Chapter 10
Months went by, the dates continued to happened, Bill and Hermione still sent owls to each other throughout the day, and Wesley family dinners were still as fun as ever.
Harry and Ron asked how things were going between them every once in a while, just to make sure that they didn't have to hex him. And Hermione was happy to report that there was no reason for them to get angry or defensive on her behalf.
Christmas was upon them, and being the first holiday Bill and Hermione would spend together as a couple they were very excited. They had planned to spend Christmas Eve together at Shell Cottage playing games, breaking out the Crackers, and snuggling in front of the fire while Christmas Day would be spent at the Burrow with the rest of the family.
The snow was falling around them as they walked through Diagon Alley looking for last minute gifts. Bill was wearing his worn down Weasley sweater, blue with a red B imprinted on the chest. His wool jacket pulled on top of that with a scarf (also knitted by his mother) wrapped tightly around his neck. The boot he had on were also well worn, apparently the boots he had while working in Egypt. Hermione had a knitted hat pulled over her brown curls, a bright red coat on top of her striped sweater. A plaid scarf tied around her neck and chest.
It was too cold to hold hands, so Bill had his hands shoved deep in his coat pockets while Hermione's gloved hand rested on his arm. The cold turned Hermione's nose and cheeks red which made Bill laugh although he thought it was adorable.
"Who else do you need gifts for?"
"I need something for the twins, and Ginny. I figured I would just get the boys quidditch stuff and get Ginny a necklace or something."
"I'd say those are good gifts, the twins love quidditch jerseys."
Stepping into Quality Quidditch Supplies, Hermione found Fred and George each Puddlemere jersey's with Oliver Wood's name on the back. One was blue with silver writing and the other had opposite colors. Bill agreed that they would love them and she bought them right away.
It took a while to find the perfect necklace for Ginny, Hermione found some lovely jewelry for herself, but Ginny liked flashier jewelry than she did. Settling for a white gold necklace with several bright blue charms she knew it was the one Ginny would love.
There was also the matter of what to get Bill, she had no idea what he would like as a gift and he wasn't very open about things he wanted. Another thing that they had in common.
"Hey Hermione, I actually have to get your gift too and don't want you to see it until Christmas, so would you mind splitting up for a bit and meeting back up in a half an hour?"
"Perfect, I have to get something for you as well. Meet you later."
Bill waited until she had walked a bit down the Alley before running back into the jewelry store.
Hermione made her way to Flourish and Blott's, there was a new book that she wanted but also knew that she wanted to make sure he didn't see where she went.
Christmas Eve arrived and Bill was busy in the kitchen making cookies and cider for their night together. At eight o'clock at night Hermione arrived through the fireplace with a few parcels wrapped in colorful paper. Setting them under the tree she met the tall redhead in the kitchen.
She was wearing a floppy Santa hat that showed her Christmas spirit. Bill would only hug and kiss her.
"Happy Christmas Bill." She said happily into his chest. "I brought your gifts but I want to wait until midnight to open them, if that's ok."
"Of course it is, we have several hours to be together until then. I made us cookies."
And so their night began of Bill teaching Hermione how to play exploding snap which she won on her second try, they played wizards chess, and even went through a few muggle games that Hermione brought. When they played all the games they sipped on the cider Bill made and ate some of the cookies while sitting in front of the fire.
Bill checked the watch he was given for his seventeenth birthday from his parents. "It's almost midnight. Ready for the gifts?"
Running over to the tree he had set up in the corner they both grabbed the gifts they had for each other and returned to their place in front of the fire.
"Three..two..one. Go!"
They tore through the wrapping paper of the smaller gifts first. Hermione had gotten Bill a self-inking quill (because he always complained of running out of ink at work) and a quidditch jersey of his own. Bill got Hermione candies that she loved and her own framed photos of their night out at The Charm and the ball. In both photos the pair is smiling happily.
Agreeing to open what were deemed to be the most important gifts last Hermione and Bill pulled the last boxes towards them. Opening them Hermione found a velvet box with a necklace that she had loved while shopping for Ginny. A single pendant of sapphire set in white gold. Bill opened a box to a brand new watch.
"I know that it can't ever replace the one your parents gave you, but I figured you would like one to wear to business meetings."
"I love it, thank you so much."
They leaned across the ripped paper and kissed, the most passionate kiss they had ever shared. "Let me put the necklace on you." Bill murmured against her lips. Breaking away from each other Bill stood and grabbed the box. Removing the necklace and bringing it to Hermione's neck he waited for her to move the curls so he could clasp it.
Taking advantage of the free skin, Bill began kissing down her neck and shoulder. It was only the beginning of a wonderful night for the both of them.
Waking up early the next morning Bill and Hermione were still undressed. The sun falling across their eyes and waking them together causing them to stir and have Hermione bury her face into Bill's strong chest.
"Good morning, happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas Hermione."
His heart was racing and he was afraid that she would feel it beating so quickly.
"I have something that I've wanted to say, now seems like the perfect time."
"Hmm?" Hermione was still nuzzled into him trying to get as much sleep as possible.
"Hermione, I love you."
That seemed to wake her up as she lifted her head to meet his and kissed him fiercely. "I love you too Bill."
The kiss caused his body to react and taking advantage of their nakedness, they made love.
Finally arriving at the Burrow an hour later, they were the last to get there. It was still early but the family wanted to have breakfast together before gifts. Depositing the rest of their gifts under the tree Bill and Hermione joined everyone else at the table.
"Happy Christmas everyone!" Bill announced loudly entering the room with a chorus of responses coming back to him at the same time. Molly ran over and hugged the both of them before ushering them into the open seats before serving the food.
Hermione was sitting next to Ginny who nudged her friend. "Is that a love bite on your neck?" The red head whispered causing Hermione to blush. "I'll glamor it."
Bill smiled from down the table realizing that Ginny had just seen the mark he accidentally left on Hermione's neck that morning. When they left her hair had been covering it so he thought they were safe, but not against his little sister.
Christmas breakfast went swiftly as everyone shoveled the food into their mouths so they could get to the presents sooner. After the dishes were all enchanted into the sink to clean themselves the children all ran into the sitting room finding spots to sit. Bill and Hermione sat next to each other on the floor next to the stairs.
Arthur distributed the gifts to each of the children and they all waited until the tree was bare again, shaking and weighing the gifts, trying to guess what they were in the meantime. Finally, they were able to open their gifts the boys tearing into the paper like animals while Hermione and Ginny laid each of the wrappings by the side.
"That is a lovely necklace by the way Hermione. Where did you get it?" Mrs. Weasley called across the room.
"It was a gift from Bill." Making Molly ooh and ahh at the adorableness of it all.
Everyone loved their gifts and Hermione received her first Weasley sweater along with the rest of the kids. She pulled it on immediately over her tee shirt.
"You know what I think?" Bill whispered into her ear watching all of his siblings play with their gifts. Hermione gave him a questioning look. "I think this is the best Christmas ever."
"I couldn't agree more." Their kiss caused everyone to yell that they were gross and to get a room. Hermione didn't care, she was the happiest she had been in a long time surrounded by the people she loved and the man who loved her.
"There's a quote I read from a muggle book recently where the character said that she fell in love like falling asleep. Suddenly, and then all at once. That's exactly how I feel about falling in love with you Bill Weasley."
Bill could only agree and kiss his girlfriend's forehead.
A/N: Sorry for the cheesy stealing of John Green's line…I know it wasn't out in the time period I'm writing about but it was perfect for the story. Thanks for reading every one!