Shades of Grey

Granger Residence

Christmas Day was a blur of friends, family and excitement.  Hermione had parted ways with Bellatrix after they shared a few kisses after the ball.  Feelings were swirling around in her mind and she wasn't sure what to do about it.  She had never experienced a kiss that went straight to her soul before.  There would be time to analyze the kiss at a later date.  Christmas Day found the ladies spending the holiday away from the castle.  Hermione went to the burrow to spend time with the Weasleys and Harry.  It had been the first time in two years that she accepted the invitation.  She was going to pass but Ginny was persistent and Hermione couldn't think of a good enough excuse to skip the event.  Bella had went to Malfoy Manor to spend Christmas with her sister and nephew. 

Hermione flooed directly into her living room having had Minerva set up her fireplace to the floor network. She did have a good time with her old friends but she needed to be back in her own space.  Most of the day was enjoyable except for her encounters with Ron.  He is still persistent that they belong together.  Hermione shook his advances the best she could but knew that she would have to put a dead stop to it at some point.  Maybe she could just send Bellatrix after him. 

When Hermione entered her living room, she saw a note and a little gift box sitting on her coffee table. She smiled when she picked up the parchment.  It smelled of Bella.  She opened the note and it read:

Hermione,

No, I didn't break into your room.  I had your elf friend, Winky, drop this off for you.  I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.  I know it's your favorite Holiday after all.  I'll be at my sister's house until late tomorrow morning.  I would like to take the winter break to go and see what we can do for your parents in Australia.  I think it's time and I believe us both to be ready.  Maybe tomorrow, we can leave for your parent's house so I can learn a few more things about them and we can discuss our journey to Australia.  I have already set up our journey via port keys and we should be able to get there by the end of the month.  It's time to bring your family home, Hermione.

Oh, and I saw this in the shop last time I was in Hogsmeade and I thought of you and our first trip into the city together. 

Yours,

Bellatrix Black

Hermione folded the note and brought it up to her nose to inhale the smell of her crush.  She folded it and put it back down on the table.  She carefully picked up the small gift box and opened it.  Inside was a silver necklace holding a small snowflake pendant. Hermione smiled a the memory of Bellatrix talking about how beautiful snowfall was.  Inside the top of the jewelry box was a small note that read:  While snow has a natural beauty, it'll never be as beautiful as you.

Hermione felt her cheeks hurting slightly from smiling so much.  Hermione didn't have an owl but she wanted to send a thank you note to Bella.  She would kindly as Winy to take it to the older witch.  She would make sure to give Winky some treats for her trouble.  Hermione took out a piece of parchment and started to write.  The note read:

Dearest Bella,

Thank you so much for the wonderful present.  It is beautiful.  I remember our first trip to Hogsmeade fondly.  I only wish I had something to give to you.  If you think we are ready to bring my parents' memories back then yes I accept the offer to do it over break.  We have a month until classes start up again.  We can floo to my parent's house tomorrow.  It's in the muggle world so prepare yourself.  We will have a few days for you to become accustomed to the Muggle world before we head off to Australia.  Traveling by port key isn't the most comfortable way to travel.  If we are successful, I'm sure my parents will not want to travel home with us.