It's What Inside That Counts
Chapter 6- Happy Christmas
Two days before Hogwarts let out for the Yule holiday, Hermione was summoned to the Headmistress' office.
"Tea?"
"No thanks Professor."
"I felt the need to let you know how well you have handled the change in your life and your academic performance, despite the stress," Minerva said. "Nowmy dear, what are your plans for the holiday?"
She shrugged. "I dunno, just loll about here at Hogwarts, have some uninterrupted reading time in the library..."
"May I offer a suggestion?" the professor asked.
"Sure."
"How would you like a vacation from being Harry? If only for two weeks?"
Harry sat straight up in the chair. "Is that possible?"
Minerva chuckled. "Anything's possible my dear, you have proven that. Do you remember Professor Snape's first rule of Potions making?"
"Yeah, always have an antidote."
"Correct, Miss Granger, five points to Gryffindor," Professor Anderson said as he swept through the door. He held a vial of greenish-brown liquid and waved it slightly in front of her. "You won't mind of course, if I take notes during the reverse transformation?" he asked.
"Of course not, just give me the damn stuff...please," she said.
He nodded and gave her the vial. She opened it, sniffed it and dry-heaved. "Oh God, it's worse than the potion itself," she said.
"Noted," he said lightly, writing something on a parchment.
She took one more look at the vial, held her nose and downed the antidote. She coughed, shuddered and swayed, one hand on her head and leaned on the desk with her other hand. She groaned, held her stomach and doubled over in pain.
"My goodness!" Minerva said and dashed around the desk.
He stepped forward and supported her as the reverse transformation took place. He took note that the process caused her skin to feel hot and that the transformation happened from the feet up. In less than a minute's time, the sweating, panting female form of Hermione Granger stood before the two. She let out a breath, stood up straight and looked down at herself. She had to hold up Harry's pants that were three sizes bigger than she was and a t-shirt that almost fell to her knees.
"I took the liberty of procuring some clothes for you," Minerva said kindly, holding a small suitcase for her.
"Thanks, to both of you," she said with shining eyes.
Twenty minutes later, Hermione skipped along the corridor leading from the Headmistress' office. She would get to be herself again, her female self again if only for two weeks. She planned to submerge herself in female-ness for that time. Was that even a word? Yes, she would giggle, flirt, eat with her pinky extended, cover her mouth with hand in girlish delight, wear a dress; she would be a girl! And maybe-just maybe if she was lucky-she would do something about the months of sexual tension that had built up. It reminded her of a dam that sprung a small leak that day-by-day had grown bigger and bigger. Eventually the dam was going to burst.
December 23, The Burrow
At the Burrow, a knock preceded Remus' head peeking through the door. "May I come in? I have a gift for you," he said with a smile.
"Of course," Molly said.
Remus stepped in, holding the door open and Hermione stepped through. Molly's jaw dropped then she squealed.
"Hermione! My goodness! What a gift this is!" she exclaimed and crushed her in a hug.
"You have no idea Molly," Hermione said.
Footsteps were heard thundering down the stairs to reveal Ginny, Ron, the twins and Arthur. They all shouted their greetings and rushed to hug her as well.
"Mione! You look brilliant!" Ron said. In his eyes, she never looked more beautiful.
"It looks like America has been good for you," Arthur said.
"It's all right, but I've missed all of you," Hermione said.
"Wait, where's Harry? He should be here!" Ginny asked.
"Oh...he has some kind of training to do with some Aurors, that's what McGonagall told me," Hermione said.
"It's been that way the whole term," Ron said. "Happy holidays, huh."
"Well, let's have a seat at the table so we can hear all about your adventures in America," Molly urged.
As part of the cover story, she researched Boston, Massachusetts (where her "distant-relative-in-America" great-aunt lived) and the Salem Witches Academy. She hated to fabricate such a story for the people she considered family, but like her life the past four months, it was aggravatingly necessary. It was agreed for her to spend the night at the Burrow, and then all of them would attend a Yule party at Grimmauld Place for The Order on Christmas Eve where she would spend the rest of the holiday. That night after dinner, Ron watched Hermione and Ginny from across the room. If only Harry were here, it would be perfect! Over the months, he often thought about what he would say to Hermione if and when he saw her again. He had his chance, but something kept glued to his seat. The something was a complete mystery.
You stupid, bloody coward!! he thought. She's right there!!
This was Hermione Granger, the same 'Mione he had known since the age of eleven. Or was she?? She had a different look in her eyes (a good different), she now looked people in the directly in the eyes when she talked to them. She seemed more confident, more sure of herself. When she ran a hand through her hair, arched her back and moaned, Ron was mesmerized. When she took a sip of her wine and licked her lips, he dropped his own glass.
"Ron dear, I think you've had enough for tonight," Molly said.
You don't know the half of it mum!
Not long later, Hermione told everyone good night then went upstairs.
"She's going to bed early, it's only just after nine," Ron said.
"Well Ron, she did make a long trip, Boston's a long way from here," Ginny said. "This Christmas is rough for her."
They all nodded knowingly. Being such a big, close family, they couldn't imagine not having one for holidays. Now Harry and Hermione knew what it felt like.
The next day was Christmas Eve, and they all gathered gifts and food to take to Grimmauld Place. When they arrived, Remus, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Professor Sprout were already there. They greeted the Weasley clan plus Hermione enthusiastically. Soon goblets of eggnog and mulled wine were passed around. Hermione and Ginny went to the kitchen with Molly to help with the cooking.
"Heavens no, Hermione, you're on holiday! Go enjoy yourself! I have your mother's stuffing recipe and I promise to do it justice," she said warmly then turned to Ginny. "Ginny dear, why don't you just...set some water to boil?" she suggested.
Hermione snorted and grinned at Ginny, who rolled her eyes. Ginny had not inherited Molly's domestic abilities and nearly set fire to the Burrow kitchen last year. Ever since, Molly was cautious about Ginny "helping" in the kitchen. Hermione took her mulled wine and left the kitchen, heading for the parlor to play a bit on the piano.
"Hey Mione! Gonna to play?" Ron called from the dining room. Hermione nodded. Ron and the others followed her into the parlor. She sat down at the bench and started a song she and her mother used to play together at Christmas.
"That sounds nice Hermione, who taught you to play?" Tonks asked.
"My mum, we used to play together at family gatherings," Hermione said.
"Aren't you going to sing?" Ron asked.
Hermione took a sip of her wine and shrugged.
"Aww, come on Hermione, we love hearing you sing," Ginny said from the doorway.
"I've never heard her sing," Tonks said.
"Well, you're in for a treat," Ron said.
"This one was my gram's favorite, it's called Christmas in Killarney," she said and cleared her throat. She started, the tune echoing her voice perfectly.
The holly green, the ivy green, the prettiest picture you've ever seen
Is Christmas in Killarney...
With all of the folks at home it's nice, you know, to kiss your beau
While cuddling under the mistletoe and Santa Claus you know, of course
Is one of the boys from home...
The door is always open the neighbors pay a call
And Father John before he's gone will bless the house and all
How grand it feels to click your heels, and join in the fun of the jigs and reels
I'm handing you no blarney the likes you've never known
Is Christmas in Killarney, with all of the folks at home...
When the song ended, the group clapped in appreciation.
"Wow Hermione, if the witch thing doesn't work out, singing sure would," Tonks said.
"Let's have another!" Ron said.
"Yes, let's have another," a voice from the doorway said.
Everyone looked to see Professors Anderson and McGonagall at the parlor doorway. "It's been a while since I last heard a good holiday song," Professor Anderson said. McGonagall winked from behind and went to the kitchen.
"Okay, this one was my parent's favorite," Hermione said.
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir, and folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight...
They know that Santa's on his way, he's loaded lots of toys
and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase, to kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you.
When she finished the song, she wiped her wet eyes at looked around the room. Tonks had an arm wrapped around Shacklebolt's waist, Arthur and Molly were holding hands, and Ginny and Ron were sitting on either side of her on the bench. Professor Anderson was sitting in a chair across the room and toasted her with his goblet.
Dinner was a talkative, joyous affair. The turkey was baked to perfection and Hermione's joy turned bittersweet when she tasted the stuffing. Molly did a good job with the recipe; it tasted exactly like what her mum would have made. After dinner, an Order meeting was called. Ginny went upstairs and Ron and Hermione went to the parlor.
"More wine?" he asked. They were both tipsy, so more wouldn't hurt, would it?
"Sure," she said and sat at the piano again. Ron handed her a glass and took a gulp of his own.
"How about one more song?" he asked softly.
"Why didn't Ginny stay?" she asked and tapped some keys.
"Wants some time to herself, she misses Harry," Ron said. "I know how she feels..."
Don't we all!
"Here's a song from America, it's kind of silly," she said.
"I don't care, I just want to hear you sing," Ron said and sat next to her on the bench. "Even if you just recited the alphabet, I would treasure every word of it."
Just how much have you had to drink? Hermione thought and started the song.
Grandma got run over by a reindeer, walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say there's no such thing as Santa, but as for me and Grandpa, we believe
She'd been drinking too much eggnog and we begged her not to go-
But she forgot her medication and staggered out the door into the snow..
When we found her Christmas morning, at the scene of the attack-
She had hoof prints on her forehead, and incriminating Claus marks on her back
Now we're all so proud of Grandpa, he's been taking this so well
See him in there watching football, drinking root beer and playing cards with cousin Mel
It's not Christmas without Grandma, all the family's dressed in black
And we just can't help but wonder- Should we open up the gifts or send them back?
Severus was listening from the door way with a grin. It was an amusing song. He was biding his time to be alone with her. Would he have to resort to kicking Weasley out of the room? She continued the song.
Now the goose is on the table, and the pudding made of fig
and the blue and silver candles that would have matched the hair in grandma's wig...
Ron and Severus chuckled at the line.
I've warned all my friends and neighbors better watch out for yourselves
They should never give a license to a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves!
"Wanna sit on the sofa? It has a good view of the grounds," Ron said.
When they sat down, Ron scooted closer to her and grasped her hands.
Oh no! He's going to profess his undying love!
"Hermione, I've missed you," he said. "More than you know." "I've missed you to Ron. I've missed all my friends."
He took another gulp of wine and a deep breath. "I wish you didn't have to go back to America," he said. "Harry's hardly ever around and without you there..."
Hermione put a finger to his lips. "Ron, you have plenty of people at school to..."
He cupped her cheek with a hand and said, "Th..they're not you, none of them will ever be." He leaned over, put his head on her shoulder and mumbled something unintelligible.
"Ron?" she asked softly.
The response was a soft snore. She carefully slid out from under him, transformed a stray parchment into a blanket and covered him. She took the bottle of wine, his glass, went to the bay window and sat on the bench seat. When she pulled back the drapes she saw a perfectly clear night; the stars were shining bright and the moonlight reflected off the snow.
"Happy Christmas, mum and dad," she said and her tears fell.
She had been valiantly repressing the urge to cry all day, but could do it no longer. She was startled when a handkerchief appeared next to her face, held out by Professor Anderson.
"May I join you?" he asked.
She glanced at Ron and waved toward him. "Sure, he's out until morning."
"Don't you know it's not good to drink alone?" he asked.
"Forgive me if I break some bloody unwritten rule," she said.
"I meant nothing by it," he said. "Just a simple attempt to start a conversation."
"Why? Do you need more for your notes?"
He let the comment pass. She was sad from missing her parents, stressed from the previous months, angry from a combination of the two so maybe she was entitled to drown her sorrows a bit.
"I apologize, that was uncalled for, none of this is your fault," she said softly and moved to make room for him on he seat.
"Why don't you tell me about your parents?" he asked.
She smiled warmly at him. "You really want to hear about them?"
"Indeed," he said.
"Well, they were the best parents you could ask for. They had the one of the most successful dental practices in London,; they were very popular with their patients. They had hopes of me following in their footsteps, but that all changed with my Hogwarts letter."
"What did they think of that?" he asked.
She took another sip of wine. "They thought it was a joke at first. Dad binned the first letter, only to have the second one delivered by the Headmaster himself..."
Before they knew it, they heard the clock chime midnight.
"Happy Christmas Professor," Hermione said.
During those few precious hours of conversation, Severus knew he had fallen for her. The only woman he had ever loved was his mother, and while he was fond of Minerva in a sisterly kind of way, what he was feeling for Hermione was new for him.
"Can you bestow me one gift? To make this a truly Happy Christmas for me?" he asked.
"One gift can do all that?" she asked.
He nodded.
"What is it then? I'll run out first thing tomorrow and get it for you," she said.
"You would really do that?" he asked.
"Well...yes. Everyone should have a Happy Christmas," she said.
"You don't have to go anywhere, what I want is right here," he said.
She looked at him curiously. "You really don't know, do you?" he asked. She shook her head.
"All I want for Christmas...is a kiss," he said.
"A kiss? From who?" she asked then blushed. "Oh..me..but-"
"But what?" he asked, edging closer.
"But I'm a student," she said weakly.
"That much is true; however, you are of age and technically Hermione Granger is not a student at Hogwarts," he said.
She started to say something else then closed her mouth. He's right! What could it hurt? I'll blame the wine if anyone asks!
Ron thought he was still dreaming when he saw Hermione and Professor Anderson snogging by the window...