Chapter 12

"Present time!" Sirius sang as we all walked upstairs to our own rooms. Christmas in the magical world was a lot different than in the Muggle world.

As I walked into my room I reached for my pile. I had gotten lots of books, some about magical defense and others about healing. I had gotten my Weasley sweater; it was pink with an H in the middle. I quickly put it on and continued with my gift. I had gotten Mr. Weasley a muggle camera and he had been excitedly taking pictures this whole time, going on about how peculiar it was that they didn't move. I had gotten sweets, make up, and a lovely scarf. Once I had finished unwrapping my gifts I quickly went back downstairs. Mr. Weasley made us all get together and take different group photos in our matching sweaters and hair color. The funniest part though was when Harry came downstairs carrying a toilet seat.

"Fred, George…?" Harry had questioned. We all burst out laughing. "Why?"

"We tried to give you one-" George started.

"-in your first year-" Fred continued.

"-It's the Hogwarts toilet seat-"

"-That Madam Pomfry confiscated." They finished together. Harry burst out laughing, remembering when Dumbledore had told him that. All and all we had a great Christmas morning.

Ron, I could tell, was still angry but was hiding it pretty well. I guess you could hide anything when shoving candies down your throat. Soon I decided to go and get dressed, so I walked upstairs to my room. After fifteen minutes in the shower, I got out and walked into my closet. I quickly grabbed a pair of jeans, black ballet flats and a red tank top. When I had showered I changed my hair back to its original chocolate brown. I pulled on my clothes and new sweater and quickly put my hair in a low side pony tail.

"How do I look?" I asked Rowena.

"You look lovely dear. What did you get your loved one for the holidays?" She asked me. I went under my bed and grabbed his present.

"I actually got him several things. I got him a whole bunch of different muggle candies and drinks, along with a muggle invention." I explained to her. I had gotten Fred a cell phone. Having had two parents that where dentists for most of my life, we had plenty of money. "This invention's called a cell phone. Have you ever heard of a telephone?" She shook her head. I then explained what a telephone was as well as a cell phone. This would be practice for explaining it to Fred.

"That's brilliant!" Rowena exclaimed. "Muggles these days!" I nodded my head and told her I would be back later and headed over to Fred's room with my gifts. I made sure the coast was clear and I knocked on the door and it turned out we didn't have the alarms on our doors! In my excitement I burst through the door unannounced. Fred turned around very quickly and covered up his shock well. He had a towel wrapped around his waist. I could feel my blush rising fast and I stammered out an apology.

"It's okay, love. I could let go of the towel if you want." He said with a wink. I blushed even more.

"No no I'm okay." I said quickly. "I'm just going to wait out here in the hallway."

"Nah, just stay in here, I'll go change in the bathroom." I nodded my head as he walked towards the bathroom. I sat down on his bed and waited. The moment I sat down the bed started slowly swinging. Oh God. I almost saw Fred naked! I blushed just thinking about it. He came back in a few minutes later wearing trousers and a nice blue button up shirt.

"Where are you going looking that handsome?" I asked.

"I am taking my girlfriend up for a nice Christmas dinner. I hope you don't mind, but I sorta told Ginny and George about us. So they could cover." He said with a breath taking smile.

"It's okay. I figured we'd at least tell them. And up?"

"We are going up to a special room I set up for us." He said smiling mischievously

"Should I change my clothes?" I asked.

"You look stunning, you don't need to change." I smiled at this and grabbed Fred's hand. He smiled when my hand touched his and pulled me down the hall, putting his finger to his lip, silencing me. He led me to up the stairs and past the adults floor to a fourth floor that I was unaware of. He let go of my hand and walked to the first door by the stairs. I walked up to him and he bowed and opened the door. I tried not to laugh at his antics and stepped inside. The inside looked fantastic. It was decorated in Christmas colors everywhere and one side of the room there was a fire place and sofas and the other side had a table set for two. The table had a candle in the middle. Silver glitter was everywhere and also another Christmas tree with presents under it. I put Fred's presents under the tree as well.

Fred grabbed my hand and led me over to the table.

~Fred's POV~

I had had George and Ginny help me set up a special room for Hermione and I for Christmas. I had set up the room in reds and greens, with an area by the fire for us to relax, a Christmas tree, and a table for two. I led her over to the table and held out a chair for her, she smiled up at me and sat down. As I walked around to my seat, I wondered why I was so nervous.

"This is wonderful Fred." Hermione said with a huge smile on her face. I relaxed a bit when she said that. "Did you cook this? It's great."

"I did, spaghetti is one of my finest I must say. Thank you." I said with a grin. We ate the meal with lots of conversation and laughs. Soon after we finished we walked on over to the sofa to relax.

"Accio presents." I heard Hermione say.

"Someone's impatient huh?" I said laughing.

"Definitely. Open mine first." There were a few presents in my pile. Thank god I thought to get her more than one gift. I thought, as I grabbed the first gift. I ripped off the paper and saw…I don't know what I saw. Hermione saw the expression on my face and laughed.

"These, are different types of muggle candy for you to try. This is called Gum." Hermione then went on to explain what gum was and all the other candies. Some of them were really weird. One was called Butterfingers but it wasn't a finger, or even shaped like one. I got lots of other candies such as Gummy Bears, Crunch bars and more. Finally I tried Nutella. My taste buds where in heaven.

"I have one more gift for you." She said, biting her lip. She grabbed the other gift and handed it to me. I opened the last gift she handed me and pulled out an awkward metal device. I looked over at Hermione and she laughed.

"Fred this is called a cell phone, it's a muggle device used to reach people with. It's much faster than owls. I've decided that along with S.P.E.W , I'd work on modernizing Hogwarts, as well as getting rid of Voldermort of course. Nothing can get done until he's go-" I cut her off with a kiss.

"You're rambling." I laughed. She then explained how to use it.

"And my number is already programmed into it, as well as the spell to make it work around so much magic.

~Hermione's POV~

He quickly kissed me, giving me a smile that was heart melting. "Your turn." He said nervously. he handed me two packages. "You have to open this one first." I unwrapped it to find a book, except the cover was blank. I looked at Fred questioningly.

"A diary?" I giggled.

"No silly, open it." I opened the book and in the middle the blank pages were cut up to leave a hollow space for a beautiful necklace and bracelet. "The necklace, when you open it, plays the lullaby and has a picture of us from the ball." He said.

"Thank you it's so beautiful." The picture of us was breathtaking. Both of us were looking at each other, him looking down, and me looking up.

"Don't forget the bracelet. Which also goes with this." Fred passed me the other present, and when I opened it up it was the same book as before, but empty. The bracelet though had tiny charms of books. Fred walked up to me and uttered a spell. One of the books enlarged and fell in my lap. I gasped. When I opened it, it was a photo album from the lake.

"Are the rest of the book charms photo albums?" He nodded.

"Except it's now your job to fill them up." He said with a big smile. "And this book, is empty because, I know how much you like reading, so I figured, maybe it's time for you to try writing." I looked up at him happily. I grabbed his shirt and pulled his lips down to mine. The kiss was long and sweet and when I pulled away Fred had a huge smile on his face.

"I love it!" I exclaimed.

~Hermione's POV~

The next few days of vacation were fun, except that Harry was having nightmares as well, again. I had hoped they would go away for a while but they were back. Luckily Ginny took care of him. I spent the last couple of days sneaking around with Fred, hanging with everyone and reading. It was noon when I walked into the living room and sat next to Ron with Sirius, Ginny and Harry. We had finally been allowed to leave the house but not many of us bothered. The twins though, were setting up their shop, secretly. When I sat next to Ron, he seemed to have gotten over whatever was wrong and scooted closer to me. Wha..? I thought. I was about to scoot away when he put his arm around me. I quickly stood up and asked Mrs. Weasley if she needed help.

"No, dear, it's alright." She replied. I was saved from going back to Ron when the Remus and Tonks came out of the floo.

"Remus, Tonks!" We all exclaimed, exchanging hugs.

"Wotcher, what do you say to a girl's day out?" Tonks asked. I think she wanted to take us out of the house so Remus and Sirius could talk to Harry. Mrs. Weasley politely declined and Ginny and I went upstairs to get ready. I walked into my room and went straight to my closet, saying hello to Rowena. I grabbed a pair of jeans, trainers and threw on a comfortable t shirt. When I looked down to see which one it was I realized it was Freds Weird Sisters t-shirt. I laughed as I remembered how I got it.

Flashback

"Fred, George! Can you please hurry up, I want to play quidditch!" Ginny yelled from the bottom of the staircase. Ginny continued saying something else but my mind was lost as Fred's lips continued their assault on mine. I detached myself from him to try and speak when his lips moved to my neck. I could feel my knees going weak.

"Fred, we have to s-stop, G-Ginnys calling you." I managed to stammer out. Reluctantly Fred pulled away. I looked into his blue eyes and smiled.

"Whatever you say, love." He winked. I followed him into the study he and George shared. Fred quickly grabbed his broom and we made to leave when it happened, all of a sudden one of the cauldrons they were working on erupted. Fred quickly grabbed me to pull me out of the way but it was no use. The liquid hit my back and I could feel it eating up my shirt.

"Fred!"I said as I panicked knowing full well that once my shirt was gone I'd be left only in my bra and jeans. The bottom half of my shirt was now gone.

Fred, having sensed this too, hurriedly left the room. When he came back he handed me a t shirt. I put it on quickly.

"I'm really sorry, Mione. I don't know what happened, but if it makes you feel better, you looked bloody fantastic even with the potion all over you." He said with a wink. I hit his shoulder laughing, trying not to be embarrassed about what he probably had seen. I looked down at the t shirt I was now wearing, The Weird Sisters.

End of Flashback

I then added a bunch of necklaces. I already had my makeup done so that was all I needed. Right then I felt a vibration.

Hello, love. Fred wrote. I laughed quietly. He had definitely gotten used to this whole texting thing. I should show this to everyone else. I thought.

Hello stranger.I wrote back. I put my phone in my back pocket as I grabbed my jacket and walked downstairs. The three of us decided to go to Diagon Alley and shop around. When we got there majority had ruled and we decided to go look at some clothes.

How are you?

I'm well, just shopping with Tonks and Ginny here in Diagon Alley.I replied to Fred. As we walked into the shop I looked down at my necklace. It was so beautiful and thoughtful. I opened it and listened to the magical tune.

"Hermione, C'mon you've got to see these dresses!" I heard Ginny say. It was surprising to see Tonks acting so…girly. Looking at dresses with Ginny and I and trying on shoes. I'm pretty sure she enjoyed herself, since her hair changed colors every few minutes.

Come sneak on over here ;) Fred texted back. I laughed and rolled my eyes. I knew Ginny would cover for me, but would it be so horrible if Tonks knew as well? I pocketed my phone and walked back over to Ginny.

"Hey would it be alright if I went to go see Fred for a while?" I asked.

"Since when have you been friends with Fred?" Tonks asked curiously. I bit my lip.

"Since. Before I was dating him." I said with a smile. Her eyes got big and then she laughed. "Why are you laughing?" I asked perplexed.

"Well, I'm definitely not too surprised! Opposites do attract. Does everyone else know?" I faltered a little at this.

"No...Cause, everyone expects me to be with Ron!" I said, exasperated. "This whole, Golden Trio thing! And now, since it can't be Harry and I, then I'm obviously with Ron! The nerve of that Skeeter woman!" I said in one big breathe, I hadn't meant for all that to come out, but nevertheless it did, though Ginny and Tonks didn't seem surprised.

"I know what you mean Hermione," Ginny started, "I think Ron believes it though, that you two are supposed to be together." I growled a little. I felt my phone vibrate but ignored it for the moment.

"Yeah, that was evident by his arm being around me this morning." I glared at nothing in particular. "Well, I'm going to head on over to the twins." Everybody knew about the shop that they had bought it, but not that they were setting up. Mrs. Weasley thought they were with Lee, but we all knew better. "See ya in a few, or I'll just meet you back home." When I got outside I reached for my phone. One missed call: Mum. I quickly pressed redial and waited for her to pick up.

"Hello darling." I heard her say.

"Hello mum is everything okay?...Are you okay?" I asked. I heard her sigh before she continued.

"I'm holding up as best as I can. Listen sweetie, we need to have a funeral, for your father, I feel absolutely horrible for putting it off this long." I sucked in a breath, and let it out.

"When?" I whispered as I walked closer to the corner.

"I decided to have it the day after tomorrow, two days before New Year's Eve…I thought it would be a good idea, not to have to start the New Year off with his funeral. All friends and family have been notified and I arranged everything. I just had to make sure you knew." She said sadly. A tear escaped from the corner of my eye.

"Alright mum," I said. She gave me the rest of the details and our conversation ended. I had hoped to go see Fred in a good mood, but I guess not. I quietly walked into the shop. Both the twins had their back to me so I took out my phone.

Freeeeeed?I texted. George knew about his phone and had also gotten one, going on and on about how much better it was then an owl.

Yes, Mione?

Turn around.When he turned around I ran into his arms wrapping my legs around his waist. He laughed as he hugged me.

"Well hello there." He said as he sat me down. Right then though his eyes squinted like he was scrutinizing me. "What's wro-"

"What. No super hug for me?" I looked over at George and smiled, thankful that he had cut Fred off.

"Nope," I said as I walked over to the counter and jumped up on it. "Only Fred gets those hugs, and maybe Harry if he did something really wicked." George pouted a little and turned back to his work. I looked at Fred and he walked over to me. He nestled himself between my legs and I wrapped my hands around his neck. He leaned down to whisper in my ear.

"What's wrong?" He whispered.

"My mum called." I said as he looked into my eyes. He leaned his forehead against mine.

"And she said?"

I looked away. "She said my dad's funeral is going to be the day after tomorrow." I said sadly. I didn't know I was crying until Fred brushed one of my tears away. I dug my face into the crook of his shoulder and sighed heavily. I sniffled one last time and looked back up at Fred. He gave me a smile and pulled me off the counter.

"C'mon, we are gunna go hang out with Harry, just the three of us and see if we can cheer you up. " I stopped him

"No we can't!" I said quickly. He gave me a strange look.

"Ron's been a little…touchy lately. If we exclude him he might get angry."

"What Ron doesn't know won't hurt him. I'll just call Harry."

"Harry has a phone?" I asked. I don't have his number. I thought angrily.

"Almost all of us do!" He said with a smile. I raised my eyebrow. "Well, they are so wicked…It's only us kids though. Mum and Dad and all of them don't have one. I've been thinking about telling the order about them, as a new way of communicating, definitely something Voldemort wouldn't think of I bet." I stopped short.

"That's bloody brilliant!" I blurted out. Fred laughed at me and we took the floo back to the burrow.

~HG HG HG~

~Fred's POV~

I talked to Remus and had him invite the order over that night. Telling him it was something that ALL of us needed to be included in. Including the 'kids.' He hesitated but did as I asked. As we all gathered in the living room, all that was left to wait for was Dumbledore. We all turned our heads as Dumbledore came in.

"Alright, let us get down to business shall we? Now, Severus has been excluded in this for reasons unknown. Would you like to explain yourself Mr. Weasley?" Everyone knew he was talking about me but I couldn't help but glance at my dad. I cleared my throat.

"Care to start us off, Mione?" I asked. She nodded her head and got up.

"Alright well most of you were born and raised in the magical world, but in the muggle world, we have these things called telephones." Everyone nodded their heads, having seen or used a telephone before. "Well muggles have invented a portable version of telephones, called cell phones." Hermione took out her phone and dialed a number. My phone rang loud and clear for everyone to hear. I picked it up and Mione and I started a conversation.

"But how did you get those to work here? Certain muggle technology doesn't work around so much magic." Dad said, I could hear the excitement in his voice.

"A spell, ahem, in the restricted section." She blushed a little, looking over at McGonagall and Dumbledore. They didn't seem upset. "And this is where Fred comes in." She nodded her head towards me and beckoned me over.

"Yes see, most of the Death Eaters are Pureblood or half blood. None of them were raised in the muggle world, so they know nothing about their world or their technologies. We could use these," I held up the cell phone, "To help The Order secretly communicate. We could use several muggle inventions to help The Order." I looked over at Hermione and swore she was trying to keep from hugging me, I tried hard not to smile at her.