Watching as her mother rocked the thankfully awake baby (she didn’t feel like explaining the blue skin), Hermione apologized yet again that they were unable to travel like they normally did for the New Year. This was the second year in a row now that Hermione hadn’t met up with her parents somewhere abroad. It was a tradition that started back when she’d been traveling and researching during the dark period of her life. They’d brought in the New Year in a number of beautiful and fun locations like Moscow, Paris, and New York City. Hermione looked forward to it every year, and missed the tradition when they were unable to meet up for the holiday.