The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 18: Christmas Cheering

"Hermione, I think...that's for you."

Hermione looked up at her mother.  They were sharing a very early Christmas morning breakfast while her father slept in a little longer.  Her mother had made them bacon and toast and tea and they were chatting easily before her mother had stopped, looking over her shoulder.  "What's for me?"

Jean Granger pointed.

Hermione turned in her chair to look out the kitchen window.  She squeaked with surprise at the snowy owl sitting on the window sill, glaring at her with large amber eyes.  "Hedwig!"  She got up and ran over, opening the window.

The owl fluttered in, carrying a package in her talons.  She flew to the table and dropped it gently where Hermione was sitting.  After a hoot of hello she turned and gave Jean an affronted look.

"Was Hedwig sitting out there for a while?" Hermione asked with a giggle sitting down at the table and gently scratching Hedwig's head.

"I kept expecting her to fly off!"  Jean said.  She was giving the owl a lot of space.  "I thought she was tired and just needed to rest.  Then I realized she kept looking at you rather pointedly.  It was only when she fluttered up that I saw the package."

"Normally they rap at the window or something for attention but I bet Hedwig knows we're not used to Owl Post here.  She's dreadfully smart, aren't you?" Hermione cooed.

The owl ruffled her feathers and looked smug, butting her head against Hermione's hand.

"How do I apologize to her?" Jean asked with a bemused smile.

"She understands us for the most part.  Plus she likes bacon."  Hermione looked at the package Hedwig brought.  She knew it was from Harry of course, since it was brought by his owl.  But seeing her name written on the package in his untidy handwriting made her so happy.  She had not expected any gifts from anyone at school.

"That can't be healthy for owls," Jean protested but she held up a piece of bacon in her hand.

Hedwig walked over and started to munch on the offered food.  Jean grinned in delight and offered more which Hedwig happily accepted.

When she opened the box Hermione squealed with delight.  She unraveled a leather roll to reveal a collection of nice quills.  One of the things Hermione liked and disliked in equal measure was the Wizarding World's use of ink and quill.  On the one hand it was terribly inconvenient given how pencils and pens were so much easier.  On the other hand it fit the world perfectly and she had to admit that there was a wonderful elegance to using quills.

She had looked longingly at the kind of quills the other students used, her having gotten the basic ones recommended for first year students.  Harry had remembered and sent her a collection of ones fashioned from all sorts of feathers.  The leather roll served as a case for them, keeping them straight and organized.

"What a lovely gift," Jean said.

Hedwig looked at the feathers dismissively, throwing her head and hooting.

Hermione giggled.  "Yes, your feathers are prettier Hedwig but I don't think I could use them for writing."

The giggles became laughter when Hedwig waggled her tail feathers at Hermione.

"Does being magical mean you understand owls?" Jean asked.

"Not really.  Magical owls really are smart though and as you can see, can be cheeky."  Hermione knew that if she could, the owl would have stuck her tongue out at her.  "Oh wait Hedwig, let me write him a thank you note really fast."