V. Gift

Hermione had never been happier for the arrival of Christmas break in her life. Of course, it was a short retreat from her studies and the constant presence of her dorm-mates, but more importantly, it meant that she didn't have to see Ron and Lavender together. The pain was killing her, the sharp ache in her heart almost refusing to subside. Even dropping her gaze when they entered the room didn't work anymore, it was like the image of them had been burned into the back of her eyelids. It became a routine, biting back the tears and leaving the room. Sometimes heading to the showers, letting the warm water wash away the overwhelming rush of emotion and longing. Christmas came at a time when Hermione was certain that she was moments away from snapping, an unwelcome cliffhanger ended.

She still didn't talk to Ron much, so much anger and rage had settled right on the tip of her tongue, threatening to reveal her deepest secrets from a simple conversation with the redhead. Of course, everyone thought she was simply pining over Ron and upset that he didn't seem to notice her as a girl. Hermione wasn't sure if she liked the mass belief in such falsehoods, but she couldn't just turn around and say that she was in love with Lavender, not Ron. They wouldn't understand.

Christmas, for Hermione, was a wonderful relief, but she couldn't help but feel that twinge of longing, of loneliness. She missed Lavender dearly, missed watching her wake up every morning, they way she said her name when she greeted her good morning, even listening to her gossip with Parvati. She missed it all. It was in a moment when Hermione was missing the blonde more than usual that she discovered a small, wrapped box mixed in with the clothes in her trunk.

Delicately, she began to unwrap it, almost afraid to rip the neat, blue wrapping paper it was packaged in. Inside the box were two things, a note and a small necklace. The pendant was some sort of clear gem that Hermione didn't recognize, cut in the most elegant double-pyramid shape and hung horizontally on a silver chain. Gently, she held it up to catch the sunlight streaming in through Ginny's bedroom window. It was a gorgeous piece. Immediately, Hermione clasped the necklace around the back of her neck, the pendant hanging comfortably at her clavicle. It brought a smile to her features, a genuine one, something that hadn't happened in a while.

Next, Hermione gently pulled the folded note from the inside of the lid, unfolding it to reveal careful handwriting.

I know you like solving puzzles, so I'm sure you'll discover what type of crystal that is soon enough.

Merry Christmas,

Lavender

The note was short, but it meant so much more to Hermione than she could've imagined. Lavender had hidden a gift in her things, a very exceptional and beautiful gift, one that she'd actually taken time to pick out, just for her. The consistent taste of pain on her tongue was ousted with a feeling of hope, a new wave of happiness. Lavender wouldn't have gotten her something like this unless she cared about her, and Hermione couldn't help but hope that it was romance she was looking for. In that moment, she didn't particularly care, she was merely basking in the feeling of happiness that had been devoid in her life for months.

The door opened with a squeak and Hermione quickly stashed the note and box back inside her trunk. Ginny shot her an odd look as she stood up and turned to face her, smile still on her face.

"That's a pretty necklace. Where'd you get it?" Ginny asked.

"It was a gift." Hermione answered truthfully, her need to lie slain by joy.

"From who?"

"It's really none of your business, Ginny." Hermione answered playfully, walking out of the room.

"Oh come on Hermione, please tell me who fancies you enough to buy you something like that!"

"Figure it out for yourself!" Hermione shot back as she began to walk down the stairs, knowing full well that Ginny would never guess Lavender. Hell, she probably wouldn't even guess a girl. And she knew that while Ginny spent the rest of her break trying to solve the mystery of Hermione's admirer, she would in turn spend the remaining break solving the puzzle so carefully chosen for her.