleep for Percy always loved doing most of the talking. She takes a look around at the gathering of witches and wizards. Delightfully it seemed that Mrs. Weasley was putting both Ron and Ginny to work. There sly smiles to each other were not going un-noticed so keeping a fair distance was thankfully easier to achieve.
As Percy continua's to drone on, she couldn't help but giggle at Ron's flustered expression. Finding a moments rest it seems from his mother's list of chores. He heads towards Harry while handing him one of his butter beer's he takes a seat with great relief to join in the lively debate with Harry and his brothers. The twins were adamant that dragons blood was flammable. He had sat down for only a second, not even saying a word before being called back from his mother to help. He was not impressed but trailed away obediently.
When one of the twins made a wise crack about dragon's dung being definitely flammable. Charlie who had just taken a bite of biscuit had decided to swallow while letting out a laughing at the same time which abruptly started a booming coughing fit. Harry quickly offers his drink to Charlie saving the poor guy who by then had tears streaming down his cheeks. Those twins we definitely one of a kind and were quite inventive.
Slipping in and out of conversation with Percy while taking time to reflect on things she quickly becomes distracted by her own thoughts.
Her parents house was packed and ready to be sold and she never had to step foot in it again. The memories were just to painful. She had a wonderful childhood, her parents were the best that anyone could be blessed with. The guilt that hit her when ever she started to think of them began to hit her full force again. The thought that she didn't know who she really was hurt her. What did she do wrong for her real parents to just abandoned her? Where they scared of her because of her doing strange things. She always had strong uncontrollable magic, but the Grangers always took everything in stride. She really did miss them.
"Hermione you ok?" Percy quietly ask when he noticed her distress.
Pulling herself from her mental reprieve she steers her attention back to Percy, "I am sorry Percy, my mind got away from me for a moment, I'm fine, what did you say again?" She politely inquiries.
"It really isn't important, just ministry putting in a few new laws," he tells her shaking his head a little. "You sure your ok though, it looks like you were starting to cry?"
"I am ok," she smiles gently at him, at his disbelieving look she continues. "Really Percy I am ok, I was just thinking about my parents a bit." She tells him while quickly wiping her tears away. Giving him a small smile she continues. "I think I am going to head outside for some fresh air. Excuse me Percy, it was great talking to you." She excuses herself while heading to the back door.
"Great talking to you to, I hope you start to feel better soon Hermione, it will get easier in time." He tells her before heading himself in the direction of his brother's rumbustious debates.
Stopping by to quickly tell Mrs. Weasley were she was going so she didn't worry Hermione heads out the door missing the clear nod of encouragement Ginny sent Ron's way and Ron's face sporting that new little grin of his.
Once outside Hermione takes a couple deep breaths relishing the crisp air and quiet surroundings. A small owl's coo was the only thing around to break her reprieve. Taking a look up she spots a large Eagle owl peering straight at her. Noticing the parchment, he carried she addressed the beautiful creature.
"Is that for me?" She questioned the owl and receiving another coo in conformation.
She slowly walked to the bird and removed the note while stroking the fine bird. "Thank you, who owns such a magnificent boy as you may I ask?" While turning the note over she see's the Malfoy family crest. "Draco," she softly whispers his name.
She had thought about sending him a note all day but had yet to find the nerve. When ever she would mentally begin the note she would get stuck on apologizing for what an emotional fool she acted like the day before. Why she would take out her fears on him she didn't know.
If she was honest being with herself, she did know fully well why she had pushed him away. She was just to afraid to admit it to herself.
She new she was quickly falling in love with him. No one had ever made her feel the way he did. His rare smiles melted her heart and gave her stomach butterflies. She had a plan though and she didn't think it was fair to have him sit and wait for her while she had her many adventures and time to heal. She couldn't ask him to leave his family he loved to live her dream. Besides even though she found out about her parents, she would still always be just a muggleborn, she was found in a muggle neighborhood. Not to mention there was her utter fear of hurting anyone who was good in her life, like she had done so many times already.
Turning back to the Owl, she gives it another reassuring pet. "You're as striking as your owner aren't you?" The owl cooed in agreement. Giggling she smiles, "and as conceded as well I see," the owl coo's again. "I will reply with one of the owls here, why don't you go enjoy this bewitching night boy." With a finale coo and nip on the finger in affection the owl flies up into the clear night sky.
Taking a set in on the stone bench outside of the Burrow Hermione slowly opens the note from Draco.
Dear Hermione,
I hope this note finds you well. I hated having to leave without seeing your beautiful face but my assumptions were right and my mother was waiting for me. I have learned a great many interesting things since yesterday and I think it is at the most important that we get ...
The soft sound of the back door opening and closing abruptly stops Hermione from continuing to read Draco's message. She hastily folds the note but is stopped by the one voice she was dreading hearing the most.
"Hey, Hermione what are you doing out here in the cold?" Ron asks her while coming to take the seat beside her on the bench.
"Just getting some privacy for an owl, Ron. I will be in in a minute." She tells him while tucking the note into her inside jacket.
He chuckles a bit, "who would be sending you a note on Christmas Eve, your parents are dead and all your friends and family are inside." He remarks with no consideration for how hurtful his statement was.
Immediately standing and taking a step away from him she looks back at him with contempt. "Thanks for the reminder of my parents and just so you know I do have more friends then the just the people who are here".
Standing also Ron steps closer to her. "You don't though, it's ok Hermione that we are all you have, we will take care of you." He tells her while reaching out to cup her cheek.
Quickly dodging his approach Hermione pushes past him to enter the house. "I don't need to be looked after Ronald, and it just so happens I have plenty of people in my life other then your family."
Grabbing her arm firmly Ron pulls her back toward him causing her to fall into him. "I am tired of playing games with you Hermione, everyone knows we will be together. My family is your family, you just need a bit more persuading, I know your shy but there is nothing to fear." He tells her before forcing his mouth on hers.
The kiss for her was painful, the piercing that she had previously felt came back ten fold, her breath was not only hindered by Ron but the pain was enough to take her breath away, she struggled to breathe while fiercely trying to push him off. Thinking her struggle was just Hermione playing hard to get Ron advanced his administration on her. Ripping her blouse in the process he removed his grip on her arm to cup her breast. The force however that Hermione was using to push back caused her to fall backwards without the forward pressure of Ron's grip to hold her in place. Ron not being the fastest when he noticed her falling was unable to catch her, her lose of balance also hindering her and causing Hermione quickly fall to the ground smashing her head on the stone bench on the way down.
Thinking she was just knocked out a bit as he could see clearly that she was still breathing evenly. Ron quickly fixed her blouse as best he could before unmindfully be going back into the house. He needed to talk to Ginny and figure out what he should do, standing over a past out Hermione he knew wouldn't look to good. Feeling Hermione would be safe for a few moments he went back into the Burrow in search of his sister. What he failed to notice while rapidly repairing her top and running back into the house was the small pool of blood that was slowly growing bigger under the mass of Hermione's curly brown hair.