The next morning Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione were met by Mr and Mrs Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt in Professor McGonagall's office. After quick Hello's and hugs they were set to head on their way.
"We are going to Tonks' parent's house." Mrs Weasley said, still looking quite anxious. "It will be quite a tight fit for everyone, but everyone being safe and together is the most important thing."
"We are travelling by portkey today." Kingsley's deep voice rumbled as he looked around at all of them. "Simple, but effective. There are multiple one's set up to different areas, but we are confident no one knows that we are travelling."
"This sounds like a war mission." Ron grinned but was silenced by Mrs Weasley's glare.
"Don't joke Ron," Mr Weasley looked just as annoyed. "In the current climate, it basically is."
The group made their way out to the ground where Dumbledore was waiting with Hagrid besides a rusty old shovel to see them all off. Within minutes the group besides Dumbledore and Hagrid were being yanked into thin air and within seconds had landed in the front garden of Tonk's parents house.
They walked through the door to be greeted by Lupin, Tonks, Tonks' parents and the rest of the Weasley clan, except for Percy. The house was already beautifully decorated, with the aroma of a roast dinner wafting from the kitchen.
Chatter soon filled the room as everyone began hugging and exchanging greetings. Hermione was just pulling herself out of a death grip hug from Tonks as she made her way to Fred and George.
"Hermione. Pleasure as always." They spouted simultaneously.
"Fred, George." She smiled at them. "It's just so wonderful to see everyone safe and sound."
"Then you are probably going to like who else is here Hermione." Lupin smiled kindly at her. "If I were you I would head into the kitchen."
She walked through the door into the kitchen, only to be confronted by the sight of her parents. With a squeal she ran forward and threw her arms around them both.
"You can't imagine how amazing it is to see you." She whispered through the tears that were welling up in her eyes.
"Of course we can sweetheart." Hermione's father pulled her closer to him and the three stood there for a few moments, overcome with happiness to be in each other's company. Hermione pulled away and turned to shoot and over exaggerated glare at Ron, Harry and Ginny.
"Is this what the three of you were keeping from me then?" She scolded.
The boys looked back at her sheepishly whilst Ginny rolled her eyes. "Well, you can't say it wasn't a great Christmas present." Ginny stated as a matter of fact.
Hermione laughed as she pulled away from her parents and threw her arms around her friends. "It's the best Christmas present." She tightened her arms around them all. "Thanks, I really needed it." With this she turned around to the others. "How did this even happen?"
"Well, we didn't think it was fair for you to miss out on spending the holidays without your parents." Mrs Weasley smiled at her. "And Ginny told me how you worry about them so at least your mind should be at ease for a little while."
Hermione couldn't help the massive grin that she shot back at Mrs Weasley. "Thank you, thank you so much!" She turned back to her parents and pulled them onto the seats around the kitchen table with her. "Now tell me everything! How have you both been?"
Hermione spent the rest of the night catching up with her parents. Hearing about the rest of her family and telling her parent's about her year so far at school, well, not everything about her year so far at school, the rest of her troubles were for once far from her mind.
The excitement of that first evening together didn't totally last, once everyone's relief at being back together once more passed, the realities of the war set in once more. The rest of the holidays were spent in an almost forced festiveness. It was fantastic to hear about everyone in the order and what had been going on, and everyone being together for the first time in a long time was wonderful. But there was also a solemness in the atmosphere, the dangers of the outside world not forgotten by anyone, always in the back of her thoughts. It was often brought to the front of their minds also, with people from the Order popping in at out, bringing more grim news the good it seemed to everyone.
The night before they would return to school Hermione was sitting in the lounge alone by the fireplace, lost in her thoughts and worries about what she would return to when she got back to school. She was interrupted when Tonks walked into the room.
"Hi Tonks." Hermione smiled at her.
"I wondered if I could talk to you Hermione?" She looked quite hesitant as she sat down next to her.
"Of course Tonks, what about?"
"You must know, that soon an all out war is going to break out." Tonks looked extremely grim. "You guys may not even get to finish the school year at this rate."
Hermione was slightly shocked. "Really? Is it that bad at the moment? I mean I know it was bad... I just never imagined it would happen so soon."
"Unfortunately, Voldemort's supporters are simply gaining more and more of a strong hold, it's only a matter of time before they come out totally into the open. When they do, it just won't be safe for you all to be at Hogwarts unprepared." Tonks sighed and looked into the fire place. "We have plans in place for you guys to get you all out obviously, We just had hoped that we wouldn't need to use them."
"Oh well, I can always finish my schooling one day but at least this way we can actually be of help to you all." Hermione smiled warily. "We do feel quite useless at times being stuck at Hogwarts, the war almost doesn't seem real there."
"Well that's why we've been glad you have all been there as long as you have! Hopefully I'm being over cautious warning you." Tonks mulled things over in her head. "It's just something to be aware of I suppose, just promise me you will keep an eye out for anything unusual at Hogwarts. Security is as high as ever, and we are at the ready should anything happen."
"Of course Tonks." Hermione promised squeezing her hand. "I'll be on the lookout. I'm ready for this." She took a deep breath. "I have to be."
Hermione went to bed that night tossing and turning the whole time, desperately worried about the future and still as desperate as ever to find out if Draco was alright, and beginning to wonder if he would even come back to School.
** Authors note: Sorry for the filler chapter but I felt it was needed, more Dramione to come! As always feel free to review tell me what you like and don't like :) **