Chapter 3: A Christmas Surprise

The little cottage in Godric's Hollow was a jumble of bits of wrapping, ribbons, take out trays, and cartons. Ginny lay sprawled out on the hearth rug, exhausted.

"I'm too tired to go. Remind me again why we're not just having Christmas to ourselves. I can think of quite a few ways to be jolly right here." Harry looked down on her with a mixture of amusement and frustration.

"Ginny, we've spent days preparing to go, we've wrapped all the presents the muggle way," (this was because neither of them had managed to learn any of those domestic spells that Mrs. Weasley was so keen on.) "and besides, I know you want to see your brothers and your mum and dad…"

"Oh, bat bogeys on them!" she said.

"Well if that's how you feel about it," Harry said, laughing, "then I'll just go to the burrow by myself, and leave you here to eat carryout while I'm eating your mother's cooking, shall I?"

"Ugg" Ginny groaned as she heaved herself up from the floor. "Well, since we've already done all the wrapping…"

"Good girl" Harry said.

"Shut it." Ginny said and then came over to give him a kiss.

"Anyway," said Harry after they broke apart, "Aren't you excited to tell

everyone the big news?" They both grinned.

At the burrow, Mrs. Weasley was anxiously anticipating her guests as she bustled around the steamy kitchen. Plum puddings were simmering away and pots were bubbling on the stove. With a flick of her wand Mrs. Weasley sent a batch of fresh candy canes zooming towards the living room where they nestled themselves lightly between the branches of the enormous Christmas tree.

"George! Percy! Ron!" she bellowed, and the boys came running into the kitchen "Could you all please try not to make a mess of the house! And would you go out and de-gnome the garden before everyone gets here. They're due no later than an hour from now!"

"Mum," George whined, "It's just family coming, since when do we have to make such a fuss for them?"

"Well, if you hadn't noticed George, there are quite a few of us nowadays. Of course there's you and your brothers, and Bill's bringing Fleur and their little Victoire, then there's Harry and Ginny coming, so that makes eleven of us."

"Don't worry Mum," said Percy "we'll go out and do the garden right now."

"But do you think I might help Hermione finish off her gifts first?" Ron interjected quickly. "She's been saying she wants a word with me."

"Go on then," said George with an indulgent smile "me and Perce can handle a few gnomes."

"Thanks!" and Ron dashed out of the kitchen after grabbing a few cookies from a cooling tray. Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes and sighed. George and Percy trooped outside into the cold heading towards the garden. Mrs. Weasley had heard on the wizarding wireless that a big snowstorm was due to blow in and she hoped it would hold off until everyone had arrived for Christmas Eve dinner.

A rush of cold air blew in as the door opened again. "Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley gasped "Oh Arthur! I thought you wouldn't be home until later!"

"Merry Christmas, my dear!" said Mr. Weasley " I got off early. Pick a hand, darling." Mrs. Weasley giggled girlishly and kissed her husband on the cheek as she selected his right hand.

"For your delicious eggnog." He said as he proffered up a large bottle of Madame Rosmerta's finest firewhisky. Mrs. Weasley giggled again.

"Well that will surely bring us some Christmas cheer!" she said merrily. "What's in the other hand? Oh, Arthur!" she exclaimed. For from behind his back Mr. Weasley had drawn a single, beautiful Christmas rose.

"I love you, Molly Wobbles." He said softly. The couple embraced, and the pudding bubbled away, forgotten.

Ron had gone upstairs to find Hermione sitting on the floor of his room wearing his old Chudley Cannons tee-shirt, tongue between her teeth, focusing intently on tying a ribbon with her wand. Her concentration broke as the door swung open.

"Damn! Oh, it's you."

"Yep"

"Sorry Ron, I just can't get these bows right." He sat down behind Hermione and took her in his arms.

"It'll be okay, Hermione. Relax" he said, and began to massage her shoulders.

"Oh, Ron." Hermione sighed and leaned into him. Ron was surprised to hear that Hermione was quietly crying.