Later that night, Ron found himself once more entering Hermione's mind, though it was after dinner when most of the burrow was off to bed.
Hermione? Can you hear me?
Yes I can, I'm sorry I haven't written yet, I've just been spending a lot of time trying to explain my situation with you to my parents. They're almost as surprised as I was.
No problem. Are they OK with us?
Yes they are. And like I said, once I told them that you said you love me, all they've been talking about is getting to meet you. I know you've seen them before, but that was just once for a couple of minutes in Diagon alley when you were twelve.
Yeah, I can see what they mean. Actually mum was telling me that she'd be up for having you and your mum and dad round for Christmas, she says she finds it a bit off that Harry basically lives here, and you spend a fair amount of time here yet none of us really know your parents.
She's right, it is a bit odd that Harry, you and I are this close, and you two don't really know my parents. Hang on, I think they're downstairs watching TV, I'll ask them. Try and stay in my mind.
Will do.
Ron listened as Hermione explained the whole situation with how well they all knew her parents and asked whether it was OK for them to spend Christmas at the burrow, and was pleased to hear that the Grangers would be coming to the Burrow. Mostly because he wanted to see Hermione. Quite badly in fact.
So, you're coming over for Christmas? Awesome!
Yes, it certainly looks that way! Do you know any... discreet spots around your house or the surrounding area by any chance?
I'm liking what I'm hearing! To be honest, while we're in the house, there's not much we could do, but d'you remember the pond you met me at over summer? We could head out there. Though since it's so bloody freezing, we wouldn't be in much of a position to lose any clothes...
Shame.
I like this side of you!
Well this will only really be a taster. When we get back to Hogwarts, there are so many more discreet spots. And the room of requirement...
Hermione you're going to be the death of me, I swear. Doubt I'll be able to sleep with that stuff on my mind.
I'm glad I'm having such an effect on you.
You have no idea... just wait until I get you alone.
OK... now that thought is going to keep me from sleeping too.
Yeah, you weren't going to get away with doing that to me unscathed... good look sleeping you little minx!
Have I told you that I love you lately?
Well you have now. I love you too.
I think I'm going to go to bed, but sleeping will be a whole different matter. I'll see you in two days though! I can't wait!
Neither can I. Goodnight Hermione.
Ron did manage to get to sleep eventually. He did so with an enormous smile on his face.
Christmas did come round after two days of good-natured ribbing from Harry about how giddy with excitement Ron was. Ron always did enjoy Christmas, but this time round he definitely couldn't care less about the holiday itself.
Sure enough, there was a knock on the door which Ginny answered, and Ron saw Hermione and her parents. Hermione's mum looked nothing like Hermione herself, minus the hair color. Hermione looked almost exactly like her father, though of course a feminine version of him. Despite her parents being around, after greeting Ginny and wishing her Merry Christmas, Hermione, upon seeing Ron squealed, ran up to him and hugged him hard.
"Woah- Merry Christmas to you too!" said Ron, slightly taken aback.
"Sorry, It's just different not seeing you this time, you know?" said Hermione.
"Yeah I get you. Oh hi Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I'm Ron. Good to meet you properly this time." said Ron once Hermione detached herself from him.
"Nice to meet you too. Judging by Hermione's reaction to you, things appear to be going well!" said Mr. Granger jovially.
"You could say that." said Ron, catching Hermione's eye and grinning broadly.
"Well Hermione's told us a lot about you of course, in fact the more she would talk about you getting on her nerves over the last two or so years, the more I had certain suspicions about what was really happening..." said Mrs. Granger, smiling at her daughter mischievously.
"Mum!" Hermione interjected, her cheeks glowing red.
Before Mrs. Granger further embarrassed Hermione, Mr and Mrs. Weasley came down the stairs, followed by Fred, George, Remus and Tonks.
Many Christmas greetings were exchanged, and Harry thought to himself gloomily how quickly things could change, given the rate at which Voldemort was gaining support and power.
Ron and Ginny both noticed Harry's uncomfortable look, and Ron suggested that Ginny talk to him, since he was currently being questioned by Hermione's parents.
"Ease off on the Christmas cheer, why don't you?" Ginny joked, whilst putting a santa hat on his head.
Harry chuckled for a moment before beginning to speak his mind.
"I know Christmas isn't the time for this sort of stuff but for some reason I just got reminded of how easily and quickly things could change. Voldemort's hardly slowing down on picking up support, and I can't very well see him stopping to celebrate Christmas, can you?" Harry asked.
Ginny smirked at the image of Voldemort wearing a party hat, pulling crackers with Lucius Malfoy, before offering her own advice.
"I think that's actually a good thing for us. Look at the dinner table and try and tell me that what you're seeing isn't worth fighting for." said Ginny.
Harry did just that and smiled. He saw people he cared about. His two best friends, both of whom were clearly blissfully in love, their families with them, and some other friends to boot. He considered everyone at the table to be his own family. He then turned to Ginny and was reminded exactly why he was developing such feelings for her.
"Yeah, you're right. Guess it's time for me to put myself in a food coma with this turkey then." said Harry.
Christmas dinner that night without a doubt, was one of the best Harry had ever had. However, looking at Ron and Hermione, he could already tell that they wanted dinner to be over as soon as possible and get some time to themselves. Harry could hardly blame them of course, but couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy towards them, Ron particularly.
When dinner was over, Ron made good on what he told Hermione in their mental communication two days previously. He led Hermione out into the fields, towards the pond where Hermione met him in the summer. For Christmas time, it was surprisingly warm, enough for just a jumper to be adequate, and as a result, the place hardly looked different to how it did during the summer.
"Ron, I know we were talking a lot back inside, but I have to say, I've really missed you." said Hermione as the two of them sat down by a large tree.
"Yeah, I missed you too. Harry won't stop taking the mickey of course, but I'm not exactly making it hard for him. I can hardly stop thinking about you." Ron replied.
"I'm still surprised that you seem so captivated by me. Though I'm hardly complaining." said Hermione, leaning on Ron's shoulder.
"I know we're having a bit of a moment here, but I found out something a little bit surprising about Harry actually." said Ron.
"Oh?" Hermione asked.
"Apparently he fancies Ginny." Ron explained.
"Really? Isn't she with Dean?" Hermione asked.
"No, they broke up right before the holidays. I know Ginny's my sister and all, but this is Harry we're talking about. I wouldn't trust anyone else to be honest, should I tell him to go for it? Help him out maybe?" Ron asked.
"Well I think so. I think Ginny still has that big crush on Harry she used to have, she just doesn't let it turn her into a clumsy blushing tomato when he's around any more." said Hermione, fondly remembering what Ginny was like a few years back.
"If she does, then she's been pretty convincing about hiding it. Should I ask her?" asked Ron.
"I think if you asked her, she'd be suspicious. I know you're her brother, but that's not the sort of thing you talk to her about, is it? I think I'll ask her myself." Hermione pointed out.
"True. Hey, if she does, we'll have pulled off a Christmas miracle by ourselves. Pulling Harry's head out of his arse when it comes to girls." said Ron.
"In all fairness, you weren't too quick on pulling your head out of your own arse regarding me, were you?" Hermione replied, smirking.
Ron gave Hermione a playful shove.
"Still though, I did suck it up and come out with it, didn't I? Though I did do a pretty shit job..." Ron mused.
"Actually I thought you were brilliant. The whole time, you were being respectful to me, and considerate. It was only natural for you to be nervous." said Hermione, before kissing Ron on the cheek.
Ron found himself with a very broad grin on his face. Displays of affection from Hermione would never get old.
"Don't sell yourself short. There's a reason for the fact that I catch myself thinking about you at random." said Hermione.
"I think about you a lot too. It's not random though." said Ron, smirking mischievously.
"Is that so? And what would the reason be Ronald?" Hermione replied coyly.
"Little bit of this." said Ron, kissing her neck.
"And this."
Collarbone.
"Though mostly this." said Ron, before kissing Hermione on the lips, more softly than he expected, given the nature of the conversation they just had.
"Oh Ron... what are you doing to me?" Hermione asked, moaning as she spoke.
"What I bloody well please." he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her onto his lap.
Most of the Burrow's current inhabitants and guests had no idea when or where Hermione and Ron had slipped off to, and chalked it down to them just being a couple.
Harry had spotted them, however, and knew exactly where they were headed. During Harry's second stay there, he and Ron had flown about around the area, and the area he knew Ron and Hermione were currently at was secluded, and relatively far away. It had a pond and a few trees, like an oasis in the middle of a field.
At this point, having seen Ron and Hermione bombarded with questions from their parents, Harry thought they deserved a bit of time to themselves.
The more he thought about them (whilst being around Ginny), the more reckless he felt about the idea of just straight up telling Ginny that he fancied her, not caring that Fred and George of all people were in the house. He did, however, restrain himself, in spite of Ginny looking more beautiful than ever with all the festivities and Christmas cheer being thrown around.
Eventually though, the time came for Hermione and her parents to head off back home.
"Thank you very much for having us Molly, Arthur. I do hope we can do this again soon." said Mr. Granger.
"Any time Henry. In fact, you're all welcome to come here for New Year's as well, I doubt Hermione or Ron would object, am I right?" Mrs Weasley said, causing Hermione to blush and Ron to smirk.
"That would be lovely. We were thinking of just heading into central London, but spending time with all of you again sounds wonderful. What time would you be ready to have us again?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"Oh any time in the evening on New Year's eve would be fine. In fact I'd like to come and collect you myself if that's alright? Do you have a fireplace?" Mr. Weasley asked. Ron caught Harry's eye. Both of them knew that Mr. Weasley wanted to get another good look at a muggle home.
"Yes, but why would a fireplace help?" Mr. Granger asked.
"Dad, that's what I mean when I say wizards can flu each other. We use magic powder to transport ourselves between certain places and we walk out through the fireplace." Hermione explained.
"Fascinating! Well yes, we do have a fireplace, I suppose we'll expect you to just pop into our living room then?" Mr. Granger asked.
Everyone said their goodbyes, Ron and Hermione's predictably being the longest, before the burrow went back to being normal. Well... as normal as things could realistically be at such a house.