A/N: Once again I must thank Ouatic7 from finding a grammatical error, which I fixed. I assure you that I did read through the chapter once more before posting and I did catch one other error. Perhaps it was because I had just finished watching "Shawn of the Dead", that I noticed that Ron was happy to 'meat' Hal.

Thank you to Romantic2. I'm glad you think the story is getting better. But now I'm worried about the rest of the Chapters.

Sophiedb asked why I didn't simply replace the chapters that I changed, and several others had commented that I should have made two separate stories. The truth as to why I did it this way is simple to explain. I have a warped sense of humor. When I began writing this story I wasn't sure which path to take, so I started writing both versions. By the time I had everyone on the Hogwarts Express, I decided to use both versions. On reflection, it would have been more fun to post two chapters a day (one of each version), but I did not think of that until five seconds ago when I was typing this response. C'est la vie.

My thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing. And I would like to note that I still haven't broken one of my New Year's Resolutions, "to enjoy life to the fullest." I'll break that one tomorrow when I go back to work.

Chapter Twenty One: Boxing Day

The fireplace flared and Hermione Granger stepped out of the fireplace. She had a backpack filled with gifts and was holding a plate of Christmas cookies.

"Great. Food." Reese walked by and grabbed a couple of cookies.

"Hello, I'm . . ." Hermione said as Reese disappeared into the kitchen.

"Where'd you get those?" Hal asked and then walked out of the kitchen.

"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger . . ."

"I didn't know it was time for girl scout cookies already?"

"I'm not . . ."

Hal reached into his pocket. "You're lucky. We had a big party yesterday and there's almost no food in the house. We'll take two boxes. Do you have any of those thin mints?"

"No," Hermione said carefully. "I brought these . . ." She held up the plate of cookies.

"Oh, samples. Well, here's ten bucks for the plate. Come back when you have the boxes."

"Excuse me, Sir . . ."

"Oh, OK. Put me down for the two more boxes. But I'm not paying for them until they get here."

"Does Malcolm live here?" Hermione asked in frustration.

"I'm not buying more cookies just because you know Malcolm."

"I'M NOT SELLING ANY COOKIES. I'M A FRIEND OF MALCOLM'S. FROM SCHOOL."

"In that case . . ." Hal grabbed the ten-dollar bill out of her hand and headed toward the kitchen with the cookies. "MALCOLM."

"I'm right here, Dad. Hi, Hermione."

"Malcolm, was that your father?"

"Yeah, would you like to meet my mom?"

"I'm not sure. Didn't you tell anyone I was coming? That man took my cookie plate, and that boy before him, I can only assume it was your brother, actually saw me come out of the fireplace and all he did was steal some of the cookies. That is not normal."

The fireplace flared again and Dewey stepped out. "I didn't do it. Those people at your school are going to lie to you." Dewey looked up at Hermione. "Hi."

Hermione looked down at the young boy. "The cookies are in the kitchen."

"Thanks." Dewey ran off. "Hi, Ron."

"Hi, Dewey. HERMIONE, you made it. Come into the kitchen and have some Christmas cookies. Malcolm's dad bought them from some girl scout."

Hermione turned to Malcolm. "I think I understand. All of you suffer from some form of insanity. And it's contagious."

"Jeezel, now you're acting like Ron."

Ron snickered. "I was coming to get Malcolm. Do you want to join us in the yard? Francis is showing me how to shoot hoops."

"Is he using a big enough rifle?" Hermione said snidely.

"He's showing him how to play Basketball," Malcolm said testily.

"After five minutes with your family I wasn't sure. And Malcolm, do you remember all those stories you told me about your family? I now believe them."

"All of them?" Malcolm asked as they walked out of the house and into the yard.

"Even that horrible story about the car."

Francis looked up as he heard Hermione's last line. "Malcolm, you told her about that? Look, girl, I don't know who you are but it wasn't even our car."

"Hermione Granger. And Malcolm told me."

"So, Hermione, are you really a witch? You actually seem nice."

"Thank you," Hermione said in surprise. "Do you know many witches?"

"Only my mom," Francis answered with a smirk.

"Is your mother capable of doing magic?"

"No."

Hermione frowned in confusion. "Then why did you say . . . OH." She blushed as she understood.

"Malcolm's mom is really nice," Ron assured her. "She even invited my brothers for Christmas breakfast."

"That explains the matching jumpers."

"Mum made them. I think there's one for you under the tree. Unless Dewey opened it again."

Lois came out into the yard, and smiled when she saw Hermione. "So, I finally get to meet Malcolm's little girlfriend."

Hermione smiled shyly. "We're only friends. We don't fancy each other. Not really."

"Not really? And how did the two of you end up as only friends."

"There was this troll," Ron said then stopped.

It's that mom thing. Ron said that before he even knew he was talking. I'd have done the same thing but I have more experience. I think I'm building up an immunity.

"Ron got rid of it before it could do any harm," Hermione said quickly, "but it did give us a fright. I guess we're friends because of a shared, um, embarrassment."

"Yeah," Malcolm agreed, "and we also study together. Hermione's really smart."

"And I brought these." Hermione pulled off her backpack and reached inside. She handed Lois a small package. "This is from my parents for you and your husband."

"Why, thank you Hermione." She opened the box. "Is this a desert?"

"It's a Figgy Pudding. Mum thought you might like to try it. It's a tradition in England, at least in our family."

With another thank you, Lois went back into the house to find Hal. Meanwhile, Hermione reached into her pack and gave Ron a gift.

"Chocolate Frogs," Ron exclaimed as he smelled the package. "Hermione, you're the best."

"And Malcolm, this is for you."

"It's a book," Malcolm said accurately.

Hermione smirked. "I think I've found a book you will actually read."

Curious, Malcolm tore off the wrapping paper and stared. Hermione was right. This was a book he would read. Many Times.

"Quidditch Through The Ages," Francis read over his shoulder. "I'd like to read that, too. It sounds like an interesting game."

"Thanks, Hermione. This is a really great gift. It's a lot better than what I got you."

"I know, Malcolm. You have no idea what to buy for a girl."

You know, that's exactly what my mom said.

Malcolm led everyone inside and to the Christmas tree, pulling out a large fluffy package. "A special gift from Mrs. Weasley."

Hermione laughed as she opened the gift. It wasn't a sweater, but a large wooly scarf in Gryffindor colors. She fell in love with it at once.

"And this is from Ron."

Hermione opened up the box to see some sugar mice. She thanked Ron in such a way that Ron felt he had made an excellent choice. She then smiled as Malcolm handed her his gift. It was a book. She unwrapped it carefully and read the title with a sense of disbelief. "Um, thank you. I'll, um, definitely read this book as well, um, when I get the chance." She quickly slipped the book into her backpack but Ron asked her what it was. She slowly pulled it out and showed him.

"Malcolm," Ron asked in disbelief, "Is that really the book you gave here."

Malcolm frowned. "It was supposed to be for the family. All those Great American Recipes."

"Recipes?" Hermione asked. "By professional wrestlers?"

"What?"

Hermione showed him the book. Professional Wrestling: A to Z.

"That's supposed to be Reese's gift. I must have mixed up the name tags." Malcolm looked at his friends in confusion. "Why didn't Reese tell me I gave him the wrong gift? He should have told everyone what a jerk I was for giving him a cookbook."

Hermione was ecstatic. After two hours of playing basketball she finally made a basket. Not that she was that bad a player. She had Francis as a partner and he tended to hog the ball. In addition, Ron was tall enough to block most of the shoots she tried to make. As thought it was a signal, the four took a break in playing.

"Are you thirsty?" Malcolm asked. "I get some sodas."

"I'd love something to drink," Hermione told him.

"Same here," Ron answered as he wiped his brow.

"Drinks all around, Master Malcolm," Francis called out.

Malcolm opened the back door to the kitchen. "Mom, it smells great in here." He looked around but only saw Reese. "Reese, where's Mom?"

"I chased her out. She kept getting in the way. What do you want?"

"I'm just getting some sodas."

"Don't slam the refrigerator door. I don't want the cake to fall."

Malcolm stared as he realized what his brother was doing. Reese had the cookbook open in front of him while he sliced vegetables for a salad. Three different pots were on the stove.

"Reese, are you cooking?"

"Yeah. This book is great. You must be smart, Malcolm. When I saw what you gave me I thought it was a joke but when I started reading . . ." Reese looked up with a wide smile. "I'm gonna ask mom if I can make breakfast tomorrow. They have a recipe in here for sourdough pancakes."

Wow. I just found out two things I didn't know. Reese can cook, and Reese can read. I just don't know if those are good things.

Malcolm went back into the yard carrying four cans of cola. Hermione smiled as he handed her a can. "I love the smells coming from your kitchen. Your mother must be a great cook."

"Hermione, you know that book on wrestling I gave you by mistake?"

"Yes?"

"It IS your Christmas present."

"Thank you for having me," Hermione said to Lois and Hal.

"It was fun," Hal said, "and we're sorry about the cookies."

Reese grabbed her hand before Hermione could leave. "Do you have to go? I mean, I've never met a girl like you before. I mean, how many girls are there who like cooking AND wrestling. If you ever want a boyfriend . . ."

I don't believe it. Reese is blushing.

"Mum says I'm too young. But I won't forget what you said." Hermione pulled her hand away. "I really have to go."

A minute later, the fireplace flared and Hermione was gone. Reese stared wistfully at the fire for a few minutes, then went back to the kitchen and began cleaning up.

Yeah, he insisted. He wants everything cleaned properly. Mom's not sure what's going on but Dad said, "Hey, he's a great cook. Just go with it while it lasts."

Malcolm joined Ron on the couch. "That was the best Christmas dinner I ever had." He saw his mom glaring at him, and quickly added, "Reese didn't try to start any trouble even once."

That was close.

"And he's a great cook," Ron replied. "He's better than my mum." Malcolm kicked his leg. "Oh. It must run in the family."

That was real close. But mom even smiled at that last line. If Reese is going to do all the cooking, and Mom's going to keep getting mad about it, I'm going back to school early.

The two boys watched as Hal walked over to Lois and whispered something into her ear. Suddenly she stood up and both walked into their bedroom and closed the door. A moment later, the radio was turned up to full volume.

Malcolm turned to Ron to give an explanation and Ron laughed. "MY parents had SEVEN children. I think I know what's going on. Could you ask your brother if there's any cake left?"