A/N: Hello my darling readers, how are you all? I just wanted to drop a quick note to say thank you so much for continuing to read this story, I appreciate it so much. On a side note, I've had quite a few reviews in the last few weeks talking about how Hermione is a horrible person because she was so mean to Ron. I just want to say that that's not how I wrote this story at all, Hermione let Ron use her as a punching bag when everybody else wanted to beat his ass because he's one of her best friends. She was happy to take anything he threw at her because she knew that he needed someone to blame. She loves Ron and desperately wants him to come home and be okay again. Anyways, I just wanted to clear that up for my own peace of mind. Now that I've said it, though, you're all entitled to your opinions and I appreciate any and all feedback.
I love you guys! Hope you're having fantasmical days or weeks or whatever, and I'll have a new update for you on Sunday night.
-Em
Day 216
The following Saturday, Ginny and Hermione organized a family meeting to discuss what to get Molly and Arthur for Christmas. Fleur had been sweet enough to offer up Shell Cottage for the evening, since the flat above the shop wasn't really big enough for all of them and Grimmauld Place was still in a state of chaos from all the renovating and redecorating.
To keep Fleur from getting too overworked, Ginny and Hermione had volunteered to bring supper over themselves.
"I could 'ave made supper myself," she complained when Hermione arrived.
"Most people enjoy having someone else make them supper," Hermione shot back. "Where's Ginny?"
"In ze ozer room. She is trying to 'elp Bill change Teddy's nappy."
"And you didn't want to watch that?" Hermione laughed.
"I prefer to zink zat ee is perfectly competent," Fleur wrinkled her nose. "It 'elps my own nerves."
"Understandably. How is the baby?"
"She is wonderful," Fleur smiled, resting a hand on her small bump.
"She?"
"Well, one can only 'ope," she shrugged.
"Oh good, you're here!" Ginny joined them. "Where are Fred and George?"
"On their way," Hermione waved vaguely towards the fireplace. "They had to close up first, Verity had the day off."
"Why don't we get ze table set, zen?" Fleur suggested. "Zat way we can eat right away when zey arrive."
"Good idea," Ginny nodded. "I'll take the plates, Hermione can bring the food. Fleur can go sit down."
"If one more person tells me to sit," Fleur fumed at her sister-in-law, "I will 'ex zem!"
"I doubt you'll be saying that in a few months," Hermione mused. "Why don't you grab the silverware?"
This suggestion didn't seem to put Fleur in a better mood, but at least she wasn't waving her wand around, threatening everything that moved.
When Fred and George finally arrived, everyone rushed to the table and dug into the steak and kidney pies Hermione had made. It wasn't until they were sitting around with dessert that they finally broached the subject of presents.
"Focus!" Hermione smacked George as everyone spoke at once, offering suggestions.
"Hey, they're all yelling too!" he cried.
"Yes, but you're yelling in my ear and you're being ridiculous. We're not getting them another flying car."
"Why not!?" Fred asked. "That car was brilliant, it was- at least until Harry crashed it."
"Oi, Ron was there too!" he argued.
"How about a regular car?" Charlie offered, his head floating in the fireplace beside the table.
It was rather odd, Hermione thought, having a conversation with a floating head, but she had to admit that she was happy to see him.
"What are they going to do with a car?" Ginny rolled her eyes. "They only used it to take us into London to get the train, now we've all graduated."
"Maybe Mum would like to take it into town," George suggested.
"Have you met Mum?" his sister scoffed. "She hated the last car!"
"No cars!" Hermione's voice rose above the others.
"What about a truck?" Charlie suggested.
"Charles Weasley, I will extinguish you," she threatened.
"No need to get mean about it," he pouted.
"What about a computer?" Harry suggested. "I bet Dad would love that."
"Forget it!" Fred shook his head. "It'd be a nightmare!"
"He's right," Ginny nodded. "Do you want to spend the next ten years teaching him how to use it?"
"Right," Harry nodded. "Nevermind."
It had been so long since they'd had a good family argument, without vicious insults or violence, Hermione had almost forgotten how lovely they could be- despite being utterly infuriating.
"We're not giving them a dragon!" she yelled at Charlie. "Honestly!"
"Yeah," Fred nodded. "If we can't have a dragon, no one can."
"And thank Merlin for that," Ginny nodded. "No, no Teddy, don't touch the fire!"
Fred reached out and grabbed the boy before he could try and grab Uncle Charlie's hair and turned him around.
"What if we give zem anozer trip?" Fleur suggested. "Zey enjoyed zat weekend away, n'est pas?"
"I think Fleur might be onto something," Bill agreed. "I mean, their 30th anniversary is almost here, and they've still never had a honeymoon."
"That can't be true," Charlie frowned.
"It is! They got married just before the war started and then it was nothing but fighting and children."
"I think he's right," Ginny nodded. "I mean, after they started having us, it wasn't like there was money laying around for trips."
"So a honeymoon," Hermione smiled. "Christmas meets anniversary gift?"
"I zink zat is a wonderful idea," Fleur smiled. "Everyone deserves a 'oneymoon."
"Here, here!" Bill grinned.
"Alright, the rest of us don't need to know mate," Fred cringed.
"Yeah, we already know you knocked her up," George agreed.
"Do you want to go there?" Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Neither one of you is exactly virginal."
"Alright!" Charlie cringed. "Where are we gonna send them?"
"What about Paris?" Ginny suggested. "Doesn't everyone want to go to Paris?"
"Paris is lovely," Hermione agreed.
"Zey 'ave been to Paris," Fleur reminded them. "Before Bill and I were married."
"There's no rule that they can't go back," Fred reasoned. "Isn't it a big city?"
"Of course," Fleur nodded. "But zere are far more lovely places to visit in France. Like Marseille, or Provence- oh! Zey would love Provence!"
"Can I just point out that there are other places in the world besides France?" Charlie said. "Like Romania."
"They've already been to Romania," Fred rolled his eyes. "There can't be that much to look at."
"Romania is a beautiful place!"
"Of course it is, love," Hermione said patronizingly. "Now, what about Italy?"
"Oh, Mum's always wanted to go to Italy!" Ginny gushed.
"I think we have a winner then," Bill smiled.
"Perhaps we should narrow it down," Harry frowned. "If I recall correctly, Italy is a rather large country."
"It's not that big," Hermione scoffed. "But you're probably right."
"Nice of you to acknowledge it for once."
"Why don't I do some research and zen we can decide?" Fleur suggested. "Seeing as you're all very concerned zat I'm working too much."
"I think that's a great idea!" Bill smiled.
"Right, we'll leave this in Fleur's very capable hands then," Charlie summed up. "Let us know what you decide darling."
Before Hermione could argue that Charlie couldn't just leave the entire decision in Fleur's hand, he had blown his sister-in-law a kiss and disappeared from the fire.
"You can send him a howler later," Fred consoled her, noticing the annoyed look on her face.
"I might just do that," she perked up.
