Before Harry knew what had hit him, it was less than a week until the beginning of the Christmas holidays. As Sirius had said he would, he had written to Harry telling him (in code) that he had invited all of the Weasley’s, Draco, and Hermione to Grimmauld Place for the break. Ron had looked slightly dubious at the invite, no doubt remembering the dreary state of the house over the summer holidays. Hermione had initially planned to turn down the invitation as she was meant to be go skiing with her family, but Harry noted with amusement that it hadn’t taken very much for her to change her mind.