Opening presents on Christmas morning was now officially—a nightmare.

She and Draco had decided to go back to her place Christmas Eve, and sleep there—her body still too weak for anything more than sleep—but Draco didn't seem to mind at all. He just held her close and kissed her—told her she was the most beautiful witch he'd ever known as they fell asleep spooned together.

Now here they were, back at the Burrow as everyone opened presents. Hermione's pile was bigger than everyone else's, and she just stared at her gifts with a tinge of amusement mixed with horror.

It was enough to fill a small room.

There were books galore—some old, some new...one First Edition of Hogwarts a History from Narcissa, that had her squealing in delight as she grasped onto it for dear life—tears of wonder and gratitude streaming down her face, as the older witch watched with amused pride at how happy a simple book had made her Son's paramour.

They truly were very well suited.

Ron and Harry had gotten her tickets to see a concert in Muggle London next spring that she'd talked about wanting to attend. Her parents had gifted her with a beautiful Chopard watch with sapphires and an inscription on the back that said 'For our Hermione'...

She'd cried at that too.

Once all the other gifts were opened, Hermione just laughed at how much stuff she'd gotten. She didn't immediately realize that she hadn't gotten anything from Draco until several voices cleared and she glanced up at her love—who was grinning down at her playfully.

Then he knelt down on one knee, to the astonished gasps of everyone and Hermione felt her heart pull up into her throat as she stared at him in shocked wonder.

He cleared his voice several times, his back to their audience—before he spoke...

"I told you months ago on midsummer that I would show you how much I love you—Which I do and always will, from now until the end of time. You're stubborn, strong-willed, brave, kind and way too good for me." (A few chuckles and a couple 'here-here's' made Hermione smile) "This past year has shown me even more starkly, how utterly amazing and selfless you are. But love, I want to be the one to be there for you through better and worse. In sickness and in health. Through the good times and the bad. So if you'll have me and allow me to be that person for you and with you, then do me the greatest honor of accepting my hand. Marry me?"

Everyone was crying—there simply wasn't a dry eye in the Burrow and Hermione could only smile through her tears and reply emotively, "Yes."

Cheers, hoots and hollers we're drowned out by Draco kissing her and then he opened the box and her gasp of "holy shite" caused everyone to laugh uproariously.

For there, nestled in green velvet—was a stunning flawless emerald cut Burmese ruby of five carats surrounded by tiny pave green diamonds set within a goblin gold band.

It was stunning!

Draco placed the ring on the third finger of her left hand and watched with pride as it sized immediately to fit.

Then he kissed her breathless, until a few wolf whistles finally broke them apart.

His grin was blinding.

And as she looked around the room in wonder, Hermione noticed the sincere joy on everyone's faces—and her heart swelled with renewed love and hope for the future.

It was a very Merry Christmas indeed.