Snow continuously fell softly to the frozen grounds of Hogwarts, creating miniature hills and soft pillows of freezing rain, painting Hogwarts white. Owl's hooted loudly in the Owlery, and the sun slowly rose over the mountain's, making the white snow glisten with magnificence. Christmas tree's scattered in all of the dormitory's and the Great Hall simultaneously allowed their lights and ornament's to shine against the green pine needles. Witches and Wizard's woke with a start, in awe of the snow and freezing weather, covered with warm pajama's and comfortable clothing. The Weasley twin's were the first to wake from their slumber, carelessly waking everyone else from their sleep, throwing snow from outside onto their fellow Gryffindor's, laughing hysterically afterward. 

     But throughout the night, Hermione allowed herself to cry, as well as leak her secrets about her world, keeping her awake past twilight. But she couldn't stop herself from crying, as if the cage of pity and embarrassment was unlocked after several years of concealment. It was past twilight that Hermione finally halted her tears and layed down to rest, the world settling back into place, allowing the solemn Gryffindor to fly over the clouds of her dreams and visions within her head peacefully. 

     The sun leaked through the window of the Girl's Dormitory, and Fred and George beneath the girls' were acting like lunatic's as they littered the carpet with bleach white snow, screaming with laughter. Hermione didn't know how her fellow Gryffindor's slept through all of the racket and rubbish, as she was forced to get up and quit the disturbance. 

     Unfortunately, the twin's were unstoppable. Stomping down the stone steps of the dormitory, snow crashed into Hermione's face, collapsing onto the carpet and Gryffindor robe, the room halting to a stop. Hermione gasped and froze, the cold feeling of snow stinging her face like a bee. 

     "Erm..." muttered a Gryffindor boy, shattering the silence. The snow melted to water on Hermione's warm face, leaving her nose and cheeks cherry red. But, she wasn't angry. In fact, she couldn't control her loud laughter, wiping the rest of the snow onto her sleeve, a large smile plastered on her face. 

     "Fred," snickered Hermione, dashing to the bucket in which the large mounds of snow were piled high on top of each other. Chortling, Hermione tossed the snow at the twin's, making them seperate and laugh, beginning a large fight of snow, until Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor house, put the fight to a stop, pointing her wand at the melted snow and pail furiously, making them vanish instantly. 

     "You all should know better than to throw snow around in the dormitory," shrieked Professor McGonagall, straightening her emerald green hat on top of her slim head, her bouncy curl's collapsing onto her shoulder, and her half-moon spectacles perched on her long nose. Hermione froze and nodded her head, but Fred snickered, creating a small room full of snickering and giggles. 

      "Professor, can't you make an excuse for winter fun," Fred laughed, Professor McGonagall shaking her head slowly, revealing a slight grin. 

     "Alright. I shall ignore this matter for the time being," answered Professor McGonagall kindly, until her face retreated back to its normal stern look. Clearing her throat loudly, she announced, "As all of you know, Hogsmaede is a quaint village, housing many shops. Today, as a ripe start to our winter holiday, Hogsmeade will fill up the entire day. Make sure to turn your permission slips, however. If you do not have those handy, you will be kept on school campass until tomorrow morning." A few moans and grunts escaped from Gryffindor students, but Hermione nodded and dashed to her brown bookbag, which held her textbooks, quill, ink, and important assignments that she always carried around. And within one of her journals was a small paper slip, in which read, Hogsmeade Permission Slip: This Piece of Parchment Allows Hermione Granger to Report to Hogsmeade for a Day. Nodding as if the parchment was a human being, she instantly handed it to Professor McGonagall, who grinned and glanced over her permission slip, until she took our her wand and muttered an incantation under her breath, making the parchment vanish. 

     Many other students followed suit in an orderly matter, until the high-pitched voice of the Fat Lady who guarded the Gryffindor Tower began to speak, slowly flying open, allowing Harry Potter to stroll in. 

     "Potter," began Professor McGonagall, until Harry shook his head obliviously and collapsed onto one of the maroon red sofas, his face pale and his glasses dishelved. 

      "Erm, for the rest of you who have your permission slip, I suggest you leave Potter alone." ushered the worried professor, glancing at Hermione with pleading eyes. Hermione grew accustomed to the anxious moments, always sitting down and comforting the Boy Who Lived. But today, Harry couldn't seem to calm down. Breathing hard, Harry's chest rose and fell repeatedly, a cold sweat breaking out onto his pale face. Hermione became more and more curious, until she realized how badly he had stabbed her with his words, and became hesitant. It had been so long, but they hadn't spoken with each other since then. Obliviously, Hermione slowly placed herself next to Harry awkwardly, watching Fred stare at her curiously. But as she looked at him pleadingly, he nodded and followed Professor McGonagall away, as if understanding exactly what Hermione pleaded. 

     "Hermione," muttered Harry, taking off his glasses and placing his face in his hands. "Hermione, I... I'm fighting, but I'm losing. I'm letting down my guard. I - I can't fight." Hermione stared at the floor as he panted, until a sob escaped from his mouth. Hermione instantly turned toward Harry, placing her elbows on her knees, as to appear at the same level as the victim of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. 

     "Harry, I know you can fight him. I know you can win," answered Hermione, taking Harry's hands away from his white face. Tears were streaming down his face carelessly, collapsing onto his robes and black shoes. "The Harry I know is strong. The Harry I know is... confident." Hermione blushed as she spoke, with her words conflicting with her mouth. She came at a loss for words, as the friendship between her and Harry seemed to have vanished. 

     "I'm sorry about everything." stuttered Harry. "It's my fault you've been so angry and alone. Hermione shook her head and attempted to argue, but Harry clenched his fists, and added, "It is. It's my fault. I was angry. You were right, and I should've listened to you. But, I didn't. And I, er, wish for forgiveness." 

     Hermione blushed, a fluttering feeling in her stomach replacing her feeling of awkwardness. She thought for a moment, placing her hand on top of Harry's clammy hand, who had stopped crying and placed his glasses back on his face. Smiling, she uttered, "I forgive you, Harry. I always will." Harry smiled, the color rushing back to his face. The bright red color of his lightning scar faded back to its orginal color, hiding behind his jet-black hair. The two Gryffindor's looked at each other for a moment, until Fred interrupted, "Do you have your slip to Hogsmeade, mate?" 

     Harry jumped and shook his head, whispering, "Do you think I will ever go? Petunia and Vernon won't ever let me go anywhere." 

     "But they let you go here, didn't they, mate?" joked Fred, although Harry rolled his eyes. 

     "You guys have a fun time," said Harry without meaning it, standing up and walking up the Boy's Dormitory steps, shutting Hermione and Fred out from his life. Hermione sighed and crossed her arms, glancing at Fred from the corner of her eye, watching him smirk at her. 

     "I'm surprised you're still friends after the incedent." remarked the Weasley twin, filing out of the Gryffindor Common Room with the rest of the Gryffindor's, as Professor McGonagall led them throughout the large castle, leaving them at a frozen fountain, shimmering with ice and magical glitter.

     "Well," began Hermione, throwing her red and yellow scarf around her neck, as well as slipping on her gloves that could naturally heat on their own. "You do realize that they are, in fact, less dramatic and not as dim-witted as you are." 

     Smirking with triumph, Hermione sped up and appeared by Ginny's side, giggling as Fred scoffed in remark. Glistening snow flakes toppled peacefully to the cobblestone floors, with glistening icicles danging from the over-hangs of Hogwarts. Windows were frosted, and the snow seemed to twinkle on its own. Snow crunched and cackled beneath Hermione's feet, leaving a trail of conspicuous footsteps trailing behind her. The bitter cold soared through her with ease, and the snow pursued to accumulate around her leather boots. Nothing shattered the harmonic smile of the snow storm, as students were dismissed to the ink black lake, and onto the Hogwarts Express.

     Its maroon red appearance caused anyone to fall under its spell instantaneously, and caused one to climb upon the carpeted floors of the train in anticipation. Flickering lanterns, lined up in uniform across the metal walls, produced a magical glow, welcoming the students upon the express. Compartments, packed full of loyal Gryffindor's, cunning Slytherin's, tender Hufflepuff's, and witty Ravenclaw's, allowed any student to sit upon its chair. Hermione, giggling with Ginny, appeared in a Gryffindor compartment, where Draco and Fred stared at her in interest.