Title: Candy Canes & Croppings
Fandom:
Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Hermione

"Deprived of love since the tragic demise of his parents, fourteen-year-old Harry Potter thought he had found solace in his steady girlfriend at Hogwarts, Muggle-born Hermione Granger. Little did he know that he would shortly be suffering yet another emotional blow in a life already littered with personal loss…"


Harry was jogging down the stairs in search of his wife on this big day. "Hermione? Why didn't you wake me?" He peeked around the corner of the kitchen to find it empty save for some deserts sitting out, prepared to be baked shortly, and an oven cooking some meal he couldn't smell yet.

"In the living room, Harry!" She shouted from the other side of the flat. He made his way down the hallway and made a left into the room. He found her kneeling beneath the Christmas tree, putting some more presents in place.

"Hermione, I could have done that! And helped with preparing dinner as well!" He scolded her slightly before helping her gently to her feet.

"Oh honestly, Harry. Just because I'm pregnant, and 4 weeks at that, doesn't make me an invalid. And as to making dinner, I felt you needed your sleep and anyway, I'm the better cook." She added with a quick smile, before collapsing in a heap on the sofa.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. It's just this is our first kid and I don't want anything to happen. And this is our first Christmas as a married couple; I wanted it to be special…"

"It will be, Harry. Seeing as every day with you is special, I have no doubt that today will be any different."

He intertwined his fingers with hers before leaning forward and laying a light kiss on her cheek. He then proceeded to place his hand under her shirt upon her stomach and began rubbing tiny circles.

She had become accustomed to these types of massages from him ever since she originally broke the news of her pregnancy to him. She didn't know how he was going to take it, but was relieved when she was in his arms, feet off the ground, celebrating with him. She knew he was going to be the best possible father for her child.

"Who were the gifts from?" He asked, making conversation to pass the session.

"The usual suspects; Ron, the Weasleys, Luna, Draco, McGonagall, Hagrid… Rita Skeeter."

His eyes flung open at the last one. "Wait, the same Rita Skeeter armed with her quick-quotes quill blowing stories out of proportion and even writing a book full of lies about Dumbledore, rest his soul?"

"The very same… that one shocked me as well. But I wasn't going to open it without you present."

He disappeared beneath the tree in search of her gift. He found it tucked again the wall and another present, before finally resurfacing and returning to the couch.

To: Harry and Hermione Potter (Congratulations on your nuptials!)

From: Rita Skeeter

He set it on her lap and insisted she start to unwrap the simple yet elegant package.

The wrapping now removed, left a plain white box with a candy cane attached to a note.

I'm sure were I there to see you unwrap this, you would be sitting there with a confused look. Why would she send us anything? And here you have my note. I just wanted to let you two know how sorry I am for all the embarrassment or anger or both that you have felt toward me and because of me these years. I know, I can't take back the past but I can change the future. If either of you two need anything, don't hesitate to write me. As to what's in the box, well, you'll just have to open to find out, but it's just my way of reminding you I was one of the first people to see what potential you had. And look at you now. Merry Christmas!

Sincerely, Rita

Harry and Hermione looked at each other with the same stunned expression. On the list of things they expected today, this was not one of them.

"So, what did she send?"

Harry removed the lid to find a pile of old newspapers. Some were articles that never made it to press that described how close they were up to that point ("Oh, so legitimate reasons why we should have been together!", Hermione nearly screamed out) and some were immediately recognizable back to his fourth year;

"Deprived of love since the tragic demise of his parents, fourteen-year-old Harry Potter thought he had found solace in his steady girlfriend at Hogwarts, Muggle-born Hermione Granger. Little did he know that he would shortly be suffering yet another emotional blow in a life already littered with personal loss.

Miss Granger, a plain but ambitious girl, seems to have a taste for famous wizards that Harry alone cannot satisfy. Since the arrival at Hogwarts of Viktor Krum, Bulgarian Seeker and hero of the last World Quidditch Cup, Miss Granger has been toying with both boys' affections. Krum, who is openly smitten with the devious Miss Granger, has already invited her to visit him in Bulgaria over the summer holidays, and insists that he has "never felt this way about any other girl." However, it might not be Miss Granger's doubtful natural charms that have captured these unfortunate boys' interest."

"Oh God, what ever happened to Krum?" Harry asked her, recalling how close they were that fourth year.

"Oh, he's fine. Settled down with a nice Romanian girl a few years back. I was happy for him."

Harry unwrapped the candy cane she sent, believing it to be a personal favorite of his butterscotch.

He took a lick before letting it fall to the floor. "Damn, I had no idea Bertie Bott's started making candy canes."

She clapped a hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter.

He stood up and marched to the Christmas tree, grabbing two new candy canes they had hung a few days ago.

"That's the last time I trust a candy cane not purchased by either you or me." He said assertively.

He unwrapped the end of a red one before offering it to her. She set Rita's gift off to the side before sucking on the holiday treat.

"Mmm, spearmint." she said with a grin.

He unwrapped his as well before licking it. "Mmm, mint." He said with emphasis, almost mocking her.

She playfully swatted his chest before leaning into him and murmuring, "Merry Christmas, Harry."

"Merry Christmas, Hermione."