Hermione's POV

The Burrow was one of the best places in the world, next to Hogwarts. Although the house was shabby, it was warm, inviting, and had a touch of motherly love. I missed being here, Hermione said to herself.

"Just take your trunk upstairs to Ginny's room, Hermione," Mrs. Weasley directed, interrupting the girl's thoughts. "We'll catch up when you come back down."

Hermione and Ginny climbed the steps to the first floor. After packing away their possessions, they went back to the kitchen.

Mrs. Weasley looked up from the stove. "Ah, there you are. Help me fix some stew," she said.

As Hermione chopped the onions, Mrs. Weasley inquired. "How is everything going at school?"

"Quite busy," Hermione responded.

Nodding all-knowingly, Mrs. Weasley chuckled. "I would expect it to be. I remember when I was your age. Now tell me, what is all this babbling from Ron about Neville Longbottom?"

Hermione was caught unawares. "H-He told you about him?" she sputtered.

"Yes, he mentioned your relationship in his letters. He was very envious, but I told him that he shouldn't be. I had to get very strict with him," noted Mrs. Weasley.

"I'm grateful for that. He seems to have seen the light," Hermione laughed.

"Glad to hear it," stated Mrs. Weasley.

When they finished making dinner, the boys walked in and sat at the table. "When is Dad coming home?" asked Ron.

"Oh, he'll be working late. He probably won't be here for hours," Mrs. Weasley added. She pointing her wand at the pot containing the stew, which flew in the air and landed on the table.

The next day, Hermione received a letter from Neville.

Dearest Hermione,

How's your vacation going? I hope it's fine. Mine is, but it would be much better if you were with me. I miss you a lot.

My gran and I are going to St. Mungo's to see my parents someday soon. I'm afraid that they aren't doing so well. They have been in there for a long time. I can't wait until we are back at school again. By then, I'll be dying to see you. I will write you again soon.

Sincerely,
Neville

Hermione sent a reply and handed it to Neville's owl, who gave it to him later that afternoon.

Neville's POV

Dear Neville,

My vacation is going well. I'm glad that yours is going alright too. I'm very sorry about your parents and I hope that they'll recover soon. I can't wait to see you either because I miss you as much as you miss me.

Truly yours,
Hermione

P.S. I still can't wait to see your surprise.

Laughing, Neville hid the letter until his pillow. Then he sighed dejectedly. He wished that he told Hermione a little bit more about his parents. They were in a much worse condition than he made them out to be.

About fourteen years ago, they were tortured into extreme madness by Death Eaters. Since then, his parents were taken to St. Mungo's and stayed as permanent patients. Every summer and winter vacation, Neville and his gran would go to visit them. This trips to the hospital made Neville sad because his parents couldn't remember him. They were nice to him though. Sometimes they gave him empty candy rappers, which he kept in a secret hiding place.

Will I ever tell Hermione about that? he wondered.

Someday...

Hermione's POV

"Hermione! Do you want to play Exploding Snap with me and Ron?" Harry asked.

It was Christmas Eve. Everyone, except for Mrs. Weasley, was taking it easy that day. Ginny shut herself up in her bedroom because her mother yelled at her. Mr. Weasley came home earlier that and was reading the Daily Prophet. Harry and Ron was about to play a game of Exploding Snap.

Glancing up from the book she was poring over, Hermione said, "No, thank you."

Shrugging, Harry began to stack the cards.

Silence filled the room, punctuated by the occasional blast of the cards. It remained that way for several minutes until they heard Mr. Weasley exclaim.

Ron looked up. "What is it?" he queried.

"Damocles Belby was murdered by Death Eaters yesterday."

"Who?"

"Damocles Belby. The inventor of the Wolfsbane Potion."

Harry frowned. "Why?" he asked.

Shaking his head, Mr. Weasley muttered, "Who knows. My God. Remus won't be happy when he hears about this."

"It so happens that I did," someone announced in a weary voice.

Hermione's head shot up. "Professor Lupin!" she gasped.

Remus gave a small smile. "Hello," he sighed, hugging everybody in the room.

"Hello Remus. Are you staying for a while?" inquired Mr. Weasley.

Remus said no. "I only came to give you the cursed toaster that you were searching for. Apparently, a Muggle woman had picked it up off the ground and it nearly swallowed her whole. I helped her, but I don't think she liked it. She kept hitting me on the head with her umbrella. I barely got away," he chuckled.

Everyone fell over laughing.

"Well, thanks Remus. I owe you one," Mr. Weasley declared.

"It wasn't any trouble," affirmed Remus. "I'll see you soon."

"Good-bye."

"Wake up! It's Christmas!" someone yelled early the next morning.

The noise woke Hermione up. "Huh?" she whispered sleepily.

Ginny threw a pillow at her from the other side of the room. "I said get up and open your presents," she squealed excitedly.

Blinking, Hermione stared at the packages on her bed. Then she understood why they were there. Feverishly, she ripped them open. There was a silver wristwatch from her parents, a box of Pumpkin Pasties from Harry, and a periwinkle blue sweater from Mrs. Weasley. Ron's gift was a game of Gobstones, which she loved to play, and Ginny gave her a book called The Modern Fashion Guide For Young Witches.

She gazed at her presents blissfully for a moment before turning to the last one. It was from Neville. When she finally tore away the wrapper, she howled in delight. It was the Deluxe Package from the quill shop in Hogsmeade that she wanted so badly. A note was tied around it. When she unknotted the string, she opened it.

Hermione,

I saw how much you wanted this when we were at the quill shop. I felt sad because you couldn't afford it, so I order for you secretly. I hope you like your surprise. Merry Christmas!

Affectionately yours,
Neville

"Oh," breathed Hermione. "Thank you so, so much, Neville."

Neville's POV

Miles and miles away, Neville was opening his gifts as well. His grandmother had given him a book on spells. He thought that it came in handy because it would appear in his school bag if he lost or forgot it. He laughed at his Uncle Algie's gift. It was a mate for his pet toad, Trevor, which he called Isabella.

Neville then turned to Hermione's present. "Wow!" he shouted, pulling out a short stack of music records from his favorite rappers, The Gulping Gargoyles and the The Raging Hippogriffs. "Thank you, Hermione!" He read the letter she sent him.

Dearest of Nevilles,

I remember you mentioning that you love listening to rap, so I picked these records out for you. They are your favorite groups, so I know you'll enjoy them immensely.

Merry Christmas,
Hermione.

P.S. I miss you. xoxoxo