Hi all. There's a bit of a glitch with right now, so I'm going to try to upload this chapter in hopes that you'll see it or the previous one. ~ Aly

December 14, 1992

Days passed quickly, and soon enough December dawned, a light sprinkling of snow covering the grounds and keeping the Slytherins indoors. Hermione passed the time by grilling Jade and Rhea about politics, and when she couldn't be found in her spot in the common room, she was reading in her dorm. Sadly, her grimoire was still as blank as when she got it. She would have to wait until she was more advanced to begin creating her own spells and potions. Perhaps cure lycanthropy? It was a thought for the future.

"Hey Hermione," Harry said, nodding at her.

Hermione looked up from her book on advanced charms. Somehow she had wandered all the way from the great hall to the third floor. "Hey Harry. What's up?"

Harry shrugged. "Nothing much, really. I've been pretty busy with schoolwork."

"Aren't we all?" Hermione grinned, draping an arm over her forehead dramatically. "Are you going home for break, or staying here?"

"I'm going to stay here," Harry explained. "My aunt and uncle prefer that I stay away as much as possible, so yeah. Ron's going to stay too, so I'll have a friend."

Hermione frowned. "Why don't you come home with me?" she suggested. "My parents would be happy to have you."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked.

"Totally. They'd love to have a friend of mine, any friend," Hermione said dismissively.

"But don't you have family things to do?" Harry pressed.

"Well, we have a few things," Hermione shrugged. "And there's a party or two, but the main party that I'd go to is actually cancelled this year."

"Oh, what happened?"

"The host's father is sick," Hermione said seriously. "Dragon pox."

"That's a thing?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Yeah, it's pretty deadly apparently, so they aren't having their annual party this year," Hermione said.

"Oh, that's sad," Harry replied. "But if you're sure, and your parents say it's okay, then I would love to go to you for Christmas."

Hermione couldn't hide her wince. "It's Yule, Harry."

"Yule?"

"Like how we celebrate Samhain instead of Halloween," Hermione explained. "Yule is celebrated in the older families."

"In the pureblood families, you mean," Harry said.

"Well, I guess go," Hermione said uneasily. "But that's just because muggleborns don't really make an effort to fit in."

"We'll have to agree to disagree," Harry suggested.

"Sure," Hermione agreed. "Hey, does Gryffindor do something similar to Yule Mystery? Like a wizarding secret santa?"

"No, but that's a good idea," Harry said. "Does Slytherin?"

"Yeah, we each get someone in our year. I have Draco Malfoy for the second year in a row," Hermione huffed. "Ugh, he's impossible to shop for."

A slow grin spread across Harry's face. "I actually have an idea for you."

"What?" Hermione asked, leaning forwards eagerly.

"Get him something muggle," Harry said smugly. "And pretend that it's wizarding."

"Like what?" Hermione frowned.

"Dudley had one of those remote control cars," Harry said excitedly. "He loved it."

"Too muggle," Hermione said. "But what about those small cars, that when you pull them backwards they'll shoot forwards?"

"I can't imagine the look on Malfoy's face," Harry crowed gleefully. "Imagine seeing him playing with muggle children's toys."

Hermione snickered a little. "It would be pretty funny. No one in Slytherin would recognize them, so we'll have to see how long he'll play with them before realizing what they are."

~ Slytherin ~

"Jade!" Hermione called later that day. "Do you have a minute?"

The older girl spun around. "Sure, I have a few."

"Is something going to change this year," Hermione began, "Now that I'm in second year?"

Jade's eyes gleamed. "Officially, nothing will happen until next year. You pick your electives and start making your own choices."

"But is something happening over the break?" Hermione pressed.

"We'll have our annual New Years party as planned," Jade said. "I believe the Parkinsons are attempting to take the Malfoy's usual time, but it likely won't end well."

"Harry Potter is staying with me for the holidays," Hermione said quickly, fingering the letter in her pocket addressed to her parents. "Would he be able to come as well?"

"Starting early?" Jade asked. "I'm sure we can manage an invitation for him and the Patils."

"Why do the Patils need to come?" Hermione frowned.

"Because the Gryffindor Patil has been teaching Potter how to behave in Society," Jade said simply. "It is not proper, then, to invite the protegee and not the tutor."

"That makes sense," Hermione said thoughtfully. "But if they can't come, can he still come?"

"Yes, of course," Jade nodded. "But a curtesy invitation must be sent, at least."

"Oh, okay," Hermione said. "Are there any other parties?"

"Not that you will be attending," Jade said smoothly. "There are a few from minor Houses, but not even Daphne will be attending those."

"Will you?"

"Yes," Jade admitted. "But they're not something you need to concern yourself with right now."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "Last year, I threw a party. Do I need to do something this year?"

"You don't have to," Jade offered. "A get-together, or something similar, couldn't hurt. But not a full-scale party like yours from last year."

"Okay," Hermione said slowly. If only witches and wizards knew about barbecues, then she could do that. Maybe a picnic? She doubted her classmates had ever eaten lunch outside on a blanket on the ground. She could have her parents make sandwiches and snacks. Harry would be there, so maybe she would invite some of the Ravenclaws as well, to keep him company. Would it be to controversial to invite Dean, as a thank you for his help with her crest? Hermione supposed that it would be better than inviting Weasley, who hated all Slytherins, a feeling that was very much reciprocated. Harry and Parvati would be fine, especially if they were going to be attending the Greengrass' New Years party. She would have to talk to both of them to make sure Harry would respond appropriately and would have dress robes. She wouldn't want him to embarrass himself.