Serendipity
Chapter One: Love at First Sight
It was the beginning of the holidays and Hermione Granger and her family, consisting of her mother and father, were spending the winter weeks in Chicago. It was beautiful weather and 11-year-old Hermione Granger could not get enough of the snow outside. She loved it for all its beauty and happiness it brought. Although the frozen snow was cold and damp, she couldn't help but feel warm whenever it was around. She had always felt this way, it was deep into the winter months that she could always be found with a smile on her face, happy and safe wherever she was. It was her first week visiting Chicago and she would be spending three more weeks here before returning to London. But she had no complaints about the long vacation because she enjoyed it so much. The dark snow filled nights, sipping hot cups of cocoa; sitting out on the balcony of their hotel room; the Christmas lights and sounds, it was just magnificent. She especially liked walking around bundled up in coats and scarves, looking like a walking laundry pile, shopping for presents. But most of all, she loved the snow. She laughed at all the people rushing and hurrying trying to make deadlines and appointments at this time of year, she felt bad and confused about the busy people with lots to do, too much to do as a matter of fact. She never really understood how someone could be so busy as to abstain from simply stopping and enjoying the moment for what it was. [I] There was always time for that, [/I] she thought. As her mother held her hand and whisked her through the streets, a cute happy grin played across her small fair face. Her brilliant smile shone bright amidst the monotone black of the crowd's jackets and sweaters. Everywhere she looked, black this and black that. [I] Where is all the color? [/I] her mind began to ask. She again smiled as she saw the stores up ahead. [I] There it is, [/I] her smile brightened even more as she saw the shop windows filled with color, everywhere color. Hues of bright oranges, and reds, and yellows, dark blues, and greens, and some black, but it was obviously a popular shade. [I] It makes the boring people happy [/I] she thought, [I] and I guess they count too. [/I] She laughed quietly to herself. "Mother are we going shopping again?" little Hermione asked her mother, who was still holding her fragile hand. They had been walking through the crowded streets for some time now and, although she loved the sites, her tiny feet were beginning to hurt. "No baby girl, were meeting your daddy for dinner." Her mother told her looking down at her, smiling. Her mother was beautiful, as was she. With classic brown eyes, and long brown hair to match, though her mother's was shiny and straight compared to Hermione's coarse and crimped locks. She was equally thin, but nothing repulsive, almost.perfect. As they turned a corner, Hermione spotted the most beautiful and strikingly gorgeous, and rather large, Christmas tree she had ever seen. It was bedecked with huge ornaments and cascading lights of white. It was the most breath taking sight she had ever seen. "Mother!" she shouted, yanking at the older women's hand, "Mother look!" she shouted louder. Her mother immediately noticed her daughter's enthusiasm and looked for the source of it. "Mother do you see it? The tree, do you see it?" she writhed with excitement, trying to drag her mother towards it. "Yes darling I see it, it's fine-looking." Her mother said, her full attention not completely set on the tree. Obviously her mother did not know just how "fine-looking" it really was. "Mother it's more than fine, it's stunning." Little Hermione could not contain her thrill. "Oh mother, could we go see it? Please?" she pleaded with her mother. Nevertheless, Hermione knew it was no use, when her mother was due to be somewhere, well that is where she would be, which was one of the things that differed her from her parents. Hermione knew that being on time was an important trait to have, but she just did not get why some people let it rule their entire life. "Sorry baby girl but we must go meet your daddy, he might worry if were late. We'll come back after dinner and see it then. I promise." Concluded her mother with a smile. But Hermione knew they would not return, at least not tonight, her mother hardly ever kept her promises. So, disappointed, Hermione sighed and continued walking with her mother. As they turned the corner and the tree drew out of sight they made a sharp left turn, smiling again but still slightly saddened, Hermione entered a large fancy building made it seemed, entirely of marble. She looked around at all the beautiful artwork and sculptures and smiled brighter. Of course, the paintings were all of boring dead people and flowers but it was the only artwork she had seen all day. And she was grateful that now she had two things she could tell her friends back home; for Hermione liked to keep her friends updated on the great time she was having, therefore she sent them a post card everyday. She was worried that she would have had nothing to tell them for this day, but she was wrong. They slipped into a deserted elevator that was made of glass, so they were able to see all around them. Hermione clung to her mother's side, even though she was not frightened of heights. Why just yesterday they were in the Sears Tower, the tallest building in the world, however many stories high it was she could not remember. And while her mother hid where she felt she was safe from the view, Hermione took her chances and went straight for the glass windows. With her nose pressed against the glass and breath creating fog on the newly cleaned window, she looked all around, taking in as much as she could. It was an amazing sight, to see all the thousands of people as tiny as ants. Feeling as if she was at the top of world, along with the twenty other people in the room with her. However, her mother escorted her away because she had felt sick, despite the fact that she had not once looked out any of the windows onto the streets far below. "Look, baby girl, there's daddy." Her mother said and Hermione, now released from her mother's hand ran into her father's arms. "DADDY!" she shouted, happy to see her father. "Hey baby girl! Good to see you! How was your day?" he asked as she sat in his lap, her arms lovingly wrapped around his neck. "Boring! But mother said after dinner we can go see the big tree!" she said her eyes the brightest they had been all day. "You mean that one?" he said, his finger pointing to the window that was next to their table. Her mother's face turned pale as she saw the large drop outside the window. Hermione on the other hand, flew to it and saw the tree standing right below them across the street. "Daddy! Isn't it beautiful?" she gasped staring at it. "Yes it is." He agreed. Hermione spent the entire meal gazing out the window as she watched every single ornament glitter in the setting sun. It was now dark and the reflection of the lights wrapped around the tree gave it an ominous glow. Her mother continued to cast nervous glances when Hermione would lean too close. Once she had pulled Hermione back down in her seat, although there was no danger of falling. Once dinner had been paid for and everyone was stuffed, everyone stood up to leave. Hermione had on her jacket, scarf, gloves, and now her beanie. "Thank you mother." She said smiling, only her eyes nose and lips showing. "Your welcome baby girl." Her mother said as she smiled and bent down to kiss her on the nose, which would soon be red. "Now we get to go see the tree! Right?" she asked in anticipation, her little eyes sparkling. "Hunny, mum's too tired to-." "Which is why daddy's going to take you and let mum," he gave his wife a stifling glare, "go back to the hotel and rest." He smiled at his daughter as she gave a happy shriek. His wife on the other hand was not happy but she gave a fake smile and reached her hand out. "Money.for the cab. I'm not getting mugged walking through the streets this late." She said an annoyed tone in her voice. "Of course, dear, here you are." Hermione's father handed her mother a bill and they separated. Once her and her father were outside, Hermione wanted to run, not walk, to the tree; as if it might be gone if they took too long. However, her father freed all fears by telling her, "Hermione, the tree isn't going anywhere, we don't have to run." As soon as they arrived, Hermione felt a warm tingle up her spine. She had never seen a tree so tall before! Her face broke into a smile, almost as big as the tree, and she raced to the base of it, her father close behind. Once she got there, she stared straight up, and although it hurt her neck, she felt it would be the best view. She saw round ornaments made of gold silk, and some made of rubies and emeralds. Some were figures of soldiers with funny jaws that moved up and down, and some were glittering snowflakes that sparkled every color of the rainbow. The lights made everything shine and sparkle twice as much as normal. "Daddy," she began to ask, "can we get one of these trees next year?" she said, now looking into her father's face. He chuckled and bent down to her height. "Hunny, this tree wouldn't fit in our house." He had his hands on her shoulders as he told her this, and he drew her into a soft hug as her face began to frown. "But I promise we'll get one as big as we can, okay?" as he picked her up in his arms she smiled again. In contrast to her mother, her father always kept his promises. "Okay, daddy." She said and gave him another hug, and then he put her back down. "Okay, baby girl, time to go." He said, reaching for her hand. "Oh, daddy, can we stay a little bit longer, please?" she asked him. He smiled and said, "Sure, but only a minute hunny, we don't want to get home and to bed too late." She smiled and walked a few feet away from him to look at the tree. There were fewer people left so she could stay farther away from her father than normal. Usually he kept her right next to him, holding her hand. She liked to be on her own, even at her young age she was very independent. She walked around the tree a couple of times amazed by the colors and textures of it all. However, when she looked down, she saw something, or someone, that caught her attention. It was a boy, who looked to be the same age as her. He had light brown hair and pale colored eyes. His mother was holding his hand as he stood below the great tree. He looked down at the same time that she had, and their eyes met the others at that same moment. He smiled and so did she. His green jacket that he wore had a snake sewn on it, [I] He must like snakes, [/I] she thought. Suddenly her father was next to her and he reached down for her hand. She took it without thinking, her eyes still connected with the boys. She was only distracted when her father began to walk away. "Daddy, do we have to leave?" she asked. "Yes hunny, it's already past your bedtime." He noted. She [I] had [/I] been feeling a little tired, but upon seeing the boy, her heart began to race. For some reason she felt more at home looking into his eyes than she had ever felt at any point during winter, even when it snowed. She turned back towards the tree behind her and saw the boy, leaving also. He looked at her and waved, she waved back. [I] Goodbye, [/I] she thought to herself.
Chapter One: Love at First Sight
It was the beginning of the holidays and Hermione Granger and her family, consisting of her mother and father, were spending the winter weeks in Chicago. It was beautiful weather and 11-year-old Hermione Granger could not get enough of the snow outside. She loved it for all its beauty and happiness it brought. Although the frozen snow was cold and damp, she couldn't help but feel warm whenever it was around. She had always felt this way, it was deep into the winter months that she could always be found with a smile on her face, happy and safe wherever she was. It was her first week visiting Chicago and she would be spending three more weeks here before returning to London. But she had no complaints about the long vacation because she enjoyed it so much. The dark snow filled nights, sipping hot cups of cocoa; sitting out on the balcony of their hotel room; the Christmas lights and sounds, it was just magnificent. She especially liked walking around bundled up in coats and scarves, looking like a walking laundry pile, shopping for presents. But most of all, she loved the snow. She laughed at all the people rushing and hurrying trying to make deadlines and appointments at this time of year, she felt bad and confused about the busy people with lots to do, too much to do as a matter of fact. She never really understood how someone could be so busy as to abstain from simply stopping and enjoying the moment for what it was. [I] There was always time for that, [/I] she thought. As her mother held her hand and whisked her through the streets, a cute happy grin played across her small fair face. Her brilliant smile shone bright amidst the monotone black of the crowd's jackets and sweaters. Everywhere she looked, black this and black that. [I] Where is all the color? [/I] her mind began to ask. She again smiled as she saw the stores up ahead. [I] There it is, [/I] her smile brightened even more as she saw the shop windows filled with color, everywhere color. Hues of bright oranges, and reds, and yellows, dark blues, and greens, and some black, but it was obviously a popular shade. [I] It makes the boring people happy [/I] she thought, [I] and I guess they count too. [/I] She laughed quietly to herself. "Mother are we going shopping again?" little Hermione asked her mother, who was still holding her fragile hand. They had been walking through the crowded streets for some time now and, although she loved the sites, her tiny feet were beginning to hurt. "No baby girl, were meeting your daddy for dinner." Her mother told her looking down at her, smiling. Her mother was beautiful, as was she. With classic brown eyes, and long brown hair to match, though her mother's was shiny and straight compared to Hermione's coarse and crimped locks. She was equally thin, but nothing repulsive, almost.perfect. As they turned a corner, Hermione spotted the most beautiful and strikingly gorgeous, and rather large, Christmas tree she had ever seen. It was bedecked with huge ornaments and cascading lights of white. It was the most breath taking sight she had ever seen. "Mother!" she shouted, yanking at the older women's hand, "Mother look!" she shouted louder. Her mother immediately noticed her daughter's enthusiasm and looked for the source of it. "Mother do you see it? The tree, do you see it?" she writhed with excitement, trying to drag her mother towards it. "Yes darling I see it, it's fine-looking." Her mother said, her full attention not completely set on the tree. Obviously her mother did not know just how "fine-looking" it really was. "Mother it's more than fine, it's stunning." Little Hermione could not contain her thrill. "Oh mother, could we go see it? Please?" she pleaded with her mother. Nevertheless, Hermione knew it was no use, when her mother was due to be somewhere, well that is where she would be, which was one of the things that differed her from her parents. Hermione knew that being on time was an important trait to have, but she just did not get why some people let it rule their entire life. "Sorry baby girl but we must go meet your daddy, he might worry if were late. We'll come back after dinner and see it then. I promise." Concluded her mother with a smile. But Hermione knew they would not return, at least not tonight, her mother hardly ever kept her promises. So, disappointed, Hermione sighed and continued walking with her mother. As they turned the corner and the tree drew out of sight they made a sharp left turn, smiling again but still slightly saddened, Hermione entered a large fancy building made it seemed, entirely of marble. She looked around at all the beautiful artwork and sculptures and smiled brighter. Of course, the paintings were all of boring dead people and flowers but it was the only artwork she had seen all day. And she was grateful that now she had two things she could tell her friends back home; for Hermione liked to keep her friends updated on the great time she was having, therefore she sent them a post card everyday. She was worried that she would have had nothing to tell them for this day, but she was wrong. They slipped into a deserted elevator that was made of glass, so they were able to see all around them. Hermione clung to her mother's side, even though she was not frightened of heights. Why just yesterday they were in the Sears Tower, the tallest building in the world, however many stories high it was she could not remember. And while her mother hid where she felt she was safe from the view, Hermione took her chances and went straight for the glass windows. With her nose pressed against the glass and breath creating fog on the newly cleaned window, she looked all around, taking in as much as she could. It was an amazing sight, to see all the thousands of people as tiny as ants. Feeling as if she was at the top of world, along with the twenty other people in the room with her. However, her mother escorted her away because she had felt sick, despite the fact that she had not once looked out any of the windows onto the streets far below. "Look, baby girl, there's daddy." Her mother said and Hermione, now released from her mother's hand ran into her father's arms. "DADDY!" she shouted, happy to see her father. "Hey baby girl! Good to see you! How was your day?" he asked as she sat in his lap, her arms lovingly wrapped around his neck. "Boring! But mother said after dinner we can go see the big tree!" she said her eyes the brightest they had been all day. "You mean that one?" he said, his finger pointing to the window that was next to their table. Her mother's face turned pale as she saw the large drop outside the window. Hermione on the other hand, flew to it and saw the tree standing right below them across the street. "Daddy! Isn't it beautiful?" she gasped staring at it. "Yes it is." He agreed. Hermione spent the entire meal gazing out the window as she watched every single ornament glitter in the setting sun. It was now dark and the reflection of the lights wrapped around the tree gave it an ominous glow. Her mother continued to cast nervous glances when Hermione would lean too close. Once she had pulled Hermione back down in her seat, although there was no danger of falling. Once dinner had been paid for and everyone was stuffed, everyone stood up to leave. Hermione had on her jacket, scarf, gloves, and now her beanie. "Thank you mother." She said smiling, only her eyes nose and lips showing. "Your welcome baby girl." Her mother said as she smiled and bent down to kiss her on the nose, which would soon be red. "Now we get to go see the tree! Right?" she asked in anticipation, her little eyes sparkling. "Hunny, mum's too tired to-." "Which is why daddy's going to take you and let mum," he gave his wife a stifling glare, "go back to the hotel and rest." He smiled at his daughter as she gave a happy shriek. His wife on the other hand was not happy but she gave a fake smile and reached her hand out. "Money.for the cab. I'm not getting mugged walking through the streets this late." She said an annoyed tone in her voice. "Of course, dear, here you are." Hermione's father handed her mother a bill and they separated. Once her and her father were outside, Hermione wanted to run, not walk, to the tree; as if it might be gone if they took too long. However, her father freed all fears by telling her, "Hermione, the tree isn't going anywhere, we don't have to run." As soon as they arrived, Hermione felt a warm tingle up her spine. She had never seen a tree so tall before! Her face broke into a smile, almost as big as the tree, and she raced to the base of it, her father close behind. Once she got there, she stared straight up, and although it hurt her neck, she felt it would be the best view. She saw round ornaments made of gold silk, and some made of rubies and emeralds. Some were figures of soldiers with funny jaws that moved up and down, and some were glittering snowflakes that sparkled every color of the rainbow. The lights made everything shine and sparkle twice as much as normal. "Daddy," she began to ask, "can we get one of these trees next year?" she said, now looking into her father's face. He chuckled and bent down to her height. "Hunny, this tree wouldn't fit in our house." He had his hands on her shoulders as he told her this, and he drew her into a soft hug as her face began to frown. "But I promise we'll get one as big as we can, okay?" as he picked her up in his arms she smiled again. In contrast to her mother, her father always kept his promises. "Okay, daddy." She said and gave him another hug, and then he put her back down. "Okay, baby girl, time to go." He said, reaching for her hand. "Oh, daddy, can we stay a little bit longer, please?" she asked him. He smiled and said, "Sure, but only a minute hunny, we don't want to get home and to bed too late." She smiled and walked a few feet away from him to look at the tree. There were fewer people left so she could stay farther away from her father than normal. Usually he kept her right next to him, holding her hand. She liked to be on her own, even at her young age she was very independent. She walked around the tree a couple of times amazed by the colors and textures of it all. However, when she looked down, she saw something, or someone, that caught her attention. It was a boy, who looked to be the same age as her. He had light brown hair and pale colored eyes. His mother was holding his hand as he stood below the great tree. He looked down at the same time that she had, and their eyes met the others at that same moment. He smiled and so did she. His green jacket that he wore had a snake sewn on it, [I] He must like snakes, [/I] she thought. Suddenly her father was next to her and he reached down for her hand. She took it without thinking, her eyes still connected with the boys. She was only distracted when her father began to walk away. "Daddy, do we have to leave?" she asked. "Yes hunny, it's already past your bedtime." He noted. She [I] had [/I] been feeling a little tired, but upon seeing the boy, her heart began to race. For some reason she felt more at home looking into his eyes than she had ever felt at any point during winter, even when it snowed. She turned back towards the tree behind her and saw the boy, leaving also. He looked at her and waved, she waved back. [I] Goodbye, [/I] she thought to herself.