The chapter that was inspired by the prompt! I do like to write about the Granger family, even the more snobby ones. Keep an eye, maybe we'll have a spin-off by New Years… who would want it? Leave me a review if you would like to read it, and in the meanwhile, tell me what you think will happen at the party.
"Hermione, sweetie! What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you!" Emma Granger said, opening her front door to find Hermione at her doorstep. "It's so nice to see you!"
"Hey, mum, I missed you so I thought about visiting." Hermione hugged her mother, and it was like all her worries had faded. "Is Dad home?"
"He had to go to the practice, but he'll be back soon," Emma said, motioning for Hermione to enter the house. "It's so good to see you, it seems like it has been ages since we last saw each other."
Hermione smiled at her mum and entered the house, taking a deep breath and recognising the scent of her mum's Christmas cookies. "Are you baking, Mum?"
"Yes, I had a feeling that I would have company today." Emma smiled conspiratorially, and Hermione felt her stomach turn into knots. "It's almost time for our Christmas party and we need to start planning! Aren't you excited?"
"Oh, I'm so excited you don't even know," Hermione murmured, thinking if she could make an escape. "Is it going to be just us?"
"Your aunts Olivia and Isla are coming," Emma said while walking towards the kitchen. Hermione followed her, sighing with relief until her mum continued speaking, "But Esme and Eloise mentioned they'd be coming too."
Hermione groaned. She had come to her parents' house to have time to herself, but now she would have to deal with her noisy and insufferable cousins. Hopefully, they would stick to themselves and leave her alone.
She could also ask for Santa to bring her the man of her dreams on Christmas day, but a girl could dream.
"I don't think we need a band to play Christmas music during the party," Hermione said, rubbing her temples and trying to relax. "It's only for family. Why do we need a band?"
"Because it's Christmas, Hermione!" her cousin Eloise replied, rolling her eyes at her. "It's no wonder you've never helped plan the party before."
Hermione gritted her teeth, not wanting to say anything that she would regret later. Esme and Eloise had always made fun of her, and ever since they had arrived, they had done nothing more than pick on Hermione. Hermione wanted to leave and go to the ice rink, but they would never let her hear the end of it if she left now.
"I think we should hire a DJ," Grandma Granger piped up, and Hermione had to fight a smile. "I heard it's what the youngsters are doing these days."
"Mum! Where did you learn such things?" Aunt Isla said, clutching onto her pearl necklace. "When did you start using such words?"
"I have friends, you know?" Grandma Granger said, winking at Hermione, who knew exactly who her friend was. "And I think Hermione's right: we don't need a band. Where will the band fit?"
"Fine, so we don't get a band," Eloise said with a harsh tone. "Is there something else Hermione thinks we shouldn't have at the party? Perhaps... fun?"
"Nothing else, Eloise. I was only stating my opinion," Hermione said with a tired tone of voice. She didn't want to pick a fight with her cousins today.
"But no one asked for it," her cousin Esme said, and her sister high-fived her. "I don't even know what you're doing here today."
"Children, please." Aunt Olivia tried to help, but for the first time, Hermione refused to back down when they were being so rude. "Can you not argue?"
"What am I doing here? I lived here, it's my parents' house, and the last time I checked, I had more right to be here than any of you." Hermione's chest heaved as she breathed. "Don't make that face at me. You know I'm right—you're just jealous!"
"Yeah, say it to their faces, Mia!" Grandma Granger cheered Hermione on, sipping on her tea.
"Mum!" Aunt Isla squealed, her eyes so wide they seemed like they would fall out any minute.
"Jealous?" Esme laughed sarcastically, and shivers ran down Hermione's spine. "Why would I feel jealous of you? You're always alone, you never bring anyone to the party. At least I have a boyfriend who loves me. You'll always be alone."
Hermione blanched, not knowing how to reply. "That isn't true. I do have someone I'm planning to bring to the party this year."
"Oh, really? And why haven't we heard anything before today?" Eloise asked with a smirk. "Or is it because you're lying?"
"How could you know anything about my life if you don't even care to know anything about me any other time unless it's to spew shit about me? And I wouldn't have said anything to either of you if you hadn't pushed me so far. But yeah, I'll bring a date, and I hope that you two don't come near me." Hermione snapped, too far gone to care about what her mum or her aunts would say. She stood up and prepared to leave the room. "If I never speak to you two again, it's still going to be too soon."
She walked out of the living room, a weight lifting from her chest. Hermione now needed to find someone to bring to the party or else she would never hear the end of it. Biting her lip, she grabbed her phone and sprinted towards her old bedroom, intending to call for reinforcements.
"Are you sure you don't want me as your plus one? You know I can be very convincing," Ginny's voice sounded from Hermione's phone while she was panicking in her room. "I could also slap your cousins and I wouldn't even hurt myself."
"Thanks for the image, Gin, but unfortunately, I don't think people will believe we're a couple," Hermione replied, walking around her room.
"What about me? You know I'm the most charming of these lot," Blaise said, making Hermione chuckle.
"Thanks, Blaise, but since you're my grandma's bestie, I'm afraid that this won't work." Hermione stopped to consider Blaise's offer before restarting her pacing.
"Since you're so dismissive of us, I won't even offer to be your plus one." Draco's snide voice made Hermione stop and grab her phone.
"Draco, you wouldn't enjoy it especially when I know you'd prefer being someone else's plus one." Hermione smirked when Draco's breath hitched. "Thanks for all the suggestions, guys, but I still can find someone through the dates."
"It hasn't happened yet, but we're still waiting." Blaise's sarcasm made Hermione roll her eyes. "I don't understand why you're still trying it."
"Because it's Hermione's chance to find her Christmas romance, Blaise. Don't be such a Grinch," Ginny replied, to which Hermione was grateful.
"I have a good feeling, Blaise, and the last date wasn't so bad." Hermione bit her lip, thinking about it. "I knew from the start that we weren't ideal for each other, and I don't have any hard feelings towards Oliver."
"Good to know that, because he asked Percy out and they are on the way to become an item," Ginny said and everyone laughed. "It didn't work for Hermione, but at least Percy isn't going to be single anymore."
"So the dates are working for everyone but Hermione?" Blaise was cackling now, and Hermione was starting to get annoyed. "This is better than any soap opera that I could ever watch."
"Glad to know that you find my life amusing," Hermione grumbled. "I called you guys to help me find a solution, not to make fun of me."
"You shouldn't have added Blaise to the call, then," Draco said, which made the girls giggle. "Listen, how many dates are you still signed up for?"
"Eight," Hermione murmured, thinking about the names on her list. "One of them has to go right… right?"
"That's all we can pray for," Ginny said, and Hermione could hear the smile in her voice. "Why don't we choose the next one and you talk with him a little before meeting him? That could work."
Hermione thought about Ginny's suggestion and she knew that her friend was right. If she got to know her date a little better before meeting him, she might not end up in similar situations like the ones she had already been in.
"Yeah, maybe you're right, Gin." Hermione plopped down on her bed, staring at her ceiling.
"Of course I'm right. You should listen to me more often," Ginny replied, and Hermione laughed. "Now, stop feeling sorry for yourself, go take a bubble bath, and send a message to one of the names on your list. I have a good feeling now."
"You said the same thing before I went out with Michael, and he abandoned me at the restaurant after seeing his ex with her fiance," Hermione deadpanned.
Ginny groaned and screeched, "But now I'm right! Just do what I say." Hermione didn't have any other option besides following her suggestion. "Send a text in the group chat after you send your date the message."
"Fine, I'll do it." Hermione sighed, hearing someone knocking on her door. "I have to go; someone's knocking on my door. Talk to you guys later." She hung up before allowing the person to enter.
"I came here to see how you were," her mother said, entering and closing the door behind her. "I don't blame you for reacting the way you did."
"Thanks, Mum, and I'm sorry that things got to that point," Hermione murmured. "It got to the point that I couldn't hold back anymore."
"Don't worry, sweetie, I'm not mad." Emma sat beside Hermione on the bed, pushing one of her curls behind her ear. "Your cousins had it coming for a long time now."
Hermione chuckled. "I've wanted to do that since I was ten."
"I can see why." Emma laughed alongside her. "Are you really bringing someone to the party?"
Hermione looked at her mum's face. She wasn't judging her; she was only curious about her daughter's life. "Yeah, I'm still thinking about who I'm going to bring, but I'll bring a date."
"I can't wait to meet him," Emma said with a bright smile on her face. "If you're bringing him to meet the family, he must be special."
"You don't even know, Mum," Hermione murmured, thinking who would be special enough for that.
"Well, for now, why don't you come down and eat some cookies?" Emma stood up and Hermione looked at her. "Don't worry, your aunts and cousins have already left, but Grandma is still downstairs."
"I'll be down in a minute, I just need to send a message," Hermione said, smiling softly.
"All right, don't take too long," Emma said, opening the door and preparing to leave. "Your grandma is eating all the cookies."
Hermione chuckled and nodded. After her mother had left, she chose one name on the list of her dates and sent a message to him.
"All right, Roger, let's see how you do on a date," Hermione murmured before standing and leaving her room. She couldn't wait to find out.