The Grey | Hermione Granger

|03| Chapter Three

T H R E E 

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The season changing from Autumn to Winter was the longest that Saffron could remember in all of her time at Squires. Everything felt different without Maya. Whether it be the amount of time they spent on the tedious chores left to them by Squire or the group dynamic between the three siblings that remained at Holyhead, the differences were felt by the three of them on a daily basis. More than anything, they missed her. Saffron knew that it was not going to be a smooth transition but she never expected to feel the sheer amount of loneliness in the months that followed her older sister leaving for Hogwarts.

Not a day went by where Saffron did not wake up and immediately tie their mother's red hair ribbon in her hair. It had become so synonymous with Maya that Saffron felt as though she was carrying her sister with her as she went about her daily routine. Rowan teased her for it  regularly but the teasing was merely playful. Saffron did not mind though she did have to remind Rachel every few days to not make a big deal of it when they saw their sister next. 

In an unexpected way, an element of excitement was added into their lives as they received letters from Maya detailing her life in Hogwarts. The letters were not regular but they were regular enough that they their thirst for information as to the life their sister was living was quenched. It sounded like a life worth living and with every passing letter, Saffron found herself yearning for it more and more. She still had a good year and a half to wait before she could join her sister there. She could not wait for it. 

Maya had made friends, brewed potions, mingled with ghosts, swum with mermaids... the list went on. She was becoming a witch and that represented the prospect of a clean break, a new life. It was everything. Although there had been no update on being able to find alternative accommodation for the family (which Saffron knew meant no alternative existed), it still was incredibly meaningful to hear that Maya was thriving. It was only a matter of time before they would be too. 

The day that Maya arrived back from Hogwarts for their Christmas break brought with it much excitement. Rachel was the most excited and had taken a leaf out of Rowan's book in counting down the days until Maya would be back with them. She had enjoyed hearing about Maya's time at school but wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth. In addition, she had in writing a promise from Maya that she was going to bring them back presents. That was enough to fuel the girl through a breezy September, chilly October, damp November until December finally came around and with it came Maya. 

"I still can't wait to see what you brought," Rachel said to Maya, minutes after her older sister was in the door after being picked up by Squire from King's Cross Station in London. "Presents... not Squire's type of presents... real presents," She paused in which Maya exchanged a humorous glance with Saffron. "Like actual, actual real actual presents!"

"Yes, that is what she meant by real presents, 'Achel," said Saffron with a smile, though it soon turned into a frown. "Unless you meant your great presence, which you didn't, right?"

Maya laughed at them both. "No, actual real presents. Though, I would hope that my presence is a present too,"

"No," Rowan shook his head. "We hate that you're back, obviously,"

Maya gave him a playful push. "Ha-Ha. Well, a break isn't too bad but I hope you haven't decided I was a complete tyrant while I was gone,"

"Never," Rachel took Maya into a one armed hug, her eyes firmly placed upon Maya's trunk which was placed in the corner of the room next to all of the drawings she had done the week previous when it was too rainy for the siblings to spend their time outdoors. "I just can't believe you got us presents,"