Disclaimer- What you are about to read utilizes someone else's characters, save one which is mine, put into circumstances completely non-canon. If you think this is the work of JKR, you flatter me but you're wrong. If you think I make any money from this fic, I only wish that I could.

A/N- I've had some problems with this story. Writer's block, not sure how to continue the story, moving and trying to settle in, sharing a room with my dog again, no place to write (my laptop is sitting on my bed), and of course the holidays. This chap sits at 4,460 words so at least you get a longer chapter this time. Building on all these relationships is an interesting challenge and I like how Ron and Millicent's goes in this chapter. And helping Ron improve himself is exhausting.

To clarify on the various relationships. I'm not intentionally portraying some as good and others as bad. I'm looking at the characters' characters (that looks weird) and their personalities to determine if relationships will blossom or wilt. Just so you all know I'm not really writing this with a solid idea in my head of how these relationships will turn out. I think the only two relationships that will be solid throughout are Victoria and Draco and Hermione and Harry.

Ron watched his siblings leave the castle. He and Millicent were not going back to the Burrow, nor were they going to her parents' home. She wanted to stay near her four new friends and Ron was actually glad he'd be alone most of the time. He needed to think. On the plus side, standing up to his mother on behalf of his wife had earned him some major points.

-Flashback-

"Millicent and I are staying at the castle. She wants to spend the holidays with her friends and that's what we're doing."

Molly frowned at her son as she began a lecture, "Ronald Bilius Weasley…"

"Millie wants to stay at Hogwarts and we're staying at Hogwarts. That's final Mum. Don't try to guilt me. Millie is my wife and she wants to spend time with her friends and that's what we're doing. End of story."

-End Flashback-

Molly had looked at her son like he was insane but Millicent had hugged him for standing up for her and while Millicent wasn't his type it was nice to be hugged by someone who wasn't trying to crush your ribs. Millicent had gone to spend some time with her two new female friends; he decided to spend his time going over his list and what he wanted to change or could change.

Millicent raised an eyebrow at the two girls, "A makeover?"

"It'll be fun," Victoria promised, "we can gossip and carry on like Hermione's idiotic roommates."

Hermione laughed at that, "Not the best way to sell it Victoria."

"Right probably not," Victoria conceded. "Well then let's forget that. How about tips to improve ourselves?"

"Better," Hermione nodded. "Nothing ridiculous though."

"Of course not," Victoria promised.

Millicent had to admire the two girls who seemed to be quite opposite of each other; Hermione was of a smaller figure and thin. While she had curves she was not the large breasted Lavender Brown. Hermione was a petite girl despite being a bit taller than most women. Victoria was much curvier though a bit shorter than Hermione, yet to Millicent's mind the two girls were both incredibly beautiful. She was certainly jealous of both; they were attractive and quick-witted. Hermione was a genius and her wand was as sharp as her mind. And her right hook if Draco was to be believed. Victoria wasn't a genius but she was certainly smart. Quiet and thoughtful but like Hermione she stood firm for her morals and beliefs. She didn't back down from a fight either.

The two girls were definitely unique. Victoria was less reserved yet a bit more shy. She also focused more on her looks and fashion. Hermione's defined legs and arms came from trips to the library and carrying books around; she'd much rather spend a day inside reading than go watch a quidditch game. Other than Harry boys didn't really catch Hermione's eye but she certainly wasn't the quiet little bookworm most people would expect.

Millicent could still see why they were friends though. She settled in for a night with them. She wasn't sure what girls did when they got together but she had been looking forward to it all week.

Harry lay down in his bed in his dorm. He was alone. Of the five boys two were now married and had their own quarters and the other two had gone home for winter break. Hermione had had four roommates too and like him two were purebloods while the other two were half-bloods. Hermione was the only muggleborn. Gryffindor fifth year was not like the other dorms. All of Slytherin had to get married and in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff there were only three pureblood girls between them; the others were half or muggleborn.

For Harry the school year was finally not centered around some ridiculous event in his life. The purebloods all had the spotlight and most of the ones he knew personally were married. Neville and Susan seemed to be good friends but that seemed the extent of their 'romance' while George and Padma were strangers still. Parvati and Cormac, on the other hand, were all over each other almost all the time. They were easily the two most self-absorbed people in Gryffindor and they were clearly feeding each other's desire to be important. Fred and Angelina had gone from constant fighting to fighting and then making up. Despite having their own rooms they often did both in the common room which grossed Harry out to no end. And he was not the only one.

Ron and Millicent…Harry felt bad for Millicent. She seemed pretty nice once you got past the walls she put up to keep people at arm's length. On the plus side Ron's therapy seemed to be going well. He had ceased being an arse to Harry and Hermione and always seemed to be in deep thought. Which on Ron looked like it hurt.

Harry shifted to lie on his side and noticed a very familiar owl at the window. He sat up and opened it. Hedwig flew in and perched on his shoulder, holding out her leg that held a note, "What's this?"

Harry unfurled it and smiled as he read it. "Merlin I love her," he whispered. "Thanks Hedwig," he found some owl treats for her and then slid on an outer robe to keep warm as he picked up his broom. A few seconds later Harry had flown out of his dormitory window.

Entering the girls' dorm had Harry a bit nervous. He'd heard the alarms before and seen guys get caught trying to sneak up there. He hovered over the floor and Hermione smiled, "You aren't going to set off any alarms Harry. The alarm is on the stairs."

He raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

"I have tracked down each and every rune used to ward the stairs Harry. I'm 100% positive."

He relaxed as nothing came once he landed on his feet. Hermione pulled him to her and kissed him, "I like this," he conceded.

"Thank you for risking getting in trouble for me," she smiled.

"The troll, the basilisk, or the evening of the Yule Ball?" Harry asked.

She rolled her eyes, "Do you want to run the tally?"

"No because you'll win," he grinned. "You've done way more for me than I've done for you. Though honestly I hope I don't have to save your life anytime soon so let's just say we've always looked out for and protected each other."

"Or you could just shut up and take the gratitude as I meant it," Hermione kissed him again, "and we can enjoy my otherwise empty dorm that we have all to ourselves." Harry grinned and returned the kiss as he tossed his Firebolt on her roommate's bed and pushed her toward hers.

Millicent returned to her rooms that she shared with Ron. She'd had fun that evening; they'd talked about almost everything. The only topic that wasn't approached was sex and Millicent was certain that she was the cause of it. Neither Hermione nor Victoria were shy to talk about sex when they'd given her tips for losing her virginity; she knew both girls obviously had much experience with sex. And given the familiarity of the two girls with each other Millicent had deduced that she was the one that was preventing them from discussing their love lives. The question of why was something for her to try and work out.

Was it that they weren't comfortable around Millicent? That seemed unlikely. They'd talked about many things with her, some of them very personal. If they weren't comfortable around her why talk about those? Was it that they didn't want her to be jealous because Harry and Draco loved them? They were two of the greatest looking guys in school and very high on almost every girl's list of dream guys to date. Add to that that they both got to choose their boyfriend or husband and that seemed like a reasonable option.

Her time with the two girls had been enjoyable and she felt like she finally had friends. The evening had ended and she'd decided to walk back to her rooms she shared with Ron alone. They were down the hall from Gryffindor tower. She'd partly been hoping for a sleepover for an excuse to not go back but that hadn't happened. Millicent wished she was as eager for time alone with her partner as the two girls appeared to be.

With a heavy sigh she entered the married quarters to see Ron writing a list of things. He glanced up, "Hey can you help me? I need to work out how to change these things and I'm not sure I can change some of them."

Millicent walked over, "Change what?"

"Stuff about me," he said, handing her the list.

Millicent read it, surprised. "You wrote this?"

"Yeah." Ron paused before admitting, "Well some stuff I got from things Hermione used to say about me. I figured she might have a point. Is there more stuff I should add?"

"Well you're exceptionally immature but I think only time can change that. And less coddling from your mother," Millicent said, watching Ron to gauge his reaction.

"She does seem to favor me the most," Ron said. "Doesn't that fall under emotionally stunted though?"

"They're connected but they're not the same. You can be immature but still know how to gauge others' emotions; you're both."

Ron nodded in understanding as he looked at the list. "Don't reckon I can be less stubborn. Whole family is."

Millicent had talked some with Ginny and could certainly see that. "I think it's more important to at least recognize a flaw and work around it. You know you're stubborn so if we have a disagreement maybe instead of digging your heels in you can consider my opinion?"

Ron nodded. That sounded doable. "I know I'm lazy. I guess I could try to overcome that somehow."

"Try following your passions. That way it seems less like effort. What do you want to do with your career?"

"Well I'd like to be a quidditch player," Ron said.

Millicent nodded, "Well in order to do so you'll need to be on the house team and you'll need to do better in classes. You don't want to end up like Ludo Bagman."

Ron recalled just how out of it and magically weak Bagman was and nodded in agreement rapidly. That made sense. "What grades do you think quidditch players need?"

"At least an A in everything if not E's and O's in some things," Millicent said.

"Okay so I need to study harder," Ron said, taking a breath and looking back at the paper, "I need to not be so arrogant." Millicent stayed quiet to see if Ron could work that out by himself. "Well I guess I should work out my limits. And not be so jealous of people who do better than me. Hermione earns her grades. And Harry's a great Seeker."

Millicent gazed at him as he worked through the list. Some of them outright stumped him (no tact and emotionally stunted as examples) but the others he was able to work out ways to change or overcome them with some help from her.

-Several Days Later-

Christmas morning Harry woke to see a familiar bushy-haired brunette in bed with him. He smiled and snuggled closer. When he'd arrived at Hogwarts he flinched away from human contact. Ron had figured out early on to touch Harry meant risking a black eye from reflex. Then Hermione Granger entered his life and he'd learned the pleasure of a hug. Only she could touch him without Harry having some reaction and when they became a couple and the affections began to include kisses, snuggling, and snogging he'd been amazed at how he craved Hermione's body against his.

When their relationship had evolved to include sex it was Hermione who'd brought up the issue. Just thinking about it brought a smile to his lips.

-Flashback-

The couple was snogging in his bedroom in Grimmauld Place; Sirius had gone somewhere with Remus leaving the pair alone. Unlike the Grangers, Sirius had no qualms about leaving teenagers alone. As the snogging grew in intensity Harry quelled the desire to move his hands to thus far unexplored territory. He was always worried he might push Hermione into something she didn't want or wasn't ready for.

She pulled back and gave him a look, "Harry you're holding back."

"Sorry I just…what if…I mean I don't want to force…"

She rolled her eyes and pulled him into a hug, "Harry I love you. And I want you to answer this question honestly. Do you want us to make love?"

"Yes," he said without any hesitation.

Hermione kissed him before he could voice anything else. She shifted to put him on his back and sat up, straddling him. "I want us to make love too Harry. I had Remus get a birth control potion for me so we don't have any worries."

She removed her shirt and Harry's eyes zoomed in on her breasts. She blushed at his attention. "You're so beautiful," he whispered.

"They're not very big Harry," she said, watching as Harry's hands moved to cup her breasts, "not like the other girls in my dorm."

"I just want you," he leaned up and kissed her, "I love you Hermione. To me, you're perfect as is."

She smiled and kissed him again as the pair lost themselves in becoming lovers.

-End Flashback-

He kissed her bare shoulder before pulling the blankets up further and snuggling into her. Ever since Hermione became his girlfriend Harry had been happier. Granted Voldemort's defeat had greatly improved his life but a large part of it had simply been Hermione being his and Harry being hers.

He rested his head on the pillow again and sighed, content. "You feel so good." Harry opened an eye to see Hermione glancing at him, "I'm guessing you want to snuggle more than you want to open presents?"

"Yes," he said. "You?"

"Well I'm certainly not one to turn you down," she smiled, snuggling into him. "Happy Christmas Harry."

"A very happy Christmas Hermione," Harry closed his eyes. A great way to start off the holiday, to his mind. At least, that was his thought until Hermione's hands began to wander and he promptly decided that her way was much better.

Ron's presents included a customary Weasley Christmas sweater and candy for the most part. Like last year he received nothing from Harry and Hermione. His pile of gifts was a good size but it was all from his family. Millicent hadn't given him a gift but that didn't bug him. Only recently had they begun to actually talk. Talking was certainly better than glaring. Or fighting all the time. Or ignoring one another. Millicent was nice as he got to know her. But he just wasn't attracted to her. Ron could admit that he was pretty shallow when it came to girls. Big boobs and a pretty face meant far more to him than a smart girl or a girl who shared his interests. Millicent felt like a female friend, nothing more.

He glanced toward the bedroom. Ron had taken the couch mostly because Ginny said that's what he was supposed to do. At the time he didn't understand it; they were his rooms too. He had no one to really talk to about his marriage. His dad wasn't very good at advice. His mum was angry at him for standing up to her. His oldest two brothers weren't in the country and had dodged the marriage law. Percy had been engaged to the muggleborn Ravenclaw girl and they'd simply moved the wedding date to before the law had passed. He was really busy lately at the ministry what with the marriage law and the pairings. Fred and George were not stunning examples of how to be a good husband. That left Ginny to tell him what he was supposed to do. He figured it was better than Fred at any rate.

Ron had come to the decision that the law needed to be overturned but he didn't know how to do that. He certainly didn't know how the Ministry of Magic worked. It was just a place his mum always wanted all of his brothers to work at; only Percy had managed that and he was not a fan of the place. According to George, Percy was going to quit and he and Penelope were going to open a store though George didn't know what they were going to be selling.

"Ron?" He lifted his head to see Millicent holding a package, "Hermione told me how your mum is and how standing up to her is hard. So I wanted to thank you for putting me first ahead of her."

She handed him the package and watched as Ron opened it to reveal a brand new set of quidditch armor. For keepers. Ron's eyes widened. He knew how much quidditch armor cost. Hermione had wanted to get Harry seeker's armor and she'd asked Ron which armor would best protect him. It was the same brand as the one he'd told Hermione about. "Millie…"

"I hope it's the right kind," she said hurriedly, "Harry said you wanted to be a keeper and Hermione told me the brand you'd said Harry's should be to really protect him. Keepers get pounded and you need a long career."

Ron was speechless. This was without a doubt the greatest present anyone had given him. Without a second thought Ron stood and hugged Millicent, "This is amazing Millie. Thank you so much!"

She was smiling when he released her from a very tight hug. "I'm glad you like it. You gave me a great gift and I wanted to do the same."

While Millie exited to take a shower Ron admired his new armor and tried it on. It fit perfectly. He admired the workmanship that went into it. He'd certainly never owned anything this nice before. As he removed it he thought about her words. Harry had told Millicent his desired position. Hermione told her the brand to get. The two people he'd probably hurt the most had helped their friend get him a present he really wanted. That was, well, it was something Ron wouldn't have done. Ron carefully put it back in the box so that he could take his turn in the shower.

Ron didn't bother putting on the maroon jumper his mother had sent him. She wouldn't know that he didn't wear it on Christmas. He pulled on one of Charlie's old blue jumpers (he always got blue for Christmas) and waited for Millicent to finish getting ready. He'd never understand why girls took so long. Well, all except Hermione. She'd always been quick when she'd stayed at the Burrow. When Millicent exited she had a necklace on he'd never seen before, "That's new right?"

She smiled and nodded, "Victoria gave it to me for Christmas." It was a nice necklace. It was silver with a pendant that looked like a bear. "It's my patronus," she explained.

Ron's eyes snapped up, "Your patronus?"

"Harry taught me," she nodded. "Hermione suggested group study sessions because each of us has one area we excel in. I was finally able to cast the patronus last week." Study groups would probably help Ron get his grades up but he knew he had dug himself a hole with the group so he kept his mouth shut, instead holding the door open for her as they exited to go down to breakfast.

Padma Weasley watched George enter their room in just his boxer shorts, drying off his body. She had to concede that George was quite attractive. Of the twins, she'd married the better one. The previous evening Angelina had complained about Fred almost nonstop to her; Padma had felt incredibly uncomfortable. In fact, the Burrow itself made her uncomfortable. Arthur was nice but had said nothing more than a few words to her since her arrival. Molly had grilled her from the word go and George constantly had to rescue her from the Weasley matriarch's clutches. The older two boys refused to even return to England with the law hanging over everyone's head. Still, Padma had relished seeing Penelope again. She knew her and they'd talked some about Hogwarts and about the marriage law. Penelope and Percy had horror stories about pairings that had Padma unconsciously seeking out George for comfort. It certainly put into perspective how glad she was to have chosen George, even if it was simply a safe option at the time.

And now, watching George return from the shower, Padma recalled Angelina's words that Fred had said they should swap wives. That George had punched Fred and broken his twin's jaw for it. Feeling spurred by feelings she couldn't recall feeling before Padma, clad in George's quidditch jersey, got up from the bed and moved to her husband. She pulled his head down to meet hers and kissed him.

George froze but Padma didn't stop and with the sudden realization that she wanted to kiss him his hands moved to her waist and he returned the kiss. Padma squeaked in surprise when he scooped her up as their kiss continued before her legs locked around his waist. When they parted they were both panting, "What was that for?" George asked.

"Being a good man and looking sexy," she answered, her forehead resting against his, "any complaints?"

"Cute girl in my arms kissing me? Can't think of a single one," he grinned.

She returned his smile and brushed a stray hair out of his face, "I like you better with short hair George."

"I can cut it," he conceded. "Is this the part where you tell me my future needs to be in the ministry?"

"We haven't been the closest couple," Padma said, "but I know you enough to know that a joke shop is the only thing that will leave you feeling fulfilled. I want you to be happy and I know you'll crush Zonko's with your ingenuity and flair for the dramatic."

It was George's turn to kiss her in gratitude. All he ever heard from his mother, and Angelina who liked to lecture both twins, was that the ministry was the only option for them. That Padma didn't feel the same was quite possibly the best present he could have ever asked for. "Are we giving this relationship a go then?" He asked.

"It's taken some time getting to know you and certainly me realizing that you're the best Weasley," George comically preened at that, "but I think we can. If you're attracted to me, of course."

"I am," he said to her, "Kind of why I can't look at you when you're in the tub. Afraid I'll have an embarrassing reaction."

She blushed but smiled as he sat her down. She kissed him again before gathering her things to go shower. George got dressed with a smile on his face. He'd not enjoyed their time at the Burrow thus far either but that Padma found him attractive and approved of his career choice was enough to raise his spirits.

Molly Weasley (1) had a large grin as she made breakfast. Four of her children were married and she'd always loved weddings. Weddings and babies. It was only a matter of time before she started getting those. Although she wasn't as thrilled about her daughter-in-laws. Penelope was too independent for her tastes. Padma appeared easily controlled at first but that had proven false. The young woman had a quiet confidence and an independent nature. Millicent wasn't a pushover either. Molly Weasley loved being the matriarch and having control of her family. Angelina Johnson fit perfectly into that mold. The other three did not. Why, Ronald had even told her no! Still, the law required children so she had that to fall back on at least. Percy hadn't married a pureblood but then Ginny couldn't get Harry either; Molly would just have to take it in stride.

Not that Molly Weasley was a blood bigot. Not at all. She just wanted someone who respected wizarding (pureblood) tradition. And of course Harry was Harry Potter. But despite all her best efforts to push Ginny toward The-Boy-Who-Lived, Ginny had refused. And then he'd started dating Hermione Granger. A girl the twins and Ginny both respected and liked. To Molly's displeasure the couple was quite happy and popular. Still, she'd reasoned that not all school romances lasted. This one was even less likely. Ginny would be there to pick up the pieces of Harry's heartbreak. Instead the law had passed, ruining her hopes that Harry would marry into her family.

More than anyone, Molly Weasley knew how much money the Potter family had. She had her fantasy well-planned. Ginny would marry Harry, who would buy his in-laws and only family a big house for themselves. Anything Molly wanted she could get from Ginny. Harry wouldn't refuse his wife. That fantasy was shattered when the law had passed. But she would soon start getting grandchildren and that pleased her to no end. So she smiled as she made breakfast for the growing family.

Harry read the letter from Sirius. He and Remus were acting ridiculous in Vegas but having a great time. Hermione exited the shower and kissed his cheek, "Are they alive?"

"And not in jail," Harry nodded. "So I guess that means they're having fun."

"You should fly back to your own dorm Harry. That way we can go to breakfast."

"Fly with me?" Harry asked her, giving her his best puppy dog eyes.

She rolled her eyes, "I really should have more willpower when it comes to you."

"Like I do you?" He winked.

"I suppose it is good we're both pathetic for each other," Hermione said, moving to get dressed. "No Weasley sweaters this year."

"Not last year either. I think Mrs. Weasley was hoping to marry me off to Ginny," Harry said. "I mean, she had talked to me for all of a minute and was sending me sweaters and inviting me to her house."

Hermione nodded in agreement with his words. She'd always suspected it too. It was the way Molly treated him compared to her. She slid on a jumper that Harry had bought her the previous year and glanced back at him, "I love you."

"I love you too," he said, shrinking his presents and grabbing his broom off the bed that used to be Parvati's, "time to go then?" She pulled on the outer cloak he'd worn the night before, enlarging it to cover them both as they flew out of the window and back to Harry's dorm.

(1)- Molly is a character that is one of the most polarizing in the HP universe. I think only Dumbledore can beat her out for #1 most polarizing character. You love to love her or love to hate her. In some recent stories I've been far more generous and kind to her so it felt like it was time to look at the darker side of Molly Weasley again. I don't think I'm taking too many liberties with her.