Chapter 14

December 24th

It was well into the night and all in the house were quiet. Snow was steadily falling outside, making it a very picturesque scene. It had been a busy day, with putting up last minute Christmas decorations and baking food for the day to come. Everyone was home for Christmas. Ron, Harry, and Ginny had come home on the twentieth, glad to be done with school. Fred and George had come the next day to stay until Christmas was over. The twins had moved into their own apartment when school had started up so they could get to their shop quicker. In the few days before Christmas Eve, the other Weasley's had come home as well. Bill came with Fleur, Charlie came alone, and Percy came with Penelope Clearwater. It was a house bursting full of people. Thank goodness it was a large house.

Even though Ginny was exhausted from all the work that day, she couldn't fall asleep. Maybe it was just the fact that Christmas was tomorrow, a possible sugar rush from all the cookies, or maybe...even...Santa. (a/n: just kidding! But I thought it was rather funny ha ha...) She was so restless that Ginny crept downstairs in search of a nice hot mug of hot chocolate. On the way to the kitchen, she paused to admire the den where the Christmas tree was with all its decorations on and around it. The whole room was radiating with that yuletide vibe. To add to that, there were millions of presents under the tree. The Weasley's may not be the richest family, but not all presents are bought.

'I can't wait to give Harry his present.' Ginny proceeded to the kitchen, and speaking of the devil, she found Harry staring out the window at the snow, a mug of hot chocolate in his hands. He hadn't noticed her come in, so she reveled in the fact that she could still surprise him. Gin snuck up behind Harry, about to put her hands on his waist and tickle him when his body emanated from his voice speaking.

"Don't even think about it, Miss Weasley." He didn't even have to turn around. Ginny's body drooped in disappointment. 'Damn he's good...I'll get him next time though.' So, instead of tickling him, she just wrapped her arms around him from behind. They stayed like that for a bit, each of them breathing in sync, almost like one. It was comforting to them, being in the arms of the one they love. Eventually, Ginny moved a bit and Harry's arm came around her shoulders, both of them staring unwaveringly outside at the descending snow.

"So, you got anymore of that hot chocolate left?" Harry nodded and he walked over, got her a mug, and poured her some to drink. He had stayed at the Weasley's for so long he knew the house like the back of his hand. When he was done, he walked over to her, handing her the mug silently.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." Harry sat down on a chair at the table and before he knew it, Ginny was sitting in his lap resting her head against his chest. He was only slightly surprised but glad that she was so comfortable around him to do whatever she felt like. "I'm glad I'm here and not at the Dursley's. That would have been a living hell." He put his mug down on the table, wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek on top of her head.

"Me too Harry. Me too." They sat in silence for awhile longer until Ginny spoke again. "I can't believe it. One hour and twenty seven minutes and it's Christmas! Are you excited?"

"Most definitely. Especially since I have someone to spend it with." Harry answered her, his voice reverberating throughout her body. Ginny blushed slightly at his answer, secretly glad of his reply.

"So how do you think you did on your exams before Christmas Break?" (a/n: i don't think they have those before Christmas, but i couldn't think of anything else for them to say, so shut up and keep reading ;) Harry said he he probably did ok in most of his classes except for Potions. He figured he failed that one. Oh well. Ginny laughed and said that she did pretty good herself except for in Transfiguration.

"I see we both have problems in school that could be solved. You're good at Potions and I'm good at Transfiguration so maybe we can tutor each other?" Harry gave Ginny a wicked grin and they both burst out laughing.

"I think that's the best thing you've ever came up with Harry Potter."

"I pride myself on being rather intelligent if I do say so myself."

"Don't get too cocky there or I may just have to bring you down to earth."

"Oh really...and how would you bring me down to earth...?" Ginny put her mug down, got up and took Harry's hand, leading him to the den. She then went about "bringing him down to earth."

----Christmas Morning--- 6 am

"Mum," a voice whispered quietly. A snort came from the person that was trying to be awoken. "Mum. Mum...Mum!" The aforesaid person woke with a start not used to getting up this early.

"What Ronald?" came the groggy reply.

"It's Christmas! And there are millions of presents to be opened! Wake up!" Molly Weasley berated herself for not locking her door heavily to avoid a wake up call. But it was worth it to see the excited look on her son's face. So she woke up Arthur and the two proceeded downstairs to find everyone else up looking very much awake...'We must be getting old.'

"Well, everyone, get to it! Those presents won't open themselves." With that being said, the family started passing out presents to whomever person they went to. Each Weasley child, including Harry, got a new sweater from Mrs. Weasley with their initials on it. Other miscellaneous gifts were given, loud proclamations of joy over the neat gifts each got. Ginny loved what Harry had given her; a beautiful gold necklace with her name in the middle. She just couldn't wait for Harry to open her present. When he opened his present his eyes misted over. Inside the box was what looked to be a knitted scarf the color emerald green. Also was a picture that Ginny had drawn that included the two. It was hard trying to draw the picture and many times she had almost given up but in the long run, it was worth it. Harry gave her a bone crushing hug and a kiss to boot. Many of the Weasley's whistled to their chagrin. The couple slowly drew apart, blushing with mirth.

Afterwards, all the trash was gathered up and thrown away and everyone headed to the kitchen to help prepare for breakfast. As preparations continued, conversations flew every which way, everyone having a splendid time. Breakfast was soon made and eating commenced. Finally, after a delicious breakfast, everyone cleaned up except Mr. And Mrs. Weasley. They deserved to have a break, so the children did the rest of the work. When cleanup was done, everyone headed towards the den to play games. This went on all afternoon, with much cheer and family love.

All was well in the Weasley home that day.

---A few days after Christmas---

"Mum, is it ok if I go to Hermione's now?" Molly looked up from her crocheting to find her youngest son requesting her attention. She saw the eagerness in his eyes as well as his love when he spoke her name. She smiled at her son and granted him what he wanted to hear the most.

"That seems fine with me. Make sure you owl her that you're coming though so they aren't surprised."

"Ok, thanks mum! You're the best." Ron gave his mum a hug and then sprinted up the stairs to owl Hermione. After getting the ok, Ron got his trunk which had been previously packed, said goodbye to his family and Harry and flooed over to Hermione's.

(Hermione's House)

'I wonder when he'll get here. It's been forever since I've last seen him...ok ok, so it's been only 6 days but who's counting?' Hermione had had a wonderful Christmas with her parents, but afterwards she wanted to see Ron badly. Some of us like to call this significant other withdrawal (lol) but Hermione didn't really care. She just wanted to be with Ron. In the next few moments, Hermione got an owl from Ron asking if it was ok to come. Hermione replied yes and sent the owl on its way. 'Oh my gosh! He's finally coming! Yay yay yay...and I need to calm down...I think I'll grab some chocolate to eat.'

She sprinted down the stairs to tell her parents Ron was coming and then she headed outside to wait for him. Hermione didn't want to seem too obvious so she decided to make a snow man from all the snow they had gotten. In fact, the snow hadn't stopped ever since it had started. It was so beautiful outside, almost like a new world of white.

Done with her musings of the snow, Hermione started to roll one ball of snow together, slowly forming the bottom of the snow man. With that part finished, she made two more balls and stacked them on top of the bottom one. She realized some things were missing, so she went inside to gather a few pieces of coal and a carrot.

While Hermione had been outside making her snowman, Ron had flooed into the Granger household. He had met her parents (that went well) and they told him to leave his things here and that Hermione was outside. Coincidentally, while she went in the back door to get the snowman's face, Ron had gone outside to look for her. He found her snowman, but not her. He saw her tracks leading inside and decided to surprise her. He was thin enough that he could hide behind the rather large snowman without being seen. 'She's gonna have a heart attack from this.' Ron laughed to himself.

Ron suddenly quieted upon hearing a door open and close. He heard footsteps he could have recognized anywhere. 'Hermione...'

Hermione walked towards her snowman, wondering where in the hell Ron was. 'He should have been here by now!' she silently fumed. She set her supplies down and started putting the snowman's face together. First the eyes and then his buttons. The last touch was the carrot nose.

"Perfect," Hermione said quietly, staring at the snowman. It was a pretty sight and there seemed to be a smell in the air. A rather familiar smell actually...

"Yes, I know I'm perfect. What can I say?" The words seemed to come from the snowman and Hermione screamed and kicked the snowman, figuring if she "killed" it, the voice would leave. Ron was laughing so hard he didn't move out of the way in time to avoid her foot coming towards his face.

Next thing they both new, Ron was howling on the ground and Hermione's foot stung, hitting something far harder than snow.

"Oh my god, Ron! Are you ok? I didn't know you were here! Why didn't you say anything?" All those rushed quickly from her mouth as she knelt next to the love of her life, a young man, who had been reduced to the state of a weeping child. She gathered him up into her arms as much as she could considering he weighed a ton more than her.

"Oh man, why'd you have to go and do that? I did mention I was here! Just not the normal way people say hi. Lord 'Mione, I'll never get on your bad side again." Ron stated this while resting his cheek on her chest.

"What can I do to make it better?" Hermione looked at Ron expectantly for a reply. Ron got a gleam in his eye but quickly quelled it.

"Well, actually, don't move. It feels so nice just laying here. Ouch, oh wait...just a minute...oh ya, right there." He said this while moving his face around on her chest, practically inhaling her cleavage. Hermione picked up after his first few words what was going on and shoved him away. He none to gently hit the snow packed ground.

"Ow!"

"Very mature Ronald, very mature."

"I thought it was funny," he said with a smirk. With that, he got up and started to chase Hermione around her yard, every now and then throwing snowballs at her. Hermione knew her yard better than Ron, so she dived behind a bush as she rounded a corner of her house. She made as mainly snowballs as she could but discarded that idea as another formed. 'Wait for it...wait for it...5..4..3..2..'

One was thought as Ron suddenly turned the corner, barreling around it. Hermione then jumped out from the bushes and tackled Ron to the ground, surprising them both. 'Didn't know she had it in her! That's my Mione.' His thoughts were soon finished as they dived headlong into a big pile of snow. Both started laughing while trying to shove snow down each others clothes. Eventually the two were left, panting in the snow, their "war" on pause. After a bit, each had grown quiet after gathering their breaths.

Ron looked over at Hermione, who had her eyes closed letting the snowflakes fall on her face. "I've missed you." Hermione opened her eyes with a start and looked over at Ron.

"I've missed you too. More than you can imagine," was her reply. They both rolled closer to each other and gave into a rather long, heated kiss that had waited for 6 days. Awhile later, Hermione grabbed Ron's hand and helped him up as much as she could and they headed inside to get something warm to drink and find other things to fill their time together.

This Christmas was the best yet. The Weasley Christmas had been a blast and the love had flowed nonstop. It didn't stop there when Ron had gone over to the Granger's. The meeting with her parents was the easiest thing he had ever done. They warmly greeted him and treated him as one of the family. 'You just wait,' he thought with a grin. Ron brought with him assorted gifts, one each from Harry and Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley had made Hermione a sweater of course. To add to her pile of gifts was Ron's gift as well. Hermione got her present for Ron out and they both exchanged their gifts.

Typical Hermione had gotten Ron a book on his favorite team, The Chudley Cannon's. But to make the gift even better she had included a box of chocolate, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and some snowman poop (he he). Ron said he loved it all and gave her a kiss on the lips. Herm then opened her gift and gasped at what was inside. Within the box of many tissues, Hermione extracted a pair of ice skates. She had always wanted a pair but had been too busy to do so. Ron had brought his own pair of skates and now they could both go skating at a pond near her house. Hermione gave him a rather lovely thank you and they both got dressed warmly, gathered up their skates, and headed towards the pond.

Things couldn't be better.

a/n: um...review? I actually liked writing this part imagine that! so ya, tell me what you think of it in more than 2 words...blackmail is such a...an effective device...lol just kidding, but really, who knows when i'll take another 2 year sabbatical...