Harry's aunt

~32~

Christmas break had finally come and Jasmine was more than eager to get on the train.

"I thought this day would never come," Jasmine said gleefully.

"You sound excited," Hermione said, walking with her, the two sitting in a separate train car with Ginny, since Hermione was still not talking to Ron.

"I am, I haven't seen Fred in four months and I need a break from Slughorn," Jasmine said, sitting at one of the empty booths, Ginny sitting next to her, while Hermione sat across from her.

"I guess that's worth being excited over," Hermione said.

"Are you heading home for winter break?" Jasmine asked.

"No, my parents started their vacation early, I'll be spending the new year with them though," Hermione said.

"That's good, I can give you your gift," Jasmine said.

"You... got me a gift?" Hermione asked, seeming surprised.

"Well, of course I did," Jasmine said. "I got everyone gifts this year."

"You didn't have to do that Jasmine," Ginny said.

"I wanted to, I've really been saving up this year to make sure to get everyone something," Jasmine said.

"That's really sweet, Jasmine," Hermione said, smiling softly.

"I just want to show you guys how much I've appreciated having you all in my life these past few years," Jasmine said. "I didn't know much about my family before Remus. Meeting you all has shown me a new perspective on things and has made my life... meaningful."

"Oh, you're going to make me cry," Hermione said.

"Don't cry, cause then you're gonna make me cry," Jasmine said, laughing a bit, before they embraced in a group hug.

"Train's starting up," Ginny said, before they broke the hug and sat down, as the train began pulling out of the station.

"I didn't think time could go any slower at Hogwarts," Jasmine said. "And spending my free period with Slughorn has been... exhausting."

"He seems to have taken interest in you," Hermione said.

"He's not the only one..." Jasmine muttered.

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.

"Blaise Zabini, for some reason, has been trying to get on my good side," Jasmine said.

"Blaise, the Slytherin, who's one of Draco's new lackeys?" Hermione asked, looking surprised.

"Yeah, he's been trying to trail me since the Christmas party. Trying to be nice and give me gifts and such," Jasmine said.

"Why?" Ginny asked, seeming surprised as well.

"I don't know, he apparently heard something that 'piqued his interest', his exact words," Jasmine said.

"What's that supposed to mean? Is there something we're supposed to know?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know, but apparently there is something going around about me and I have no idea what it is," Jasmine said.

"Have you told Fred?" Ginny asked.

"So he can come up to the school and turn the boy into a toad or something? Absolutely not, and I would appreciate it if neither of you told him either," Jasmine said. "If it was something serious, I wouldn't keep it from Fred, but you both know he can be a bit... unpredictable."

"Yeah, definitely don't want there to be a problem if there isn't one," Ginny said.

"Right, he won't hear anything from us about it," Hermione reassured.