It was December 25, 1997.

Harry had been resting from his injuries as Hermione sat with Ellie against the trunk of a tree. A blanket was pulled over the lovers' legs as Ellie rested her head on Hermione's shoulder. Hermione was reading out loud to her girlfriend, placing a kiss on her the Hufflepuff's forehead every so often. A small campfire provided a minuscule source of warmth for the two, its ember slowly dying.

Harry suddenly emerged from the tent, taking in his surroundings as he neared the girls.

"Are you feeling better?" Hermione asked, looking up from her book.

"You've outdone yourself this time, Hermione," Harry observed.

"The Forest of Dean," Hermione stated. "I came here once with Mum and Dad, years ago. It's just how I remember it. The trees, the river, everything. Like nothing's changed."

Harry sat down at the roots of a nearby tree branch, settling in as he crossed his arms over each other for warmth.

"Not true, of course. Everything's changed. If I brought my parents back here now, they probably wouldn't recognize any of it. Not the trees, not the river... not even me," Hermione trailed.

Ellie took their interlaced fingers and placed a kiss on the back of Hermione's hand, making the Gryffindor crack a small smile.

"Maybe we should just stay here. Grow old," Hermione suggested in a light-hearted tone, though she seemed to be serious.

"I wouldn't mind," Ellie muttered as she rubbed her thumb over Hermione's hand, earning another smile from her girlfriend.

Hermione turned to Harry once more.

"You wanted to know who the boy in the photograph was. I know. Gellert Grindelwald," Hermione explained as she handed the book she was reading to Harry.

The boy flipped through the pages, eventually stopping at one with the same photo.

"He's the thief I saw in Gregorovitch's Wand Shop. Speaking of which, where is my wand?"

Hermione didn't say anything, but gave an apologetic expression.

"Where's my wand, Hermione?" Harry continued frustratedly.

"Watch your tone, Harry," Ellie warned without looking, her eyes closed as she listened to their conversation.

Hermione carefully lifted her blanket to reveal Harry's broken wand, being careful not to disturb her girlfriend.

"As we were leaving Godric's Hollow, I cast a curse and it rebounded. I'm sorry. I tried to mend it, but wands are different," Hermione apologized.

"It's done," Harry interrupted, clearly restraining himself from speaking any louder. "Leave me yours. Go inside and get warm. I'll take the locket as well."

Hermione paused for a moment before reluctantly giving up her wand.

"Come on, darling," Hermione said as she lifted her girlfriend to her feet cautiously.

Just before leaving, Ellie glanced over to Harry, her eyes emitting sorrow.

"You can use mine," Ellie offered, taking her wand out of her pocket.

"No, no. It's okay. I have Hermione's already," Harry dismissed. "Head inside. I'll keep watch."

"It's here if you need it," Ellie nodded as she made her way to the tent, closing the flaps behind her.

Ellie turned to look for Hermione, who was already laying on the cot, her book in front of her. The Hufflepuff made her way to her girlfriend and laid right on top, resting her legs in between her girlfriend's.

Hermione set down her book to run her fingers through Ellie's hair, massaging her scalp gently. Ellie savored the moment as she wrapped her arms around Hermione's waist, her hands resting at just underneath the hem of her shirt, tracing patterns on her lower back.

"It's quite beautiful, don't you think? This place, I mean," Hermione spoke softly.

"Just as beautiful as you," Ellie mumbled, her voice muffled as her head rested on top of Hermione's torso.

"You're such a romantic, my love," Hermione giggled as she continued to stroke through her girlfriend's hair.

There was a pause of silence as Ellie's eyes started to grow heavier.

"You're making me sleepy, darling... Can we stay like this?" Ellie whispered as she readjusted her head to rest in the nook of Hermione's neck.

"Mmhmm," Hermione murmured in approval. She began to hum a soft tune to put her girlfriend to rest, though the Hufflepuff was already snoring softly, her chest rising and falling peacefully with every breath.

"Merry Christmas... I love you, Ellie Granger," Hermione whispered as she placed a loving kiss on her girlfriend's forehead, bringing her in closer.

--

The lovers awoke the next morning to the sound of Harry's voice calling out to them from just outside the tent.

"Hermione? Ellie?"

It was rare Harry ever woke them from their slumber. The girls turned to each other with a confused expression and immediately scrambled out of bed. Hermione immediately rose to her feet, being the first one to emerge the tent as Ellie followed, rubbing her eyes groggily.

"Is everything all right? Hermione asked worriedly.

"It's fine. Actually, you know, it's more than fine," Harry replied, pointing to the boy standing behind him.

Hermione stopped in her tracks as she saw Ron standing there, holding the sword of Gryffindor.

"Ron..." Ellie gasped, her voice raspy from her slumber.

"Hey," Ron greeted with a smile.

Hermione suddenly stormed towards the boy, snatching the bag from his shoulder.

"You complete ass, Ronald Weasley!" Hermione yelled as Ron was met with a harsh shove and a handful of leaves.

"You show up here after weeks, and you say 'hey'?" Hermione continued as she picked up Ron's bag and swung it at him.

Hermione immediately turned to Harry, storming towards him.

"Where's my wand, Harry? Where's my wand?"

"I don't know," Harry lied fearfully as he backed into a tree trunk.

"Harry Potter, you give me my wand!" Hermione pushed.

"I don't have it!" Harry defended as he tucked his sweater over the wand.

"How come he's got your wand?" Ron asked.

"Never mind why he's got my wand," Hermione spat.

Hermione now turned to Ellie, who had her eyes wide open with shock.

"Ellie, give me your wand," Hermione demanded.

"I-I can't give it to you, love, I'm sorry," Ellie defended as she took a step backwards.

Hermione growled disappointedly as she turned back around to face the ginger.

"What is that?" Hermione asked as Ron held the now-broken locket.

"You destroyed it. And how is it that you just happen to have the sword of Gryffindor?"

"It's a long story," Harry answered.

Hermione glanced at Harry before returning to scowl at Ron.

"Don't think this changes anything," Hermione spat as she turned on her heel, walking back to her girlfriend.

"Oh, of course not. I only just destroyed a bloody Horcrux. Why would that change anything? Look, I wanted to come back as soon as I left. I just didn't know how to find you," Ron reasoned.

"Yeah, how did you find us?" Harry questioned.

Ron reached into his pocket and withdrew his Deluminator.

"With this. It doesn't just turn off lights. I don't know how it works, but Christmas morning, I was sleeping in this little pub... keeping away from some Snatchers... and I heard it."

"It?" Harry questioned once more.

"A voice... your voice, Hermione... coming out of it."

"And what exactly did I say, may I ask?" Hermione asked in an annoyed tone, her hands crossed over her chest.

"My name. Just my name. Like a whisper. So I took it, clicked it, and this tiny ball of light appeared. And I knew. And sure enough, it floated toward me, the ball of light... went right to my chest, straight through me. Right here," Ron explained, pointing to his heart. "And I knew it was gonna take me where I needed to go, so I Disapparated and came to this hillside. It was dark. I had no idea where I was. I just hoped that one of you would show yourself. And you did."

Hermione's face softened, but she continued to shake her head in dismay. She squeezed her girlfriend's hand as she left the scene, disappearing back into the tent. Harry followed suit, leaving Ellie and Ron alone.

"I suppose you have another reason you came back, especially after hearing Hermione's voice," Ellie started.

"Y-yeah, I do. I need to apologize, Ellie."

"No, I do too. I didn't mean to snap at you and-" Ellie added.

"No, stop it. Don't apologize," Ron interrupted. "I should've payed more attention to you. A-and I didn't realize how you must have felt, all those years watching me admire your girlfriend. A-anyways, I'm really sorry about that," Ron apologized.

"I'm not too brilliant at apologies. But I deserved every word you said," Ron concluded as he extended his hand out for the Hufflepuff. "If you're not too mad at me... are we okay?"

Ellie stared at him for a while, making the red-head uncomfortable. Ellie took a deep breath as he approached him, wrapping her arms around him, taking him by surprise.

"I don't do handshakes, Ron. You should know that by now," Ellie reminded with a small smile as she broke away.

"So... we're okay then?" Ron confirmed, raising his eyebrows.

"Merlin, Ron, you need to work on your critical thinking. Of course we're fine," Ellie joked.

A smile crept up on Ron's face. "Thank you, Ellie."

Ellie nodded as she started to make her way back to the tent.

"Just don't go around staring at my girlfriend," Ellie warned in a light-hearted tone, though her face was dead serious.

Ron chuckled lightly, slightly terrified at Ellie's warning as he followed the Hufflepuff back into the tent.