And we've made it to the holidays! Part two will be Dec 31st and the Greengrass New Years party. Happy Reading!

Also, if anyone would like to see side one-shots from any point in these stories, things that I've mentioned happening but not gone into too much detail, let me know! I'd love some prompts to write more in the Slytherin series.

December 22, 1992

Holidays dawned and soon enough Hermione was bouncing off the Hogwarts express, Harry by her side as she eagerly searched the platform for her parents. "Come on Harry!" she exclaimed, tugging on the Gryffindor's arm. She had already said goodbye to her Slytherin friends on the train, and Harry had popped in to say hello before leaving to find his own friends. But now the two were together, and set on finding Hermione's parents.

"Hermione, there's a couple by the entrance who looks just like you," Tracey called before she was whisked into the floo by Jade, who had been tasked with taking the young girls home.

Hermione nodded and led Harry to her parents. "Hermione!" Emma Granger exclaimed, hugging her daughter.

"Hey mum," Hermione smiled back. "Mum, Dad, this is Harry Potter."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Granger," Harry smiled politely, holding out his hand. Dan Granger shook it, casting a look over his daughter's friend.

"It's nice to meet you too, Harry," Mr. Granger said. "It's great to finally meet one of Hermione's friends." Harry beamed at that. "So you're in the lion house, right?"

"Yeah, Gryffindor," Harry responded.

"Do you like it?"

"It's pretty good," Harry answered honestly. "But some of the teachers are biased and it's not really fair sometimes. And most of the Slytherins hate us just because of our house."

"Are you talking about the points your headmaster gave at the end of last year?" Mrs. Granger asked.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, things like that. And there's a teacher who's very against Gryffindor house, for some reason."

~ Slytherin ~

The car ride to Hermione's house was short, and Hermione eagerly dragged Harry and his trunk up the steps and into the guest room. "You'll be staying here," she said eagerly. "I'm going to go change, then we're going to go shopping for a bit. So you might want to change too."

"Oh, I don't have muggle money," Harry said sadly.

Hermione frowned. "Hmm, so you can pay me back when we go to Diagon Alley," Hermione suggested.

Harry perked up instantly. "We're going to Diagon Alley?"

"Yeah, we're going to go tomorrow so we can get magical gifts for people," Hermione informed him.

She had most of her present shopping done, but Hermione did want to pick up a few things. She had to get the present for Draco Malfoy, first, and she wanted to take the opportunity to buy Harry a little extra something. It didn't seem like he had ever really gotten presents before, with his obvious delight whenever someone handed him something or was extra kind to him. He was already growing on her, much like a brother, and she was happy that her parents seemed to like him too.

And Aunt Amaya had promised to let Hermione help her make some jewelry, so she would probably get that for her female friends. Blaise...now he was another story. Last year, she had gotten him a book on Advanced Charms, but they were closer this year and she wanted to get him something more. She had finally settled upon two gifts - a muggle book on Italian history, with gorgeous glossy pictures of Blaise's native country, and a box of muggle sparklers. Her parents had sent her the sparklers early, and Professor Flitwick had taught her how to cast a charm that would make the sparklers burn, but they wouldn't be hot and they wouldn't hurt anyone. She would save that present for when they were back at Hogwarts.

She had her parents order a couple new clothes for Harry, and she would also pick up a set of black dress robes for him when they were in Diagon Alley. All in all, she was pretty satisfied with her present choices.

Harry joined her downstairs after a few minutes. "Mum!" Hermione yelled up the stairs. "Harry and I are going shopping!"

"Okay!" came the response.

The two second years walked to the small shopping area near Hermione's house, the one where Amaya Starr had her glass shop. Hermione motioned Harry in there first. "Aunt Amaya?" Hermione called.

"Hermione!" the women behind the counter squealed, leaping out to hug the brunette. "Oh my, you've grown! How has school been? It's been ages!"

"It has," Hermione agreed. "Aunt Amaya, this is Harry Potter. Harry, this is a family friend of ours, Amaya Starr."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Harry said, sticking his hand out for her to shake.

"Oh, none of that," Amaya said warmly. "Call me Aunt Amaya, everyone does. Now, are you two here for presents?"

"I want to make jewelry, but not today," Hermione answered when Harry looked at her helplessly. "We're just here to say hi."

~ Slytherin ~

A clothing store was their next stop. Amid Harry's protests, Hermione picked out a couple button down shirts and a cool leather jacket, which she declared made Harry look "totally awesome". She herself picked out a nice dress, which she would wear to the Greengrasses' New Years party. The toy store was next, and Harry helped Hermione pick out a set of pull-back cars. When he wasn't looking, Hermione slipped in a set for Harry as well, seeing how he looked longingly at the toys. Harry also picked out a toy for his 'secret' pen pal, a set of miniature dragon figurines.

"Cause his name is Dragon," Harry explained.

Hermione hid a grin. "I'm sure he'll love them."

After leaving the toy store, Hermione wanted to go to the bookshop, and Harry obliged. The two spent a good half an hour browsing the shelves, eventually Hermione leaving with a new set of mystery books, and Harry having picked out a nice cookbook, "to thank your parents for having me," he explained. Hermione had nodded and reassured her friend that they didn't have that cookbook already.

"It's getting late," Hermione said, walking outside of the bookshop. She yawned, bringing a hand up to cover her mouth. "Should we head back home?"

Harry grinned brightly at her. "One last stop, okay?" He dashed into the candy store, and Hermione reluctantly followed. They exited fifteen minutes later, a significantly smaller amount of money in Hermione's wallet and a large bag of candy in Harry's hand. As much as she disapproved of sugar, Hermione knew that the smile on Harry's face was worth it, especially as he tried each candy for the first time. He handed her a coca cola flavored gummy candy, and held his up in the air to tap hers. "To the best Christmas/Yule ever!" he declared.

"To the best Christmas/Yule ever," Hermione agreed, touching her gummy to his.