This chapter was seriously one bitch of a chapter for me. Before this chapter my longest chapter was chapter 2 with 2,240 words...this chapter has 3,912...and while compared to other writers that might not seem like a lot but to me it is! Alright here is Chapter 8...uh there is a lot of wrestling in this chapter, manly because I think of Sirius as a child, and boys tend to like to wrestle and fight. I think at the end it seems a bit rushed...that's because when I was writting it I really wanted this chapter to end, I hope that because of this, this chapter doesn't turn out bad. I don't think it will but hey you never know what your readers are going to think. I have the next 2 chapters written out, they will be kind of short, mainly because they didn't need to be long. I will try to start working on them tonight, but I have some school things to take care of first. ok I think I have gone on long enough...please enjoy chapter 8.

Christmas with Harry.

Hermione woke up the next morning at 9:30. She went downstairs and scrambled some eggs. Jane walked in and started the coffee; she also put some bread in the toaster and pulled out some plates. Richard walked in as Hermione was scooping eggs onto three plates as Jane was buttering the toast. He got two mugs and a glass out of the cabinet and poured to cups of coffee and a glass of milk as Hermione placed the plates on the table. Together they sat and ate their breakfast. After breakfast Hermione went and took a shower and packed a bag with clothes, her toiletries, and her gifts for Harry, Sirius, Remus, and Tonks. She packed Morgan and Crookshanks in their carriers. Morgan wasn't very happy about this because she usually never got packed up since she stayed with Hermione's parents while she was at school.

Harry arrived at noon just like he said and quickly took Hermione's stuff over to Grimmald Place before flooing back to help Hermione say goodbye to her folks.

"Ok honey we'll call your cell phone when we land."

"Mom, it's ok, you don't have to worry. Go have fun and enjoy America."

"Harry my boy, you better take care of my little girl." Richard said sternly as he pulled Harry aside.

"Yes sir, you have my word, I will take care of Hermione."

"That's my boy!" He turned to his daughter and wrapped her in a big hug. "I love you sweetheart. We'll see you at your graduation."

"Bye Daddy! Make sure you bring me something good back." She said laughing.

"I will." Harry helped Richard pack the car with the suitcases while Hermione said a final goodbye to her mother.

"Remember to lock up the house when you leave." Jane said joining her husband in the car.

"Will do! Have a good flight!" Hermione said from the porch. She and Harry waved as her parents drove off, airport bound. Together they walked into the house. Hermione locked the door both magically and non-magically, only allowing her family members to go through the door. After locking the door she made her way over to where Harry was standing next to the fireplace.

"You ready love?"

"Yes." She said kissing him. Together they stepped into the fireplace.

"Grimmald Place." Harry said throwing the powder to the ground and with a flash of green fire they were gone.

"Happy Christmas misses Hermione!" Dobby said as Harry and Hermione made their way out of the fireplace, brushing the soot off of their clothes.

"Happy Christmas Dobby. Where's Winky?" She asked looking around.

"You called, misses Hermione?" Winky said popping in next to Dobby.

"Oh hello Winky, I wasn't calling because I needed anything, I just wanted to wish you a Happy Christmas. Are you cooking?" She asked walking into the kitchen.

"Yes misses Hermione. Thank you misses Hermione, and Happy Christmas to you too misses Hermione."

"Can I help?" Hermione asked only to see the elf violently shake her head.

"No misses Hermione, you go keep master Harry company while Dobby and I make the food. Go, go." She said literally shooing them back into the living room.

"Is there anything the master and misses needs?" Dobby said following them.

"Dobby, where is Sirius?"

"Master Black said he'd be back shortly."

"Did he say where he was going?"

"No misses Hermione."

"5 gallons says he's out buying gifts." Harry said smirking.

"I heard that!" Sirius said walking into the living room through the front door and hugging Hermione. "Frankly I'm hurt. You should have bet more, I thought I taught you better." They all laughed.

"Hello Sirius, you look well." Hermione said getting out of the hug.

"Isn't that my line?" Sirius asked causing Hermione to laugh again. Sirius took a step back from Hermione and held her at arm's length. "Let me get a good look at you." He said looking her up and down. "Beautiful as ever Mione." He said before kissing her forehead,

"Thank you Sirius."

"Mione, how about we watch a movie?" Harry suggested. "Sirius and I got a telly and DVD player at the beginning of Christmas vacation." Hermione's eyes lit up.

"Oh I have the perfect idea. Let me floo back to my house to get something real quick. This will give you time to hide the presents Sirius." She said with a smirk.

"I'll go with you." Harry said.

"No, no, no, just get everything set up, I'll be back shortly." She said kissing him on the lips quickly before dashing out of the living room through the fireplace.

When Hermione got back Harry was silently waiting for her on the couch.

"I forgot to mention that Remus and Tonks are coming tonight, Sirius said he didn't want any more holidays without his best friend."

"That's alright, Christmas with them will be wonderful. Should we wait to start the show until they get here?"

"That might be a good idea." Sirius said stepping into the living room. "Remus's owl said they'd be here in 10 minutes." As he was talking Hermione slipped the DVD's she had grabbed behind her back. "Whatcha got there Mione?" He asked advancing towards the young witch until she stuck her hand out in front of her halting him.

"It's a surprise until Remus and Tonks get here."

"Yeah, down boy, down." Harry said as if he were talking to a dog. Sirius's head snapped to face Harry.

"Oh pup you are barking up the wrong tree." He said before tackling Harry. They started wrestling around on the floor while Hermione stood there stunned.

"How long have they been at it?" Remus asked stepping out of the fireplace.

"For about 7 or 8 minutes." Hermione said from her seat in a chair as Tonks stumbled though the fireplace.

"Wotcher Hermione." Tonks said grinning before eyeing the children wrestling on the floor. "Looks like fun, don't you think?" Remus laughed but Hermione just shook her head.

"Count me out."

"Nemphadora!" Sirius yelled finally taking notice of someone other than his Godson. Tonks' hair immediately turned red.

"How many times do I have to tell you Sirius? Do not call me Nephadora!" Harry, sensing the immediate danger he was in because of his close proximity to his Godfather, quickly got up and made his way to his girlfriend. Remus, Hermione, and Harry watched as Tonks jumped Sirius, starting another wrestling match.

"He's restless." Harry muttered. "The trials just cleared last week. He's been itching to get out and do something, but hasn't really gotten the chance."

"Then our gift will be just what he needs." Hermione said. Gift must have been the magic word because Sirius's head snapped up.

"Gifts? Can we open the gifts now?" He asked, detangling himself from Tonks and helping her up, before running over to Hermione's chair.

"No, we are going to watch what I brought over and if you're a good boy, you'll be able to open your presents tomorrow." She said in a very mother-like voice. Remus laughed at Sirius's disappointed face, Hermione was the only one besides Sirius who was managing to keep a straight face.

"But Mione…" He whined pulling out his best puppy-dog face. She just stared at him pointedly with a raised eyebrow. Harry looked back and forth between his Godfather and his girlfriend not sure who would win this stare-down. Sirius finally relented looking away muttering something that sounded a lot like 'kill joy'. After realizing that she won Hermione started laughing along with Tonks.

"Alright, what did you bring over Mione." Harry asked.

"Some Christmas specials that I grew up with." She said pulling the DVD's out from behind her back.

"Oh Merlin!" Tonks said jumping up and down. "I used to watch these with my dad every Christmas."

"Muggle Christmas shows?" Sirius questioned.

"Yeah, it's a family tradition of mine to watch them on Christmas Eve, but if you don't want to…" Hermione started but was cut off by Harry.

"He'll watch them. I can't wait to see them for the first time."

"You've never watched them?" Both Tonks and Hermione yelled.

"No, the Dursley's never included me in any holiday celebrations. Come on Sirius, they won't be bad." Sirius still looked a little on the fence about this so Hermione turned to Tonks for help.

"Sirius you are going to sit your arse down and watch them, they are right up your alley, they're for children." Remus and Harry snickered but Hermione still was convinced it would work.

"Please Sirius?" She asked making her best puppy-dog face, one that could rival his own.

"Oh alright!" He said causing Hermione and Tonks to jump up and down.

"Harry, where is the telly and DVD player set up?" Hermione asked.

"Come on I'll show you." Sirius and Harry led the group to a room on the third floor. Inside the room was a huge telly and a lot of different seating arrangements. After placing the first DVD in, which had 4 Christmas specials on it, Hermione grabbed the remotes and sat down on the love seat with Harry. Sirius had a couch all to himself, while Tonks and Remus were together on another couch. The main menu came up with the specials listed.

"Alright, Tonks since you know them, how about you pick the first one." Tonks looked at the screen deep in thought.

"I say 'A Year Without A Santa Clause' I love the Snow and Heatmizer."

"Oh me too!" Hermione said clicking that Christmas special first, before snuggling into Harry. They were all quiet while watching the special until the mizer-brothers songs, which Tonks and Hermione sang. At the end Tonks asked what the boys thought.

"I liked it!" Harry and Remus said causing everyone to turn to Sirius to get his opinion.

"I have to admit it was pretty good." Hermione smiled.

"Alright, I think we have time for one more before Winky is done with dinner. I think Sirius will really like this one." She said picking 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas,' off the main menu.

"I agree, he'll like this one." Tonks commented. The girls were right Sirius loved that Christmas special. As they finished the Christmas special Winky came in and told them their early Christmas Eve dinner was done. They all went downstairs to eat.

They all chatted absentmindedly throughout dinner. Remus was a bit antsy about the full moon that was the day after Christmas. Hermione was slightly pleased with herself because she knew her gift would help him out immensely. Tonks and Harry were discussing Quidditch and Hermione, Remus, and Sirius were discussing his trial.

"I'm so glad it's over you Sirius!"

"So am I, Hermione, so am I. I'm finally free!" They continued to chat throughout the dinner and through dessert, apple pie, Harry's favorite. Once they were done they went back upstairs and watched the remaining two Christmas specials, 'Jack Frost' and 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer'. Then Tonks challenged Harry to game of Wizards chess, Remus and Sirius started wrestling, and Hermione magiced a book in front of her and began to read, looking up occasionally to see Harry staring at her. They continued on like this for hours until Hermione fell asleep on the love seat. Harry forfeited the game and walked over to his sleeping girlfriend, scooped her up, and carried her into her room.

Hermione snuggled into his chest as he carried her down the stairs. When he tried to set her on the bed she held on tight to his clothes.

"Stay." She whispered. Harry who had been gently trying to cover her with the comforter stopped. He took his glasses off and placed them on the nightstand next to her bed before pulling the comforter back, gently moving her over a bit, and laying down on the bed with her, pulling the comforter over both of them, and wrapping his arms around her as she snuggled back into him. Hermione and Harry were both asleep in seconds. Harry only woke up once when Sirius stuck his head in the room. They talked in hushed tones, Sirius saying he was a little worried when he couldn't find Harry, and Harry saying that Hermione didn't want him to leave. Sirius said goodnight and vanished and Harry fell right back to sleep.

Hermione awoke the next morning, very warm, happy, and…trapped? An arm was slung around her side pinning her to a warm body. Hermione breathed in very slowly trying to analyze the situation, but relaxed when the familiar scent of her boyfriend hit her. She snuggled deeper into her boyfriend with a smile on her face. Checking her watch she saw that it was 7am, she figured it was a good time to wake everyone up for presents. She turned to face her sleeping boyfriend and placed a kiss on his lips. Apparently he wasn't as asleep as she had assumed because his grip on her tightened and he pulled her closer not allowing her to pull away from the kiss.

"That is an amazing way to wake up." He said once he broke the kiss.

"Good morning and Happy Christmas." She mumbled planting a few more kisses on his lips.

"Mmm." He moaned. "Good morning." He said as he tried to keep her close but she slipped out of his grasp and off the bed.

"You need to go to your own room, I have to shower and change." She said extending her hand to help him up. He got up, gave her a kiss, and exited the bedroom, as she dug around her suitcase for something to wear before heading out and hopping into the shower.

While Hermione was taking a shower Harry went and knocked on Sirius's door and the door to the room the Lupins were staying in, telling them to get up and get dressed and be ready to open presents soon. Then he went into his own room and hopped into the shower in his bathroom to freshen up.

Within thirty minutes everyone was downstairs sitting in front of the giant Christmas tree. Hermione was a bit peeved because Remus had informed her that he, Sirius, and Tonks had exchanged gifts last night while she and Harry were sleeping. But Sirius being the comedian that he is, changed into his dog form and gave her a big sloppy kiss to make her forgive him, after all, no-one can stay mad at a dog. After everyone had calmed down from the laughing fit Sirius's kiss ensued, Hermione and Harry decided that Sirius should open his present from them first. They had placed his present in a huge box and waited patiently for him to open it. When he did, his jaw dropped.

"We knew how badly you hated being locked up all those years and now that your name is cleared we thought we'd give you a bit of freedom." Hermione said as he lifted the broom out of the box. Sirius was in complete and utter shock, they had gotten him a Firebolt, his very own Firebolt. Now he could ride around with Harry, like he used to do with James.

"I can't thank the two of you enough." He finally said placing the broom down and pulling them both into a hug.

"No problem Padfoot." After Sirius let go of both Hermione and harry, he handed Hermione his gift for her. She immediately tried to start unwrapping it but Sirius motioned for her to stop.

"Wait. Before you open that gift Hermione Granger, you better promise me that you WILL sleep." Hermione looked at him with a confused look on her face but nodded her head anyways.

"Of course I'll sleep Sirius." She said unwrapping the present. Once she saw what it was she gasped. "Sirius, I take that promise back." She said pulling the 'Autobiography of Merlin' out of the paper causing Harry to groan and everyone else to laugh.

"Thank Sirius, I won't see my girlfriend for weeks now." Hermione smacked his arm as everyone continued laughing. Harry then stood up and grabbed three small gifts. He handed the two that were the same size to Sirius and Remus, and the third slightly larger one to Tonks.

"Tonks this is mainly for you, for when you get fed up with those two." It was silent besides the tearing of paper.

"A collar?" Both Sirius and Remus said together.

"Two leashes? Oh!" She exclaimed as the information sank in. She and Hermione then burst out laughing.

"Pup I'm going to kill you!" Sirius yelled as both he and Remus jumped Harry.

"Did you know Harry was going to do this?" Tonks asked in between fits of laughter.

"Nope, but I'm really glad he did. This Christmas is shaping up to be my favorite!" Hermione replied holding her sides as she laughed.

"Oi, you two get off the poor boy before I put you on the leash." Tonks yelled over the grunting sounds the boys were making. The boys immediately stopped and looked at Tonks with fearful looks, except Harry who was quietly snickering. "Yeah, that's never going to get old." She said laughing.

"Alright, alright." Hermione said trying to catch her breath. "Let's get back to opening presents. I have one for Remus." She said picking up a small package and handing it over to him. "Remus, my present comes with a promise."

"Careful Moony, you saw how she took her promise to me back earlier." Everyone laughed as Hermione shot Sirius a death glare.

"Oh shut it Sirius!" She turned her attention back to Remus. "Open your present." Remus tore the wrapping away from three vials that he immediately recognized.

"What is it Moony?" Sirius asked not sure how to take his best friend's silence.

"It's a three month supply of Wolfsbane, and my promise is that as long as we are still alive, you will never have to need this potion from Snape." Remus grabbed Hermione and gave her a big hug.

"Thank you so very much Hermione. I cannot tell you how grateful I am." He said releasing her.

"Well I'd rather you come to me then that pompous old snake." She said taking her seat next to Harry.

"Hermione!" The four exclaimed appalled at what had come out of her mouth.

"What?" She asked with a completely innocent look on her face.

"Pup, you're rubbing off on her way too much." Sirius said to Harry causing everyone to laugh.

"Here Remus, here's my present to you." Harry said handing the gift over. Remus shredded the paper to find a huge bag of chocolate and a bottle of Firewhiskey. "For when the days get rough and you need a pick-me-up. Merlin knows those students can be a real headache."

"Yeah, especially those 7th year Gryffindors, they're the worst!" Sirius said.

"Can it Snuffles."

"Sirius? Can you grab that big present over there with the red bow and give it to Harry."

"Whoa pup, I think she got you a bolder!" He said picking up the present.

"I did not Sirius!" She shot back as Harry unwrapped it.

"Oh wow Mione! Thank you! I've wanted a pensive for a long time!" He said before giving her a kiss. Sirius and Remus shared a look and a nod before Sirius addressed his Godson.

"Hey pup, later today Remus and I will add some memories of your parents." Hermione smiled at the fact that Harry would be able to know his parents a bit more.

"Thanks."

"Here Mione, open my present next." Tonks said pushing the gift across the floor towards the younger witch. Hermione opened the present and found new quills and color-changing ink. "In case you ever want to take notes in a rainbow of colors." She said winking. Hermione laughed and thanked the older witch.

"Open this next Hermione." Remus said pushing a package that was obviously a book towards her. Hermione's eyes lit up as she unwrapped, 'The Healer Handbook.' "A little birdy told me you were going to be an apprentice to Madame Pompfry next year, so I hope this helps."

"Thank you Remus." Hermione said with a bright beautiful smile on her face.

"Here Harry." Remus said passing him a present. Harry opened the present and found, 'Decorating 101 For Wizards.' A note fell out when he picked the book up and he quickly read it.

~I'm sure Hermione will probably fine more use out of this book, however, I didn't want to ruin your…surprise…I guess that's the right word. Tell everyone it's for here until you ask her.
Good luck~

"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked trying to get a good look.

"A home decorating book for here."

"Oh cool!"

"Here Tonks." Tonks unwrapped the gift Harry passed her.

"Oh thanks Harry, I needed a new wand holder."

"Catch pup." Sirius said throwing Harry's present at him. Harry unwrapped a Broomstick Care Kit. "Ay I might borrow that; I've got a Firebolt to take care of after all." Sirius commented before Harry threw the kit at him.

"Tonks open mine!" Hermione said with a smile on her face. Tonks happily tore the paper away from five robes.

"They're the color-changing robes. Now you can match your robes to your hair!" She said grinning.

"Oh awesome, thanks Mione. Here Harry, my gift to you." She said handing him a present. Harry unwrapped 'Defensive Spells Handbook.'

"I know you defeated the mad-man, but you can never know too many defensive spells!"

"Thanks Tonks, I was actually eyeing this book!"

"Alright, that's all from underneath the tree. I guess we're done." Sirius said going to stand up.

"Nope there's one more." Harry said pulling a small box out of his pocket and handing it to Hermione, who gasped and stopped breathing.

"Oh my, it's a small box!" Tonks whispered.

"Whoa pup, you aren't proposing are you?"

"Tonks the leash please." Tonks laughed. "No I'm not, Hermione, sweetie, breathe. Open it up." Hermione slowly opened the box and pulled out a beautiful silver heart necklace.

"Oh Harry! It's beautiful! Oh look it even has our patronus's on it." She said looking at the stag and otter on the front. "I love it Harry." She said leaning in to give him a kiss but he pulled out of reach.

"That's not all, open it." With a confused look on her face Hermione opened the locket. Inside she saw a picture of her and Harry at the Yule Ball.

"Where did you get this picture?" She asked looking up at him.

"Colin." He shrugged.

"Thank you Harry." She said finally giving him a kiss. "I love it." She closed the locket and placed the chain over her head.

"Now, we're done." Harry said placing his arm around his girlfriend.

The rest of the day passed smoothly. Remus and Tonks left around one, promising to return in time for dinner. Hermione spent her time until dinner in the library reading while Sirius and Harry were off somewhere getting into trouble.

Right before dinner, Hermione and Harry opened their gifts from the Weasleys. They each got a sweater from Mrs. Weasley. Hermione got a list of hair managing charms from Ginny and sugar quills from Ron. Harry got a case of Butterbeer from Ginny and a bag of WWW pranks from Ron. They sent a letter to the Weasleys thanking them before joining everyone for dinner.