Day Seven:
Ron woke up to the sound of Celestina Warbeck playing from downstairs and the smell of freshly baked gingerbread cookies. He could feel the warm covers on top of him, and had the sudden urge to go back to sleep. After all, he had been strolling in the garden with Hermione for most of the night. It was only at about three in the early morning, that they decided to go in and depart to their separate rooms. Ron closed his eyes again, picturing his girlfriend's face. The corners of his mouth turned upwards into a positive smile.
"Wake up sleepyhead," said a familiar, soft voice from somewhere beside him.
"Let me sleep," he whined.
"Are you sure about that?" the soft voice beside him said again.
He could feel a girl's arm around his back, then her hand on his and instinctively, his other hand reached out of his blanket to hold it.
The feeling around his body was much welcome. Anytime.
"Hermione," he said, smiling and bringing their hands closer to his chest. "I wish you were this close to me when I wake up. At least I'd have a reason to wake up every day."
"Ron, I am with you every day," she whispered with her face dangerously close to his ear. "If you don't wake up, I'll go."
"No," he said, "Don't leave me."
He tightened his grip on her hand, causing her to fall on top of him.
"Ron!" she yelled, somewhat giggling.
He opened his eyes.
"Hermione, you're here. You're really here."
She slapped him on his chest. "I'm going now. Let me go!"
"Never," he said, holding on to her tightly.
He nuzzled against her neck, smiling. "You should sleep here every day. I'm sure Harry won't mind. We can chuck him out. He'll go find Ginny, but that's fine if you're here with me."
Hermione knew he was joking around, but Molly was waiting for them downstairs. She had prepared a special Christmas breakfast for everyone, and Ron had been the only one still asleep. Harry was going to call him, but Hermione interjected, telling Harry that it was no problem, she would wake him up. She knew that Ron would attack Harry, and then fall back in a deep slumber.
"Ron, your mom's waiting with hot breakfast. Get up!" she said, struggling against his arms which had gotten so much stronger after Auror training.
She finally gave up and Ron smirked. "I'm not letting you go that easily," he said, kissing her cheek and then her ear. Then he made his way to her neck and planted a kiss there.
"Ron," she said, breaking free after he loosened his grip.
"If you want your Christmas present, freshen up and come down."
Then she smirked and left the room to join the others.
"Oh dear Merlin," he whispered, perplexed by her charm. "Please save me."
Angelina looked snug with George's arm around her. Ron raised an eyebrow at the pair who looked like they were whispering loving words to each other.
"Public display of affection," Ron muttered, passing by them, hastily searching for his own girlfriend.
Before he could get far in his search for her, however, he was stopped by Harry.
"Ron, have you seen Ginny?" Harry asked.
Ron shook his head, trying to look past Harry. "Where's Hermione?" he questioned, as if Harry would know.
Harry shrugged. "No idea."
Ron groaned and pushed past Harry. Hermione was nowhere to be found. She said she had a Christmas present for him, and Ron couldn't wait any longer for it. Ron didn't know where he was going, all he knew was he bumped straight into Bill.
"Ron, have you had breakfast yet?" Bill asked with concern clear on his face.
"No," Ron said, trying to walk by without wasting too much time with Bill. He was going to die if he didn't get his present as soon as possible.
"Then go and eat!" Bill exclaimed, "Come on Ron."
Ron gave a little whimper, "But, Bill, Hermione – gifts!"
Bill didn't wait for him to explain. He grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him towards the kitchen.
Ron got pushed down on the chair. He grumbled. "Bill," he said, pissed off at his brother, "I want to open my gifts."
"Who told you to wake up so late?" Bill asked, as Molly gave Ron pancakes and soup.
"Bill's right," Molly intervened, "It's almost eleven."
Ron groaned. "Mummmmmmmmmm, it's Christmas. I wanna go and open my presents!"
Molly glared at him. "Eat your pancakes now. Otherwise you're not getting any gifts."
Ron groaned once again and gobbled down his pancakes at once, then he pushed his chair back and sprinted out of the kitchen.
"Hermioneeeee!" he called out.
She was nowhere to be found. This was torture. He momentarily forgot about the rest of the gifts he was supposed to open. He only had Hermione's in mind.
He purposefully knocked a gnome over as he made it to the garden. Then the surprising site in front of him made his jaw drop in astonishment.
"Hermione?" he whispered, looking hungrily at the assortment of desserts outside, protected by several enchantments which allowed the area to stay warm and dry. Hermione was seated on a magically cleaned patch of green grass.
"Ron," Hermione said, a bright smile on her face.
They were the only two outside.
"Why are all these snacks here?" he asked. "Is everyone coming out?"
Hermione nodded. "Sooner or later."
Hermione stood up and took Ron's hand in her own. "Follow me," she whispered.
"But, present, 'Mioneeee," Ron grumbled.
Hermione stopped and turned around. Then she put a finger in front of Ron's mouth. "Shush," she said, "If you want your present you have to be quiet like a good boy."
Ron sighed then nodded as Hermione pulled him around the house and far into the garden where nobody would be able to see them from the window.
"Ron," Hermione said, coming to a stop. "I hope you like my gift."
Ron's eyes lightened up, "What is it 'Mione?" He pouted, desperately wanting his present.
Hermione gave him a coy smile before taking out a nicely wrapped present. Ron grabbed it and ferociously tore open the red wrapping paper with dancing house elves (with clothes on of course!) on it. His eager smile dropped upon reading the title of the book Hermione had gifted him. Be the best boyfriend possible: ten ways to keep your girlfriend happy.
"This is my gift?" he asked, feeling slightly irked.
Hermione nodded, "Yep! Isn't it amazing? I was wondering whether to give you this or Galvin Gudgeon from the chudley cannons autograph. I decided on this."
Ron's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "You're joking right? Autograph? You got me this and no autograph? I even got you a better gift than this!"
Hermione laughed. "Hold your horses Ron." She took out another gift. This time, it wasn't wrapped. It was a frame with a picture of the Chudley Cannons team. At the very bottom Galvin Gudgeon had signed it to Ron Weasley.
Ron smiled, and engulfed Hermione in a tight hug. "You're amazing, you are."
Hermione laughed, hugging him back.
"My gift?" she asked, playfully.
Ron grinned and took out a small box with a big red ribbon tied around it. "I didn't think you'd want me to wrap your gift. It wouldn't look so nice," he admitted.
Hermione laughed, and untied the ribbon. When she opened the box, she gasped. Inside was a beautiful expensive looking diamond bracelet.
Hermione looked at Ron and smiled, "Oh I love you Ron!"
Then she pressed her lips on his and gave him an excited kiss. Ron held Hermione tightly against him and kissed her back, tasting her strawberry flavoured lipgloss.
The rest of Christmas day passed quickly. George, Angelina and Molly spent most of the day in the living room, making wedding plans. Bill and Fleur went outside for a party. Charlie came around lunchtime and was talking about his job with Arthur. Harry and Ginny were nowhere to be found, presumably hidden somewhere doing things Ron would find inappropriate. And Hermione and Ron just sat in Ron's room, cuddling.
"The wedding is in two days," he said, his arm around Hermione. Her straightened hair felt soft against his skin.
"Yeah," Hermione said, smiling. "George and Angelina seem to be very happy about it."
"Obviously," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "They're in love."
Hermione giggled. "Do you think that'll be us one day?"
Ron nodded, "Definitely. I'm never letting you go now."
Hermione turned to face him and smiled. "I love you Ron," she whispered. Her eyelids closed as she leaned in and gave Ron a passionate kiss on the lips. Ron kissed her back even more feverishly. He stopped.
"Wait," he whispered, his breath tickling Hermione's ear.
He muttered a spell to protect the door from alohomora, and for extra precautions, he whispered another spell so nobody would be able to hear them.
Then he pressed his lips on Hermione's once more, pushing her on the bed so he was on top of her. They kissed like that for a while until Ron's lips trailed down her neck. He reached her collarbone and licked it gently before giving it a kiss as well. Hermione moaned.
"Ron," she whispered, feeling hot.
Ron unbuttoned Hermione's cardigan and dropped it beside the bed. She had on a tank top. Ron took off his own shirt and started to pull Hermione's tank top up before stopping and rolling off her.
"Ron?" she questioned.
Ron shook his head. "No," he said. "We can't."
Hermione smiled, grabbed his neck, and pulled him on top of her once more before pressing a hot kiss to his lips. "I love you Ron," she whispered. She was glad that he remembered the conversation they had when they first got together: They weren't to have sex this year.
But, Ron and Hermione both knew that the year was almost over. "New years?" Ron asked, rubbing Hermione's back.
Then, after giving it a second though, he shook his head. "No, we shouldn't make spur of the moment decisions. No sex before marriage."
She giggled and kissed his cheek. "I love you. Now hug me"
Ron nodded, holding her in his arms, "As you wish."
"I see you've been reading my book," she told him, "Rule number one is to listen to everything your girlfriend says."
Ron smirked. "You have to give me a reward now."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? What kind of reward are you expecting?"
He ran his fingers through her straightened, silky hair. "Say you love me again," he said.
"I told you I loved you twice in the last five minutes already," she said narrowing her eyes, "But, if you insist… I love you."
"I love you too," he told her happily.
This was truly a very merry Christmas.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm SOOO sorry. I promise you this story has not been abandoned. It took a while… a long while, but I got a chapter up, right? :) Just reminding you that I love you guys and I would never abandon you guys like this. You all are truly amazing. Thank you so much for sticking with me through all this time! And more reviews = more inspiration = faster, muuuuuuch faster chapters (promise). So please dooo review :D