A/N: I'm so sorry that I took forever to post this chapter. I've been horrible with posting stuff lately. A lot of it is because I have had writer's block on my days off, though I've been writing anyway because that's what you're supposed to do. I've only been writing little stuff. I also went to Ireland last month and I got busy because of that. I tried to write something before I left, but I didn't have time sadly. It was a really good trip though, I'm glad we went. I think I'm finally happy with this chapter now. I hope it's not too bad. This is written for the "We're in a Relationship" competition, the Star Challenge (Christmas at the Burrow), the Harry Potter Chapter Competition, and possibly some others…Warning: This might be more suggestive than what I usually write, but I think T is still the right rating. Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. JK Rowling does.

Hermione spent the week leading up to Christmas at the Burrow. She almost didn't want to go, but the twins had talked her into going by promising they would be there as well.

Unfortunately, she didn't get to spend as much time with them as she would've liked to. Hermione hung out with Ginny most of the time, and Harry a little bit, but she carefully tried to avoid Ron. They would always have awkward silences whenever they were near each other. Fred and Hermione did get to sit next to each other at meal times, and that was the most they saw each other most of the time.

This made her happy though. Their arms and knees would casually bump into each other whenever they passed the dishes around, and every once in awhile they would hold hands underneath the table when they were certain that nobody would notice.

The first couple of times they held hands, Hermione blushed and she was certain that Ginny had raised a skeptical eyebrow at them. But Hermione played it cool, and Ginny thankfully didn't question her. She tried not to blush when they held hands again.

Christmas morning arrived, and Hermione got up when it was still dark out. The house was quiet when she slipped out of Ginny's room. She had decided that she wanted to surprise Fred since they hadn't been able to spend any time together since their first night there.

She slowly opened the twin's door and walked in quietly. George wasn't in the room then, but Fred was sleeping soundly. Hermione hesitated for a moment before bravely deciding to slip under the covers and snuggled up next to him. He looked so peaceful when he was sleeping, she thought as a smile played on her lips. She almost didn't want to ruin the moment, but she had to admit that she liked the idea of these stolen moments.

She leaned down and pressed her lips on his, and he stirred awake in surprise. "Hermione," he said in a shocked tone. His arms drifted toward her sides and he held her close. "What are you doing here? Not that I mind…"

"I just wanted to surprise you…and say Merry Christmas to my boyfriend," she said as she ran a hand through his hair.

He continued looking astounded at the fact that she was there. "Consider me surprised…this is very scandalous, especially for you," he pointed out.

Hermione blushed and looked away. "This was a terrible idea…I should just leave," she muttered as she started to get out of the bed.

Fred caught her hand and pulled her close to him again. "No, no… stay. At least for a few minutes. Please?" he gave her his most charming smile and she could feel herself being pulled toward him like a magnet.

"All right… for a few moments," she responded finally before snuggling against him again. She grinned when she looked up at him.

"What?" Fred asked curiously.

"Nothing, nothing," Hermione said quickly, knowing that Fred would tease her if she told him what was on her mind.

"You just had a thought about me," Fred whispered in a pleased tone. "I could see it in your eyes. Tell me, please."

Hermione sighed before moving closer to whisper in his ear. "Have I ever told you that you look incredibly sexy without a shirt on?" She rolled on top of him and ran her hands down his sides before kissing him deeply.

"No…you didn't," Fred replied teasingly. A gleam appeared in his eyes as he traced circles down her arm. "Do you have any other thoughts to share?" he asked hopefully.

She shook her head. "I can't think of anything right now," she murmured. "Are you going to kiss me now or what?"

He answered her by flipping her over so that he was now on top of her. Her heart sped up, and she could feel herself blushing.

"Don't mind if I do," he answered, before lowering his head to kiss her. The kiss had been soft and sweet like they usually were. But after a moment she started kissing him urgently. A hand went up her shirt and she couldn't help but shiver in contentment.

Fred groaned when he reluctantly pulled away. "Hermione…I don't have much control when we get like this,"

Hermione ignored him and ran a hand through his hair. "I love you," she muttered, softly placing kisses along his collarbone. "I'm in love with you…" she slowly placed kisses down his other shoulder.

"Can the others know about us yet?" Fred asked suddenly.

She froze mid kiss as she thought about her friend's reactions. She didn't want another round of that, but Hermione suddenly decided that Fred's happiness was more important. She swallowed nervously and nodded. "Yes. We can tell them today."

Fred's face lit up enthusiastically when she answered. "Really? You mean it?" he asked, looking like he could dare to believe it.

Hermione nodded. She couldn't trust herself to speak since she felt nervous, but she didn't have to. Fred had cupped both sides of her face and kissed her again for another moment. "I love you too… so much," he said as he wrapped his arms around her.

The door suddenly opened, and Hermione heard a gasp from the doorway. "FRED WEASLEY!"

Fred's eyes widened in fright and he quickly sprung out of bed. "MUM! How… how really corking to see you!" He stammered.

"Don't you give me that…everybody is downstairs, including George, and-" Mrs. Weasley looked shocked when she realized that Hermione had been in bed with him and shrieked his name again. "FRED WEASLEY! HERMIONE GRANGER!"

Hermione winced when her name was screeched in her high- pitched tone. She normally liked to remain on Mrs. Weasley's good terms.

"EXPLAIN YOURSELVES!"

When they didn't immediately answer, Mrs. Weasley started scolding Fred. "How dare- how dare you be in bed with a girl under our roof? You know better than that-"

"It was my fault," Hermione blurted out, causing Fred and his mother to look at her in surprise.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, my son ought to be ashamed of himself for taking advantage of you… you poor girl."

Hermione shook her head. "He didn't take advantage of me. He would never take advantage of me. Fred really is a gentleman. You should be proud of him…what you walked in on was completely innocent. But there is something that we have to tell you…everybody," she corrected herself when Fred gave her a look.

Mrs. Weasley looked startled, but she finally nodded. "Very well, dear. Bill and Charlie have just arrived. I suppose now is as good of a time as any."

She motioned them to follow her. Hermione swallowed, and Fred placed his hand in hers before kissing her cheek. "It'll be ok," he promised her. "I'm right here." She gave him a faint smile as they made their way to the living room.

Fred started to let go of her hand when they walked in, but Hermione held on at the last moment. "Everybody will know in a few moments," she muttered. "If they don't already," she added as she studied their stunned faces.

Mrs. Weasley's furious face turned to them once more. "Now that everybody is here… explain yourselves."

Hermione closed her eyes. She wished that Mrs. Weasley hadn't spoken like that… now everybody knew something was up for sure. Curiosity showed on their faces now, and she looked at Fred. He squeezed her hand lightly and she stepped forward.

"Hi everybody…Merry Christmas!" Hermione said softly, shrugging her shoulders feebly. She couldn't tell them first…she just couldn't.

Fred smiled at her, as if reading her thoughts before he finally speaking. "Hermione and I have something to say…we-"

"We're in a relationship," Hermione said, quickly getting the courage to take over. Ginny's eyes looked like they wanted to pop out of their sockets. Mrs. Weasley's tea cup broke and tea was now pouring down her shirt, but she took no notice. Mr. Weasley looked like he had no idea what was going on, and Bill and Charlie looked impressed. George gave her a thumbs up sign, and Harry smiled at her. Ron was the only one who was looking away.

"Yes," Fred said as he placed a kiss on Hermione's cheek. "We've been dating for about a year now. It just…happened."

"I know you all have mixed feelings about this," Hermione said as she studied their expressions. She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. "But I love him."

Fred gave her a special look as he glanced down at her. "And I love her," he answered, smiling broadly. "I hope everybody's all right with this. She's the best part of me… she really is. Hermione's my girlfriend," he announced proudly, as his smile grew even bigger.

Hermione laughed as she grinned back. She knew she would never forget the look he was giving her then. Tears started to form in her eyes. "Fred's my boyfriend," she said, chuckling as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She buried her head into his shoulder to hide her tears and he hugged her tightly.

"Oh!" Mrs. Weasley gasped again. This time it was a happy one. She quickly walked over to hug them. "I always knew that you would wound up with one of my boys," she said happily. "I just didn't expect it to be this one here," she said, tugging Fred's ear.

Fred winced as he whacked his mother's hand away. "Mum, please!" he said, as he pretended to look embarrassed.

"Just promise me that there won't be a repeat of what happened upstairs again here," she whispered sternly.

Hermione and Fred locked eyes, and she could tell that Fred had already found a way to work around that promise by the way the corners of his mouth tugged up mischievously. "We promise," he said.

"Absolutely," Hermione promised as the others joined them.

Ginny squealed as she hugged the two of them. "You have to tell me everything later!" she begged.

"I'll tell you some of it," Hermione answered as Fred gave her a startled look. Everybody congratulated them, and finally Ron was standing in front of her awkwardly.

"I've been a prat," he admitted finally.

"You think?" Fred and George answered together.

Hermione whacked Fred on the shoulder and shushed them. "It's ok, Ron," she told him, smiling at him.

Ron shook his head stubbornly. " I shouldn't have treated you like that. Fred clearly makes you happy. I'm sorry… for everything. I think it's ok if you two are together. As long as you don't snog in front of me too much," he added as Hermione beamed at him.

Fred looked like he wanted to say something, but Hermione beat him to it. "I promise," she answered as she hugged Ron tightly.

Ron patted her back awkwardly, but he gave her a real hug after a moment. "Let's not fight anymore," he muttered.

"Let's not," she answered as she pulled away to be pulled away by the twins.

"Well, Granger… I guess you're all right," George said, pretending to study her suspiciously. "Oh, who am I kidding? You had my approval a long time ago. That's right, I knew before everybody here… they didn't even tell me!"

"Oh, hush up before I tell everybody who you like," Fred said as he casually wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He kissed Hermione on the lips when nobody was looking. "Thanks for the best Christmas present ever," he told her.

"That was just one of your presents," Hermione said quickly. He gave her a quizzical look, so she whispered that she had a special evening planned for them. The stunned look he gave her made her chuckle and feel self conscious again.

"I'm giving you your present when we're alone again," he whispered. Hermione nodded before she stood on her toes to kiss him.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please leave a review! I hope the next chapter won't take ages to be written again.