I figured I'd post this chapter, but I'm placing this story on a brief hiatus while I'm grieving. I'm still posting short stories and I'll be posting my revamped chapters, but it's been tough to continue multi-chapters.

Hermione only slept a few hours before waking up. She didn't have a nightmare or anything, she was just able to function on little amounts of sleep. Her body was used to it from dealing with insomnia all these years, she guessed. She got up and quietly dressed in the bathroom, figuring her cousins would want to sleep longer before the youngest triplets started getting everyone up for presents.

Crookshanks meowed and wove around her feet as she headed to Cedric's room.

"I'll feed you in a moment," she whispered and opened the door.

Belle ran out and booked it downstairs, so Crookshanks followed, leaving Hermione alone in the hallway. She smiled and peered into the darkness. Cedric's breathing was soft and slow. She approached and could just see from the grey morning light how peaceful he was. It was rare for him to get a restful sleep, she knew that. She adjusted the blanket so he was covered better. He stirred a little and burrowed his face into his pillow.

Hermione smiled. He was so cute. She resisted the urge to play with his long hair and instead left his room so he could sleep some more. He'd be woken up soon enough by excited children. After all, they were getting to open their presents early this year.

The iron front door creaked followed by a "Shh!"

Two voices spoke softly. Hermione went over to the railing to see two figures head into the family room. She grinned and quietly made her way downstairs, recognizing their magical signatures. As she neared, she could hear the rustle of wrapped parcels.

"Careful! Don't knock it over."

Hermione leaned against the entryway and grinned. The family room was decorated wall to wall with silver and gold, and the all white, wooden, hand-crafted tree was half-obscured by mounds of gifts. Even with the assignations, there were still enough presents to cause an avalanche from a single sneeze and in the middle of it all, Viktor and Esperanza were setting up a large box. Viktor was standing inside it trying to cram a bag of presents into it as well. He wore a huge red coat, a fur-lined hat, and a large, false beard hung around his neck. Esperanza had gone with a new look, her hair dyed the brilliant shade of turquoise Cecilia often favored. Perhaps to match up to her new sound.

"Oh, look," said Viktor. "Mistletoe."

She looked up. "I don't see any."

Viktor kissed her and smiled. "I am certain I saw some."

"You are absolutely right."

His attention flicked over her shoulder where he spotted Hermione. She grinned and waggled her fingers as his ears turned pink. Esperanza followed his gaze.

"Oh, Nia, this was supposed to be a surprise," she said.

"Nobody else is up yet," said Hermione, maneuvering around the piles of presents to give them each a hug. "So, you're back together?"

"Yes."

They didn't elaborate so Hermione didn't push. "You were missed at dinner last night. It would've been great to have everyone together. Even Linette, Mercedes, and Tanya are here."

"We spent Christmas Eve at a soup kitchen Viktor opened," said Esperanza. "Plus, it was the only time we could get a portkey."

"Didn't spend time with your family?" Hermione asked.

Esperanza winced and Viktor shook his head.

"I am not talking to them presently."

Hermione decided that what happened wasn't her business and today was not the day to discuss it. Instead, she squeezed their hands warmly.

"Well, I'm glad you're here. I missed you."

"I missed you, too," said Esperanza. "How is school going?"

"Oh, wonderfully," said Hermione. "There are so many interesting things to learn about."

"Yes, and what about that locket?"

Hermione pursed her lips. "I can't make sense of it. Its magic is so dark that being in the same room as it is painful. I think I felt it before, but I can't remember where. I ended up leaving it in my dorm. I didn't want it hanging over us."

"You say it is dark object?" Viktor asked.

"Yes." Hermione nodded. "I found it in the floorboards of Sirius's house, along with a diary written in code. I brought the diary."

"Perhaps I can have a look while I am here."

"That would be wonderful, thank you," said Hermione. "I'll show you tomorrow. Oh, I am so glad both of you are here." She raised her eyebrows with the silent question of how long.

"I told Miguel I would finish the tour," said Esperanza. "After that, I will tie up loose ends here and I am moving to Bulgaria to be with Viktor. We're going to see where the relationship takes us."

Hermione nodded. "That's reasonable. Think Viktor can hold out in there long enough for everyone to get breakfast?"

"I have made breakfast!" Tavi squeaked from the kitchen. With a snap, a table appeared along the wall filled with cross buns and several pots containing tea, chocolate, and coffee, plus all the accoutrements.

"Happy Christmas, Tavi," said Hermione.

"Happy Christmas, Hermione," she said cheerfully and hopped into a rocking chair that was just her size. Beside it was a basket containing magazines and knitting supplies.

Upstairs, the door to the nursery banged open and the sound of thundering feet rattled the light fixtures as Salome, Melanie, Rafaela, and Manolo woke everyone up.

"Quick!" said Esperanza. "Like we planned!"

Viktor was stuffed into the box and the lid was hastily set over it. Esperanza and Hermione each made themselves look busy by arranging chairs into a circle with magic. They had to conjure some since there were so many of them, but some of the kids could sit on the floor.

"Esperanza!" Amalea squealed, entering the room first. "Ooh! You changed your hair! I love it."

As the family filtered into the room, Esperanza received warm hugs.

"Hey, Zaza," said Manuia, hugging her tightly. "How's touring going for you?"

"It's a little tiring," she said. "I don't see myself doing it long-term, but until Miguel's dance crew is better established, I'll keep singing. I have been working on some new songs though. Now that I can listen to what I record, I can match the colors like I used to."

"See any interesting sights?"

"Oh, yes, we try and set aside a day to tour the cities we visit."

"And is seeing the world putting things in perspective like I said they would?"

Esperanza smiled and nodded. "Yes. I'm really glad you convinced me to go. I think if I didn't, I would still be holed away in my room."

Manuia smiled and kissed her forehead before taking a seat.

Hermione sat down in the large armchair and jiggled her leg excitedly. Everyone was going to be so stoked when it turned out Viktor was here. He was practically a member of the family already. She looked to the doorway and beamed when Cedric shuffled in, still looking sleepy.

"Here, have a seat, Cedric," she said. "I'll get you a plate. Do you want chocolate or tea?"

"Chocolate, please," he replied, taking her spot.

She waited in line and finally returned with breakfast for both of them. He scooted over as far as he could and she squeezed in beside him, draping her legs over his lap. He tipped his head.

"You hate constant contact," he said.

"Yeah, but you don't," she replied. "This relationship goes both ways, you know."

He beamed and kissed her lightly.

"You're wonderful."

"Everyone have food?" Esperanza asked. "A warm drink?"

"Sure do," said Manuia. "Now, why don't you tell us what's in that big box?"

Hermione hid her smile in her mug.

"You know what's in there," Cedric whispered and gently prodded.

She projected a picture of a cake with a popping out of it, which caused him to spit his drink back into his cup. Esperanza smiled and made a show of lifting the lid. Hermione readied her camera and snapped several pictures.

"Vesela Koleda!" Viktor shouted, popping up. He immediately lost balance with the weight of the sack of presents over his shoulder and fell back with a sharp cry.

"Ah! Bomboncito!" Esperanza went around to help him while everyone laughed.

"Viktor's back! Viktor's back!" Manolo shouted, dancing around the room.

"You could have just said," Cedric whispered.

"Where's the fun in that?" she teased.

"The whole family is here now," said Abuela Ximena with a wide smile. "Let the children loose! Zaza, since you and Viktor are standing, you can pass out the gifts."

"Of course," said Viktor, removing the fake beard. "I also brought gifts for the girls' home."

"Oh, they'll love that," said Angela. "Their gifts are usually from donations. Actually, continue on without me, I'll bring those gifts to them now."

"I'll help you," said Linette. "I haven't been there in a while."

Viktor passed them the sack from over his shoulder and dismantled the large box, revealing a stack of shiny presents behind it. He and Esperanza worked swiftly, dividing the gifts around the room.

Hermione set her gifts at her feet and watched the room with a smile without opening them. Her entire family, all in one place. It just filled her with more joy than any patronus could contain. And yet, she felt a small pang of fear that this sort of happiness wouldn't last. Cedric seemed to pick up on this feeling and held her closer.

Chibuzo climbed off Beatrice's lap and toddled over to Hermione.

"Look, Mimi!" he said and held up the stuffed dragon she got him.

"What do we say?" Roger asked.

"Tank you."

Hermione's heart grew three sizes and she snapped a picture of him with her camera.

"Oh, you are welcome," she said and kissed his head. "Look at you, Chibuzo. You've grown so much. How old are you now?"

"Umm… two!" He held up two fingers.

"Two years old," said Cedric. "Amazing!"

Chibuzo grinned and ran back to Mum and Dad. Hermione beamed and finally started opening her gifts.

"Oh, it seems like only yesterday when you were that little, Lea," said Manuia. "And now you're going to school and soon you'll be… casting magic around the house. Herminia already has a boyfriend and she can drive a motorcycle!"

Hana patted his arm as he began crying. "I know, honey, they grow up so fast."

To create a distraction Hermione quickly opened her gift from him.

"Ooh! Mom, Papá! I love these shoes!" She put on one of the turquoise sandals and stuck her foot out to admire it. "Mahalo."

"You used to fight me wearing shoes. It was so adorable, you wanted to be barefoot everywhere you went."

"He's dealing with empty nesters syndrome," said Hana looking choked up herself. "Manny, why don't we go get some more tea. Okay?"

"No, no, I'm fine." Manuia took a deep breath. "All good."

"Doesn't Amalea get to go home once a month with Uluru?" Cedric asked.

"That's just with the kids who actually live in Australia," said Amalea. "Hawaii is too far."

"Is it actually on Uluru?" Viktor asked.

"Oh, no way, that place is so sacred," she said. "The school is near it and was founded by Aboriginals, specifically the Yankunytjatjara people so we have classes that are centered specifically around how they performed magic and their history. Actually Uluru, the school, spans underground due to the really hot temperatures during the school year."

Viktor nodded to show his interest in the topic.

Hermione opened her present from Roger and Beatrice and gasped. "No way! A video camera? Ah! I love it! I love it! I love it!"

"We can return it if you don't like it," Roger teased.

"I think Cedric adapting it voids the warranty," she replied, running her thumb over the runes.

"I adapted it so that instead of just tape," he said, plucking out a violet stone with a cord attached to it, "it all gets saved to Iolite crystals and then you can watch it attached to a television or mirror. It should have a lot of memory, but I'm not sure how much yet. Instructions on how to transfer film from the tape to iolite are in the box, but I can also show you later. I'd like to be able to get it onto computers, but I have to actually be able to work with one. All I've been able to find so far are monitors. I think I could get funding to study it at my job next autumn."

"You are so clever," Hermione gushed, turning the device to him and recording.

"How's my hair?" he asked.

"Gorgeous," she replied, reaching out to play with it.

"You take such nice pictures, Nia," said Manuia, admiring the scrapbook she made him. "Just like Nachelle. You could be a photographer."

"Nah," she said. "Taking pictures helps me feel close to her, but if I turn it into a career then it might stop being fun, y'know?"

"I understand."

"Tía Bee!" said Salome approaching Beatrice. "Thank you for the tea set! It's so pretty!"

"You are so welcome," Beatrice replied in Spanish. "Roger and I thought you girls might like a proper British tea set."

"Tea is Chinese," Melanie corrected. "The first tea sets were from the Han Dynasty."

"Ever since Cedric taught her about tea, Melanie has been obsessed with learning about the history," said Tía Manola after translating. "I go from reading Buenas Noches, Luna to La Historia del Té."

"Oh, Hermione was the same way," said Roger. "Her favorite was always Le Petit Prince but anything else that captured her interest was a bedtime story. Egyptian pyramids, stained glass, anything and everything. Within reason."

"I like being well read," said Hermione, inspecting the ring-holder she received.

"I am noticing a distinct lack of mistletoe around here," Cedric whispered in her ear.

You are incorrigible, she projected despite the fact she would very much like to kiss him.

I don't get to see you anymore and I know how you feel about PDA, he replied.

You are getting very good at this, she thought.

I've been practicing.

Hermione smiled at him and looked at the book in his hands.

"What's that?" she asked aloud.

"It's from Maite," he said. "Magical architecture in small spaces. I imagine my living quarters will be small so this will teach me to expand the space without compromising the building structure."

"Neat. Could I read it before you go?"

"Absolutely."

"Open the one from me next. It's no Velozmente, and it's not as heartfelt as our anniversary gift, but I think you'll like it."

He unwrapped the long cylinder and unfurled the map.

"You sad you'd like to travel someday," she said. "With this map, you can scratch off the places you've been."

"I love it," he said and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you."

The family went gaga over the group gift of their very own jukebox. It was much different from the one Madam Rosmerta commissioned from him. Though it was still pretty in its own way, it was obviously hewn from many different parts and seemed to be more compact.

"Did you make a jukebox from scratch, Cedric?" Tía Manola asked.

"I did actually," he said. "I started working on it whenever I was working on Madam Rosmerta's jukebox. I thought I could make a better profit if I knew how to make it from spare parts. However, I kept running into a problem."

"What problem?" asked Tía Constanza.

"No matter what selection I chose, it kept playing "If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cher," his expression grew pensive. "Which I didn't even put in there so that was a mystery."

"Does it play our song?" Hermione asked, admiring the bracelet he gave her. It was a simple ring with two charms. One was her birthstone and the other was a disc that had her initial.

"Of course." Cedric fastened the bracelet around her wrist, then draped his arm around her and grinned suavely. "I believe it is song twenty-three."

Viktor was closest and punched in the number. Cedric froze as "Fat Bottom Girls" played.

"Twenty-four! I mean, twenty-four!"

Hermione threw her head back and cackled. Blushing furiously, Cedric got up and jumped over the toys and piles of wrapping paper to change the song. He pressed a red button and the song halted. Still laughing, Hermione followed his steps and looked at the selection before choosing an alt-disco song instead of their song. She bopped her head and danced in place.

Cedric smiled at her in the way that never failed to make her heart flutter. He took her hands and danced with her in the small space.

After presents were open, the youngest kids were wrangled into picking up the trash by turning it into a game. With that cleared it was determined that they would meet back in the area at five o'clock for games before dinner. Hermione took Cedric's hand and silently asked to go for a walk.

After telling Viktor where they were going so he could tell the others but not stop them, they snuck out the door from the kitchen and headed down the path to the beach.

Hermione slid her hand into Cedric's.

"Something is wrong," she said. "You're smiling, but it isn't quite reaching your eyes. Did something happen to Harry? What about Sirius?"

"Not exactly," he said. "It's about Mr. Weasley."

Hermione's mind instantly went to worst-case scenario.

"Oh, no…" She squeezed his hand. "He… he's gone, isn't he?"

She hoped she was wrong, but he nodded.

"He was guarding something in the Department of Mysteries and was attacked by a giant snake."

Hermione pursed her lips and swallowed back the tears. If she spoke they might spill over. What was he guarding?

"I don't know yet. But Our good friend Morty has been trying to break into Harry's mind and has been showing him the door to the Department of Mysteries. I've been working with him on Occlumency, but it's slow going. If it weren't for those guardians and that amulet Abuela made him… I don't know. Anyway, he and Sirius are hosting the Weasleys right now. Taking care of them while they're in mourning."

Well, yeah, their families are so close, said Hermione. I'll talk to my family, see if we can set up anything to help them out.

"Roger and Beatrice are planning on bringing them food when they get back and set up a weekly cards night with Sirius and Mrs. Weasley," he said. "Lee and I agreed to support Fred and George while they grieve."

"Percy?"

"He was the one who found Mr. Weasley. I think he's the most bent out of shape about it considering… everything."

Oh… Hermione rested a hand over her heart and shook her head. Many more people were sure to die before the Ministry would take action and by then it might be too late.

"Funeral?"

"They had it before the semester ended," said Cedric. "When Roger and Beatrice went to bed I went over to pay my respects."

Hermione looked at him. "Umbridge?"

He hesitated. She knew he was hoping she'd be so happy to see him that she would forget about all those detentions he'd gotten.

"It's better than it was," he said and she knew he was telling the truth. "I've been serving them with the other professors or with Filch. She hates my guts and she makes my life miserable every chance she gets, but she can't take away my Head Boy status and she stopped breathing down the necks of the prefects. My foundations there are secure."

"What about Quidditch?"

"Had to quit the team so they could keep playing."

Hermione scowled. "That's not right. What else has she done to you?"

"Nothing."

Liar. Hermione stepped in front of him and crossed her arms.

"Cedric… if you're being hurt, then there's something I can do," she said.

"There's nothing you can do."

"There's always something I can do!" she retorted. "I'm Hermione Sanchez-Granger, I can do anything I put my mind to, including rescuing my boyfriend from a tyrant!"

"But everything she's doing is legal!" he retorted. "It's all legal, Hermione. I have tried everything in my power to leave. I sent letters asking to transfer to other schools and a decree was issued that I can't transfer until the current school year ends. The Ministry is on her side and nobody is going to put their job on the line to help a werewolf. So long as she remains within the law… she can't be touched."

Hermione gritted her teeth and shook her head. "There has to be something I can do."

"For once there's nothing you can," he said.

"I won't accept that."

Cedric frowned and huffed, "Well, you're just going to have to."

Hermione felt her face warm up and she clenched her jaw.

"Well, if you can't get out, then I need to go back in."

"Mimi, that is the worst idea you've ever had! I refuse to let you go back to Hogwarts, especially in this state. If Umbridge hates me, she will despise you. You rock the boat and I love you too much to subject you to her."

Despite this, Hermione was stuck on the idea. "You need support in your life now more than ever! How could I have left you alone like this? I never should have left in the first place!"

"If you tried to come back to Hogwarts just for me, I would carry you back to Castelobruxo myself. I refuse to let you do that."

"It isn't right! It's not fair."

"Life isn't fair and there are plenty of people who are making sure of that."

Hermione fumed and stomped around as her anger bubbled over like a volcano. She kept her mouth shut, but still screamed, infuriated at the whole situation. She was too far away to do anything, the government was being stupid, and vulnerable people were suffering due to their incompetence. People she cared about deeply.

As quickly as it boiled up, her anger faded to sorrow. She pulled Cedric into a tight hug and buried her face into his neck.

"Cedric, if things get really bad… you have to leave."

"What about my job? I have to get my N.E.W.T.s to get the job with the Department of the Adaptation of Non-Magical Artifacts."

"Maybe it won't be your dream job, but you could probably sign up intern level," she said. "Move in with my parents, keep selling your radios to make money. Work your way up gradually."

"I won't quit."

"You're so stubborn!"

"I learned from the best."

Hermione rolled her eyes and kept walking down to the beach. She needed to get on a different topic before she blew up again. Cedric was right, there wasn't anything she could do with her limited powers. Hell, if she tried strong-arming Fudge again, he might find an excuse to arrest her and then where would she be? No, the sensible game was gone, now was the long-game. The surviving game. She just needed to hope Cedric survived for the next five-and-a-half months and then he would be free and as far away from the mess as possible.

"How's Castelobruxo?" he asked. "I know you're enjoying your classes and extracurriculars, but what about the people?"

"Oh, the people are fine, I guess," she said, watching her step on the rocky path. "Some of them treat me like an outsider. I guess I am in a way. I don't really have friends."

"What about those people you tell me about? Bembe, Luiz, Kyoko?"

"They're Noa's friends," she clarified. "They're friendly towards me, but we don't hang out if Noa isn't there. Really, I just tag along to my cousins' friends and they tolerate me I guess. I mean… there are lots of transfers you know? The largest populations are fifth year and up, because a lot of students from smaller schools looking for niche classes transfer to Castelobruxo. Anyway… I spend most of my time in the library. It's a brilliant library. So many subjects. I'm still trying to figure out what that locket is, but Viktor promised to help me de-code the diary."

"That's cool of him," said Cedric. "Are you still mad at me?"

"I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the situation you're in," she said. "And the fact that I am powerless to do anything."

"Ah, well, as long as you're not mad at me."

Hermione looked out at the ocean and huffed.

"Umbridge hasn't done anything else to you, has she?"

"No," he said.

An odd bit of magic wrapped around his throat. Hermione narrowed her eyes and he froze.

"What?" he asked. "She hasn't done anything to me lately except give me detentions which I'm serving with Professor Sprout. Honest."

The magic didn't reappear and she didn't want to scare him off. So she let it go.

For now.