A Very Merry Christmas- Prologue

Prologue -

Hermione Granger had always been very traditional. At school, she was expected to study during terms, cheer on her house team during Quidditch matches, and pay attention in class. At home, she expected to relax, enjoy time with her family, and perhaps enjoy some television. On birthdays, she enjoyed cake and festivities, during summer she might swim in the pool at home or play two-a-side Quidditch when at the Burrow. And when it came to Christmas - this trait did not change.

Daydreaming for once during a break between classes, she thought about the Holidays, which were fast approaching. Hermione had been raised as an only child by two muggle parents. They had spent every Christmas together since she was born, it was family time and family tradition. Even after she began attending Hogwarts, Hermione returned home every year to spend the entire break with her parents, riding the train home in a good mood, excited for the season and the warm feelings. And there were SO many other things she enjoyed about her favorite holiday as well.

It started at least a week before, with the tree. All three of them would take a drive on a Sunday to go pick out the best tree they could find. They might spend hours, wandering numerous places, for the perfect tree. Her father would hold up deformed trees, or small trees, joking with her.

"Hermione, this one might be it! What do you think?"

"No, daddy, that one won't do!" And she would laugh, marching off in the other direction until she found one she thought to be suitable.

It moved on to the shopping. Hermione and her mother might spend hours shopping for the perfect presents for friends and family. Since she'd discovered a witch, she had different friends to buy drastically different presents for, but the tradition continued all the same. It was a girls day, something Hermione usually did not partake in, and so she was thankful to her mother for at least indulging in the girly needs once in a while.

Next was the outfits. Every Granger had a comfortable but proper Christmas outfit to wear the day of to visit family, or stroll the city, or any number of things. There was also the case of Pajamas - every year, a new pair to wake up in on Christmas morning. Last year they'd been satin, Hermione very nearly lost herself in a daydream of the expensive, soft pj's keeping her warm that night.

And you could never forget the food, all of the wonderful baking and cooking. Loads and loads of cookies, cakes, and puddings. Pies, cobbler, ham, potatoes au gratin and stuffing and so many delicious memories. Sipping hot cider and tea and cocoa by a lit fire. Special candies her mother taught her to make as a girl, with ginger and cinnamon and chocolate.

That wasn't even half of it, she thought, almost drooling at the next few weeks to come. This was her favorite time of year. Her favorite holiday with some of her favorite people. Everything about it, past December first, made her absolutely joyous - even Harry and Ron noticed the difference in their usual prim and proper friend.

"Miss Granger?" Hermione snapped out of her daydream at the sound of her own name. Oh, bollocks... the one time I'm not paying attention while I'm walking, something bad is bound to happen...

She looked up to see Professor McGonagall. "Professor, Hello."

"Hello to you too dear, I just advise that you watch where you're going, a little too much glee can sometimes cause trips or run-ins..." she laughed at her own joke and then continued.

Hermione blushed. She'd never been caught not paying attention before, the feeling was foreign and slightly embarrassing. As she continued down the corridor to DADA, she tried not to let her mind get too caught up in the planning of the weeks ahead...