Hermione was sitting in the living room of Ron's house. The cosy surroundings and comforting cup of coffee helped Hermione forget almost everything that had happened in the last couple of weeks. Almost. She knew that nothing could happen and that she was a competent witch, but she was still anxious. Her close friend Harry would be on his way to the house soon, and she couldn't wait to see him.

Harry had been very busy since they had left school. After receiving a fantastic amount of NEWT's, she went to work at the Ministry of Magic to study Wizarding Communications. She had spent weeks on end following the Minister of Magic around, paying close attention on how he spoke to people, and the different manners of which he spoke. After working then in Ireland, for the Muggle Relations Authority, she received an Owl from the new head teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Monty Greygoose Moonchild. After a new job had come up for working a the school the old Headmaster Dumbledore, had told Moonchild of Hermione's work and she was interviewed and accepted the new work.

Harry Potter, Order of Merlin, Auror Spectacular, lived in a huge mansion on the borders of Somerset and Dorset. He loved the close proximity to the moors and was a particularly close friend of the so-called 'Beast of Bodmin Moor'. Harry, Ron and Hermione had all been close friends at school and they still kept in touch-regularly sending each other Owls, or arriving suddenly through a fireplace by Floo Powder.

Today Harry was walking up the path to Little Kingsby-the Weasley's house. The door swung open on its hinges, as he tapped it lightly with the tip of his wand.

"Hello, anyone in?" Harry asked cheerfully. He was used to there not being anyone in as on many occasions the whole family being out in a small clearing, playing Quidditch.

"Harry!" A flying ball of robes and hair flew into Harry and gave squeezed him tightly. Hermione detangled herself from Harry and kissed him on the cheek. "Harry. I have missed you so much!" Hermione burst into tears and held on to Harry's shoulders, letting the pain of the last couple of weeks pour out onto Harry's dark purple robes.

The Christmas period was a busy time for the Weasley's. Their two, 11 year old twins had arrived for the break at the house and were trying to charm the baubles on the tree to sing, unsuccessfully, all they were doing was screaming in a very high pitched voice. Hermione helped Candie bewitch the tinsel to dance along the walls and Ellie to help the portraits and pictures put their Christmas gear on and decorated their pictures.