As always I would like to thank MissRissa81 and for this chapter I would also like to thank my twin, Katalina Riddle for all of their encouragement and pushing me to keep writing when I feel myself losing my motivation. Thank you so much ladies xx

Sorry for the late update! My writing mojo has been gone for a bit but it is back at the moment so I'm going to try and get some more written before it decides it doesn't like me anymore!

Hope you enjoy loves xx

December 5, 1938

Astraea Nott, in her glory, stood before the fireplace of her family's den waiting for the Headmaster to Floo call her. She had written him a letter asking if he was available for a call and they had set a time. Eleven O'clock on Monday morning and he was late.

The Nott family was not one to be kept waiting, but they always made an exception for the Headmaster, especially now that their children were attending Hogwarts.

As she was about to take a seat in the wingback armchair, the floo came to life and out of the fireplace came the headmaster.

"Ahhh. Astraea, it's been a while. I thought instead of simply calling I'd come through and see what you needed from me." Professor Dippet said with a smile.

"Please do sit down, would you like tea or anything?"

"No, thank you, my dear. What can I do for you?"

Folding her hands in her lap, as she sat down, she said, "Myself and Theodore, are finding ourselves without the children for the first Christmas since they were born, and we were wondering seeing as they are staying at the school to keep their friend, Tom company if we could come to the Village and they come down to us?"

"Oh, of course, Astraea. We simply need a time and place and we can escort them down."

"I was also wondering if it wasn't much trouble that is if Tom could come down as well? I don't want to leave the poor boy alone. That is all" she said looking down at her lap, having learned how to get her way along time ago.

"As long as he says he wants to, I don't see why we can't make an exception." The headmaster said quickly.

"Oh. I wanted it to be a surprise for him, I couldn't imagine he's seen much kindness. Living in that horrible orphanage. I went and checked it out myself." Grasping her hand to her chest, "It was so poverty ridden. The poor children."

Headmaster Dippet looked saddened, "Of course, Astraea, get the children on board and I'll bring them down personally."

Standing she moved to grasp his hand, "Thank you so much, for obliging us, Headmaster."

"Not a worry, my dear. Now that we have this sorted I must be off back to the school. Lots to do in preparation for Christmas. I'll see you on the day." One last shake of her hand and a bow and he was swishing away through the fireplace.

Grabbing the prepared letter she had written, knowing he would allow her request she walked over to the family owl and tied it to its talon. Sending it on its way, she smiled. Hermione was going to be ecstatic when she got the news.

oOo

Hermione hadn't expected any mail that morning, she and her mother had already written their weekly letter so when the family owl flew in at lunchtime, she was extremely surprised.

Hoping everything was okay she quickly tore into the letter. Tom seeing her distracted stare gave the family owl a rasher of bacon off his plate and sent it on its way. "Is everything okay, Hermione?"

"Hmm?" She said as she slowly read through the letter making sure to keep it from everyone's sight.

"I said, is everything okay? You don't usually get the mail this late in the day." Tom said sounding concerned.

"Oh.. yes everything is perfect." She said as she folded the letter and passed it to Theodore for him to read. Pulling out a piece of her own parchment she wrote back to her mother and smiled up at the Headmaster, who had been watching her and smiled back.

"Hermione, why are you so happy?" He asked.

"Oh. Mother simply asked if we thought it might be a good idea to come down to Hogsmeade on Christmas Day." She said, happiness bubbling from her.

"Oh. That sounds really nice of them to come up here and see you guys." Trying not to sound too disappointed that he would be left alone for a bit on Christmas after getting used to the fact he was going to have them around.

Hermione not wanting to ruin the surprise until the day simply replied, "Oh yes. It's going to be an amazing Christmas this year." And stopped at that. Picking her lunch back up, she would send the letter after lunch if time permitted.

Christmas for the young Slytherins was going to be fun indeed, it was nice of her parents to think of Tom when they had decided to come up to the village instead of spending it at home with their siblings.

December 16, 1938

Hermione sat on her bed for the first time since coming to Hogwarts, a book on Ravenclaws descendants lain out before her and a sullen expression on her face. Every day she had tried to get Tom to research with her but he had claimed he wanted to bond with their other housemates.

It was since she had received the letter from her mother about spending Christmas in Hogsmeade and him not being included. He was upset about it but wouldn't tell her.

Hermione had bonded with Aldrich a lot over the last few weeks as he was the only one besides her twin that had time for her.

She knew it had only been a few months since she met Tom on the platform, but they had spent every day together since then and now they were separated she didn't know what to do.

The research she had started with him had come back to her and she had so much to tell him, but only a few hours where he would talk to her and that was during class. She couldn't wait for Christmas for him to know he will be included and to stop his moodiness. They had promised they would spend the day with him and they wouldn't break that.

Hermione couldn't take the silence so she had distanced herself and found distractions on the weekends, instead of seeing him only hang out with the others.

Today she had found more about the secret room and the fact it was a library and there was a wand in it that supposedly belonged to the founder herself. Excitement over this discovery lasted but a few seconds not having anyone to share it with, so she packed her books up and decided to find Aldrich.

Finding him sitting alone in the Common Room wasn't a surprise, Tom hadn't liked them hanging out so didn't include him much.

Letting herself fall on the lounge next to him, not so gracefully she heard a chuckle, "So what's the dramatics for today? Tom still icing you out for whatever you did to him?"

"Only for a few more days when he figures out it was all to be nice. Then you'll be rid of me and my dramatics." Hermione said with a smile.

"How's about we not get rid of each other and still hang out, even if he does forgive you?"

"I'd like that. I'd like that a lot." Laying her head on his shoulder and reading the book sitting on his lap, she smiled. Another Shakespeare book. And not just any. The one from which her name came from.

Reading along with him, they spent hours together talking about the different times of old and didn't notice when the others came back.

Hearing Tom growl slightly was a shock, but Hermione ignored it. He was the one icing her out not the other way around.

Feeling someone sit next to her, she looked over to see Theodore. "Why don't you tell him? He's obviously upset about it. Why don't you break this argument and tell him that he's coming too?"

"Because when I tried he walked away from me, Theo." Nodding in understanding, her twin leant his head on her shoulder.

"Is Aldrich reading The winter's tale?"

"Yeah, yeah he is. I found him reading it a few hours ago and we've been reading and discussing it together."

"He seems like he has the same taste as you?" He asked.

"He does, these last few weeks have made us closer too," Hermione said. Still leaning on his shoulder, not caring about the death stare she was receiving from the other lounge.

"It's good to have someone who likes the same things," Theo said. Smiling that his sister was blatantly ignoring Tom.

It wouldn't be long and they'd be back in each other's pockets but this small war was fun to see for Theo and the others.

December 19, 1938

Theo and Aldrich watched as Hermione stared off into space, at first the interactions between Tom and Hermione after the letter had come and she had excluded him, had been funny. But then as the days got closer to Christmas and they still hadn't made up Hermione got worse and worse. She hadn't talked to them in days, and if she did say something it was usually quick and then she went back to her quiet spot and ignored everyone.

Tom was no better, the closer it got to Christmas Day, the worse he got. His moods were like a bomb waiting to go off and he had been in three fights with Gryffindors in the last few days. Normally they wouldn't mind but he was losing points, getting detention and he was taking his moods out on them as well.

Theo and Aldrich talked quietly together, knowing the one way to get the moodiness settled and that was for Hermione to tell Tom what exactly the letter had said.

"Hermione, please tell him. For the sake of all of Slytherin. Please. We are begging you." Aldrich said as he plopped down beside her and Theo sat on the other side.

"He wasn't meant to get angry with me." She replied sullenly, already laying her head on his shoulder.

"I know, you wanted to surprise him. But it's been weeks since you've talked to each other and I hate seeing you like this." Theo said.

"What am I meant to do?"

"Give him the letter, show him you're not only saying it to placate him." Her brother said.

"I don't even know where it is anymore."

Theo pulled a crinkled bit of parchment from his pocket, "Here, I've kept it on me since you handed it over. Now go give it to him and end this fight."

"Okay. I'll be back." She said, standing she moved out of the Common Room and to the library where Tom had sequestered himself nearly every day since the fight started.

Walking up to the table they usually sat at, she laid the letter on the table and said, "Read that."

Once he had scowled at her, she walked back through the school and down to the Dungeons to sit back between Aldrich and Theo.

An hour later, they looked up at the sound of the Common Room door opening, and in came Tom.

Watching him walk over until he stood in front of Hermione, kicking his toes into the ground slightly, "I'm… ah… sorry, Hermione. I didn't realise you were trying to surprise me."

"And…." Aldrich prompted.

"I'm sorry for being an idiot and treating you like shit. You didn't deserve how I've treated you and everyone over the last few weeks." He said to Hermione even with a scowl pointed in Aldrich's direction.

"That's okay Tom, please don't treat me like that again. I've hated being on the outs with you."

"Of course, I'll talk to you about it more. Um. Am I still welcome for Christmas?" He asked sheepishly.

"You are. I was still going to come and bring you to Headmaster Dippet even if you were angry with me. No one deserves to be alone on Christmas." Theo and Aldrich agreed with a smile and Tom sat opposite them.

December 25, 1938

Christmas morning and Hermione raced through the Common Room, not even giving the boys a chance to cover up before she barged into their room. Luckily they were all decent and starting to stir. Theo, Tom and Aldrich were the only three first years left behind, the others had gone home two days before so that meant Hermione could sleep in there if she wanted to but she had gotten used to her room and loved it. Even if she was the only girl left. It was peaceful without them.

"WAKE UP BOYS IT'S CHRISTMAS!" She shouted as she jumped on Theo's bed, jostling him awake. The other two rolled over and squinted at her.

"Theo put a sock in her mouth, I'm enjoying my sleep," Aldrich commented and regretted it a minute later when she jumped on him and ruffled his hair.

"Time to get up so we can get down to the Village. Your parents gave permission for you to come down as well, so get up and get ready I want to see my parents and siblings and open presents." Hermione rambled.

Rushing over to Tom who had pulled his quilt over his head and tried to block her out. Reefing it off of him, she pushed him out of bed.

"So you are one of those Christmas freaks?" Tom said grumpily.

"Always has been. As soon as the sun was up she was waking us up and pushing us into the den." Theo said as he pulled his Christmas sweater over his head. "It's better to go with it and hurry, otherwise she gets worse."

With that, Hermione left the room mumbling about boys being arses and went and made sure she had all her presents ready to take down to the village.

When the boys shouted they were ready, she moved back into the main common room and pushed them out the door.

Headmaster Dippet was sitting in the Great Hall talking to some of the Professors and when they entered he stood and walked to the four Slytherins, "Okay, let's go! Your family is waiting down in the family cottage here."

The walk was brisk and they didn't waste time as the cold was biting on their skin. When they reached the wards of the cottage, Hermione and Theo held their wands up and they dropped.

Tom's jaw dropped agape, "This is a cottage?"

"It's a little bit smaller than the one in Italy but we love it."

"I've seen 'cottages' and this isn't a cottage this is more a townhouse!" Tom said putting emphasis on the word cottage.

"Come inside and see the rest!"

Hermione walked up to the door and knocked. A house elf answered and pushed them in, "Comes on, young mistress and masters it's freezing out there."

"Hello, Marlee! Merry Christmas! Is everyone in the family room?" Theo spoke up.

"Yes master, they is waiting for you!" She said in a squeaky voice, "and Merry Christmas!"

"Ahh, you've finally arrived. We thought Hermione would have had you here hours ago" an older gentleman said with a wink. "I'm Theodore Snr, this is my wife Astraea, and our other children Penelope and Tereus. Thank you so much for bringing the kids down, Headmaster Dippet! Would you like anything?"

"Ah it was my pleasure, and no thank you I better get back to the rest of the children, I'll see you at the gates at Seven pm." He said with a smile, shaking the adults' hands and waving to the kids he walked back out with a "Merry Christmas" chucked over his shoulder.

"Mother, Father, Pene and Tere, this is Tom and Aldrich!" Hermione pointed each person in the room out as she said their names.

Hugs were shared around, hot cocoa brought by Marlee and presents were opened. The children laughing with each other and playing with their new presents.

The day went by quickly and in what felt like no time at all, they were headed back to the castle.

"Merry Christmas kids, we will see you at Easter." Theodore Snr said. Leaving them with the Headmaster they walked back to the cottage.

As the four young Slytherins returned to the Common Room they decided it was time to relax and Hermione asked if she could come to their room for the night.

Agreeing they all went into the boy's room and laid around on the floor, close together.

"Merry Christmas guys," Hermione said.

"Merry Christmas, Hermione." They chorused.

Tom fell asleep with a smile on his face, the first real Christmas he had experienced had been beyond expectations and he only hoped he could experience many more.

December 30, 1938

Hermione, Tom, Aldrich and Theodore stood in the common room, watching the older students rush around making sure charms were placed over the punch bowls to not allow tampering. They had apparently been doing this for years, making sure the younger years were protected while they tried to enjoy the night.

Tom had been kinder since Christmas, he felt included in things and The Notts had told him if he needed anything to let them know, he was a friend of their children so he was family. Tomorrow was his birthday and it was weird knowing he'd have people to spend it with.

Hermione had already planned that they would all spend the day in the Common Room, in their designated area and that her parents were sending something along for him.

He didn't know what to say, what do you say when people you barely know are giving you presents? He was grateful, yes. But he wasn't used to it. Never had he had anyone notice or remember his birthday but these guys and their parents were completely different. They remembered the small things.

All the Slytherins knew he wanted to spend his time quietly on Friday's and they respected that.

The clock struck midnight as he was stuck in his thoughts and all the Slytherins moved to him, wishing him a happy birthday and Hermione and the other first years started to move to their area.

"We brought some of the presents out tonight for you to open, tomorrow you can have the ones from the others and my parents," Theo spoke.

"You guys didn't have to do this, you know that right?" He asked quietly.

"We know, Tom," Aldrich said.

"Happy Birthday Tom!" Hermione said sitting beside him so she could hand him his presents, Aldrich sat on the other side of her.

"Thank you, guys."

Like it always was with them. Tom, Hermione and Aldrich with Theo following behind.

Tom knew even though a bit of envy that her time wasn't only his anymore, that he would have to get used to it and not make anything of it.

Hermione collected her people and Tom and Aldrich were the main two.

Hope you enjoyed, thank you for reading xxx