Home Again

Summary: Someone from Hermione's past returns. R/Hr.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, fun right?

Chapter 9: Wrong

Christmas Day had finally arrived.

Hermione had been awake for almost 4 hours. She heard everyone else get up and when she heard Mrs. Weasley peek her head in, she pretended to be asleep.

She wasn't in the holiday mood.

But she had to get up. Or else people were going to think something was wrong.

But something was wrong.

When everyone arrived back at the Burrow last night, Hermione headed straight to her room. She cried herself to sleep. She knew Ginny had checked in on her, heard her crying. And Ginny knew that she had to let Hermione cry.

Hermione sighed and kicked the covers off her. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in." Hermione said.

The door opened and George peeped in. "Merry Christmas."

Hermione forced a smile. "Merry Christmas to you too. Everyone downstairs?"

"Yup. We just finished eating breakfast and are about to open presents. You coming down soon or what?"

"Yeah, gimme a few. I'll meet you down there." Hermione disappeared into the adjoining bathroom.

George walked inside and sat down on the bed. He actually needed to talk to Hermione. Ginny had told him she peeked in on her last night and she was crying. Then she explained about the fight she had with Ron before George showed up. George cracked a joke about always missing the "good stuff" but only won a smack upside the head in response.

When Hermione walked out of the bathroom, teeth brushed and clothes on, she stopped in her tracks, surprised to see George still there.

Her eyes narrowed as she glared at George. "What did you do?"

George held up his hands innocently. "Nothing. I swear. I just want to talk to you."

Hermione sighed. "I'm fine, okay? I just don't want to talk to Ron unless I have to. Got it? Good, let's go."

She grabbed George's arm and dragged him out of her room.

"That room looked familiar…" George said as they were leaving.

"That's because it was yours, dumbass." Hermione replied as she walked downstairs. George frowned, but didn't get a chance to respond.

They had reached the living room.

And everyone seemed to be happy.

Key word--seemed.

Hermione could tell off the bat that Mrs. Weasley was still worried, that Ginny appeared to be a tad upset and that Ron was feeling like shit. The last observation brought a tiny smile to Hermione's lips.

After the choruses of "Merry Christmas"es were done with, Hermione sat down in front of Angelina and little Molly. Immediately, Molly wanted down.

Angelina groaned. "Look at what you've done. Now she's gonna wanna go up and down, up and down." She said as she put Molly down next to her auntie.

Hermione smiled and pulled out a small envelope. She handed it to Angelina. "To make everything better. At least for a day."

Angelina opened the envelope and squealed. "A day at a spa?! Thank you so much!" She gave Hermione a hug.

"What? Why does she get a day at a spa?" Fred asked.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let me count the ways: first of all, she carried Molly for 9 months. Second, she gave birth to her. And third, she puts up with her—" Hermione covered Molly's ears. "—shit more than you do." She finished, uncovering her niece's ears.

Fred scoffed but didn't reply.

The rest of the presents were sent around. Squeals and laughter could be heard. Harry blushed a deep red when he saw what Angelina bought Ginny.

"For tonight." Angelina said about the lingerie, winking at her.

Hermione wanted to go upstairs before Ron opened her present. Unfortunately, that's not what happened.

"Here Ron, this is from Mione." Harry said, handing his friend an envelope.

"Is that another day at a spa?" Fred asked.

Hermione shook her head and put her attention on the necklace Ginny had bought her.

"Two tickets to a Chudley Cannons game. Hermione, how did you get these? The next five seasons are already sold out."

Hermione shrugged. "Wasn't that hard. I know a person who has a friend." She glanced up and saw Ron's guilty expression.

She saw him pull something out of his pocket. "This is for you." He said softly, handing it to Ginny who handed it to Angelina who inspected it before handing it to Hermione.

Hermione took it and opened the small, wrapped gift. Under the wrapping paper was a small velvet box. Hermione heard Ginny, Mrs. Weasley and Angelina gasp. She knew that it wasn't what they thought it was.

Ron didn't have the guts to propose. If it wasn't for the encouragement he received from Harry and his brothers, he would have never revealed his true feelings to Hermione.

Hermione opened the tiny box. Apparently, she was wrong.

A/N: I know this chapter is kind of short. Sorry. Just needed to get it out there. 4 more days you guys. Then I pick a new penname. I dunno. I don't really see a winner in the future. Maybe I'll extend the date to December 13th. How about that?