Molly sighed deeply as she watched her early morning guest. It had become a well-loved ritual that Minerva arrived at half past six in the morning on the first day of the well-earned holiday. It was the only time of the day they were sure not to get interrupted. It was a ritual that remained unknown to the Weasley kids, who had always made a point of sleeping in on that day. Especially for the twins, it was best they were still sleeping, as Minerva typically used their meeting to inform Molly of her children's behavior.

This 22nd of December was different, though. The war had ended, and although the world was a safer place now, it was a different world for those who had suffered or lost people they loved. For the Weasleys, it would be the first Christmas without Fred, and for Minerva, it was the first time in very many years that she didn't stay at Hogwarts with Albus. The damage to the castle was so fundamental that it would take the better part of next year to rebuild it.

Not wanting to think about how much she missed the man who had been her closest friend, she returned her thoughts to the three that would without a doubt spend Christmas under Molly's roof.

"How are Harry, Ron and Hermione coping? Did they finally talk about the mission Albus sent them on?"

"I'm afraid not, and by now, I'm not sure if they ever will. Harry seems to be as fine as one can be after the war and his role in it. Ginny says he still wakes up at night from time to time, but she seems capable of helping him. Ronald isn't doing so well. He is still in love with Hermione and can't understand she doesn't return his feelings. I'm worried about him. He is so angry, and of course, he is grieving the loss of his brother. They all are. We all…" Molly stopped to take a deep breath and wipe the tear that escaped her eye, thinking of her son.

Minerva nodded her understanding and reached over to give Molly's hand a gentle squeeze. She knew only too well what it meant to grieve for loved ones.

"And Hermione?" Minerva immediately felt a pang of guilt. She had meant to talk to the girl, but neither had she found the time nor the strength, trusting Molly to ensure the young witch was safe.

The Weasley matriarch looked uneasy for a moment. "To be honest, I don't really know. I think she's struggling. She didn't look well when she was here."

Minerva sat a little straighter. "Then she is not here at the moment?"

Molly shook her head. "No, she is not. She went home a few days after the war ended and then suddenly turned up here late yesterday evening."

"Hermione was here?"

Both women turned their heads to see Harry standing in the door, still wearing his pajamas.

Remembering his manners, he smiled at the stern witch sitting at the kitchen table. "Good morning, Headmistress."

Why everybody insisted on calling her Headmistress while she didn't even have a school building was quite beyond her, but she had given up commenting on it. "Good morning, Mr. Potter. You are up early."

Harry simply shrugged and turned to Molly and repeated his question. "Hermione was here? Where is she?"

"She was here, yes, but she didn't stay long." Seeing Harry's raised eyebrows, she sighed deeply. "She wanted to stay, but I thought it was best if she and Ronald didn't see each other for a while. The boy needs time to recover and grieve and not the emotional stress of the girl who refused him staying in the same house."

Looking into two very outraged faces, she held her hands up in defense. "Don't look at me like that. I suggested she spend Christmas with her parents. That's not unusual for children, is it?"

"But she can't!" Harry's raised voice startled the elder witches.

Minerva motioned for Harry to sit down. "What do you mean, she can't?"

"She sent a letter two weeks ago from Australia," Harry explained.

"Australia?!" both women asked simultaneously.

Having forgotten that Hermione hadn't told anyone but him, Harry felt very guilty about sharing that information, but under the circumstances, he had no other choice. He could have made up a story for Molly, but his former Head of House was a different matter altogether. "Yes, Australia. Before we left to find the Horcruxes, she altered her parents' memories. She knew they would be a prime target, and that was the only way she saw to protect them."

Minerva sucked in a deep breath. She had had no idea Hermione had done that. Why hadn't the girl come to her? She knew the answer the moment she thought the question. When? How? While the girl had undoubtedly warmed her way into the old woman's heart, Minerva hadn't done anything to let Hermione know she could always come to her, even when she didn't have time. The stern Headmistress shook her head. She was a teacher. It wasn't her place to show favoritism to anyone, even when she had a hard time acting as if Hermione wasn't special to her.

"That is an extremely advanced spell," Molly said doubtfully, earning a small smile from both Minerva and Harry.

"I think you underestimate Miss Granger's abilities." Turning to Harry, she asked, "What happened then?"

"Everything worked well. Her parents started a new life in Australia, not knowing that they had a daughter and once had a life in England. They are safe and happy there. After the war, Hermione went to find them and lifted the spell. She wrote to me, saying that her parents didn't react well at all. She gave them a few weeks to come to terms with everything and explained over and over again why she had had to do it and that otherwise they wouldn't be here now. In the end, they asked her to renew the memory spell. They couldn't forgive her. Hermione had known that might happen when she cast the spell, but she did it anyway. It must have broken her heart that her parents decided to return to a life without her. That was the last I've heard from her, and you sent her away," he accused Molly.

"I didn't know, Harry." Molly's voice took on a defensive tone. "And as much as I love Hermione, my family is my first priority, and as my son, Ron is more important to me."

Harry stood up so abruptly that his chair went flying, but Minerva, who stood, too, put a calming hand on his shoulder, feeling his rage. She had heard enough. "I know, Harry," she said, squeezing his tense shoulder. "Molly, did she say where she would go? Did she say anything at all?"

The other witch slowly shook her head. "No. She just nodded, turned around and left."

Calming her keyed-up nerves, Minerva fully faced her former pupil. "Harry, where would she go? Is there any place you can tell me?"

He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Hogwarts would have been her escape, but other than that, there is no place. She doesn't have any other relations."

Minerva felt her heart clench. Hogwarts. Hermione would have come back to her for help if Hogwarts had been open. "What happened to her family home?"

"I know she put it up for sale, but if it is sold or still on the market, I don't know."

Seeing how upset Harry was, she turned him around. "I will find her, Mr. Potter."

"I'm coming, too. I…." Harry was already freeing himself from his professor's grasp.

The Headmistress firmly shook her head. "No, Harry. You stay here and calm down. I will find her and send word to you as soon as I can." She understood why he wanted to come, but whether he wanted or not, his place was here for the foreseeable future, while Hermione surely wouldn't return to the house anytime soon. It was not lost on her that Molly, even now, didn't offer to take her in.

"But where will…" The boy was not happy, and Minerva was sure Molly wouldn't have a good time explaining what happened to the rest of the family.

"Harry, I'll take care of her. Knowing Miss Granger, she won't want to come back here after yesterday's rejection."

"She is my best friend, Professor." His eyes were so pleading that Minerva felt relieved Hermione had one true friend at least.

She mustered a reassuring smile. "I know, Potter. I'll find her."

"Molly." Minerva nodded her goodbye, her robes flying after her as she strode out of the door.