Christmas was definitely in the air at the Burrow, but yet it lacked something.
"Ahh, if it isn't old Lover boy!" George called as he and Fred entered the room.
"Shut it." Ron mumbled, pretending to concentrate on his game of chess with Harry.
"Something doesn't seem right, don't you think, George?" Fred noted, grabbing an apple from the bowl of fruit.
"Yes, this house is missing something, Fred." George agreed.
"Where's Hermione?" Fred, said, taking a bite of his apple and mumbling through a full mouth, "I miss 'er."
Ron merely turned red and said nothing.
"What?" George said with a mock gasp. "And how could you possibly miss her?"
"Well, her bossy tone of voice…" Fred started.
"Oh, yes, that's a great way to get people out of the house." George said fairly.
"Her fun-sucking attitude…"
"Always a good thing to have…"
"Her controlling ways…"
"Good to get parties started…"
"How all she wants to do is read books…"
"Yes, because that's what everyone likes to do…."
"Her neat freak and organization habits…"
"It's like having your own personal maid!"
"The way she tells me off when I'm doing something wrong…"
"Oh, yes, because even though she's younger than you she thinks that she has control over you, and that you'll actually listen…"
"Hey, come off it, guys!" Ron yelled.
"Hey, haven't you noticed all these things are compliments! Oh, wait, wait, I'm not done!" Fred said, taking another bite of his apple. "There are just so many characteristics that I love about Hermione! How about when she get's mad at you, she has the uncanny ability to look and sound like Mum?"
"Oh, yes," George began, "That's always a crowd-pleaser."
"Here's one of my favorites," Fred said excitedly. "The way she hopelessly and desperately tries to flirt with Ron."
"Oh, that's more entertaining than a Quidditch game." George said with a mischievous grin.
"That's enough!" Ron said, who had gotten out of his chair, stood up to full height (which was taller than Fred and George) and had taken out his wand, holding it to Fred's chest.
Harry was looking from Ron to Fred, George had started laughing.
"You wouldn't dare, Ron." Fred said with a smile. "You'd get expelled."
"Oh, you better watch your backs, because in a few months time, these things won't unnotice." Ron growled.
"Yes, but until then…Whoops!" George exclaimed as he levitated Ron's wand into his own hands. "We have the use of wands, you don't. Actually, we have you're wand too."
"Then I'll fight you by hand." Ron said bravely.
"Guys, is this really a big deal?" Harry said fairly.
Fred and George burst out laughing. "You may be taller than us, Ron, but we're stronger. And there are two of us." Fred said.
"Does it matter?" Ron scoffed, putting his arms out. "C'mon, whenever you're ready."
Fred and George exchanged glances. "As much as I might enjoy it, Ronald, we really don't want to hit you." George confessed.
"Yeah, put your arms down, you look like a deranged tiger." Fred said.
"Honestly, we do understand what you're going through…" George said.
"And we just thought the best way to get you through it would be through laughter." Fred said.
"But we're here for you, mate." George said. "And honestly, Hermione will come around. Because who wouldn't like you?"
"Well, that's if she doesn't hook up with me first." Fred boasted. Ron shot him a dirty look. "Kidding, kidding. You called dibs first. Smart boy, you are. I mean, after all these years, who actually thought Hermione would turn out kinda hot?"
It was Christmas Eve, and the Weasleys were all sitting together, laughing, talking, and doing whatever else made them happy. Harry was talking with Mr. Weasley and Lupin, Mrs. Weasley was tuning the Wizarding Wireless Network, Bill and Fleur were flirting, George and Ginny were playing Exploding Snap, and Ron stood alone. Ron went over to talk to Fred, who seemed to being doing something secretive and not just watching George and Ginny like he pretended.
"Hey." Ron said, sitting in the seat nearest to him. Fred was sprawled on ground, writing on a piece of parchment.
"What's up, my brotha?" Fred said.
"Nothing really." He shrugged. "What are you up to?"
"Writing." He said simply.
"Writing what?" He asked curiously.
"Christmas love letter." He said without a hint of embarrassment.
"To who?" Ron laughed.
"Angelina Johnson." He replied.
"I thought you two broke up last year?" Ron noted.
"We did." Fred said.
"Then why are you writing her a love letter?" Ron said.
"Bored. Single. I want her back." Fred said airly.
"Wait! So, just because you're free, you're going to call on any girl you remember and hope she'll take you back?" Ron exclaimed.
"Pretty much, yeah." Fred said, grinning. "When you're someone like me, you have the power to do that."
"And, you're not afraid of embarrassing yourself? You're not afraid she's gonna laugh?" Ron said hysterically.
"Ron, Angelina and I broke up because she said I was 'too immature'. I don't even know what she's talking about. But this letter, oh it's deep. Yes, half of it is fluff and phony, but it's deep. She'll be over the moon when she reads it." Fred explained.
"You should try it, Ron." George suggested. "I bet Hermione will be all over you after she reads a letter of your feelings. And enclose a little Christmas present, that'd be cute. HA! I GOT YOU!" He yelled suddenly at Ginny when the cards exploded.
"I dunno…" Ron said.
"Oh, c'mon, Ron! Where's you're sense of fun!? Get in the holiday spirit! And if you don't give her, a present, I bet the number of presents she'll receive is zero." George said convincingly.
"Just make it short and sweet. Not too lovey-dovey, or it will scare her. She's still on the fence about you. At least Angelina and I are good friends." Fred reminded him.
"Oh, al right." Ron sighed.
"Yay!" Fred, George, and Ginny screamed.
Ron laughed nervously before walking out. "Hey, I'm going to need a copy of this personal letter before you send it! It was my idea, you know! You owe me one!" George called after him.
"No, I started it by writing one to Angelina!" Fred argued.
"HA HA! I beat you this time, George!" Ginny cheered triumphantly.
Dear Hermione,
Just wanted to spread you a little bit of the Christmas spirit! I know you hate me, but I'm not that kind of person to hold grudges…well, okay, I am, but maybe I've taken a route. It is the season of forgiveness, anyway! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Ron
Attached it was a single chocolate frog. Just a small token of his love in a casual, deceiving way.
Surprisingly, he got a response the next day, on Christmas.
Dear Ron,
Merry Christmas to you too! And I really don't deserve anything from you, which was so kind. I don't know how I know this, it just came to me as I was eating your chocolate frog (which was delicious, by the way) and the car I got was Bertie Bott. Don't ask me how I know, but I just had a feeling you hadn't added it to your collection. So, here's to you, in hope that some day you'll collect them all.
Merry Christmas,
Hermione
Yes, Hermione was right. Ron was missing Bertie Bott. If she really didn't remember him, how would she have known? Ron smiled before pocketed the Bertie Bott card. Maybe Fred had failed most his O.W.L.s, but he definitely deserved an O in girl advice.
