Chapter 14

The castle looked magical, more magical than usual, all decorated for the holidays. Hermione almost regretted that she'd signed the notice that she would be going home for Christmas when she saw Hagrid carrying in the twelve large trees. The trees were brought in one at a time, and the teachers could be found decorating them and the rest of the castle when they weren't in classes. It was truly breathtaking.

From November 10th to December 22nd, the day before Hermione returned home to see her parents for Christmas break, she'd gotten Harry and Ron to go to the library with her. After all their homework was done, of course, she had them help her look for information on Nicholas Flamel.

The morning she was scheduled to leave on the Hogwarts Express, Hermione stopped by the Great Hall to find Ron and Harry in yet another game of wizard chess — although she'd never really paid attention to it before, noticing for the first time that the pieces actually moved.

"Queen to E5," Ron said with a grin on his face as Hermione walked up to the table.

She was surprised and disgusted when Ron's queen moved and beat up Harry's knight with her throne. "That's totally barbaric," she proclaimed.

"That's wizard's chess," Ron announced. "I see you've packed."

"I see you haven't," Hermione countered.

"Change of plans," Ron said. "My parents went to Romania to visit my brother, Charlie. He's studying dragons there."

"Good," Hermione replied. "You can help Harry then. He's going to go to the library to look for information on Nicholas Flamel."

"But we've looked a hundred times," Ron groused.

Hermione bent low over the table and lowered her voice as she looked between them. "Not in the Restricted Section," she answered before perking up. "Happy Christmas."

With that, she turned and headed off to join the other students who were heading to the train in Hogsmeade to go home for the holidays.

23December 1991
Oliver,
I hope that you have a happy Christmas. I was going to stop in Hogsmeade and get your present, but there wasn't enough time from when Professor McGonagall took the first and second years down to the Hogsmeade station to catch the train and the time it left. I will try and get out tomorrow when I am with my family, but I can't make any promises, it'll be Christmas Eve after all.
Ron stayed at Hogwarts with Harry. They will be looking in the library for information on Nicholas Flamel. I'm surprised that we haven't found anything on him at all yet. I feel like we've been through nearly the entire library since the Gryffindor/Slytherin Quidditch game and haven't found a thing.
I am so excited to see my parents again, though I did feel a little sad about leaving Hogwarts. The castle looks so lovely now. It's a shame I'll have to miss it. My parents and I have our own traditions though.
My mom will have been baking since the first of December, taking cookies and homemade breads and other treats to friends and family. Tomorrow we'll have friends and neighbours over for a Christmas Eve party. It generally ends after midnight. Then, we pack away any leftovers from the party to pull out and reheat the next afternoon, while mom works on replacing anything that was totally devoured.
In the morning, we have pancakes and eggs, sausage and bacon for breakfast and open our presents. We go to mass at the nearby church, and after mass is over, we head home and family comes over for a late lunch/early supper.
I will miss decorating the tree, mom and dad will have already done that by now, but dad and I can go to the park and go ice skating and mom can join us in playing out in the snow. That's another thing she does — she'll make vanilla ice cream out of the second snowfall. It is so good! Better than any I had from a store!
Anyway, I hope that you have a nice time with your family, and happy Christmas! See you when we get back!
Hermione

She folded the letter and passed it to him on the train. They had sat together in the same compartment with Lee, who was talking animatedly to Oliver about the next Quidditch game that they were scheduled to play in February against Hufflepuff. It was still so far off, that Hermione didn't understand why it was even a topic of conversation now.

"Hermione!" Oliver said hurrying to catch up with her when they arrived at Platform 9 3/4. He had gone to change just before they arrived and was dressed in the dark turtleneck sweater and trousers that she'd seen him wear at Harry's first Quidditch practice.

"Oh, hi, Oliver," she said, turning to wait for him.

He held up the letter she'd given him, arching his brow at her. "I was right there, you know," he said grinning at her.

"I know," she replied. "But you were so busy talking to Lee..."

"Well, yeah," Oliver said and rolled his eyes looking thoughtful for a moment. "Sometimes I have to wonder who likes Quidditch more, me or Lee. Anyway, I'll write to you with the details of my holiday if you like, you've got people waiting."

Hermione glanced over and saw her parents standing not far off looking rather nervous.

"Yeah," she replied, turning back to him. "That would be great."

"Okay," Oliver said. "I just wanted to let you know that maybe we could wait for each other's presents till we get back? Yeah, it'll be late, but who says we can't have our own Christmas?" He paused and winked at her. "I hear the twins are friends with the house elves and can get snacks any time they like."

"Oh..." Hermione said looking thoughtful, if a little disappointed, but she brushed the thought away. She figured she could wait to ask him about the house-elves another time. "Okay," she said and smiled. "That sounds good."

"Alright," Oliver said, opening his arms. "Now come here."

Hermione blinked but then grinned as she was swept up in a hug.

"Happy Christmas," Oliver said, releasing her.

"Happy Christmas," she replied and waved as she headed off to meet her parents.

"Hi mom, dad," Hermione greeted them, giving them a hug.

"Hi, sweetie," her dad said. "Welcome home."

"Who was that?" her mom asked, nodding toward where she'd been talking to Oliver.

"Oh," Hermione replied, blushing slightly. "That's just my friend, Oliver Wood."

"Oliver, huh?" her dad replied.

"Dad!" Hermione cried in exasperation. "We're justfriends."

"Oh, well, alright then," her dad replied as he helped her with her trunk.

"So, sweetheart," her mom began after they were in the car a short time later. "There was something your dad and I wanted to ask you."

"Alright," Hermione said, biting her lip as she looked nervously between her parents.

"Oh, honey, it's nothing to worry about, it's just that we forgot to ask about it before you came home."

"Okay," Hermione trailed off.

"Well, we're really glad that you got to come home, but we were rather concerned," her dad began but then stopped mid-sentence as he tried to figure out how he should word what he wanted to say.

"We were rather concerned," her mom picked up, continuing, "about how you'll respond when our friends and family inquire about your school and lessons."

"Oh!" Hermione relaxed immediately. "I've already thought it out. We don't have to tell them anything naming the school itself," she paused, rolling her eyes. "I mean, we all know how some of them would use that information to attempt finding out more about it."

"Yes," her mother said sadly. "That's true. Anthony has always been rather savvy when it comes to computers and searching for information using Janet."

"If anything is said about the school itself," Hermione continued, "We can say that I was accepted to an exclusive, invitation only boarding school - a boarding school that, because of my grades in primary, sent me an invitation."

"That's not a bad idea," her dad agreed.

"As for lessons," Hermione continued. "Because of their exclusivity, their curriculum is a bit different than what other schools offer. If they ask further, this year, I am taking their core classes, which are Astronomy, English and Creative Writing, Phys Ed including self defence, Botany, History, Chemistry and Science, and Physics and Mathematics."

Hermione did indeed have to talk about school over the course of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with her friends and family as well as some acquaintances from the church they went to for mass on holidays. This included Anthony, her tech-savvy cousin on her mom's side of the family. Luckily, everything went more or less how she had planned.

On Christmas night, she received a letter from Oliver via owl post.

25December 1991
Happy Christmas, Hermione,
I know I said that I thought we should wait until we were back at school to have our gift exchange, so just consider this to be only part of your gift from me. I saw it in a shop on my way home from the station and thought of you. I hope you like it.

I'd better go, mom is calling us to dinner — she's making her famous — I say that 'cause it's not really, just traditional — cock o leekie soup, roasted turkey with roasted potatoes and parsnips, bacon rolls, haggis bonbons and cranachan.
Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Oliver

Inside the note had been an extremely tiny folded package that she'd set aside for a moment to read his letter. Picking it up, she looked at it curiously and shook her head before finally opening it when her curiosity got the better of her.

Holding out her hand, she tipped it and out tumbled a charm bracelet with several charms attached on a thin, golden chain.

She held it up looking at the charms: There was a lightning bolt, a rat, a set of drama masks, a broom, and a microphone.

Hermione shook her head and smiled. He'd made her Christmas. Harry, Ron, the twins, Lee and Oliver all seemed to be represented. It was like they were all together for Christmas after all.

"Mom!" she called as she stepped out of her bedroom. "Can you come help me put this on?"

Hermione didn't go out to shop for Oliver, Lee and the twins presents until January 3rd, enjoying the time with her family, but she was glad that she'd used the Daily Prophet ads to contact the stores to get presents for Harry and Ron before the holiday break so that they would have something from her on Christmas morning.

One day was spent solely with her mom, and had been relatively nerve wracking for her, but she took Madam Pomfrey's advice and talked to her mom about her concerns. She made sure to leave out the bit about the troll, but explained that she'd felt like a nervous wreck when she, Harry and Ron had always been arguing. She let her mom know with certainty that she harboured no feelings for either boy beyond friendship and wanting acceptance, and that they had come around after she helped to get them out of a spot of trouble though she didn't elaborate on it other than to say they had been caught out after curfew. She explained that the boys had come looking for her after she'd locked herself in the girl's bathroom all day, and guilt finally ate at them enough to go searching for her when she wasn't in their house common room before curfew. Hermione explained to her mother that the three of them had been caught by the teachers making rounds when they were on the way back to the dorms, and she had taken the blame for being out after hours.

Her mum seemed disappointed to hear that Hermione had missed a full day of classes, but understood her reasons when Hermione explained how the boys had previously treated her before this, particularly the boy named Ron. Her mom gladly helped her get the things she needed when away from school while they were out shopping, but agreed with Madam Pomfrey that she had nothing to worry about just yet.

Finally, she got her parents to go shopping with her in the magical world, and after a stop off at Gringotts where she exchanged some Muggle money for wizard money, they headed down Diagon Alley.

She stopped at the Flourish & Blotts where she picked up the first part of her gift to Oliver. After all, she thought. If he's doing multiple gifts to me, I can do the same.

So, with that decided, she picked up a copy ofThe Official Guide to The Quidditch World Cup. Next, they went to Gambol and Japes where she got Lee and the twins someDr Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks, having heard the three of them mention it before. She just hoped that they didn't get into too much trouble when they used them. She also stopped by Scribbulus Writing Implements where she picked up a planner for Fred and George to help them with keeping track of their business ventures.

The last shop they went to was Quality Quidditch Supplies where she got Oliver his second gift, a broom servicing kit, some Quidditch gloves, and had also thought about a helmet but decided against it since he probably wouldn't wear it anyway. Itdidlook kinda funny, after all. As an afterthought, she grabbed three more pairs of gloves, noticing that the ones Harry and the twins were using were really worn and ratty. She debated getting gifts of gloves for the Chasers also, but wasn't sure if that would help or hinder their abilities, and she didn't really know them and maybe it was too... forward? — she wondered, and settled on passing this time around.

3January 1992
Oliver,
I was able to get out to Diagon Alley today to get your Christmas present. I look forward to giving it to you. I love the bracelet! Thank you! Now my friends are always with me, no matter what. Oh, I also got gifts for Lee and the twins. Maybe we could all do a gift exchange? Not that I expect them to get me anything, but that way they get their gifts too? If not, that's okay, I don't want to make them feel bad, I can just send it by owl. While I've enjoyed the time with my parents, they're driving me crazy. I know most of it is just because they missed me, but I don't have to spend the whole day going clothes shopping and the whole girls day out with my momevery day! It's also not like I can bring everything we got back to school with me, either. I do like the trips to the park though.
Hermione

4 January 1992
Hello lass,
I am glad that you have enjoyed your holidays with your family. I was actually thinking about how to do our gift exchange as well. You may just want to owl the gifts to the twins, or pull them aside when we get back to school, but if you have something for Lee, why not just sit with us on the train ride back, and we can have our exchange there? That way the rest of the house won't be left to wonder and make assumptions if that's what you're worried about. See you tomorrow!
Sleep well,
Oliver

"Ah, there you are!" Oliver said, when he saw her on the platform the next morning after she'd said goodbye to her parents. "Here, let me help you," he said, moving to take the handle of the trolley her trunk was on. "Ooof!" he grunted, when his normal effort wasn't enough to push it.

"Yeah, sorry," Hermione blushed, knowing it was heavier than normal. "My mom insisted I bringallmy new clothes," she said, rolling her eyes. "Like I'd ever have the chance to wear them all."

"No problem," Oliver said with a grunt, making a show that it was too heavy for him and then winked at her to let her know that he was joking with her before he put a little more effort into it and walked normally.

"You know," Hermione said quietly, blushing slightly as they made their way to the train, feeling her parent's eyes on them. "I'm probably going to have to introduce you sometime."

"What?" Oliver asked, not catching all of what she said as the shouts of 'All Aboard' by the conductor echoed through the station and the hustle and bustle of students returning to Hogwarts after the holidays.

Hermione just shook her head as they reached the door. Oliver helped get her trunk onto the train, and then they found the compartment with Lee. She removed her bag from her shoulder and sat down on the bench across from him, while Oliver sat next to her.

"Now," Oliver said. "What was that?"

"What?" Lee asked dumbly, though he looked rather guilty.

"Oh," Hermione said and blushed. "I said that I'm probably going to have to introduce you sometime."

"Really?" Oliver answered smugly.

"Yeah," Hermione said. "They practically grilled me on the way home after they saw you give me that hug when we got here."

Oliver chuckled as the train pulled out of the station and the journey back to school began. "Any time, lass," he said, smiling at her.

"Oh, here" Hermione said, reaching into her bag. She pulled out the gift she had gotten for Lee. Lee blinked in surprise as the long oddly shaped but beautifully wrapped package was handed to him.

"But I..." Lee began before Oliver cut him off.

"Don't worry, Lee," he said and reached out, taking Hermione's arm and gently holding it up when he noticed she was wearing the bracelet. "I got you covered."

Lee's eyes widened and then his expression relaxed when he saw the small golden microphone that dangled from the bracelet on her wrist. "Thanks," he said, smiling at them, before he opened the gift Hermione had given him. "Oh, cool," Lee said when he unwrapped the fireworks. "These are great, thanks!"

But Hermione was looking at Oliver in confusion. "You?" she asked.

Oliver nodded. "I said that I saw the bracelet on my way home," he murmured. "When the lady at the shop asked me about the charms I wanted... I picked them all out... ones that might represent all your friends. Did I do something wrong?"

"N-no," Hermione said, and shook her head, before she looked up to see Lee looking back and forth between them. "You're welcome, Lee," she said after a moment. "I'm glad you like them. These are for you," she said, handing Oliver the others she'd pulled out of her bag. Turning to Lee again, she said, "I would have gotten you something else but all I could think of was pet food for your tarantula, and then you'd just have to send it home anyway."

"Oh, that's alright," Lee said. "These are great."

"Do you care which I open first?" Oliver asked as he took the presents she handed him.

Hermione shook her head.

Oliver opened the small package first. "Oh, sweet!" he said when he unwrapped the gloves. "Thank you, I needed a new pair."

Hermione smiled and bit her lip as he set them aside and turned to the larger package.

"Oh,wow!" Oliver said as he tore open the package to reveal the cover ofThe Official Guide to The Quidditch World Cup. "Hermione," Oliver said as he stared unbelievingly at the book in his lap. "You - you really didn't have to..." He paused as he caressed the lush leather cover of the book. "I - I know how expensive it was... I'd really wanted to get it before, but..." He paused and shook his head.

"Oliver," Hermione said smiling, glad he liked it. "It's okay...really. I know you said that this was only one part of my gift," she said, holding up her hand again so that the bracelet could be seen. "So I wanted to get you something else as well."

"Oh!" Oliver said. "Speaking of..." he trailed off and reached into his bag and pulled out a large wrapped package that looked rather heavy. "Here you are."

Hermione took the package with a slight grunt. "Oliver..." she protested.

"Just open it, please," he said.

Hermione nodded and tore open the wrapping before gasping, staring at a copy ofAlchemical duodecimo.

"Oliver this... this is..."

"Oh, hush," Oliver said. "We're even now."

"But I haven't even gotten throughHogwarts: A Historyyet!"

"And how many times have you read it already?" Oliver countered.

"I know!" Hermione said. "But since you gave it to me, I've been taking my time with it. And I like to think it's the first time I'm reading it. It makes it special."

"I know you like rare books, so I thought this was perfect," Oliver said. "I don't care when you read it, I just thought you'd like it."

"You guys are weird," Lee observed as Hermione practically drooled over the large, ancient book in her lap, caressing its cover.

"What?" Oliver and Hermione asked in unison as they both looked at him.

Lee grinned and shook his head. "Nothing," he said. "Thanks again for the present, Hermione."

"You're welcome, Lee," Hermione said with a smile.

"Hey, Hermione," Oliver said as the train drew to a stop at Hogsmeade station.

"Yeah?" Hermione asked as she tucked the book Oliver had given her carefully into her bag and lifted it to her shoulder, turning to look at him curiously as she felt him lift the strap of her bag higher on her shoulder to assist her.

He paused and looked at Lee, who rolled his eyes and worked his way out of the compartment. Oliver reached over and pulled the compartment door shut for a moment, as the students continued to pass. "Don't worry," he said when he saw her puzzled expression. "I just wanted to ask you something, it won't take long."

"O-kay," Hermione said, trailing off.

"Before the holidays, and just before our first match, you told me in a letter that you went to see Madam Pomfrey about... female things."

"Oh," Hermione said and blushed. "Yes, I did."

"I was just wondering how that went," Oliver said. "Is everything okay? You'd let me know if it wasn't, right? Sorry," he apologised after a moment. "I don't mean to pressure you on it if you feel it's not something you can share with me, I just worry about you, is all."

Hermione smiled, a blush still tingeing her cheeks. "No, it's okay," she said, reaching out a hand and resting it on his arm briefly. "Everything is good. I was just asking her advice on something. She urged me to talk to my mom about it over the holidays, which I did." Hermione smiled and then rolled her eyes. "It's also why my trunk is so much heavier. We had to have at least four days of shopping and talking just the two of us."

"Oh," Oliver said, and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, that's good I guess. I was worried that there was something wrong, especially since I didn't hear about it in your letters over the holidays."

"Well, we better get going, if that's all," Hermione said, looking out the compartment door to the hallway and not seeing any students passing anymore. "We don't want to be stuck on the train when it leaves, and Lee's probably waiting."

"Yeah," Oliver said and opened the door, holding it for her to pass into the hallway and head toward the door. "That was all."

"Thank you for reminding me, though," Hermione said as they exited the train. "I should let Madam Pomfrey know how things went with my mom when we get back."

They walked together up toward the castle with Lee when they caught up with him on the road through Hogsmeade and conversation turned back to Quidditch, causing her to shake her head with a smile.

"See you later," she said and waved goodbye to them as they neared the castle, where she turned and headed off to the owlery and sent her gifts to Fred and George. On her way up to the dorm that night, they found her and thanked her, promising they'd put them to good use.