Like most Christmas days in the past, a picture-perfect white Christmas did not happen in London this year. It was cold outside, but not below freezing, and to Hermione's delight, the sun was even shining. That was a lot nicer than rain at least.
At the sight of the sparkling Christmas tree in the living room, Hermione actually shuddered at the prospect of returning to Hogwarts in a few days.
There was already a powdery blanket of snow all over the surrounding hills and the Great Hall, as well as the common rooms and everything else, were breathtakingly beautifully decorated.
So when she returned this time, it would be the last time she would experience this outpouring of Christmas magic. The list of recent times was shrinking at an alarming rate.
Before she could descend into melancholy in her room, however, a soft clatter sounded at her window.
She looked up from her bed, which she had just made up, and saw Hedwig sitting behind the glass.
"Hello Hedwig, good to see you," she greeted the owl and let her in. She closed the window as soon as the snow owl had hopped through, so as not to let the cold in.
"Well, what have you got for me?" she asked, taking a thick envelope from her.
"Thank you, here you go." She gave Hedwig a treat and opened the envelope.
"Oh, that's a lot," she noted as she pulled out three letters on multiple pages.
"Do you have a moment to wait for my answers? I was actually just going down to watch the Queen's Speech with my family."
Hedwig fluttered onto her bed and clawed at the front bed frame. She cooed softly and closed her eyes.
"Very well, I'll get you some water quickly," Hermione decided, stroking Hedwig's head with her thumb and hurriedly leaving the room.
"Did you just make a phone call?" her mother asked as she met her in the hallway before the stairs. This houses walls where really way too thin.
"No, Harry's owl just arrived with Christmas letters. I'll just get her a bowl of water real quick."
As she balanced a small glass bowl back up the stairs, her mother stood in the bathroom with the door open, fixing her hair.
"I thought all your friends had mobiles now too, why are you still writing letters to each other?" she asked as Hermione passed her.
"There's no reception in the forest at the Weasleys'. Besides, Christmas mail does have a charm, doesn't it?"
"You've got a point there. Are you ready then?" Her mother turned off the bathroom light and looked at her daughter expectantly.
"Yes, I'll be right there." Hermione scurried into her room, put Hedwig's water on her window sill and hurried back downstairs.
She herself didn't really care about the Queen's speech, but for her grandma it was practically the highlight of the holidays and she was happy to oblige by sitting in front of the television with her.
Under the tree there was still a pile of folded wrapping paper and two empty gift bags. Her mother had already put the unwrapped presents to the side.
"Oh, mail from your friends?" her grandma asked happily when she saw the letters in Hermione's hand.
"Yes, they just arrived."
"Oh, I think it's so nice that you still write letters to each other. It's dying out among the young folks. Judith and Mary's grandchildren are only on their mobile phones all the time."
Hermione and her mother exchanged amused glances. Her father turned on the television, where the announcement for the speech was already playing.
Hermione knew that her grandmother's main concern was being together in the living room and didn't care if the rest of the family was watching intently or not. So she opened the first letter as the Queen began talking.
Dear Hermione,
Merry Christmas and greetings from the burrow.
Today we actually We are very cosy today as usual and Mum has already packed some biscuits for you. I'm writing this to you so I know you know about it and I won't eat them on the way back to Hogwarts.
But we'll see each other again soon anyway, so I can't think of much else to write.
See you soon,
Ron
Hermione shook her head with a smile. The longest letter Ron had ever written to her before had been just about a page long. Harry had once managed two, when he'd gone on about Umbridge.
Ginny, on the other hand, usually wrote at least two pages. This time too, her letter was the longest.
Merry Christmas Hermione!
Even though we'll see each other again soon, I miss you here a lot right now. A house full of boys is really exhausting, even if you grew up with it. You'd think the older brothers would eventually calm down and become more adult and MATURE, but no...
There are constantly things flying around and Fred and George are always testing new things from their joke shop on us.
I'm thinking about taking one or two new items to the Slytherin party, though.
Ron has now also noticed that Harry has asked me to be his date for that evening and since then the mood has been kind of weird. As I expected...
Not like when I saw Theo, but still. He tries not to let it show, but I guess he just can't turn off the protective instinct with me. Even when it comes to Harry.
Maybe because he's always been patronised by the rest of the family and I'm the only younger one. Although I never tire of pointing out that it's only one year!
Let's hope he has his head full of candy floss again and I have my peace once he's reunited with Lavender.
Harry seems to be avoiding me a bit, though. And then he doesn't.
But we girls are always so complicated, they say!
But speeking of dating and stuff, I'm sorry for teasing you about Dean in front of the others while we were shopping. I was just trying to distract them from me, but I think you know that.
That doesn't mean that I don't still think you have a crush. And since you can't interrupt me while I'm writing a letter and you're going to read it all, here's another unsolicited tip from someone who has to know.
Dean is not shy, but he is very concerned with making one feel safe and comfortable with him. You know, the main reason it didn't work out between us back then was because he was too „protective" of me. I can't think of a better way to phrase it, but you know what I mean.
What I'm saying is that if you don't make the first clear move, this could drag on forever and who knows what paths we'll all take after Hogwarts when we're no longer hanging on each other day after day.
So, enough romance talk.
I hope you can enjoy the holidays and that not every conversation with your parents revolves around your professional future and other similarly light topics.
If not, you are allowed apparate now. As you know, our door is always open.
Sending hugs! See you soon,
Ginny
As soon as the speech on TV was over, Hermione got back into her room to answer the letters in peace.
First she wrote the one to Harry, then to Ron. Before she could write the reply to Ginny, she was interrupted by her phone buzzing.
Raphaël_A_B - 4:13 pm
Merry Christmas Hermione! I hope you got great presents and ate the best holiday food! :)
When are you heading back to the castle by the way?
Hermione - 4:15 pm
Merry Christmas! I can't complain about anything. How is it with you?
I'm going back in four days. We're celebrating New Year's Eve with the two highest grades at Hogwarts. It'll probably be a bit extra, but so far parties like this have always been nice.
How are you spending New Year's Eve?
Raphaël_A_B - 4:18 pm
I really don't want to bring the mood down, but to be honest, it's pretty exhausting here. My parents won't give me a moment's peace and keep bringing up the fact that I've been alone for ages and that they want grandchildren so badly.
I thought I'd have an easier time with a Muggle mother than some of my friends, but apparently she's been infected by this panic.
The party sounds great! We didn't have anything like that in Beauxbatons. At most, there were a few groups of friends celebrating together, but proper school parties only happened at the end of the year.
Hermione - 4:22 pm
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. That really spoils the Christmas spirit, I can imagine.
Fortunately, it's kept within bounds for me. It's only been about my professional future once a day at most, and my dad has only suggested an internship with an acquaintance once ^^.
But all jokes aside, I know how exhausting it can be. Some of my classmates already have to listen to the whole marriage talk, even though we haven't even left school yet!
I really don't understand why the wizarding world is so obsessed with getting married and having children as early as possible. After all we live longer on average than Muggles.
Hmm well, I guess the party won't be "great". It's being hosted by the Slytherin house and those are our rich snobs who put too much value on their blood status. There's always some kind of stupid rules to annoy the other houses.
Raphaël_A_B - 4:25 pm
Yeah, I don't get that either. It's about time the era of married couples just coming of age passes.
Stupid rules at parties? :D What can I possibly imagine by that? Do you all have to show up dressed in the same colour or what?
Hermione - 4:30pm
Not quite, the dress code is black tie, though. But we all have to turn up with a date, otherwise we have to join one more of their party games. And knowing the Slytherins, brining a date would be highly advisable.
Raphaël_A_B - 4:32 pm
Haha, that's a... nice idea. But I can imagine that it's awkward for some. After all, not everyone is as charming as you and can choose their dates out of many ;)
Hermione - 4:34pm
Thank you for the gallantly threaded compliment, but I actually don't have a queue of potential dates at my door. I think I'll just partner up with someone who also doesn't have a serious date. Nobody is looking forward to going there alone so that shouldn't be a problem.
Raphaël_A_B - 4:37pm
Are you kidding? I can't imagine that. Nobody asked you? And you haven't asked anyone? There's no one you'd like to go with?
Hermione drummed her fingers on the desk for a moment before answering.
Somehow it was tempting to tell Raphaël about her tangled emotions of the last few weeks. After all, he was effectively an outsider, didn't know anyone from Hogwarts and wouldn't be able to gossip about it to anyone. So why not?
Because it was embarrassing.
Even articulating her thoughts clearly to herself made Hermione uncomfortable. Since when had she been so awkward again? She felt like she was abruptly back to fourteen.
Hermione - 4:40pm
To be honest, there was someone I would have liked to go with. But the person was only on a "real" date the other day – well, sort of… anyway, long story - and I don't want to just be the stopgap for a party. So I'd rather go with someone who's also "left over" and have a casual, nice evening. As far as casual in black tie is possible.
Raphaël_A_B - 4:46 pm
Ah, I see.
Raphaël_A_B - 4:48 pm
So, I know this sounds stupid, but I have a suggestion.
I mean, if he's only been on one date and it's apparently a bit more complicated than that, as you said, that doesn't have to mean anything.
Maybe you could give him a little push by playing a little hard to get and showing up with a date that actually seems like a date?
I've always wanted to see Hogwarts ;)
Hermione - 16:50
I don't think that's possible. Hogwarts has pretty strict guidelines about who can enter the grounds. But thanks for the offer.
Raphal_A_B - 4:51pm
Think about it. I could play on my celebrity bonus on that one. I could just offer to do a guest lesson for your Quidditch teams, that should work :)
I'd really hate for you to have to spend New Year's Eve date-less.
Hermione - 4:52pm
I'll think about it. I need to go answer some Christmas mail now. I'll talk to you later, okay?
Raphaël_A_B - 4:52 pm
Sure thing :) Later.
Hermione glanced after Hedwig as she silently disappeared into the distance. It would take the owl about three and a half to four hours to reach the burrow. So her friends could read the letters comfortably in front of the blazing fireplace with Molly's biscuits in front of them.
Just as Hermione was considering whether to go for a walk or read a book, her mobile rang. For once it wasn't a message, but a call.
From Hannah Abbott? Had she dialled the wrong number?
"Hello?", Hermione answered with a surprised tone in her voice.
"Hi, Hermione? Um... it's Hannah"
"Hi, merry Christmas Hannah. What's up?"
"Oh, that's right, Merry Christmas. I... um... are you at home right now?"
"Yes?" Hermione stepped back from the window and sat on her bed. Hannah sounded insanely nervous. Her voice trembled and she almost whispered.
"Okay, very well. Do you think we could meet up? Maybe tomorrow?"
"I...think so, sure. What's wrong?"
"I can't tell you over the phone, but I think I need your help."
"If it's urgent, we can meet today, but are you in London?" Hermione didn't even know where Hannah's family lived, but she had never heard her talk about London or the area. However, the two of them had generally never talked much about family and life outside of Hogwarts.
"Yeah, I'm actually at my grandma's right now, she lives near your parents." She cleared her throat softly. "Neville told me where you live once," she added explanatorily.
"Well then, you're welcome to come over if you like," Hermione suggested.
"Really? Okay, that would be great. Then... like, in half an hour?"
"Yeah, okay. See you in a bit then?"
"Yeah, see you in a bit."
Hermione hung up and sat motionless on her bed for a moment. What was going on now?
Hannah was known for being close to the water and taking a lot of things to heart, but she had sounded really panicked.
At first Hermione had thought it was a question about studying, but after the second sentence at the latest she could rule that out with great certainty.
What was urgent, but couldn't be discussed over the phone? And why did she specifically need her help? Hannah and Hermione had always got on quite well, but they had never been close friends. Hannah was also not a lonely person. She was good friends with Justin and Ernie and she had also spent a lot of time with Susan this year.
Hermione pocketed her phone, got up and joined her parents downstairs in the living room, where they were watching an old Christmas movie with her grandma.
"I just got a call from a classmate who seems to have a problem. Is that okay if she comes over for a bit?", Hermione asked into the room.
"On Christmas Day?" it came straight from her grandma.
"Sure, no problem," her father waved it off. "Of course, if she needs help, she can come over. What's the matter?"
"She wouldn't tell me on the phone. To be honest, I can't imagine what it's about either."
"Do we know her?" her mother wanted to know.
"No, we've never met outside of school. Her name is Hannah."
"Let me know if you need anything. I can put tea on for you again," her father said, focusing on the TV screen again.
"Thanks." Hermione thought about it for a moment and then sat down on the couch with her parents after all. She wanted to avoid imagining the wildest things for half an hour now. There was nothing wrong with an old classic movie, even if she had missed the beginning.
The doorbell rang so punctually after exactly thirty minutes that Hermione suspected Hannah had already been waiting around the corner for some time so as not to be there too early.
When she pulled open the front door, there was truly a pile of misery standing before her.
Hannah's blonde hair, which she usually had neatly braided, stood a little tousled under a woollen cap. Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy and she had noticeable dark circles under them.
"Hello Hermione." Her voice still sounded shaky too, as if she would burst into tears any second.
"Hi. You look... miserable," Hermione admitted.
"Yeah, I know. I'm really sorry to bother you on Christmas."
"Nonsense, it's fine. Come in." Hermione took a step to the side to let Hannah past her into the house, but she didn't move.
"Can we maybe go for a walk instead?" she suggested hesitantly. "I don't want to disturb your parents."
"They already know someone is coming over. It doesn't matter," Hermione assured her, but that didn't really seem to convince Hannah. She glanced around quickly to her left and right and took a deep breath before following Hermione inside.
"You don't have to say hello to my parents either, we can go straight to my room if you want," Hermione suggested.
"Yes, please." Hannah nodded hurriedly and followed Hermione up the stairs.
"Go ahead, you can sit on my bed," Hermione offered. "Or on the armchair, as you prefer."
"Thanks," Hannah breathed, looking around Hermione's room briefly before sitting down on the bottom of the bed.
"Nice room you've got here."
"Thanks." Hermione handed Hannah a packet of tissues and sat down on her pillow herself.
"I kind of thought you had more books in your room," Hannah noted, staring at Hermione's bookshelf.
"Well, I'm not here that often," Hermione remarked, giving her classmate an appraising look. "What's wrong now?"
Hannah looked almost caught off guard and glanced nervously at her hands.
"I... don't even know where to start, if I'm honest." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I'm sure you're also wondering why I called you of all people."
Hermione nodded, even if Hannah couldn't see it.
"Well... we did get those lectures at the beginning of the year about... the internet and online safety and mobile phones and stuff."
"Mhm," Hermione made, frowning. What had she been up to? Maybe, like Neville, she had spent too much money? Or was she the next Amortentia victim?
"Justin did that presentation for us and it was actually quite helpful and he always answered our questions if anything was wrong or unclear, but..." Hannah finally opened her eyes again and looked hesitantly over at Hermione.
"Some things you just don't ask your guy friend, you know? And you're the only one I could think of who knows about stuff like that and isn't a guy."
"I see," Hermione replied, waiting tensely for the rest of the story. None of this sounded good at all.
"You'll probably think I'm a complete idiot if I tell you what I did," Hannah whined. "I don't know how I could be so stupid myself, but somehow..."
"Hey, don't worry about it," Hermione assured her. "Whatever it is - believe me, I've done stupid things too that I can't explain now."
Hannah gave her a mocking look.
"You. Hermione Granger. Of course."
"I swear," Hermione merely returned, raising her hands defensively. "So? What happened?"
Hannah chewed the insides of her cheeks nervously.
"I met someone on Amortentia a few weeks ago," she admitted. Hermione sighed and would have very much liked to growl into her pillow, but she managed to restrain herself.
"Hannah, before you go any further," she interrupted her, "Whatever you're gonna tell me now - you're not the only one who got fooled on that app."
Hannah's eyes widened and she knotted her hands together.
"What, really? That's terrible, who else?"
"Seamus and Padma," Hermione replied. "And maybe others I didn't hear about. We've been trying to figure out who it is for weeks now, because we're assuming it's someone from Hogwarts."
Hannah stared motionlessly at Hermione for a moment before suddenly sobbing loudly and burying her face in her hands. Hermione was a little overwhelmed by the sudden howl, but then slid closer to her and put a hand on Hannah's shoulder.
"Don't be embarrassed, Lavender also almost fell for it at first. Things like that happen faster than you think."
"But... the others... did Padma too...," Hannah sobbed into her hands. Hermione didn't ask at first, but let Hannah cry and calm down a little.
"Are you sure it was always the same one?", Hannah finally got out.
"Pretty sure, it was always the same story. Seamus was going to meet him and then got stood up in front of all of us. That took a lot out of him too. And Padma was really bad for a while as you may have noticed."
"So who's 'we'?" inquired Hannah, wiping away tears with a handkerchief. „Who knows about this?"
"Harry, Ron, Dean, Parvati, Luna, Ginny and me."
"That's quite a few," Hannah observed.
"Seamus was totally embarrassed about it too, but you really don't have to be," Hermione assured her, stroking Hannah's back reassuringly.
"But... did they also... send something?"
Hermione stumbled. Sent what? An alarming shiver ran down her spine.
"No. Not that I know of. What did you send him, Hannah?" Had she actually sent someone money? That would be a whole new level of outrageousness. Or was it a completely different catfish after all?
"Pictures," Hannah whispered, barely audible.
"Pictures?" Hermione got up from the bed and crouched down in front of Hannah so that she could see into her lowered face. She gently grabbed Hannah's upper arms and looked at her with a serious expression.
"What kind of pictures did you send?"
Hannah sobbed again and squinted her eyes.
"First, just pictures from the beach I visited last summer. In... in a bathing suit. But then there was one..."
No, no, no Hannah, please no!
"One in my underwear and no bra."
Now it was Hermione who closed her eyes for a moment. Bloody hell.
"Okay" Hermione's mind raced to find the best possible wording to avoid upsetting Hannah even more.
"Did he demand those pictures from you? Or did it come from you?"
Hannah pulled the next tissue from the packet with trembling fingers.
"That... I don't know, that came more from him I'd say. He sent me pictures from his vacation, then I sent one of my holiday pictures on the beach," she sniffled, blowing her nose noisily.
"After that he gave me such great compliments that I was just totally lulled and somehow everything was suddenly so flirty and... oh I don't know..."
"And now you're afraid he's going to blackmail you with it?" concluded Hermione.
Hannah nodded vigorously and pinched her lips together.
"He just stopped contacting me at all from one moment to the next, and then yesterday I got a terribly nasty message. What kind of person would I be, just sending strangers pictures like that over the internet and that I'll see what I get out of it and so on. And now that you've said it's probably someone we all know..."
Hermione felt the anger welling up inside her.
"I just want to make sure we're actually talking about the same guy. Does his profile still exist?"
Hannah nodded again and rummaged for her mobile phone.
"And straight away, the most important question to clarify if it's the same guy: did he tell you he was staying in Hogsmeade and works as a waiter?"
Hannah shook her head.
"No, he doesn't live in England. But he said he'd like to come and visit me because he travels a lot anyway. There, I've got the profile."
"Before you show me anything, please take screenshots of the profile and messages right now before he deletes everything," Hermione pleaded, waiting for Hannah to finish. It seemed like hours to her, although I'm sure it only took a few seconds.
She remembered the picture Parvati had described, the picture of Seamus' contact and the one Lavender had shown her.
Would it be one of those profiles, or were there more?
Would he really go so far as to blackmail Hannah?
After what felt like an eternity, Hannah turned her hand in Hermione's direction so she could see the profile picture.
Hermione went ice cold. Then hot. She was glad to still be squatting on the floor. Standing up her legs would have probably become weak.
Raphaël.
