A/N: Warning: a bit of gore in this chapter. Apologies as it's the Christmas chapter, but it showed up here :/
Also, quick Q & A:
Q: Will there be a spot of Teen Angst?
A: There are teens involved in various forms of relationships, so sadly, yes. All is not lost gentle reader, for I cannot stomach it for long, so neither will you have to ;-)
A quick warning that this chapter was gathered together in less than 24 hours so please be kind.
Lastly a hopefully less desperate appeal for anyone with time, intelligence and imagination to spare who would like to work with me on Jean. Now on to:
Jean, Chapter 17 Two Steps Forward, One Step Back or
A Black Family Christmas
8:38 pm, December 21st, 1993
Basement, Number 12 Grimmauld Place
With Albus standing gobsmacked over the pair of prone younger wizards, he was further unprepared as Remus threw his head back and laughed aloud, "He's back!"
The Headmaster was completely shocked when, instead of joining in Remus's mirth, Harry's voice choked out "he's Back!"
Harry's terrified voice set both elder wizard's teeth on edge. Still crouched on all fours, the teen dazedly looked around the room with vacant eyes, then sobbed in agony even as he fell face first upon the stone floor.
. . .
Miles to the North, in the Malfoy basement, the shock of the arrival of the third, unexpected figure lasted mere seconds for Auror Tonks.
Two of the three bodies stirred ever so slightly. The Auror's eyes blazed as she focused on the robe-clad, snake-faced being that represented much of what was evil in her world.
Hermione had never seen the look that came over the normally bubbly young woman.
Then again, she had never seen Auror Tonks deal with an enemy.
"You might want to step back!"
That's all the warning the older witch gave the younger as her wand came down in a slashing motion.
"DIFFINDO!" She practically roared as Lord Voldemort, the most feared Dark Lord in an age, had his head neatly separated from his shoulders.
What both witches missed in the fervor of the moment was, at that moment, Lucius Malfoy took a long, deep breath, then settled into a slow, even rhythm.
Slightly shaking with adrenaline, Tonks cried out, "Dobby?" her wand was still leveled at the beheaded form of the Dark Lord.
"Dobby is here miss," the little Elf replied quietly after popping in with equal stealth.
"Dobby, please call for Kreacher," the witch instructed with calm that belied her true emotions.
Just the day before, in a coup of negotiation and insight, Hermione and Dobby had found a loophole in the House Elf rules. Although Dobby had been given to House Potter by House Malfoy, he had never formally been dismissed from service since Harry was not yet of age to claim Head of House.
The Malfoy's had assumed that they would be able to use this to gain information on Harry, however it didn't work out that way as Harry - under Sirius's tutelage - was able to couch the Terms of Service with his Elf to prevent him from revealing anything harmful while keeping him from punishing himself while disobeying the spirit of his service to the Malfoys.
Conversely, while this arrangement allowed the witches to summon Dobby to work behind the scenes at Malfoy Manor, he was still bound to the House in other ways; such as preventing him from directly helping a Prisoner, such as Sirius, to escape.
That restriction did not, however apply to Kreacher, who Dobby could call as an Ally to House Potter.
Of course when Kreacher was told that he'd have to personally ally himself to Harry he almost burst a vein.
It took Hermione's considerable patience and talent at explaining details for them to work out an agreement that satisfied all parties. The young witch would have been astounded to discover that she was the first to ever broker a treaty between two Houses using their Elves. What's more, with neither House having an active Head of House, the agreements were actually fully binding to the Houses as well as the Elves.
"Dobby is calling Kreacher as Ally of House Potter for help." The little Elf's normally squeaky, timid voice was strangely calm and authoritative as he spoke.
Kreacher arrived with a small *crack*. He gently took hold of Sirius's hand and was promptly gone with a slightly louder *crack*
Only Hermione had been watching the ancient Elf, so only she saw the flicker of joy cross his craggy features, however briefly, as he took his Master home.
"Right." Tonks stated, and though there was no mistaking the relief in her voice, her tone still held an edge that Hermione was unfamiliar with. She soon discovered what that edge meant as Tonks began systematically dissecting the now beheaded body with one "Diffindo" after another.
While there was surprisingly little blood, the noise alone drove Hermione into the next room. She cast a hastily modified privacy spell which only somewhat shielded her ears from the disgusting sounds of Tonks's gruesome work.
Finally, when she had heard nothing for a few moments, she hesitantly canceled her charm. Finding the only sound to be a somewhat heavily breathing Tonks, she chanced a glance back into the room. She carefully kept her eyes at face level trying not to even think about the gore that covered the floor between the two witches.
Speaking her mind as usual, the bushy haired girl looked curiously at the now recovering Auror. Her mind was filled with questions, yet she tried to stick to the most important query, "Why?"
Hermione saw a smile grace her tutors face, yet even this familiar expression was unusual for it's ferocity. "Why that spell?" She replied, a knowing grin replacing the fierce smile even as she continued to pant from her exertions. "Well it's a utility spell that can only cause major harm if cast with considerable power." she paused to take a few steadying breaths.
"So it won't trip the wards. Mostly it's used for kitchen chores, like cutting up meat..." at this Tonks had to break off, her laughter choked a bit with her labored breathing. The look of disgust mixed with impatience that her student wore was just too funny to hold her bluff any longer.
Said student was less than amused, especially when she noticed the smell of the… remains. At this point Hermione had to quickly turn around and quell her stomach with a handy charm she had learned a few weeks ago.
Not daring to return her attention to the room, the young witch thought about another subject, keeping her back to the doorway.
Meanwhile the Auror had transfigured and reduced the remains of the corpse into a small bone, which she tucked into the clutch purse that would complete her disguise when she returned upstairs.
Turning towards their diminutive helper, the Auror had recovered her breath as she instructed him.
"Dobby, please clean all traces of this vileness from the floor, incinerate the ashes after you burn the remains if you have to, but allow none of it to remain on this earth. Then return here."
Hermione heard the quick "Yes miss," from Dobby and then the tell-tale sound of Elven apparition. Apparently the very efficient House Elven cleaning magic was also soundless.
Finally ordering her thoughts, she chanced a glance behind her to confirm that the floor was spotless, all trace of the butchering - and their ritual - were erased. "What about, that is, how is Mr. Malfoy? He looked..." Hermione didn't want to finish that thought, her first impression of the senior Malfoy was that he looked like a corpse.
Tonks swiftly knelt next to Malfoy Sr. His color was markedly improved from what she had fleetingly remembered it to be when he first rose from the pit. Casting a few quick battlefield triage charms, the Auror was surprised to see that that the man was stable and showed normal functions according to the basic medical charm.
"You can relax, your paramour's death eater father seems just fine." The Auror's voice had chilled considerably, and was quite terse as she continued, "Actually you had better hurry if you're going to make it to that dance."
Hermione's response was cut off by the reappearance of Dobby with another quiet *pop*; which was fine as she was honestly at a loss to what she would say.
Hermione heard Tonks tone completely change as she addressed their small friend. "Dobby, can you take Mr. Malfoy to his suite without being noticed?"
He must have agreed because the next sound was Dobby leaving, and with that the older witch swept past Hermione's position. She did not slow down as she moved towards the stairs, now in full 'Emmeline' disguise.
"Don't forget to dust off your dress." Her parting, somewhat frosty shot made Hermione scowl with both confusion and an unexpected bit of guilt.
.o0o.
The second dance was winding down as 'Jean', made her way to the edge of the dance floor by the refreshments.
Hermione's lingering feelings of doubt were given no time to fester as Draco found her moments later. Honoring her promised, she followed as he led her out onto the floor.
The two danced a lively, progressive country dance from the Baroque period. The song was close enough to what Hermione had practiced that in class that she picked up the steps immediately. She found – as she remembered from dancing with her friends – that dancing was one of the few ways that she could move and not feel ungainly. She had to acknowledge that her partner helped a lot, he was very good. Hermione thought they must look like a storybook scene, with her elegant, flowing silk dress swirling as they moved adding to that wistful perception.
As planned, 'Emmeline' stepped in at the end of the dance to indicate that it was time to go.
This worked about as badly as it could have. Tonks had none of the presence, let alone the social grace, of the real Ms. Vance. Thus instead of leading 'Jean' towards the door, she found herself cajoled into dancing with a certain Mr. Ferrars, a middle-aged wizard who she had been briefed was a long-time suitor of hers, that is, Emmeline's.
Hermione, swept into the next dance even as she watched the man lean in close to Tonks, couldn't help but mutter "Oh Dear!"
Draco quirked a sculpted brow as he gently spun them to the music, "Is everything alright Miss Jean?"
"I, yes. That is, Emmy is, or has... oh, I'm rubbish at this. She'll have to fend for herself." The young witch blabbered in her flustered state. 'What if he figures out that she's not who she's supposed to be?'
The panic must have been quite apparent upon her face as Draco leaned in on a pass between partners and, with amazing timing, asked, "I will keep watch... if she looks distressed... I'll take care of it."
Hermione schooled her features into a gentle smile. 'How was she supposed to answer that?' So on they danced.
The next song was a traditional waltz. Miss Vance and Mr. Ferrars seemed involved in conversation even as they continued to dance.
Shrugging her shoulders internally, Hermione allowed herself to be guided into the next dance.
Draco and 'Jean' glided across the floor with equal grace. Which is to say that he matched her less than stellar footwork and made them both look good. She couldn't help but have fun as she had never been with such a competent dance partner. Nor had she had a boy give her such singular and undivided attention, for that matter. Her swirling emotions brought about her defenses however, and before the end of the waltz her practical mind was back in firm control; even if her heart still felt the flutter of disappointment.
"Draco, I... I think we need to speak with Emmy about what happened earlier."
Amazingly, the young man did not falter in his attitude, but simply inclined his head, as though expecting this turn of events. "Lets gather her from her paramour between songs then, shall we?"
His use of the word Tonks had just described Draco with not so long ago made Hermione wince. Thankfully her escort had turned and was leading her by the hand to the edge of the floor. Emmeline and her dance partner stood waiting at the edge of the dance floor and Draco almost effortlessly gathered Tonks/Vance along the way out of the ballroom.
Their host quickly led them to a small room which appeared designed for meetings and they slipped inside.
Wanting to give Tonks time time to compose herself, Hermione quickly led her partner a few paces in and summed up what had happened earlier.
'Emmeline' was almost unable to keep her character. Had Draco not been closing the hall door when Hermione whispered what had happened, he surely would have seen her eyes flash to Tonks's dark brown from Ms. Vance's cool greys.
Breathing deeply to stay calm, the Auror had to think fast to avoid immediately reverting to her training, using language and knowledge that the Socialite Ms. Vance would not have.
Holding Hermione's hands in her own, she looked into her young charges eyes with genuine worry. "What did he do to you?" The question was the most direct she could come up with without sounding like an officer. The concern in her voice required no acting.
Draco looked to 'Jean', and finding the girl timidly looking at her deep blue slippers, he spoke up.
" 'Lord' Cavendar, and I aim to challenge his title, or petition my father to when he is well that is, is a known predator upon inebriated or incapacitated women. Especially young women. His muggle and wizarding trade connections assure him of many high placed contacts to work the system – he has always escaped prosecution." Draco's sneer as he finished that statement seemed fitting to his audience.
"Unfortunately he has a standing invitation to our parties due to the volume of trade he does with Father, however I took precautions this night to monitor him." Draco paused to check the women's faces, they both appeared quite eager to hear the story.
"I put a small tracking charm on him as I greeted him, nothing illegal as he is my guest and I am acting Head of House while Father is ill. When he used a spell, I heard it. Having seen him take this lovely young woman aside, I ensured that I was close by. Thankfully I stepped in to prevent her from drinking from wine he had hexed with a powerful suggestion spell, the glass is in stasis under the guard of my personal Elf. It will have his magical signature on it as well as the spell itself in addition to my testimony. I aim to see him publicly humiliated, though your involvement should be able to be kept anonymous."
Hermione was blushing furiously before she realized, and she had to breathe deeply to keep from passing out. The full weight of what could have happened was bearing down upon her keen mind and she suddenly felt very grateful for the intercession of their host, regardless of his father's allegiance. She stuttered out "Thank you!" which seemed so far short of how she felt. In fact she hasn't the first clue as to how she feels and is quite glad for Tonks's presence when the disguised Auror breaks the awkward silence.
Tonks paled visibly. She felt pretty rotten about being so harsh on the young girl for her behavior when Draco had almost certainly saved Hermione's virtue, if not her very life. Falling back on her training and a natural talent that amazed her instructors, 'Emmeline' played her role as wise matron perfectly, she released Hermione's hands and stood to face the young lordling.
The middle aged witch graced her host with a gentle, sad smile. "I understand that you do not wish to disrupt the party. However, I have had dealings with the Aurors before and they'll want a statement quite soon. If you could consent to an Auror visiting you, say tomorrow morning, I will pass that along to a friend of mine."
Re-taking the younger witches hands in her own, Emmeline turned them toward the door. "Jean and I will be heading to the Ministry this evening to file our report. Thank you ever so much for watching over my charge, I know that I shall never forget this young Lord Malfoy. I doubt either of us shall."
The last is said with a knowing look that Hermione only ducks her head from when she sees it.
.o0o.
The night, which seemed to have been moving at an exhilarating pace thus far, soon became mired in the cogs of bureaucracy. In fact, had Tonks not been the one to take 'Emmeline's' statement, they might have had to pull some fancy footwork to pull off with the questions. The Auror did have to call in the real Ms. Vance for her sworn deposition, which was magically binding. It wouldn't do to be caught in a Magical Perjury, especially as the Officer of Record!
Since Tonks never actually saw anything that happened, the real Emmeline's deposition of second and third hand knowledge was perfectly legitimate.
When Emmeline had signed all of the forms Tonks slapped herself on the forehead. "I'm so sorry Ms. Vance, but in the course of the evening I'm afraid I got roped into something. I hope you don't mind, but I committed you to a lunch engagement with a Mr. Ferrars on the second of the new year. He noticed I was an impostor almost immediately, you never mentioned that you like to lead in Waltzes!
Emmeline Vance only winked, her charm and grace were noticeably more at ease to Hermione, now that she could compare the two women.
Her musical laugh as she replied was a relief to both younger witches. "That rascal was having you on, Tonks. I asked him to attend that party specifically to keep you from having to interact with anyone else that may have been familiar with me. Still, he always springs for excellent meals so you've not put me in too much of a spot." She finished with another wink and then flowed from the DMLE interview room with a mirthful farewell.
. . .
Even with Tonks pushing the paperwork it was still quite late when the two witches finally arrived back at Grimmauld Place.
Tonks closed the door and almost ran into Hermione, who had stopped stock still a few steps inside the doorway.
There, finely decked out in a charcoal colored linen vest-coat which was covered by a House Black tabbard, was an almost regal appearing House Elf. It took the two young women several moments to realize that it was Kreacher who stood so rigidly – yet so elegantly dressed – before them.
Stepping out of the entryway seemed to be what the diminutive fellow was waiting for as he immediately swept into a quarter bow, "Welcome back young Misses. The Master is asleep in his bed and is not to be disturbed until Madam Pomfrey clears him. The rest of the household and guests have either retired or left, with the exception of the lycanthrope who awaits you in the kitchen. Therein you shall find a selection of foods should you need to sate your appetite before you retire. Breakfast is at the Misses leisure, though before ten is preferred."
The girls were gobsmacked, to say the least, but the little Elf was far from finished with his surprises.
There was the slightest hesitation, when suddenly there seemed to be a great weight descend upon the bony shoulders of the ancient Elf. Bent double with his grey-green nose now fully touching the floor, he continued in a tone that conveyed clearly that the normally caustic old servant was near tears.
"For my own part I can only offer my deepest gratitude. The actions of the young Misses and Mister Potter have brought my Master back whole and healed, it is more than I could have hoped for." Standing upright quite suddenly, the young witches could hardly be blamed for leaning back a bit, especially when they met the blazing, suspiciously moist look in the Elf's bright eyes.
"I will never forget, House Black will never forget, what you have done for it." With that the Elf dropped into another nose-to-floor bow and was suddenly gone with the softest of *pops*
The two young women could find no words. Between them passed a wide eyed stare, a shrug, and finally a broad, disbelieving smile.
They made their way wearily to the kitchen, to find Remus lightly dozing at the end of the laden table. Kreachers' description of a 'selection of foods' turned out to be a veritable feast. The kitchen was filled with the smells of many savory and delicious dishes and the sink magically working through mounds of pans and platters were testament that someone had been cooking and baking for hours.
The former Professor must have had very keen ears for he was awakened by the slightest swoosh that the newly oiled door made as it opened. He took one look at the girls, their faces still showing their stunned disbelief, and broke out into a low, rumbling chuckle. His smile lingered on Tonks, his eyes widening and taking in the woman in the silvery dress.
Hermione immediately saw the bloom of a deep blush creep up her teacher's neck to her ears. The young witch realized that they were both still in their gowns, and while Emmeline's figure was tall and lean, Tonks' shorter form filled out the silvery taffeta gown with slightly more in the way of womanly curves. This had the effect of making the elegant dress a bit tight and, the youngster realized with a start, more enticing.
Hermione had wondered why Tonks had changed back into the gown after leaving the Auror's, and now she knew. She also knew when it was time to make an exit!
With a quick "I'm awful tired, g'night," on the way out the door, she didn't give either of the couple time to give protest before she ascended to her room.
It seemed like the climb took all of her energy. By the time she reached her room she was giddy at her ability to use magic to quickly strip off her dress and slip on some comfy flannel pj's. "Magic is so cool!" she murmured as she made her way into the bathroom, suddenly drawing to a stop as she realized just what she had said. Standing in the bathroom just one floor below her, she had said those same words with Harry, sharing a joyful camaraderie that seemed to be blooming into something more.
Now she had had a wonderful night with a charming young man who showed her nothing but respect and kindness. And interest. She wasn't blind to the way his eyes had lingered upon her, in fact that look had been the first time anyone had truly gazed upon her with want – at least that she had been aware of. She knew she was much too young to concern herself with sex at the age of fourteen. Yet her budding libido was not going to complain any more than her very shy and unsure ego. All of this was background noise to the witch's mind as she pondered what it meant to be desired while drifting through her nightly routine and off to dreams of fairy-tale endings that she had never once allowed herself as a younger girl.
.o0o.
The following two days were as frustrating to Hermione as the Solstice Rescue (and ball) had been rewarding.
She learned the next morning that Harry had been seriously affected by whatever had happened. Yet beyond that, nobody was telling her anything. She finally outright asked if he was dying, which did get a maddeningly placating "there there, don't be melodramatic," out of the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey.
In a strange contrast, Sirius, that is Lord Black, was up and around by the following noon, seemingly refreshed and energized. He certainly became somewhat morose at the mention of Harry's condition, but even then he only gave a "Poppy says he'll be fine," when the witch cornered him at supper that first night.
That's not to say that the Lord of the house was spending his time idle, the house felt like a thoroughfare with all the people that he escorted in and out through the next two days. She caught glances of all manner of witches and wizards, and what she was sure were a muggle doctor or two. Despite her part in the rescue, Hermione was quietly but firmly asked to stay in the library, kitchen or her room and out of traffic.
She felt very much like the young girl they seemed to see her as when her temper kicked up. She felt like throwing a fit, demanding to know what was going on. Once again her practical side clamped down on the emotions vibrating the room around her and she sulked into the brightly lit library; her mood was too dark to notice, let alone enjoy the bright December sun.
In response to the information black-out, the only thing on Hermione's agenda was revising for her tests, which she did listlessly. It was the first time academics could not hold her attention since she first discovered the seriousness of her mother's illness. She pondered the possibilities of reversing the flow of her Time-Turner, even though she had made a promise to Minerva that she would not be using it again; at least not until the Transfiguration teacher told her it was alright. Something about long term alteration to her core and stunting her magical development. The consequences sounded serious enough to keep the long golden chain secure in her trunk.
The only other occurrence of note was the headline of the next day's Daily Prophet, which proclaimed "Lord Malfoy returns from secret trade negotiations!" The story, which Hermione read with bemused disbelief, proclaimed that the many rumors surrounding Lucius Malfoy's demise or dire illness were entirely fabricated.
In fact, the paper went on to proclaim, Lord Malfoy's fortunes had so drastically improved through this latest trade agreement that he was throwing a New Years Eve Ball that would be the most lavish in recent memory.
Hermione folded up the paper, purposefully ignoring the brightly grinning Draco as he and his mother stood beaming behind the waving Lucius. She felt strangely guilty at how she had enjoyed the company of the younger Malfoy when Harry was in unknown but certainly dire condition.
She put the whole thing out of her mind, trusting that Sirius would take care of Harry. Still, she had to shake her head at how quickly the Malfoy's had recovered from their recent circumstances.
.o0o.
The next night, late on the 23rd, Hermione was awakened by a terrible scream; the likes of which she could somehow remember, as if from a fleeting dream involving rescuing Sirius. She found herself in the hall, trembling with fright as much as from the cold of the drafty old house before she realized it.
Staring up the stairs to the third floor, the young witch cringed as the pitiful, wailing moans were spiked with shrieks of utter despair. The young witch knew it was Harry who was suffering, as much by a feeling deep within as by the sound of his voice.
She found herself unable to move, rooted to the spot, caught between a longing to go comfort her friend and an almost primal dread that told her to run away from whatever could cause such misery.
The dreadful noise was suddenly cut off, the witch knowing that only magic could provide the unnaturally sudden silence.
A noise from downstairs reached her distracted mind and she realized that the floo had 'gonged', even as Albus Dumbledore came bounding up the stairs as if he were a man of twenty instead of past one hundred. The Headmaster continued up the next flight at an equal clip and the tread of his long strides soon disappeared into the silence as well.
She felt more than heard the arrival of Professor Lupin, and was ever so glad for his reassuring presence.
"Finally," he breathed, as though a great burden had been lifted.
Turning in place, she saw the older wizard leaning against the banister at the top of the landing, also gazing through the stairwell to the floor above. Raising an eyebrow, she waited for him to elaborate.
"Did you notice what the Headmaster was carrying?" he asked, glancing toward her, then back upstairs.
"No," she answered reflexively, but then her sleep addled brain kick started and she quickly amended, "a basin, a round stone basin or bowl of some kind." Her memory was sorting and picking through all that she had read, finally her eyes lit up as she turned to see her teacher looking at her with expectation.
"It was a pensieve. They're quite rare, am I right?"
Nodding appreciatively, the wizard looked up once again as he elaborated, "That's Dumbledore's own pensieve, they've been waiting for Harry to break free from wherever he went in his head. Whatever he went through caused him to retreat into his own mind. The mind healers Sirius brought in said it was quite common in cases of trauma, though they were cautious that there was no telling how long a person might hide like that. Then Professor Snape gave him a salve for his eyes that he said would make it easier to find his way back sooner than later.
Hermione stood staring up the stairs, her face a picture of horrified confusion. "How? That is, what happened?"
"That's not my story to tell, but I can assure you that we had no idea that such an effect was even possible. Sirius has been working his tail off trying to get the best treatment for him. He may hide it well, but this has all but broken his heart."
"That's what's wrong with Kreacher!" Hermione's exclamation even caught herself off-guard, she was still quite tired, having had tossed and turned the last two nights as unremembered phantoms chased through her dreams.
Looking to her teacher, she ducked her head slightly, a bit bashful at her outburst. "He was so up and vibrant that first night, and he's been sulking around a bit though he's still loads better than he was before."
"Yes, I noticed the vast improvement in the house, the service, to say nothing of the excellent meals. Though I cannot say I've caught sight of the fellow himself. I've always been amazed at how he seems to be a step ahead of what people..."
Remus trailed off before breaking into a smirk. "Do you smell that?"
Sniffing cautiously, as though afraid of danger, Hermione could not say she smelled a thing. Remus definitely has more acute senses than average! She shook her head, cocking it to the side in a questioning fashion.
"Tea." he stated simply. "The little bligh... that is, the Black family Elf has done it again," he finished with a smile. "Lets go down and await the verdict. They could be up there all night."
It wasn't long at all however before Albus came into the kitchen.
"Ahh, Kreacher, you do your family proud." The Headmaster spoke towards the far kitchen wall, which Hermione thought was odd, but since the Elf was once again out of sight it made as much sense as looking anywhere else.
Sitting down to a biscuit, the aged wizard's smile was tired but genuine as he surveyed the two keeping vigil.
"Harry has come through the worst of it. From what I understand he suffered through visions of Lord Voldemort attacking his mind. Since our Auror Tonks has thankfully disposed of that vile person, whoever he may have been, we can look forward to a very Happy Christmas, Yuletide and a much improved New Year."
With that the Headmaster ushered Hermione off to bed, ignoring all protests and refusing to divulge any more information. Remus escorted her to the stairs and headed for the floo citing the need to prepare for the upcoming term.
Once again it felt as though the trip up the single flight sapped her strength for she was very glad to climb between her sheets.
.o0o.
December 24th dawned cold and clear through Hermione's single, tall bedroom window. She shivered at the early morning chill that the house always seemed to hold onto and wondered why they couldn't have magical central heating. Then again, she had only needed to apply a few quick heating charms and the room was toasty; becoming a touch uncomfortable in her clothes before she stepped into the much cooler hall.
The witches' mind was awash with ideas on time-activated heating charms and wondering if she would get to see Harry at breakfast or not until lunch when she walked right into Harry himself.
The two shared an awkward moment when they both realized that he was caught wandering the halls in his boxers.
Hermione tried not to stare at the various scars evident on the dark haired boys arms and even his chest.
They both started with an "Uhmm", which led to a shared nervous laugh, and the tension was broken even as Harry moved quickly past her down the hall.
"I'll, uh, just get dressed, erm. Sorry!" he blurted out as he dashed up the stairs to the third floor.
For her part it was all the young witch could do not to burst out laughing at the absurdity of the meeting. She blew out a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding and only then realized that she had gone quite scarlet.
'He does have quite the toned chest and arms!' Now even more embarrassed, Hermione dashed back into her room and began reciting Latin translations of Arithmancy, a subject she was struggling with, though it was fourth year material. She didn't emerge for breakfast until her stomach's rumblings were as loud as her magically-mathematical mumblings.
. . .
The two of them didn't find any time alone together for the rest of the morning. It seemed that most of the Order stopped by – even Molly Weasley and the twins, though the boys seemed quite subdued and Ron was noticeable in his absence.
Hermione found herself fascinated by the way Tonks and Remus seemed to dance around one another - as if nobody else saw that they were making eyes at each other most of the day. She wondered what that felt like, to be the sole object of someone's attention. When she later caught Harry staring at her with such an intense look, her heart leapt to her throat even though he had quickly looked away.
She had just mustered the courage to go speak with him, but the moment was ruined by none other than Sirius, dressed as none other than Father Christmas. The presents to family and friends were to be exchanged that afternoon as the group would be with their own family on Christmas Day as well as Boxing Day.
What distracted her for much of the rest of the afternoon however wasn't the presents but who accompanied 'Father Christmas'. Her father and Arthur Weasley entered to the loud acclaim of all gathered and a protest from Sirius, "oh sure, steal my thunder you two!" that got a round of laughter.
Hermione was rather proud of the gift she had gotten for both Harry and Sirius, a set of sneak-o-scopes keyed only to the other person. She had the twins make them, with her help, after hearing stories of the two playing hide and seek throughout the ancient manor house.
When Harry approached her with a long brown box with a gold bow, she knew she grinned a bit madly. She couldn't help it, no boy had ever given her a present.
He seemed quite nervous as he placed the box in front of her. "Erm, it's not much, I mean, as presents go. I don't know what to get a girl and, uh, well open it and if you don't like it..."
Interrupting him, she blurted "Harry, it'll be fine. It's the thought that counts." Hermione could not believe she had just said those atrocious words but she needed to get the boy to calm down. Besides which, he really looked quite tired already and it was just past three.
Sliding the thick golden ribbon from the box she realized that it was made with some kind of hide. She tried not to wince as her mind cycled through a dozen different animal parts that a boy might give a girl as a prank. Steeling herself, she opened the box to find a length of what looked like pale silvery leather, with several straps and a hole at the end.
Not able to help herself, she looked up with a question on her lips; she had no idea what it was on first glance.
"It's a dragon skin wand holster, their dead useful, this one is from a Ukrainian Ironbelly, one of the most magic resistant species. It's enchanted to allow you to summon your wand and to keep you from being disarmed. There's, uhm, a small manual in the box."
Harry had rattled off the information much in the same way Hermione herself did when she was excited about a subject; she was very happy to see his green eyes so animated. She also knew that look as he wound down, the one she got when she thought she had been blabbering on.
"It's wonderful Harry, I'm sure I'll be using it a lot at school. Thank you."
Blushing, Harry then pulled a large book from out of hiding by the tree. It was bound in thick red, blue and greenish leathers, and wrapped with a similar golden bow. "I also got you this, but I didn't think just a book was a good enough present. So... here, uh, Happy Christmas Hermione."
The tome, for that's certainly what it was, was titled "The Compleat Treatise on the Subject of Wands, Rods and Staves." It looked ancient, and Hermione saw the Potter crest stamped deeply into the bottom of the spine.
"It's..." She honestly choked up. She knew it was silly, to get emotional over a book, but this was a Family book, something that was Harry's, and obviously very old and probably priceless. She looked up with a watery gaze to see that he was staring at his trainers, his dark hair covering his face.
Trying again, Hermione felt a bit of a cry coming on and knew that crying would just seal it as a disaster so she quickly grabbed him up in a hug before he could see the water-works. Finally she managed to squeak out "It's the best presents, that is, they are, just thanks Harry, really." With a final squeeze she beamed up at him quickly, then took her prizes to show her father.
She glanced back to see that he was smiling brightly, which she returned as she settled down beside her dad to look at the book.
For the rest of the afternoon Hermione found herself trading occasional glances with the dark haired boy, however she didn't get to talk with him again as it seemed he always had someone speaking with him. Several of those people seemed to be doctors of some kind because he had to leave with them and came back alone and seemed a bit grumpy. Before she could get another chance he had fallen deeply asleep on the couch a little before five.
The group hushed a bit as Sirius gently picked up the teen, and Hermione thought he looked peaceful for the first time since she had known him.
The rest of the afternoon and into the evening was spent playing traditional holiday games after a feast fit for two Kings, an Emperor and all their courts.
The best part of the day was when her father tucked her in, she felt a little silly with all of the mature things she had been part of or thinking of lately, but having him back made her feel uniquely content.
His parting wish of "Happy Christmas Hermione." was heartfelt, and as she thought on it, she realized that it truly had been. For that matter, she could see that her life looked to have a lot to be thankful for.
Snuggling into her soft, warm bed she dreamed of the castle she would be schooling at, of reading books with green eyed wizards and dancing with grey eyed princes and learning how to pop around like the elves and running through dark halls that turned to pits of utter blackness which is how she awoke, again, chilled to her core and straining her eyes to see even though the room was bathed in the gentle light of a waxing half moon.
.o0o.
Many thanks to my wife for continuing as my Beta, the story would not be posted without her help and advice.
Recommended reading: Epitaph by chem prof - An excellent post for the Christmas Season - even if it's in story and not IRL.
Once again I am blessed with many reviews of Chapter 16, even with so little time, I'm truly honored:Nobel Korhedron, vyoom, lavanyalabelle, brighteyes2889, Tellur, Hurin3, arabellagrace, maxxie10, KSpringer and Luna de Papel.
May the spirit and peace of Christmas be with you and yours.
. . .
Blessings,
Majerus