Chapter 3: The Reunion

Hermione stepped into the flames and headed for Diagon Alley. She had left Varee to sleep and Crookshanks to rest. She wanted to buy Christmas presents for all her friends. She stepped into Madam Malkin's and bought the latest and fashionable robes for Mrs Weasley and Ginny. She then went to Flourish and Blotts to buy some expensive quills and novelty ink for Mr Weasley and Percy. She bought different smelling ingredients for Fred and George so that they could invent some new novelty. Hermione bought a new dragon hide glove for Charlie and a snake skin scarf for Bill. Now she needed to buy things for Harry, Ron and Hagrid. She bought large amounts of fur, to make a new coat for Hagrid. She remembered how badly he needed one when she left school. Carrying all the presents were tough so she dropped them off home and returned to Diagon Alley. She had no clue what to buy Harry and Ron. And she also remembered she needed to buy Sirius something. She walked into a bookstore and peered at anything that she could buy for them. Seeing as nothing would interest them she walked into a supplies store and bought many different things. She bought different colours of wool, wood, and chocolates. She decided she would make them something if she couldn't actually find anything to buy for them.

Once Hermione got home she started on making the presents. She started knitting scarves and gloves for Sirius. It was black with little white snowflakes as a border. She the got out then got out the piece of wood and separated them. She then carved them into chess pieces and painted them. Theses were for Ron. She's cast a spell on them later. She then got out some more wool and knitted a scarf and jumper for Harry. And she made some treats from the chocolates. Hagrid's coat took a few days for Hermione to make. He was quite big and Hermione had to go back and buy some more fur a few times. But Friday night came, and all the presents were ready. They were all wrapped up nicely and she shrank them so they would be lighter for her to carry around and there would be more room in her bag. Once everything was done, she sat by the fire and watched it glow with a smile on her face. Crookshanks curled up on the rug and Varee in her arms snoozing. Hermione drifted to a light sleep, as she was comfortable in her warm home.

In the morning, Hermione bathed Varee and got her dressed in a pink dress and red baby robes with fluffy white trimmings. She looked very cute when Hermione put up the hood. Hermione dress in dark green robes and her hair was tied in its usual braid with her stray parts of hair hanging over her face. After a lot of persuasion, she managed to get Crookshanks into his cat carrier. She put on her rucksack, held onto Varee and held onto the cat carrier. The easiest way for her to get to Hogsmeade was to use the Knight bus so once she stepped outside, she held out her wand, which glowed at the tip. A few seconds later she was inside a warm bus drinking hot chocolate, while Stan would play with Varee. They had an uneventful journey and about half an hour later, Hermione was in Hogsmeade. The station was very cold so Hermione held Varee within her robes. No one could see her carrying the baby any longer. She also let Crookshanks out of his Cat carrier. He darted out the box and roamed around the streets. Hermione loved Hogsmeade in winter. The village looked so peaceful. She listened to the carol singers. They ranged from witches and wizards, to dwarves and goblins. They sounded nice and Hermione put in some money for the charity they were raising for. The wind had started to pick up and Hermione shivered a little. She held Varee, closer to her and headed towards the Three Broomsticks.

Hermione peered inside. She scanned the area until she saw the flare of black hair and red hair. She gazed at the two and smiled. They hadn't changed that much. Ron was still very tall. He had cut his hair and it was a bit spiky. Freckles had more ground over his face. Harry's hair was still unruly and black. He had grown to be quite tall, but he still had the energy filled aura around him. Hermione walked towards the two.

"Hi! Merry Christmas!" Hermione greeted. They turned at gaped at her.

"Hermione?!" They both asked. Hermione blushed as they stared and nodded.

"You've changed!" Ron stated still shocked.

"You haven't…that much!" Hermione joked. She sat in front of them.

"So, how've you been Herms?" Harry asked.

Herms. That was the nickname he always used for her. It rolled right off his tongue and sounded right when he said it, unlike Malfoy.

"Busy," Hermione replied.

"Guys, there's someone I'd like you to meet." Hermione removed her cloak and revealed a small, curious baby in her arms. Both looked a little shocked but then smiled at the baby.

"She looks like you." Harry stated.

"What's her name?" Ron asked.

"Varee."

"Hello Varee! Want to come to Uncle Ron?" Ron started and held out his arms. Varee giggled and reached out towards Ron. Ron held the tiny girl in her arms and tickled her gently.

"She's friendly," Harry smiled at Hermione and the frowned. Hermione winced every time she moved her back. And Harry could see bruises all up her arm.

"Hermione…are you…" Harry started but stopped as Hagrid came along. Soon afterwards, all the Weasley's came and they did a lot of catching up. And Mrs Weasley took an instant liking to Varee.

"She's so adoreable!" she squealed as she held the child.

Hermione talked a lot to Harry and Ron. They were her best friends and she gave them her presents. They were both surprised.

"Thanks Herms, but we didn't buy you anything." Ron said taking the wrapped present.

"No problem, you've both got an hour to buy me something here in Hogsmeade!" Hermione joked.

They all laughed but Hermione's laughter faded quickly as she saw a figure enter. Her eyed widened and she froze on the spot.

"Hermione? What's wrong?" Harry asked concerned noticing her strange behaviour.

"N-nothing," Hermione stuttered and smiled weakly at Harry.

Harry looked in the direction Hermione had been looking at. He saw no one that looked familiar. He looked at Hermione who had a distant look on her face. Searching her eyes, he noticed that she looked really frightened and self-conscious, she even started to shake a little. She even slumped in her chair. Very un-Hermione like. Harry reached under the table and held her hand. He intertwined his fingers with hers, with a reassuring look on his face. Hermione glanced at him, slightly surprised, and then gave a small smile. Harry noticed just how cold her hands had turned.

Hermione remained silent for the remainder of the reunion except for laughing at jokes and comments that George and Fred made. Knowing Malfoy had been in here, made her feel queasy. And Harry's hand on hers made her feel comfortable. It felt right and it gave her a warm tingling feeling with his soft touch. She gazed at Harry for a short while. His thick black hair glistened in the light and his brilliant green eyes sparkled. Hermione loved his eyes. Her eyes were hazel in colour, and they looked plain to her, whereas Harry's green eyes were vibrant and full of life.

After a few drinks, the Weasley's left. Ron went with them. He was planning to spend the holidays with them and take a family holiday. Hagrid had to leave for the Hogwarts ground so now Harry and Hermione were left by themselves.

They went into Honeydukes and picked out some new Christmas treats they had on sale. After finishing their shopping, Hermione pulled out her whistle and blew on it. It didn't make noise.

"Maybe you should buy a new one?" Harry suggested.

Hermione looked puzzled. But shook her head, after a few minutes, Harry so a familiar cat stroll towards them.

"Crookshanks!" Harry stared at the cat.

"I couldn't leave him at home all alone. And he needs to stretch his paws in a place which isn't knee high in snow!" Hermione smiled at her cat.

Hermione persuaded her cat back into her cat carrier. She picked up all her things haphazardly while Harry played with little Varee.

"Well I better get going. I'll miss the train!" Hermione said smiling at Harry.

"Wait, why don't I give you lift home? We could ride on my Firebolt." Harry suggested.

"Will there be enough room?" Hermione asked.

"Sure, I can extend it. You just hold onto Varee and I'll hold onto Crookshanks' carrier." Harry said.

"Ok then. I think I'll be too late for my train anyway!" Hermione said relieved.

Harry smiled and brought out his broomstick. He had shrunk it so it could fit in his pocket. He then whispered some words and the broomstick enlarged and extended so that it could hold two people. It hovered in the air and Harry sat on it. He then ushered for Hermione to sit behind him. Hermione to sit behind him. Hermione handed Harry the cat carrier, which he hung on the pole of the broomstick. She then climbed on. With one hand she held Varee, with the other she held onto Harry so as not to fall off when flying.

"Ready?" Harry asked.

"Yeah." Hermione replied.

With that the broomstick soared into the air and flew in the direction the train would have taken her. He would have normally flown faster, but with two people and a cat, he decided going fast was out of the question. Hermione was grateful; she knew how fast Harry could normally go.

About 20 minutes later, Harry had reached the countryside, where it had started to snow. About 10 minutes later they reached Hermione's house. Hermione jumped off the broom and took Crookshanks.

"Harry, it looks like a blizzard will start soon. Do you want to stay here until it passes," Hermione asked. As if on cue, the wind started to pick up and the snow fell more heavily.

"If it's no trouble. My house is quite far from here anyway." Harry said.

Hermione smiled and unlocked the door. It was freezing in the house. Hermione rushed to the fire and set it alight. It was then, Harry saw all the Christmas decorations she had put around the house. He started wide eyes, at the wreathes, the tinsel, the tree, the stockings and the mistletoe.

"You go all out for Christmas don't you?!" Harry joked.

Hermione blushed and placed Varee in her cloud cot.

"It gets boring when you live all alone." Hermione said.

"Alone? What about your mother?" Harry asked. Hermione's expression saddened.

"She passed away about a month ago," Hermione whispered.

"Oh! I'm sorry," Harry apologised and regretted asking the question in the first place.

"It's all right. Have a seat, I'll just put on some tea." Hermione said.

With that she left Harry in the living room. Crookshanks curled up on the rug by the fire and Varee slept soundly in her cot. Harry sat down on the couch and warmed up by the fire. Hermione had a nice house, but it did look a bit old. She decorated it nicely and it was quite cosy. He then gazed at the sleeping Varee. He knew that she had made up the story about Varee being her cousin who lost her parents. He always seemed to be able to tell when Hermione was lying. But he decided not to bring up the subject. If Hermione lied to them, she often had a good reason or she didn't want to talk about it. And he knew how Hermione's temper could build up.

Hermione placed two cups of tea on a tray and put some biscuits on a plate. She then placed them on the table between the two couches. Harry smiled as he sipped his tea. ' A teaspoon of sugar and no milk. Just how I like it. I'm surprised she remembered.' Harry thought. Hermione sipped on her tea and relaxed on her chair. Her back had been aching all day and when she had been making tea, an old wound, which hadn't healed fully, started to bleed. She was grateful that Harry didn't ask too much about Varee. Otherwise she would lead him into trouble and she didn't want that to happen.

"So, how's Sirius?" Hermione asked.

"He's fine, he's on holiday right now. He needed a break after that long court case between Peter and him." Harry told her.

"I'm glad that's all settled." Hermione smiled.

Varee woke from her sleep. Her face scrunched up and she started to cry. Hermione was instantly by her cot and lifted her up.

"Excuse me Harry, just need to change her." Hermione said and left the room.

Harry strolled around the room. He looked at the photo's that were laid on the mantelpiece. They all showed pictures of Varee and separated pictures of her mother. Harry frowned at one of the pictures of Hermione and Varee. The people in the photo moved, and as he saw Hermione move, he was sure he saw some bruises and cuts on her arm. Hermione came back downstairs and Harry turned around to acknowledge her presence. They sat back down on the couch and started to talk about their old times in Hogwarts.

"I remember clearly the look on Professor Trelawny's face when I left the class. I hated her and her class so much. It wasn't very useful if everything she predicted was made up!" Hermione smiled at the memory.

"Yeah. She loved to predict my death. It was so annoying." Harry said exasperated. Hermione laughed.

"I should heading home. I need the time to reach home," Harry said looking at his watch.

"Alright," Hermione said, hiding her sadness.

Hermione lead Harry to the door and opened it. It was getting dark and cold, but Harry said he could reach home fast.

"I had fun. We should do this again sometime." Harry said smiling.

"Yeah." Hermione replied.

"I'll see you soon Herms." He said and soared into the sky.

"Bye!" Hermione called at the disappearing figure.

She sighed and closed the door shut. 'I think I'm falling love with you all over again.'