December 24th, Ginny (Just so you know, the year is 1999)
Ginny smiled, amused, as she watched Hermione fight a loosing battle against he exhaustion. Her head nodding, Hermione struggled to remain conscious as she wrapped the book Becoming a Young Father for Ron. Her fingers moved slowly as she placed tape on the garish Candy cane paper.
Ginny lounged against her bed and sipped her Coco and watched the private show. Hermione's eyes closed and she drew a deep breath. Ginny giggled when the same eyelids opened several seconds later, only to blink slowly over and over.
Ginny decided to take pity on her friend. "Hermione!" She prompted loudly.
"What!" Hermione asked, jerking her head up. "What is it?"
A smile came again to Ginny's lips. "You were almost asleep again."
"I was?" Hermione asked. Then she laughed. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Well…." Ginny debated her choices. I could lie, Ginny thought, or I could tell the truth and say its fun to watch her. The latter choice could result badly. Hermione had been having some pretty nasty mood swings lately, but in the past week or so, they seem to have lightened. She decided to test her luck. "It's fun to see how long you can remain awake." She admitted.
"I'll remember when you are pregnant Gin." Hermione countered, smiling. "I now plan to laugh at you when you land face first in your lunch."
"You already beat me to that, remember?" Ginny asked, relived that Hermione had taken her comment the right way. Maybe I could ask about her father now Ginny pondered. She really wanted to know how Hermione was doing after not talking to her father for a month. She didn't even know if she had sent him a Christmas present. She decided not to test her luck any more.
"Oh…ya…I did!" Hermione laughed harder than ever. "Well," she said, picking he book from the ground and straightening up. "Let's go and join the rest of the family, shall we?" Placing her hand subconsciously on her stomach and stiffening a yawn, she exited the room. Her stomach did not look like much yet, more like she was bloated from her period. She was wearing her 'comfy' jeans already, though.
Ginny quickly ascended the stairs and hopped over the last two to land in the kitchen. Her mother looked up from the stove where she was stirring a pot of Vegetable soup. "Oh, hello Ginny. Where is Hermione?"
"She's-"
"I'm right here!" Hermione called as she stepped down the final steps.
Mrs. Weasley smiled at the girls. "Done wrapping presents?"
"Just finished Mum." Ginny responded.
Molly smiled again. "Wonderful." Beaming, she continued "If you could place it under the tree, that would be great. You can just stay in the living room after that. You won't be alone. Arthur is already in there, as well as Harry, Ron, Fred, George and Angelina. Charlie won't be arriving until tomorrow morning, but Bill, Fleur, Percy, Audrey and Molly should all be arriving within a half hour."
"No need to wait that long Mother." Came Percy's voice from the door. He walked into the kitchen, holding little Molly by the hand as she toddled along beside him. Audrey followed closely behind them holding a glass pan covered in tinfoil.
"Hello. Happy Christmas Eve." Percy said as he walked over to his mother, planting a kiss on her cheek.
"Hello honey! And a Happy Christmas Eve to you as well." Mrs. Weasley was all smiles tonight. Swooping down, she picked up her only grandchild and kissed her hair. "Now how's my little baby?" she asked.
"Goo Gannie." Molly chirruped.
"She is the sweetest little thing!" Mrs. Weasley cooed. "So smart too, talking so well at one-an-a-half.'' She cuddled Molly again. "Wanna help Gwanny make dinner?" she asked the toddler.
Little Molly nodded, her rusty brown curls bouncing.
Placing the little girl on the counter next to the stove, Mrs. Weasley began to instruct her granddaughter how to make a massive feast for your family.
Ginny walked up to her elder brother and gave him a brief hug while Hermione greeted Audrey and took the potatoes from her. After the greeting was completed, the entourage minus the toddler entered the living room.
As Ginny entered the Living room, a feeling of complete happiness enveloped her. Harry and Ron were playing Chess in front of a crackling fire next to the Christmas tree; Fred and Angelina were rolling on the couch at George's latest comment and her Father was fiddling with the family's old stereo, attempting to find any station playing Celesina Warbleck. The fire in the hearth was infusing the entire scene with a warmth that could not be manufactured otherwise, and its light was reflected in the bulbs on the Christmas tree. Presents were stacked merrily under the tree, the stack of hand-knitted sweaters glaringly apparent under a corner of the tree. There were twelve stockings hung on the chimney's mantle, waiting to be filled by Santa Claus. Love emanated from every aspect of the room. It was beautiful scene.
Ginny sat on the couch next to Angelina.
"Hi Ginny. Happy Christmas Eve." She said brightly.
"Hi Angelina. Happy Christmas Eve." Ginny replied. "How are you?"
"I'm good. Really good." She beamed back; her finger's twisting the engagement ring from George that resided on her finger.
Hermione plopped tiredly on the couch next to Ginny. "Where's the food?" She asked. "I'm starving."
"You know Mione, the two words that come out of your mouth most often than any other lately are starving and tired."
Hermione fixed Ginny with a bleary and annoyed stare. "Just give me the food." She griped.
Chuckling, Ginny reached in front of her and picked the bowl of chocolate off of the table. "Now, I'm not so sure that I should give you these." She teased. "What will the caffeine do to the baby? You could have a baby with 6 fingers on one hand."
"More to love." Hermione said. "Now, I am tired and am craving chocolate. The baby tells me what to crave, and the baby wants Chocolate Frogs. Give my baby what he or she is demanding." With that, Hermione tugged the bowl of chocolate out of Ginny's grasp.
I love Hermione Ginny thought as she watched her friend tear the wrappers off of the candy with gusto.
When Hermione was on her tenth Frog, Harry walked over and sat on Ginny's lap. She groaned. "You're crushing me." She complained. He kissed her.
"Does that make anything better?" he asked.
"Only a little bit." Ginny answered, giving him a kiss back.
"Oh, can you two get a room?" Ron asked.
"Look who's talking." Ginny countered. "I happen to be sitting next to your pregnant wife, Ron. I wonder who needs to get a room."
"Oh, shush up." Ron demanded, his ears tips tinged pink. Glancing at the table, he asked "Who at all of those Frogs?"
The residents of the couch laughed. "That would be the same pregnant woman we mentioned before." Fred answered.
"It looks like you have a big eater on your hands." George said.
"If you're lucky, it'll be twins." Fred added.
While the others laughed, Ron groaned. "Oh, god. It had better no be." He said, while Hermione paled.
"I would say that it most defiantly is." George added.
"No question about it." Fred announced. "And, if the little buggers are smart, they will look just like their ravishingly handsome uncles whose names are Fred and George."
"Well, if they do look like us, Fred, then we will know that they will have their mother's brainpower. If not, then we will be informed at an early age that they hold their father's lack of said power."
"Haha." Ron said. "Very funny."
"We're only stating the truth little bro." they said together.
"I finally found it!" Mr. Weasley announced.
"What?" Ginny asked.
"Celestina Warbleck." He said, triumphantly.
They all groaned.
Their attention was averted, however, by a flash of green light coming from the fireplace. A moment later, the eldest of the Weasley children appeared in the hearth.
"Bill!" Harry called, still parked on Ginny's knees, "Hi! Happy Christmas Eve!"
"Hello Harry. Hi everyone!"
As a chorus of 'hello's' and genial holiday wishes flowed towards Bill, another green flash appeared, and an eight-an-a-half month pregnant Fleur emerged from the fireplace.
As the fire returned to it's natural color, Fleur was greeted by the rest of the family.
"Ello everybody!" She cooed. "'Appy Creistmas Eve!"
"Do I hear Bill and Fleur?" Came Mrs. Weasley's voice from the kitchen.
"Yes you do dear!" Mr. Weasley called back. Several seconds later, little Molly came through the swinging door that lead to the kitchen. Smiling, she tottered through the room and hugged her Aunt and Uncle's legs.
"She es so cute Percy, Audrey." Fleur cooed. "'Ow are you 'ettle Molla?"
Molly just nodded, smiling.
"I do hope that our little Victorie will be as cute as your little Molly, Perc." Bill said.
"Thank you Bill." Audrey said, scooping her daughter into her arms.
"I really do mean it."
Molly's parent's smiled in return.
Ginny turned to Harry, who was now next to her on the couch, as their family continued to talk around them.
"How are you today?" She asked. "I feel like I have barely seen you."
"That would be because we have barely seen each other. I had practice today."
"I still can't believe that Otto has you practicing in December. On Christmas Eve none the less"
"Well, what else am I supposed to do all year when this is my job? Harry asked. "Besides, I think Otto feels that he needs to work us hard to earn our money."
"Touché." Ginny said. "So, how was your day?"
"Pretty good. Wallsmith managed to run into the goalpost." He said, chuckling.
"How does he do that?!" Ginny exclaimed.
"He looks at the ball while Keeping, and he is not aware of how close he is to the post, so he crashed into it."
"Was he okay?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, Nurse Peterson managed to fix him up alright pretty fast. He was back up in the air within twenty minutes."
Ginny shook her head in exasperation. "Wallsmith is going to kill himself one of these days. He nearly accomplishes the task nearly once a week. That boy is crazy."
"That is true. He's a great Quidditch player though."
"When he's sober."
"Touché."
They smiled at each other. Ginny slid onto Harry's lap.
"What do you want for Christmas little girl?" Harry muttered into Ginny's ear.
"Hmmm…" Ginny wondered as Harry began to nibble on her earlobe. "Lemme see…. How about…an amazing fiancé who also happens to be the next rising star on the English Quidditch team? Can you do that for me Santa?"
"I'll pull out all of the stops for such a beautiful woman. You can take Santa's word on that." Harry muttered.
Giggling, Ginny began to kiss Harry. Rubbing her back, Harry began to feel along the top of her jeans.
As Ginny began to run her hands through Harry's hair, Ron shouted "OY! There's a little kid in the room!" The couple surfaced.
"Get a room." Proclaimed Bill, smiling.
The other occupants of the room smiled at the joke, and then returned to their conversations.
Ginny turned back to her fiancé. "How much for a room in this joint?" She inquired.
Harry pursed his lips, thinking. "Hmmm…Our lives?" He asked.
"Just possibly." Ginny agreed. She gave him a peck on the lips.
"Pass me a Frog, will you?" She asked.
"Are you coming onto me in any way Weasley?"
"You are delusional Potter. Just pass me a Chocolate Frog."
"A guy can dream can't he?" Harry asked as he passed Ginny the half eaten bowl of Chocolate Frogs.
Ginny plucked on off of the top. She unwrapped it, and bit off the frog's head. Glancing at the card, she began to choke on the frog head.
"Ginny!" Harry yelled, thumping her on the back. The lump of chocolate went flying out of her mouth and landed on the table. She gasped for air. "Are you okay?" Harry asked anxiously.
Ginny began laughing. Harry stared. "What is it?" he asked as every occupant of the room stared at them.
"It…it's…" She was laughing so hard she could barely breath, none the less talk. "This!" She gasped, shoving the card in Harry's face.
He looked at it. "You are kidding me!" he exclaimed.
"What is it?" Fred asked.
Taking deep breaths, Ginny showed the Famous Wizard card to the room. Upon the card was Harry's likeness, staring at the room.
The room exploded into laughter.
"Read it! Read it!" They began to chant.
"No!" Harry said. "Don't! Just throw it in the fire."
Ginny glanced around the room. She walked over to the fire, stood upon the raised brick that held the fireplace off of the ground, and began to read.
Harry James Potter, June 31st 1980-
Harry James Potter is most famous for his defeat against the dark wizard that is famously known as Lord Voldemort, and for the Lightning bolt scar on his forehead. He was brought first into public view when he was one year old, after becoming the first person ever to survive the killing curse. He was raised by his muggle aunt and uncle after his parents, James Camden and Lilly Evens Potter, were murdered by Lord Voldemort. He is currently living with his friends of 8 years, Ronald Billius Weasley and Hermione Granger Weasley, his fiancé, Genivra Molly Potter and their family. At the moment, he is the Seeker on the English Quidditch team, after being the first first-year in 100 years to be chosen for a Hogwarts house team, and is expected to become an Auror within 10 years. Harry James Potter enjoys Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans and Quidditch.
The entire room was in stitches by the time Ginny was done reading. Harry, on the other hand, had his head buried in his hands. Ginny fell off of her podium, clutching her stomach.
Gasping for breath, Ginny looked at the card again. "I like the picture." She said, before laughing again.
"Lemme see." Ron said, laughing with everyone else. He glanced at the card. "Very nice," he said. "Very classy."
Harry groaned. "Burn it. Please."
"No." Ginny said. "I'm keeping it."
"Can I have it?" Ron asked. "Please? I mean, my name is on a Chocolate Frog card!"
"I has name on it too!" Ginny countered. "And it has my fiancé's name as well."
"Come on!" Ron whined. "That has to be a first edition card, and I still need Agrippa to complete my collection. I don't want to be looking for Agrippa and Potter."
"Stop arguing!" Percy demanded. "It's Christmas Eve. Do not spoil it with squabbling."
"Dinner!" Came Mrs. Weasley's voice from the kitchen.
Everybody in the room stood and began to head towards the kitchen. "Come on Molly." Bill said. "I'll race you to the kitchen!"
Molly nodded and took off waddling as fast as she could. Bill 'ran' slowly right behind her.
Ron turned to his slumbering wife. "Hermione. Wake up!"
"Mmmmmm."
"Hermione!" Ron said, reaching down and shaking her shoulder.
"Hm?" Hermione asked, jerking away from the chair she was leaning against. "What is it?"
"Dinner time."
"Great. I'm famished."
Ron and Hermione went to the room connected by the hands.
Ginny looked at Harry. "Come on. Let's go eat until we're in pain."
"That stupid card." He said, shaking his head.
"Oh, buck up." Ginny said. "You should have known it was only a matter of time."
"I suppose." He said.
Ginny replaced herself on the couch next to Harry. "Have a frog." She said. "The chocolate will make you feel better."
When Harry didn't reach for a Frog, Ginny picked one off of the pile and unwrapped it. "Here it comes!" she joked playfully, flying the still Frog in circles by Harry's face. He smiled.
"Open up." she demanded teasingly. He obliged, and she placed the entire Frog in his mouth. After he chewed and swallowed, he kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks." He muttered.
"Happy to help." She answered.
"Come on." He said, pulling Ginny off of him and getting off the couch. "We'd better get into the kitchen before they send out a search party to find us."
"I guess we should."
Standing up, she glanced at the Chocolate Frog card in her hand. She froze.
"What is it?" Harry asked her.
"Look!" She said. Holding up the card, the face of August Agrippa stared back at the pair of them.
This is one of my longest chapters ever! (2778 words! =D) I must say, I kind of like it. Not my favorite, but cute. The chapters never quite seem to be what I want, but oh well. I feel that I'm getting better. Actually, I know that I'm better than when I started. I hope you did not miss the fact that George and Angelina are engaged, and that it's been a month since the last chapter. I skipped a month for several reasons. The first being that not much was going to happen in November, the second being that I wanted to progress Mione's pregnancy and the third being that I wanted to get closer to Harry and Ginny's wedding. I do hope very much that you enjoyed the chappie! Please review- I worked on this chapter for probably six hours!