Title: Christmas Surprises

Chapter: Eleven – Epilogue

Author: SnakeEyesHannah

Spoilers: OotP

Disclaimer: I do not own anything involving Harry Potter. This does all our favorite author, JK Rowling, bless her soul.

"Isn't that adorable?" Hermione sighed happily, a smile of awe on her lips. She was practically glued to the large window in the Great Hall, watching her friends finally admit their feelings for each other. She heard a gagging noise beside her and slapped Ron on the arm. "Just because it's your sister you don't have to make the moment less than what it is!" she scolded her date.

"Once again", Ron answered. "A bit slower and in English, please!"

Hermione tore her gaze off the couple down on the beach outside and faced the love of her life. "Ginny deserves this", she said matter-of-factly. "As does Harry, so stop being a prat about it!"

Ron put on hurt face. "'Mione!" he gasped in mock sadness. She rolled her brown eyes at him; he so wasn't the actor his sister was.

"Oh come on, Ron! How many times do you actually meet your soul mate when you're this young?" Hermione questioned, glancing back at Ginny and Harry.

"Well excuse me for not wanting to see my sister snog the living daylights out of my best mate!" Ron burst out, earning another light slap on the arm. He rubbed his arm where Hermione had hit him and made a childish face. Hermione rose her hand threatening and Ron immediately jumped back, holding his hands up as a sign on surrender.

"Oh just forget it", Hermione sighed in defeat and turned her back on Ron, looking longingly at Harry and Ginny still sitting on the bench, holding hands, gazing into each other's eyes, not even thinking about heading back to the Ball any time soon. She wondered how long it would take before she and Ron had it like that, how long before Ron realized she was the one for him.

"Come on, 'Mione", she heard Ron say softly in her ear; his head perched on her shoulder. She smiled sweetly to the window as she felt Ron's arms around her waist. She leaned back into his embrace, wishing they could stay like this forever.

The fast song that had been playing in the background faded away under applause from the students and professors and a slow melody found its way into their ears. Hermione could feel tug her waist and reluctantly she took a step forward, breaking the embrace. She faced the redhead with a questioning look on her face.

"Let's dance", Ron offered, holding out his arm like a true gentleman. Hermione was slightly taken aback by his offer; Ron hadn't danced a single slow song by his own free will all night. But she couldn't refuse the offer and linked her arm with him with a smile on her face, letting Ron guide her to the dance floor.

"What will happen now?" Ginny whispered, her forehead against his, fingering on her necklace. Everything still seemed like a dream. Any minute now she would wake up and find that the Ball hadn't taken place at all.

Harry continued to gently rub Ginny's hand, gazing into her eyes. He prayed to God this wasn't just a dream. "I don't know", he answered truthfully. "We'll take it day by day and see where it leads us", he said wisely. Ginny smiled fondly. He sounded just like Dumbledore.

"As long as we're together I don't mind", she said, the smile growing wider. Harry lifted his hand and cupped her cheek.

"Always", he whispered. "Always together…" He leaned in and kissed her again, a soft and gentle kiss, sealing their agreement. Ginny smiled to his lips, this was not a dream – no dream could be this good.

They broke apart and looked at each other, smiling. They were lucky and they knew it. Not many people would meet the love of their life at such young age. Ginny was the first to look away. She looked over the ice-covered lake, suddenly feeling the cold winds. She shivered slightly, but enough to make Harry see it. He scooted a bit closer and wrapped his arm around her. Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder and together they sat in silence, thinking about the development between them.

"When d'you think Ron and Hermione'll tell each other?" Ginny asked after a few minutes. Harry grinned, thinking about his two best friends.

"Soon", he replied. "I just know it."

"I hope you're right. I can't stand another holiday with Hermione whining about how Ron doesn't fancy her", Ginny giggled. Harry couldn't help the chuckle bubbling up.

"Ron's about the same", he told her. "Thinks 'Mione'll never love him because he's got no money and because he's got red hair."

"I have red hair and no money", Ginny pointed out. "And you still love me, don't you?" She looked up at him, her face a perfect mask of innocence.

"Of course I do", Harry answered truthfully with a smile, kissing her forehead. It soothed Ginny and she dropped her head to his shoulder again. "And Hermione doesn't think any less of Ron because of his wealth. She loves him because he's Ron", he said philosophically.

"Don't go all Merlin on me!" Ginny burst out. Harry snorted.

"Go Merlin on you?"

"Yeah, all wise and stuff…" Harry laughed again, feeling better and better with every moment he spent with Ginny as his girlfriend. She's my girlfriend! he sighed happily in his mind. Of course she is. That's all you've ever wanted, so shut up and enjoy the moment! his inner voice so subtly interrupted.

You're all familiar with the phrase 'time flies when you're having fun', right? Well that's exactly how the four would describe the rest of the Christmas holiday. School was approaching rapidly, way too fast for anyone's liking (even Hermione's).

Being outside in the glistering snow on a beautiful sunny day or sitting indoors by a fire, playing chess or just relaxing with your friends when the weather didn't allow outdoors activities was far more fun than school.

The weekend before school started again, Harry woke up early. He had slept better than ever these past weeks and he had a clue it somehow was linked to Ginny. He quickly put on his glasses and opened the crimson drapes surrounding his bed and was hit in the face by the first rays of the sun. He had a feeling today would be a beautiful, clear winter day. A perfect ending to a perfect holiday.

"I can't believe it", Ginny sighed. She fell back into Harry's strong arms, relaxing in his embrace, letting the sun wash over them.

"What?" Harry asked, pulling her even closer to him so they were practically one. He kissed her cheek and rested his head on her shoulder.

"Just this one term and then I'll be all alone…" Ginny said in a saddened voice. She looked over the icy lake where a lot of the students were seizing their last moment of freedom before school clasped them irons again. In a couple of months the 'glorious three' would finish their seventh year at Hogwarts and in September Ginny would return to face her last year alone. No overprotective brothers, no Hermione telling her she should be studying instead of snogging Harry and… There would be no Harry. She sighed again and felt Harry tighten his grip around her waist.

"You'll never be alone", Harry protested.

"Yes I will. Ron and 'Mione got job lined up for them at the Ministry once they graduate, and you'll be off, doing God knows what, leaving me at Hogwarts – struggling to get through an excruciating year, pining after you", Ginny informed him, wildly gesticulating. Harry chuckled.

"It's not funny!" Ginny pouted. "Snape'll be even worse, if that is humanly possible, once you – his favorite tormentee – is gone. And he already hates me as it is, imagine how awful he will be next year! Oh I feel for those new, innocent firsties…" Ginny rambled on. She didn't notice Harry's bright eyes shining with joy. Even though he thought Ginny's ongoing rant was both endearing and hilarious, he knew she was right. Maybe not about the Snape-part, Harry mused, but they were going to be away from each other all year.

"…and then Filch'll think I've taken after Fred and George even more. And not to mention the fact that you three have been a great influence on me…"

"Ginny?" Harry interrupted, his voice filled with amusement. Ginny stopped her rambling and tuned her head to look at Harry, a questioning look on her face.

"Huh?"

"You need to learn how to stop talking", he teased her. She was just about to retort with something 'smart-arsed' – as Harry so affectionately have begun calling her come-backs – when Harry silenced her with a kiss.

"Ew! Not in front of me, mate!" Ron's disgusted voice reached them. Ginny groaned in frustration. Every time she kissed Harry or the atmosphere was getting even the slightest bit romantic, Ron showed up. Ginny was beginning to think he was following the two of them around.

"Come one", Colin Creevy pleaded. "Just one more. Please!" Ginny rolled her eyes at Harry over Colin's shoulder. Hermione, Ron and Harry had been posing in front of Colin's camera for a good ten minutes. Colin claimed that he needed the photographs for a 'special event' he couldn't tell of and the trio couldn't very well turn the poor boy down.

"One more, but then Ron and I are heading up to professor McGonagall for prefect instructions", Hermione said in a business-like tone. Ron mumbled something under his breath, but he didn't dare say anything out loud to his new girlfriend.

Harry sighed and plopped down on one knee in the snow, resting his elbow on it, his hand supporting his head. He looked at Ginny and winked just as Ron and Hermione took place behind Harry, encircling each other's backs with one arm, smiling at the camera. Ginny made a cute face at Harry – just before Colin pressed the button – causing Harry to smile fondly at her. A white flash almost blinded the three, but they were glad it was the last one.

Instantly, Hermione tugged Ron's sleeve and practically hauled him towards the castle, away from the happy and excited shouts from the students. Colin disappeared quickly too as they saw the ice break and a fourth year Ravenclaw fall into the freezing lake water.

"Alone at last", Ginny said seductively and approached Harry, her hips swaying a bit more than usual.

"So it would seem", Harry responded with a sly grin.

"What on earth could two people do on a wonderful day such as this?"

"I have no clue, but the inside of a certain broom closet seems to be in desperate need of an examination", Harry suggested, his eyebrows wagging mischievously.

"You wouldn't dare do anything to ruin my perfect innocence, would you, Mr. Potter?" Ginny questioned, her brown eyes innocently wide. Harry adopted a look of mock horror and clapped his hands over his mouth.

"Heavens no! Nothing to spoil the innocence of Ginny Weasley!" He winked at her and leaned down and kissed her passionately on the lips.

"On second thought, the broom closets aren't inspected nearly enough", Ginny whispered when they broke apart, a grin forming on both faces.

"Potter!"

Harry looked up from the piece of parchment he was writing on as he heard his name being called. He half smiled as he spotted Kingsley Shacklebolt leaning against the doorframe of his tiny room.

"Kingsley", Harry greeted before returning to the letter he was writing.

"You got an early morning, why are you still up?" the Auror questioned his trainee. Harry grinned, Kingsley knew very well Harry and Ginny were writing to each other on a daily basis.

"Icky love stuff", Harry responded.

Kingsley pretended to shudder and Harry grinned. The two had been away in different countries, different places every month for the past seven months in order to train Harry to become the best Auror he could be, and they had developed a deep respect for each other. They were practically brothers.

"How is she?" Kingsley asked in his deep voice, entering the room, stepping into the light. Harry put down the quill and stretched his arms.

"Gin's fine. Misses me like crazy", Harry added with a cocky grin. Kingsley laughed and patted Harry on the shoulder before turning out the door again. He paused just as he was about to turn the corner.

"Oh Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Say hi from me and don't let the girl go, you hear? And oh…" he added as if an afterthought. "Don't stay up too late. We still have work to do in dawn."

"You got it, sir", Harry replied truthfully with a smile before returning to his letter. There wasn't a chance in hell he was going to let Ginny go without a fight now that he finally got her.

"Come here, girl", Harry cooed as he put down the quill for the last time and folded the parchment. "Take this to Gin, okay?" he said to his beautiful, snow-white owl as she came swooping down from atop the window as she was called. Hedwig hooted as confirmation she understood her duty and waited patiently for Harry to let her go.

"You know where to find her", Harry whispered and stroked Hedwig's soft feathers before holding out his arm through the small window. He watched her as she soared through the dark night, heading towards Hogwarts. He smiled as he thought about Ginny, sitting at the Gryffindor table with all her friends tomorrow morning. He imagined how her eyes would light up when she would see Hedwig, how she would smile with childish excitement as the letter was delivered. He crawled into bed; not bothering to change into nightwear and quickly fell asleep, a happy smile on his face.

Ginny sat at the Gryffindor table at breakfast, surrounded by her friends, drumming her fingers against the table as she wished for the post to arrive. She knew that Harry would have written her today.

"It's still a bit early", Colin pointed out to her. Ginny sighed. She knew that, but she just couldn't wait until she heard from Harry again.

The minutes seem to go extremely slow, only to piss Ginny off, but soon she heard the familiar sound of wing flaps and she quickly looked up. Hedwig was easily spotted among the hundreds of owls swooping down to their owner. A smile crept on Ginny's face, lighting up her brown eyes.

"Thank you, Hedwig", she cooed softly to the gorgeous owl as her letter was brought to her. She stroked her feathers and fed her a slice of bacon as a thank-you before ripping apart the seal.

Dear Gin;

How are you, angel? Stupid question. You're perfectly fine, I know it. Especially now that you got my letter! See… I can still make you smile, even though I'm halfway around the world. Ginny giggled at this. Harry knew exactly how to brighten her mood.

God, I can't believe we've been apart for seven whole months! It's horrible, HORRIBLE I tell you. Tonks is still okay, but she's practically my sister! There are way too many blokes around there.

I can't begin to tell you how much I miss you, Gin. Your last letter was exactly what I needed, you always make me laugh. Did Colin really say that to Snape? The boy is absolutely mental! Tell him thank-you.

"Harry says thank-you", Ginny told Colin with a smile on her lips. "For the Snape-incident", she elaborated as she noticed Colin's confused look. She laughed as her friend looked petrified. "Don't give me that look, Harry wanted to know everything about this year!"

Oh, before I forget, could you tell Molly I said thank-you for her sweater. It really came in the right time. Russia is freakin' cold! And oh! Ask her if it's okay for me to come to the Burrow for Christmas. Kingsley promised he'd transfer us back to England in time for the holidays so I could spend them with you. Good man, Kingsley.

So anyway, I have to go to sleep now, another hard day tomorrow (or today, depending on how you see it). Take care, angel. And at least TRY to poison Snape this year. Eight time's a charm, right?

Dress warm, do all your homework and all that crap Hermione says. Or just miss me…

Love; Harry

Ginny's smile had widened as she read Harry's letter. Even meaningless everyday things were fun to read. She made a mental note to tell her mother Harry said thank-you. She didn't have to ask permission if Harry could stay at the Burrow over the holidays, he was always welcome there.

"Come on, Gin!" Colin's voice interrupted her thoughts. "If you don't get moving we'll be late for Potions!" Ginny quickly scrambled to her feet, grabbing her bag.

"Wait in the dormitory. I have owl treats there", Ginny quickly said to Hedwig. The white owl hooted and took off to Ginny's dorm where she would wait until she could deliver a letter back to Harry. Ginny hurried after her friends down to the dungeons. Today wasn't going to be too bad… Now she had the holidays to look forward to. She thanked the stars for Harry and for Christmas. There really wasn't anything like Christmas surprises…

Author's note: Well, that was it, people. I'm glad you stuck with me until the end. Although I have a feeling this won't be the end. A sequel is very much possible, with the suggestions, encouragement and help from you guys, of course!

the-insufferable-know-it-all – So there, I updated, happy now? Did you like this chapter too?

SailorChibi – Thank you so much! You have no idea how this review effected me. I was smiling stupidly for a good three days after! It's review's like that that keeps me going. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as you enjoyed these past ones. And I'm glad you think I write Rowling-good. It means the world to me! -hands out biscuit-

B19 – -cowers- You're not killing me, are you? I posted, so it's not fair if you kill me now! But thank you. I really appreciate your warm words.

lady lorethei – Aww… Thank you so much! Like I said, a sequel is very possible, but I don't know yet. Suggest some ideas and we'll see what happens.

krissygurl – Thank you. I hope you liked this chapter!

ZayneLily – Well no, that wasn't the end, but this is. Probably. I don't know, yet. But thank you for your compliments. They mean so much to me! Oh, how did you like this chapter?

Luna Lovegood2 – Here is the Epilogue now, did you like it? I actually know what you mean by staying up late, reading fics. I do that all the time. Bad Hannah! But it's worth it, isn't it? Thank you so much for everything! -gives cookie-

The No Life King of Denton – Thank you so much!

ElizabethMM – It means so much to me when I hear that. But I totally understand what you mean. Every love-story has to be a bit cliché. They aren't so great if they don't have at least an ounce of cliché in them. Thank you!

cherryblossom08 – -giggles- Yes, I am actually a bit surprised myself that I was able to write a winter-fic in the summer. I guess my mind works in odd ways! Hehe… So how did you like this last chapter?

milky way bar – Hey! How did you like the length of this chapter? Haha. It's even longer, I think! But thank you so much. I hope you enjoyed this chapter too…

Joyrider – Aww… Thank you so much! I really felt that the last chapter was very pretty. But this one exceeded my expectations! How did you like it?

And thank you to everyone else who reviewed my story. All encouraging words made me continue! But a special thank-you goes out to Callie, Faye, Gracie and Katrin, my darling friends who are there for me whenever I need them. You guys mean the world to me! This one was for you! -squishes to death-

Much love;

Hannah