THANK YOU to @remedialpotions for organizing another spectacular Secret Santa Exchange for the HPRomione Discord. Genuinely love and appreciate all of you for the support, fics provided, and amazing conversation we've had this year. This gift was written for @adenei, another fabulous Romione writer, beta, and beautiful friend of mine. I was so happy to draw your name and even happier that you enjoy 6th year AU as much as I do!
AO3
FFN
Hogwarts for Christmas
The roaring whistle of the Hogwarts Express signals its impending departure from Hogsmeade Station. The scarlet steam engine is preparing to transport students home for the holidays, and Ron can’t imagine better timing.
Sixth year has been tumultuous thus far for him, having experienced a roller coaster few months that would make anyone’s head spin like an hourglass on a Time Turner. The high of the first half of the year has undoubtedly been his role as Keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
And the low? Well, although his unexpected relationship with Lavender Brown was new and exciting at first, it ultimately led to his worst row ever with Hermione. The start of the holiday marks the longest they’ve gone without speaking to each other. He couldn’t stomach leaving the school without breaking things off with Lav. Not only was the guilt of his feud with Hermione too much to bear, but he knows that Lavender was far more committed to him, than he was to her. She was angry, of course, and he couldn’t have run from her fast enough, afraid that he would be hexed into oblivion.
Ron sighs to himself as he walks down the too small train passageway, even uncharacteristically bypassing the Honeydukes Express witch who pushes the trolley packed with sweets, the thought of eating making him feel ill. He's due inside the Prefect carriage at the front of the train, and he'd be lying if he didn’t admit to being nervous to see Hermione — although, she'll likely ignore him as she's done in most of their recent meetings, unless it's to tell him that she's switched shifts again so that she doesn't have to patrol the corridors with him.
Upon arrival at the Prefect carriage, he does a quick scan of the compartment and its inhabitants, taking note of who is missing.
"Where's Hermione?"
It's Ernie Macmillan who responds first, his brows furrowing as if it was an odd question for Ron to ask. "I thought you knew. She's staying at Hogwarts for Christmas. Turns out her parents decided at the last minute to vacation in France instead."
"And Hermione didn't want to go with them?"
"I suppose not."
Ron’s heart sinks to the pit of his stomach. Hogwarts? For Christmas?
Yes, he's stayed for the holidays before during First Year and it wasn't terrible. But he also had Harry. The thought of Hermione being alone makes his gut twist in the worst possible way.
Granted, she won't be completely alone, as there are always a few of the professors who stay to look over the castle, but that's not really the point, is it? All Ron can do is think about how he must have truly mucked up their friendship if she felt she couldn't come to him about going to the Burrow for Christmas.
"Excuse me." Ron storms out of the carriage and stomps through the train towards one compartment in particular.
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