A/N: Please enjoy this supersized chapter, it is the longest one I have written to date! I wanted to say a big thank you the all the new followers and everyone took their time to review. Review and follow please!
Hermione awoke to green light filtering into her room. She sighed and sat up, she wasn't sure if she'd ever get used to sleeping beneath a lake. She looked around and noticed she was the first one up. This was not uncommon, especially on school mornings but she figured that a Hogsmeade visit would be an occasion that these girls would beat her to rising. She decided to take advantage of the free restroom and took a quick shower. Once done in the washroom she came out to see they were still sleeping. She cast a quick 'muffliato' on the room as not disturb them and set about getting ready for the day.
She looked through her wardrobe and went to grab her casual slacks when she stilled her hand. This would be the first time she would be seen in a completely casual outing, maybe she should dress up so to speak. She fished through her beaded bag for a bottle of sleakeazy- sad to say it hadn't been invented yet- and used it on her hair to smooth it out. Once done, she dressed in nylons with a knee-length dress. It was not something she'd be caught dead in, in her time but now it was the height of fashion, or so the saleswoman assured her. It was a dark green colour with crème colour buttons along the top half ending at a folded down collar. She wrapped the thin matching crème belt around her waist and paired it with crème kitten heels. Just as she finished doing the straps up she heard a rustling to her left, Druella was finally awake.
Hermione turned her back, now facing the small vanity mirror beside her wardrobe. She drew her wand and began to detangle and dry her hair into loose curls. She thought back to pictures of 40's fashion she had seen and decided to pin on side of her hair away from her face. She summoned a barrette from her wardrobe and transfigured it into something she thought her fellow Slytherins would appreciate. Where it was a simple square silver barrette before, now it was two long thin snakes entwined. They each had glittering emerald eyes, matching her dress.
She turned back around to see Druella fully awake and deciding what to wear for herself. She cleared her throat, " so what do you think?"
Druella looked from her wardrobe to Hermione and her mouth gaped open, "HERMIONE!" she shrieked, "you didn't tell me you could look like that!"
Hermione's eyes widened and she was oddly offended, "is this not okay? I thought it might be too dressy for Hogsmeade."
Druella frantically shook her head, "No Hermione its perfect. You look gorgeous. So refined yet powerful. If you don't have at least 5 marriage inquiries by the end of the day id be shocked."
Hermione paled. Marriage inquires? She was only 15 in this timeline! How could anyone be thinking of that? She shook her head, "Druella you exaggerate."
Druella pulled out a black dress similar to Hermione's and began to get dressed, "No Hermione I don't, we purebloods get marriage contracts early on. You were sheltered from it in France with them all about love over there" Druella rolled her eyes as she pulled out a pair of thin heels and stepped into them, " but here especially with old bloodlines, its commonplace. Walburga and I are already betrothed and Philomena's parents are waiting for her older brothers contract to be finalized to finalize hers to Crockett. Only reason mine was confirmed before Evans is because Cyg is the oldest of his side, it goes by the males see."
She heard two voices of agreement and noticed that Walburga and Philomena had also woke up and began to get dressed at this point. Philomena pulled on a pair of black skinny leg pants and a blue blouse, risqué for this time but with her blonde hair, she looked fabulous. Walburga, ever the proper witch- wore a deep purple dress with a high collar.
Hermione sighed, "I feel like there's so much I don't know about a world I was born into and ripped away from." Playing the part of the damsel they could guide in their ways.
Druella walked over to her and placed an arm around her shoulders, "don't worry Hermione, we will help you. We've said it plenty, it wasn't your fault for your upbringing but you're here now and as your friends, we will help you." The other two nodded in agreement, she even got an actual smile from Walburga. She smiled back, it felt nice to have them acknowledge their friendship. Hermione never really got along with other females and even though they were Slytherins and future mothers to some of her worst enemies, for the time being, she was enjoying the feeling.
The four of them, now ready for the day, grabbed their winter coats and carried them as they walked to the common room. The guys minus Tom, strangely enough, were already there and looked up at hearing them approach. They lazily said their hellos until they noticed Hermione. Their eyes went wide, just as Druella's had and stared.
Hermione began to feel uncomfortable, "what? You act as if I sprouted another head or something. Honestly, I don't just wear school uniforms you know"
Evan, Druella's brother, a 6th year spoke up first, "Not at all, we just have never seen you so … dressed up."
Hermione pouted, "Hey said it wasn't too dressed up! I'm going to have to change now." Hermione turned on her heel and made to walk back to her room. She came into contact with a very solid chest. It happened to belong to Tom.
Tom looked her up and down, "please don't change, you look magnificent."
Hermione could feel a blush creep on to her face, "You don't think it's too much?" she brought her hand up to pat her barrette, willing his gaze to land on the snakes. They did.
He shook his head, "no it's not too much, it's just right, very befitting of a woman of Slytherin."
She smiled coyly at him while suppressing the chills he induced with that statement. The others didn't know that he was the Heir just yet, his words took on a double meaning with that bit of knowledge.
With that settled the group walked out of the common room and towards the front hall where the carriages waited to bring the students to the village. Dumbledore had given his permission for her to go as her guardian and she was thankful for him doing so. Hermione slipped on her coat as they waited for their turn. Her's was long, ending about mid-thigh. It was black with silver buttons and black fur along the collar. She pulled on a simple but stylish black woolen hat and matching gloves.
The group gathered in their carriage and took off down the snow-covered sloping roads. Everyone was planning on which shops to visit first, making a plan for the day. It was decided that they would split up by gender for the first half, met up for lunch then decide who was going with who based on who they still had to buy for. Hermione thought it was a very clever plan, wishing she had thought of it when doing the same thing in her time with Harry and Ron. They had been nearly impossible to buy for.
As they entered the village, Hermione stopped and stared. No matter how many times she visited, Hogsmeade in the winter was beautiful. It was decorated for Christmas, trees, and lights everywhere. A light layer of snow clung to the rooftops making Hermione think of a picturesque snow globe.
With one last wave to each other, both groups separated and walked in opposite directions. The first stop on their trip was the Quidditch supply shop. Hermione rolled her eyes, she could never get away from this store. Despite dreading walking in, she purchased some top of the line Keepers gloves and boom wax for Alton and Chaser equipment for the Orion, Cygnus and Crockett. They then went to the sweet shop where she picked up several different large packages of sweets for Nott, Lestrange, and Mulciber. She didn't know them as well as the other boys but knew that this was a perfectly respectable gift in these circles. She also grabbed several smaller packages to throw in with her other gifts and for teachers. By the time they reached the bookstore, she only had the girls, Abraxus and Tom left. Knowing she'd never find anything for the girls in the bookstore she focused on the last two remaining boys. Abraxus liked herbology, not that he'd let anyone know how much. She found a book entitled "Moste Potent Plants and there Nefarious Uses" and she thought it perfect for him. This left Tom. She browsed and browsed the shelves, Walburga's voice in her head about getting something shed like as well. Hermione stumbled into the back most shelves, a layer of dust seemed to coat everything. A large black leather bound book caught her eye. It was obviously very old, the layer of dust was thickest on this shelf. She took out her wand and gently cleansed the dust of the over. As she read the title she knew it was the book for him, she only hoped it wouldn't be to forward of her. She placed the big black book into her basket and continued to look around the store. She made her book purchases and placed them into the small beaded bag she had brought so no one could peak at what she had bought them. The other girls met up with her at the entrance to the shop and they all walked across to the Three Broomsticks.
Once inside, Hermione saw that the guys already had a large table. Druella, Walburga, and Philomena all sat next to their intended which left the only seat available between Evan and Tom. Everyone spoke about their successes, Hermione giggling as she lamented about finding the perfect gifts for her fellow girls. They all giggled at her behavior, glad she knew how to let loose and have fun as well as studying. As they ate, both Tom and Even pulled her into conversations, mostly about school and the differences between France and here. As soon as she answered one question she was asked another by the other. It felt as if they were fighting for her attention. It was exhausting, so much so that when they were done and both asked her to shop with them she gave a shy smile and told them that they both were still on her list. Since they couldn't argue that they nodded and they all went on their separate gropes. As it turned out, she left with Abraxas.
They walked in the direction of the jewelry shop. Once they entered, Hermione began to look at the hair barrettes. They all had admired her this morning and thought that was a good place to start. She had found three that she felt suited each girl and after an agreeing nod from Abraxas, she bought them. For Philomena, she bought a gold and pearl set. They wrapped around a green jade leaf looking ethereal, perfect for the willowy girl. For Walburga, Hermione knew how much the house of black meant to her so she got her a set that reminded her of the family crest, it was two crossed wands and she had the jeweler quickly add a Raven with its wings spread across the two wands. It was clearly more a status piece that a functional hair accessory but she knew she'd love it anyway. Druella was a bit harder to pick one out for. In the end, she settled on an elaborate rose and vine design. It was longer than the others, it would settle long the back her neck but it looked to be winding through her hair with roses delicately placed along the vine.
Abraxas looked impressed, "those are actually very thoughtful Granger, and they match their personalities perfectly."
Hermione smiled. Knowing the Malfoy's from her time she knew how hard it was for them to give a compliment so she took it, "Thank you Abraxas. I am going to get them a quill and ink set to go along with them."
He nodded again and lead the way to the stationary store. Once inside it was easy to pick up a set for each girl, a dark purple, almost black for Druella, dark green for Walburga and a silver with light green flecks for Philomena. She looked around the store, still needing something for Evan. She came across a brown leather book bag. Hermione took a deep breath, smelling the genuine leather of the bag. She decided to get this for Even, she'd use her wand to inscribe his initials on it to make it more personal. She also picked up a journal and quill set for Professor Dumbledore, the cover showed the constellations in real time and a dark purple quill that had tiny silver and gold fleck to mimic starlight. She also picked him a package of novelty socks, each with a different day of the week and colour scheme. She smiled to herself as she recounted the story Harry told her about the mirror and what Dumbledore said he saw.
As she was walking towards the register she noticed a sleek black journal with matching black silver-tipped quill. The black leather matched the cover of the book she had bought Tom and decided on a whim to get it for him as well.
She bought her items and placed them into her beaded bag again before walking with Abraxas to the entrance of the village. Most of the group was already there, waiting for the carriages that could carry them up to the castle.
The last to join the group was Tom and Evan, coming from different directions just as a carriage pulled up in front of them. Hermione smiled at Tom in greeting, turning around to enter the carriage. The ride up to the castle was filled with people excitedly stating they could wait until Christmas to see everyone's reactions.
This conversation turned to discuss what everyone was doing for the holidays. Everyone, as it turned out, was heading home. That is everyone but Hermione and Tom. She told them, as Dumbledore was her guardian it would make sense she would stay with him. They nodded in agreement. They reached the castle and all piled out. They walked briskly to the common room to deposit their gifts before dinner was held in the Great hall.
As they sat in the dining hall, Evan was trying to pull Hermione into a conversation. She wasn't used to this but tried to be polite and engage as much as possible. Tom was silent through the meal and on the way back to the Common room afterward.
Much like every other homework-free night, they sat by the fire and idly chatted. Tonight's topic was still Christmas and going home. Hermione tried to stay, to be polite to her friends but it got too much and she excused herself. She exited the porthole and began to wander. Her feet seemed to have a mind of their own and took her to the 7th floor where the room of requirement was. She realized she still had her beaded bag on her so she figured she might as well wrap her gifts while she was alone so she imagined a room full of gift wrapping supplies and when she opened her eyes a door had materialized.
She entered and couldn't help but gasp. The room was every crafter's dream. Rolls of wrapping paper and ribbing lined the walls by a large desk. All kinds of differently shaped scissors and tape dispensers sat along the wall, waiting to be used. The smiled and got to work.
Even gift wrapping was strategically planned out when you were Hermione Granger. She summoned all her gifts and sorted them by who they were for. She began with the candy for the boys. She wrapped them each in black paper with elaborate green ribbons and silver name tags. Her elegant script writing each of their names and indicating it was from her.
For each of the girls, she decided to group the gifts together. She put each of their items into one gift box. She then wrapped the box in black wrapping paper and charmed the green ribbons to look like snakes making a loop around the box mouth to tail.
For Abraxas, she figured he wasn't the type to care for elaborate. He was much more the simple and classy taste. She wrapped his book and candy in simple green paper and used darker green ribbons.
She got to Evans gift and took out her wand. The bag had one large main pocket and two smaller pockets on the outside. She took her wand to the space in-between the two smaller pockets just under the handle and inscribed his initials in darker brown script. She looked at her work and was happy with it. She wrapped his up also in black paper but used silver ribbon to secure the package.
When she noticed Dumbledore's gift a smile spread on her face again. She wrapped the journal and socks together in an Easter basket fashion, laying them in the middle of a large square of paper and folding the corners up. The paper, red and gold, of course, she charmed to flicker like the flame feathers of a phoenix.
Last was Toms. She wrapped the book in tissue paper and laid it down flat in a larger gift box, she placed the journal in next but took it back out and looked at it again. She felt it very plain, even for Toms tastes. Her eye caught Evans wrapped gift and got an idea. She turned it over and in brilliant gold lettering, she inscribed his full name on the back. She knew how much it meant to someone to feel like they had something that was just theirs in a time of uncertainty. She wrapped that in tissue paper as well and placed it on top of the book. She laid the quill set and assorted candies on top and secured the lid. She wrapped the box in dark green paper that looked to be a dark marble pattern. She thought it was rather pretty.
Once she was done with finishing addressing each gift she carefully moved them back into her bag. She walked back to the common room and upon entering she noticed only one person was still up.
As always Tom sat on the couch across from the green flames flickering in the fireplace, deep in thought. She hesitated for a moment but decided to go sit next to him.
It took him a few seconds to address her, " you were gone for a while."
She nodded, even though he wasn't looking at her, " can you keep my confidence about something Tom?"
He looked up from the flames, " Of course Hermione, you never have to doubt that."
The sincerity in his eyes and voice made her momentarily forget who he was going to become, " I act as if the holiday isn't bugging me but with everyone talking about their holiday plans it got a little much. I had to take a walk and distract myself. Strangely enough, I distracted myself by wrapping all my gifts so at least that's all done." She cracked a smile, "I just couldn't keep up the facade of being strong." She whispered the last part.
But he had heard her. He looked to be thinking for a while, "you don't always have to be strong Hermione. Every once in a while something gets too much for all of us and we need to deal with it."
Hermione sighed, " I just kept thinking about the traditions I had with my parents and how I won't get to do them this year. Then I think of every year I took those silly traditions for granted and I just feel guilty for surviving."
Tom looked to be trying to choose his next words carefully, " AS someone who never had those family moments I find it hard to empathize, but I do know what it feels like to be around everyone talking about something you don't have. You want to know what helps me get through it."
She nodded shyly, not willing to bring her head up as she could feel tears threating to spill.
He continued, " I just think that one day I am going to have a family of my own and I can create any silly tradition I want. It helps to know that I am not without indefinitely just temporarily.
Hermione had to work to cover her immense shock. Nowhere in her journal or dealings with Tom had she ever even thought of him wanting a family. The notion just seemed so foreign to her that she couldn't process it. Of course, this was going on in her head.
Outwardly she nodded, "I never thought of it that way. I'd like to pass on some of my traditions as well as make new ones."
He turned his body to face her, " What were some of your traditions you'd do with your parents?"
She thought back to all her muggle Christmases and smiled, "Well in my family you get to open one gift on Christmas Eve but that gift was always the same. New pajamas and a storybook. That was because the next tradition was changing into those pajamas and reading the books as a family, usually my dad reading to all of us until we fell asleep in the living room. Then in the morning, we'd wake up and the first thing we'd see is the tree with presents underneath. It really was magical." She laughed at her choice of words.
He had a blank look on his face, almost as if he was forcing a mask, " that sounds very nice Hermione, do you mind if I steal that tradition one day?" His voice was small, showing a hint of the child he actually was.
She smiled, " of course Tom, traditions are meant to be passed on."
They sat in a comforting silence before her yawns took over, " I am going to go to bed now. Good night. Oh, and Tom, thanks for the talk it was really nice to let it all out to someone who understands."
He smiled and waved good night and turned back around to face the fire. Hermione crawled into her bed and fell asleep almost immediately. She didn't witness the small yet sad smile on the boy's face as he gazed into the fire and imagined children looking up at him as he read in front of that very fire. Curiously enough those children had warm brown eyes.