Perfect Storm

Chapter 20

When Hermione finally woke again, it was half-past ten. Bright sunlight was peeking through the curtains and she buried her face back into the pillow. If it wasn't for her aching bladder, she would have pulled the covers over her head and slept away the rest of the morning. Her need for the toilet was greater, though, and Hermione forced herself out of bed and into the bathroom.

After a quick shower, she made her way to the kitchen and found a note from Draco letting her know he had some errands to run and a therapy session afterward. She made some toast and coffee and then settled on the couch, taking in her way too bare surroundings. It wasn't really a surprise, but there wasn't a single thing in Draco's flat that signaled Christmas was only two days away. Despite knowing exactly what look she would be on the receiving end of that afternoon by going through with her sudden inspiration, Hermione finished her breakfast and grabbed her coat.

Outside the air was crisp and cold. The Muggle street Draco lived on was full of small shops and cafes, making it a prime destination for last-minute holiday shopping. Hermione leisurely made her way down the footpath, happily dodging frazzled parents, hand-holding couples, and a woman walking five dogs while talking on her mobile.

It didn't take long for Hermione to find what she was looking for. After a few blocks, she came upon a small Christmas tree lot, still full of pine trees in varying sizes. After a brief period of self debate about sizes, she chose one that was about half a foot taller than her. The salesman bound it up in netting and was left speechless when Hermione declined delivery service and carried it off the lot. She figured a wandless feather-light charm wouldn't ping the Ministry's radar.

Ignoring the bemused looks of passersby, Hermione hauled the tree further down the street, finally stopping in front of a restaurant that had been closed up for renovations. As casual as was possible with a six-foot pine tree, Hermione slipped down the side of the building to the loading dock. Once out of sight from the main street, she hugged her tree and quickly spun.

When her feet hit solid ground again, she was in her parents' back garden. It was a stark contrast to how she had last seen it. The washline was bare, as were the branches of the large oak tree. The dry grass crunched under her trainers as she walked to the door and stood the tree up against the house. Digging her keys from her purse, Hermione toed her trainers off and then let herself into the warm kitchen.

"Mum? Dad?" she called, hanging up her coat and moving into the living room. The sharp sound of a dentist drill sounded from the office addition. Hermione slowly opened the door and peeked her head in. Her father hovered over a patient while her mother was sat at the receptionist's desk, flipping through a magazine.

"Hey, Mum," Hermione called.

Katherine quickly looked back, a smile spreading across her face.

"This is a nice surprise!" she cried, jumping up and rushing to hug Hermione. "What are you doing here?"

"Ginny had the baby early this morning."

Her mom gasped and let out a squeal. "Michael," she shouted. The drilling paused and her father glanced back, the crinkle of his eyes hinting at the grin behind his medical mask. "We'll be in the kitchen," Katherine said, gesturing towards the door.

Hermione followed her mother to the kitchen and let out an excited, "Ooh!" when Katherine set a tray of cookies on the table. Hermione snagged a gingerbread man and bit off the top half.

"Do you have a picture?" Katherine asked eagerly, pouring two glasses of milk and setting one in front of Hermione. Hermione nodded, her mouth too full to talk, and pulled out her mobile. She pulled up a picture she took of Harry holding his son and passed it across the table. "Aww, what a handsome little guy! What's his name?"