Disclaimer: blah, blah blah, I don't own the characters… well, 'cept for Bree, and Laura, and Sam, and a couple other ppl.

A/N: Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers, and to Cyndi, my beta. (Thanks a lot toots.) I'm a little busy with school, and the Bloomsburg Fair, so the next chapter won't be out until sometime next week.

Chapter VIII: Christmas and Confessions

Hermione went and visited her parents the morning of the 24th. She gave them their gifts and stayed for a five-hour chat, then, she headed back to the Burrow. "Thank God you're back." Ginny whispered. "Mari took Mum's wand and hid it somewhere, and now Mum can't finish making her special stuffing."

"Did you check the flowerbed?" Hermione inquired. "That's where it was yesterday."

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After a lovely dinner, complete with Mrs. Weasley's special stuffing, (her wand had been in the flowerbed) the whole family went into the living room to exchange gifts.

Hermione received a Christmas jumper from Mrs. Weasley, as well as small gifts from other members of the family. Ginny gave her a photo album full of pictures from school, and from Harry she received a book on Ancient Runes. Ron's gift was a silver locket, with pictures of Harry and himself in it. "So you'll always have your friends near you." he said, blushing as she kissed his cheek.

"Thank you Ron." she fastened the chain around her neck. "I love it." The highlight of the evening came when Fred gave his gift to Angelina. Instead of handing her her gift, he knelt down beside the couch where she was sitting. "Angelina," he began. "we've known each other for a long time now, and we've been serious for over a year." Everyone was staring at him, Ron's mouth hanging open.

"Yes..." Angelina encouraged. "Yes, well," he cleared his throat. "we've known each other for a long time, yes, and I think that, well, perhaps--"

"Just ask her to marry you, you stupid git!" George shouted.

"I'm almost there," snapped Fred. "Angelina; will you marry me?"

"Yes!" she tackled him, knocking the coffee table over. "Yes, I'll marry you! I love you! Tomorrow if you want!" and she proceeded to smother him with kisses.

"Oh, get a room." Ron grumbled. Everyone ignored him. "Not that soon." Fred said. He was grinning like an idiot. "I though June might be nice."

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"Wasn't that amazing?" Ginny said, as she and Hermione got ready for bed. "It was so romantic. I hope when Harry asks me it's that romantic." She sighed, and climbed into bed.

"Were did Angelina go any way?" Hermione asked.

"With Fred, of course." Ginny said, laughingly.

"What? You mean... they're... right now? In the house?" she sounded scandalized.

Ginny laughed. "What's wrong with that? Haven't you ever...?"

"Yes, of course." said Hermione defensively. "Well, not a lot," she amended. "Only with one guy, but still, I wouldn't do it in my parent's house."

"One guy?" Ginny wrinkled her nose. "It wasn't with Ron was it?"

"Merlin no!" Hermione said, shivering. "It was a guy I met in the States. Have you ever...?"

"Yeah," Ginny replied. "With Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnigan, from school. Not at the same time!" she added, seeing the look on Hermione's face. "You and Harry haven't yet?"

"No, I wanted the first time to be special. The first time should always be special." she smiled sadly. "I'm only sorry I didn't wait for Harry. I feel... guilty somehow..."

"Guilty? Did he wait for you?" Hermione demanded.

"Well... no." Ginny blushed. "But he's only been with four girls."

"Oh? Only four? Is that all?" said Hermione sarcastically. "Who?"

"Cho Chang, Lavender, Parvati and," Ginny shuddered. "Pansy Parkinson."

"Pansy? Eww..." Hermione wrinkled her nose. "How'd that happen?"

"Apparently, Harry got drunk after a Quidditch match during sixth year, and Pansy wanted to add the boy-who-lived to her long list of lovers."

"Aren't you worried that he might go back to one of them?"

"No, I'm not worried. The girls are all married, well, except for Pansy, but she's getting married in the spring--" overhead there was a bump.

"Shh... what was that?" Hermione whispered. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" but then it got louder. The unmistakable sound of giggling, and of something hitting the wall. "Oh- my- God..." Ginny hissed. "I didn't think they'd be this loud.... damn them!" she snatched a piece of parchment of her desk, and scribbled a quick note.

Fred,

Try and keep it down. Some of us

are trying to sleep.

Love Always,

Ginny

She addressed it to: Fred Weasley; third floor, first window; the Burrow. She attached the letter to Pigwidgeon's leg and tossed him out the window. He flew up, and tapped on Fred's window. Ginny and Hermione waited; the noise stopped. Then, "Very funny Gin!" Fred called down. "and... we'll try our best!" they heard Angelina laugh, then Fred's window shut.

"Right then. Let's try to get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."

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Hermione awoke some hours later to the sound of giggling. "Be careful. You almost poked me in the eye!"

"Sorry..." a male voice muttered. "I can't get the wrapper off. Damn it!"

"Be quiet! You'll wake Hermione. I'm warning you Harry... if she wakes up, it's all over."

"I'm awake." Hermione said dryly. Ginny squeaked, and a thump told her that Harry had fallen off the bed. "How long have you been awake?" a dismayed Harry asked.

"Long enough." Hermione replied. "Oh, no; don't leave. I'll go sleep in Ron's room. " Before either of them could protest, Hermione picked up her blankets and walked out, closing the door behind her.

"Sex fiends..." she muttered, as she trudged up the stairs. "and they're no better." she added, as she passed Fred's door. She flung open the door to Ron's room, and threw her bedding down. "Wasamatta." Ron said sleepily.

"I'm sleeping here." Hermione said.

"What?!" Ron was wide-awake now. Hermione sighed. "I have to stay here." she repeated. "Harry and your sister are going at it down in her room."

"WHAT!?" Ron was on his feet. "I'll kill him!" he made for the door, but Hermione grabbed his shirt. "For God sake Ron! They're adults; and they're probably getting married. Married people do have sex."

"I guess you're right..." he flopped back on the bed. "I promise not to kill Harry in the morning. You can stay if you like."

"How's work going for you?"

"Oh, not bad." he replied. "Quidditch doesn't start practice again until March, so I get a little time off."

"Have a girlfriend?" Hermione asked slyly. "No, none." Ron blushed. "I ones I want, I can't get, and the one's I can... I don't want."

"Nonsense," said Hermione briskly. "You can have any girl you want."

"No I can't."

"Name one!" Hermione challenged. "Well? Huh?" Ron didn't say anything. "I knew it!" Hermione said triumphantly. "There isn't one!"

"You."

"What?" the smile was gone from her face. "You." Ron repeated. "I've been trying ever since sixth year to work up the nerve to ask you out, but I just couldn't... I like you Mione. I like you a lot. More then just a friend."

"Oh... Ron... I" she gulped. "I never knew you felt that way... I, well, I have a boyfriend."

"You do? Oh... who is he?"

"Someone I met in Colorado." Hermione bit her lip. "it's not a lie... you did meet him there." a quiet voice said.

"That's all right Mione. Don't worry about it. Whoever he is... he's one lucky guy. I'll get over you." he managed a weak smile.

"Ron, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt--"

"Forget about it." he broke in. "It was stupid. Night Mione."

Hermione sighed. "Goodnight Ron." she snuggled down into her blankets, and closed her eyes. "Goodnight Draco" she whispered.

A/N: Ahh... the satisfaction of completing a chapter. There will be four more... I think. It depends on if I decide to change the ending that I originally had... We'll see. Well, I hope you liked it. R/R