Disclaimer: On the first day of Christmas my true love said to meee...Harry Potter does not belong to thee...On the second day of Christmas...
Hi! Hi! Hi! Wasn't the last chapter cute? hah...surprise kiss at the end there. Bit sappy...((grumbles))...but not bad! Anyways life's good. Just 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...days till WINTER BREAK! Woohoo! Yay! ((catcallswhistles sound))
Anyways...you know what time it is? It's thank-the-awesome-reviewers-time!
Gryffindorprefect: Hey Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it! One of the best? Are you sure? There are so many of them out there! It's always good to here your story is actually realisitic! Thanks again!
QueenofDarkness13: Oh you know me! I'll probably have a few more twists in there! Hah...thanks all around for reviewing!
Rachael J.A: Thank you so much! It was really appreciated!
Chrimukkah-hunnie: It was you being Santa Claus? LOL. Thanks I'm glad you liked it! I'm sick and stuffy nose. And my medicine tastes yucky! Damn Canadian winters! But then again tropical Canada would be pretty weird...
PinkyTheSnowman: Yay! I'm glad you didn't throw up! Ron's 'having problems' at the moment lol. Hah! First person to actually give a compliment to Seamus! Kudos! Yeah well anyways thanks for reviewing! (p.s. i can't help but ask, do you know FROSTY the snowman?)
MeryKey-7: That! You guys are cruel haha. I tried! I swear I tried to have no cliffy! This time no cliffy for sure. Yup things are cool now and anywho thanks for reviewing! (Yeah gayness is a cool word)
Silver Ice: Oh hi! I haven't heard from you for a while! Hah...It's nice to hear you enjoyed the last few chapters! I feel bad for Dumbledore too but it had to happen ((sigh)) Yes the ending was pretty sweet. Ron and Hermione all gaga there for a bit. Anywhoo thanks a ton for your review!
Mental357: Oh thanks! Dumbledore's such a hard person to do! I swear I thought I might mess up badly. I'm glad my mush settled well lol. Oh and also thank you for the review!
Miss-Court-A-Doo: I tried! I tried! No cliffy here! I PROMISE! I thought it wasn't a cliffy but turns out it is...((sighs))...what ever will I do with my sudden cliffhanger addiction? Anyways thanks for the threat AND review.
Bhekie: All too true! Thanks for the review also!
Madam Whitbrook: Yes, thanks for telling me. I changed it now. You can go check it if you like? Anyways...I didn't even hear if you liked the story? Ah well thanks for reviewing anyways!
Svizzera: Yeah I suppose so! Since everyone's been telling me LOL. Anywhooo...thanks for reviewing!
Jesse: ((winks)) Thanks!
brokentoy19: Thanks all around! I'm really happy you reviewed!
kamplified: Thanks! Yup that particular song is one I heard suddenly one day and decided to add into my story!
Sabrina: Wow that's alot of reading! Yeah totally RON AND HERMIONE FOREVER. Hah...like angry protestors...btw the bump thingy is cutecool! Thanks for reading and reviewing too!
dancerrdw: Me either! Hah...sometimes I hardly know what I'm gunna write and sometimes I'm certain! Thank you for your review too!
gonzogirl: You really think so? Awesome! Thanks a bunch!
LunaAqua: Hey! Sorry! lol...no more cliffys in this chappie I swear! Ok I'm 99.9 sure! Thank you btw!
Rianna Potter: Ok sorrry! No more cliffhangers! For now...((hehehe)) Always more! Thanks for reviewing also!
fairygirl100: Thanks alot! Hehe...Hermione's Reaction! Ooooh! Wasn't it really all of a sudden? Yes, yes...(I don't know where I'm going with this)
bethzc: Yeah! Fluff! Fuzz! Warm gushy gushy stuff! It's like baby talk kinda lol. Anywho thanks for reviewing!
Nymphomaniac: I know right? Thanks for the review!
Cariel: Irish Accent? Hmm...I could try...Perhaps I'd be bad at it though. Angst? Sure! lol...thank you for the review too!
Windcall: I know what you mean. I don't usually like after Hogwarts stories either. Unless they're real good! I'm glad this appealed to you and thanks for reviewing!
piratingspiderelf: Haha! Shows how much you know! Actually you could be right...no wait what am I saying! I can make it the opposite of what your saying and make them fall in love right there and then and end the story. Or is that what you want...? You reviewers and your mind games ((sighs)) I'm not gunna touch on that topic of Dumbledore's family although I may have a vague idea. And Yes I Am Proud To Have Received Your Longest Review! Thank you for it!
Fawkes Forever: Heyhey! I'm glad I could cheer you up while you were sick! It cheers me up now that I'm sick. I hope your feeling better 'cause being sick just sux! Yes over react is really more like it lol. Oh yes...Seamus...lol. Thanks a whole bucketful of my Robutussein worth! lol.
Leneli: Thank you so much! I know it's hard to start reading a story when it's like 19 chapters long! I've done it and failed and succeeded quite a few times! So thanks!
hermygirl-14: Thanks! I'm to happy to hear you want more! I know the feeling! Thanks for reviewing too!
And just one last reminder of how much you guys rock! Thanks for making me the lucky author of a story with 300 reviews!
Surprise, surprise. Hermione pulled away first. Ron wiped the corner of his mouth and stared up at her expecting to get quite a scolding. And she looked very capable of giving it too. Her face concorted with a red fury but somehow settled. Hermione managed to calm her face so that it was wrinkle-free and rather tranquil.
In a way that was even scarier than anger. This could only mean the worse was yet to come. Ron preoccupied himself by staring around at Christmas decorations around the room and up on the ceiling above them.
"Ronald" Hermione began, using his first name so as to make him cringe. First names were never good. "What ever was that for?"
Her forced calm was only given away by the rage that flooded her eyes. Her bushy hair resembled the tentacles of an octapus and seemed to be able to reach out and choke him at any given moment.
"Erm..." Ron mumbled. There wasn't much to say. Hermione, I'm crazy about you? Hermione, you're all I ever think about? Hermione, I love you? None of those topics seemed particularly appealing.
And yet as Ron noticed something spectacular even his own genius surprised him, "See that miseltoe above us?"
Hermione stiffed and regretfully looked up, "What about it?"
"Just paying you back from that kiss you gave me under the miseltoe at the Burrow" Ron replied rather smugly.
Hermione stared up at it and back at him, then calmed and slouched in relief, "OH! Alright."
Ron nodded with a grin but couldn't help but be disappointed. It almost looked as if Hermione was slight disappointed. Over what?
"Ron, we should really get going. You know, back to the Burrow. Everyone'll be waiting for us. And it's almost dinnertime" Hermione suggested.
"Yeah, yeah" Ron shrugged starting to get up. But Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You know what?" she said sounding hesitant.
"What?" Ron questioned bewildered.
"I think I like that picture you got me afterall" Hermione said with a slight smile.
"And tell you why you two just suddenly decided to take the Muggle way back to the Burrow?" Harry interrogated rather well. He was an Auror afterall.
But Ron and Hermione's lips remained sealed.
"And why not?" Luna piped up vouching for them, "I do it sometimes."
Harry was caught between them. He knew perfectly well Luna was a special case in these circumstances but would never say so aloud. Number One because he didn't want to risk hurting her feelings and Number Two he found there was no point in raising the topic, it was rather endearing.
"Well just-" Harry said in a choppy tone, "Nevermind."
Luna smiled in triumph and Ron and Hermione shared looks of glee. Afterwards Mrs. Weasley came round with candycanes and gingerbread men and eggnog too. Ron greedily ate all he could get his hands on. It wasn't everyday he ate homemade treats. Some days all he had was Whisky and cashews.
It was a basicly wonderful evening and completely uneventful. Mid-way through though Mrs. Weasley called Harry out of the room claiming there was someone for him at the fireplace. Ron had a feeling there was more to it then that because when Harry re-entered the room he looked as pale as a ghost.
"Anything wrong Harry?" Luna inquired gently as he plomped down beside her softly.
"No, nothing" Harry said and Ron knew he was lying. He had a feeling Luna did too but she did not press upon it.
The Wedding was not too far away. In February.
"Time for some supper!" Mrs. Weasley called out to them. She bustled into the room and ushered them all into the kitchen where they were to eat. She was very much in her element. Cooking, serving, keeping perfect red curls all in the joyous time of the season. Her voice seemed higher if not happier. Ron was just grateful she wasn't carrolling at the moment.
Just as the whole hang had settled to dinner the doorbell rang throughout the house. Everyone looked up from their plates stimutaneously, almost remorefully. Ron stared hungrily at the food. Why did there have to be visitors now?
"I wonder who that could be?" Mrs. Weasley pondered out loud, "George, dear, can you go check it out?"
"I'm Fred" Fred chiruped, "And why is it me? Tell Ron to get it."
"No tell Ginny to" Ron complained.
"No way. Tell George."
"Not happening. Ask Bill."
"Me? I'm the eldest! I've earned the priveledge not to do it! Tell Charlie."
"If it's going to be anybody it'll be Percy."
"Fred! Go! Now!" Mrs. Weasley shouted wagging a finger. Fred did not go quietly. He managed to pout and sulk and kick Percy off his chair on his way.
Ron did not particularly care who it was. He wanted some of the roast chicken! Hermione on the other hand seemed to have lost all thought of food and waited in anticipation as Fred came back and announced who their dinnertime visitor was. Ron was surprised and upset to see Seamus step inside after Fred. His stomach gave a huge lurch and this time it was not on account of the food. He hadn't talked to Seamus in what felt like a good many years and now suddenly he was there standing in the Burrow with Mrs. Weasley inviting him to sit down. The time they had spent apart seemed such a long weary period and to see him suddenly made Ron wonder, Is he still alive?
Of course Seamus seemed very much alive as he took the other seat to Hermione's left and pecked her on the cheek. A soft heat crept up her face that was evident to all and she shot Ron a rather goofy, nervous smile. Ron smiled back trying to seem aloof even though he felt horrible. It felt as if Seamus was the head of Gryffindor and had just caught them having an after-hours Quidditch victory celebration.
"So how've you all been?" Seamus asked politely as Mrs. Weasley scooped mounds of mashed potatos onto his plate.
"Good, jolly, and now hungry" George spoke up. He grabbed the largest piece of chicken and began munching away at it like crazy. Daphne gave him a detesting look and only took sips from her wine glass all night.
"And what about you, Ron?" Seamus questioned facing him.
"Eh" Ron shrugged.
"No girls then?" Seamus joked smiling handsomely.
"No! Of course not!" Hermione replied rather quickly before Ron even got a chance to get out a word. All eyes turned on her very suspicously.
Finally it was Fred who broke the silence, "See that Ron, even Hermione knows you're not a lady's man."
"That's not what I meant" Hermione protested blushing furiously.
"Oh don't worry about it, 'Mione, you wouldn't be the first witch to sound appalled at the idea of Ron and a girl" George said mischeviously.
"Shut up, the both of you!" Ron hissed and then added, "What Hermione means is that I'm just at a bit of a dry spell right now."
"What ever happened to that lovely, Becky girl?" Mrs. Weasley inquired innocently but Ron knew she saw this as a chance to intrude on her son's love life.
"Nothing, mum" Ron responded simply.
"What do you mean nothing?" Mrs. Wealey pried.
"Can we not talk about Becky?" Harry suggested unnerved. Luna glanced at him and Ron noticed a glint of worry in her eyes.
"Why should you care what does or does not happen with Becky?" Luna questioned.
"I don't care! It's just a bad topic for Ron!" Harry said loudly.
"What? Why's it a bad topic Ronald?" Mrs. Weasley implored sounding slightly annoyed that she wasn't getting anything out of him.
"It's not!" Ron yelled shooting daggers into Harry with his eyes.
"Oh Molly, just let it go" Mr. Weasley said gently soothing her, "Now Seamus, didn't you mention your dad was a Muggle?"
"Er-yeah" Seamus said.
"Well then, what is it like being a wizard who also has to cope with pure bred Muggles in the family?" Mr. Weasley asked sounding fascinated.
"Da-ad!" Ginny snapped, "Don't frighten the guests."
Supper passed in a mess of chatter and Ron sighed almost wishing everyone would just go away for once. He immediately scolded himself for this thought. Without everyone around him he would be a very sad little wizard. Yet sometimes he wished he could be another person just once.
'Like Seamus' Ron thought watching him and Hermione clasp hands. She seemed to have forgotten him totally now that her boyfriend had returned. Ron was so emotionally out of control right now he felt as if he could almost tell Hermione he adored her. It was as if Ron the hero had left and in his place remained a huge bloody throbing heart.
"A bit too descriptive, don't you think?" Daphne smirked.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Ron gulped he thought he already knew.
"You know what I'm talking about" Daphne teased.
"Did you read my mind or something?" Ron asked dumbfounded. If that was true he'd have to be selective of his thoughts in her prescence. Of course Daphne didn't respond but just gave him a piercing stare as if to answer.
She stood declaring the end of dinner and Ron gasped. Her stomach was two times bigger than it had been yesterday when she'd arrived. But how...?
"Problems, Weasley?" Daphne demanded staring from her pregnant stomach to the shocked expression on Ron's face.
"You should know since you can read minds" Ron retorted, "But if you ask then, well, not to be rude or anything but how come you've gotten to much bigger in two days?"
"I'm a Vampire" Daphne said in exasperation, "My pregnancy moves along at a faster rate than a human's. I know it's been two months to you. To a human I'd be in the first trimester but to a Vampire I'm already in my third. Actually the baby's due in February. The thirteenth to be exact."
Ron nodded still feeling winded. George a dad in less than two months? No way, no way, no way.
'Way' an irritating voice in his head countered. Ron frowned February was going to be one heck of a busy month. A wedding and a baby. What next? Hermione's engagement? Ron shivered. Hopefully not.
"Ron, could I get a word?" Seamus implored after they had all progressed to the sitting area.
"Sure" Ron nodded and led Seamus out into the hall again so they could have some privacy. They stood uncomfortably for a bit before Seamus coughed.
"So what do you want?" Ron said as courteously you could say 'so-what-do-you-want?'.
"Erm you know about the whole engagement thing?" Seamus started.
"Yes" Ron said his eyes widening. Was Seamus?-could it be possible he would?-Was he cancelling the engagement altogether?
"Well, I've decided not to do it" Seamus finished or so Ron thought. He cheered loudly and clapped Seamus on the back.
"Good on you, mate!" Ron hollered, "I tell you, you're making the right decision!"
"What are you talking about? I haven't even ended my sentence and you go mad with glee!" Seamus said looking at him as if he were crazy.
Ron's face fell, "Oh, go on."
"What I meant is I've decided not to do it yet. But there is good news!" Seamus added.
"Really?" Ron said weakly, "And what's that?"
"I have set the date for it!" Seamus grinned, "February Eleventh!"
"What?" Ron exclaimed, "Why the Eleventh?"
"To that day four years ago is when I realized I had a crush on Hermione" Seamus said, eyes glazing over.
Ron swallowed a huge tangle of sorrow in his throat. An exact date. An exact date was not good for him. It meant that an engagement was secure. He did not want that happening.
"Are you sure, Seamus?" Ron asked even though it was more of a beg.
"Yes I'm sure" Seamus replied unable to wipe the smile off his face, "Wait till you hear what I've got planned for that day."
Ron began heading back into the dining room with his ears rining with Seamus' fabulous plans for the proposal. He had rented a park for the day. An entire park. It was to be smouldered with romantic candles and white roses (Hermione's favourite) and the best or worst part was that everyone was invited. Her family, his family, Ron's family. Ron, himself. Ron didn't know if he could bear to be with Hermione on the night she gave herself over to another man forever and ever.
As soon as he entered the sitting room more 'good news' met him. Actually this time it was a rather happy announcement. Harry and Luna had kicked up the date of their wedding to February Seventeenth. Ten days earlier than planned. Evidently it had been Harry's idea. He had his arm around his fiance and looked perfectly happy but Ron could tell something was up. He was scared something might happen. What it was exactly, Ron wasn't sure. Harry'd come around and tell him sooner of later. So this was it.
A baby, a wedding and a proposal all in one month.
Damn February.
Author's Note: I have to go to the bathroom! So I'm shortening this message a bit! Erm...um...hope you enjoy the chappie...read it...like it...review it...and ummm...I have to PEE!
xoxo
winky!