Ch. 4 - Christmas Eve
"Mommy, are you done yet???" Charles looked up at Hermione and smiled broadly.
"No, Charles. Dinner just started ten minutes ago. I haven't even gotten a chance to eat my potato. Now, please, sit still and behave yourself. Santa isn't going to come until you are asleep." Hermione grinned at her son then went back to eating.
"Daddy, now are you done?" Harry looked up at his father and grinned a big toothy grin.
"Did you not just here what your mother said? Santa isn't going to come now, so eat your food and be a good boy." Ron rolled his eyes in after catching Hermione's glance towards him.
"So, Katie, I was wondering. When is the wedding between you and George?" Hermione glanced over at Katie who was talking in low whispers with George.
"We're not quite sure yet." Katie turned a light shade of pink then went back to talking to George.
Hermione snuck a peek at Angelina who looked up and their eyes met, Hermione mouthed the words, 'Why is she being so quiet?'
Angelina mouthed back, 'I have no idea. She isn't usually like this.' Hermione just shrugged it off.
~*~
After the meal, which ended a good deal sooner then it should have, but two certain little boys really wanted to see Santa, everyone was seated in the den, except Ron who was putting the children into bed and Fred, who had gone upstairs for awhile. Molly and Arthur had gone to a special play featuring one of Arthur's co-workers.
Ginny and Hermione were chatting when Ron entered the room and sat down next to his wife, grinning, as usual. Harry turned to Ginny as he entered.
"I left something really important at the office, care to assist me?" Harry stood from the chair he was seated in and stuck his hand out to help Ginny up, but Ginny just looked up at him.
"That's okay, I'll wait for you to come back." Ginny smiled smugly at her husband then caught a giggle from Hermione.
"Oh, c'mon, Gin. Do you really want me out in the cold alone on Christmas Eve?" Harry's hand still lingered for Ginny's.
"You're a big boy, Harry. You'll be fine." Ginny smiled sweetly at her husband again. Fred stifled a laugh from behind them as he came down the stairs. Ron couldn't conceal his laughter and cracked up.
"And what, may I ask, is so funny, Ronald Arthur Weasley?" Hermione turned to her husband.
Fred gave his brother one of those 'You're in trouble, you got the full-name punishment' look.
"Nothing. nothing." Ron was still laughing. Fred joined in.
"Ginny, please?" Harry smiled at Ginny, who couldn't conceal her giggles anymore.
"Fine, Harry. But, I will never let you forget the night that you couldn't go to your office alone." Ginny put her hand in his and as they were walking out Ginny snuck a grin over her shoulder towards Hermione and quickly gave her shoulders a little shruge.
George and Katie were seated quietly in the corner on the floor and they looked around bewildered to the fact why everyone was laughing.
"Katie, bundle up. We're going for a walk." George half-smiled at his fiancé then went to go get his and her jackets. Katie stood, nodded at Angelina and Hermione then followed George out of the room.
Fred turned to Angelina. "Tomorrow's going to be a busy day, I think we should try to get some sleep."
"Fred, it's only 8:45." Angelina looked up at her husband, trying not to explode into laughter.
"Like Ron says, pregnant women need rest."
Angelina glanced at Hermione who nodded her head.
"Fine. Good night Hermione, Ron." Angelina stood and headed for the stairs after Fred.
"Night, Gina. 'Night Fred. We've got to be Santa in a minute anyway." Hermione whispered the last part just in case kids were awake, but smiled innocently at Angelina and Fred anyway.
"Good night." Ron said and smiled at his wife. "Now that we're alone how about we continue on that mistletoe." Ron raised one eyebrow and tried to give her his sexiest look.
"I still haven't forgiven you for what you did. And plus I've got to get all the kids' stuff out here from 'Santa'." Hermione stood slowly then went to go get the presents out of her hiding spot. Ron followed her into the entrance hall, then to the bathroom that was located off of the kitchen. Hermione opened the large cabinets that were high above a kids reach and took down the millions of gifts and toys she'd bought for her three children.
"Honey, I'll help." Ron tried to get some presents from Hermione, but she walked around him without even acknowledging his offer. Ron sighed and followed her back into the den as she set all the gifts around, and under the tree. After all that was done, Ron made a grab for his wife's hand, but she quickly pulled it out of his grasp and turned on him.
"When did you ever think you could ever tell me what I was or wasn't going to do?" Hermione poked a finger into his chest as she stood there.
"Honey, aren't you taking this a little too seriously?" Ron gave her one of his sad puppy kind of faces which normally made her melt, but tonight she wanted to blow up at him, just for fun and grins.
"TOO seriously? Ron after being married to me for a good 13 years, you still don't understand that I need my independence, it's what makes me, me."
'Wow, I really am a good actress.' Hermione thought to herself.
"Honey, I'm really sorry. It'll never happen again." Ron smiled at his wife. 'This is going just like it was planned.' Ron smiled to himself, but thankfully Hermione didn't see it.
Hermione got out her wand and yelled 'Blankus!' and three blankets appeared.
"Here, Ron. Have a good night. Merry Christmas." She headed for the stairs, Ron quickly on her heels.
Ron grabbed her elbow as she was nearing the top and turned her towards him.
"You're going to make me sleep downstairs!? How would that look to my mom and dad when they come home from their play?" Ron looked at Hermione pleadingly, but gave him another one of her icy-looks.
"Like I said, Good Night, Ron." Hermione walked quickly to Ron's old room and shut the door in his face.
"Good night, Hermione." He muttered under his breath as he headed for the stairs, a gloomy expression on his face.