Well, I broke my promise. Instead of updating quickly, I took longer than ever before. I'm really sorry guys, I've just been very busy. I've had loads of coursework to do for school, ready for the summer. Also, I've had a bad case of writer's block.
School's out now, so I am pretty much problem free now. This story might be coming to an end, but I will have a lot of spare time in which to write more fan fics.
Anyway, as suggested by the title, this chapter is set around Christmas time - some four and a half months after the last one. I can't say much more really without spoiling what happens.
Thanks to Wettlewash, Granger-gurl-rox and HermoineGirl03 for your reviews.
Hermione
It was the last day of term at Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Hermione was eating breakfast in her room. She had just about finished when Luc Cygan, the Herbology Teacher and a friend of hers, walked in.
"Good morning Hermione... why aren't you eating breakfast in the Dining Hall with all the other teachers?" he asked.
"Well, because..." She started.
"It's not because of Marcel, is it?" Hermione tried to deny it, but she couldn't. When she'd returned to Beauxbatons in September after the summer, she was still depressed about Harry. Marcel, the Transfiguration teacher, had asked her out. She'd said yes, even though she didn't really fancy him. Then last week when he thought things were getting serious, she had confessed the truth to him. Whilst he appeared to take it well, Hermione knew it had been hard for him. Now she had been avoiding him, by staying out of the Hall where the teachers met at meal times and instead eating in her room.
"I just... I just can't be around him right now," she admitted. "Maybe after the holidays, but I need to be away from him. In fact, I need to be away from here. I'm leaving tonight, I'm going to spend Christmas at my parents house.
"Okay. Well, I've gotta go, I have a class in five minutes. In case I don't see you, have a good Christmas." He gave her a hug, then left. Hermione finished her breakfast, then headed down to her classroom. She also had a class.
Harry
With Christmas approaching, Harry knew it was the last day of the school term. Still pining for Hermione, he wanted to go to Beauxbatons School in France and speak to her. He had sent numerous letters since August, but they had been sent back unopened. Refusing to give up, he was now going to try speaking to her in person. The only problem was, he didn't know where Beauxbatons was. He did however, know someone who would know the school's whereabouts - Dumbledore. So, having sent an owl to Dumbledore, they had arranged to meet up at Hogwarts that afternoon and they were to be taken by the school thestrals. Dumbledore needed to see the Beauxbatons Headteacher anyway about an upcoming Triwizard Tournament.
As Harry arrived at Hogwarts, he headed straight to Dumbledore's office. Having been there many times before at school, he knew the way. He also knew this year's password (pear drop). Still, all these years on, and Dumbledore had his passwords as a different sweet every year. When he got to the gargoyle, he said the password and entered. Inside, he saw Dumbledore sitting at his desk.
"Professor Dumbledore," he said, smiling.
"Harry, please sit down," Dumbledore responded, smiling back. "I have to speak to your former Head of House, Minerva, about her looking after the students whilst I am gone. However first, I'd like to talk to you. As I am no longer your Headmaster, I am advising you as a friend - I'd like to hope I have earned that place in your life.
"Of course you have, you're like family to me," Harry replied.
"Thank you, I'm flattered. But getting back to my advice. Harry, I have noticed since you left school that you have changed a lot. When you defeated Voldemort, you almost died to save your friends. But then, you chose Quidditch over friendship when you signed for the Tornados, and I would never have expected that from you. It almost cost you your friends. I sincerely hope that when you see Hermione tomorrow that you make things up, but whatever happens I think you should begin to value friendship highly again. Quidditch is great, but there is nothing more valuable than friendship - it is priceless. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and find Minerva. You are welcome to join me if you wish, but if you would rather stay here I shouldn't be more than half an hour." Dumbledore then left, leaving Harry with a lot to think about.
Hermione
Back at Beauxbatons, school was over for Christmas. Hermione was now getting everything packed, ready to go to her parents house. She hadn't stayed there since the week before the Hogwarts Reunion, and although she'd been in touch she had never told them what happened with Harry. Quite frankly, she didn't want to. She was worried that they would think she was silly for storming off on him when he wanted to be friends. After all, she did herself. That was the whole reason that she had not been in touch with him, because she was scared of what he might think. What if he didn't even want to be friends now?
Suitcase packed, Hermione was on her way out of the school when she ran into Madame Gaul.
"Are you going now Hermione?" she asked.
"Yes," Hermione replied.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay for a while? Dumbledore is on his way here, and I'm sure he'd like to see one of his former pupils."
"Oh well, alright." Hermione decided it would be nice to see Dumbledore. After all, she hadn't really got a chance to speak to him at the Reunion. So, she went with Madame Gaul, though neither of them knew that Dumbledore was not travelling alone.
Twenty minutes later, Dumbledore arrived at Beauxbatons. Hermione was walking over to him with Madame Gaul when she stopped, startled. Next to him was...
"Harry? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see you," he replied, smiling at her. "Erm, do you want to go for a little walk?"
"Sure," she responded. Hopefully now, everything would be okay. And so off they went, leaving Dumbledore and Madame Gaul. Hermione started to apologise for how she'd acted at the reunion, when Harry stopped her.
"No Hermione, I'm sorry. I made you think that I only wanted to be your friend, and that isn't true. I love you, and I want to be with you. But also, I'm sorry about choosing Quidditch over you. I've realised now that Quidditch isn't important. You are... and so is Ron. If you want to stay here and teach at Beauxbatons, then I will join the Quiberon Quafflepunchers here in France, so we can be together. Who I'm playing Quidditch for, or even if I'm playing Quidditch, doesn't mean a thing to me. You, on the other hand, do."
Hermione was speechless. She kissed Harry, and then they hugged. They hugged for a long time. And as they did, Hermione couldn't help but think to herself, "This is the best Christmas present ever."
I don't know whether or not to finish the story here. I have an idea for one more chapter, but I think I could end things here as well. After all, this would be a nice conclusion to the story. Please review, and give me your opinion. Then I will make a decision as to whether or not I should add that extra chapter.