Chapter 1
It was a dark and stormy December day as evident by the periodic flashes that lit up the magicked sky of the Great Hall. Hermione, Ron and Harry sat huddled together near the middle of the long Gryffindor table. Several other students were scattered along the vast amount of tables littering the room, though only 3, a couple second years and one lowly seventh year, were from their house. Ron's brothers were off gallivanting across Romania with Charlie and Ginny accepted an invitation to celebrate Christmas in Paris with one of her friends. The three didn't mind however; with all the work the teachers had assigned to prepare the fifth years for the O.W.L.s, the famous trio barely had time to just hang out with one another. This was the first time in months that Harry and Ron actually had time to play an entire game of Wizard's Chess. Hermione just sat by quietly, head resting in the crook of her arm, watching the silly boys concentrate on their barbaric game and being sure to cover her face slightly when one small marble piece destroyed another. 'Pity' Hermione thought, 'Those pieces are quite nice, sure they magically repair themselves but still, why destroy beautiful pieces like those in the first place? I will never understand this game!' She heaved a heavy sigh, born from pure boredom. Sure she loved these boys (maybe one in a slightly different way, but love none the less) but they could really being lacking in the attention- grabbing department when she needed some entertainment. She figured they could do something that all three of them like to do but then again she knew that they really didn't see her as a girl; they figured she liked the same things they did. She somewhat angrily pushed up from her seat next to Harry, drawing confused glances from the two boys.
"Mione, is there so-" Harry began but was cut off by the rather loud sound of the owls, bringing the daily post. They all wondered why the flapping of the birds' wings was so loud and soon discovered the reason upon witnessing 7 large tawny brown owls drifting towards them, sharing the burden of a rather heavy looking package. They landed in front of Hermione and left just as quickly as they came. The trio stared in wonder at the large box, curiosity burning in their eyes. Ron looked to her and prompted.
"Well, are ya gonna open it some time this century?" She snapped out of her trance like state and cleared her throat as she reached for the string holding everything together. Once the string had been removed, the boys tore the paper off, eliciting a small giggle from Hermione at the boys' behavior. She opened the box top quickly, scooping out the packing peanuts to uncover the mystery that lie in wait for her and her friends. She found a card in a simple white envelope amongst the various packing materials, her name neatly scrawled on the outside. She smiled as she recognized the handwriting as her mother's. She hurriedly pulled the card out, he smile growing wider as she read over her mother's kind words.
My darling girl,
We miss not having you on holiday with us sweetheart. Although after a few days of this family reunion I was about ready to stuff myself in this box with your present to come see you. You and your friends I am sure are having more fun than either your father or myself. To make up for not getting to see our baby girl this Christmas, we are sending you a few more presents than normal to remind you of home. We thought we would send you some CDs…muggle (I am still trying to get used to that word) bands of course. Then there are some treats, new clothes picked out by your cousin, though I am not sure I would ever let you wear some of the things she does, some other random things and of course two wrapped presents for your two best friends. We couldn't forget about the boys that have changed our daughter into the woman she is becoming today. We hope you get a lot of use out of the CDs and other small things this break but don't open the two larger wrapped presents until Christmas morning, those are extra special. Well, I don't know much else to write other than we miss you dearly and hope that the summer months come quickly. We love you bunches.
Love,
Mom and Daddy
She rolled her eyes at the sappiness of her mother. They had been quite worried about their daughter after hearing the kinds of situations she had been in with her friends over the last four years. It was all quite a shock to them, especially since they were just learning of the terrible things You-Know-Who had done. Hermione dove into the box, pulling out the CDs, clothes and the other odds and ends. Finally she reached the wrapped presents at the bottom. Harry and Ron fought to see which one was theirs, hoping to be able to open them early. Hermione playfully slapped their hands away.
"Ah, ah, ah…if I can't open my wrapped ones you guys can't open yours!" The boys sat back with defeated looks contorting their maturing features. Though she had to admit, Harry looked particularly handsome when he pouted. He caught her eyes lingering on him just a second too long and his look changed. She felt the color rise in her face as she realized she had been staring a little too long. Quickly she went back to the gifts.
"So, Mione, what do you think they got you?" Harry questioned to break the uncomfortable pregnant pause, Ron still unaware there even was a pause. He was too engrossed in vigorously shaking his small gift back and forth. Hermione sincerely hoped that her parents hadn't gotten him anything remotely breakable. She shook her head with laughter at her own thoughts, tossing her gradually tamer hair over her shoulder before answering Harry.
"Um…I have no idea. It's not like they have spent too much time with me in a while so they couldn't possible know what I want but I do always get good presents from them not that I actually need a present to be happy around the holidays, but they are nice. Too bad the boxes are rather normal looking otherwise I might have been able to make more of a guess." She sighed again as rest her chin in her hand, glancing over the contents of the whole package.
"Guess we will have to suffer for a another day to find out, huh?" Ron finally interjected.
"Looks that way…" She trailed off, anticipation mounting in her sparkling eyes, that a certain boy loved dearly.
*I promise the story will get more exciting. I just wanted to get the first part up. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW so I know whether or not I should even bother posting more. Thanx. LUV YA'LL BUNCHES!