London, England, a suburb of Hampstead Gardens.

Heathgard Road, which crosses Mead Street, is a street full of greenery. The street wasn't wide, and to be honest, it was a bit short – the kind that could only be reached in a few steps.

It's a little compact, but beautiful.

Most of the houses here are small three-storey houses with red bricks and brown tiles, and the residents invariably have white lattice windows, which adds a bit of interest to the greenery here.

Standing on the street and looking to the north, you can see the door of St. Jude's Church with a tapered spire, facing you straight up, as if ready to welcome the devout to confession and confession.

By this time the sun had already set, and there weren't many streetlights on the street, so it looked a little dim. Hermione walked gently with her suitcase in her tow, her eyes wandering quietly over the houses on either side of the road.

She had planned to spend the Christmas holidays at the Burrow, or Black's House—she had even sent letters home. But under Maka's inadvertent persuasion, she thought about it and chose to go home.

Granger's house was the fifth house to turn left at the crossroads, and before she could pac a few more steps, Hermione was already in front of her long-lost house (1).

With the lights still on in the window, the Granger couple must be enjoying a cold dinner without their daughter, right?

They are a very tolerant pair of parents, and there is no doubt that they love their daughter deeply. Of course Hermione knew that, and she loved them too.

But after Maca's inadvertent reminder, she is now standing in front of the house, and the feeling of family affection is getting deeper and deeper.

Hermione was a very assertive girl, and she had been like that since she was a child. Her parents usually don't object to what she wants to do, because the Granger couple feel that their daughter is the best and should be given enough trust and encouragement.

Just like this time, even though Hermione said she was going to spend Christmas in her magical world, the Granger couple didn't say a word of objection in their reply.

But now, as Hermione stared silently at the orange fireplace glowing through the window, she could finally feel the weight of the love that trust contained.

All normal parents want to watch over their children's growth every day. Even if they can choose to release their children for the sake of strong love, in a corner called "home", they will still silently hope that the children will return one day.

Hermione, standing in the doorway, twitched her reddish nose and blinked.

“…… This weather. She muttered softly.

Just as she regained her spirits and was about to reach out and ring the doorbell, she heard a faint conversation in the room. Her outstretched hand hesitated for a moment, then stopped in midair.

“…… Put away the Christmas tree, my dear! Didn't Minnie Mouse (2) say in her letter that she won't be coming back this Christmas? Mrs. Granger said.

"Oh, let's leave it there! It's like Christmas for me," said Mr. Granger, after a pause, "and my father was so busy when ......I was a kid that my mother had to fool me with a branch."

"Stop talking about your old things, I've said it so many times, I've remembered it a long time ago!" Mrs. Granger's voice sounded a little unhappy, but after a few moments she added, "Then the Christmas tree will be there first!" You're going to help me pack the presents, and we'll have to get the owl to send them to Minnie! ”

"Of course, of course, here it is!" "But seriously, it's hard to imagine that owls are so smart—"

"They can understand Minnie's words," Mrs. Granger explained to her husband, "and Minnie and I have mentioned ...... But they can't seem to figure out what we mean, it's amazing, isn't it? ”

"yes!" Mr. Granger agreed, "It's amazing, and it's ...... Our daughter is amazing, she can command those clever owls! ”

At this point, Mrs. Granger seemed to hesitate, and the conversation in the room paused for a moment.

“…… My dear, I guess we should agree with her? Mrs. Granger said with some regret, "Minnie is so amazing, she should be able to heal her front teeth with her methods, instead of the wire rack we have been insisting on?" ”

"But we're dentists, aren't we?" "We knew very well that it was just because the front teeth were a little bit out of shape, and the appliances were the safest option." ”

"Oh...... Well, I have to admit, braces do give me more peace of mind......" Mrs. Granger followed, "Doing magic in your mouth or something, it sounds too dangerous......"

"Yes!" Mr. Granger said, sighing slightly, "I don't know how Minnie is doing, I really want to take a good look at her!" ”

"Do you think I don't want to?" "But, don't sigh, let that Minnie Mouse be so proud of us," said Lady Granger, "that we can take good care of ourselves...... As long as she's happy, we're parents, we can do anything......"

"Oh-"

Hermione, who was standing outside, couldn't listen anymore because she thought it was so cold outside—her nose was pantothenic.

"Ding-dong-"

The crisp ringing of the doorbell interrupted the casual conversation of the Grangers, who were probably slightly puzzled, and soon the door was opened by Mr. Granger.

"Daddy!" Hermione let go of the handle of her suitcase and hugged her father.

"Oh! Minnie? Mr. Granger was surprised, "Why are you back?" The letter doesn't say—"

"Daddy, I'...... I thought about it and came back. Hermione's head was buried in her father's slightly emaciated chest, and the thick cotton dressing gown couldn't completely hide his nasty ribs, "I miss you, Daddy-Mom-"

"Oh, we miss you too—" Mr. Granger had a smile on his face, "Come on in!" It's weirdly cold outside...... But it's frozen, right? ”

Under the surprised gaze of the Grangers, Hermione made her way to her living room. The white furniture and white walls show that this place has not changed.

Mr. Granger, who had snatched his daughter's luggage, went upstairs with his suitcase, while Mrs. Granger hurriedly pulled her daughter to sit down in front of the fireplace and poured her a cup of hot chocolate to warm her up.

"Have you had dinner? Haven't eaten yet, have you? Rest assured, the fruit cake has already been prepared at home......" Mrs. Granger said hurriedly, "I've been wondering if our little one will come back suddenly!" Who knows, I really want to come back! ”

"Oh...... Mom. Hermione felt as if she couldn't speak.

In fact, her parents had been very fond of her before she went to Hogwarts. It has always been a habit to prepare a variety of delicious food for her before the arrival of various festivals.

But somehow, although the feeling now has not changed in the slightest from the beginning, she has an inexplicable feeling in her heart.

"Mom, I'...... I ......"

"What's wrong? My dear? As soon as Mrs. Granger heard that her daughter's voice was wrong, she immediately rushed out of the kitchen again, and put her arm on Hermione's shoulder in worry, "What's wrong?" Did you encounter anything unpleasant at school? It's okay, mom and dad are here, we-"

"No, it's not. It's good at school, I'm just ......" Hermione pursed her lips and whispered, "Mom, I want to spend Christmas in someone else's house instead of my own...... What a fool I am! ”

Clearly, Hermione felt guilty about her earlier decision.

"Oh...... Anywhere, dear. Mrs. Granger half-hugged her daughter and said, "As long as you feel happy, you can do it anywhere......

"No, no...... Hermione shook her head, "I understand now, if Mom and Dad are happy, I'm really happy......"

"Oh, our Minnie has really grown up!" Mr. Granger, who had just come down from the upstairs after putting his luggage, was moved.

Mrs. Granger, who was being hugged tightly by Hermione, nodded and said in agreement, "Didn't you say?" They're almost as tall as me...... It's a real delight! ”

"It's as beautiful as you." Mr. Granger deliberately quipped.

He seemed to want to adjust the atmosphere, lest his daughter go to the horns of the bull for this matter again. He understands his daughter too well, and sometimes he always becomes very stubborn, and then buries his head in the confusion.

However, he did not seem to succeed in diverting the topic this time.

"Really, I didn't even think of—" Hermione said softly, hugging Mrs. Granger, "any family needs children for Christmas. Otherwise, Mom and Dad will lose the meaning of decorating the Christmas tree......"

"Oh, dear...... Did you just hear it outside? Mrs. Granger said.

"I heard a little...... "Hermione muttered, "but I didn't say it—that's what Maca told me, and he seems to be right...... He was always right. ”

"Is it a boy?" Mr. Granger's mind jumped to a taut string, "Last time we were there...... Well, Diagon Alley? That's right, the kid you saw there? ”

"Oh-don't get me wrong!" Hermione hurriedly said, "Me and him...... Just friends...... At least...... Now ......"

"Oh my God!" Mr. Granger was startled and said, "Honey, our Minnie Mouse has really grown up!" ”

Hermione opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to deny it, but she didn't seem to. After a moment's hesitation, she shook her head.

"Not really!" Hermione said, "At least not yet...... But...... I'm not going to let him run away! Certain! ”