A/N: Someone mentioned a beta reader and I am thinking this is a pretty good idea, so anyone who has free time and can beta read pretty efficiently (like, take about a night to read my drafts over) please email me at booga_booga_booga@excite.com Thanks!  I know I'm slipping typos, grammatical errors, and all that other stuff in by accident, so sorry, hopefully that will be taken care of soon.

The three days I've been home have been some of the best days I've had in a long time.

Unlike a lot of people,I actually liked living with my parents. I adored my mother, and I was her only daughter, her baby, and that warranted special attention. I loved my father, and not just because I was supposed to love him, but because he was a great guy who let me tag along to work when I was little and probably very annoying.

We have a great time baking, shopping for the world's largest turkey, walking around town complaining about the wet and miserable weather. I'm supposed to go to the Burrow in a couple of days and I really, really want to stay.

I take my mirror and he instantly is reflected in its smooth surface.

"Hey, what are you up to?"

"Hermione, hi. Hang on a sec." He says, then turns away, but his voice still comes through. "Can you guys excuse me a minute?  Okay, I'm all yours."

"Did they bring in 72 virgins and they're making you choose a wife?" I tease.

"Um, no. I'm with the Weasley clan.  Ginny finally made it."

"Great, how is she? And you sound better than you have the past few days. Must be good now."

"Ginny's great.  She's got a nose ring, but great.  And it is good now." He sounds relieved.

"A nose ring!?"

"Tonks suggested it and she went for it."

"Wow"

"Yeah."

"Listen, Harry, would you mind terribly if I ended up staying at home? I mean, at my parent's."

"What? Why?"

"I'm just in a really good place right now. It's so relaxing to be home and packing my stuff, going for a few days to somewhere where I'll be stressed out and you'll be stressed out and Mrs. Weasley's holiday cheer deflating like a helium balloon sounds unwise."

"Yeah, well, maybe, but it's a long time."

"I'll make it worth your while when you get back."

"Well, in that case..."

"Seriously, are you okay with this, or should I go out there anyway?"

"I wish you'd come, but it's okay. It's fine. She was actually pleasant this morning, so that's something."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I'm gonna go, we were busy making fun of Ginny."

I laugh. "Be nice, okay?"

"I'm trying."

"I'll see you later. Have a nice night. Love you."

"Me too. Bye."

He took it pretty well, better than I expected. I'm feeling very relaxed about everything. I'm in a good mood, I'm having a nice holiday and I'll be going back to live with a guy I wouldn't mind living with for a long time.

I can't keep worrying about everything that could potentially go wrong, and about him freaking out. It takes too much energy and that way I wouldn't enjoy what we have right now. His mother will come around, because the initial shock is always the worst thing, and as much as I love him, I know he's also antagonizing her, at least a little. It's two people pulling on a string, and neither is willing to let go. But I figure she's the adult, she loves him more than anything else on this planet, that much is obvious, and she'll eventually turn a blind eye to what he's doing in the privacy of his own home.

"Mom!" I yell from my room.

"Yes?"

"Is dad down there?"

"Yeah."

"Tell him we can make a snowman in the yard. I'm staying here the rest of the holidays."

I know they're both smiling.


*





"What was that?" Ginny wants to know when I rejoin them in the living room.

"Hermione.  Two-way mirror."

She grins and winks.

"What?"

"Why'd you leave the room?  Were you guys exchanging 'verbal pleasure' or something?"

The twins and Ron burst into laughter.

"Not now, okay?" I nod towards the kitchen, were her parents were having tea.


"Oh. Ok." she whispers. "So have you slept with her?"

"Ginny!"

"What? It's a logical question. You live with her."

"So?"

"So.. have you?"

"I don't really want to discuss this."

"Like bunnies, Gin." Ron smiles broadly.

"You have!" She grins at me and shakes her head. "And that's why mom has been so weird lately."

"Weird?"

"Just… you'd think somebody had died or something."

"Somebody did," I sigh. "Harry the Innocent."

"Please, Harry." Fred scoffed.  "Harry the Innocent was lost a long time.  I've heard the stories.  Being a Quidditch star AND saviour of the world gets you all the ladies.  Ladies, that are – dare I say it – kinky?"


"Oh, please," Ginny laughs. "I could tell stories that would make everyone's hair stand on end."

Everyone groans.

"But you won't, right?" Ron begged.

"If you're a good boy, Ron." She squints at me. "Do you love her?"

"What?"

Ginny rolls her eyes. "You heard me. Do you love her?"

"Yeah, I think so." I mumble.

"Yeah, you think so, or yeah, you do?"

"I told her I did."

"Did you mean it?"

"I think so."

"What's with this 'I think so' business, Harry? You either do, or you don't."

"I do," I sigh.

"Gee, don't sound so happy about it."

"How am I supposed to be?" I ask. "Nobody I know is very happy for me, are they? I tell them and what is the reaction that I get? My mother acts like I've committed the worst sin ever, she's recruiting all of Diagon Alley to fill my head with doubts about us…"

"If you love Hermione, why does that matter?"

"Because your mother is my family!"

"So you have doubts about the two of you?"

I look away, guilty.

"I just hate that I feel like I'm facing this uphill battle."

"Isn't it worth it?" she asks and glances at her brothers.  They look at me expectantly.

I'm left standing in the middle of the room, unable to come up with an answer.


*





Harry talks to me on Christmas Eve, and at first, the call is very perfunctory. How am I doing? Is the weather good and have I gotten any good gifts yet? He briefly summarizes the day's happenings and how everybody is looking inside his suit jackets, trying to see if they're designer.  Apparently they think he and Ron are "rakin' it in"

"Well, they are." I reason.

"I want to look nice."

"You do."

"I'm smiling."

"I see you."

"What did you do today?" He asks.

"I went next door, my neighbour, remember, the guy who got married? Well, he's in town for the holidays, so I went to check out the wife."

"And?"

"Very nice girl. She's a pediatrician, so he married into money." I laugh.

"And here I thought only women did that."

"How is your mom? Say hi to her."

"She's alright. A friend of hers, you know Ms. Fortescue, whose daughter we went to school with us just bought a house nearby and moved in a couple of weeks ago, so she's been over a lot, which has distracted my mother from her inquisition."

"Who's her daughter?"

"Stephanie."

I stare into the mirror blankly. 

"Yeah, I had no idea either.  But she's nice.  Very sweet and innocent, like."

"That's wonderful."

"Oh and Ginny says hi."

"Give her my regards too."

"Yeah, and she grilled me, of course."

"Of course. That's a woman in search of information."

He wishes me a merry Christmas and says he's being pulled in a hundred different directions tomorrow, so he wanted to make sure he got to talk to me tonight. He wants me to give my mom a hug and tells me he misses me. I think it should be a very nice reunion when we get back to London.

I put away the mirror, and everybody is still next door, so Pete comes by to drag me out of the house too.

"So, where you chatting with your bigtime famous hunk?" He teases. 

I laugh.

"Hey, how come you never went out with me? I was dark-haired and skinny too.  And I used to have a scar on my head from when I fell out of my tree.  I still have no idea what happened to all the branches…." He pretends to be hurt.  We were barely friends as kids, but Pete and I grew closer after I graduated Hogwarts.  It was almost like I had grown up with him, along with Harry and Ron.

I grin at him, then grow more serious. "Hey, do you think that in the end you married Olivia because she was Italian like you?"

"No. Why?"

"I don't know, just something I've been thinking about."

"Because you're not a famous heart-throb teenie's dream like he is?"

We sit down on the couch, and put our feet, shoes included, on the coffee table.

"Has he said anything about it to you?"

"No, he's not like that. He's just dealing with something new."

"It takes some time. If he breaks your heart, I wouldn't mind taking on a second wife." He winks.

"I'll bet!" I laugh. "He's good to me, good for me."

"I know, I can tell."

"Come on," I stand up and extend my hand towards his. "You can tell me all about your honeymoon. Well, about Jamaica, I don't much care to hear what went on indoors."

"You don't want to live vicariously?"

"I don't need to." I stick my tongue out at him as we grab our jackets and head out the front door.

"He's that good?"

"I don't kiss and tell."

We make our way into the kitchen for dinner, where about 25 people are getting ready to eat.  The kitchen is full of people who aren't wizards, but I belong, without question. There may be stupid people in the world, but there are a hell of a lot of smart ones too.


*





I'm not surprised when our mother opens the door and wakes Ron and I up, way too early, for Christmas day.

"Merry Christmas!" Mom says brightly, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Ugh," Ron says in response. "What time is it?"

"Seven," I grumble.

"Mom," Ron whines. "You do realize that it's still Christmas at, say, eleven?"

"Don't you want your presents?" she asks, grinning from ear to ear.

I sigh. "Yeah, let's get this over with."

I glance at Ginny at the door, who is trying hard not to laugh.  The twins stumble down to the living room with us.

"Here," Mom hands Ron his first. "Merry Christmas, honey."

"Thank you," he says and she waits for everyone to follow suit.  And all I want to do is go back to bed. By the time we're all done opening our gifts, it's nearly eleven and I'm almost thankful that my mom gets the whole thing over with early. Almost.

I'm not allowed to return to bed; we're supposed to have brunch together and Mom tells me that she's invited Stephanie and her mom because they don't have anybody else, and it's the kind thing to do at this time of year.

Ginny and Ron shoot looks at each other and I am kind of annoyed that they're not letting me in on the big secret and when they head upstairs to get dressed, I follow them.

I corner Ginny in the hall next to her room.

"What was that about?"

Ginny smiles enigmatically.

"Giiinnnnyyyyyy!" I whine. "Come on, you and Ron are up to something."

"It's not us," she laughs.

"Who, then?" I ask, puzzled. "The twins seem to be as out of the loop as I am."

"They're not as out of the loop as you are," she chuckles. "Nobody is that out of the loop."

"Thanks."

"Do you really think Mom is inviting Ms. Fortescue and Stephanie here out of a sense of goodwill to all men?"

"What do you mean?"

She shakes her head. "Think about it, Harry."

"What?"

"You are so dense sometimes."

"Will you just tell me?"

"What's the only way she can make sure you and Hermione don't get too serious?"

I shrug, and then it dawns on me.

"Stephanie."

"Duh, Harry.  She's gorgeous – waify model-type gorgeous – and she's innocent.  I'll bet anything she's a virgin."

"I don't like Stephanie."

"You should have seen your face light up when Mom mentioned that she invited them over."

"You're crazy."

"Am I?"

"I'm in love with Hermione!"

Ron is on his way into the bathroom with his towel slung over his shoulder. He stops when he hears my declaration and shakes his head.

"What?" I glare at him. "You too? Are you going to dispense some brotherly advice about how I can't really be in love with Hermione? How we're wrong for each other?"

"I saw your face, Harry."

I gape at him.  "Everyone has been stressing me out so much.  Stephanie is the ONLY person who I can laugh and talk with who isn't secretly trying to tear Hermione and I apart!  Of course I'm happy to see her!"

"Look, take it from me. It's not going to be easy to fight mom on this."

"I don't want to fight her!"

I turn back to Ginny. "And just because she wants me with Stephanie doesn't mean it's going to happen. Stephanie and I have our own minds."

Ginny tries to hold back a sarcastic smirk.

"Okay, Harry."

"I'm serious!"

"I know."

I turn to Ron for support.

"Nothing is going to happen with Stephanie."

"I believe you, man.  Nothing BETTER happen with Stephanie.  I'm Hermione's friend too, you know.  I already promised her that I would beat you to a pulp if you did anything to hurt her."

"Right."  I glare at Ginny.

"What?"

"Thanks for your support."

She sighs, "Harry…"

"No. Ginny, I like Stephanie, you're right. As a friend. I'm in love with Hermione."

She holds her hands up in a gesture of peace.

"I believe you Harry. Just don't forget that, okay?"

"You really think I'm that easily persuaded?"

"I hope not…"

I turn again to Ron, but he's shaking his head and as he closes the bathroom door behind him, I think I hear him sighing and wishing me luck.


*





My mom wants me to see Mrs. Weasley and wish her a happy holiday. I know I should do it without being told, but there is still that sense of trepidation and I hold off on Christmas, then agonize over it the following day.

"Be nice, Hermione, I didn't raise a scaredy cat."

"I know."

I still allow myself ample time to take a long shower, eat a long breakfast, and read every page of the local newspaper, all before ever walking over to the fireplace. Then I turn right back around, and let the rest of the day pass me by. Lunch, out to my aunt's place, dinner, shower in that order, and then it's back to the fireplace again. I take some powder and throw it in the fire, before I get the chance to chicken out.

"Hermione!" She greets me and I quickly rattle off my well rehearsed greeting, complete with holiday cheer.

"How are you, dear?" She asks, very pleasantly. Almost perky. Strange.

"I'm doing well, thank you. Are you having a nice Christmas?"

"Yes, it's great to have everybody home together, even if it's for a few days."

"I'm glad you have a bit of time with them, especially Harry. I know you miss having him around."

"I do." She says it softly, I even sense her tearing up a little.  "I wish you were around too, you know."

"Is Harry around?" I ask timidly.

"No, sorry, he stepped out to walk a friend home. We were sitting around talking, lost track of time and I didn't want Stephanie to go home alone.  Poor dear can't apparate."

"Oh, okay."

"It's not far, he shouldn't be long."

"That's alright, I didn't really need to talk to him, I just thought if he was home, I could say hello."

"I'll definitely pass on the message to him."

"Thank you."

We end the call soon thereafter, and she's quite nice to me, although she mentions this girl, Stephanie, once again, saying how she was probably bugging Harry for autographs. I feel the hint of suspicion at the back of my mind, but I let it go immediately, berating myself for even considering the thought.

"I did it, mom. I called."

"That's my girl. How was it? You should have let me say hi."

"Sorry, it didn't even cross my mind, I was a woman on a mission. Get in, get out, staying alive was a bonus."

"Oh come on." She rolls her eyes at me. Now I know where I got that from.

"Anyway, it wasn't too bad. It was pleasant, actually."

"Did you tell Harry?"

"He was out when I called." I say, a bit wistfully.

"You miss him?"

"Yeah." I smile.

She gets up from her chair and pats my shoulder. "It's been a long time since I've seen you like this."

"Like what?"

"Happy, giddy about a man, dreamy, girlish, swooning..."

I snort. "Mom, I'm going to vomit if you continue."

"It's a good thing, you know. You always had such a business first attitude about you, a good head on your shoulders, but it's nice to let go and be silly in love sometimes too."

I look down and blush a little.

"Okay, so I really miss him a lot." I tell her and she grins, happy with my admission.


*




Mom persuades me to walk Stephanie home, telling me that I had to be gentlemanly. I want to volunteer Ron for the task, but he bows out after Mom gives him a stern look and I start to wonder if he and Ginny are right.  But my mother couldn't possibly try to ruin my love life, could she?

I help Stephanie with her coat and we go out into the crisp night air.

"I had fun," she tells me as we head to her home.

I smile noncommittally and wait for her to catch up with me. It's funny, I can't help rushing through this. I just want to get Stephanie home and get myself home and contact Hermione.

"You have a really great family,' she smiles.

"Thank you."

"Mrs. Weasley is great."

"Thanks."

"You must miss them, sometimes, right?"

"Sometimes."

She stops and shoves her hands inside her pockets and looks up at me.

"Harry? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sure." I shrug. "I'm fine."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"You just seem angry at me or something. I just don't understand why. I don't think I've done or said anything wrong, have I?"

"No." I try to hold myself in check. It's not really her fault that my mom is plotting to destroy my relationship with Hermione. She's an innocent bystander.

I sigh.

"I'm sorry, Stephanie. I just miss my friends."

She gives me a look.

"Hermione?"

I blush.

She smiles. "I overheard a lot about her. Via your mom talking to my mom."

"That can't have been pretty," I groan.

"Your mom just doesn't want you to get too serious too fast." Stephanie shrugs and burrows deeper inside her jacket.

"Do you want gloves?" I ask her and she shakes her head.

"We're almost back to my place."

"Do you think she's right?" I ask and instantly regret that the thought even crossed my mind.

"You're young," she smiles. "Why get tied down?"

I consider this.

"But if you care about somebody…"

"Why do you have to be exclusive?" she asks. "I mean, if you are just seeing if you fit with somebody else, why not check out your options?"

"I have so many," I comment dryly.

"I hear some women have 'Potter Shrines'" she teases.

"Yeah, and I'm sure they had all kinds of activities in mind for it," I laugh.

"It's a life-size shrine," she winks.

I groan and she breaks into laughter.

We reach her door and she opens it.

"Where's your mom?" I ask.

Stephanie shrugs. "Probably went for a drink at the neighbours'. Do you want to come in and warm up?"

"I should get back," I say, thinking about seeing Hermione.


"Oh, come on," she persuades. "I'll make some hot chocolate or something."

"No thanks," I smile.

"Cider?"

I shrug.  Evidently she wanted me to stay. "Okay, yeah."

"I had to twist your arm hard," she laughs.

I can't help it. Despite the fact that I know I'm feeding right into my mother's fantasy, I like Stephanie. She's easy to talk to and doesn't make me feel guilty about my life.  Like a bit of relief after a whole long holiday antagonizing with my mother.

I follow her into the house and she turns on a lamp in the living room, giving the room a soft glow.

"Take your jacket off and stay awhile," she invites and heads into the kitchen to put the kettle on.

She comes back and I'm relaxing against the leather of the sofa, flipping through a photo album.

"Is this you?" I ask, pointing to a picture of a very different looking girl.

"Yeah," she laughs. "Wasn't I ugly?"

"No," I shake my head.

"Yeah, right."

"You weren't."

"I was hideous."

"Not possible." 

"Sure." She sticks her tongue out at me.

"You can't have been hideous, ever."

"Why not?" she asks.

"Because you're beautiful."

She punches me in the arm.

"You're a flirt!"  I can't help but grin.  She's not as innocent as she looks.

"I am not!" I protest.

I seem to remember having this conversation before.  But it was true, Stephanie was stunning.  She looked like a model, tall, thin, full lips, graceful…

"You are!" she insists, reaching over to me.

I grab her hand. She grabs my other one in return. We're laughing hard and trying to one up the other.

I don't mean for it to happen.

Suddenly hands are where they shouldn't be and lips and tongues soon follow. The couch isn't big enough to handle the two of us and we crash to the floor, too involved in our pursuits to notice our fall from grace.

The kettle starts to whistle in the other room. I don't even notice.