I may be biased, but this chapter is so adorable and the start of something! Hermione may be stubborn, but not even she can argue with what's happening. Thanks again to Charlotte for telling me her favourite movie and favourite characters.
"Why do I feel like you've been spending too much time at your parents' place lately?" As Ginny watched Hermione put on a festive outfit, she said, "It feels like an eternity since I've seen you. I had forgotten about this tradition of yours."
"I'm surprised you don't remember about it, but it must be because we watched the lights when you visited Aunt Muriel." Hermione glanced in the mirror and nodded to herself. "Mum told me that it began when she and my dad first met, and that was how she fell in love with him."
"Okay, that's cute," Ginny grumbled to Hermione. "But you'll miss our night out. You know how Blaise and Draco act when you aren't around to stop them."
"Oh, don't worry about it. Blaise is going out with a girl he met last week at the shopping centre, so you and Draco will be all alone tonight." Hermione's smile was positive and feral, and Ginny gulped. "You don't mind, do you? Spending the entire night alone with Draco after the date you had at the art gallery?"
"I don't mind at all. Why would I?" Hermione had to hide a smile as Ginny rambled, "We're friends. We can be friendly to each other for the evening and not kill each other, or we can just talk about our lives without thinking too much about it or the visit to the art gallery that didn't qualify as a date. I think I should go home and change, just because I feel a bit underdressed now. You understand, don't you, 'Mione? Alright, I'm off, bye!"
Ginny practically ran from the room, and Hermione let out the laugh she felt bubbling up in her throat; Ginny couldn't hide that she was going home to change because she was going to spend the whole night with Draco.
"I really hope that these two idiots will realize what's right in front of them," Hermione murmured to herself before grabbing her purse and leaving the room. She ignored the fact that she should be doing the exact same.
When Hermione was a child, watching the Christmas lights around the neighbourhood with her parents was one of her favourite traditions. Their neighbours were always inventive in the way they displayed the lights, which had always fascinated her.
Hermione arrived at her parents' house quickly, and she smiled when she saw they were already waiting for her.
"Right on time, pumpkin!" Jack yelled, hugging Hermione and kissing her on the head. "And look how festive you look!"
"She takes after your festive spirit, Jack," Emma said while hugging Hermione. "The red looks great on you, honey."
Hermione's dress was a deep burgundy colour that she paired with black tights and pumps; she never wore heels when it snowed. Her hair was down today and she wore a mistletoe headband.
"Thank you, mom. I've decided to embrace Christmas already since it's the first of December," Hermione replied, adjusting her headband. "Ready to go mingle?"
Her parents agree and begin walking together, pointing out their favourite houses and what they liked better about each decoration. Hermione was happy to have this simple tradition with her parents, allowing them to spend time together, enjoying their company.
As Hermione stared up at her favourite house, which had a Frozen theme this year, she couldn't help but stare at the gigantic statue of Olaf standing at the entrance when she heard her name called.
"Mione! You're here! I knew that it was you!" Charlotte's voice could be heard all around the block as she ran straight towards Hermione's legs. "Are you looking at the Christmas lights as well? They're beautiful, aren't they?"
Hermione laughed at her ramblings, remembering how she was the same when she was Charlotte's age. "Hi, Char, yes, the lights are beautiful. Did you like the Olaf they put here?"
"He's all right, but he acts like my crazy uncle. I wish they'd chosen Marshmallow instead," Charlotte said. "My favourite decoration was the 'Tangled' one. It had Max, the horse. We took a picture together!"
"So Tangled is your favourite movie?" Hermione asked, surreptitiously trying to locate the little girl's parents or brother. "My favourite one was 'Beauty and the Beast,' and my heart almost stopped when I saw it that year."
"I like 'Beauty and the Beast', but 'Tangled' is still my favourite." She shrugged like that was the end of the subject. "How do I look? I picked my dress myself."
Hermione looked at the dress she was wearing; it was black and white and had small pink roses on it. Hermione thought Charlotte looked adorable in a similar headband, but Charlotte's was all pink.
"You look very pretty today, Char," Hermione said to the little girl, who smiled in return. She then asked, "Where are your parents and brother?"
"They were right behind me, but when I saw you, I ran to say hello, and I don't know where they are now." Charlotte turned around, as if searching for her family. "Do you think they got lost?"
In response to her innocent question, Hermione smiled. "I don't think they got lost, Char, but why don't we wait here until they arrive? This way, we won't get lost, and they'll be able to find you."
"Okie dokie," Charlotte agreed and grabbed Hermione by the hand. "I'm not scared at all because I'm here with you."
Hermione was touched by Charlotte's words and squeezed her hand as she smiled at her. They continued talking about their favourite Disney movies and princesses when they heard someone call Charlotte's name.
Theo laughed as he walked toward them, saying, "Hermione! Hi! We need to stop meeting while I look for my sister. And you need to stop running away from me, Charlotte."
"I didn't run away from you; I just wanted to say hello to Mione," Charlotte deadpanned, and the other two laughed at her logic. "Where's Mum and Dad?"
Theo looked at Charlotte and replied, "They saw you were here and were coming over, but they met some friends and went to them instead. Let's go over and say hello before we go to see the rest of the Christmas lights."
"Can Mione come with us? Pretty please? Please? Please?" Charlotte begged with her big doe eyes.
Before Theo could respond, Hermione spoke, "Char, I would love to see the Christmas lights with you, but I need to find my parents first." Hermione wasn't about to miss the opportunity to spend time with Charlotte and Theo. "What do you say?"
"Yes!" Charlotte exclaimed, bouncing on her feet and dragging Hermione along.
Hermione laughed and walked towards her parents and was surprised to find them talking to a couple who resembled Theo and Charlotte. The petite woman had glossy brown hair and a kind face, while the burly man had salt-and-pepper hair and a cheeky grin.
"Mummy! Daddy!" Charlotte squealed and let go of Hermione's hand, running straight towards the woman. "I thought you were lost!"
Charlotte's mum said, "I think you were the one who got lost."
Now that she was closer to the woman, Hermione could see how much Theo looked like his mother. They had the same smile and a similar jawline though Theo's was much sharper.
Hermione's heart raced and she had to restrain herself from shivering in delight when Theo leaned in and murmured in her ear, "I didn't know my parents knew yours. I guess it shouldn't surprise me."
Hermione whispered, "I guess we'll be meeting more often now," and Theo's eyes shifted.
"There you are, sweetheart! I thought you'd never find us." Emma smiled, and Hermione looked at her mother intently. "I see you've already met Charlotte and Theodore, but these are their parents, Magnus and Anastasia."
After they exchanged some pleasantries, the adults started talking. Hermione was about to suggest heading back to watch the Christmas lights when Theo beat her to it.
"Would you like to watch the Christmas lights with me?" Theo asked, and Hermione couldn't help but nod like a bobblehead doll.
Hermione smiled slightly at Theo and said, "I don't think my parents will care if they walk around with your parents. Will Charlotte still be joining us?"
"I don't think my parents will let her out of their sight now." Theo gestured to where his father was holding Charlotte. "Are you afraid to go out with just me?"
Hermione blushed. "Of course not! I trust you, Theo," she said, and the smile he gave her in return was everything.
"I'm taking Hermione to see some of the Christmas lights she hasn't seen yet." Her parents only smiled at Theo with a glint in their eyes. Theo continued, "I will bring her home soon, Mr and Mrs Granger."
"Don't worry, Theodore. Go, have fun!" her mum said with a giggle, and Hermione desired for a hole to open and swallow her whole.
The two of them walked away, leaving the others behind. They strolled around the neighbourhood, pointing out different decorations and admiring them. Hermione was more interested in the way the lights shone and sparkled in Theo's eyes.
Hermione was startled out of the fog in her mind when Theo said, "It's only my second year walking around and seeing the decorations, but it's better than last year." He added, "I think the company has everything to do with it."
Hermione blushed, avoiding Theo's gaze; she didn't know if he was flirting with her, but she thought that he might be. The man was getting closer to her, but she wasn't sure what she should do or whether she should just wait.
It seemed Theo had no problem taking the lead, since he had grabbed her hand lightly, squeezing it. "Is this okay?"
"Yes, it's more than fine," Hermione whispered, not trusting her voice to be louder.
Holding hands, they strolled around the neighbourhood, not saying anything, just enjoying the red, green, blue, and white illumination of Christmas lights. This date was going better than any other she had ever experienced, and then it struck her: was this a date?
They didn't talk about anything else, but she felt as if they were on a date. She began to panic internally, thinking how much she wanted to be on a date with him but was worried that it would be a disaster like it had been lately.
Hermione decided to stop freaking out and enjoy Theo's company for now. Despite not knowing what was going to happen between them, she decided to enjoy it.
"Thanks for walking around with me, I had a great time," Theo said later, after returning home. "We should hang out more often."
Hermione smiled at him. "That would be wonderful."
"Can I text you to decide what to do later?" Theo's crooked smile made Hermione lose all her ability to think logically.
"Send me a text and we'll figure something out," Hermione replied, struggling to clear her mind.
Theo beamed at her. "Thanks again for coming with me. I'll send you that text."
Hermione felt her cheeks getting redder when Theo dropped her hand and kissed her cheek, his lips soft against her skin. She was tempted to turn her head just a bit and allow her mouth to meet his, but she didn't. Theo gave her another smile and left her standing there in her parents' driveway, trying to regain control of her legs.
She made a beeline for her room, but her mother was waiting for her and ambushed her at the stairs.
Emma followed Hermione into her room and said, "I didn't know you were friends with Theodore. You two make a cute couple."
"Mum, please! We're just friends," Hermione replied, not wanting to argue with her mum over what she had been thinking during their stroll. "I doubt he sees me that way."
"Mothers know everything, and Anastasia and I aren't blind," Emma said with a smile before letting Hermione go to her room.
Hermione tried not to let her mother's words get into her head, but it was difficult. Seeing how she was starting to develop a crush on Theo, she began to wonder if it would be wise to have these feelings.
She threw herself into her bed, murmuring to herself, "You should sleep, Hermione, not think about what ifs. Wait for his message, then start freaking out!"
Hermione realized what she had just thought, and her heart started to beat faster as she sat too fast.
"Shit!" she said to herself. She was starting to have a crush on Theo. One that could lead to her easily falling in love with him. "Shit, shit, shit! Oh, Hermione, now you've done it."