Hermione awoke thoroughly confused and with pains in her neck. She was still sitting on a bench in Kensington Gardens. For reasons she couldn't quite fathom, before she opened her eyes moments ago, she had imagined Draco Malfoy to be sitting next to her. Her eyes open now, she turned beside her to make quite sure that he wasn't really next to her. Instead was Ginny's present, with a note attached to it:

Granger,

You left this book behind – interior designing? And here I thought you'd actually accomplish something worthwhile.

You should take more care of your belongings, and also try not to fall asleep in a clearly public place – anyone could have stolen something from you or quite possibly even kidnapped you. Good to know you're still dubious and senseless as ever when it comes to matters of personal safety.

DM

For a few seconds, Hermione had actually been pleasantly surprised and grateful that Malfoy had returned her book. That feeling soon passed as she read the rest of the note. Malfoy had the uncanny ability to annoy just about anyone on the planet. He was an insufferable snob who thought he knew the universe's secrets, and he alone was the key to success. Hermione had no doubts that his own parents must have hated him from time to time. Immediately after thinking this, Hermione repented. His parents were dead, of course. They had been for years.

"You were gone for a while, Hermione," Harry said to her as she stepped in through the grand entrance.

"I fell asleep at the Gardens in London," Hermione apologized, carrying her things up the stairway, "Would you lend me a hand?"

Harry rushed up the stairs, taking a majority of the things from Hermione's arms and Apparated to Hermione's room and back. He returned empty-handed and with a lovely smirk on his face.

"Don't look at me that way, Harry. I forget how useful magic can be sometimes," Hermione said, pulling on Harry's ear playfully.

"Hermione!" Ron called from the top of the staircase, "You're finally back! You've only been gone all day; I thought this get-together was supposed to be about getting together."

"Well, forgive me for buying you lot Christmas presents. I can always return your present, if you'd like," said Hermione, her hands on her hips.

"Come off it, woman. I love presents," Ron teased, "But I also love being able to see my best friend from time to time too, you know."

"Everyone loves me," Hermione laughed.

Harry and Ron tickled her sides, teasing her. Hermione was particularly susceptible to tickling, as her sides were so sensitive. She laughed and swatted at the two of them, enjoying the moment.

"We don't laugh enough anymore," Harry commented.

"We don't see each other anymore!" Hermione added, looping her arms through Harry and Ron's. She led them into her bedroom and they all flopped down on her bed, taking in deep breaths and enjoying the merriment of the Christmas season and being back together again. The Golden Trio.

"So what are we doing tonight?" Hermione asked, "It's Christmas Eve, after all."

"I thought we'd head into the city," said Harry, "Surrey can get a bit boring."

"Lovely!" Hermione cried, "There's so much to do. We can see the lights show in Leicester Square, and have some drinks at The Purple Bar. It's a Muggle joint but it's absolutely lovely. The atmosphere is so intimate and fun."

Harry only nodded sleepily, "Whatever you say. I know nothing of the London hot spots."

Ron was already snoring on Hermione's other side. Hermione untangled herself from Ron and Harry's arms and made her way out of the bedroom, not before tucking them in and kissing them each gently on the cheeks. She laughed to herself, wondering what they'd say when they woke up next to each other in the same bed.

She took advantage of this time to Apparate to Ginny's place in London and see how she was holding up. She arrived outside of her town house and performed the necessary spells to enter through the front door.

"Gin?" Hermione called up the stairs. "Gin, it's Hermione. Are you upstairs?"

Hermione heard Ginny sniffle from down the hallway, "No, I'm in the kitchen."

Hermione made her way to the kitchen and found Ginny slumping in her seat, reading The Quidditch Essential.

She looked up at Hermione, a blank look in her eyes. "Bulgaria won against Spain last night. Krum managed to catch the snitch within the hour."

Hermione flinched. Ginny's tone was completely emotionless and her face was stoic. Also, she had mentioned Viktor Krum. Something she was explicitly told not to do ever again when Hermione and Krum ended their relationship during the War.

"How's Viktor doing?" Hermione asked wearily.

"Ask him yourself. Send him a letter or something, you don't have to shut him out of your life completely," Ginny said harshly.

Hermione flinched again, "Ginny, don't take out your anger on me. I'm only here because I care about you and I want to make sure you're okay."

"Don't be so self-righteous," spat Ginny, "You're not so perfect."

Hermione was taken aback and furious, "Ginevra Weasley, I came here because you're my friend and I care about what happens to you. I don't care how pissy you feel, that doesn't give you the right to take it all out on someone who's done nothing but be nice to you and care for you."

Ginny paused, and a minute later let out a horrible sob. Her small shoulders were shaking and her hair was quivering beneath her. She wailed and screamed incoherently, all the while letting out those horrible sobs.

Hermione ran to her, wrapping her arms around her, hushing her with soothing words.

"Why doesn't he like me?" Ginny sobbed, "We were so perfect in my 5th year. My life was so perfect. He was mine and I could kiss him whenever I liked."

"Ginny, he hasn't gone anywhere, he's just figuring his life out," Hermione reassured.

"I'm sick of waiting for him!" cried Ginny, "I'm sick of waiting for my life to get back together. I want everything to go back to normal."

Hermione had no idea what to say to the hysterical girl. She was clearly more hurt than she had ever let on before. This sudden break-down went deeper than her problems with Harry.

"I've always been the last child, the last girl of the family. I always got boys' hand-me-downs and I was always taken for granted. Harry was the best thing that ever happened to me. He made me forget about Tom, hell he even saved me from Tom. Harry and I belong together, Hermione, we belong together! I thought I'd never be able to get over Tom, but I could!"

Hermione's face went perfectly white. "Tom?" she whispered, terrified.

"Tom!" Ginny wailed, "Tom! I was so hopelessly in love with him! I tried so hard to get him back, to be with him again! I didn't think I could live without him in my life, and all I wanted was to be with him!"

Hermione was becoming more terrified by the minute. She had absolutely no idea Ginny still thought about Tom, 14 years after the fiasco. She stiffened under Ginny's weight, suddenly wanting to leave this kitchen, leave this frightening girl.

"Ginny, Tom Riddle was Voldemort," Hermione said, "He was Voldemort."

"I know, I know! But he wasn't like You-Know-Who. He was sweet, caring, kind, handsome, and absolutely perfect," Ginny said dreamily, clearly not herself anymore.

"Ginny, stop!" Hermione pleaded.

"Harry changed everything. He was a real person. He was solid and alive and real. I knew I loved him the moment he saved my life. He saved me! I knew I'd never love anyone else the way I loved him, and I vowed to wait for him for the rest of my life.

"It happened eventually. In my 5th year, I kissed Harry James Potter. I didn't think my life could get any better. I had the perfect boyfriend and he made me forget all about Tom Riddle. But then Harry broke up with me at Dumbledore's funeral. I told him I'd be all right, that I expected this break-up, but I lied. I lied straight through my teeth. I knew I'd never be the same again. I'd never be the same again."

Ginny had stopped sobbing, and was now only sniffling. She laid her head on Hermione's shoulder, small tears still squeezing out of her eyes. Hermione stayed with her until she was assured that Ginny was alright again. She stayed for an hour, smoothing her hair and rocking her back and forth in her lap.

Clearly Ginny's problems were a lot more complicated than any one had thought.

"Finally, Hermione," Ron said, awake and ready for the night.

"Oh and Hermione," Harry said, "I'd like you to know I really hate you for leaving me in the same bed as Ron. I was thoroughly disgusted, waking up to Ronald Weasley."

Hermione didn't have the heart to laugh. She smiled at the two of them, trying to hide her worries and concerns.

They Apparated to Leicester Square, fifteen minutes before the lights show was to start. Harry wandered off to find some drinks, leaving Hermione with Ron. This was exactly the opportunity she had been waiting for.

"There's something very wrong with Ginny," Hermione said.

Ron looked at her startled, "What? Is she alright?"

"No," Hermione said, shaking her head, "She's absolutely not alright. She's a mess. I went to see her when you and Harry were asleep and if you'll allow me to be so frank, she scared the bloody hell out of me. She was rambling on about Tom Riddle, and how she was completely in love with him."

Ron was alarmed, "Tom Riddle? And you left her alone!"

"I stayed with her until she fell asleep, and I laid her on her bed. I cast protective spells around her bed and I put up wards around her house. She's safe, Ron. I think we should go back to her tonight, though. I don't want her to be alone all night," Hermione said, on the verge of tears.

"Are you going to tell Harry?" Ron said, clearly distraught and apprehensive.

"No, he doesn't need or deserve to know. Ginny probably wouldn't want him to know either," Hermione said.

"We'll go see her right after drinks tonight," Ron settled.

When Harry returned, Hermione and Ron immediately ceased their discussion, and pretended to laugh. Hermione had a feeling Harry wasn't falling for their façade. He was an accomplished Auror for a reason, and he was either ignoring their peculiar behavior, or rightfully pissed off that his two best friends were keeping something from him.

They all enjoyed rounds of drinks at the bar – Harry more so than Hermione and Ron. He drank heavily, and was completely drunk by the end of the night. Hermione elected to make sure Harry returned safely to his home, while Ron went to Ginny's place.

Hermione heaved Harry up the stairs of his house, into his bedroom. She took off his shoes and socks and even his pants, struggling to put on his pajama bottoms. She had him lift his arms as she peeled off his shirt. She had to pause many times during this charade so Harry could vomit in the bathroom. Hermione hadn't the energy nor ingredients to prepare a Pepper-Up Potion for Harry, so he was left to sober off the Muggle way.

"What am I doing with myself?" Harry whispered as Hermione tugged off his shirt.

"Hush, Harry. Now isn't the time to have this discussion," Hermione said briskly.

Harry caught Hermione's lips with his own, kissing her slowly. Hermione, shocked, pulled away abruptly.

"Cho's gone," Harry whispered, tears falling from his face, "I'm all alone."