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Holiday

Mid December 1998

Hermione was so ready for the Christmas Holiday. She needed a break. She needed a break from school, from stressing about the N.E.W.T.s, Luke, the annoying first and 2nd years, stressing about who ever was using that curse in America, wondering about Draco. Draco. Why was the name that was alway in the back of her mind? She wanted to tell someone, but she wasn't even sure what there was to tell. She was sure Luke had figured it out, she always said she was just worrying about her future, her parents, and her N.E.W.T.s but she was rather certain that he knew better.

Hermione was ready to spend the holidays at The Burrow. She was in desperate need of some time with her boys. She really missed Ron and Harry. She didn't think she would miss them so much, but she did. She felt like part of her soul was missing when they weren't all together. She might even allow them to get her on a broom, just for the thrill of it. She needed some thrill in her life right now. She had heard through Harry, even though he was sworn to secrecy, that Ron might have a new girl. She wasn't jealous at all. She was, after all, the one who said it wouldn't work. She was actually very happy for Ron. She did need to meet this girl to make sure she was acceptable for Ron. Ron and Harry would have a say in who she was dating, so she was going to have a say in who they were dating. Harry and Ginny were still together, they were taking things very slowly. Harry had a lot of healing he needed to do. He had a lot of personal demons he was having to deal with. Ginny understood and was willing to give him all the time he needed. They wrote each other twice a week and that right there proved to Hermione how much Ginny meant to him. He rarely wrote to anyone. Ever. Not even her.

One of the many demons Harry was dealing with was if he should go visit the Dursley's. The Order had sent them away, for their own safe keeping before the final battle. Harry didn't know if it was the right or wrong thing to go and visit them. When they had left Number 4, Private Drive, Harry and Dudley and Harry and his Aunt Petunia seemed to come to something close to an understanding. He felt like he owed them so much, they did care for him for almost 11 years after all. Harry and Hermione were both so unsure about what to do about their muggle families. Hermione was torn as to when to give her parents their memories back and was terrified of what their reactions might be. Harry was scared that the Dursley's would not want to see him at all, and that they would pretend he never existed. As much as Harry had disliked them and for so long he for some reason loved them. Maybe it was because they were the only blood related family he had left.

Hermione couldn't think about these things right now. She was running around her room trying to collect and pack everything she was going to need for the holidays. She needed all of her books to study for her N.E.W.T.s and clothes, and presents. Once she was finally packed she and Luke had to meet up to do rounds to make sure that everyone that was supposed to be leaving was already headed towards the train. Luke was staying behind for the holiday because one of the "heads" had too. Luke knew that Hermione was in desperate need of a break from Hogwarts so he told her his family was on some parchment deal in China for most of the month and he wouldn't see them much anyways so he might as well stay at Hogwarts and study for his N.E.W.T.s. This might have been a small lie, but he could see that Hermione needed to get away much more than he did. After they finished their final rounds Luke walked Hermione to the train. He hugged her goodbye and placed a small package in her hand. He told her to open it on the train. He turned to walk away but she grabbed his arm,

"You didn't think you were the only one who bought a present did you?" She reached into her beaded bag and rummaged around till she found what she was looking for and pulled out a gift for Luke as well. "Merry Christmas, Luke. Have a wonderful holiday! Owl me if you need anything. I'll be at The Burrow." With that Hermione stepped on the train and it depart for Kings Crossing.

Hermione was so excited to be at The Burrow. The train ride had been non-eventful, thankfully. She and Ginny sat in a private car. They talked about what they wanted to do over the holiday. Hermione opened the gift from Luke. It was a a beautifully carved box that was charmed to expand when opened. When Hermione opened the box she found very expensive rose bath salts inside. There was also a card stuck to the back of the lid. It read, 'Merry Christmas, Hermione. I know you'll put these to good use, "old lady." Love, Luke'

She chuckled to herself as she took a deep breath and filled her senses. She loved that smell. She didn't care what anyone thought. Ginny took a breath too, and asked what smelled like her grandmother's house. Hermione balled up the wrapping paper and threw it at Ginny.

She and Ginny were impatiently waiting for the boys to get home from their training. To keep herself busy Hermione was helping Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen. She kept looking outside hoping to see the boys walking through the meadow, but no such luck. Mrs. Weasley just laughed and said they'd be along soon enough. Bill and Fleur would be along shortly as well. They couldn't stay long because the pregnancy wasn't treating Fleur well. She felt tired and sick all the time, but she wanted to see Ginny and Hermione so she was going to suck it up for a while. They of course would be back for Christmas. George wouldn't be able to make it tonight. The shop was booming and he had just hired new employees and still didn't trust them enough to leave the shop open at night with just them there. Mrs. Weasley let slip that Ron was going to be bringing his new "friend" to dinner that night. She said that he was worried about what Hermione's reaction was going to be. Hermione reassured her that she was excited for Ron and unless the girl was ugly, daft, mean, and or annoying there would be no problems.

At this Mrs. Weasley laughed and said something along the lines of "I'm glad to see you haven't changed completely, always mature, Hermione."

When the boys finally arrived there had been hugs all around. Harry and Ron had run full speed to greet Hermione and Ginny. As Hermione and Ginny ran full speed to meet them. The boys ran to Hermione and hugged her. Then Harry ran and picked up Ginny and swung her around and might have quickly kissed her. This made up for the fact that he greeted Hermione first. After the hugs and "I've missed you, it's so good to see you's" Ron said he had someone he wanted Hermione and Ginny to meet. His face got red and he was very fidgety. A medium height girl with thick dark brown hair, stepped out from behind a tree.

"Hermione, Ginny this is Ashira, my girlfriend." Ron said very quickly and without breathing.

Hermione stood there and watched his face turn from one shade of red to another darker shade. Poor Ron. He was holding his breath. He needn't worry.

"What a pleasure to meet you, Ashira." Hermione said laughingly. She glanced at Harry and gave a slight nod. Ginny stared at her sizing her up and down. Hermione guessed Ginny didn't have an obvious problem with what she saw and greeted her as well.

Ron finally let out the breath he had be holding and his face slowly started to return to its normal color.

"Seeing that Ron was too chicken to fill me in on you, I'm going to have to ask you a lot of questions, so be prepared." Hermione said lightly then cut her eyes at Ron whose face turned pink again. At this Ashira laughed softly.

"Honestly Ron, did you think I would have a problem with you seeing someone? I'm the one who ended it. You're my best friend. Nothing is going to stand in the way of that."

" I ... uh ... I ... I didn't know what you would do. I had no idea how you'd take this news." Ron stammered out.

"What if I would have had a problem with it, do you think subjecting her to my wrath would have been a wise decision?" Hermione asked playfully. She was also trying to see what Ashira's reaction would be.

At this time Ashira spoke out in a heavy Israeli accent, "This was my idea. He wanted to tell you but I said that I wanted to be there when he did. I wanted to meet you first. They both speak so highly of you, and I've been made aware of you and Ron's past, I just wanted you to see that I'm not some quick shag or here to make you jealous or mad. I really do like Ron and I'm not using him for who he is. I didn't even know he was THE RON WEASLEY till a few weeks into the training program. Harry and Ron tried to keep a low profile for a while, but it didn't work out very well. Harry even used polyjuice potion for the first few weeks. In my country we, of course, knew of the war and of Voldemort, and of Harry and the "Golden Trio" but your faces weren't plastered all over the news or in the all the papers, so it took me a while to put it all together. Ron didn't talk much the first few weeks and acted like he was very nervous to be there. That's not what I had pictured one of the "Golden Trio" acting like."

At this Hermione made her decision. She liked Ashira.

Hermione smiled and said, "I really am pleased to meet you Ashira, and I think you are going to have to tell me all about Ron acting nervous. I will get great joy out of these stories. I might even have a few to share myself."

Ron's face turned red again, but they were all laughing. Harry wrapped one arm around Ginny's waist and the other around Hermione. Ron wrapped one around Ashira and the other around Hermione and the 5 of them made their way to the house.

The dinner was amazing. Hermione forgot how absolutely amazing Mrs. Weasley's cooking was. She hadn't eaten so well in a long time. It was great to see Bill and Fleur, even if Fleur wasn't feeling well. Fleur wanted to hear all about what was going on at Hogwarts and how study for the N.E.W.T.s was going. She also was very interested in Ron's girlfriend. She had yet to meet her due to being so sick. Everyone really enjoyed Ashira's company as well. She fit in very well with the group, much better than Fleur did in the beginning. She was smart, funny, and very feisty. She didn't put up with any of Ron's crap and Ginny liked her for that. The evening was an over all success and Hermione was exhausted when she made her way up to Ginny's room that evening. Since George had moved out that had pretty much become Harry's room. It was easier to call it Harry's room that George's or the twins'. There was still a great sadness in all of them from the loss of Fred.

Hermione hung around The Burrow and studied for her N.E.W.T.s the next few days. She was also trying to figure out a way to see what was going on in America without making it obvious. Neither of the boys or Ashira had said anything about what was going on over there. Maybe the murders had stopped. Wishful thinking Hermione. They all decided to go to Diagon Alley on Saturday morning to finish up some last minute Christmas shopping. Hermione had a few more things to get and had yet to see George. The shop was keeping him very busy.

Draco was in Diagon Alley on Saturday morning as well. He was there buying something for his mother and something to send to Roddy. He also needed to get out of his flat and not think about anything. Hermione had just made the boys go off on their own so she could finish buying what she needed for their presents and had almost walked right into Draco. She apologized for not paying any attention to where she was going and he surprisingly enough didn't make any cheeky comment just, "Not a problem Granger, I'm slightly distracted myself. It could have been as much my fault as yours."

This time it was her turn to stare at him with her mouth slightly ajar.

"Trying to catch flies there, Granger?" Draco drawled.

"There's a comment that should come out of your mouth. For a moment I thought someone had polyjuiced you."

Draco chuckled and said, "No, but I really was distracted. Sorry to bother you. Have a Merry Christmas, Granger." Draco turned to walk away but Hermione grabbed his elbow. Something warm flooded through both of their bodies when they touched.

"Malfoy, wait. You weren't distracted, by chance, with what I might have over heard you and your American friend talking about in Hogsmead a while ago, are you?"

"Were you eavesdropping Granger?"

"Yes, well ... You overheard what I said too, so there." Hermione said whilst blushing.

Draco again chuckled and said, "It's all right, Granger. I was very surprised at what you had to say about me. I was expecting vial evil things to spew from you, but what you said was very kind. I was shocked. I am distracted by what you overheard Roddy and I talking about."

"The murders haven't stopped then? I've tried to look for information while I've been at The Burrow but I don't want to look suspicious. I haven't succeed. I was hoping, because Ron, Harry, Mr. Weasley, and Ashira hadn't said anything, they had stopped."

"I'm afraid not. There were two more at the end of November and another one just a few days ago. Roddy is doing everything he can on his end and I'm trying to do what I can over here, but we are both coming up empty. It isn't very well known. The Americans are trying very hard to keep this issue on the "down low" as Roddy said. Which I am assuming means they are trying to keep this quiet. I am not surprised that none of your friends have heard about it. Wait, who is Ashira?"

"Ashira is Ron's girlfriend. She is in the program with the boys. She is wonderful."

"Ron's got a girlfriend? I figured you broke it off with him because he was unable to preform," was Draco's smart aleck reply.

"It had nothing to do with that. We are just better friends than a couple." Hermione said with such authority that it make Draco stare at his shoes for a moment. He was hoping that Hermione didn't notice but she did. She just chose not to say anything about it. "Malfoy, if you need any help with the whole thing in America feel free to owl me. I must finish my shopping before the boys come and find me. Merry Christmas, Draco."

"Thank you, Granger. Have a nice shopping trip. Merry Christmas, Hermione."

She called me Draco. What was that about?

He called me Hermione. What was that about?