When Albus came home an hour later, he sat down and watched them happily until Hermione opened her eyes quite a while later. He couldn't remember having seen a more peaceful scene in his whole life. 'They finally found each other.'
Hermione woke with the feeling of being stared at. And indeed Albus Dumbledore himself watched her from an armchair opposite of the couch, smiling.
"Hey," the young woman whispered so that she wouldn't wake the still sleeping witch beside her, "you look tired."
Albus indeed looked positively worn out. Hermione wondered briefly if he looked older than he actually was, or if he could cover his age so well that he normally just looked more youthful than truth told.
The old wizard was touched by Hermione's concern. "I am. The kind of magic that is required to renew the wards around Hogwarts is very exhausting."
The young witch beckoned him to come over. "Come and take my place then. I will go and cook dinner," she whispered, slowly and carefully standing up. It would do both of her 'holiday parents' good to rest together.
The older woman stirred a little, but feeling the warmth of her husband, she didn't wake up and snuggled closer to him. Albus gave her head a soft kiss and contently drifted off to sleep.
Hermione smiled fondly at the sleeping pair, then tiptoed as quiet as possible toward the kitchen.
--
When Minerva and Albus opened the kitchen door an hour later they stopped in the doorframe, watching with unhidden amusement a completely oblivious Hermione, setting the table. She had put on Minerva's old apron and sang cheerfully an old Scottish folk song, while putting her pasta on the table. Satisfied with her work, she turned around and was startled so violently that both Albus and Minerva had to laugh out loud.
"Dear god! I thought you were still asleep!"
"Sorry, my dear. You were so wonderfully oblivious we didn't have the heart to interrupt you." Albus looked as innocent as he could, causing the young woman to smile.
"It smells fantastic, Hermione. I didn't know you were such a good cook." Minerva was quite surprised that her young friend would cook for her.
Hermione blushed a nice shade of pink, clearly embarrassed. "You don't know if it will taste any good. Now please sit. I opened a white wine. I hope that is all right."
Albus, still overwhelmed that Hermione had put so much effort in preparing dinner for all of them, smiled warmly at her. "That's fine dear."
Minerva smiled her first real smile in a very long time, then she sat down happily. The table had obviously been set up with much love. There was a small flower in the middle as well as a burning candle. Hermione's cooking skills turned out to be magnificent, the wine matched the food perfectly and conversation flowed easily between the three of them. Albus watched with amusement the younger woman's blushing every time he or his wife let out 'hmmm' or 'aww this is so good'. He hated the thought of breaking the news to them now, but he knew he had to.
"Albus, what's wrong?" Minerva eyed her husband suspiciously.
"What makes you think something is wrong my dear?" The old man tried to look as innocent as possible, but he knew he couldn't fool her.
"Being your wife for nearly 50 years Albus," she said, giving him a look that would have scared a whole class of first years off.
"I'll need to be at Hogwarts the day after tomorrow to finish renewing the wards." His voice sounded defeated, his eyes bespeaking his sadness.
Minerva looked as if she had been slapped in the face, shock and hurt reflecting in her voice. "But Albus, it's Christmas. Are you telling me you won't be here for Christmas?"
He took her hand in his, looking straight into her unbelieving eyes. "Please believe me my dear, nothing would make me more happy than to be with you for Christmas."
"Then stay." Hermione never heard her professor plead like that.
"Minerva, you know that certain spells need to be cast at certain times to achieve maximum power. I really have no choice. With Tom out there the castle needs the best protection."
The older woman pulled her hand back. "I know," she answered sharply.
Hermione had watched the exchange carefully and could no longer stand the hurt in the older woman's eyes. She understood so well that Minerva was disappointed, but she understood Albus' need to protect the school as well. She knew he'd never hurt his wife on purpose and how hard this must be for him.
Then an idea hit her. "Why don't we have a German Christmas? "
"Sorry?" Albus turned to face her, suddenly looking so sad and tired Hermione had to swallow.
"My parents studied in Germany and we always had a German Christmas at home. They celebrate on the 24th of December. There is a nice dinner in the evening and then they exchange the gifts." The young woman explained patiently, hoping to offer a solution that everyone could be happy with.
"And what happens on the 25th and 26th?" The old man asked with evident interest.
Hermione directed her answer more to her mentor than to Albus, willing to comfort her. "There are huge dinners and time with the family."
The old wizard briefly touched the young woman's hand, putting all his gratefulness for her understanding of his situation into the gesture. "That sounds nice. What do you think Minerva?"
"It's better than nothing." Though her beautiful green eyes still reflected hurt, the sharpness her voice held just moments ago was softer now. She gave in her fate.
"I know you are disappointed, love and I am very sorry I can't be here, but please give it a try." He took her hand again and this time she didn't pull away and nodded weakly.
Hermione carefully laid her hand upon her mentors and squeezed it gently. "It will be wonderful Minerva. Trust me. We will make it the best Christmas you ever had."
A small smile tugged at the older woman's mouth. She knew both her husband and the young girl beside her would do their best to make it a wonderful Christmas. "All right, all right. A German Christmas is it then."
--
It was a couple of hours later when Minerva and Albus sat on the couch in the living room, sharing another glass of wine. Hermione had excused herself a few minutes ago, saying she had to prepare something for tomorrow.
The older witch, who was lazily resting her head on her husbands shoulder, suddenly looked up in alarm.
"Albus, we don't have a Christmas present for Hermione!" Her voice held a slight tone of panic.
The old wizard chuckled softly. "Calm down my dear. I have a very special gift for our Hermione and I'm sure you'll find something too."
She looked at her husband as if he'd lost his mind. "What do you have for her? We celebrate tomorrow! I have no time to look for a gift!"
Albus placed a soft kiss on his wife's forehead, amusement visibly in his eyes. "I can't tell you what I have for her, my dear. It will be a surprise. And as for what you should give her, you don't have to buy something. I'd say she would be happier with something more personal, maybe something that once belonged to you."
