The next day, the Christmas holiday officially began.
Trains would be leaving Hogwarts for London every day over the next few days, and since Altair and Hermione figured the morning one would be too crowded, they decided to wait and take the evening train back.
After dinner, the two of them went to fetch their luggage and met up again in the Great Hall.
Most of the students had already left on the early morning train itself and the Great Hall felt half empty now, with only a few dozen students scattered around talking. Harry and Ron sat across from each other at the Gryffindor table, playing a game of Wizard's Chess.
Hermione spotted Ron still there and asked, curious:
"Ron? Haven't you packed yet?"
Ron shrugged, sounding a bit glum.
"Plans changed. Mum and Dad decided to go to Romania to visit my brother Charlie, he raises dragons out there, so I'm stuck spending Christmas at school this year."
"Well, that works out then, you'll be company for Harry. The two of you could even take the chance to go through the Restricted Section for whatever you've been looking for."
After a short bit of chatting, Altair checked his pocket watch.
"It's about time. Let's get going."
"Mm."
Hermione nodded obediently and pulled her trunk along. Altair glanced over at Harry and Ron and gave them a wave.
"See you. Happy Christmas."
"You too, Altair. Happy Christmas."
Harry and Ron answered in unison.
Hermione said her own goodbyes to the two of them, then left with Altair, both of them dragging their trunks behind. Ron watched their retreating figures and muttered:
"Harry, d'you reckon we ought to get them Christmas presents?"
"I think... maybe. Probably. We should?"
Harry considered it, sounding a little unsure of himself.
"We count as friends by now, don't we?"
Ron propped his chin on his hand, eyes drifting off in thought.
"Right, let me think. Maybe some sweets would do. George and the others went to Honeydukes not long ago and bought quite a bit of it, so..."
Once they'd left the castle, Altair and Hermione climbed into one of the horseless carriages waiting along the drive. The carriage rattled down the winding path through the wrought-iron gates and into the village of Hogsmeade, pulling up at the crowded platform where the deep crimson train sat waiting. Through the lit windows, a few young witches and wizards could be seen already seated inside, waiting for departure.
The two of them boarded and found an empty compartment.
Hermione tucked her luggage under the seat, smoothed back a few loose strands of hair from her forehead, and sat down beside Altair, a faint blush rising to her cheeks that was almost too subtle to catch.
"When are you coming to visit me in Manchester?"
Her voice reached Altair's ears, and when he turned, he found her staring down, fidgeting with her fingers.
She looked a little embarrassed.
"After Christmas, I think. We're going to Switzerland for the holiday. We leave tomorrow night and should be back around the twenty seventh."
Altair had already mentioned this in a letter he'd sent home to his two uncles a few days earlier, that they go to Switzerland for Christmas this year.
Of course, that was only a cover story.
Altair's actual destination was Liechtenstein. He meant to go check on that troll tribe, and if things went smoothly, gather some materials for the Uruk-hai Draught while he was at it.
"I see."
Hermione pouted, a trace of envy creeping into her voice.
"I've never been to Switzerland. I hear it's beautiful there."
"If you'd like, I could take some photos for you... though, honestly, I think the better option is for me to take you there myself sometime. Switzerland has far too much to see anyway, there's no way I'll get through all of it this trip."
Altair made a show of counting off on his fingers as he rattled things off.
"Snow peaks of the Alps, the old town sitting along the River Aare, little mountain villages tucked away among the snowy peaks..."
"You said that yourself! It's settled then! You have to take me there someday."
Hermione tilted her head back and looked up into his eyes, her gaze brimming with anticipation.
Altair smiled down at her and reached out to ruffle her hair.
Hermione gave in almost at once, huffing softly and turning her head away, going back to fidgeting nervously with her fingers.
Watching her like this, Altair felt an odd twinge of guilt settle over him. Maybe it was the weight of memories from his past life, but he kept forgetting, without quite meaning to, that Hermione was only twelve this year.
"Once I'm back from Switzerland, I'll come see you in Manchester. My family holds a party every New Year's, inviting close friends and business associates, and I'll bring the invitation to your house myself when the time comes."
"Mm, I'll tell my mum and dad."
Hermione nodded to show she understood.
For the British, New Year's Day wasn't quite as grand an occasion as Christmas, but it still brought all sorts of celebrations. Beyond the free fireworks shows every major city put on to ring in the new year, there were torchlight processions, concerts, dance parties, and more besides.
Every year, the Shelby family held their own New Year's celebration at Shelby Manor, with an invitation list that included every noble and merchant in Birmingham on close terms with the family.
With a long whistle, the train gave a shudder and began creeping slowly forward.
The lights in the compartment dimmed. Neither of them spoke for a while, until Hermione, after a moment of quiet, leaned in a little closer to Altair.