December 15th -
Hermione rose early from bed that morning to snow completely covering the dormitory windows. A perfect setting for that day, as she was expecting a morning owl from her parents with a list of which family members would be attending their annual Christmas dinner that year and everyone would be getting on the Hogwarts Express in just two days to head home for break. Just the thought made Hermione actually feel warmer, as if she were standing in front of the large fireplace at home, drinking a nice large mug of cocoa. She quickly dressed and readied herself, meeting Harry and Ron in the common room to walk down to breakfast.
"Good Morning Harry, Ronald... lovely weather isn't it?"
Ron gaped at her openly. "Well Good morning to you as well, sunshine... what's the reason for you being so chipper today?"
As Hermione explained the post she was about to receive, her mind began wandering again to all of the fantastic things awaiting her at home. Ron gaped again.
"Hermione... are you actually smiling? Happy?"
"Oh, shut up Ron. It's the winter holidays, I can be happy every once in a while can't I?"
"Well I s'pose so, but 'Mione, this happy thing is beginning to scare me..."
She swatted him with her wand and linked arms with her two best friends, pulling them along to the Gryffindor table.
And she waited. Owls began streaming in as soon as people began sitting down. Dropping parcels, delivering papers and letters and various other postal things. A third year girl got a Howler. Ron got a nice letter from Charlie. But still no owl for Hermione. She was becoming anxious... they did say they were going to send it yesterday, didn't they? She'd already accepted her paper, but she'd give it back in a second if it meant this first piece of Holiday mail from her fellow Granger's...
"Hermione, are you really this worried about a letter? It'll come soon enough, if not today. You haven't touched a single bite of food. Eat something." Harry tossed a slice of toast onto her plate and handed her the spoons for eggs and bacon and tongs for waffles.
"I hope so Harry... I really don't like broken promises.." She was becoming quickly agitated. It must be a slow owl, or maybe the letter had been lost. Her parents certainly couldn't have forgotten to write it, they were as precise and on time as Hermione herself.
"Yeah, we know how you can get though Hermione... calm down and eat a few things." Ron playfully nudged her side, when he dropped his hand, it brushed her arm and settled on top of her own hand, and she blushed. Part of her secretly wished she could spend the holidays at the Burrow with Ron and Harry. Who knew, maybe there could be a little love in the frosty air... if it wasn't obvious enough to Ron exactly how she felt by then, he really was as daft as people put him out to be, but...
A letter dropped right onto her plate, covering the toast Harry had put there just minutes before. She immediately snatched her hand from the bench [though she did soon regret it, as she was no longer in contact with Ron and her hand was now rather cold] to grab the letter off the table. She looked up to watch the tawny owl that left it there fly back out, and then got to the letter at once. She knew something was wrong as soon as she broke the seal on the envelope.
As opposed to the usual two papers - one letter, one list - she'd been getting for five years now, there was only one. Surely the list couldn't be shorter than half a page, and with her parents letter, that should have made two, even Ron could do that sort of math, but...
She pulled the parchment from the envelope, eying it cautiously before opening. Maybe it was a prank, someone set her up to freak out in the middle of a meal. But sure enough, as soon as she opened it, her mother's loopy handwriting stuck out at her from the page.
Hermione dearest,
We know this may come as a bit of a shock and disappointment perhaps, but your father and I have been invited to a dental conference in the countryside for a few days. Normally this would be of no matter to you, but we've decided to extend our stay and make a holiday getaway out of it. Please don't be sad, we do know how much you love the holidays. We've set up a fake tree in the window just for you, and we'll be making sure all of your gifts reach Hogwarts for you by Christmas morning. This week or two alone will be a fantastic present to your father and I, as we're usually working or, in your fathers case, sleeping. We hope to hear from you soon, we love you. Have a happy Christmas and say hello to Harry and Ron for us.
Love Always,
Mum and Dad
Hermione's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. They could NOT be serious... how could they think of making her stay alone, at Hogwarts, during Christmas?! This was dreadful, absolutely horrid... she couldn't stand the idea of missing out on all of her favorite Holiday activities with her family and friends back home. Ron noticed, nudging her again.
"Hermione, are you alright?"
"Yes, I suppose I am.. I've just realized, I'm not feeling well... I'd better head to the Hospital Wing before I get sick. I hope to see you both in lessons later, but if I don't, I'll see you tonight..." In a daze, Hermione grabbed her bag and headed towards the Hospital Wing. Just a moment too late, she realized she'd left her letter laying on the table next to Ron and Harry. Knowing the two of them - or rather, Ron at least - she knew they'd read it to find out what was bothering her so much. After drinking a tonic for a stomach ache, she was granted permission - and shocked were any who heard that she asked - to miss classes that day and rest in her dormitory. She headed back up to her bed, crying as soon as she collapsed into it. This might not turn out to be a Happy Christmas after all...
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