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Chapter 13

December 15th dawned a bright clear day, but blisteringly cold. The last few weeks of October had flown by in no time at all. Ginny had finally gotten Harry to ask her to the dance, the stupid procrastinator. The dance was awesome and everyone had had a good time. Ginny had dressed up as Juliet, Harry as Romeo. Hermione had been some exotic foreign woman and Ron was Casanova. It proved to be an intriguing night, even the guys had to admit. But enough about that. November...was...well, it was there. And then it was gone. Just another month to get through until Christmas break. Nothing too exciting happened except another quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Gryffindor barely won since Ravenclaw had become very good themselves. There were no other matches until after break, so it was just practice without too much stress.

School was hell. Teachers were trying to wrap up the semester and kept on adding more and more homework if possible. Students were staying up late and cramming. Even the four friends in Gryffindor were pleading insanity from everything that had accumulated. Which brings us to that night where the four friends were gathered in the common room, working on their studies. They were all seated at one table with Harry and Gin on one side and Ron and Hermione on the other.

"Hermione, did you get that second question on potions?" Hermione looked up when Harry spoke to her. She rolled her eyes and showed him where he could find the answer. When he found it, he thanked her and went back to his studies. 'They are never going to survive in the real world, honestly...' she thought. After their studying had gone on for another thirty minutes, Ginny asked Hermione what she was doing for the Holidays.

"I'm going to stay at my house and maybe see if Ron can come up after Christmas." Ron blushed upon hearing this even though he already knew. Hermione had asked him a few days ago if he had wanted to and he said yes. Although too proud to admit, Ron was scared shitless to meet her parents. He'd only seen them once, in their second year. And even then it wasn't a big meeting. 'I am insane to be doing this." he thought. Harry had said it would be ok, but he had nothing to worry about! He was pretty much already family with the Weasley's. 'But I guess it's worth it. I get to spend more time with Hermione! Hope mum lets me go...'

Ginny gave a knowing look at Ron and went back to her schoolwork. Hermione already knew what Ginny and Harry were doing for Christmas. He was staying with the Weasley's and he'd hang out with Ginny. Harry smiled at the thought. 'Ah, no Slytherin's to deal with or teachers, no Dursleys', and most of all, 24/7 of Ginny. Life is good.' The night finished with a great many sighs meaning they were done with their damned homework. The four were now going to relax with what time they had left of the night.

---December 20th---

School had been let out the 19th and everyone was glad to be done. Shouts of joy were let out as the last class of the day let out. Students poured out from classrooms and conversations flew like crazy, students talking about their Holiday plans. Now, on their first day of freedom, everyone who was going home started packing up their things. As soon as 1 p.m. rolled around the Hogwarts Express signaled it was leaving the station and so the journey home started.

Many noises came from one compartment in particular. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were to be found having the time of their lives. Harry and Ginny were playing exploding snap and she had just lost her eyebrows. It was so funny Harry had fallen on the floor from laughing so hard with tears. Ron and Hermione were brought out of their amicable chatting. Upon their second glance at Harry and Ginny, they busted out laughing at the amusing pair. Ginny almost stormed out with how everyone was laughing, but Harry suddenly stopped and came up to embrace her, saying he was sorry.

"Honest, I'm sorry. It was just...really funny. Come on! You know if it had happened to me you would have been laughing your arse off too!" Ginny had to agree he had her there. The redhead was placated for the time being. Time was soon replaced with more games of wizards chess and collecting chocolate frog cards. Ron had gottenfive more Dumbledore cards. This added to his collection of 109 of him already.

"Hey Harry, you want to trade me a Dumbledore for a Viktor Krum?" Harry looked up at Ron and gave him an open stare.

"You must be joking because Viktor's card is more valuable than Dumbledore's. Besides I have plenty of him already, nice try though," said Harry. Beside Ron, Hermione opened her one package of a chocolate frog. Her eyes widened in glee when she saw what card she had. She showed Ginny while the boys weren't looking. Gin's eyes expanded to twice their normal size and she started cracking up.

Ron and Harry both looked over at her quizzically. "What's so funny Gin?" asked Ron. She just kept on laughing and pointed at Hermione. She in turn took on an all business attitude.

"Ron," she started, "what would you give me if I happened to have a Chudley Cannons card?" This being said she looked at Harry and he rolled his eyes. Ah, bribery can go so far... Ron looked at what she had in hand, made a lunge for the card in her hand but she was too quick for him.

"Ah ah ah. Not so fast, Ronniekins." She laughed evilly. 'It's not like I'm making him do something he doesn't like. Geez, everyone assumes the worst...' "You can have it if..." Her words were not finished aloud as he leaned into her and she whispered what she wanted him to do. His eyes widened slightly and his cheeks turned red. With that, Ron abruptly grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the compartment leaving Harry and Ginny alone to debate over what she had told Ron. Or rather, they tried not to think at all what they would be doing.

After about an hour of being alone in the compartment, Ron and Hermione sauntered back in, looking rather flustered. Ginny and Harry gave them bemused looks and didn't ask any questions. It was for their own good, really. Assuming Ron had gotten the collector's card but didn't see it, the gang started up a conversation about the new flavors of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. A pack was brought out and many beans eaten or discarded. Hermione had stumbled upon a window cleaner flavor. Honestly, where did they come up with these flavors? These things could be toxic! The beans were a good turning point to avoid questions of the cherished card, now residing in Ron's pocket.

Before they knew it, the train whistled again reminding students that they were almost home. Twenty minutes later, the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station in London. The four gathered what they brought into the compartment and dispersed to get their trunks. It was hectic trying to locate each and every trunk with all the students trying to do the same. With sighs of relief, Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Ron had gotten their trunks and had passed the barrier to wait for their families. Not much time had passed when a voice suddenly called, "Hermione! Over here!" Hermione's mother had yelled her name from across the street where they were waiting by their car. Hermione ran to them and gave them each a big hug. She asked if it was ok if Ron came over after the Christmas festivities and they said it was fine. Not to feel left out, yet another voice called out, "Ronald! Oh their's our baby!" To Ron's chagrin, his mum had bellowed the statement so loud, it drew people's attention he'd rather not have. He ducked over to see her and his dad. Hermione, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione's parents joined Ron and Herm had said it was ok with her parents. Ron then asked his parents if it was ok to go to Hermione's after Christmas Day and they gave each other a look and said it was ok. Ron was so happy he planted a kiss on Hermione right in front of them!

When the summer had passed, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had grown accustomed to Ron and Hermione as well as Harry and Ginny being together. There were a few times when they grew worried over their activities, but other than that, they were happy for their children. So much for Fred and George's plans! Speaking of those two, Mr. Weasley said the joke shop Fred and George had created was coming along stupendously and he couldn't wait for them to come home for christmas. The parents chatted for awhile longer and soon it began to snow. The soft, white flakes floated down, creating a mesmerizing effect. It was the first snow of the year. Good timing really...

With snow of course comes cold weather, so it was time to pack up the assorted luggage and head home. Harry and Ginny put their things in the Weasley's car while Ron gave Herm one last kiss before heading over as well. Hermione headed with her parents towards her car and packed up. Within in the next ten minutes, both parties were on their way home, to another good year of Christmas cheer.

a/n: here's another one! hope you like, so let me know!