Chapter 1
She felt ridiculous. A commercialized muggle Christmas elf cliché. She could just imagine Ron’s face if she tried to explain that she was dressing up as an elf for the holidays. He would probably think she had finally lost it and was strolling around in a pillowcase or sewn-together tea towels, a far cry from the festive costume her aunt had bought her.
Straightening her glittery red and white candy-striped stockings, Hermione took a long critical look at herself in the mirror. She reminded herself that it was just one night and it was for charity. She had missed last year because of the Yule Ball, but thankfully the costume still fit even though it was a bit shorter and tighter, ending mid-thigh. Striped stockings, a bright green polyester dress with a wide band of red ribbon around the hem, a matching red peter pan collar, faux oversized candy buttons, and a wide black belt with a gold buckle cinched her waist. The stiff polyester and scratchy red tulle petticoat made the dress keep its stiff A-line shape. Her hair was loose in big curls and her aunt had done her makeup in a festive way but was subtle enough that she couldn’t complain. Her eyes were glittery, and the pink rosy blush on her cheeks and lip stain made it look as if she was flushed from being out in the cold. She looked disdainfully at the elf hat on her bed and instead opted for the red fuzzy earmuffs that reminded her of the ones from herbology in second year.
This was something she would keep to herself. No one ever really asked her about her family or muggle life, so it was easy to keep the two separate. Coming home was always bittersweet; she missed magic, but she was happy to be home with her family and spend the holidays together. The holiday party had been organized and run by her extended family for years. It was held at the local Country Club and raised thousands of pounds each year for St Augustine's Children's Hospital, additionally, they were also able to collect presents for hundreds of kids. So she would suck it up, look ridiculous, sing and smile for photos. Her Grandad and Nan were, as usual, playing Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus while she and her assorted cousins played the elves, entertaining the kids in line with carols and corny Christmas- themed jokes. Her dad, in one of his infamous ugly sweaters, was the MC for the night, making sure the event ran smoothly. Her uncle’s hobby as an amateur photographer meant that he was relegated to the duty of taking all the photos with Father Christmas. After spending years as elves growing up, her mum and aunt now preferred to be in the background organizing the event as well as everyone’s costumes and makeup.
She was grateful for this small slice of normalcy and Christmas cheer; it was a much-needed break away from the ever-present shadow of dread that she felt at school this year, thanks to that horrid pink toad. A break from school would do them all good, and she was glad that the boys had gotten away from school, too, despite the less-than-happy circumstances that had enabled them to escape Umbridge’s tyranny for the Holidays. Thankfully, Ginny had owled her to let her know that Mr. Weasley was doing much better, and now that he was out of the hospital they were all going to spend the holidays together at Grimmauld Place with Sirius.
She traced the side of her hand with a grimace, grateful that the words hadn’t been permanently etched onto her, unlike poor Harry and the twins. She mused that it might be a good idea to stop by a *Boots over the break to pick up a first aid kit and some bio-oil from the pharmacy. She would feel better going back to school if she was equipped to help everyone when term commenced in the new year. Hopefully, a blend of muggle and magical healing would benefit everyone. Perhaps she could talk her parents into letting her swing past Diagon Alley so that she could owl her presents that she hadn’t been able to give because of Harry and the Weasley’s surprise early departures, and while she was there, she could stock up on some dittany and maybe look for some healing and defense books too. Owl orders were off the table with Umbridge monitoring the post these days.
Lost in thought, she was surprised when her cousins barged into the room, flinging themselves at her and almost knocking her over.
“Minnie! You are back!” Ben shouted gleefully as he lifted her up into a big bear hug before passing her over to his sisters who enveloped her in hugs. She may have had a rough time with bullies at school, but her overly affectionate family made up for it whenever they could all get together. They were all much older than her, already at university, and they all doted on her as the baby of the family.
“It has been too long, Minnie,” Jessica sighed as they collapsed onto her bed. “Your letters have been few and far between this year and if I can be blunt dreadfully dull. I hope you are not spending all your time studying and not having fun. You have hardly mentioned your friends or anything exciting this year.”
“It’s been a dreadfully dull kind of year,” Hermione answered. “Lots of self-study work, I have a study group now and that has kept me very busy.”
“You mentioned that. Dull. Dull. Dull. I want to hear some juicy gossip about your roommates or a funny story about a prank,” Jessica said.
“Or better yet some boy drama," Sarah gushed.
“Ooh, like last year with the foreign exchange student, whathisname. The one you went to the dance with. He looked absolutely delicious. What did you say the reporter called him again? The ‘Bulgarian bon-bon,’ are you still in touch with him?” Jessica asked.
“Viktor. He was lovely. I should write to him over the break. I haven’t had a chance at school,” Hermione said. “He really is quite handsome, but I think we are better suited as friends, he is quite a bit older than me. He has finished school already. I don’t think Viktor would be interested in my letters about study groups either,” Hermione said sadly.
Ben stuck his fingers in his ears and started humming Jingle Bells. “Nope, we are not going to talk about Min and boys. Especially ‘dishy’ handsome older boys who have finished school. Yuck. She is too young.”
The girls all laughed at his antics.
“We have to leave in ten minutes, or Julia is going to murder us all for being late,” Hemione’s mum yelled up the stairs.
Ben laughed down at the girls, offering them each a hand up. “She is not wrong. Mum is super high-strung today; apparently, the club has a few new fancy people coming this year. So she has been going a bit overboard. I swear she has been covered in glitter for weeks now and I am sure all the hot glue fumes can’t be healthy either.”
“The grotto is going to look amazing, though,” Sarah said as they all traipsed downstairs.
“A magical winter wonderland,” Jessica added.