Home for the holidays, Ron stood in the doorway of his old room at the Burrow. Looking around, the walls still orange, a bed over in the corner, and a desk by the window with a small assortment of books and papers. One paper in particular, lay open with neatly printed words, it read:

You're invited to my New Year's Eve party.

It's a costume party so be sure to let me

know what you're coming as in your R.S.V.P.

The party starts at 10:30pm Saturday night.

Please R.S.V.P. as soon as you can.

Hope to see you there.

Hermione

Ron had read and re-read the invitation so many times he had it memorized. And though he kept the invitation, his R.S.V.P. however was crumpled up in the rubbish bin. He wanted to go to the party, but it was always a Weasley tradition to spend Christmas and New Year's at the Burrow.

Ron walked slowly over to his bed and fell onto it lazily.

Hermione walked around the party store picking up supplies. Streamers, noise makers, party hats, confetti, and anything else that looked interesting. She went over in her head how much everything would cost and set off for the register.

Once she was back at her flat, she took all the things for the party and set it in a spare room until it was time for the party.

Ron sat up in his bed as he heard a knock on the door downstairs. Ron heard the door open and his mother's voice greeting the visitor.

"Oh, hello Harry. How lovely of you to drop by. Come on in dear, Ron is upstairs."

"Thanks."

The floor boards creaked as Harry came up the steps. Harry appeared in Ron's doorway.

"Hey Harry." Ron said as he swung his legs around the side of his bed.

"Hey Ron, are you going to Hermione's party?"

"No." Ron answered while looking down at his hands.

"What do you mean, 'No'?" Harry asked, "I thought you of all people would be the first to want to-"

"Of course I want to go Harry." Ron interrupted.

Harry looked confused, "Than what's keeping you from going?"

Ron sighed, "The 'Weasley Tradition'."

"Oh, that."

"Yeah, that, I really thought that for New Year's I could, maybe, finally- you know."

"Tell her? You're serious?"

"Yeah, I mean what better time than New Year's right? But now I've got this family thing and it-it's just not gonna happen."

"Sorry mate."

"It's fine, I mean its just as well right? I could never tell her how I feel."