Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters.

Note: This takes place when Hermione, Harry, and Ron are about twenty four, and Ginny is twenty three. I haven't written in a really, really, really long time, so I'm a little rusty. Also, there were times when I found it kind of hard to portray the characters as adults, so sorrryy if it's a bit out of character. I wrote this very last minute, so I know it's not the greatest, but I thought it would be fitting to write a New Years fanfiction. So, here it is…


Hermione and Ginny were at the store, buying things for a new years party. They were both in extremely good moods. As they waited in the check out line, they chatted.

"This is going to be great!" Ginny said. "I love New Years."

"Yeah." Hermione responded. "And you must be especially excited after Harry's Christmas gift. Or, pre-Christmas gift." Ginny smiled, admiring the ring on her finger. Hermione sighed, staring at it as well. Ginny noticed, even though Hermione was trying to be subtle.

"Oh Hermione. Ron only ever talks about you when I'm with him." This cheered Hermione up a bit, and she smiled.

"It's just…He's been acting all weird lately. I don't know what's wrong."

"I wouldn't worry." Ginny reassured her. "Y'know…He's Ron."

"Yeah." Hermione handed some muggle money to the lady at the register. As the two women walked back home, they talked about the party, and, of course, their love interests. They got to their apartment building and they were greeted by the smell of popcorn.

Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione had all pitched in some money and were temporarily sharing a moderately large loft in London.

"Hi guys!" Ginny said, putting the groceries down. Harry stood up and walked over, Ginny kissed him on the cheek. Ron would have gotten up to greet Hermione, but he was pouring popcorn into a bowl. "What smells so good?" Ginny asked.

"We made popcorn." Harry said.

"Thought we could help with the whole party thing." Ron said, grinning as if he had done the most wonderful thing in the world.

"Oh yeah," Hermione teased, "Microwave popcorn. You're such a great help."

"Hey- at least we thought about helping." Ron retorted.

"Fine. Thank you, Ronald." Hermione said sarcastically.

"Guys," Harry interrupted. "Let's start setting up for the party."

"Yeah," Ginny headed over to the groceries and put them on the kitchen table.

So everyone went to work. Cleaning up the loft, setting up all the food in the kitchen. It wasn't going to be a big party. In fact, it was just going to be the four of them. But they wanted it to be nice. At one point, Hermione was looking at Ginny's ring.

"Don't you think it's beautiful?" Hermione said. All of a sudden, Ron looked as though he had been hit by a bludger.

"Er-ah-um-sure…" Hermione looked down, and everything grew quiet. Harry and Ginny exchanged worried glances.

"Hey, Ron, will you help me get the, ah, extra bowls in the other room." Harry said loudly. Ron looked utterly confused, but Harry pulled him into the other room. When they were far away from Hermione and Ginny, Harry gave Ron a dirty look.

"What?" Ron whined.

"You know, she's either going to see right through you or think you hate her. And I'm kind of feeling like it's the second one.

"Sorry, mate, it's just…Well, I guess I get sort of nervous. Mostly afraid that she'll see right through me."

"I know. But can you please just try and hide it? You make everything so damn awkward."

"I'll try, Harry. I'll try.


"Oh, this is horrible. He does this every time marriage comes up in any conversation." Hermione sighed. "Is he afraid of commitment or something?"

"Maybe," Ginny answered, chuckling a little. "But not with you."

"But…he…"

"Look, Hermione. I don't know why Ron is acting so weird. But if there is one thing I do know, it's that Ron loves you a ton. I swear."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Ginny."

When everyone came back into the kitchen, all the awkwardness was gone.

"Alright." Ron began the conversation. "It's seven. Shall we start the part-ay?" He said in a very classy voice.

"Yep!" Hermione pulled out her wand and lit a few candles around the house.

"So," Ginny pulled oven a drawer near the television. "TV, or a movie?" She asked,

"I say we should just turn on the news, and start the party." Hermione suggested.

"That sounds good." Said Ginny. "Come on, me and Hermione made wonderful dip for the chips."

The four of them went into the kitchen and began to feast before the grand countdown to midnight.