The Truth About Hermione Granger

Christmas night, Amelia and Hermione stayed up after everyone else went to bed. They'd decided to open their gifts from Tom alone. He'd want it that way, Amelia had said. So, the two sneaked down to the parlor that held the Christmas tree and sat in front of it, each taking their gift in their laps.

"You first," said Amelia, grinning broadly. "Tom's gifts are always great!"

"I was going to tell you to go first!" laughed Hermione.

"Same time, then," said Amelia.

Hermione grinned back. "All right," she said, tearing into her package. She finally got into it, revealing what looked like a ring box and another, larger box. Opening the box, she found a small silver ring with a blood red stone set in it. "Is this a ruby?" she asked.

"I think so," said Amelia, holding up an identical ring. "You know what these are?"

"I sure do," answered Hermione. "Rings of protection. We have to put them on and break the charms to release the protection they contain. But, I don't understand. Tom already had Draco put a charm on me." She pointed to the tiny, heart-shaped scar at her temple.

"But, that charm only guarantees that if anyone DOES hurt you, they will meet an untimely end," said Amelia. "These rings will keep anyone from hurting us in the first place. You see?"

Hermione nodded. And turned back to the other box in the gift. "I wonder what this one is," she said, pulling it open. Inside, she found a book, which was fitting for her. The title on the book was, "Advanced Charms and Curses: A Witch's Guide to Doing Anything." "Oh, wow," she breathed. "Look, Amelia!" She held up the book for Amelia to see.

Amelia smiled. "Look at mine," she said, holding up a couple of strange looking earrings and some very psychedelic looking robes. "The robes are vintage. From the 70's."

"What are those?" asked Hermione, indicating the earrings.

"They're for this," said Amelia, lifting her shirt and revealing a pierced navel. "I don't know how he knew about it, but he did. I begged my dad for almost a year to get this done. He finally said yes, but if I asked for another, he'd rip this one out!" She laughed. "I don't think he was serious," she added, seeing the expression on her cousin's face.

"He sure knows us, doesn't he?" asked Hermione, opening the book. "Oh, look! He's written a dedication! Listen! 'To my dearest Hermione, I hope you enjoy studying this book, I know how much you like to read and learn. You are a very talented girl and you are sure to go far! I love you, my child. Love, Tom.' Isn't that nice?"

Amelia nodded. "That's what makes it so hard to work AGAINST him," she said.

Hermione's head snapped up and she looked at her cousin. "I'd almost forgotten about that," she said.

"That's easy to do," said Amelia. "Sometimes I hate telling Professor Dumbledore about things he's done and said. It's hard."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "I suppose it is," she said.

"Come on," said Amelia after a pause. "Let's get to bed."

Hermione stood and the two girls sneaked back through the house and into the room they shared.

* * * * * * * *

Hermione was awakened by an owl tapping on her window the next morning. She quickly got up to let it in and retrieved the letter he held out to her. She recognized the tiny owl as Pigwidgeon and he nipped at her fingers, jumped around a bit and flew off into the sky. She grinned as she quickly read the letter.

*Hi, Hermione!* it started. *Harry's here for the holidays, I'm sure we told you. He and Ginny are starting to bug me, though. All they do is stare at each other. It's sick! Anyway, we all want you to come for a visit! I hope you get this letter when it's supposed to get to you (the day after Christmas). If it gets there on time, come on over. Use Floo Powder, we'll keep the fireplace clear for you. Oh, and Percy says I'd better invite your new boyfriend, too. Although, I don't think he'll want to come. Didn't you say your cousin was visiting as well? You can bring her, too, if she wants to come. Oh, and if your dad says no you can't come, send me a letter, okay? See you later! Love, Ron.*

Hermione smiled and quickly pulled on some clothes. Amelia had already gone down to breakfast apparently, because she wasn't in the room. She found everyone already seated around the breakfast table when she got there. "Good morning!" she said.

"Good morning, Mione," said Draco, beaming up at her. "See what I mean?" he added as an aside to her uncle. "She even looks great first thing in the morning!"

Hermione grinned and took her usual place next to him. "How do you know I didn't shower and comb my hair and put on make-up?" she asked.

Draco looked puzzled for a moment, but Amelia finally spoke up. "I just came down five minutes ago, Hermione and you were still asleep," she said. "You wouldn't have had time for that!"

"See?" said Draco to her uncle once more.

"I see," said George Lucas. "For the record, Severus, you have a lovely daughter!"

"I love how you all talk about me like I'm not sitting right here," said Hermione, feigning annoyance.

"Sorry, Mione," said Draco, giving her leg a little pat under the table. "You're beautiful. There, is that better?"

"Yes, it is," she said, leaning over and kissing Draco on the cheek. "Thank you."

"That's enough, you two," said her father, sounding bored.

"Daddy?" said Hermione, putting on her sweet, puppy dog face.

"What is it, poppet?" he asked.

"I've been invited to visit my friends for the day," she said. "Ron wrote me a letter and said he and Harry want me to come. Could I go?"

"What about our company?" he asked, looking his daughter in the eye.

"He said that Amelia and Draco are invited as well," she said. "Though, I don't think Draco will want to go."

"You're right about that, Mione," said Draco, shaking his head.

"It's all right, Severus," said Sylvia. "We will have plenty of days to visit with Hermione. Let her go visit her friends."

"Very well," said her father finally. "After breakfast, but I want you home before dinner."

"Thank you, daddy!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck and planting a huge kiss on his cheek.

"Stop that!" he shouted, pushing her away. "If you do that one more time, I'll change my mind."

"Sorry, daddy!" she laughed, turning to Amelia. "Do you want to come along with me? The Weasleys are very nice people and they would love to meet you."

"Sure, I'll come," said Amelia. "As long as Draco won't be angry with us for deserting him!" She smirked at the both of them.

"I don't care," said Draco. "I'll find something to occupy myself, don't worry."

So, as soon as breakfast was over, Amelia and Hermione went into the parlor to build a fire and take the floo network to the burrow.

Almost as soon as Hermione popped out of the fire, Amelia popped out behind her and the two were sent sprawling on the floor, giggling. They must have been making quite a bit of noise because soon, the entire Weasley household was in the room, Fred and George lifting them off the floor.

"Amelia," said Hermione, dusting herself off. "This is Fred and George. And that tall one's Ron, that's his mother and father and the girl is Ginny. The one with dark hair is Harry Potter. I guess Charlie and Bill aren't here right now, and Ron, I thought you said Percy was home."

"He is," answered Ron, turning to call up the stairs. "Percy! Come down here a minute!"

Percy appeared a moment later, complaining about trying to get some work done and what did Ron want, when he finally noticed the two girls standing there. "Oh, hello, Hermione," he said. But, his eyes didn't stay on her for long. "Who's this?" he asked, practically staring at Amelia.

"This is my cousin Amelia Lucas," answered Hermione, turning to Amelia. She noticed that Amelia was staring back at Percy. "Amelia, this is Percy," she said, shaking her head at Ron, who had also noticed the two.

"Hello, Percy," said Amelia, snapping herself out of it and offering him her hand.

"Hello, Amelia," he answered, bowing slightly and kissing the back of her hand instead of shaking it.

"Oh, how RUDE of me!" exclaimed George, pushing Percy out of the way and taking Amelia's hand. "I didn't realize she was that IMPORTANT! How d'you do, Miss Amelia?" he asked, leaning to kiss her hand.

"Oh, yes, Miss Amelia," put in Fred, pushing George out of the way and kissing Amelia's hand as well. "So wonderful to have you here!"

"Don't know WHAT we'd do if you hadn't graced us with your presence!" added George.

"Fred! George! That's enough!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley. Percy now stood to one side, looking murderous. "I must apologize, Amelia. They can take things too far now and then."

"Oh, it's nothing," said Amelia, grinning from ear to ear. "It's not every day I get this much attention! It was nice to meet you, Fred, George... Percy." And she began staring at him again.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Well, the good news is that you don't have to hear all about how Penny broke his heart," he said quietly to Hermione as everyone began talking. "The bad news is that once you two leave, all we'll hear about is Amelia Lucas!"

Hermione grinned. "Perhaps I should have left her behind," she said.

"That's okay," said Ron. "Maybe now Percy won't sulk in his room so much!"

Hermione grinned and joined the rest of the Weasleys in their conversation.

* * * * * * * *

"Percy says he's going to get his own flat next year, hopefully," said Amelia later that night as the two sat in their room, talking about nothing. "He feels bad about living with them still, even though he knows they don't care. He says that they have SO little and he's JUST taking some of what they have when they COULD be using it on something useful, like new robes for his little sister...."

Hermione rolled her eyes. She didn't think she could stand to hear one more word about Percy Weasley! Not that she didn't like Percy. He was pretty cool, but she just didn't need to hear about him all the time. Did she sound like this when she talked about Draco? No, she couldn't, could she?

"...and he said he'd write to me. Oh, isn't he just so SWEET? Hermione? Herm? Are you listening?"

"Hm? What?" said Hermione, focusing again on Amelia. "Oh, yeah, sure."

"You didn't hear me!" accused Amelia. "Am I boring you?"

"No, not at all!" answered Hermione.

Amelia smirked. "I am," she said. "Sorry. I don't mean to talk about Percy all the time, but he's just so CUTE!"

"So I gathered," said Hermione, crossing the room to her own bed. "But, perhaps we'd better get to sleep now. It's nearly midnight!"

Amelia sighed. "Do you think he likes me?" she asked.

"Do I THINK he likes you?" said Hermione. "He DOES, Amelia, that's all there is to it!"

"You think so?" said Amelia, a huge smile on her face.

"Sure," answered Hermione. "The way he stared at you? He likes you!"

Amelia giggled and the two girls snuffed the candles in the room and went to sleep.