Are you guys ready to tar and feather me? I'm sorry. That's about all I can say. I got really bored at this chapter, this one and the next one have to happen but i don't particularily like them, that's why they're taking so long, sorry agian. Plus my comp was down for a month. And i'm working 40 hours a week. And going to highschool. And getting good grades. And involved in like every extra-curricular thing ever invented and I'll shut up and let you read hte story

For the next two days Hermione feverishly laboured on her schoolwork. She kept her bushy head bent over her desk and refused to come down to attend meals. Ron and Harry weren't too concerned, as they were used to her study habits. Madi and Scott, however, were a completely different matter. Madi continuously brought over cookies and tarts that she had baked with her mother. Scott took to hanging around in the front hall until even Mr. Granger became frustrated with him and told him politely, yet firmly, to leave. Scott would slowly walk across the snow-covered lawn that was already patterned with his footsteps.

Finally Madi had had enough. "Hermione Granger," she said sternly but with no trace of anger in her voice, "enough is enough. You have studied for two entire days. Christmas break is a time to take a break, hence the name. Besides, tomorrow's Christmas Eve and I know you haven't slipped out at all to go and get a present for your Kris Kringle." With these words she snatched the parchment off of Hermione's desk and refused to give it back. When Hermione finally acquiesced to come shopping Madi asked tentatively, "Why is all your work written on parchment with a quill?"

Thinking quickly, Hermione answered, "I'm doing a project on witchcraft for my American History class. We have to investigate the Salem Witch Trials. Actually, I found it remarkable that out of all the magistrates at the trials Samuel Sewall was the only one to ever publicly apologize to the families of those who had lost members to unjust persecution. And on that note, what ever happened to Abigail –"

"Good to see you know all your info," Madi told her, "Now I know you don't have to study any more. I won't believe you if you say that you need to read more."

Hermione muttered grumpily but was persuaded to leave her room. "Hermione!" Ron yelled, "You've come back to the world of the living."

"I always do," she replied sweetly. Ron chuckled and pulled her into an affectionate headlock. "Ron let go of me. Honestly! Madi, help, you pulled me from my studying to be subjected to this? Fine." She tried to turn her head around to face Ron but was unable to do so. In her sternest voice she addressed him. "Ronald Weasley, if you do not let go of me this very instant I will resort to drastic measures."

He smiled and whispered into her hair, "I'm stronger than you here, and, since we're out of school you can't work any magic on me."

Hermione didn't bother to respond. She just bit him. Not expecting that type of attack from the normally verbose and bookish girl he was unprepared for the feeling of teeth sinking into his hand.

"Good God, you're not a vampire," Madi said laughing.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I'm in pain!" Ron screamed effeminately. He released her from his hold swiftly and began to hop backwards. Ron tripped over the glass coffee table and ended up sprawled on the couch.

"Serves you right." Hermione smiled wolfishly at Ron whose eyes had opened wide.

"You're smiling like Malfoy, that's worse than biting."

"Well, imitation is the highest form of flattery."

Ron squirmed uncomfortably then began to beg her. "Hermione, come to your senses, Malfoy is a git."

Inwardly Hermione felt a little pleased with herself. She hastily battened down the feeling and felt an instant of remorse over how selfish she was being. Hermione knew it wasn't right to let Ron's jealousy about Draco please her but it made her heart beat slightly faster to think about and recall his expression of envy and resentment.

Strolling slowly over to Ron she bent over his prone body and gently stroked his back. "Oooh, is Mama's little baby hurt? Did that nasty girl injure you?"

"You termagant," were the words spoken by Ron, lacking all viciousness. He flipped over onto his back and held onto her arms. "I know I asked for it and deserved it, but you're going to pay for it." Rolling over he pulled her under him and began to tickle her. Hermione was writhing and in tears when Harry finally pulled Ron off of her.

"Ron stop, who will check our homework if you treat our beautiful lady this way. Please forgive him Hermione." This apology was delivered in saccharine tones and Hermione knew that it was just part of the playful banter which had begun to grow between the trio. Not only were the triad bound by their adventures, they had begun to grow into the easy friendship that came with time.

"Right you all, get bundled up," ordered Madi. "Scott's standing outside and it's quite cold. We'll probably have to wait for a bus."

"They don't just come when you need them?" enquired Ron. Harry snorted.

"No. They come at certain times. That's why the Knight Bus scared me so badly."

"Oh… that's terrible, it must take forever to get anywhere."

"Don't you take the bus at home," asked Madi.

"No, I-"

"His mum drives him," interrupted Harry.

The four trooped to the door where they had a minor skufuffle attempting to put on their winter gear. Harry, whose jacket was two sizes too big for him was having difficulty bending over to put on his boots, Madi couldn't find her glove and Ron couldn't tie h is hat on while wearing mittens. Hermione had had no difficulty getting into her outdoor trappings and was calmly waiting for the Ron, Harry and Madi at the bus stop with Scott.

"You are hopeless!" Scott exclaimed, "There is an art to putting on winter clothing."

Hermione smiled slightly at his scolding tone and stepped in to help him with his explanation. "Step one: sit on the stairs and pull on your boots. Step two: pull on your coat. Step three – "

"Hermione," Ron moaned, "you're doing the whole walking textbook thing again. Stop, please."

Before Hermione had a chance to retort a red double-decker bus pulled up at the stop. "Ron," she whispered urgently, pass me your money, I'll sort it out for you."

"No," he whispered back fiercely. "I promised my dad I'd try to do everything myself."

"You know this will be a repeat of the time he tried to light a fire, don't you?"

"But he did light it."

Hermione sighed and decided to leave Ron to his fate. She didn't mind taking her time.

A/N - Ok kind of pointless but a little cute.

GOOD NEWS - remember the pillow guy? Well, I WENT TO SEMI WITH HIM! That's a big dance. Anyway he's hot but i don't like him. Ohter good news. I GOT ASKED TO PROM! (I'm in grade 11 so that's a big deal at my school)

Story time - lets say while i was trying to get around to updating this i wrote 3 1/2 long chapters of a Bill/Hermione fic and wrote 3 random scenes from a Blaise.hermione fic which is going to be sooooooooooo HOT

Shout outs to my lovely reviewers:

Thank you dancerrdw, luvergirlgranger, pippin-chan, mage-aurian, hipchick, fatsobunny, nichole-sumpter, cherokeegirl, and Grint's Best Girl for your wonderful reviews that made me do a happy dance around my room

Timorous - definately cute. he likes her just the way she is. except she isn't as fat as bridget jones.
GwEnEtH - you're awesome, just wanted to let you know that you're the person who prods me into writing
kirstyn - a ROn for everyone but me, I got dibs on Bill or Blaise.
RedandGold4LeafClovers - i don't really get hte heeheeing but if it makes u happy that's good and I'll take it in a goodway towards my story
Ruperts Angel - boys do smell nice, as long as they're not sweaty. Thanks for the reviews on characterization