I don't own any characters and as far as I'm concerned I won't own any characters. So, with that said, let the story continue!
The next few days at Hermione's went by. All of them had great fun, just sitting there in front of the fire playing a good old game of Wizard's Chest or that muggle game of Checkers. It was just two days before Christmas, which meant Christmas Eve would be the next night.
After a good and hearty breakfast of soldiers and boiled eggs, Hermione's parents explained to her about that old tradition she should take her friends on.
"It's an old tradition," Hermione began, fastening her jacket. "Sleighing. Mother and Father don't want to do it, so their letting us four go. They'll be in the house snuggling in front of the fireplace, I presume."
The four of them made their way outside towards the front of Hermione's garage. White snow covered most of the quiet neighborhood. There were other children outside, playing in the snow, building snowmen and also sleighing down the hill in the local park.
"That's what we're going to do," Hermione said, pointing at two children who were sleighing down the hill. She struggled to take out the big wooden sleigh. Harry noticed and immediately went to go help her. She gave him a warm smile and he, of course, returned it, feeling mushy all over. They walked over to the hill and set up the sleigh.
"Now," Hermione said, taking a seat in the front of the sleigh. "Come, here, sit next to me, uh, Harry, yes." She didn't know who to pick to be the passenger next to her, so she just chose a random name. Harry was jumping inside himself with happiness. "Ron and Ginny, take those seats behind us." Ginny, of course, sat behind Harry. Now you could kind of see her face turn scarlett. Except, again, no one noticed.
"Now, ready," Hermione barely gave them time to get adjusted, she just pushed down and the four of them were laughing with joy on the way down. Snow was hitting their faces, but they were having fun nonetheless. Just as they were about to come to a halt, Ginny went flying out. Ron's face was horrorstricken as he saw his baby sister fly out. She landed on snow, so wasn't hurt or anything. Actually, when the other three were running towards her, they could see her laughing. Harry got to her first and helped her up. Again she blushed. But this time someone noticed, and it was Hermione. She smiled, understanding now who Ginny fancied.
"That was brilliant!" Ginny exclaimed. "Let's go for another ride! I'll make sure to make myself fly out!"
They then went inside for snacks and a bit of TV and getting ready for the rest of the day type stuff. That night after dinner and before everyone went to bed, Ginny and Hermione were up in Hermione's room having an interesting conversation. Hermione decided to confront Ginny about her little crush.
"So, you fancy Harry?" Hermione asked innocently, fixing the lilac covers on the queen-sized bed.
Ginny was in front of Hermione's mirror, brushing her hair. When Hermione asked the question, she turned right away towards her. "Whatever gives you that idea?"
"Oh," Hermione replied, smiling and now laying down, stomach down, on her bed, facing Ginny. "Just the fact that you blush everytime he comes near you."
Ginny now blushed. "Well, to be honest... I never got over that childish crush with him."
"Oh, that would be such a charm... you guys realizing your attraction for each other on Christmas," suddenly Hermione had another epiphany. "Would you like me to set up some mistletoe for you two on Christmas eve?"
Then Ginny's smile faded from her face and she gave an uneasy shrug and placed herself on the bed next to Hermione, her back down. She stared up at the ceiling. "I don't think he fancies me, Hermione."
"Why do you say that?" Hermione asked.
"Because he fancies you," Ginny said slowly. The fact that she had overheard Ron and Harry's conversation at the beginning of the year had been lingering in the back of her mind for quite some time now. But spending time with Harry gave her hope that maybe he would end up liking her back.
"That's nonsense!" Hermione exclaimed, appalled by what the girl had just said.
"No, it's true. I think, at least." Ginny replied.
Hermione did not believe her and was determined to make them get together now. After all, she didn't think, at the moment, that she could ever look at Harry that way, anyway. He was just a best friend and would always remain that way, right? Plus, Ginny fancied him. "No, Ginny. I will make sure you and Harry kiss before midnight tomorrow!"
Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were having the same type of conversation in their room downstairs.
"Tomorrow's Christmas Eve, you know," Ron said, sitting on the bed.
Harry was sitting on the floor, leaning on the bed. He was looking at a Quidditch book. "I am aware. What do you think of this play? The Fake Quaffle." He pointed at the instructions for the play.
"Yeah, it's okay." Ron replied. "But I think I can set up something with Hermione."
"With her parents in the house? I don't think so." Harry said, attention still on the book.
"Well, say they leave... anyway, I think this, my friend, will help you tomorrow to tell her how you feel." Ron pulled out the piece of mistletoe Winky gave him. "Winky gave us a little present here."
Harry's attention was now on the mistletoe. "You think?"
"Absolutely." The two smirked at each other before going to sleep.
The next day was a happy day in the Granger household. Hermione kept a grin on her face all day of the plans for the evening. She still had not believed that Harry fancied her - it just couldn't be! Although, Ginny did carry a nervous look. She would've protested against Hermione, but when Hermione was determined, things were bound to go her way. And plus, Ginny had to admit she did want to kiss Harry. Ron, on the other hand, was also excited about his plans. Somehow, it would happen... maybe in the evening when the Grangers' were shopping or some such. Harry's palms were sweaty with anticipation, but he tried to hide it. Everyone seemed to be happy, sure things were to go their way, but someone's was bound to go wrong.
In the afternoon while Harry was in his room doing some late homework (actually he was going through the "Veil" book again) and Ginny was up in Hermione's room deciding what to wear for the evening, Ron and Hermione were in the living room discussing those house-elf freedom books. The living room was brightened by the sun and glistening from the snow outside the window of the glossy windows, in which white curtains had been drawn back.
"See," Ron said, pointing at a certain paragraph in An Elf's Guide to Freedom. "She believes that a certain spell will do it... make the elfs want to be free. It's like memory modifying, and they can start all over with their future kids, wanting freedom rights."
Hermione wasn't fond of the memory modification idea. "Er - I think that's a bit... too much altering to the elf's lifestyle. We can't exactly poison them. Brainwash them, it's okay, but using magic would be too much. It's in them, I know, but we have to make them realize it." She tossed the book aside and picked up another one: Ravenclaw's Debate Against Hufflepuff.
"Oh, that one's pretty ancient." On the cover were two middle-aged witches arguing in a very friendly matter. "The two were sweet girls of course, but not everyone has the same opinions right?" Ron said.
Hermione began shuffling through the book. "So Rowena Raveclaw was completely up for it, but Helga Hufflepuff was against it? And yet the two still managed to get along quite well. Sounds kind of like us." The both of them chuckled. "They just had a few friendly debates in..." Hermione suddenly stopped. The next words in the book were unbelievable. "Ron... in an underwater castle!"
Ron moved closer to Hermione. "Wow, never heard of that one."
"Extremely ancient, I presume," Hermione responded. "I haven't read about it in Hogwarts, a History. But then, of course this must be before those years."
The two were now intently reading the old, beat up book. After about twenty minutes, they realized it was getting late in the afternoon and their plans suddenly came to mind.
"Well, I've got something great planned for the night," Hermione said, getting up, smile plastered on her face.
Ron gave a sheepish grin. "So do I."
"Oh really?" Hermione said, raising an eyebrow. "I wonder what."
"We'll just have to see," and Ron gave her that evil-suspicious eye, and attempted to walk out the door, but instead walked into the wall. He rubbed his head. "Er, gotta keep watch..." And then he walked out the door.
Later that night, after dinner (and Harry again offered to wash the dishes on that wonderful, snowy, and warm Christmas eve) the Granger parents invited the younger ones to join them for caroling.
Hermione gave a quick, almost suspicious, respond. "Oh, no. I mean - as much as we'd love to, you know that tradition is only for Christmas night!"
"Shall we just do it tomorrow then?" her mother asked, putting down her coat.
Hermione jumped up, but quickly recovered. "No, no. By all means, you two need your own private time! How about you two stroll along the park and sing songs? You know, have a good time?"
Both parents gave her odd looks, but then looked at each other and reconsidered. "That might not be a bad idea." They grabbed their things and walked towards the door.
"We'll be back in two hours or so. You kids behave now." Mr. Granger winked and walked out of the house behind Mrs. Granger.
And then Hermione stood up from the couch. "Well... me and Ginny will be upstairs... so well you do what you want - until I give word.. yeah. Okay, see you!"
She grabbed Ginny and they hastily went up the stairs. Ron and Harry just shrugged and went into their downstairs bedroom.
"Well?" Harry asked as soon as they closed the door behind them.
Ron grabbed the piece of mistletoe that Winky had given him, which was surprisingly still in perfect shape. He figured it must have been elf's magic.
"Meet me in the living room in a few minutes. I'll go get her and say you want to meet her for something... and then I'll stay in the room with Ginny." Ron explained, although it was very vague.
Harry just nodded nervously. As Ron walked out of the room, Harry had a hard time not feeling a little queezy. The moment he was waiting for was coming up. He kept gulping and listening for any sounds of them being in the living room.
Meanwhile, Ron made his way up the stairs and knocked on Hermione's door.
"Hermione? I've got something to tell you."
Hermione opened it and walked out, closing it slowly. "What is it?" She whispered.
"Look, Harry -" He was cut off.
"Tell him to be in the den downstairs, you know, it's a little room by the kitchen." She didn't explain the rest and winked before she closed the door on Ron's face.
Ron automatically assumed it was Hermione who wanted to meet Harry in the den. So, he quietly walked down the stairs into the tiny room with a huge grin spread across his face. His two best friend's were finally going to admit their true feelings for each other! He hung the mistletoe above the middle of the room on a moving, windmill type light. He walked out and into him and Harry's room. Hermione had come right after and very hastily placed the mistletoe up top next to Ron's, not noticing it, and went quickly back up the stairs.
"She said to meet her in the den." Ron said quietly.
"What did you tell her?" Harry said, getting up from his spot on the bed.
"I didn't really say anything, she just said meet her in the den in a few minutes." She didn't exactly say meet her, but like mentioned, Ron assumed it was. "I also set up the mistletoe already, so even if she's there to talk about something stupid, you can tell her how you feel!"
Harry's face brightened. "How do I look?" In the back of his mind he was thinking how could he think of such things when a wizarding war was happening? The answer the other half of his brain came up with was that it was the Holidays and he deserved to be happy because he had suffered a most miserable life so far.
"Brilliant." Ron stated, grinning still. "Is that cologne?"
Harry smirked.
He walked slowly into the kitchen, then into the den, and waited. The den was a small room with white walls. There was a small, white love seat at the corner and a brown, wooden desk with a lamp and papers on it. There were lights above that were switched on when he entered. The mistletoe hung from it. But he noticed there was another one next to it. It wasn't as nice as the one Ron had placed up there.
Ron decided that he wouldn't just wait inside the room. He was a nosy person and wanted to see what happened. He decided that when he heard Hermione come down the stairs, he would slowly walk by the room.
Hermione nudged Ginny out the door after she came tip-toe running up.
"Just - come - with - me!" Ginny whispered.
Hermione had been begged through the whole time upstairs by Ginny. She decided it wouldn't hurt to eavesdrop a little. "Fine, but I'll only be in the living room!"
So the two girls went down the stairs and slowly walked through the kitchen. The den's door was half open, and both girls' peered before Ginny was to enter. They saw Harry in there, looking a bit nervous and staring at the ceiling.
"Go on, now!" Hermione whispered, pushing the door as quietly as she could open. She pushed Ginny inside. But suddenly Ron appeared.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked him in a whisper.
Harry was unaware of anything that was going on. He was too caught up in his brain of what he was going to say to Hermione. I realized I've liked you a lot. No, that wouldn't do. I really like you, Hermione...Oh look, mistletoe!
"Hey, Gin, get back here!" Ron whispered, stepping in the room and grabbing a very confused Ginny, who was about to tap Harry on the shoulder.
"Ron!" Hermione screeched in a loud whisper. But Ron just pushed her inside the room, and closed the door behind her.
This is what finally grabbed Harry's attention and he turned around to a very confused and almost angry Hermione.
"Um, Hermione?" he asked, looking at the mad girl. She looked extremely attractive that way, he thought.
Hermione turned her gaze to Harry at the sound of her name. "Oh, Harry, there's been a bit of a misunderstanding..."
Harry wasn't going to let this opportunity pass him by again. So, he stepped closer to her. Hermione just stood still, fearful of what was about to come out. Ginny would not be right about him liking her, she repeated to herself.
"I..." Harry began, but he looked up at the mistletoe, dangling above them. He decided, why tell her his feelings, when he could show her? "Mistletoe," he murmured. Then he placed a hesitant kiss on her lips before she could answer.
Hermione knew what was coming as soon as Harry looked up at the mistletoe. Oh, no, I can't let this happen, she kept screaming to herself. But somehow, she was in a state of shock and just stood there without response. Suddenly his soft lips pressed against hers in a simple, but sweet kiss. Hermione was left feeling the same way she had when Malfoy had kissed her - swept off her feet. But that soon passed, because as soon as Harry pulled back, the guilt for Ginny and feelings for Malfoy came sweeping over her again. Not only was she feeling that, but also terrible confusion.
As soon as Ron shut the door, he turned to Ginny.
"Were you going to tell Harry something important?" He started. "Because what I just did was very important. I'm sure your news can hold."
Ginny did not reply. What could she say to her brother anyway? The best thing she could do was cover it up, pretend she wasn't hurt, and get on with her life. She'd done it before, she could do it again. Although, perhaps when you go on with things you truly don't get over, you go back to it?
She heaved a sigh. "I suppose your right." She turned around to start walking towards the stairs. "I'll let him know later."
"Oh, goody." Ron said pleasantly. "Um... Happy Christmas Eve, Gin. I'll see you later, or maybe in the morning?"
"I think I'll turn in early tonight." She said trying to sound as content as possible. "I can't wait until morning presents!"
"Ohhh, me neither! I hope Percy got me that new Astrology book." Ron rubbed his hands together excitedly and before turning around to walk into his and Harry's room. Then he noticed that Ginny must've been confused. "Uh, I like stars... well, I'm also excited about what wicked ideas George and Fred have come up with for me!"
"Yes, not to mention the good old sweaters with the 'R', right, Ron?" Ginny responded sarcastically.
Ron shrugged and walked into the room. "Mom works hard on those!" He called out to her.
Ginny mumbled to herself up the stairs and into Hermione's room. "Yes, what a wonderful Christmas Eve it has been..." and then, lower than a whisper. "But what can little, old me do?" She sank into the bed sadly.
Hermione got into her bedroom later that night, kissing her parents good night as they walked into the house after a two-hour Christmas carol (she suspected more than that, but alas - it was not her business). She saw Ginny on the other side of the bed, stomach down, sleeping. Or so it seemed.
Hermione felt extremely guilty - there was just no other way to convince herself that she had somehow did right. She didn't. When Harry told her how he felt about her, she just stood there.
"I really like you, Hermione," he whispered after the kiss that both made them feel warm all over.
Hermione opened her mouth but no words came out. Harry didn't need words though. He could read it all over her face. There was confusion and guilt written on it. What could Hermione possibly feel guilty about? he thought to himself. After all, it wasn't a crime for him to like her? Harry just didn't, and feared he never would, understand girls.
As soon as they heard the door open, and a shuffle of jackets being hung inside the closet, Hermione finally found words to come out of her mouth.
"Harry..." she started. "I just... don't know what to say. I think I'll need some time to think about it." And she walked out of the room, kissed her parents good night and walked upstairs. Harry quickly followed her out, fearing that her parents might have suspected something.
Now Hermione was in her room, staring at a sleeping Ginny. She knew that what Ginny had told her was correct the whole time, she was just in denial. How stupid of her to set up something like that when in the back of her head she knew that it would probably end up a disaster either way it happened.
"Well?" Ron said as Harry came walking inside their room.
"Er... I'm not quite sure she took it well." Harry admitted. "But, she didn't say anything else. It seemed like something was bugging her."
"Don't worry, mate. She'll come out with her feelings soon." Ron stopped, and pondered for a bit. "Girls, we'll never understand them!"
The next morning was a rather unpleasant one for Harry, Hermione, and Ginny. However, nobody showed it and all thoughts stayed in their head. Hermione woke up first and saw presents scattered all around her side of the bed.
She got up, rubbing her eyes as she sat on the floor next to her presents. They were all from people in the Wizarding World, of course. Ginny woke up a few moments after and looked at Hermione. At first, there was some sadness and envy in her eyes, but that soon passed. It was Christmas and nothing should spoil it.
"Good morning and happy Christmas!" Ginny greeted happily, but in a sleepy manner.
Hermione returned her greeting with a smile. She began shuffling through her gifts, which were the same as usual, when she came upon a small one in a box. She opened the silver box slowly and silently. What was inside took her breath away. It was a small pendant. It was silver, shaped like a rose with a piece of holly - colored red and green - on it and in the center of the holly was the tinest diamond. She looked at the stem of silver and fingered it lightly. She felt an engraving on the back. She turned it over and read the barely readable print.
Hermione, Happy Christmas. Love Always, me.
Before she could contemplate who would send such a gift, Ginny hopped onto the bed and peeked over at what Hermione was holding.
"Wow!" Ginny exclaimed. "Beautiful. Who sent it?"
"No idea." Hermione said, examining the pendant some more. She heard Ginny struggled to grab a gift without getting off the bed.
Ginny grabbed a gift wrapped in black paper, with a green bow at the top. She hesitantly began to unwrap it. It was, again, a black box after the wrapping paper was taken off. She took the lid off the box, ever so softly, and gasped at what she saw inside.
The torn-up, old black diary of Tom Marvalo Riddle. Only this time, the Dark Mark was engraved on the center of the cover.
Just as Ginny thought her sadness could be ignored for the day and questions would be asked later about her very confusing personal life, an evil from a haunting past came again. She leaned in and touched the book with her sweaty hands lightly, but backed away to the other end of the bed, bumping into the head of Hermione. She brought her hands up and started to clutch her chest. Apparently, this book had done more damage to Ginny than people imagined. Getting rid of it was easily the most relief she felt - but it came back to haunt her at the worst of times.
As soon as Hermione felt the bump, she turned around to look at a pale, heart-clutching Ginny.
"Ginny, what's the matter?" Hermione said, pulling herself onto the bed.
But Ginny didn't answer; she didn't really need to. Hermione saw the black box and peeked inside. She had noticed the book, but wasn't as effected by it as Ginny. So, by instinct she grabbed it and looked inside.
"Don't!" Ginny said, jumping off the bed.
Hermione just became as startled as Ginny. She peered inside the book and realized that there was a note inside. But she quickly closed the book. It might have been charmed or something. She had to bring the boys up here first.
"Ginny - go get Harry and - " but she was cut off. They both came rushing in.
"Did you like my gift?" Ron asked. "I know... it was my essay on Hogwarts, a History... I thought you'd be proud! Of course, it was only section one, the founding... I didn't get through the rest of it..."
But the brightness in the young wizard's eyes that usually came at Christmas was replaced by terror. Harry's reaction was about the same at the look on Ginny's face and the book placed on the top of Hermione's bed. But everything happened so fast for the four in the room. Before Harry could react, he fell to the floor rubbing his scar.
"Not again!" Ron mumbled, following his friend to the ground. "Harry, Harry - pull yourself together, mate!"
But Harry had, yet again, been defeated. He may have blocked out Voldemort from brainwashing him through dreams, but he could still control him at Harry's weakest and unexpected moments.
"Did you like my present, Ginny? You stupid girl!" a cruel voice came out of Harry. And again it gave a horrid laughter, leaving Harry breathing hard on the floor. At least this time he was not unconcious.
"I'm sorry..." Harry breathed, looking at a teary-eyed Ginny after driving away Voldemort from his thoughts. Hermione walked over her to console her. Personally, Ginny wasn't that thrilled about having the girl that Harry liked comforting her, but she needed all the comfort she could get.
After everyone had settled down, the question lingering on everyone's mind was finally asked by Ron.
"What should we do with it?" His eyes were pasted on the book, and he looked very uneasy.
"There's a note inside," Hermione informed, still rubbing Ginny's trembling shoulders.
"I don't think we should touch it. Keep it in the box and wait until we get back to Hogwarts. Then we'll show it to Dumbledore." Harry suggested.
The rest of them agreed just as Hermione's parents came inside and greeted them a happy Christmas morning. They gave them the best smile they could muster.
A/N: I hope you like this chapter! I particularly think it's funny! Well, more things will be coming up so if you want me to keep writing, I need more reviews! Things will get better... let me see, I'll mention what will be coming up: Moaning Myrtle will make a few appearances and they will be important; someone will eventually get 'lost'; and hmm... that's all I'm giving away for now! Oh, you'll find out why Snape's boggart takes the form it took and every other unanswered question within later chapters.... and now reviews!!!
FlyingPurpleCat: After this chapter, do you still want Hermione and Harry together? Or are you starting to feel bad for Ginny? Hehe.. ;) oh and look - I added an outburst thanks to your suggestion!!! Keep reading and keep reviewing! I think you'll like the outcome of the couples! :)
GatomonandKarifan: That was funny... I couldn't resist it! I fear you didn't find the rest interesting though, oh well! I'm glad you at least read to chapter two! :)
ProngsandPadfoottogether: I hope you'll like the ending ships too! Keep reviewing!
angel718: I thought this chapter was funny and it was funny to write. Did you end up liking the living arrangements and events? Keep reading and reviewing! :)
seirra: LOL, no Ron's not gay! Of course he's not! Don't worry, Ron's acting that way for a reason, no curse or anything - but you'll see soon! He'll be back to his old self later on... and I think there will be more Draco/Hermione, but we can't be too sure! It's so hard when people want Harry/Hermione and other things!! I'm even confused! LOL. Well, keep reading and reviewing!!