All I Want for Christmas

A/N: This is my first attempt to write fan fiction of any sort. Plus, I don't have the knowledge that most of you do about Harry Potter, as I've only read fan fiction and seen the movies. I've tried to be as true to the series as I can considering my knowledge, but the story may be slightly AU. Please be constructively critical of my work. Thanks in advance for your kindness. Maybe I'll write more of these in the future if this one goes well.

Thank you to everybody who's reviewed my story so far. I've gotten some very helpful feedback from you. I'd enjoy hearing from more of you.

If any of you want to try to figure out where I'm going, you might want to read my replies to people's reviews, as I will occasionally drop a hint in there. However, be wary, I have been known to toss out some red herrings too. Speculate at your own risk.

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. All characters belong to J. K. Rowling.

All I Want for Christmas

Chapter 5: Dinnertime Exchanges

Within five minutes, the table was set, the food was on it, and the four of them were around the small round table in the dining room enjoying their first meal together. Harry was sitting with Hermione to his right, Mr. Granger to his left, and Mrs. Granger across from him. They all started savoring their pasta and fresh tossed salad.

“This is really good, Mrs. Granger,” Harry informed her.

Mrs. Granger smiled warmly at him, “why, thank you Harry. My cooking tends to go underappreciated around here most of the year.” All three of them turned to look at Mr. Granger.

“What? I love your cooking! I just don't say it at every meal.”

“When's the last time that you said that you loved my cooking before ten seconds ago?”

“Um…” Mr. Granger stammered, with a look of concentration on his face.

“My point exactly.”

Mr. Granger gently took his wife's hand in his and gave it a light squeeze. “I'll make it up to you later,” he promised her.

Mrs. Granger leaned her forehead against his, “I never have been able to stay mad at you for long,” she conceded.

Harry looked over at Hermione and interjected with a smile, “Has anyone ever told you how much like your mum you are?”

Hermione blushed in embarrassment as Mr. and Mrs. Granger smiled at each other, seeming to speak volumes to each other through their smiles.

Harry didn't miss their look. I wonder what they're thinking about. Harry pondered in his mind. Is it something concerning what I said to Hermione or something from their exchange just before that? It must be something from their exchange just before I made that comment to Hermione.

“Harry,” Hermione's voice broke through his thoughts, “didn't you hear what I just said?”

This time it was Harry's turn to turn red in embarrassment. “Sorry, Hermione,” Harry apologized, “I guess I didn't.”

“I said that at least this time you didn't refer to me as your mum,” Hermione repeated for him, drawing chuckles from Mr. and Mrs. Granger.

“Does Hermione act like a mum for you and Ron at school, Harry?” Mrs. Granger asked.

“At times,” Harry said glancing quickly at a shyly smiling Hermione. “She gets us back in line when we get too far out of it.” More like all the time, but it's not like that's a bad thing.

“What sorts of things have the three of you been up to recently?” Mr. Granger inquired.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other with concern clearly etched on their faces. What should we say? How much can we tell them? Very few people in the wizarding world know that we've been looking for and destroying the horcruxes while attending classes. They wouldn't have any idea about what they are or the implications of their destruction either.

Hermione finally answered after a long pause, “Well…” she started, “We've been studying hard for our N.E.W.T.s in the spring, and having a bit of fun too. We've also been working on a secret project in our spare time.”

Nice cover, Hermione. Harry smiled at her appreciatively. It wasn't lying, but it was still vague enough not to give anything away.

“That sounds just like our sweetheart,” Mrs. Granger said smiling broadly.

“Indeed it does,” Mr. Granger said proudly.

Harry and Hermione smiled at each other. If they only knew half the stuff we've been through. She's saved our lives on several occasions. Sure, she's gotten us into some trouble over the years, like for the troll on Halloween our first year, but her quick mind has gotten us out of more than enough tough situations to make up for the occasional trouble she's gotten us in to.

“So Harry,” Hermione broke through his thoughts, “What did Dad want to talk to you about earlier?”

Harry looked at Mr. Granger while he thought about his response. What do I tell her? I don't want to tell her exactly what we were talking about. She'd think both her dad and me have gone mad.

“We were talking about guy stuff,” Mr. Granger bailed him out. Harry smiled at him in gratitude. Mr. Granger nodded as if to say “anytime.”

Hermione and Mrs. Granger looked at each other with raised eyebrows, but sheepish grins on their face, knowing that they had a conversation that they didn't really want to tell the guys about either.

They continued eating in silence for a few minutes, and Mrs. Granger went into the kitchen and brought out bowls of vanilla ice cream for each of them. “Make sure to brush your teeth well before you go to bed, you two,” she told Harry and Hermione.

“Yes, Mum.” Hermione responded automatically.

Harry started to eat his ice cream, but suddenly put down his spoon and put a hand to his head. Not now! Voldemort, why do you have to pick the worst possible times to give me a headache? Headache…that's a good excuse for getting out of the room to lie down for a bit.

Hermione saw his hand go to his head and worriedly grabbed his arm to support him. Her eyes went wide in fear.

“Are you alright, Harry?” Mrs. Granger asked, clearly concerned.

“Headache,” Harry muttered, pushing his chair back. “I'm going to go lie down for a bit.”

“We have medicine for headaches, Harry,” Mrs. Granger countered, “I can go get some for you if you'd like.”

“It's okay, Mum. When Harry gets these headaches he needs to lie down for a bit,” Hermione informed her mum. “Go on, Harry. I'll be up to check on you in a few minutes.”

“Thanks,” Harry murmured as he made his way slowly towards the stairs.

Hermione worriedly picked at her ice cream for a few minutes while her folks watched her. Then, she set her spoon down and pushed her bowl towards the middle of the table. “I'm not hungry anymore. I'm going to check on Harry.”

She was out of the dining room before either of her folks could say a word.

“Ice cream headache?” pondered Mr. Granger out loud.

“Maybe,” Mrs. Granger responded looking towards where Harry and Hermione had left the room contemplatively.

“She really does seem to be a good mum for Harry, though,” Mr. Granger added.

Mrs. Granger smiled weakly at him. “I'm sure it's more than a mum-like feeling…” she trailed off in thought while continuing to look towards where Harry and Hermione had exited the room.

A/N: This is my last update before Christmas. As I said in response to a couple of reviewers who asked if I was going to have this finished before Christmas, there is no way that I possibly could have finished this story by then. You'll see why once I get more of the story up. I also won't be as quick about responding to reviews for this chapter as I have been for other chapters, as I'm going out of town for a few days and won't have computer access until I get back. Please keep reviewing though. I really appreciate your feedback.

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