I'm gonna be making minor changes to Because Why Not. Fix continuity errors, change some terminology, maybe add a couple minor scenes and dialogue that line up to Hogwarts Mystery or foreshadow future chapters. It'll be slow going and it won't change what I am currently posting. I also need to remind myself what I actually wrote. Really the only major thing that I'm changing is the first chapter and I'm actually editing it so Hermione was in the system for a year and the bureaucratic nightmare (plus, like her identity being stolen from her by wizards) is what kept her family from finding her. I kinda already updated it, but it'll go through another one once all the other chapters are tweaked to reflect my changes. You don't have to go back and check it out if you don't want to, because like I said it will not affect the story as you are reading it. I just want to let y'all know so that if you are the type to go back and re-read you won't be all "whoa, wtf?"

The news spread quickly of what happened to Mr. Weasley. Cedric could hardly believe it himself when he heard. The Daily Prophet did a short piece on his life looking more into the good he did rather than the mistakes he made. The journalist must've known Mr. Weasley and wanted him to be remembered well rather than drag down the name of a dead man. Mr. Weasley was sure to be the first of many to come.

A couple days later, the winter holiday began and Cedric was on the train to London. He sat with Tabatha, Red, Luna, Gracie, and Winnifred in a compartment.

"What are your plans for Christmas, Cedric?" Gracie asked in an attempt to keep conversation light.

"I'm going to the Dominican Republic," he said. "It's an island in the Caribbean where my girlfriend was born."

"I was born in Korea," said Gracie. "We moved here when I was one. Cedric, can you put a picture in my head again? I want to see what the Dominican Republic looks like."

"Of course." He projected several images for her before feeling drained. "How are those textbooks helping you?"

"There's a lot in them I don't understand yet," she admitted. "So, I'm going to read them with my mum and see if she can help me. She was a Charms teacher at a South Korean school of magic and was going to be one here, but apparently Hogwarts only hires one teacher per subject."

"That's dumb," signed Winnifred.

"I agree, Winnifred," said Cedric. "That is dumb. According to Esperanza, what we learn our seventh year she was learning her sixth year and Hermione said that they have at least four teachers per subject per year. I still don't know how our professors manage the schedules of nearly five hundred students divided into four Houses with different schedules. I read a study that smaller class sizes are better for learning."

With the conversation running with that topic, Cedric was able to open his IMN to read the message Hermione left him that morning.

I made it home safely. See you soon, my love! Mum and Dad bought you a plane ticket so you can travel with them.

She doodled a heart, then a chubby cat with hearts around its head. The distance between them had made the both of them a little love sick and it hadn't gone past his notice that she was flirting just a little bit more than usual. He was pleased that their hearts were growing fonder and it made him all the more anxious to see her. He'd deal with her fretting and raging about the school system. At least it would mean she cares. That somebody cares.

As soon as they made it to King's Cross, Cedric booked it off the train, glad he stashed his trunk in his backpack. Belle's claws gripped onto his coat as he burst through the wall. He had enough cash on him to get a ticket for the subway. He'd have to replenish his cash supply. At least, before Umbridge started mail tampering, he was able to get a letter to Gringotts and route all payments directly to his bank account and seal all orders in tamper-free envelopes. It ate a little bit into his profits, but he was certain without it he would have none at all. Even Umbridge would know better than to mess with goblin sent mail.

"Cedric!" a familiar voice called above the din.

He slowed and craned his neck over the crowd to see Roger and Beatrice waiting for him. With a grin, he pushed through the crowd and gave them both giant hugs, minding Chibuzo in Roger's arms.

"Where's Harry?" Beatrice asked. "We thought he and Sirius were going to meet us."

Cedric sobered and pursed his lips. "They're not coming. Ron really needs his best friend right now."

"What happened?"

"Mr. Weasley was attacked and killed."

Roger and Beatrice gasped and covered their mouths.

"Oh…" Beatrice sighed. "Oh, those poor dears. Our flight to the D.R. isn't until tomorrow, Roger, let's make them some meals tonight and bring them over before our flight."

"Good idea," he said. "Cedric, are you okay with taking a detour to go grocery shopping?"

"I don't mind," he said and followed them out to the car.

Belle climbed all around the back seat and stared out the windows in interest as they drove to the supermarket. Nobody said anything to Cedric about having a cat walking beside him as he followed Roger and Beatrice around the store. The couple seemed to know exactly what they needed to make and how much to make for ten people in mourning.

"We'll bring more to Mrs. Weasley after the holiday, maybe invite her and Sirius over when the children go back to school."

"Wonderful idea, Roger," said Beatrice.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Cedric asked.

"You can help pack the food and maybe put some of those nifty spells that keep food fresh on them," said Roger.

~o0o~

The next morning, the Grangers and Cedric drove to Sirius's house. Sirius had already included them under the Fidelius Charm so they could visit and they knew where to go. Cedric owled him last night so he would know to expect them.

Harry was the one who answered the door. He sniffled a little and threw his arms around Beatrice, seeking a motherly comfort. Roger and Cedric took the food down to the kitchen and found Mrs. Weasley sitting in a chair and staring at what looked like a small spoon in her hand. When he got closer, he saw that it was Mr. Weasley's hand from the family clock. The woman looked smaller than she had ever been and her eyes lost the light in them.

"Mrs. Weasley," he said. "Drs. Granger and I brought you some food for the week. That way you don't have to worry about cooking."

"We've got you a Christmas dinner," said Roger. "A turkey and a ham, plenty for leftovers for the following days."

"Oh, that's so wonderful of you," said Mrs. Weasley, not moving from her spot. "Thank you."

"We can't stay long," said Roger. "But perhaps when we return, you and Sirius would like to come over for family dinners. We can teach you how to play dominoes."

"I might like that," she whispered.

"I'm going to check on Fred and George before we go," said Cedric.

"Don't be too long," said Roger.

Cedric nodded and went upstairs to the twins' room. George was scribbling furiously in a notebook while Fred was turning a Rubik's cube over in his hand without trying to solve it.

"Hey, mates," said Cedric. "How are you holding up?"

"It doesn't feel real," said George, stilling his pen. "Mum doesn't even want to go back to the Burrow."

"I don't blame her," said Cedric. "I spent a lot of time at Hermione's house after my mum died."

"Does it get any easier?" Fred asked.

Cedric sighed. "It still hurts and there's a thousand things that happen every day that I wish I could tell her, but I can think of the good times without crying now. I mean… it's only been three years. It takes time. And there are still days where I just really want my mum."

They talked for a few more minutes before Cedric had to go.

The drive to the airport was silent and nobody spoke until Beatrice went to buy a bagel. Neither Cedric nor Roger were hungry.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Beatrice said and dug around her bag. "We got Hermione a camcorder for Christmas. We meant to ask you last night, but we got caught up in food making. Could you gee it up a bit? Make sure it works at her school and everything."

"Sure," said Cedric, taking the box from her. Since it was still cold outside, he could wear his prosthetic on the plane without raising suspicion as to how advanced it was by covering it up with long sleeves and gloves. "I did some reading on these and I played with a few regular cameras. I'll make sure it's top of the line. How long is the flight again?"

"Thirteen hours."

"That's plenty of time," he said confidently.

"Group A is now boarding," said the flight attendant. "Group A is now boarding."

Cedric was sitting right behind Roger and Beatrice. Belle meowed mournfully from her basket, not happy at being cooped up.

"Oh, none of that," said Cedric. "We're going to see Crookshanks."

Belle made a small "mrrp?" sound.

"I'll let you out after take-off," he promised her.

Belle grunted and turned around in her carrier so her butt was facing him.

"Classy," he said and dug a book out to read until he could crack open the camcorder. He had never ridden in a plane before, but he imagined it was similar to the Sanchezes flying ship.

The rest of the plane boarded and from the sound of economy, it was going to be unpleasant.

"Excuse me," said a girl a bit younger than Cedric. "Is this seat taken? I'm supposed to be sitting up there, but the bloke has serious body odor."

"Actually, it is taken," said Cedric, thinking she shouldn't have announced it that loudly.

Beatrice squeezed by and buckled Chibuzo into the seat. The girl huffed and took a seat behind Cedric, which were originally Harry and Sirius's seats.

"Don't worry, love," said Beatrice to Chibuzo. "I'm right here and Cedric will watch you during take off."

After discussion, it was decided it would be best if Cedric used his abilities to keep Chibuzo in a calm state during take off in order to prevent any accidental magic.

"That's right, Chibuzo," said Cedric. "Just hold my hand if you get scared, okay?"

"Tay," said Chibuzo.

He was so cute.

The flight attendants did their safety procedure announcement and the plane was ready for take-off. As it picked up speed and the craft shuddered, Cedric offered his hand to Chibuzo and found the toddler actually enjoyed the sensation of take-off. Soon, the fasten seatbelt sign went off and Cedric could take Belle out.

"How did he do?" Beatrice asked.

"Well, to be honest, I think you have a future flier here," he said. "I think we need to be more worried about keeping him occupied for twelve hours—oh… he's asleep."

Beatrice smiled and made sure her son was comfortable with a blanket and a pillow. Belle curled up beside him and shot Cedric a nasty look for putting her in this situation.

"Let us know if he wakes," said Beatrice.

"Will do," said Cedric. "I'm just going to work on Mimi's gift."

"Alright." She sat down.

"Stop fidgeting, love," said Roger. "Cedric is responsible and Chibuzo is right behind us, so we'll hear when he wakes anyway."

"I know," Beatrice sighed.

Cedric brought out the camcorder and read through the manual before cracking it open. Honestly, it could be so much more efficient than the tape based design. Luckily, he had been doing research for the television as well as the VHS player with the DVR function. He glanced up and saw a tv screen just above him.

Shortly after he had begun replacing the batteries with elestial quartz, a flight attendant passed through with the drink cart.

He stared at Cedric and the disassembled device before thinking, I don't get paid enough to care, then offered Cedric a drink out loud.

"Not right now, thank you," said Cedric before placing his magnifying goggles over his eyes, which no doubt enlarged them and made him look crazy.

However, he didn't care what a complete stranger thought of him. No, he cared more about what his 500 peers thought. He cared what Hermione thought the most, though, and she thought he was pretty great. That should—no—would be enough.

"What are you doing?"

Cedric looked up from his work to see the rude girl. Her necklace read: Isabel. Behind her eyes, he saw her weighing out if his attractiveness outweighed his obvious lunacy.

"… art," he said.

"Art!" Chibuzo echoed.

Cedric felt guilty for not paying close enough attention to realize the boy had woken up nor that one of his parents had given him a Crayola Color Wonder to entertain himself with for the time being.

"Gotta love art," he continued and lifted the chunk of Iolite to the television screen. He grinned when it showed what he was pointing at with the camera without interfering with the other screens. "It's a visual piece."

Roger laughed.

Isabel stared at Cedric. "Have you ever been to the Dominican Republic before?"

"Yes. I was there this past summer with my girlfriend."

"Where's your girlfriend now?"

"She lives there. Excuse me, I need to concentrate." Cedric put his magnifying goggles back on.

Isabel huffed and sat back down, not liking the fact she was rebuffed and ignored. She wasn't used to being ignored, but she didn't bother Cedric again.

By the time they arrived at the Santo Domingo airport, it was five o'clock and Cedric had finished adapting the camcorder with enough time to give it a makeover and wrap it. He took off his warm gear and put his prosthetic away. Since they were near the front, they got to leave the plane first. Roger and Beatrice's luggage were in Cedric's backpack so they wouldn't have to deal with baggage claim, and Roger carried Belle in her carrier for him.

Cedric exited the plane, which was letting people out on the runway instead of in a terminal. He saw two familiar people waiting next to the baggage truck.

Hermione jumped up and down and waved at him. She looked stunning in her white church gown and she was a bit darker from the constant sun at Castelobruxo. As soon as Cedric had reached the bottom of the stairs, she took off and jumped into a hug.

Cedric held her tight and spun her around.

"Oh, I missed you," she sighed.

He kissed her soundly. "I missed you, too, love."

"No hug for your dear old dad?" Roger asked jokingly.

"Dad!" Hermione let go of Cedric and gave him then Beatrice and Chibuzo a hug. "I'm glad the flight wasn't delayed."

"Us too," said Beatrice. "Oh, what a beautiful dress."

Hermione smiled and smoothed the skirt. "Oh, yes, we're going to church for evening Mass because tomorrow is going to be too crowded. Is that okay? I know you aren't very religious and I'm sure Chibuzo is tired as well."

"It's fine," said Roger. "We can always rest up after. We expected to jump into festivities."

"At least you avoided the cooking," said Hermione. "It was so noisy. Since Papá and I came to pick you up, we're first in line for dish washing duty."

"But it's worth it to see you," said Manuia, hugging Roger and Beatrice. "It's nice to have the family together."

Hermione held onto Cedric's hand and practically bounced on the way to the car as she told her parents about her new school.

"I haven't been this challenged since I was homeschooled," she said. "I'm learning so much more than I ever could have at Hogwarts. The Castelobruxo library is so amazing, I wish I could live in it! There are hundreds of books on hundreds of subjects and you're allowed to checkout ten books at a time. Unfortunately, I couldn't check any out for the holiday. The books aren't allowed to leave the campus."

"How's Esperanza?" Cedric asked. "Viktor's been saying how much he misses her, though I haven't heard from him the last couple weeks."

"Well, I had a talk with her," said Manuia. "And then Miguel asked her to go on tour with him. I told her that getting out into the world would be good for her so she agreed. Not sure when she'll be back."

"Well, good for her for getting out there," said Cedric. "I do hope she and Viktor get back together. They were perfect for each other."

"He's a good kid," Manuia agreed and looked at the arrivals. "Speaking of Europe. I thought Harry and that serious guy were coming for Christmas?"

"Something came up," said Roger. "We'll explain later, okay?"

"Is Harry okay?" Hermione asked. "What about Sirius?"

Cedric picked up her fear that Harry just didn't want to be a part of her family anymore.

"They'll be alright," said Beatrice. "Why don't you tell us what the Sanchez family does for Christmas?"

"Well, we're going to Mass right now," said Hermione, twisting one of her rings around her finger. "Tía Manola and Mama Florencía are staying home to watch the young triplets, Ángel, and the dinner. When we get home, we're going to eat and wait for midnight. Usually, the adults exchange gifts when the children go to bed and the children receive their gifts on January Fifth for Día de los Reyes, but we're just going to open them Christmas morning this year. After that we just sing and dance and get new hairstyles. Zaza's birthday is on New Years' Eve, but I don't know if she'll be home by then."

"Sounds wonderful," said Roger. "Wow, this island is beautiful. Look Chibuzo!"

"Cow-why?" he asked.

"D.R.," Hermione corrected.

"Dey-are."

Hermione placed a hand over her heart and smiled.

Cedric felt his eyes droop. Since they were driving to Luesma, it would be a couple hours. He hadn't slept at all on the plane and his exhaustion was catching up to him. He rested his head back and closed his eyes just for a moment.

"Cedric, wake up."

"I'm awake," he said without opening his eyes.

"Uh-huh."

It occurred to him that he was leaning heavily against Hermione, which he was certain he wasn't doing a second ago.

"How long was I out?" he asked, opening his eyes and seeing that it was sunset.

"The entire car ride," said Hermione. "We're at the church, but if you're tired, you can just apparate home."

"No, I'm fine," he said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Besides, it's just an hour, right?"

"That's basically the slogan of the Catholic Church," said Hermione. "Madre Doralis is doing the gospel tonight and she isn't as long winded as Padre Hector."

"I thought the Catholic church was all men," said Roger.

"Not the witch denomination," said Hermione. "It has some slight differences, like women are allowed to be priests. This one also marries gay couples and transgender people can be re-baptized under their new name if they choose to have one. A lot of religious practices have denominations created by magic practitioners. I mean, it makes sense if they need to determine if using magic on food is kosher or halal, right? It's not just that reason, of course, but you know what I mean."

"Is it?" Cedric asked. "Kosher, I mean."

"It depends," she said. "Hana actually has special recipes for her more common potions to ensure they match religious restrictions."

"Neat."

"Anyway, I like Madre Doralis. She's funny."

Hermione led the way to the staircase. The choir was already warming up or chatting. Roger and Beatrice were reintroduced to the family upon their arrival. Cedric saw three new women with the default Sanchez eyes. They carried a sort of dangerousness about them and Cedric knew he wouldn't want to be on their bad side.

"We're so glad you could join us," said Angela. "Cedric, these are my little sisters Linette, Mercedes, and Tanya."

Linette was the tall one, Mercedes had piercings in her nose and eyebrows, and Tanya wore her hair close shaved with designs like Hermione's half-shave.

"Oh, yes," said Cedric. "Mimi mentioned you. I thought you normally live in the ocean."

"We leave once in a while," said Linette with a polite smile.

"It's nice to meet you," said Cedric.

"Likewise," said Mercedes, revealing her tongue was pierced as well.

Hermione took her seat next to her sister and made sure Cedric was on her other side. She had been spared from soloing today and, once again, held the psalms pamphlet for him.

"Hey, Cedric," said Amalea. "I saw some people with your radios at school this year. Everyone loves them."

"That's great to hear."

"Happy anniversary, by the way," Hermione whispered.

"I thought you didn't believe in those," he said.

"I said I didn't believe in one-month anniversaries," she clarified. "We've been together a whole year."

"Mass is starting," said Manuia. "Chat after, okay?"

"Sorry, Papí."

The choir stood and Mama Guadalupe led them all in "Sublime Gracia". Cedric got shivers up his spine at the harmony of the Sanchez choir. He only mouthed the words so that he could hear everyone and embrace the song. He glanced behind him and saw Chibuzo staring at the air open-mouthed and entranced.

After Mass, they all went back to the house in the bus, since the car Manuia borrowed to drive to the airport wasn't adapted for the narrow road.

Cedric was glad to be back in the warmth of the Sanchez house and he drank in the bright spirits of the family.

Roger and Beatrice were breath-taken by the house. Cecilia led them to their room upstairs so they could put Chibuzo down to sleep. No doubt, they would set it up so when he woke, they would be alerted.

"Are you hungry?" Mama Ximena asked.

"Famished," said Cedric, releasing Belle.

"You look it," she said, pinching his shoulder. "You need food. You will not go hungry in this house."

Cedric hummed and watched Belle stretch before going off in search of Crookshanks.

"Come, sit," said Mama Ximena. "Eat."

The table had been expanded and everyone had a name plate. The only absentees were the little kids like Manolo, the young triplets, and Chibuzo. They wouldn't be able to stay up so late.

Several women flicked their wands and the food that was staying warm floated onto the table. Cedric was comfortable enough that he took off his backpack and let it hang on the chair.

"Cedric!"

"Tavi!"

Cedric hugged his former nanny.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Oh, I love it here with the Sanchezes," she said, eyes bright. "I am actually going to bed right now, but if you need me to unpack for you…"

"I got it," he said. "Sleep well."

Tavi nodded and disappeared from the room without a bow or a curtsy. She had come a long way in just a few months.

"Before we eat," said Mama Florencía. "Let us pray."

After prayers, Hermione raised her glass. "To family! No matter how far apart we are, we've got the ocean to connect us and, like turtles, we'll always find our way home."

"To family!" Everyone echoed, raising their own glasses.

As he ate, Cedric smiled at Hermione. This past year had gone so fast, he hardly believed it was exactly a year ago that they became a couple. And he had known her for eleven years. How did he get so lucky? She noticed him staring at her.

"What?"

"Nothing," he said. "Your hair in the light."

She smiled and brushed her ankle against his before tuning into a story her papá was telling.

They sat around and talked until midnight, then Hermione was allowed to use magic to clean the plates and cutlery. She was so cute as she danced in place while the dishes marched themselves to the sink. Cedric helped by putting away leftovers.

"Ay, I'm so tired," Hermione moaned. "Can someone carry me upstairs?"

"You're a little big, but I can try," said Beatrice.

"I can make it easier." Hermione's outline grew fuzzy as she shrank down into an otter with markings on her chest in the shape of a turtle.

"Brilliant trick," Beatrice praised and picked her up. "Oh, my stars, otters are so much cuter in person! Look at your wittle whiskers, I could just eat you up!"

Cedric felt himself crushed by the cuteness when Hermione smushed her little face with her little paws.

"She swims to class all the time now," said Bianca. "I'd become an animagus if I could ensure that I would be something with wings."

"What's your patronus?" Cedric asked. "In most cases people's patroni are their animagus form."

"Don't know yet," she said. "That's the next Unit in Charms."

"Do you have a set Defense class?" he asked.

"Not exactly. We learn defensive spells in all our classes as they correspond with the type of magic we learn but something more extensive is an elective," she said. "Like Hermione and I are taking Capoeira and while it is a dance class, it also incorporates combat magic."

"I don't know why Hogwarts doesn't just do that," he muttered. "Or at least call the defense position by a different name. We had to start a whole Defense club because the new teacher doesn't want us to learn anything."

"Yeah, Hermione mentioned that," said Noa. "And there's no transferring?"

"No, believe me I tried," he sighed, "but it's fine. It's just six more months. It'll go by in a flash and then I'll be away from it all."

"That's the spirit."

Hermione looked over her mum's shoulder and narrowed her eyes.

"It's fine," he assured her. "It's really not that bad."

She raspberried.

"I'd scold you," said Roger, "but I just can't morally scold an otter."

Hermione whistled and made several more adorable noises. She beckoned Cedric closer.

He put his face near her and she loudly kissed his cheek. Cedric fanned his face and pretended to faint, making everyone laugh. Within moments, human Hermione was leaning over him.

"Good night, Farm Boy," she said.

"I'm not a Farm Boy anymore," he reminded her.

"Okay. Goodnight Dread Pirate Roberts." She kissed his forehead, hugged her family goodnight, and entered her room.

Cedric smiled and retreated to his. He readied for bed and got out his anniversary gift for her. He started working on it a month ago and was relieved to have finished it in time with his busy schedule. He managed to make her a paper rose that looked like the one from Beauty and the Beast and used arithmancy and transfiguration for the dome, complete with little twinkle lights. Was he trying too hard? He was probably trying too hard. This bow was crooked.

A light knock came at his door.

"Come in," he said.

Hermione quietly entered with a flat, rectangular gift tucked under her arm. She glanced over her shoulder and closed the door behind her. The smile she gave him made his heart leap.

"Happy Anniversary," she said, holding out the gift.

"Happy Anniversary," he replied breathlessly.

They exchanged gifts, but there was a moment's pause as they waited for the other to open their gift and see the reaction.

"You go first," Hermione insisted, eagerly shifting from foot-to-foot.

Cedric grinned and tore back the wrapping. Inside a simple black frame was a star map on a purple, blue, and green watercolor background that wavered and shone like the northern lights. The stars were stationary, but twinkled. 'The stars shone brighter when I met you,' was scripted at the bottom in gold calligraphy.

"This kid was selling them from the art club," said Hermione. "I wanted to give you something homemade, but I'm just no good at those things and when I saw these advertised I just had to get one for you. I ended up choosing the day we became friends, Castelobruxo has this cool mechanism where you turn these dials and-"

Cedric wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, nearly causing her to drop her gift. He could feel the small woosh of a levitation spell and her now free hands caressed him. After several blissful moments, he broke away but kept his forehead pressed to hers.

"I love it," he said. "I'll treasure it forever."

As he tenderly set it on the dresser for safe-keeping, Hermione fetched her gift and opened it. Her eyes lit up upon seeing what it was.

"Oh, it's beautiful," she gushed and spun in a circle. "Did you make this?"

He nodded and she set it aside so she could throw her arms around his neck.

"You know me so well," she said, her joy radiating off her. Cedric basked in the warmth and closed his eyes. He missed feeling such a pure emotion.

"I oughta for how long I've known you," he said. "Though I worry that we'll both come out of this next year different people."

"We're not exactly the same people we were when we met ten years ago," she said. "I don't mind who we turn out to be in the next ten years so long as we still care about each other."

"Yeah," he said, burying his face into her hair. "Me too."