On Christmas morning Ginny and Hermione ran down the stairs of the Burrow. In the living room Charlie, Ron, George, and Harry already were unpacking their gifts. Percy, Bill and Fleur would arrive at the family home during the day. The boys already had put on their Weasley jumper. Every jumper had an individual motif. Charlie had a dragon on his chest, George as always a capital 'G'. Ron's jumper showed the sword of Gryffindor; Harry's jumper showed the rune-like symbol of the Deathly Hollows. The girls turned to their presents. Soon Ginny was also wearing a jumper traditionally crafted by her mother. Mrs Weasley had fashioned a white horse for her.

Expectantly Hermione opened the soft gift with her name on it. She was holding a plain green cap and a matching scarf in her hand. A sting went though her chest. After all these yeas she felt so close to this family. Apparently Mrs Weasley thought otherwise. Hermione thought back to the Triwizard Tournament. At Easter Mrs Weasley had sent her a simple and small chocolate egg while Ron, Ginny and Harry had received heavily decorated eggs. Mrs Weasley had believed Rita Skeeter's articles that Hermione would play with Harry's heartstrings. Had the matriarch still not forgiven her that she did not get together with Ron? Mrs Weasley did not yet know that Hermione loved another of her children. Ginny had wanted to talk to her mother after their arrival. But their journey had been delayed so there was not enough time left for THAT talk. Hermione wondered if Fleur would receive a Weasley jumper. Her disappointment must have shown on her face. Ginny gave her a questioning look. Hermione smiled at her. She did not want to cause a scene at Christmas.

Ginny gave Hermione a copy of Quidditch trough the Ages. Hermione knew it was an allusion to the fact that Hermione was the girlfriend of a Quidditch player. Later Ginny would probably test if Hermione had read the book as closely as Hogwarts, A History. Hermione was looking forward to receive an 'Oh' or two from Ginny for passing the test. Hermione found a second, smaller gift from Ginny. It was silver chain with two charms, a horse and an otter. Hermione was touched. She let Ginny put the chain around her neck. Ginny lowered the neckline of her jumper. She was wearing an identical chain around her neck. They were not alone. Otherwise Hermione would have grabbed her girlfriend to show her how much this gift meant to her. She was only able to beam happily at the redhead. Ginny was also very pleased by Hermione's present. Hermione had organized two tickets for a Holyhead Harpies' game.

#

Around teatime Bill and Fleur arrived. The French woman got a handmade jumper. With a baby buggy on the chest. Fleur was heavily pregnant. She admired the jumper with words, did not put it on. Hermione's last straw was gone. There was no denying anymore. Mrs Weasley held some resentment against her. And Ginny would soon tell her mother that she and Hermione were together. This family went through so much. She did not want to be the reason for the next drama. Nobody noticed how quiet she became. Fleur and the next Weasley generation attracted every one's attention.

Mrs Waesley announced that dinner was ready. There was no Weasley Christmas without feasting seamlessly. Everyone came to the dinning table.

"Hermione, I can imagine why Fleur is not wearing her Weasley jumper. But why don't you wear yours?" Ron asked suddenly in a loud voice behind her. Hermione paled. She did not look anyone in the eye.

"I haven't got one", she answered.

There was a moment of complete silence. Ginny, Ron and even Harry turned indignantly to the matriarch.

"What?"

"Why?

"Mum!"

The others looked bewildered at her. For a moment Mrs Weasley appeared to back off from the concentrated reaction, then she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

"If she had stayed with Ron, she would have received one. She didn't want to be part of this family."

Ron folded his arms before his chest. A shade of red indicating anger ascended in his face.

"Are you saying that just because Hermione fell in love with Ginny instead with me, she is less welcome in this family? Mum, I've never expected this from you. Especially after everything you did for Aunt Anne after Great-aunt Martha had thrown her out of the house. I'm glad that they have found each other. Ginny is far more happier with Hermione than with Harry. Sorry, mate. And I have never seen Hermione so happy."

Mrs Weasley's mouth fall open. Dumbfounded she looked from Ron to Ginny to Hermione to Harry and back. Ginny stood beside Hermione and placed her arm around the other girl. Hermione mirrored her actions thankfully. Ginny turned to Ron: "I haven't talked to Mum about us yet. I wanted to do that face-to-face. Yesterday was not enough time."

"Harry and Ginny, you are not together anymore?" Mr Weasley asked.

"Since early October, Dad. You knew that. I wrote to you shortly after the breakup", Ginny said.

"You have told us about a break up so many times. Please forgive us, but we took that as a snap shot of your relationship. Until then your breakups had never been final.

"It is final", said Harry. He frowned.

"Do I have to give back my jumper? I'm not with Ginny anymore. And I'm not with any other member of the family."

"No, you don't have to. You have received a jumper right from the beginning", Ron said.

"Hermione, I'm glad you recognized your feelings for her. The whole time in Shell Cottage you have mumbled your name, while you recovered. It wonderful that you return her feelings, Ginny", Fleur said with a heavy French accent. Under Ginny's watchful eye, Fleur embraced Hermione. "Take care of each other." Hermione grinned at Ginny funny facial expression when her unpopular sister-in-low also embraced her.

"Hermione should have received a jumper for ages. She has spent so much time with us. All these years she has saved Weasley lives together with Harry", said George.

"I thought, that you already would make jumpers for her as well", Charlie said to his mother. Bill nodded in agreement.

"I don't think that any of us except Ginny would want to be with you", Ron said to Harry.

"Very flattering, Ron!" Harry and Ginny said together.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe Charlie?" George said.

"George!" chorused everyone. Charlie blushed. Harry looked curiously at him.

"Happy Christmas!"

Percy entered. Everyone turned to him. Percy took a step back.

"Have I missed something?"

Everyone turned back to Mrs Weasley. She made slightly a ruffled impression. Ginny glared at her with a look that qualified her as her mother's daughter. Ron and Harry folded their arms before their chests. Hermione held her breath. The rest was full of expectation. Mrs Weasley exhaled slowly.

"It seems that I've forgot to give Hermione a present. I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail."

#

Later Ginny and Hermione lay in bed in Ginny's room. A few swishes of Hermione's wand had turned two separates beds into one. Hermione looked at her jumper that lay on top of her other presents. It was green and had – what else could it be? – an open book on the chest. Mrs Weasley had already finished Hermione's jumper during the summer but simply had not put it under the tree. Hermione had put the jumper on in the moment she got it. Both women embraced cordially. Finally the whole family was able to enjoy the feast. After dinner, Mr and Mrs Weasley had asked Ginny and Hermione to sit with then in front of the fireplace. The couple had to tell their whole story in detail. They left out Harry's proposal and everything that came with it. That was his story to tell. Around midnight Mr Weasley went to the cellar to fetch the elf made he had saved for special occasions. The family clinked their glasses. Mr and Mrs Weasley offered Harry and Hermione to call them Arthur and Molly.

Hermione remembered a hint that was dropped during the chaos.

"Was George serious about Charlie fancying Harry?" she asked.

"You never know with George, when he is joking. On the other hand, Charlie never had a girlfriend. At least, none that we know of. Maybe it is not such a bad idea. He is a dragon keeper after all. Who would be more capable of taming Harry's demons?"

Both girls laughed. Ginny rolled on top of her girlfriend with a grin.

"I hope you realise that after tonight you won't get rid off my family or me so easily anymore. That was very close to a collective adoption and an engagement party."

Hearing the last words, Hermione arched an eyebrow and smirked. "Hmmhmm", was the only thing she said. She flipped them around. Without many words Hermione showed Ginny how much she welcomed this prospect.

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