Christmas Can Bring Out the Best in People
Chapter Two: The Present

"I wonder what Dumbledor wants us for," Alacia said
"Maybe he wants to explain his clue!" Harry suggested
"Well if thats what he wants, we have to tell him we've got a plan, right," Hermione said.
"Yeah, whatever you say, Hermione," Alacia said.
The trio arrived outside Dumbledor's office, gave the password, and proceeded upstairs. When they reached the door, Dumbledor was standing in the doorway, his usual smile upon his face.
"Well, I can see the three of you figured out my clue," he said pleasantly.
"Hermione figured it out," Harry said, "As always." Hermione blushed at these last words.
"Actually," Hermione said, "I didn't figure it out until Alacia gave me the necessary information,"
"Huh, what did I say?" Alacia said, very confused.
"Scroge!" Hermione said, "You said he was acting like a Scroge. So I imediatly thought of A Christmas Carol, and Scroge."
"Ah, A Christmas Carol, one of my favorite classics," Dumbledor said
"Professer, if you don't mind me asking, why did you need us to come up to your office for this?" Harry asked, "I mean, you could have talked to us in the school, couldn't you."
"Ah, yes Harry, I could have. And if I did not have to give you something I would have," Dumbledor replied.
"Oh, you have something for us," Hermione said, "What is it?"
"This," Dumbledor said, pulling out a silvery orb on a very thin gold chain, "it will allow you to show Draco things in the future, without disturbing it, as would happen with a time turner," Dumbledor handed the chain to Hermione, "I believe this will help you Hermione, as, if I am right, you are to be the `Ghost of Christmas Present' tonight." Hermione beamed at him.
"Thank you, Professer," she said.
"After tonight, you will pass the orb to Harry, who will use it to be the `Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be'. Now all you have to do is hold the orb, and think where you want to go in time," Dumbledor explained, "Now off you go, I believe you have to get ready for tonight, and that could take a while," he said with a wink at Hermione.

*~*

"What could he possibly mean by `you have to get ready', Hermione?" Harry asked
"I don't know," Hermione said for about the tenth time.
"That's what you said last night," Alacia said, "We're all just waiting for you to have a brainstorm again." Everyone laughed. They were with Ron now, filling him in on the events of the last night. They had asked for some private time with Ron, and knowing what good friends they all were, the Weaslys agreed.
"I think I might know," Ron said suddenly.
"What?!" Everyone exclaimed as one voice.
"Well, Hermione will need to look different. If Malfoy knows it's her, he wouldn't listen to her," Ron said.
"Oh god, you're right Ron," Hermione said, "I'll see you all later." and she rushed out of the hospital wing.
"Good job Ron, now she won't come out of the dorm all day," Harry said, "Why does she have to spend hours getting ready anyway."
"It's a girl thing," Alacia said. Everyone laughed again.

*~*

Hermione rejoined them four hours later. And she had completely transformed herself. Her hair was now strait, a much lighter color brown, and had been drawn up in a very elequent bun at the back of her head. She was wearing robes a deep navy blue, with silver trim, with the orbs chain around her neck. She had even found a charm that had turned her eyes ice blue, to match her robes.
"Wow Hermione, you look so nice, you have to help me do that for the Yule Ball," Alacia said, giggling.
"Thank you, Alacia," Hermione replied, "But I have to be convincing don't I," they both giggled harder than ever.
"What are you to doing up there," Harry called up the girls staircase, "We've got work to do." The two girls came down to the common room, and when Harry saw Hermione he was momentaraly speachless.
"Okay, tell you what," Harry said, still staring at Hermione, "I'll never question your girl things again."
"Very funny Harry, come on, we need to find Draco," Alacia said.

*~*

Hermione went down to Slytherin common room alone after diner. She now knew this would be easier than any of them had anticipated because Harry had caught Draco staring open mouthed at Hermione when she had entered the Great Hall for dinner. Hermione giggled harder than ever when she had watched Pansy Parkinson trying to engage Draco in conversation with her, but he wasn't listening. There was something very pleasing about watching that.
Hermione arived outside the common room, and gave the password that Alacia had given her the other day. When she entered the common room she was pleased to see that there was only one person sitting there, Draco.
"Are you Draco Malfoy?" Hermione asked
"Yeah, why?"
"I've been looking for you," Hermione said, trying to sound mysterious.
"Good for you," he said, looking up, "Hey you're that girl I saw at dinner."
"I'm a friend of you're sisters," she said.
"Okay, so are you here to try to tell me how much I love Christmas too."
"I didn't know she did that. I do have something to show you though. Come here."
Draco walked over and took Hermione's hand. She gripped the orb in her other hand and transported them both to the prearanged time and place she had worked out with Alacia that afternoon.

*~*

The two of them, walked into the hospital wing at Hogwarts. "I thought we were going somewhere." Draco said
"We did."
"But were still at Hogwarts."
"Yes. This is Christmas this year," Hermione said, "Now, no one can see us, or hear us. We are observers, nothing more. Now follow me." They walked into the ward, to a bed with eleven people crowded around it.
"Hey, those are the Weaslys, why did we have go forward in time to see them?" Draco said.
"Shhhh." The Weaslys were opening presents around the bed with Ron lying in it. Harry, Alacia, and Hermione were there too. Then Mrs. Weasly spoke.
"Ron, I'm really sorry we couldn't get you that new broom you wanted. I feel so guilty, especially now."
"Don't worry about it. This is the best gift I could've asked for, the whole family being here together for Christmas," Ron said.
"You know, he's not so bad, that all he wants for Christmas is to see his whole family. And he got it, even if it was under the worst sircustances," Draco said
"Yes, Ron is a very nice person, and he's the best friend a person could ask for."
"Yeah, I bet under God's will Ron will get better."
"He might," Hermione said.
"What do you mean `he might'," Draco said
"I mean that he might get better and he might not. But if he gets help, he will definitely get better," Hermione said, "Now come with me, I have one more thing to show you." Draco took her hand again, and they went to their next destination.

*~*

"Hey, we're at the Manor, this is where I live, what are we doing here?"
"You have to see this, even though it will probably be hard for you," Hermione said.
"What am I going to see?" Draco said.
"Just follow me." Hermione lead Draco into the drawing room. She had come with Alacia and she had shown her where to go.
"That's father!" Draco shouted suddenly.
"Shh, just listen." Mr. Malfoy was speaking to a hooded wizard in black robes.
"I'm sorry, I know I said I would have him by now, but you see My Lord, he wanted to stay at Hogwarts, to be with his friends."
"There are no excuses," a high cold voice said, from under the cloak, "You will bring him to me, and I will not except it if you don't have him next time."
"I will have him, I promise My Lord, Draco will be one of your faithful."