Merry Christmas and Beware of the New Year

(Chapter Eighteen)

It felt like Harry had only been asleep for ten minutes before he was being shaken awake by his best friend Ron.

"Come on Harry, its Christmas!" Ron Said Excitedly. When Harry had finally managed to sit up and rub all the sleep out of his eyes he spotted Ron across the room quickly putting on a pair of jeans and wearing a huge smile.

Harry just watched Ron curiously for a few moments. Ron never got dressed to go open presents; he usually just went down stairs in his too small pajamas. He also looked unusually happy, even if it was Christmas.

"Er...Ron. I know you love presents and all, but don't you think you're a little old to be getting…giddy? And why are you getting dressed!" Harry asked incredulously.

Ron turned to him and blushed, unable to wipe the smile off his face.

"I-Er just want to look nice," Ron said. It was partially true.

"Oh well, why are you so happy, you're kind of creeping me out?" Harry asked while he crawled out of bed.

If it was possible, Ron blushed even more.

"I err, had a talk with Hermione last night," Ron said as casually as possible. At the mentioning of Hermione's name, Harry frowned.

"Oh," He said grumpily and Ron's smile finally faded.

"Harry, you were a real prat last night, you know that!"

Harry didn't respond and hung his head.

"You didn't even give her a chance to explain! Didn't you see how upset she was?" Ron continued.

Harry looked ashamed. "Maybe I overreacted a bit."

"A bit? Yeah I'd say so! Harry, you weren't there! If I hadn't of shown up when I did, Hermione would be dead. She chose death rather than betray you! So what if she was tempted? Anyone would have!" Ron said passionately.

"You're right…I'll apologize…How do you do it?"

Ron looked at Harry with confussion. "Do what?"

"Apologize to Hermione? I mean, you do it all the time don't you?"

Ron thought. "Well, no, not as much as I should, but it's always best to let her know how stupid you were and that you were wrong. It's always works for me."

The two were silent while Harry also decided he would put some real clothes on this year.

"So why were you so happy about talking to Hermione?" Harry finally asked.

Ron suddenly turned red again and the smile became plastered on his face.

Harry didn't need a response based on this expression. He could figure it out on his own.

"No way!" He said smiling.

Ron nodded excitedly. "It just happened! I was comforting her and then I gave her, her Christmas gift and then we just-we"

"Kissed?" Harry finished just as excited.

"Yes! It was brilliant! Nothing like what you said about Cho!"

Harry's smile dropped slightly. "Well, it's about time! I told you she liked you!"

Ron just laughed.

"So are you two going out now?" Harry asked expectantly.

Ron suddenly stopped smiling and furrowed his brows. "I don't know," He stated simply.

"You don't know?"

"Well, we didn't really talk about it"

"I think that might be a good idea," Harry suggested and Ron nodded.

"Come on, let's go downstairs."

The two boys quickly left their room and began to head down the hall towards the stairs.

Right before they hit the first flight a pretty, bushy haired girl stepped out into the hall way coming face to face with Harry and Ron.

All three stopped and looked at each other uncomfortably.

When Hermione's eyes caught Ron's she smiled widely and then shifted her vision towards Harry and looked down in shame.

Harry looked nervous and swallowed hard. "Hermione, I'm sorry about last night I acted like a real prat-"

"Oh, but I deserved it Harry-"

"No you didn't, I should thank you Hermione, you do a lot for me. I really over reacted I didn't even listen to you-"

Before Harry could continue Hermione jumped into his arms giving him a huge tight hug.

When Hermione finally let go, she was smiling brightly and had tears forming in her eyes. She wiped a tear away quickly and ran down the stairs.

Ron and Harry stared after her.

"She may be a great kisser, but she's still mental." Ron said shaking his head after her.

Harry smirked and they continued down the stairs.

The living room was elaborately decorated with Christmas decorations. The tree was beautifully green and full with garland and multi-colored ornaments.

Underneath the tree, Fred and George were already ripping open their gifts along side Ginny. Charlie and Bill were there as well sitting on the couch opening their own presents.

Hermione made her way to sit down next to Ginny on the floor, Ron and Harry followed.

Tearing their way through the many gifts, they unwrapped boxes of candies, games, and books.

Finally, Ron got to Hermione's gift. It appeared to be a simple gray sweater and Ron struggled to not look disappointed. Hermione noticed this and smiled.

"Turn it over Ron," she advised.

He did as told and turned it over. On the other side of the sweater was the image of a Chudley Canons Quidditch player in action.

Ron's eyes lit up "This is great Hermione!"

"I thought you might like a sweater other than ones you're mum made you."

"Thanks Hermione, I love it!" Ron said with excitement and gave her a hug.

The last present had just been unwrapped and everyone was exchanging their thanks.

While Ron fiddled with some odd devices from Fred and Georges joke shop Hermione, without anyone noticing slipped her slender had into Ron's hand. He tensed slightly at her touch not expecting her to show any affection in public. Before he could respond however, she was pulling him up and leading him through a door into a small store room.

"Hermione what's wrong?" Ron asked with concern.

"Nothing," Hermione breathed quietly. "I just wanted to get away from everyone"

"Oh," Ron shifted nervously; he wasn't sure how to take that statement.

"You talked to Harry didn't you?"

"I told you I would."

"Thank you," Hermione said smiling. They stood close to each other for a few moments, both obviously uncomfortable.

It had felt so natural and wonderful last night. Just from a simple kiss he had felt so amazing and he wanted to feel it again.

Ron licked his lips. He was nervous all over again. Luckily, Hermione was feeling the same way and moved closer to him.

Once they were at a dangerously close distance there was no going back. They were drawn towards each other once more and their lips meet in a sweet, chaste kiss. They held the position for only moments before Hermione practically melted into his arms and the kiss deepened.

Unfortunately for them, In the Weasley house, no one is left alone for more than five minutes.

"Bloody hell!" Yelled a voice in terror.

Ron and Hermione broke apart and stared wide eyed at Fred and George who had just busted in looking for them. George had his hand to his mouth which Hermione knew must have been open wide, and Fred was shielding his eyes from the scene.

"I can't believe what my eyes just saw!" Fred cried.

Before they could say anything else Ron spoke up.

"Don't you two go and say anything!"

The twins both lowered their hands away from their shielded positions and grinned wickedly.

"Are you mad? Of course were going to say something! We just won a bet!" George stated.

"Oh yeah, that's right!" Said Fred in agreement.

"What are you two going on about?" Hermione asked.

"Come with us!" George said taking Hermione by the hand and leading her out into the living room. Fred did the same thing with Ron only he took him roughly by the collar of his shirt.

"Get off me!" Ron shouted. The twins let the couple go.

"What's going on?" Charlie asked.

"What's going on is that-" Fred started.

"You owe us five galleons," George finished.

"What are you-" Charlie started to say but when he took a second look at the situation it hit him and his jaw dropped open like he had just died, "Oh."

"Oh What? What's going on!" Ron asked, beginning to get angry.

Ginny stepped up and rolled her eyes.

"Fred, George, and Charlie made a stupid bet last summer trying to guess when you two would finally stop being thick and get together"

"You knew about this?" Asked Hermione and Fred at the same time.

Ginny let a small smirk escape onto her lips.

"Yes Hermione, I knew, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, and yes Fred, I knew Hermione and Ron shared their first kiss last night, but it was none of you're business."

At those words both Hermione and Ron blushed a deep shade of red. It was silent a moment and then Harry spoke up.

"What were your guesses and how come I wasn't included?" Harry said smiling.

Fred and George laughed while Hermione and Ron scowled at him.

"George and I said the middle of this year, we knew it wouldn't take long for Ron's lower brain to take over…Charlie on the other hand, was sure that Ron was too thick and immature and wouldn't realize how he felt until after you lot graduated from Hogwarts." Fred explained and Ron shot him a murderous glance.

"Alright then, you were right. Remind me to pay you before I leave," Charlie said in a dead, defeated tone.

"So err…are you two official?" Bill asked. Every one looked to him; they had forgotten he was even there.

The smiles all faded as they looked back to Ron and Hermione waiting for an answer.

For a few moments the couple was stumped by the question. Everything had happened so fast, and now it was all so surreal. Ron was scared and nervous, but he couldn't deny how great it felt to be with Hermione, and he didn't want to have to hide it.

Ron quickly forced himself to put aside all his anxieties and fears and he mustered up all the Gryffindor bravery he had and he reached out beside him taking Hermione's hand firmly in his own.

"Yes, we are," He stated confidently.

Hermione smiled brightly up at him and Ron felt a wave of happiness wash over him.

"Breakfast is ready, Everyone in the kit-" Mrs. Weasley said as she walked into the living Room with her Christmas themed oven mitts on her hands. She stopped suddenly when she saw Ron and Hermione's hands entwined.

Everyone waited, wide eyed and silent. Waiting for how Mrs. Weasley would react. Bill and Charlie had brought girls home before and their mum didn't take to kindly to another woman taking care of her babies, she had always been really hard on the girls her sons picked.

Their worse fears may have been confirmed when Mrs. Weasley's eyes started to water. Everyone held their breaths for what they thought would be a furious outburst. However, the complete opposite happened when Mrs. Weasley broke into tears and took both Ron and Hermione into her motherly arms.

"I'm so happy for you two. I knew it would happen one day! I love you both so much, oh congratulations!" She sobbed happily into Hermione's bushy hair.

Hermione couldn't believe it! Everyone seemed so thrilled that she and Ron had finally made their feelings into actions. All the positive attention felt so great, being with Ron felt great. It didn't mean that she wasn't scared out of her mind, but that is what felt the best. For once in her life she was setting herself free and letting her emotions take over rather than the usual logic.

Mrs. Weasley finally let them go and ushered them all into the kitchen where they ate a full and delicious Christmas breakfast.

I really hope that you enjoyed this chapter, keep on reading!