Stay With Me: Hogwarts Rewritten

Part 11

The holidays have been amazing. I never thought Christmas could be so wonderful, and it's all thanks to Hermione. I couldn't sleep last night because tonight is Christmas Eve which means her family is making Christmas dinner and Hermione and I are exchanging gifts today. I looked up from my sleeping bag to see her fast asleep on the bed.

I climbed out of the sleeping bag and lightly took my seat on the edge of her bed. Shaking her shoulder, she started shifting till she opened her eyes and looked at me.

"Morning Harry. You're up quite early. I'm assuming this excitement is due to the fact that it's Christmas Eve?" She questions, even just waking up she sounds so smart

"Yes. I just woke up. I thought we could go down and watch the telly until your parents wake. I don't want to bother them too much" I suggested

"Alright. Just let me fix my mess of a hair" She laughs and climbs out of bed before making her way to the bathroom

Once we're both situated, we made our way downstairs and turned the telly on. I didn't know what we were watching but Hermione seemed to enjoy it. She laid her head on my shoulder and I wrapped a blanket around us. I felt content. It wasn't long till her parents came down and started making breakfast.

"Well aren't you two a sight! Comfy are we? Well I hate to remove you from your state but breakfast is ready" Her mother says noticing us on the couch

I felt the slight blush form in my cheeks realizing how we were sitting. Both Hermione and I got up and took and seat at the table. They were telling us all about Christmas dinner and our plans for tomorrow. Tomorrow Hermione's cousin Christopher was coming along with his parents. Hermione have told me all about him, apparently he teased her incessantly. I couldn't wait to meet him, as if I was going to let anyone talk about Hermione like that.

"Now I understand you two want to exchange gifts tonight, but that's it. Remember no reading too much, you only see your family twice a year, so I want you to talk to them" Dan says to Hermione

I laughed silently, even Dan and Emma realized how hard it was for Hermione to stay away from a book.

"Of course dad"

Once we finished breakfast, Hermione and I made our way upstairs to start cleaning her room.

"I hate Christopher. He is a rightful git. He thinks he is so smart and clever. Don't let him get to you. Also do not mention that we share a room. He will tell my aunt and she will no doubt berate me about how inappropriate it is" Hermione rants organizing her books

"Mione...breathe. Everything will be alright. I'm worried about how they will perceive me. What am I to tell them? I don't need them knowing about my situation" I tell her, I didn't need complete strangers knowing what an awful life I had in the past

"Don't worry about that. I already talked to mum and dad. You're just a friend who came to stay for the holidays. I met you this year at private school. They will love you just as much as I do" She walked over and sat on the bed next to me

I took her hand in mine and I instantly felt better. She could always do that.

"Now come on. We have to finish cleaning before we go help my parents make dinner for tonight" She pulls me off the bed and we start cleaning

Later that day...

The house was very clean and we are now helping her parents clean. I was in charge of chopping the vegetables. The Christmas music was playing through the radio and the smell of cooked turkey filled the air. I never smelt such delicious food in my life. Hermione was humming along to the music as she peeled the potatoes.

"Alright the hard part is over. You two may go exchange gifts now" Dan says quietly

I looked over at Hermione and grabbed her hand. We both ran to the tree and grabbed our presents. We ran up the stairs and straight to her bedroom.

"I want to go first. This is something very special. While at Hogwarts I went to Hagrid and asked his opinion of presents and he gave me something. The minute I saw it, I knew it was perfect. So I guess it's from both Hagrid and I" She says sitting down on the bed and handing me a small box

I ripped open the package only to see a photo album. I didn't know what to expect. I opened the front cover only to see a moving picture of my parents dancing. They were dancing together and the snow was falling over them. I moved my fingers across the picture not believing it was actually real. Without realizing it, a felt a tear run down my cheek.

"He gave me the picture and I put it inside the book. The rest of the pages are empty, so as your life goes on we can keep putting pictures inside it" I heard her whisper

I placed the book down on the bed and pulled her in my arms. I have never received something so amazing, it was perfect. I didn't know how long I was hugging her, but I didn't want to stop.

"I'm glad you love the present"

"Mine will never top it. But I'm going to try" I grabbed both boxes and handed them to her

Slowly she opened the first box and smile appeared on her face.

"Pride and Prejudice. Thank you Harry, this is my favorite book. I was so upset when my copy got worn out. It's the perfect gift" She says leaning over and placing a small kiss on my cheek

"Open the other one"

She ripped open the last box and I could see a shocked look on her face. I grabbed the necklace and took it out of the box for her.

"You got me a heart locket? Oh Harry it's beautiful. I've never gotten something so beautiful. Put it on for me" I unhooked the locket and placed it around her neck

She liked me in for a quick hug and another kiss on the cheek.

"This is becoming one of my favorite days in the world. I'm really glad you live here now Harry. I don't know what I would do without your friendship"

"Don't worry, you will never have to find out" I hugged her one last time before we made our way downstairs

We arrived just in time for dinner. Her parents were practically raving about the locket I got Hermione. But her gift was far better. I never had a picture of what my parents looked like and it was just...perfect. I couldn't believe she got me that. This is far one of the best days of my life. I'm hoping tomorrow will only bring me more happiness.

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Hello everyone. My apologies again, being grounded sucks so I wasn't able to update. I will now continue my regular schedule of posting once a week. Pleas vote and thank you all for waiting, I hope the chapter was worth it.