Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Christmas. Though, I am working on it. Owning Harry Potter, not Christmas.

.:::H.::F:::.

Hermione sighed. This was her favorite time of the year. Not because Christmas was drawing close, but because of the snow and chilly air. She loved walking down the roads of London and watching each feathery flake fall to Earth. She loved the wind turning her cheeks pink and making her skin tingly.

But most of all she loved the magic in the air. "Winter," her mum had always told her, "is when the most fantastic miracles happen." And even now, at twenty-two years of age, she swears to those words.

Hermione was stringing popcorn onto the small evergreen in her flat, when a snowy owl flew through the open window. "Hedwig!" she screeched, catching the owl on her arm. She obligingly took the letter tied onto her outstretched leg. It read:

Dear Hermione,

How are you! I haven't seen you in a while! I'm writing to invite you to have Christmas at the Burrow with the Weasley's and me. If you could, we would love for you to come by the 18th. I know, you're probably busy with your job for The Daily Prophet, but everyone misses you so much!! Please send your answer back with Hedwig, I hope you can come!

Yours truly,

Harry Potter

She quickly drew out a clean sheet of parchment and her quill, and scribbled out a note saying that she would love to come and it definitely has been too long since they had seen each other. She then resumed her decorating, before dropping the tedious work and jumping all over the living room in sheer excitement.

.:::H.::F:::.

Hermione bundled her fur lined cloak tighter around her and walked to the apparating point. In less than a few seconds, she was in Ottery St. Catchpole. She trotted up the drive and, clutching her suitcase tightly, knocked on the door of the Burrow. She was greeted by a red-haired girl and was soon suffocated by a familiar Weasley hug that knocked the wind out of her.

"Oh Hermione! I've missed you!" Ginny said as she pulled away. "Hermione?" she heard a voice that was characteristically thick from a mouth full of food. She was soon caught in another rib cracking hug. "How are you? Oi, everyone Hermione's here!" he yelled into the living room.

The small entryway was now filled with the whole Weasley clan, which contained more people than she remembered. She was ushered in the living room where she asked the question that was burning in her throat, "What's Malfoy doing here?" "He's my business partner," Fred said, it was then that Hermione noticed something startling.

Fred looked almost solemn, he was smiling, but somewhat stiffly. "Where's George?" she asked. "No one owled you?" Molly asked remorsefully. "He died almost a year ago," Fred said gravely. Hermione inhaled sharply. "Oh Merlin, no," she said as a lone tear fell down her cheek.

For a few moments there was an awkward silence before Bill tried to lighten the moment by saying, "You haven't been introduced to the new additions to the family. This is my wife Fleur, I'm sure you remember her, and our son Aaron. Then this is Charlie's wife, Deanna, and their son Michael. Percy is engaged to Penelope Clearwater. Ginny is married to Seamus Finnigan from Hogwarts, your year I believe? And Ron, Fred, and Harry are still single."

Everyone smiled a bit forcedly at her. She smiled back in the same fashion. "Here, I'll show you where you'll sleep," Ginny offered and led Hermione upstairs.

Hermione set her stuff down by her bed, in Ginny's room. "How did George die?" she asked sadly. "Well, I don't think I'm the one who should tell you that," Ginny said unsure. Hermione looked at her oddly, but decided it best not to prod the subject.

"My God, Ginny. I feel awful! I've missed so much, you're married to Seamus and I never even knew you two were dating! I'm sorry I didn't stay in touch," Hermione apologized to Ginny. "It's alright, Hermione. I know you were busy with your work. I don't blame you for not staying in touch," Ginny assured her.

The two girls went back downstairs, and Hermione exchanged pleasantries with everyone until dinner was ready. "So, Fred, Draco, how's the shop coming?" she asked. "It's coming along pretty well. Fred usually invents and I take care of marketing," Draco answered.

Hermione wondered how Fred had ever become partners with someone who was such a slime ball in school! Sure, he helped with the Order in sixth year, but he was still snarky! Hermione thought. "I'll go get the pudding," Harry announced. "I'll help him," Hermione got up and went into the kitchen with Harry.

"Um, Harry, do you know how George died?" she asked him timidly once they were out of earshot. It was the question that had been nagging her, and she finally got an opportunity to ask it; at dinner. "Well," he sighed, "I guess you deserve to know. You see, him and Fred were in their flat inventing. Fred was trying to make a new type of firework when the potion exploded.

"Fred had dived under the table and held his breath, not wanting to breathe in any of the gas, in case it was poisonous. George, on the other hand, hadn't expected the explosion and took a full breath of it. It was poisonous and it burnt his lungs. He died almost immediately." Hermione paled.

Fred basically caused his own twin to die! Godric, he must fell terrible! She thought sadly. The two friends carried the pudding out to the table and Hermione spent the rest of the meal silent.

"What's wrong, dear? Was the meal bad? I knew I had charred the sauce," Mrs. Weasley told her as she made her way to the stairs. "No. The meal was delicious! I'm just a bit tired, it's been a long day," Hermione reassured her.

"Really, 'Mione," Ginny said as they got into their pajamas, "anyone could tell you're upset. What's wrong?" "Well you're very persistent. I told you, nothing's wrong," Hermione replied exasperatedly. Ginny gave her a glare, but got into bed and turned out the light.

Hermione couldn't sleep. She had tried everything, but she just couldn't sleep. So, she deemed herself an insomniac, and sat in her bed watching the snow fall.

I've missed so much. Malfoy's spent more time with everyone than I have! George died, I just can't believe that he died! And Fred most of all has been effected, and I was no where to be found in his time of need. Those thoughts buzzed in her head as she slowly, finally, drifted off to sleep.

"Hermione, wake up! I'm taking you Christmas shopping," Ginny gently shook her friend's shoulder. "Uhhhh, I don't wanna'," she mumbled. "Get up now!" Ginny practically screamed. Hermione jumped up and dressed.

"So, who's presents do you still need to get?" Ginny asked Hermione as they browsed Flourish and Blots. "Well, Seamus,Penelope, Deanna, Fleur, Draco, Aaron, and Michael, because I didn't know they would be here," Hermione replied and picked up a green, leather bound journal (she was going to get it for Draco). "So, 'Mione, how's life been treating you?" Ginny asked.

"I'm semi-successful, yet I haven't had a date in a year. I'd say my life sucks eggs," Hermione sighed. "A year! What about Harry?" Ginny asked.

"What about Harry?"

"You should go out with him!"

"Are you crazy?!"

"No. You two would make a perfect couple."

"If you get his assent, then, I guess I could," Hermione shrugged. They continued their shopping, arriving back at the Burrow in time for dinner. Dinner went smoothly; everyone was pleasant, Hermione suspected that the holls were making everyone chipper.

"Hey, Harry, how long has it been since you've been on a date?" Ginny cornered Harry at dinner. "Um, six months. I know, I'm pitiful," he said. "Well, would you go on a date with Hermione?" Ginny asked him sweetly. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Are you playing match-maker again?"

"No."

Again with the very Draco-like brow raise.

"Okay, okay, maybe I am. But both of you are desperate for dates, and you would make a cute couple!"

"I'm desperate, am I? Well, if she doesn't mind going out with me, I'll go."

"Great! How about the Friday before Christmas at eight?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

Ginny nodded and went to find Hermione. She ended up in the garden, sitting on a picnic bench. "Hey 'Mione, you're going out next Friday at eight," Ginny told her. Hermione nodded and grinned. "Thanks Gin."

.::H.::.F::.

A/N: I know what you're thinking, this was supposed to be a Hermione/Fred, right? Well, it will be, and even though I hate the Harry/Hermione pairing, it's crucial to the plot. Review!! Things to come:

Harry and Mione have a perfect date

Hermione is very chipper

Fred is very grouchy

Two people cry

Draco makes a discovery