A/N: I know you are all about to kill me but please don't because I have finally updated my fic! I know the feeling when an author forgets about their fic and I promise I won't do that! I love this fic and my reviewers all too much! And now without furtheradue the thanx:
Natalie Potter731: Yeah you won. LOL!
Kagome19: THANX! I feel so luved! Here is the chappie you have been waiting for!
turtleboy5578: Thanx, keep reading!
Cheese Diva: She didn't cheat! So you can still try to win!
David Ken:Thanx I shall try!
Kimberly: Here's another chapter!
Icebreaker20037: I'm so sorry that I've taken so long! I'll try to do better really! I get impatient too!
morgan: And I can't say thank you enough for continuing to read my fic! Your reviewers always brighten my day!
Lily106: Thanx! I have plans for when I get R & H together to be patient! :)
tiffiany~45: Sorry you have so much work piling up on you. I know the feeling. Please keep reviewing!
Disclaimer: I own Harry Potter. *nose grows long* Ok, ok, I don't own Harry Potter! *nose shrinks* Whew! *wipes forhead*
Chapter 9: Mistletoe
"Wake up Harry it's Christmas!"
Harry felt the whack of a pillow on his head as Ron tried to stir him. He had been having a lovely dream full of Phoenix song and Ron and Hermione being nice to each other. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Ron who was smiling like a-well---like a kid on Christmas.
"Honestly, Ron, we're seventeen! You'd think you'd be a little less enthusiastic by now!"
"Harry! You never grow out Christmas, especially not at the Burrow. Come on, let's go see what's going on downstairs."
Harry mentally groaned and pulled himself out of bed. Christmas had been a sad day for him ever since the death of his godfather, but maybe today would be different.
The sight that met Harry's eyes when he stepped into the living room was far from gloomy. The whole of the Burrow had been decorated for the holiday. Holly was wound around every mantel and a giant Christmas tree was placed in the middle of the room. It was covered with fairy lights and homemade ornaments that gave it a homey touch. Harry watched mystified as Ginny and Hermione placed the last bit of tinsel on the tree.
"Good morning Harry," Hermione called as she turned to see him.
"Happy Christmas," Ginny said showing off a gorgeous smile. Harry felt the familiar swoop in his stomach as he began to walk over to them.
"Hey Harry!"
Harry turned around only to be grabbed by two pairs of arms and pulled into a corner. Harry looked up to see the twins all decked out from head to toe in red and green.
"Hi you guys!" Harry said with a smile. "What are you doing here? I thought you had to work at the shop."
"Don't be ridiculous, Harry," George said grinning widely.
"We'd never miss a Weasley Christmas!" Fred explained.
Harry grinned and looked around at the house again. It was bustling with excitement in every corner and every Weasley seemed to have come for the occasion. Harry could see Bill and Charlie talking animatedly to Mr. Weasley and Ginny stroking Crookshanks on the couch.
"Hey, Harry?" Fred whispered pulling Harry out of his reverie. "What do you think of this?"
George held up a stalk of green that looked suspiciously like-
"Mistletoe," George said with a wicked grin. "We thought we'd help out our little brother out a bit, eh?"
Harry laughed and looked from the plant to Ron and Hermione who were playing wizard chess against each other and Ron looked rather flustered.
"That's a great idea you two," he concluded. "Make sure it happens."
"For sure, mate," they said and walked away to hang the mistletoe for the unsuspecting victims.
"Harry!"
Harry turned around to see a woman with vibrant pink hair and a giant smile on her face.
"Tonks!" Harry said returning the embrace she gave him. "It's great to see you!"
"You too Harry. Molly invited Remus and I for Christmas and of course what could we say?"
Harry laughed and looked over to see a tired looking man talking to Mrs. Weasley nearby the kitchen. HE was just about to go and say hi to Lupin when Mrs. Weasley called out, "Breakfast!"
Harry hurried to the table and sat himself in between Ron and Hermione and across from Ginny and Lupin. After everyone had been served and they began to dig in Harry couldn't help but notice how at home he felt with everyone here. The Weasleys, Lupin, Tonks, these people were his family after all. Even without his real parents or even a godfather Harry concluded that he must be the luckiest kid on earth.
"So Harry," Lupin said with a smile. "How have you been? Good summer?"
"Yeah it was alright," Harry said taking a bite of sausage and thinking back to the eventful summer he had had. "I got to stay here with Ron and Hermione so pretty good. Oh yes, and Aunt Petunia found out she was a witch!"
Lupin's eyebrows rose high into his head and then he laughed.
"Well that's unexpected," he said with one last chuckle. "Bet Vernon loves that."
"Yeah, really," Harry said laughing. "Although maybe she'll give me a little more respect you think?"
"Let's hope so," Lupin responded. "And how's school treating you?"
Harry almost chocked on his orange juice at that moment. He had almost forgotten all about school and Rhonda Garrison, but now the memory of her harsh eyes hit him like a brick and he could feel himself becoming colder. He quickly forced himself to think of something else.
"Alright," Harry lied. "Viktor Krum is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"I heard," Lupin said nodding. "He any good?"
"He's alright," Harry said shrugging. "He taught us Pratonuses though and considering we already knew them…"
"Did you all do one?" Lupin asked a twinkle appearing in his eyes that Harry hadn't seen in a long time.
"Yeah, all except for Neville. Poor bloke, he only got a light mist."
"Well those things take time, of course," Lupin said and his eyes suddenly glazed over as he looked out across the room. As though Harry could read his mind he thought of Sirius and how he and Lupin had been his dad's best friends. If only he had a piece of Sirius to keep behind like he had of his dad. Maybe then he would be happier…
The day went on uneventfully, unless you count the twins bursting a firework under the chair Crookshanks was curled up in. Then evening finally came and everyone gathered around the tree to open Christmas presents. (A/N: I know you are supposed to open them in the morning, but I wanted it to fit in especially…) Harry noticed that Ron looked rather pale and kept glancing underneath the tree at the little box that contained Hermione's locket.
Soon Harry was caught up in the whirl of opening gifts. He couldn't have been happier with them. Hermione had given him a brand new quill and ink that changed colors when you wrote with it, Charlie gave him a pair of boots that looked pretty much like they could withstand just about anything.
"They're dragon boots," Charlie explained. "Not that they're made out of dragons, of course, but that they are indestructible. I wear them on the job most of the time and thought maybe you could do with a pair."
Harry grinned. These would definitely come in handy during Care of Magical Creatures. You never could tell what Hagrid might have up his sleeve.
Harry continued to open his gifts and received many more interesting presents. He received the usual Weasley sweater from Mrs. Weasley and a tin of her marvelous fudge. Ginny had given him a book on the top 100 Quidditch teams in the world, and he had gotten a miniature model of a Quidditch field from Ron, complete with team players and balls.
"I thought it might help you plan your strategies better," Ron explained. He quickly took it from Harry to show him how it worked and Harry had a feeling that Ron was going to have more with than he was.
Ron seemed to like the Broom servicing Kit Harry had bought him. Although he did seem disappointed that he didn't have a decent broom to clean with it. Harry exchanged a knowing glance with Hermione.
Finally it became the end of the evening and every present was opened, with the exception of the locket and Ginny's charm bracelet. Harry leaned over and handed Ginny the little box containing the bracelet with a smile.
Ginny opened it and let a small gasp escape her lips. She looked at the delicate chain and smiled.
"It reminded me of you," Harry said simply trying to control his blushing face. Luckily everybody seemed too interested to notice him.
Harry turned to see Ron taking a deep breath and handing a small box to Hermione.
"Here, Hermione," he mumbled turning scarlet.
Hermione opened the box and gasped so loudly that everyone in the room turned to look at what was going on, much to Ron's dismay.
Hermione carefully lifted the golden chain around her neck and let the heart hang down. She smiled so hard and Harry could've sworn she had tears in her eyes.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
"Open it," Ron choked wringing his hands in his lap.
Hermione fumbled with the small heart, but it finally came open and out burst the Phoenix song loud and true. Hermione closed her eyes as if to savor the moment and Harry grinned. The whole room had become completely warm and Harry was getting a wonderful warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Suddenly the music stopped as Hermione closed the locket with a snap and everyone continued to stare at Ron and Hermione.
"I love it," she said automatically.
Ron sighed with relief and smiled, still very red, and then Harry saw Hermione dig into her pocket and pull out a small bag.
"Be careful," she said warningly as Ron began to wrench open the bag. When the bag was completely open it began to expand the paper ripped. Ron jumped back in surprise and watched as the Nimbus grew to its normal size.
The Nimbus was beautiful, indeed. It had a dark mahogany handle and its twigs were neatly clipped and it looked too perfect too touch. Ron stared at it in amazement as it hummed slightly in midair.
"I…I…" he said obviously not able to believe what he was seeing.
"Wow," Harry heard Charlie say as Ron continued to gape at his gift.
"Wow is right," George said, his twin nodding in agreement.
"I…I…" Ron stammered his eyes wide as Galleons.
"Do you like it?" Hermione asked unnecessarily.
Ron looked up at her and grinned madly. Then before Harry could blink he grabbed her pulling her into a huge hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you thank you!" he yelled as he set her back down and the whole room began to talk widely and hurry to look at his new broom.
Harry grinned enormously at the room as the tension lifted greatly. He was waiting for the moment that Ron would notice what he had just done to Hermione. She was still standing staring at Ron in shock and fingering her locket with a small smile.
After many moments of "ooing and awing" over Ron's new broom Mrs. Weasley yawned and bid everyone a goodnight. The Weasleys stomped upstairs all except for Harry who had stayed behind to help Mrs. Weasley clean up wrapping paper.
"Oh you needn't do that Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley said and in a flick of her wand the room was a clean as it had been before. "You get a goodnights sleep, alright?"
Harry nodded. "Goodnight Mrs. Weasley and Happy Christmas."
"You two dear," she said and began to walk up the long staircase.
"Harry?"
Harry turned around to see Ginny standing in the stairwell still dressed in her green Weasley sweater and looking radiant. She had put on the charm bracelet and it looked beautiful on her delicate wrist.
"Hi Ginny," Harry said raking a hand through his untidy hair. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to say thank you for the bracelet. I like it a lot," she said walking towards him smiling.
"No problem," Harry said. He could feel his face turning red and Ginny walked closer. "Like I said it reminded me of you."
Ginny looked puzzled. "Why?" she asked with a hint of laughter in her voice.
Harry brought his fingers up to her face and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Because…it's simple yet beautiful. Just like you."
Ginny stared at him as though unable to believe what he had just said. Her cheeks turned a cute shade of pink and she smiled.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Your welcome," Harry said searching to look somewhere other than Ginny's face. Suddenly his eyes caught a green stalk floating above their heads. Harry had forgotten all about the twins' plan to catch Ron and Hermione under it and now what was he supposed to do.
Ginny caught him looking up at the mistletoe and gasped. She then looked into Harry's eyes blushing furiously.
"Silly tradition. You don't have to, Harry. I just…er…wanted to say thanks." She turned to leave, but Harry grasped her wrist, the charm bracelet jingled quietly.
Harry took a deep breath and leaned slowly towards Ginny's face, closing his eyes. Before he could stop himself he was kissing Ginny. Somehow his arms had found a way around her waist and hers had wound around his neck. It seemed to last forever, but Harry finally pulled back and look into Ginny's eyes. She looked rather surprised, but definitely pleased.
Harry grinned. "Happy Christmas, Gin."
A/N: Awwww! That was for all the H/G lovers out there! I thought I'd add in some interesting stuff, but don't worry I haven't forgotten about R/H! How could I? I mean look at my penname!
Natalie Potter731: Yeah you won. LOL!
Kagome19: THANX! I feel so luved! Here is the chappie you have been waiting for!
turtleboy5578: Thanx, keep reading!
Cheese Diva: She didn't cheat! So you can still try to win!
David Ken:Thanx I shall try!
Kimberly: Here's another chapter!
Icebreaker20037: I'm so sorry that I've taken so long! I'll try to do better really! I get impatient too!
morgan: And I can't say thank you enough for continuing to read my fic! Your reviewers always brighten my day!
Lily106: Thanx! I have plans for when I get R & H together to be patient! :)
tiffiany~45: Sorry you have so much work piling up on you. I know the feeling. Please keep reviewing!
Disclaimer: I own Harry Potter. *nose grows long* Ok, ok, I don't own Harry Potter! *nose shrinks* Whew! *wipes forhead*
Chapter 9: Mistletoe
"Wake up Harry it's Christmas!"
Harry felt the whack of a pillow on his head as Ron tried to stir him. He had been having a lovely dream full of Phoenix song and Ron and Hermione being nice to each other. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Ron who was smiling like a-well---like a kid on Christmas.
"Honestly, Ron, we're seventeen! You'd think you'd be a little less enthusiastic by now!"
"Harry! You never grow out Christmas, especially not at the Burrow. Come on, let's go see what's going on downstairs."
Harry mentally groaned and pulled himself out of bed. Christmas had been a sad day for him ever since the death of his godfather, but maybe today would be different.
The sight that met Harry's eyes when he stepped into the living room was far from gloomy. The whole of the Burrow had been decorated for the holiday. Holly was wound around every mantel and a giant Christmas tree was placed in the middle of the room. It was covered with fairy lights and homemade ornaments that gave it a homey touch. Harry watched mystified as Ginny and Hermione placed the last bit of tinsel on the tree.
"Good morning Harry," Hermione called as she turned to see him.
"Happy Christmas," Ginny said showing off a gorgeous smile. Harry felt the familiar swoop in his stomach as he began to walk over to them.
"Hey Harry!"
Harry turned around only to be grabbed by two pairs of arms and pulled into a corner. Harry looked up to see the twins all decked out from head to toe in red and green.
"Hi you guys!" Harry said with a smile. "What are you doing here? I thought you had to work at the shop."
"Don't be ridiculous, Harry," George said grinning widely.
"We'd never miss a Weasley Christmas!" Fred explained.
Harry grinned and looked around at the house again. It was bustling with excitement in every corner and every Weasley seemed to have come for the occasion. Harry could see Bill and Charlie talking animatedly to Mr. Weasley and Ginny stroking Crookshanks on the couch.
"Hey, Harry?" Fred whispered pulling Harry out of his reverie. "What do you think of this?"
George held up a stalk of green that looked suspiciously like-
"Mistletoe," George said with a wicked grin. "We thought we'd help out our little brother out a bit, eh?"
Harry laughed and looked from the plant to Ron and Hermione who were playing wizard chess against each other and Ron looked rather flustered.
"That's a great idea you two," he concluded. "Make sure it happens."
"For sure, mate," they said and walked away to hang the mistletoe for the unsuspecting victims.
"Harry!"
Harry turned around to see a woman with vibrant pink hair and a giant smile on her face.
"Tonks!" Harry said returning the embrace she gave him. "It's great to see you!"
"You too Harry. Molly invited Remus and I for Christmas and of course what could we say?"
Harry laughed and looked over to see a tired looking man talking to Mrs. Weasley nearby the kitchen. HE was just about to go and say hi to Lupin when Mrs. Weasley called out, "Breakfast!"
Harry hurried to the table and sat himself in between Ron and Hermione and across from Ginny and Lupin. After everyone had been served and they began to dig in Harry couldn't help but notice how at home he felt with everyone here. The Weasleys, Lupin, Tonks, these people were his family after all. Even without his real parents or even a godfather Harry concluded that he must be the luckiest kid on earth.
"So Harry," Lupin said with a smile. "How have you been? Good summer?"
"Yeah it was alright," Harry said taking a bite of sausage and thinking back to the eventful summer he had had. "I got to stay here with Ron and Hermione so pretty good. Oh yes, and Aunt Petunia found out she was a witch!"
Lupin's eyebrows rose high into his head and then he laughed.
"Well that's unexpected," he said with one last chuckle. "Bet Vernon loves that."
"Yeah, really," Harry said laughing. "Although maybe she'll give me a little more respect you think?"
"Let's hope so," Lupin responded. "And how's school treating you?"
Harry almost chocked on his orange juice at that moment. He had almost forgotten all about school and Rhonda Garrison, but now the memory of her harsh eyes hit him like a brick and he could feel himself becoming colder. He quickly forced himself to think of something else.
"Alright," Harry lied. "Viktor Krum is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"I heard," Lupin said nodding. "He any good?"
"He's alright," Harry said shrugging. "He taught us Pratonuses though and considering we already knew them…"
"Did you all do one?" Lupin asked a twinkle appearing in his eyes that Harry hadn't seen in a long time.
"Yeah, all except for Neville. Poor bloke, he only got a light mist."
"Well those things take time, of course," Lupin said and his eyes suddenly glazed over as he looked out across the room. As though Harry could read his mind he thought of Sirius and how he and Lupin had been his dad's best friends. If only he had a piece of Sirius to keep behind like he had of his dad. Maybe then he would be happier…
The day went on uneventfully, unless you count the twins bursting a firework under the chair Crookshanks was curled up in. Then evening finally came and everyone gathered around the tree to open Christmas presents. (A/N: I know you are supposed to open them in the morning, but I wanted it to fit in especially…) Harry noticed that Ron looked rather pale and kept glancing underneath the tree at the little box that contained Hermione's locket.
Soon Harry was caught up in the whirl of opening gifts. He couldn't have been happier with them. Hermione had given him a brand new quill and ink that changed colors when you wrote with it, Charlie gave him a pair of boots that looked pretty much like they could withstand just about anything.
"They're dragon boots," Charlie explained. "Not that they're made out of dragons, of course, but that they are indestructible. I wear them on the job most of the time and thought maybe you could do with a pair."
Harry grinned. These would definitely come in handy during Care of Magical Creatures. You never could tell what Hagrid might have up his sleeve.
Harry continued to open his gifts and received many more interesting presents. He received the usual Weasley sweater from Mrs. Weasley and a tin of her marvelous fudge. Ginny had given him a book on the top 100 Quidditch teams in the world, and he had gotten a miniature model of a Quidditch field from Ron, complete with team players and balls.
"I thought it might help you plan your strategies better," Ron explained. He quickly took it from Harry to show him how it worked and Harry had a feeling that Ron was going to have more with than he was.
Ron seemed to like the Broom servicing Kit Harry had bought him. Although he did seem disappointed that he didn't have a decent broom to clean with it. Harry exchanged a knowing glance with Hermione.
Finally it became the end of the evening and every present was opened, with the exception of the locket and Ginny's charm bracelet. Harry leaned over and handed Ginny the little box containing the bracelet with a smile.
Ginny opened it and let a small gasp escape her lips. She looked at the delicate chain and smiled.
"It reminded me of you," Harry said simply trying to control his blushing face. Luckily everybody seemed too interested to notice him.
Harry turned to see Ron taking a deep breath and handing a small box to Hermione.
"Here, Hermione," he mumbled turning scarlet.
Hermione opened the box and gasped so loudly that everyone in the room turned to look at what was going on, much to Ron's dismay.
Hermione carefully lifted the golden chain around her neck and let the heart hang down. She smiled so hard and Harry could've sworn she had tears in her eyes.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
"Open it," Ron choked wringing his hands in his lap.
Hermione fumbled with the small heart, but it finally came open and out burst the Phoenix song loud and true. Hermione closed her eyes as if to savor the moment and Harry grinned. The whole room had become completely warm and Harry was getting a wonderful warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Suddenly the music stopped as Hermione closed the locket with a snap and everyone continued to stare at Ron and Hermione.
"I love it," she said automatically.
Ron sighed with relief and smiled, still very red, and then Harry saw Hermione dig into her pocket and pull out a small bag.
"Be careful," she said warningly as Ron began to wrench open the bag. When the bag was completely open it began to expand the paper ripped. Ron jumped back in surprise and watched as the Nimbus grew to its normal size.
The Nimbus was beautiful, indeed. It had a dark mahogany handle and its twigs were neatly clipped and it looked too perfect too touch. Ron stared at it in amazement as it hummed slightly in midair.
"I…I…" he said obviously not able to believe what he was seeing.
"Wow," Harry heard Charlie say as Ron continued to gape at his gift.
"Wow is right," George said, his twin nodding in agreement.
"I…I…" Ron stammered his eyes wide as Galleons.
"Do you like it?" Hermione asked unnecessarily.
Ron looked up at her and grinned madly. Then before Harry could blink he grabbed her pulling her into a huge hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you thank you!" he yelled as he set her back down and the whole room began to talk widely and hurry to look at his new broom.
Harry grinned enormously at the room as the tension lifted greatly. He was waiting for the moment that Ron would notice what he had just done to Hermione. She was still standing staring at Ron in shock and fingering her locket with a small smile.
After many moments of "ooing and awing" over Ron's new broom Mrs. Weasley yawned and bid everyone a goodnight. The Weasleys stomped upstairs all except for Harry who had stayed behind to help Mrs. Weasley clean up wrapping paper.
"Oh you needn't do that Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley said and in a flick of her wand the room was a clean as it had been before. "You get a goodnights sleep, alright?"
Harry nodded. "Goodnight Mrs. Weasley and Happy Christmas."
"You two dear," she said and began to walk up the long staircase.
"Harry?"
Harry turned around to see Ginny standing in the stairwell still dressed in her green Weasley sweater and looking radiant. She had put on the charm bracelet and it looked beautiful on her delicate wrist.
"Hi Ginny," Harry said raking a hand through his untidy hair. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to say thank you for the bracelet. I like it a lot," she said walking towards him smiling.
"No problem," Harry said. He could feel his face turning red and Ginny walked closer. "Like I said it reminded me of you."
Ginny looked puzzled. "Why?" she asked with a hint of laughter in her voice.
Harry brought his fingers up to her face and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Because…it's simple yet beautiful. Just like you."
Ginny stared at him as though unable to believe what he had just said. Her cheeks turned a cute shade of pink and she smiled.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Your welcome," Harry said searching to look somewhere other than Ginny's face. Suddenly his eyes caught a green stalk floating above their heads. Harry had forgotten all about the twins' plan to catch Ron and Hermione under it and now what was he supposed to do.
Ginny caught him looking up at the mistletoe and gasped. She then looked into Harry's eyes blushing furiously.
"Silly tradition. You don't have to, Harry. I just…er…wanted to say thanks." She turned to leave, but Harry grasped her wrist, the charm bracelet jingled quietly.
Harry took a deep breath and leaned slowly towards Ginny's face, closing his eyes. Before he could stop himself he was kissing Ginny. Somehow his arms had found a way around her waist and hers had wound around his neck. It seemed to last forever, but Harry finally pulled back and look into Ginny's eyes. She looked rather surprised, but definitely pleased.
Harry grinned. "Happy Christmas, Gin."
A/N: Awwww! That was for all the H/G lovers out there! I thought I'd add in some interesting stuff, but don't worry I haven't forgotten about R/H! How could I? I mean look at my penname!