Even though she started her last year of school a month behind everyone else, the Christmas holidays couldn't arrive quick enough for Hermione. Even though she saw Lyra most days, and spent the majority of her weekends with her daughter, she was looking forward to spending a few uninterrupted weeks with her little girl. She'd been lucky enough for Tonks to arrange a shopping trip for her the last weekend before the break, so Christmas preparations were well under way.
On the morning the holidays began, Hermione boarded the Hogwarts Express with her friends. She would have loved to just floo home, but in order to keep up appearances she had to travel like everyone else. However, despite her eagerness to get home, in the end she was pleased she was travelling with her friends. She really hadn't seen a lot of Harry and Ron in the last few months, and she wouldn't be seeing them at all over the holidays.
"Are you sure you'll not be able to come and visit over Christmas?" Ron checked as they settled in for the long journey home.
The previous evening, Hermione had visited Gryffindor Tower and exchanged presents with her friends. She'd also informed them they she wouldn't be seeing them until they returned to school in the New Year.
"Sorry, my parents have plans for the holidays," Hermione replied, wishing yet again that she didn't have to lie. She was so looking forward to the day when she could tell her friends the truth about her life.
"Can't you get out of them?" Harry asked. "Even if it's only for a day."
"I doubt it," Hermione said. "They were pretty insistent that we had plans all holidays."
"It's such a shame," Ginny said with a sigh. "But we'll be thinking of you."
"I'll be thinking of you lot as well," Hermione said quietly as her mind started to wonder to her parents. Just talking about them made her think of how hopeless the situation with them was.
Hermione hadn't heard from her parents since they abandoned her when she was pregnant. She'd tried to see things from their point of view, but she just couldn't. She'd struggled with her parents decisions even before she had Lyra, but now she was a mother herself, she struggled even more to accept their choice. She knew there was nothing in the world that would make her abandon her daughter, so she had to wonder what she'd done wrong if her parents could do that to her. She'd even tried writing to her parents after she'd had Lyra, but the letter had come back with the owl she sent it with alongside another note asking her not to write again. Hermione did wonder if things would go better if she spoke to her parents in person, but so far she hadn't plucked up the courage to do so. Maybe Christmas would change all that and she could take the time to try and speak to her parents.
Shaking herself out of her slightly maudlin thoughts, Hermione turned her attention back to her friends. They still had a few hours before they arrived back at London and Hermione intended to make the most of the time with her friends. She would worry about her parents later, but right now she would focus her attention on Harry, Ron and Ginny.
The foursome happily chatted for nearly an hour before Ginny headed off to spend some time with her other friends. Ginny had barely left the compartment, before Harry and Ron lowered their voices and confided in Hermione that they would be spending a portion of their Christmas holidays helping Dumbledore with the Horcruxes.
"He's tracked down a cup that once belonged to Helga Hufflepuff," Harry explained.
"Exactly how many of these things are there?" Hermione asked with a frown. She knew Harry and Ron had explained about the Horcruxes when she'd first returned to school, but she couldn't remember them mentioning how many of them there was.
"We think Voldemort's split his soul into seven pieces," Harry answered. "That means, he has six Horcruxes."
"Dumbledore had already destroyed one when he told us about them, and we helped him destroy a second one," Ron said. "And this one makes three."
"He also thinks the diary I destroyed in second year was one," Harry added. "And we think Nagini is the last one."
"That's only five," Hermione pointed out. "What's the sixth one?"
"That's where we have a problem," Harry admitted. "Dumbledore is convinced it'll be something once belonging to Rowena Ravenclaw, but we're not sure what."
"Why is Dumbledore so convinced it's something belonging to Rowena Ravenclaw?" Hermione asked.
Harry explained Dumbledore's theories about how Voldemort was obsessed with the founders of Hogwarts as it was the only place he'd felt at home. The trio then got talking about Rowena Ravenclaw, and the little bit of information Dumbledore had managed to dig out on her. It turned out she was pretty reclusive and not much was known about the witch who'd helped start Hogwarts.
"Have you looked in the library at school?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, but we're not really sure where to look," Harry confessed.
"In the New Year, I'll help you search for some answers," Hermione said. She'd decided it was time she got involved in really helping the Order defeat Voldemort. After all, her daughter wouldn't be safe until the dark wizard was defeated.
"You're the best, Hermione," Ron said with a grin.
For the rest of the journey talk of Voldemort was put to one side and they just concentrated on having fun. When they arrived at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, Hermione disembarked from the train with Harry and Ron. Ginny quickly caught up with them as they made their way to where Molly was waiting to meet her children and Harry.
"Are your parents not here, Hermione?" Molly asked as Hermione stopped to wish the older witch a Merry Christmas.
"I'm meeting them up in the muggle world," Hermione replied. "Speaking of which, I should get going. I'll see you all in the New Year. Have a great Christmas."
"You too," Harry said, giving Hermione a hug.
Hermione gave Ron and Ginny a hug, before saying goodbye and heading off towards the barrier that led to the muggle world. Just before she reached the barrier, Hermione spotted Draco with his parents. Hoping Draco and Narcissa wouldn't be caught up with Lucius for too long, and that they wouldn't have to spend too much time with him over the holidays, Hermione passed through the barrier into the muggle world. Exiting the station, she found Remus waiting for her outside.
"Hey," Hermione greeted, smiling at the wizard. "Thanks for coming to meet me."
"We wanted to be sure you were alright," Remus replied. They could have left Hermione to head home herself, but given the situation Dumbledore had insisted that someone should be there to meet her from the station. "Let's get going."
Hermione gladly took hold of Remus's arm and let him apparate her back home. The pair landed in the front hallway, and Hermione instantly dropped her bag to the floor and rushed into the front room. In the front room she found Tonks sitting on the sofa, with Lyra on her knee.
"Here's Mummy home," Tonks cooed to Lyra as she got to her feet.
Hermione scooped Lyra out of Tonks's arms and peppered her daughter with kisses. "How's she been?" She asked Tonks.
"She's been an angel as usual," Tonks replied. "And how's school been?"
"I've missed Lyra like crazy," Hermione answered as she settled down on the sofa with her daughter. "But it's been nice to spend time with Harry and Ron. I just wish I could tell them the truth."
"You'll be able to confide in them soon enough," Tonks said.
"I was also thinking of getting more involved with the Order after Christmas," Hermione said. "We need to get rid of Voldemort, and I need to help as much as I can."
"I think that's a very good idea," Remus said. "Just as long as you don't overstretch yourself."
"Don't worry, I won't," Hermione reassured the concerned pair. "Lyra is still my top priority."
Turning her attention to her daughter, Hermione fussed over her daughter as Tonks filled her in on what she'd been missing. Hermione was still sitting snuggled up with Lyra when the floo network lit up and Draco and Narcissa stepped from the flames. Dropping his bag to the floor, Draco rushed over to Hermione and plucked Lyra out of her arms. After giving his daughter a cuddle, he settled down beside Hermione and the pair spent a few minutes enjoying being a family.
"I'll get the elves to start dinner," Narcissa announced. "I thought we could all decorate the tree together once we've ate."
"That sounds like a lovely idea," Draco said to his mother.
"We'll be off," Remus said as he and Tonks got to their feet. "You know where to find us if you need anything."
"Please stay," Hermione said. "It is alright, isn't it Narcissa?"
"Of course," Narcissa replied. "I was planning on there being the five of us for dinner anyway."
"Don't you want some time alone as a family?" Tonks asked.
"You are family," Draco replied, shooting his cousin a smile. "Seriously though, you two are part of this family. We all want you to stay and eat with us."
With the matter settled Remus and Tonks stayed for dinner. They even hung around after dinner was finished, and watched as Draco and Hermione decorated the large Christmas tree in the corner of the front room.
"What do you think, princess?" Draco asked, cradling a drowsy Lyra in his arms as he stood in front of the finished Christmas tree. "Your first Christmas tree."
"I don't know about her, but I love it," Hermione said, standing beside her boyfriend. "I can't wait to celebrate our first Christmas together as a family."
"Neither can I," Draco replied as he dropped a kiss on the top of Hermione's head.
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The week leading up to Christmas was spent as a family for Draco and Hermione. While Narcissa ensured everything was ready for the big day, they concentrated on spending time with their daughter. Lyra was their first priority, and for the first time since she was born they were able to spend more than a few days as a family unit.
On Christmas Eve, Draco and Narcissa had to spend a few hours with Lucius, so Hermione spent the afternoon alone with Lyra. Luckily Lucius wasn't expecting to see either of them on Christmas Day, so they were able to have a proper family Christmas. Lyra was spoilt rotten with toys and clothes, and the adults all had fun doting on the young girl and indulging in the fantastic spread Narcissa's elf had laid on.
After a wonderful day, Hermione and Draco settled Lyra down in her nursery, before retiring to their own room. Also since the first time since they returned home for the holidays, Narcissa had the baby monitor and had promised to see to Lyra if she woke up in the night. As part of their Christmas present, Narcissa had promised them an uninterrupted evening together.
"I don't know about you, but I had a great day," Draco said as he flopped onto their bed.
"So did I," Hermione agreed. "And the day isn't over yet. I've got one more present for you if you want it."
"What's the present?" Draco asked as Hermione pulled a flat box from one of her drawers.
"Wait and see," Hermione replied as she headed for the bathroom. "But I promise you'll like it," She added, giving her boyfriend a wink before entering the bathroom and shutting the door behind her.
Having a good idea what his extra present was, Draco hopped off the bed and pulled his t-shirt and trousers off. He then settled himself back on the bed wearing just his emerald green boxers. Five minutes later he certainly wasn't disappointed when Hermione emerged from the bathroom, wearing a skimpy red and black lingerie set.
"Do I get to open my present?" Draco asked with a smirk.
"On one condition," Hermione replied as she stalked towards the bed. "No tearing and ripping. You open carefully, or you just look and don't get to touch."
"I'll be good," Draco vowed as Hermione perched on the bed beside him. "If you come closer, I'll show you just how good I can be."
Chuckling in response, Hermione crawled onto the bed and settled herself next to her boyfriend. Leaning down, Draco engaged her in a languid kiss as his hands started roaming over her scantily clad body. In return Hermione's hands caressed Draco's firm torso, slowly travelling downwards until her hands were toying with the waistband of his boxers.
"You're being a tease," Draco whispered in Hermione's ear as her hands ghosted over the only material he was wearing.
"Sorry." Hermione chuckled in response, before sliding Draco's boxers down his legs and taking him into her hand. "Better?"
"Much," Draco replied with a deep groan.
Draco took a few moments to enjoy Hermione's touch, before he refocused on getting his girlfriend naked. Remembering what she's said about being careful, he expertly undid her bra and slipped it off. He then peeled her knickers down her legs and dropped both garments to the floor beside his own discarded underwear.
"You are being good," Hermione remarked, taking note that her underwear was still intact.
"You haven't seen anything yet," Draco retorted, as he swept in and engaged Hermione in a heated kiss.
One kiss was enough to move things to the next step for the pair and the teasing ended as things took a more heated turn. Soon the pair were totally lost in each other as their bodies moved in perfect harmony. Tumbling into oblivion together, the couple lay entangled for several minutes as they caught their breath. Before they'd even fully recovered they started the whole process again, and for a few hours they forgot about everything else but how alive they made each other feel.
Finally the couple drifted off to sleep in each other's arms, looking forward to the upcoming New Year and what it would hold for them and their daughter. Little did they know, the upcoming year was going to be their toughest yet and they would need all their strength to emerge unscathed from what was about to befall them.
A/N – I want to thank everyone reading this story, and especially those who review. Just to let you know that from next week The Power of Love will be moving to Tuesday and Thursdays, so it can be updated twice a week.