A/N: This story was written for Hermione's Holiday Hideaway hosted by Hermione's Haven on Facebook. This collection is to spread the cheer of our favorite Gryffindor as well as the holiday season for the fourth year in a row!

My pairing was set to be Hermione Granger & Bucky Barnes and my location was Rome, Italy as well as a holiday treat, wassail. All of these make an appearance in this story in some way.

I hope you enjoy this story as well as the rest of the stories in the collection. I know that many of these authors have worked very hard on all of their collection pieces for this group as well as a few other holiday-themed events going on this time of year.

This story was also written as part of my Birthday Bonanza event as a belated birthday present to Rowena_Hill, a good writer friend of mine! I'm so sorry it's late, but I guess it's better late than never and I hope you had a wonderful birthday and holiday!

If you enjoyed my story and would like to check out some of my other works, feel free to search up starrnobella on most social media and you will be able to find a way to contact me outside of FFN.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Love always,

~starr

"Nothing is going to be open," Hermione groaned, dragging her feet as they weaved their way through the crowded streets. "It's almost midnight on Christmas Eve, and everyone closed up shop hours ago to go home and celebrate with their families. Bucky, stop!"

Bucky laughed, shaking his head as he continued on his way through the streets, practically dragging Hermione behind him. He knew she wasn't thrilled with the impromptu trip over the holiday to Italy, especially with her parents finally starting to regain their memories. She wanted more than anything to be in Australia with them; however, Director Fury had other plans in store. Now granted, their mission had ended several hours ago, and with the wonderful world of wizard transportation, they would have had no issues making it to Australia in time. Bucky just wanted to soak in a few more hours of just the two of them before they were forced to be with other people.

Hermione shook her head, planting her feet to stop dead in her tracks in the middle of the very busy street. Instead of stopping when he felt her hand jerk back, Bucky continued on his way for a few steps before realizing that she was no longer weighing him down. He turned to see her, arms crossed, tapping her foot against the ground.

"Hermione, love, what's wrong?" Bucky asked, returning to her side. He reached up to cup her cheek only to have her pull away from his touch. With a furrowed brow, he crossed his arms over his chest.

Hermione let out a sigh as she looked up at him, watching as his light blue eyes studied her face. She felt flushed for a moment as she took a deep breath to steady herself before she spoke. "It's Christmas Eve."

"Correct," Bucky replied, nodding his head as a smile pulled at the corners of his lips. "And?"

"And everywhere is closed because they want to be at home for the holidays," Hermione grumbled, furrowing her brow. "So I'm not sure where you think we are going to be able to go - this is why we should have just told Fury we already had plans."

Bucky laughed, shaking his head. "And how well do you think that would have worked?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I mean, it wouldn't have, but at least he could have offered to send someone else so we could have gone to Australia to see my parents."

Bucky took a deep breath, holding back the words that were sitting on the tip of his tongue. He had spent the better part of his afternoon working on Hermione's Christmas present, and she was trying to ruin it with a sour attitude. Pushing his negative thoughts aside, Bucky reached out and took her hand. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do," Hermione replied, furrowing her brow. "But I'm not sure what that has to do with our current situation."

"Just trust me," Bucky said, squeezing her hand with a smile on his face.

"Fine," Hermione sighed, hanging her head as she followed his lead, back through the crowded streets toward an unknown destination to do Merlin knows what on Christmas Eve.

The couple continued on through the city, observing the beautiful Christmas decorations out of the corners of their eyes. They could hear music playing down each alley that they passed coming from parties and live bands performing in the distance. Rome at Christmas time was beautiful; there was no denying that, but no matter how hard Hermione tried to enjoy the sights and sounds - her mind was in Australia.

Bucky and Hermione arrived at the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria a little while later. Hermione turned, cocking her head as she looked at him with a furrowed brow. "What are we doing here? We've got a room at that little hotel on the other side of town."

Bucky shrugged his shoulders as he offered her a hand. "I hear they've got the best wassail in all of Rome, and I know how much you love your dad's mulled cider when we go to visit. I thought I'd bring you a little taste of home."

A small smile pulled the corners of Hermione's lips. Pressing up on her toes, she kissed Bucky softly. "You didn't have to do this. Thank you."

"I'll do anything to make you happy and see that beautiful smile," Bucky replied, cupping her cheek and brushing his thumb along her cheek gently. "But this isn't the only surprise I've got in store for you tonight. We should really get inside."

Hermione studied him for a few moments before nodding her head, allowing him to pull her into the hotel. Awaiting them inside the hotel wast the tallest, most beautiful Christmas tree Hermione had ever laid eyes on. The sparkling white lights reflected off the glitter-covered ornaments, and garland and wreaths hung lol around. On the far side of the room, she could see someone waving at them, but she couldn't make out who it was.

Bucky glanced down to look at her with a broad smile on his face, holding back a laugh at the distraught face Hermione was donning. "Come with me," he said, offering her a hand and leading her toward the group of people who were waving at them. As they got closer to the group of people gathered on the couch in the hotel lobby, Hermione felt tears welling up in the corners of her eyes as she realized her family was waiting for them.

She stopped dead in her tracks, causing Bucky to stumble a bit as he tried to pull her forward. However, Hermione stood firmly in place, allowing the tears to start streaming down her face. Bucky spun on his heel immediately and wrapped her up in his arms.

"Why are you crying?" he whispered, kissing the top of her head. "I thought you'd be happy to see them, especially on Christmas Eve."

"They are happy tears," Hermione mumbled, pressing her head into Bucky's chest as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "How did you manage to get them here? The last time I talked to them, there were no flights in or out of Australia."

"I made a few calls," Bucky replied, shrugging his shoulders as he looked down at Hermione and smiled. "I also may have threatened Tony within an inch of his life to make this happen for you."

"I love you," Hermione whispered, pressing up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to Bucky's lips. She smiled as she felt his arms wrap tightly around her waist.

"I love you too, Hermione," Bucky replied, pulling away slightly. "Merry Christmas. Let's go get some wassail and spend a little quality with your family."