Disclaimer: Still no.

Untitled

"What are you getting Hermione for Christmas?"

Fred looked up at Ginny over his cauldron. He had been trying to concoct a potion that would allow the drinker to lie and have everyone believe them. It was almost ready with the one side effect of turning the drinker a lovely shade of orange.

"No idea." Fred confessed. "I haven't the foggiest clue as to what she would like."

Ginny looked at him incredulously. "But you know her better then anyone. It should be a snap."

Fred didn't respond to the knowing her better than anyone comment. Admitting he didn't would be way too hard to explain.

"Come on." Ginny came around the table and took hold of his hand, pulling him out into Diagon Alley.

"Where are we going?"

"To buy your wife a present. You have to get her something." she explained.

"But-"

"No butts. You should have come to me sooner. Christmas is three days away."

Fred groused. Then Ginny spoke up. "What about an anniversary present?"

…………………

Fred walked slowly toward the bedroom later that night. Ginny had kept him out all day shopping for just the right presents for Hermione-one for Christmas and one for their anniversary three weeks later. Fred vowed to never, ever go shopping with his sister again. Mainly because she was angry that he hadn't listened to her advice.

"Where have you been?" Hermione demanded. She was already dressed for bed, standing in the door of the bathroom, hands on hips and an angry scowl on her face.

"Shopping with Ginny." Fred put the bag in the closet and collapsed on the bed with a groan.

"And you couldn't have let me know? I was worried sick."

He raised his head up to look at her. "You were?"

"Yeah. If even George doesn't know where you are then something's up."

"Sorry. I didn't really have a choice."

Hermione sighed and sat down next to him and started tugging on his coat. He obediently raised his arms and allowed her to pull it off him. "Did you finish whatever it is you were doing?"

"Yep."

"Sorry I snapped at you. I really was worried. It's not like you not to tell me where you're going."

Fred rolled over onto his back and looked up at her. There was genuine worry in her eyes. He felt awful for making her worry. "If it's any consolation I was shopping for you."

Hermione's mouth dropped open. Then a smile spread across her face. "What did you get me?"

Fred laughed. "You'll just have to wait and see."

"Fine." she pouted. "Your mum sent dinner. Want me to warm you some up?"

"That'd be great."

Hermione headed off to the kitchen and Fred grinned, picturing the look on her face when she saw her present.

…………………

"Hermione." Fred whispered in her ear.

"Uh." Hermione groaned and buried her face in the pillow. It was too early.

Fred began gently shaking her shoulder. "Rise and shine."

"Go 'way." she mumbled.

He grinned. "Okay. But then you won't get to see your present."

Her eyes opened and she peered at him suspiciously. "Present?"

"Uh-huh."

Grumbling, Hermione got up and put her robe on over her Cannon shirt. It was hers now because she'd slept in it every night since Fred had given it to her.

"I was sleeping really well." she mumbled over a yawn.

Fred took her hand and led her over to the couch and sat her down. "Now if you don't like it I can take it back. Instead of two presents, one for today and one for our anniversary, I got you one joint present."

Hermione smiled sleepily. "I did the same thing."

"Great minds." Fred quipped before pulling a large box from under the tree. He handed it to her and watched her expectantly.

Hermione jumped up and got his. "You first."

Fred was about to protest when she gave the puppy eyes that he could never resist. With a sigh he tore the paper back.

"Cannon tickets?" he said in disbelief.

"Season tickets." she corrected. "Every game. Four seats in the top box per game so you can take anyone you want."

"Hermione this must have cost…"

"Don't. I wanted to do it."

Fred fought back the urge to tell her right then how he felt. It would ruin everything. Instead he urged her to open her present.

Hermione ripped the paper off and lifted the lid. Inside was another box. She looked at Fred with a confused expression. He merely grinned in response. She opened it and found yet another box, then another, until she had gone through five and was getting impatient.

Finally, she made it to the last, tiny, box. She glared at Fred who only grinned in response. She unwrapped it to find a jewel box. Puzzled, she snapped the lid open to see a ring. A diamond ring.

"Fred…what?"

"Well you never got one. I thought it was high time." he told her.

"So this is an…engagement ring?" She wasn't sure if she were really awake or still dreaming.

"Well seeing as how we're already married it's more of a…thank you for helping me ring."

Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes. "It's beautiful."

Silently, Fred removed it from the box and slid it onto her finger next to her wedding band. She launched herself on him in a fierce hug. He wrapped his arms around her and they stayed that way until it was time to go to the Burrow.

…………………

"Oh Hermione, it's beautiful!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed with a death grip on Hermione's hand. All the other women in the room, Mrs. Longbottom, Fleur, and Luna, were standing around her admiring her present.

"Who knew Fred had such good taste." Hermione joked. She caught Fred's eye where he was showing off his tickets and he winked at her. His brothers, Mr. Weasley, Neville, and Harry were all arguing over who got to go to which game with him.

The rest of the day went by quickly, with everyone exchanging presents and a game of Quidditch in the back yard where everyone of the Weasley children, Harry, and Neville all played. The adults sat off to themselves while Fleur cornered Hermione into a talk about the wedding. Thankfully Fred rescued her after about an hour with the excuse that they were going to her parents house so he could meet the rest of her family. Neither of them knew whether to be relieved or terrified.

…………………

"Mum, Dad. We're here." Hermione announced as she opened the door to her parents' house in London. They had apparated to the alley and walked over because Hermione's relatives had no idea she was a witch and they didn't want anyone to have a heart attack.

Her mother walked into the hallway to take their coats and hugged them both. Hermione handed her the presents she'd gotten them, and noticed Fred looked a little green.

"They won't bite." Mrs. Weasley assured him and took his hand to lead him into the living room where the family was waiting. Everyone looked up as the three entered and Fred paled considerably. In an attempt to break the ice, Mr. Granger walked over to hug his daughter, then shake Fred's hand. One by one the others drifted over to do the same.

Fred met Hermione's grandparents, who couldn't stop crying at the fact that Hermione was married. Her aunts and uncles, all of whom looked at him appraisingly as if to determine his worth in regards to their niece. And her cousins seemed to like him right away. Apparently Hermione had told them countless stories of his and George's exploits at Hog warts (sans magical details) and they were eager to meet him.

"I think it's going alright." Mrs. Granger whispered to her daughter as they watched Fred with Hremione's youngest cousin, David, while they built an elaborate town out of building blocks in the far corner.

Her great-aunt Doris wandered over. "Well he seems nice enough. And he's handsome. But sneaking off that way, and at your age, very irresponsible young lady."

Hermione sighed. She had never particularly liked her aunt Doris. "She excused herself and headed over to her grandmother's both of whom zeroed in on her ring immediately. She spent the rest of the evening being grilled about it, and every aspect of their lives, while Fred was treated alternately to games with her cousins and cigars in the parlor with her dad and uncles. She thought he got off easier.

…………………

"How long till Easter?" Fred asked.

"Three and a half months." Hermione responded. She crawled up into the bed beside him and nestled into the pillows.

"Sorry for the third degree."

He shrugged. "It wasn't that bad. Your family loves you. And they're nice."

Hermione grinned. "I think Amy has a crush on you." she said in reference to her thirteen year old cousin that had followed Fred around all night, but giggled uncontrollably whenever he spoke to her.

"What can I say, I'm a chick magnet."

She shook her head. "Night Fred."

"Night Hermione."