Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, brilliantly created by J.K. Rowling. Most situations are based on those created by J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Five: Christmas at the Weasleys

Ron and Hermione were in the living room of their flat, after having dragged a 7-foot Christmas tree up the stairs. So far they had managed to leave a massive trail of pine needles in their path. "We'll clean them up later," Hermione said as Ron looked at the mess. "Right now, let's get this tree up."

Ron smiled and pulled out his wand. "Allow me," he said, and pointed his wand at the tree and said, "Wingardium Leviosa!" The tree rose in the air and Ron guided it to the stand Hermione had set up. He guided it in and then Hermione made sure it would stay once he removed the charm.

"It needs water," she said. "I'll be right back." Ron stayed a moment, and looked inside a box, took something from it and then he followed her into the kitchen and watched her as she pulled a pitcher from the cupboard and then went to the sink. As she was filling it with water, he walked up behind her and hugged her.

"Look what I found," he said, and he held his acquired item high over Hermione's head. She looked up and let out a giggle when she saw that it was mistletoe. Ron smiled. "I guess that means I have to kiss you."

"I guess," said Hermione, playing along.

"Well, then, can't keep a girl waiting," Ron said, and he turned her around and kissed her slowly, with determination. Hermione kissed him back, and they didn't pull apart until Hermione realized the pitcher was overflowing with water. Still, Ron continued to kiss her, and reached behind her to turn off the water.

Hermione was the one to break the kiss, and Ron was almost certain that the moment was over, but all Hermione said was, "Why don't we move this to the bedroom?" He smiled, and picked her up and carried her into the other room.

* * *

When they emerged an hour and a half later, they returned to their task of getting the Christmas tree ready. "I'm so happy that your mum agreed to have Christmas here with us this year," said Hermione. "I can't wait."

"You're really sure you want my whole family - and Harry - here for Christmas?" Ron asked her in disbelief.

"Yes," said Hermione. "Why? Afraid I won't be able to do it?"

"No, not at all!" Ron said quickly. "Believe me, Hermione, I know you can do anything you want, but it's just Christmas with the Weasleys can be kind of crazy."

"For one thing," Hermione started, "I've been present at your mum's for Christmas before when everyone was there. Another thing, I'm a Weasley now, and I would like to spend time with my family. OUR family."

Ron smiled at her, and looked around at their small living room. "This place is kind of tiny though," he said. "How are we going to make everyone fit?"

"We'll manage," said Hermione. "We'll keep the bedroom door open."

"I don't want people in there!" Ron exclaimed. "I don't want my parents near our bed."

Hermione laughed at him. "Don't be silly," said Hermione. "We're not going to be IN the bed so what difference does it make? Besides, we ARE married. They know we sleep in the same bed."

"Still," said Ron.

"Don't fuss about it," said Hermione. "Fact is, we need the room, so people are going to be in there."

"Fine," said Ron, "but I have to say that I am not happy about it."

"I know you're not," said Hermione, and she smiled mischievously. "All the more reason to do it." Ron fought to keep a smile off his face as he started to tickle Hermione, and soon her laughter was filling the air.

* * *

"Happy Christmas!" came a voice from outside the door. Hermione went to open it and saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley on the other side of it.

"Molly! Arthur!" she exclaimed, and she hugged each of them.

"Hello, Hermione dear," said Mrs. Weasley as she walked into the apartment. "Good to see you." She hugged her again. "Now, where's that son of mine? He should help his father with the presents!"

"Presents?" came Ron's voice. "Can't say no to presents!" He was suddenly embraced by his mother. "Hello, mum! Happy Christmas! Happy Christmas, dad!"

"Happy Christmas, Ron," said Mr. Weasley, and he gestured at the bag he was holding. Ron moved to help him bring it in and brought it over to the Christmas tree. Mrs. Weasley walked into the living room.

"Oh, doesn't this look lovely," she said, and Hermione beamed. "And you've used the decorations I sent!" Just before Christmas, Ron and Hermione received a package filled with homemade decorations.

"I love them," said Hermione. "You'll have to teach me how to make them."

"Certainly," said Mrs. Weasley. "Now, Hermione, what do you need help with?"

"No, no, no," said Hermione. "You are going to sit down, and relax and enjoy Christmas. I'll take care of everything."

Mrs. Weasley looked surprised. "Well, well, this is a nice change," she said with a smile, and she took a seat on the couch with her husband. "Percy, Penelope and Phil should be here any time. We have so many things to give to Phil!"

Phillip Weasley was just over a year old, and he was clearly the first grandchild in the family, being spoiled by everyone around him. Hermione could see the many of the presents in the large pile had his name on them.

"And what are we?" came a voice, and Fred appeared, followed quickly by Angelina. Mrs. Weasley stood immediately.

"Fred! Angelina! I'm so glad you made it!"

"Well, I'll have you know I cut a VERY nice honeymoon short to be here with everyone," Fred said with a smile.

"Oh shut up!" Angelina exclaimed, with a playful punch to his arm. "You know we got back two days ago!" Fred and Angelina had married at the beginning of the month, making Mrs. Weasley so pleased to have three of her sons married.

"And can I expect any more grandchildren soon?" she asked.

"Mom!" Fred exclaimed. "We've been married three weeks!"

"Well what about you, Ronnie?" she asked. Ron blushed and looked positively horrified at the thought. Hermione saw the look on his face and cut in.

"Well, Molly, it's not really something we've talked about," she said. "I'm sure we'd both like to have children someday, but right now we're quite busy with new jobs and other such things." Mrs. Weasley seemed disappointed, but a knock at the door signaled the arrival of her existing grandchild and she was delighted to occupy herself with him.

Hermione pulled Ron into the kitchen with her, and checked on everything she was making for dinner. Ron noticed immediately that her demeanor had changed, and he quickly asked her about it.

"I was just thinking, about what your mum said," she said.

"About grandchildren?" Ron asked.

"Yes," said Hermione. "It's just, the look on your face. It worried me."

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Well," said Hermione. "Because you looked pretty horrific when your mum mentioned having children."

"So?" Ron asked.

"And I was just wondering if maybe you DIDN'T want to," Hermione finished.

Ron's eyes widened. "Are you trying to tell me something? Are you-?"

"No, no, no!" Hermione exclaimed quickly. "That's not what I meant. I'm not pregnant, Ron. But someday I would like to be."

"Is that what's bothering you?" he asked, and he sighed. "I didn't think we'd have this conversation so soon." Hermione looked worried. "Hermione, I want to have children someday. I always thought that, since I came from such a big family. I guess I just didn't realize that it could actually happen now, and it was kind of scary. It's weird to picture myself as a father. And I know I'm not quite ready yet, but in a year or two, maybe."

Hermione relaxed, and smiled. "I'm so glad you said that," she said. "Because I realized we never talked about it, and I want to have kids someday too. And not right now, either. I agree with you. Like I said to your mum, we're both way too busy right now, and we're so young. We have plenty of time for that."

"Okay," said Ron, and he hugged her. Suddenly, a high pitched noise filled the kitchen. Hermione looked up and saw the smoke alarm blinking. Ron grabbed a broomstick and started to swat at it while Hermione ran to the stove and turned off the things that were smoking.

"Bloody muggle contraption!" Ron exclaimed as other members of the family came running into the room. Mr. Weasley immediately joined Ron at the smoke alarm, learning about how it worked, while Mrs. Weasley rushed to Hermione.

"Oh dear," she said when she saw the burnt food.

"I can't believe this!" Hermione exclaimed. "Everything was going so well!"

"Hermione, don't worry," said Mrs. Weasley. "We'll just apparate over to Diagon Alley and get some things."

Hermione seemed on the verge of tears. "But I wanted everything to go well," she said. Mrs. Weasley hugged her.

"It's your first time in charge on Christmas," said Mrs. Weasley. "Mine was a disaster. Arthur dropped the roast into my mother's lap." This forced Hermione to laugh. "Now, don't worry. Come on, you and I will go pick up a few things."

"All right," said Hermione, and she and Mrs. Weasley left the kitchen to get their cloaks. "Ron! We'll be back soon!" She and Mrs. Weasley disapparated.

* * *

When Hermione and Mrs. Weasley appeared back in the living room of the flat, it appeared that all hell had broken loose. Presents were ripped open and wrapping paper was strewn across the floor. Penelope was chasing Phillip around the room. Hermione noticed that Harry and Ginny and the rest of the family had arrived and were stifling laughter as Percy yelled at Fred and George.

"What is going on here?!" Mrs. Weasley demanded.

Percy turned to his mother and shouted, gesturing to Fred and George, "These two dolts gave Phillip a Hyper-Active Humdrum! He's been off the wall for the last forty-five minutes!"

"FRED! GEORGE! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! A ONE YEAR OLD IS HYPER-ACTIVE ENOUGH WITHOUT SOME HEXED CANDY TO MAKE IT WORSE!"

Fred stifled a laugh, "Really, mum, we didn't know it would make him THIS crazy."

"I LONG FOR THE DAY YOU TWO HAVE YOUR OWN CHILDREN AND YOU CAN SEE HOW CRAZY THEY MAKE YOU!"

This time George stepped in, "Well, really, mum, he was just going to rip open the presents anyway."

"That doesn't matter!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. Her voice was lower, but she was clearly still furious. "He's opened EVERYONE'S presents! He was only supposed to open his own. Now I have to go through all of these!"

"It's okay, mum," Ginny stepped in. "We've sorted them out somewhat. Thanks for the skirt."

"You're welcome, Ginny dear," said Mrs. Weasley, showing her softer side for her daughter.

"Where did Hermione go?" Ron asked.

"Bedroom, I think," said Harry. "She looked mad."

"Better go see what's wrong," he said, and he headed for the bedroom. When he got there, he saw Hermione lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He closed the door and stood next to the bed, casting a shadow over her.

"Hi," was all she said.

"Hi," he said back.

"It's a disaster. You were right," she said.

"Aw, Hermione," Ron said. "It's fine. So Phil's a little off the wall. When is he not? So the food got a little messed up. It happens."

"But it happened to ME. On our first Christmas together."

Ron sat down. "But, Hermione, listen." He gestured to the closed door. Hermione sat up, leaning on her elbows. She listened to the voices in the other room, and heard laughter.

"What?" she asked, not seeing Ron's point.

"They're LAUGHING," Ron pointed out. "They're having a good time, despite the problems."

"I guess," Hermione said, but she was still skeptical.

"Come on, love," he said. "I won't have a good time if you mope in here all night."

"Really?" Hermione asked, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Really," Ron repeated. "Now come on. You need to finish making dinner and you haven't even said hello to Harry and Ginny yet."

"All right," said Hermione, now with a full smile. "Let's enjoy Christmas." They headed out of the bedroom and rejoined the crowd of laughing people.