Chapter 11 – Christmas Break
As Hermione stepped off the train, she immediately saw the Weasleys waiting for their kids. Her gaze didn't have to go far as her father was talking excitingly to Arthur Weasley. Hermione turned back when the twins and Katie stepped out from behind Angelina, Alicia and Lee.
"See you after break!" Lee called over with a wave and headed to his parents, the group waved back as Lee disappeared in the crowd. Hermione gave Angelina and Alicia a quick hug before they went to go find their parents.
"Katie, would you like to meet my parents?"
"I'd love to." She smiled as they walked over to the group with Fred and George in tow. "They're teeth doctors, right?"
"Dentists, yes." Hermione chuckled when they reached the group. "Mum, dad!" Hermione yelled as she flung her arms around her parents. "I missed you."
"We missed you too, dear." Her mother murmured in her hair.
"Oh, mum, dad." She said as she pulled back, beaming. "This is Katie."
"Nice to meet you." Katie smiled.
"Nice to meet you too, Katie. We heard so much about you." Her father smiled. "We are so glad Hermione found a good friend."
"She has more than one!" George yelled as he stepped away from his mother and walked closer with Fred in tow.
"She has us, -"
"- and Lee, Ange and Alicia."
"But we are the best!" Fred grinned.
Her mother chuckled at the twins, shaking her head. "Hello boys, how are you?"
"Brilliant, Mrs. Granger." They called out.
"Oh, little Granger. Ginny wants to say hi."
"Okay." Hermione looked between her parents and the twins unsure. "Katie, I'll see you in two weeks." She hugged her best friend.
"Yes, I'll write when your back from France." Katie smiled as she pulled back. "Bye, everyone." She waved and darted over to her parents. Hermione looked once more between the twins and her parents before making her way to the Weasley clan.
"Hi, Mrs. Weasley." Hermione smiled as she walked up to the group.
"Oh, hello Hermione dear." Mrs. Weasley smiled big, then a frown followed. "The twins aren't too much trouble I hope?"
"No, nothing I can't handle." She chuckled as she glanced over her shoulder to the boys in question. "And I always have Charlie here to have my back." She grinned as Charlie walked over and draped an arm over her shoulder.
"I'm glad you all get along." Mr. Weasley smiled next to his wife.
"How was the sorting? How's quidditch?" Ginny started firing questions at them.
"Ginny dear, let the girl breathe."
"Hermione?" Her parents called over. "We better get going, we have a plane to catch this evening."
"A plane?" Mr. Weasley asked excitingly.
"Oh no." Ron groaned next to Ginny. Hermione chuckled at his reaction and turned to Mr. Weasley.
"I'm sure my dad will explain everything the next time you two meet. Maybe you can go see one." She smiled as Mr. Weasley got even more excited. "Charlie, I'll see you after break." She gave him a side hug before going over to her parents. "What are you guys talking about?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Just, this and that." Her father grinned suspiciously. "Boys." Her father gave a nod to the twins.
"Mr. Granger." The boys mimicked his movement with a grin.
"I'll see you guys later. Bye George, bye Fred." And she turned to follow her dad but was stopped by two large arms pulling her back.
"Not so fast Granger." George chuckled and the twins engulfed her in a twin hug.
"God, let go! You'll see me in two weeks!" Hermione sighed, laughing. The twins let her go, a grin plastered on their faces.
"See you then." They said and walked over to their parents. Hermione huffed as she took her mothers' arm and walked through the stone wall.
HG
The week in France flew by fast as she visited museum after museum with her parents. She also got to meet her cousin for the first time, baby Louisa. She was happy to be with her parents, but she had a hard time not pulling out her wand and using it. She missed her friends, and to her surprise even the twins. She wrote letters to all of them and tucked them in her bag as she would send them when she got back home.
After she got home, she ran to her room where she dropped her bag on the bed and pulled out the letters before sprinting down the stairs.
"Woah, Hermione. Where are you going?" Her father asked as he walked out of the kitchen.
"I want to send out my letters." She said, waving the envelops in front of her.
"Alright, while your mum unpacks, why don't we go to the post office."
"We need to go to Hardy's Owl Service."
"Oh, right. Let me see where Professor McGonagall put the address." Her father said as he looked through the papers on the desk. "Here we go. Honey?" He called up the stairs. "We're just going out to post Hermione's letters."
"Alright." Her mum called back down.
"Let's go sweetheart." And they walked out to the car. After about five minutes of driving Hermione spoke up.
"Will we be going to Gardens Eve for Christmas?"
"No, not this year." Her father said elusive.
"Then where?"
"It's a surprise." He grinned. Hermione looked with furrowed eyebrows at her dad but didn't push the matter, it was only three days until Christmas after all.
HG
When they arrived at the little shop, it was simply hidden in a muggle street. A small brick house stood between two rows of trees, separating them from the muggle houses. Hermione peered inside the window, alongside her father.
"Minerva said you can only enter if you're aware of the wizarding world." Her dad whispered. "Let's head inside."
Her dad straightened his back and walked to the front door, holding it open for Hermione. The little shop was filled with owls, the walls covered with tree branches where they could rest. She walked over to the man that stood behind a desk, going over some papers.
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, drawing his attention. "I would like to send these letters."
"AUCH!" Her father yelled behind her, she turned her head and saw her father with his finger in his mouth. "Bloody owl... he bit me." He grumbled as he came over.
The man behind the counter laughed. "Which one?"
"That black one, with the large white spot."
"Ah, Steve." The man hummed.
"Steve? Who names an owl Steve?" Her father asked.
"My daughter." The man shrugged. "You tried to pet the only owl who will bite your finger off, good choice." He chuckled and Hermione had to bite her lip to not a laugh slip. "I'm Dean Hardy. You can choose any owl you want. The ones on the back right are express, the ones here are for overseas, and the ones on the left are for in the UK."
"These two, I can send together, Alicia and Katie live near each other. Then one for the twins." She said as she placed the letter on the counter. "And Angelina and Lee, they need to go separate."
She looked over at the owls on the left. "Can I just -" She gestured over to the owls.
"Yes, pick the ones you want and bring them over, or I can call them for you."
Hermione nodded as she walked over to the owls. She selected four random owls, most of them church owls and carried them one by one to the counter. As she was tying the letters to its paws and voice called out behind her.
"Hermione?"
Hermione turned and saw a lanky boy with wavy brown hair, holding a barn owl on his hand. "Cedric? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question." He chuckled as he walked closer, placing her owl next to hers. "I live near Box Hill."
"Really? I'm from Epsom." Hermione said surprised. She heard her father clear his throat next to her. "Oh, this is my dad."
"Dad, Cedric Diggory. Remember the boy who helped me carry my trunk on the train?"
"Nice to meet you, sir." Cedric said politely, holding out his hand.
"Nice to meet you too, Cedric." Her father took his hand and shook it.
"Planning on sending some letters I see." Cedric smiled as he gestured at her letters.
"Yes, we just got back from France, so haven't got a chance to write them."
"Oh, to the Weasleys, you know I used to live very close to them, but we moved last summer after dad got promoted."
"That must've been... busy." Hermione grinned as she tied the last letter.
"Busy is one word for it." He grinned back as he tied his own letter to the owl and handed over his payment. "Thanks, Dean." He turned back to the Grangers, already making himself ready to go. "Hermione, mister Granger. Maybe I'll see you around some time."
"Yeah, see you around, Cedric." They waved at each other before Credric walked out, where his dad was waiting. Hermione turned back to the shop owner and handed over the money for the owls.
"We better get going, mum's probably already making dinner" Her father said as he rubbed his grumbling stomach before they walked back to the car.
HG
It was the day before Christmas, but she still didn't know how they would celebrate. She asked her mum after dinner the day they got back from Hardy's Owl Service, but she didn't let anything slip. They have been going to Gardens Eve for years now, so what changed?
"What do I need to wear?" Hermione asked her mum as she looked in her closet. "Is it somewhere nice?"
"Just wear whatever you are comfortable with dear."
"Alright..." She said apprehensive as she pulled out jeans and a jumper. "Can I bring my books?
"I don't think you'll have the time to read, maybe one for the road." Her mum said as she put the newly washed clothes in her dressing.
"Mum..." She whined. "Just tell me."
"You'll know soon enough."
"Fine." She grumbled as she pulled the jumper over her head.
"Oh, pack you overnight bag as well."
"Overnight bag?" Hermione asked surprised, eyes wide.
"Yes..." She glanced over at her watch. "Better hurry, we're leaving as soon as your dad gets back." She took the hamper and walked out of the room.
"I'm bringing my books!" Hermione called over to her mother.
HG
They were driving for over an hour as Hermione read in her book. When her dad had to hit the brakes, something heavy slides to the other side of the trunk. Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw several presents in the back.
"For whom are those presents?" Hermione asked her parents, turning back to face the front of the car.
Her mum looked over her shoulder. "Oh, for friends." She smiled before turning back to face the road. Hermione sighed as she turned her attention back to her book. Every once in a while, she looked up to see where they were, but they kept on driving. Her parents were quietly singing along to the music on the radio.
"We've been driving for over two hours!" Hermione almost yelled as her dad stopped at a gas station to stretch their legs.
"We're almost there." Her father said as he looked over at the map that lay open on the hood of the car. Hermione came closer to look at the lines he had drawn on them, but her father quickly folded the map before she could see it. "Let's get going, we don't want to be late."
Hermione grumbled before sliding on the back seat again, already with her nose in her book when her mum started to drive. They finally went off the highway, near Devon.
"Devon? Who lives in Devon?" She asked her mum and dad, closing her book.
"I told you... friends." Her dad answered as he looked over a letter. "When you reach the church, turn left dear."
Hermione's eyes were fixed on her surroundings, trying to find out where they were going. But as far as she knew they didn't have friends in Devon, or even family. After about fifteen minutes driving in small streets and dirt roads they reached a clearing. Her mum looked at her dad who was reading the letter again with furrowed brows.
"Uhm... you can just drive through the field." Her dad said unsure.
"Through the field? Are you sure?"
"Yes, there is a small path that goes to the house, but he just says drive up the field until you reach a big oak tree."
Hermione looked curious at the empty field in front of her. Her mum looked nervously around her before she turned the wheel and drove through the field, that was on a hill. When they almost reached the top, her father pointed out the window to his right.
"There, the oak tree."
"Is... is that a house?" Her mum asked pointing to the left. Hermione followed her mum's finger and saw a house that looked like rooms had been added and plastered against and on top of each other. Her mum parked the car and the three of them looked at the strange looking house when suddenly a familiar red head stepped out the door.
"Mr. Weasley?" Hermione asked surprised. "Are we celebrating Christmas with the Weasleys?"
"Yes. Molly and Arthur asked us a few weeks ago. And we thought, why not. It's only ever the three of us so..."
"Does Charlie know? Fred, George?"
"No, no one knows." Her father grinned as he went out to open his car when a beaming Mr. Weasley walked closer.
HG
"Mum? Who's coming?" George asked as his mum put extra plates in his hands. Fred and Charlie looked up from setting the table.
"Oh..." She looked nervous. "Just some friends."
"Friends? From whom?" Fred asked.
"Bill's?" Charlie interjected.
"No, not mine." Bill said as he walked in the kitchen. "Mum?"
"You'll see, they'll be here shortly." She said looking at the family clock. "Just set the table and go clean your rooms. Oh, can someone get Percy?"
"Perce?" Bill called out to the staircase. After a few minutes Percy came down and walked in the kitchen, a quill behind his ear.
"You'll have to bunk with Ron tonight. Bill will help you set up the cot."
"What? Why?" Percy asked defensive.
"Because people are coming over and apparently staying the night too." Fred said as he hopped on the kitchen counter.
"Who is coming?"
"Dunno, mum won't tell us." George said as he munched on an apple, leaning against the counter, next to his twin.
"I have to give up my room for someone I don't know?" Percy huffed.
"You know them." Their mum said calmly as she stirred in her pot. "Most of you."
"Most of us?" They all called out. Their mum kept her eyes on the pot as she hummed a song. The brothers all shared a look before they went upstairs.
"Who do you think is coming?" George asked their oldest brother.
"Don't know. They didn't say anything to me. It's the first I heard of it."
George and Fred shared a look and Bill followed Percy to Ron's room. The twins stopped at Ginny's and knocked on the door.
"Ginbug?" Fred called out before he opened the door. Ginny was sitting on her bed, reading witch weekly. "There are people joining us this evening and will staying the night. We all need to clean our rooms.
"Really? Who?"
"Don't know." The boys shrugged and walked back out the room.
"Fred? George?" Their mum's voice carried up the stairs.
"Yes, mum?"
"A letter arrived for you!" She called up.
"You get the letter and I'll start upstairs." Fred said as he walked up to the highest landing. George bounded back down the stairs where his mother was giving the owl some treats before it flew back out the window. She turned when she heard George coming behind her.
"Here." She handed over the letter with a neatly written handwriting on it. "Is it from Angelina or Alicia?"
"No, Hermione." George said as he looked up from the letter.
"Hermione?" Her mother said surprised as she looked from the letter to the clock.
"Probably talking about all the museums she went to in France." George joked as he turned and headed back up the stairs.
HG
After an hour they were all seated in the living room. Bill and Ron were playing chess, while the others played exploding snap. Percy was sitting in the corner, reading a book. Molly and Arthur were sitting in the kitchen, glancing out the window.
"I hope the directions were clear." Arthur said, peering out the window. "Oh, there they are. I'll go meet them outside. Keep the kids in, Molly."
Arthur quietly walked out the kitchen door and smiled as the car stopped near the oak tree.
"Daniel! Jean!" He called out, smiling widely. "Did you find it alright?"
"Yes, were a bit miffed when we had to drive though the field but we're here." Daniel answered.
"Hermione, welcome! I hope you were pleasantly surprised."
"I was." She grinned as she closed the car door. "This will be quite a different Christmas."
"Are the kids still in the dark?"
"Yes, they have been asking questions all day."
"Ha! Yeah, Hermione here has been asking our ears off for the last three days."
"Let's go surprise them. Let me help you with your bags." Arthur flicked his wand, and the bags flew out the trunk and hovered behind them as they walked to the house.
"Is all this land yours?" Jean asked, looking around.
"Yes, if you go down the hill, there is a pond and a forest connected to it. You should really explore the grounds tomorrow." Arthur said and stopped as they reached the door. "Ready?"
HG
Fred and George lost the last game of exploding snap and stood up to get something to drink, when they entered the kitchen, their mother was cleaning her hands on her apron when the door creaked open, showing their dad walking in.
"Right on time boys!" Arthur stepped in and three people stood in the doorway, looking in.
"Little Granger?"
"Hermione? What are you doing here?"
"They are our guests." Arthur said as he ushered them in, their bags flying in behind them. "I invited them a couple weeks ago."
"I didn't know. I just figured it out when your dad walked out the door."
"We just got your letter." George grinned as he walked over and hugged her, when he pulled back his arm still rested on her shoulder. "Mr. And Mrs. Granger."
"You get to meet Bill!" Fred said walking closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulder as well. "Do you mind if we steal her for a bit?"
"No, no take her away." Mrs. Granger laughed.
"I'll show your parents where they are staying and then we'll have some tea in the kitchen. You can stay in Ginny's room, if you want."
"That will be nice, thank you Mr. Weasley."
"Enough talking, let's go." Fred grinned and they turned her to the door.
"Our surprise guests have arrived." George called over before he pushed open the door to the living room.