The next two weeks became routine. On week days Hermione would finish classes, study and have dinner with Minerva and weekends she would study and eat with the rest of the school. She was embarrassed to tell Ginny where she was most of the time, not because she was spending it with a teacher, but because she was beginning to enjoy it. The tabby cat wasn't around as often, and Hermione supposed that was because she wasn't there to let it in most nights, but when she was at her lowest, the creature always seemed to know and be there for her. She confided that she was enjoying her teacher's company and that seemed to please the cat who rubbed its head up under her chin.
School was coming to an end for the semester and Hermione was confused about how she felt. She was just as depressed as before, but at least she knew she wasn't as alone as she had originally believed. Now she had Minerva. Even though Ginny, Luna and the rest of the student body would be leaving for the holidays tomorrow, the Gryffindor was able to dull the loneliness by thinking about sitting with McGonagall and what she'd get the headmistress for Christmas. Maybe she could even introduce the tabby (which was now purring contentedly on her lap) to the woman who she knew loved felines.
-/-
The day for the students to depart for the holidays came quickly, and while most of them were excited to be leaving, Hermione's friends Luna and Ginny felt worried about her.
"Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?" Ginny asked again. She had wanted Hermione to go home with her, brother be damned, but Mrs Weasley hadn't thought that to be a very good idea even if she did love the girl.
"I'll be fine," Hermione answered. She didn't sound so sure- she sounded tired and snappy, but Ginny had grown used to it.
"You could always come home with me. We could make ornaments to keep the Santa Claus at bay." Luna had offered a dozen times, but Hermione didn't think she could face Mr Lovegood again. Not yet anyway.
"I can't, Luna. You know why."
"My father is sorry, you know." Luna said, hurt.
Hermione sighed. "I know, but I'm just not comfortable with spending a week with him."
Ginny and Luna shared a look that irritated Hermione, but she didn't say anything.
"What will you do?" Ginny knew the answer but felt she had to ask.
"Study. I'll be okay, really. Some of the teachers will still be here so I won't be completely alone."
She tried to persuade them she would be okay, but even she wasn't so sure of that. She didn't feel fine, but she refused to admit it.
The head carriage driver announced they were leaving and Ginny and Luna boarded their carriage. Hermione said farewell to her friends as the thestrals began to pull away from the castle gates. Watching until they disappeared from sight, she let herself sigh, wrapping her arms around her waist to combat the cold and the sudden isolation she hadn't expected to rattle her. Even though she didn't spend as much time with the other students, knowing they were there if she really needed them had kept her anchored.
"Hermione." Minerva's familiar, warming lilt was welcoming and friendly. The girl turned to face the woman who seemed much warmer in her knitted layers.
Hermione smiled, genuinely glad to see her. "You came to say goodbye to everyone," she said.
"Of course. Hogwarts feels too quiet without the students in it."
"I thought they said they were too noisy," Hermione pointed out.
"They are, but it's nice to have them around. They make the castle feel more alive." They both looked at the tall, dark building. It did seem more daunting than usual and not nearly as cheerful.
They began to walk back, their feet crunching in the thick layer of snow. Hermione slid on a patch of ice and McGonagall offered her arm. The girl was pleasantly surprised to find just how warm it was close to her teacher's thin frame and almost huddled against the icy breezes. She was so comfortable and so at home that she felt herself relaxing.
As they walked their spattering of conversation turned towards past Christmases. They spoke about the holidays Hermione had gone on with her parents and McGonagall told her about the comfort of spending the holiday with Dumbledore, who had been as close to family as anything. The teenager fell silent, filled with the regret that she wouldn't even have her substitute family (the Weasleys) this year.
"Even if I can't see my parents, I wish I could be with Harry on Christmas. But he'll be with them and I'll be here." Her teeth chattered. "It's not fair."
"There's a lot that isn't fair." Answered McGonagall. "Hermione, why don't you spent Christmas at my home? It won't be as cheery as the Weasley's, but at least we won't be alone."
The offer startled Hermione who didn't answer immediately. She had never heard of anyone being invited to MacGonagall Manor. She hesitated for a moment, but didn't need to think about the answer.
"Okay," she said surely, "I'd love to."
Minerva nodded with just a slight curve to her lips although inside she was beaming.
