Hi everyone!

Would you like to tell me if you want smut in Chapter 13? Click on my profile and vote on the poll!

Boxing Day at The Burrow - Hermione gets competition! And I had a lot of fun writing about all the Weasley grandkids!

This is still a lot of fluff and fun and sweetness, but I promise there will be some romcom-drama ahead - eventually.

Thank you again to everyone who has been so supportive and kind to me! You mean the world to me!

Love,

Flora

Chapter 12: How Hermione and Harry faced the Weasleys together

It was quite late in the day when Harry and Hermione disapparated from Aunty Penelope's and arrived at The Burrow. It wasn't their fault: after they had risen three hours earlier than planned, they sneaked downstairs to remodel the kitchen to perfectly fit the old woman's requirements. They found a way to make the countertops easily adjustable for different heights, so Aunty Penelope and Alan could manually reset the kitchen to their needs, and they had made sure to make a special seat for Hermione's great-aunt so she had room to rest her tired legs. It took them quite some time to do the Transfiguration properly, especially because it had to be usable for Muggles afterwards, but eventually they succeeded, and when Aunty Penelope came downstairs, she was absolutely astounded - in a very good way. Hermione's mom later told them that no one had seen Aunty Penelope cry since Uncle Geoffrey's funeral, but that day, when she walked into the kitchen, tears freely fell from the old woman's face, as she couldn't stop thanking them. Hermione had cried as well, because she was a goner as soon as anyone else started, but even their parents had a hard time fighting back the tears. Aunty Penelope had insisted they stayed for a proper English breakfast, as she was now able to cook alongside with them, and with their tummies bursting they walked onto The Burrow's lawn, a bit later than they usually would.

'Act as we normally should have,' Hermione reminded Harry, not because she thought he needed reminding, but because she herself needed to say out loud why she wasn't allowed to hold Harry's hand anymore.

'Got'cha,' Harry replied. 'Got the gifts?'

Hermione nodded, and when they neared the front door, they could hear the noise of a big family gathering already in full swing. They shared a understanding look and Harry knocked on the door, only to realize that it was opened already.

'Victoire! Victoire, do not take that cracker from Louise - I will give you a new one! Has anyone seen Molly? Molly?!'

They both chuckled at the roaring voice of Mrs. Weasley, coming from the hallway, and stepped over the threshold.

'I believe you are Molly, Mrs. Weasley,' Harry said, friendly, when they stepped into the living room. It was absolutely packed with people: a very pregnant Fleur and Audrey sat in the corner of the room, talking animatedly together; George, Angelina and Bill had taken a spot in front of the fireplace; Jaana, Ron and Nikki had spread themselves over the couches in the living room and Mister Weasley was busy bouncing a very happy Teddy on his lap, sharing a friendly conversation with Andromeda and Percy. Mrs. Weasley ran around the house, chasing after the three toddlers - the oldest three years old, the youngest one and a half.

'Oh, Harry, dear. And Hermione. We were wondering if you got lost - please, come in, Merry Christmas, of course!' She kissed them both twice on the cheek and then roared "Has anyone seen Molly?!" through the living-room.

'I have her, Molly!' Audrey replied. 'She's here, with me!'

'Oh thank Merlin... Yes, thank you-... LOUISE THAT DOES NOT BELONG IN YOUR MOUTH!'

Louise began crying loudly as Mrs. Weasley yanked a stray wand out of the little girl's mouth.

'Oh, is ze being a bad girl?' Fleur said, standing up. She was quite far along, Hermione remembered that the last baby was probably due end January.

'I've got it, mon chéri. Sit down,' Bill commented and he picked Louise up, which stopped her crying.

'Don't play with Uncle Ron's wand, that's very bad for you. RON, will you please come and retrieve your wand from me and DON'T leave it around for little toddlers to find? Thank you!'

Ron was beet red when he took his wand from Bill and he smiled and greeted Harry and Hermione. Harry with a hug, Hermione with one as well, but not after a very visible hesitation. That would never go away, probably, but she was happy he tried nonetheless.

'Merry Christmas, Hermione.'

'Same for you, Ron. Harry and I got you all some presents to...'

'Oh yes, of course. You can put them under the tree, but make sure Teddy and Victoire don't notice. Last year was the last time in the Weasley-family that we could openly deny the existence of... Well, let's not call him You-Know-Who, but you know who I mean.'

The three of them grinned and they secretively placed their gifts under the tree. Then they shared their Christmas wishes with all the guests. Harry was quickly swept away by a very happy Teddy, who yelled "Uncle Harry!" as soon as he laid his eyes on him. Harry took the boy in his arms, twirled him around and gave him a big cuddle, making the boy cheer with happiness and change his hair-color from dark blue to bright yellow. Hermione loved seeing Harry interacting with Teddy - it was such a naturally loving relationship and the little boy obviously doted on him.

'Where is Ginny?' Hermione asked, settling down with Nicky and Jaana, while she watched how Harry blew air-bubbles against Teddy's cheek, making the boy giggle.

'Oh, she is in the kitchen with Charlie and a girl she brought named Olga,' Nicky said, looking quite nervously.

'A girl?' Hermione asked, interested, looking at Jaana. 'You are still together, right, Jaana?'

Jaana, a beautiful Swedish girl, with stereotypical sea-blue eyes and white-blond hair, laughed out loud.

'Ginny and I are doing fine Hermione, don't worry. No, we invited Olga, she's one of our newest team members and a total elskling. She's originally from Germany, and she had nowhere to stay for the Holidays.'

'Oh,' Hermione said. 'That's very kind of you. She must be overwhelmed, though.'

'Yeah, and that was before Harry came in,' Jaana joked. 'Ginny is thinking of setting them up together, as it's been far too long since Harry's been on a date. She's been hyping Harry up for the last few weeks. Not that she had any trouble doing that, I mean, he is the Chosen One after all... His reputation is known in the entire Wizarding Community, Sweden as well!'

Hermione felt her throat go completely dry, like sandpaper, as she watched Harry settling on the couch with Teddy and a picture book. As Harry read the pages to him, he mimicked the expressions and hair color of the recurring characters and he looked absolutely adorable. She didn't notice Nicky looking at her intensely.

At the same moment, Ginny and Charlie emerged from the kitchen, both carrying a tray with pastries. Then, just seconds behind, came Olga. Hermione immediately felt her stomach tighten.

Olga was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. She had long, strawberry blonde hair, big, enchanting green eyes, and when she laughed with her nice, full lips, she had a dimple in both cheeks. She was well formed as well, wearing a red-dress that clung tightly to her body and left nothing to the imagination. She wore a fluffy Christmas Santa hat. Hermione saw Ginny nudging Olga in the arm and gesturing to Harry with her plate. The approving expression on Olga's face made Hermione flinch.

You have nothing to fear, a strong voice in her head said. Harry is sweet, loyal, and caring. He won't be impressed by this... Busty... Bimbo.

But then there was another voice in her head, a voice that Hermione had been very familiar with for her entire life, that told her something completely different. She pursed her lips, dug her fingernails in her palms, and laughed amicably when Ginny sat down with them and shared her plate with pastries. Her mask came on and was immediately fully operating. Hermione knew this territory. She had been accustomed to it for 12 years. So she went on a rant about goblin laws, and how she had trouble communicating with them because they found out that she had been part of the group that destroyed the Lestrange Vault, and that she was looking for a mediator. As soon as she spoke the words, her eyes drew her to Bill, that was trying his best to restrain a wrestling Louise. Of course! She excused herself, but Nicky stood up alongside her.

'I told Gin that it's bad timing,' she said under her breath. 'Harry has told me about the fake proposal. How are you holding up?'

Nicky's piercing eyes revealed that Ron had told her about Hermione's feelings for Harry.

'I'm fine,' Hermione said, dismissively.

'Harry likes you, he does. More than you know-...'

'I know,' Hermione replied. 'We've... We're in a good place, Nicky. Don't worry.'

Nicky tilted her head.

'Oh? A good place, huh?'

'Not here,' Hermione pressed. 'But thanks, Nicky. You are a good friend.'

Nicky nodded, pretended to go to the loo, and Hermione joined Bill, who was distracting his daughter with silly faces. They discussed some interesting tactics, and he gave her a few contacts she could try to set up a meeting with. After some time he handed her Louise, who had been whining for some time to be held by her aunt, and she immediately started playing with Hermione's hair. Louise and Victoire loved Hermione. She didn't know why, but they did.

'Be gentle with Hermione's hair now, Louise,' Bill said fatherly. 'I can remember last time you yanked an entire strand out.'

'Hewiowe,' Louise purred, putting a tiny hand on Hermione's cheek.

'Yes, that's right! Hermione!' Hermione cooed. 'Such a smart girl!'

'Hewiowe,' Louise said again, and she yawned and placed her head against Hermione's chest.

'I think she wants to take a nap on you,' Bill apologized. Hermione chuckled, until she felt a hand on the small of her back.

'Well, who can blame her. I would too. How are you, Bill?'

'Harry! Good, good, busy, obviously. And now with the third on the way, it's been absolutely crazy, but Fleur is an absolute trooper.'

If Bill thought Harry's comment was weirdly intimate, he didn't show it. Hermione looked at him punishingly, but she felt a little flame light up in her chest. Harry must have seen the look on her face.

'Hermione!' Teddy yelled, seated on top of Harry's shoulders. He transformed his hair to jetblack, just like his godfather, and his eyes shone like emeralds.

'Oh, my, you've gotten big, Teddy!'

'I am already this old!' Teddy said back, holding out his hand and showing her all five fingers. 'I am almost a big boy!'

'Oh, absolutely,' Harry agreed. 'Why won't you be a big boy and see if you can help Grandma Molly chase after Victoire?'

Teddy nodded, as Harry put him on the ground, and he gave him a little kiss. Hermione's heart fluttered.

'When is Fleur due?' Harry asked Bill.

'She's at 37 weeks now, so... You know, she could come tonight, but most likely the end of January.'

Harry and Bill talked a bit more, and Hermione focused on little Louise, that indeed fell asleep against her chest. She was such a sweet looking girl, with her father's red hair but her mother's delicate features. She quietly sat down on a vacant sofa, very careful as to not disturb Louise, and Harry broke off his conversation to join her.

'You are being quite obvious, Harry,' Hermione said, softly, commenting on the fact that he sat closer than would be necessary.

'I hoped you would be able to rescue me, actually,' Harry replied. 'Have you seen who Gin brought with her? She's been ogling me for a good twenty minutes now and it makes me very uncomfortable.'

Hermione laughed, relieved.

'Of course I'll rescue you, but I thought that we would keep this all under wraps as to-...'

Harry put his arm around Hermione and kissed her gently on her lips. A few Weasleys noticed, nudged each other and the room went a bit more quiet. Harry pretended not to notice.

'I know what we agreed, but... We've been hiding what's between us for far too long anyway. We deserve to be young and to enjoy each other's company, like everyone else here. And, you know. I really-...'

'Love you,' they said in unison, smiling at each other. Louise stirred a bit on her chest. She soothed the little girl, stroking her head, and gave Harry a small kiss back.

An enormous cheer erupted from all over the room.

'No way! Harry and Hermione!'

'Oh Merlin, congratulations!'

'Finally! Pay up, Nicky!'

Hermione saw Olga show clear disappointment, but she couldn't care less, because Harry's eyes lit up at the positive comments from the Weasleys. Mister Weasley was the first to join their conversation and expressed how happy he was for them. Soon Weasley's flocked their sofa, all wanting to hug them or hold their hands. Molly was one of the latest to join, but she was so suffocatingly happy that she trampled all the others with her reaction by pulling them in for such a tight hug at the same time that Hermione thought she couldn't breathe.

'Oh, how wonderful! Finally! Arthur and I had been hoping for such a long time that you would eventually find each other, after it didn't work out with Ron and Ginny... We wish you nothing but happiness! And may I say, Hermione and Harry, a baby looks great on the both of you.'

She gestured to Louise and winked. Harry and Hermione laughed hard.

'Oh, I thought you had your hands full on three grandchildren,' Hermione teased. 'Are you sure that you want to add the devil's spawn that will be our offspring to that?'

'I would be honored,' Molly said, beaming. 'I wouldn't want it any other way! I'd love to babysit - of course, Monday's are for Victoire and Louise, I visit Andromeda on Tuesday and Molly comes on Wednesday and Friday, but I'm sure we'll be able to work something out when it comes to it... Oh, Victoire. Victoire! Not those sweets, grandma made some low of sugar for you dear, let me... Yes, I'll fetch them for you!'

Mrs. Weasley disappeared to the kitchen and Mister Weasley, that still sat opposite of them, chuckled.

'Please wait a few more years with kids, please. I think Molly might be getting a burn-out if she gets another set of grandkids on top of the two that will soon be joining us...'

They laughed contently.

The rest of the day went swimmingly. Luckily, Olga was not only beautiful but quite friendly as well, and she accepted her defeat with grace. They shared presents, put on their Christmas jumpers, enjoyed the enthusiasm the little kids had with unpacking their gifts. After they shared a nice lunch, the young adults decided they wanted to play some Quidditch. Hermione felt tired - she had barely slept last night, and the crowd drained her energy. On the other hand, she really wanted to write to the contacts Bill had given her, so she excused herself and told the family that she would be going home to do some extra work. Harry was being considerate in asking her if she was sure, and if she didn't want him to come with her, but she said that she would see him on Tuesday or maybe sometime sooner, and they shared a kiss.

Hermione was very happy to be home alone, in her little apartment, and after she send out her owl with letters to the goblin contacts, she drew herself a long, hot bath, ate a sandwich (lunch and breakfast still had her feel stuffed) and got into bed. She was asleep for a few hours when she felt the bed move and opened her eyes. It was Harry.

'I didn't want to wake you,' he apologized, 'but I was in my own bed and I couldn't sleep and... Well...'

Hermione smiled sleepily, wrapped herself in Harry's embrace, and fell back to sleep.