I own neither Harry Potter nor Star Wars. I promise to do nothing with other people's characters they haven't had them do themselves. Of course, for Harry Potter, that means I could have Hermione calmly set up Madam Umbridge to be dragged away by centaurs to be violently raped by half horses, but… Yeah, don't mess with Hermione. Because that's what centaurs do in mythology. There was a Cracked article about it.
Harry's first trip on the Hogwarts Express was quite enjoyable. He sat in a compartment with Hermione, Neville, and Daphne Greengrass. Daphne's friend Tracey ended up having to stay at the castle over the Christmas break due to an unexpected family emergency. Unfortunately for Daphne, this meant she had the choice of either sitting in the compartment where Draco would be prancing about like royalty, sitting in a compartment alone, or sitting with the Gryffindors. Since she was still livid at Draco because of the potions incident, she made her choice accordingly. As the train crossed the countryside, The Gryffindors got to know the Slytherin girl.
Daphne was a pure-blood and played the politics game in Slytherin well. She didn't buy into the pureblood doctrine, though. Early in her life, she had befriended the half-blood Tracey Davis, and they got along so well that she never fell into the social traps that her peers did. She never believed it when her pure-blood friends would say that anyone of lesser status was also of lesser intelligence, beauty, magical power, or any other comparable attribute. She could see the falsehood of those statements just by looking at her half-blood best friend.
She had to be careful about who she disagreed with, however, or how vigorously she defended her friend. Tracey understood that and didn't hold it against her when she had to publicly agree with some inane statement or position espoused by one of her Daddy's business partners. Her parents were of the opinion that no belief was wrong as long as it paid profit to the family business. Fortunately, no one had yet disapproved so vigorously that any explanations from her were required.
Daphne and Hermione got along extremely well. Early in their journey, they discovered a shared love of reading. Daphne confided in Hermione that the reason she was so upset about the loss of her diary was that it had been given to her by her Grandmother when she was only five. It had contained the last words the Greengrass Matron had ever written to her beloved Granddaughter in the dedication.
"I'm surprised none of the teachers was able to repair it," Hermione said.
"Well, I didn't actually ask," confessed Daphne. "No one really cares about an eleven-year old's diary."
"It's important to you, though," Hermione said. "Do you still have it? May I see it? Madam Pince taught me a few spells about repairing damage to books that were returned when I offered to help her in the library. Some of them were too advanced for me, but one of the most common things to happen to library books is being spilt on. I can't guarantee anything, but I can try."
Daphne dug it out of her bag and handed it to Hermione. She dared not to hope, but hope blossomed regardless.
"The trick, according to Madam Pince," explained Hermione, "is to clean the contamination without targeting the printing of the book itself." "Too often, someone will just try to scourgify it. That spell might clean whatever you're trying to get off of the book, but it will also wipe the text clean, leaving you with a blank book."
With a look of concentration, Hermione placed the tip of her wand in the very centre of one of the less important pages. She said the incantation, "Emundabit Cera," and Daphne smiled as the smudges of potion all moved up to the wand tip, where they were pulled away by Hermione. The page was left clear and smudge-free, with the text once again readable.
Hermione taught the spell to Daphne, and performed the cleaning spell on the most important pages herself, at Daphne's insistence. The two fell into a quick and easy rapport as they worked, and were soon finished.
Harry and Hermione, who would exchange their gifts on Christmas morning, gave Neville his presents from them. Hermione had given him a book on unusual plants and their uses in potions, and Harry had given him a copper cauldron, to replace the one Malfoy had melted. Neville had been borrowing one from the student equipment cupboard, and he was very grateful. While they were sure Draco wouldn't try it again, the copper would withstand a great deal more heat than the pewter one had.
Neville had given Hermione a nice stationery set, and Harry received a book on Wizarding etiquette. The gifts were all well received. Daphne poked a bit of fun at Neville about the cauldron, and they all shared the snacks they purchased from the food trolley.
There was a very cheerful spirit on the train, both figuratively and literally. The Fat Friar had grown a ghostly beard and accompanied the Hogwarts Express. He was entertaining everyone by popping into their compartments, singing Christmas carols and getting as many of them to join him as he could. He played a particularly good Jolly Old Saint Nick because when he laughed, he actually could jiggle his belly like a bowl full of jelly.
After the train pulled into Kings Cross station, the students disembarked. They met Neville's Gran on Platform 9 ¾. Augusta Longbottom didn't recognize her grandson. She was looking past him, annoyed, thinking that he was dawdling. It wasn't until he walked up and said hello that she realized it was Neville. The young Gryffindor had been running and doing various physical exercises with Harry and Hermione for over three months, and was in better shape than he had ever been. He was no longer the pudgy boy she had dropped off on the first day of school. The trio exchanged addresses with Daphne and wished Neville and his Gran a Happy Christmas. Harry and Hermione then exited Platform 9 ¾ to meet her parents on the muggle side.
"Well, let's have a look at you!" exclaimed Hermione's father. Mr Granger was a tall man who was heavily into physical fitness. He was very proud of his daughter, but he worried about her sitting on couches all day reading books. He had often tried to goad his daughter into going running with him but had not been successful. He was slightly offended that this boy had managed to get her to start working out, but he decided to have fun with it.
He pulled his daughter into a tight hug, then held her at arm's length. "My goodness, you look like you've grown a full inch since we've seen you!" he said, loudly.
"Dad!" Hermione protested. "Not in public!"
"Sorry!" her father said, quite loudly. He looked about as apologetic as a cat licking cream from its chops as he turned to Harry. "And this must be Mr Potter," he said, offering his hand. "Our Hermione has told us so much about you."
Harry shook the proffered hand and noticed the man was gripping him far harder than was necessary for a simple greeting. The message being sent was clear. This is mine.
"Please, sir," he said to Hermione's father, "Call me, Harry."
"As you wish, Harry," said Mr Granger. "I am Daniel Granger, and this is my wife, Emma." He pulled his wife close, so his arm was around her shoulders. The message again was transmitted and received. This too is mine. Emma Granger rolled her eyes and gave Harry a warm hug.
"Happy Christmas, Harry," she said, kissing him on the cheek. "Don't mind Dan, he's been waiting to scare off boys for years. He's been practising that in the mirror so he could make it 'sound right' since we invited you!"
This revelation did nothing to diminish the smile on her husband's face.
"Well, dear," Emma Granger said to her husband, "since you've obviously been flexing to bulk up for Harry's benefit, I'm sure you can handle Hermione's luggage."
"Of course," Daniel Granger said, as he grabbed her trunk and bag. He hoisted the chest onto a luggage cart, while Harry handled his own.
Hermione's parents lived in a single-family home in Hampstead outside of London. It was only about a ten-minute drive from Kings Cross station. Once they arrived, Harry helped Mr Granger carry the luggage into the house. Hermione's mother immediately fell in love with Hedwig. She set the owl's perch up in the living room, and she spent several hours petting and talking to the snowy owl over the next few days.
Hedwig, feeling like an owl princess, made it clear to Harry that while she would always be his familiar, he was going to need to step up his game in the showing affection department. And the bacon department.
The afternoon after the majority of students left for the Christmas break, Minerva McGonagall visited Ronald Weasley. She was quite surprised to find him studying. If Hermione Granger has managed to convince Ronald Weasley to study on his own, then God help anyone that gets in her way, she thought. She had a very productive talk with the young man, where she confirmed every single point that Ms Granger had made. She felt somewhat ashamed that it had taken a first-year student to point this issue out to the staff. With Headmaster Dumbledore having stepped down from the Wizengamot and the ICW, she decided to hand some of the Deputy Headmistress duties back to the Headmaster. Taking her cue from Albus's own lead, it was either going to be that or finding someone else to be the Deputy Head.
As long as there were students in the castle, a certain number of professors stayed for their protection. Many of the staff did have families, though, and liked to spend the holidays with them. Before their departure, Headmaster Dumbledore had called a staff meeting in his office at Professor McGonagall's request. She presented both her findings and those of Ms Granger, as well as Hermione's recommended strategies to deal with the problem.
"How do you wish to proceed?" Albus asked. There really wasn't any point in arguing whether Ron Weasley needed help. All of his professors were unanimous that something had to be done. Professor Snape, however, objected to Ron using a dictation quill in class.
"I do not agree that one student should be able to have a dictation quill, even if we restrict it's usage to exams," the Potions Professor said. "That would limit the benefit of having accurate and complete notes of the entire class lecture to one student. I believe this is something all of the children could benefit from." Slightly surprised looks were exchanged. "I propose that instead of one student with this advantage, each professor will set up a dictation quill in their classrooms. They can then duplicate the notes the quill takes and distribute them to interested students once their class is finished."
"An excellent suggestion," Headmaster Dumbledore said, approving the change. "This not only will help young Mr Weasley with his problem, but also provide better instruction for all."
The last item on the agenda, a change to allow students to use pens instead of quills if they desired, was also approved. There was more resistance to this idea, though. Some on the staff felt this was going against traditional values in favour of muggle fads that wouldn't stand the test of time. McGonagall's showing of Ronald Weasley's handwriting sampler ended all arguments.
The parchment demonstrating Ron using different writing implements was so devastating to that argument that, in the end, the change was approved unanimously. With that, the meeting came to an end. Most of the staff were leaving the castle for a much-deserved holiday. The year still had a long way to go, but so much change had been enacted already this year that they all felt the need for a break.
Albus Dumbledore had two more meetings before he could take a breather. First, Minerva McGonagall had stayed behind after the other staff departed for a private meeting. It was as good a time as any to tell her he was taking back some of the duties he had asked her to perform. She seemed relieved to hear this. Perhaps he had given her too much.
The Headmaster checked his supply of Lemon Drops. He might need a few shortly. Albus had a feeling his final meeting of the day would prove to be a great deal more contentious than the last one. Disagreements with your oldest friends tended to be that way, after all.
The first evening Harry spent in Hermione's home was very illuminating for him. He had never before in his memory experienced a family dinner. When the Grangers found this out, they began questioning him on how the Jedi live. He explained to them how the Jedi are chosen as toddlers, which horrified them.
"In the Republic, though, it's considered an honour to have your child chosen," he said, defending the only way of life he knew.
"I'm sorry, Harry," said Mrs Granger. "It must be very difficult for you to suddenly be ripped away from everything you know."
"Can you tell me about this lightsaber of yours?" asked Dan. Harry showed it to the family and described basically how it worked. He then asked some questions of what it was like to live in and raise a family on Earth before they turned in for the night.
Christmas morning dawned and saw the Granger family up for present opening. Hermione's parents had gotten her plenty of books, as usual. Her father, seeing her new enthusiasm for running with Harry, promised another present for her.
"Tell you what, Pumpkin," he said, using his favourite affection for her, "tomorrow, we'll go out and get you some workout clothes. A special present from your loving Dad." Her mother again rolled her eyes and added her own twist.
"And as my own special present, I'll take you and help you pick out something nice, not just practical. We'll go to Harrods!" Hermione squealed and hugged her parents.
"And for my special present to Harry," Mr Granger said, "he doesn't have to go. We can stay here and watch a movie."
Dan Granger laughed as the girls threw pillows at him.
An owl arrived from Hagrid carrying presents for Harry and Hermione. Both of them received Mokeskin pouches that were charmed so that no one could remove their contents but their owners. It could also hold an astonishing number of items thanks to a permanent space expansion enchantment.
Hermione had given Harry a book on advanced defensive spells, which he very much appreciated. Harry's gift to Hermione was an indication to her parents of just how well he understood her. He had bought her a notebook. It had been invented by a Muggle-born who was trying to make the magical equivalent of a computer. While that hadn't worked out yet, the inventor's research had allowed him to make the Organizer's Notebook. Opening it, Hermione found an instruction manual, a page with the heading Scan, and a blank table of contents. The rest of the book was completely empty.
The notebook would never end, no matter how much she wrote in it. She could add whatever topic she wanted, and it would become a new category in the table of contents. She could even add subcategories nested into the main categories. So, for example, she would be able to separate her notes in Transfiguration by years attended. Tapping her quill (or pen) on a category or subcategory would cause the content pages to fill in with the pages assigned to that category and subcategory.
She could even add pre-existing notes using the scanner function. She just needed to choose the category she wanted the document to be stored in, place it face down in the square on the scanner page, and tap her quill in the Scan box. The existing note would be copied and added to the chosen category. This gift earned Harry the biggest hug he had ever received in his life.
The Granger parents had totally approved of Harry as their daughter's best friend. He was overly polite, always picked up after himself, treated their daughter with nothing but respect, and had actually managed to drag her nose out of her books. While they were intensely proud of Hermione's intelligence and talent, they worried that she would miss out on critical social interactions. They found Harry to be quite acceptable. Even if he was a boy, according to Mr Granger.
One of the Granger family traditions was carolling. They got together with several neighbour families after dinner and spent about an hour and a half canvassing the neighbourhood and spreading cheer. When he was told of the activity, Harry worried because he didn't know any of the songs. Everyone carried a songbook with the lyrics printed out, though, and they did a rehearsal in the living room before dinner.
Harry had noticed that the Granger parents had a predictable system of interactions with their daughter. Mr Granger would do or say something that was overly enthusiastic, which would be tempered by a more reserved and realistic response from Mrs Granger, usually accompanied by a loving eye roll. He asked Hermione about it while her parents were preparing Christmas dinner, and she confirmed that this was normal behaviour for her parents.
Harry had a great deal of fun carolling. He had never sung before and found he was surprised that he had a fairly good voice for it. Hermione's Dad was a very good singer, and always took a lot of fun in finding harmonies in the bass line of the carols. Mrs Granger sang as an alto in their church choir and had a fantastic voice. Hermione took after her mother in many ways, and her singing voice was no exception.
The carolers ended the evening sharing some hot apple cider and ginger cookies with the residents of the last house on the block. Hermione told him that this house was always the last stop every year. The neighbours all approved of Harry, and there was a lot of betting going on just out of the children's hearing about when they would end up as a couple.
The Grangers and Harry left the party to return to the Granger home. They were just about to enter the front door when Harry noticed a sudden surge in the Force and…
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