Post War Marriage Law - Hermione

chapter 15

Waking up on Christmas morning, Hermione felt a wave of melancholy wash over her. The usual excitement of the holiday season was muted by the absence of her roommates, who had gone home to celebrate with their families. The familiar sounds of laughter and the rustle of wrapping paper were replaced by an eerie stillness in the Gryffindor dormitory. She rolled over, glancing at the empty beds, and the emptiness seemed to echo around her.

Yet, the warmth of her friends—Luna and Neville—provided a flicker of light amidst the gloom. They had agreed the night before to gather in the Great Hall to unwrap the presents they had brought with them. Hermione reminded herself that while they might not have the boisterous company of the Weasleys or Harry, they still had each other. A smile crept onto her face as she recalled their plans.

After a quick breakfast, Hermione dressed warmly, donning her favorite sweater and a pair of cozy socks. She took a moment to admire the decorations around Hogwarts, enchanted with twinkling fairy lights and garlands of holly that adorned the hallways. It felt almost magical, yet the quietness tugged at her heart. She made her way to the Great Hall, the anticipation building with each step.

When she arrived, the hall was already aglow with festive cheer. The long tables were laden with a feast fit for a king—turkeys, cranberry sauce, and a dazzling array of desserts, all magically preserved for the day’s celebration. Hermione spotted Luna and Neville at their usual table, both looking cheerful despite the morning's chill.

"Happy Christmas!" Luna chimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she bounced slightly in her seat. Neville smiled, a wide grin that lit up his face.

“Happy Christmas!” Hermione replied, her spirits lifting at the sight of her friends.

They quickly settled in, and Hermione retrieved her pile of presents, all wrapped with care. She could hardly contain her excitement as they each took turns unwrapping their gifts. Luna went first, tearing into the colorful paper to reveal a beautifully illustrated book on magical creatures.

“Oh, this is lovely!” Luna exclaimed, her eyes shining as she flipped through the pages.

Next, Neville unwrapped a set of gardening tools, clearly a thoughtful gift from his grandmother. He beamed, his face flushed with joy. “I can’t wait to use these!” he said, already imagining tending to his plants in the spring.

Finally, it was Hermione’s turn. With eager hands, she unwrapped her presents. First was a small box from Luna, containing a delicate charm bracelet with charms representing each of her friends. “It’s perfect!” Hermione gushed, slipping it onto her wrist.

Then, she opened a gift from Neville—a lovely leather-bound journal. “I thought you might want a special place to write down your thoughts,” he said shyly, his cheeks slightly pink.

Tears pricked at the corners of Hermione’s eyes as she looked at the gifts from her friends, realizing how much they cared for her. They had created a moment filled with warmth and love that filled the emptiness she had felt that morning.

“Now, let’s see what we have from the Hogwarts elves!” Hermione said, pulling out a neatly wrapped package from the table, decorated with a bright red ribbon.

As they each opened their gifts, laughter and chatter filled the Great Hall. They shared stories, reminiscing about past Christmases while indulging in the delicious breakfast laid before them. With each unwrapped present, Hermione felt more at home, enveloped in the comfort of friendship.

The morning continued with games and sweet treats, the initial loneliness fading as the three of them created new memories together. Hermione realized that Christmas, though different this year, was still filled with joy, laughter, and the spirit of friendship.