* Christmas special *

It was a bittersweet time for the Weasley family. It had been seven months since the battle, which meant seven months without Fred. It was also Christmas time. the first one since Voldemort had been defeated. For Hermione, this was a rather special one. It was the first Christmas her and Ron had spent as an official couple, and the very first one with their daughter. The previous night had been rather special as well. It was the first time Hermione and Ron had slept together since Belle had been born. The last time, she remembered, was the night before going to the Ministry to get the necklace, more than a year ago. This time was absolutely perfect (not that the previous ones weren't), as it seemed that time hadn't passed and that the last time they were so intimate with each other had been only mere weeks before. Hermione just closed her eyes and let the memory embrace her just like Ron's arms were tightly wrapped around her. She felt Ron's lips on the bare skin of her shoulder and she smiled as he kept tracing kisses up her neck, her jawline, her cheek, and finally, her lips. She turned around in his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, continuing with the kiss.
"Merry Christmas, Mione." he said, smiling, in-between kisses. She just smiled and pulled away slowly, their forehead touching.
"Merry Christmas, Ron." she whispered.
"Last night was..." he started as she nodded, still smiling. "You think we can pick up where we left of before breakfast?" he asked with a cheeky grin on his face. She giggled and was about to kiss him when they heard a cry coming from the end of her wand. She sighed.
"Looks like we'll have to leave it for later tonight." she said, pulling away from him and picking up his Cannon's shirt from the floor. He looked at her.
"Really?" he pouted.
"Unless you want to keep listening to your daughter crying, miss breakfast and not open your presents, then..." she started. He gave her a quick peck on the lips and got up.
"I'll make breakfast, you get ready." he said. He went and got dressed while she crossed the hall and opened the door of the pink-and-white bedroom. Her 7month-old daughter was sat in the crib, crying. Her face was all read and some of her toys were floating around her. She upped her arms to her mom in the second she saw her. Hermione smiled and picked up the baby and kissed her chubby cheek.
"Merry Christmas, my sweet, beautiful Belle! It's your first Christmas! Can you believe that?" Hermione said as she laid Belle on the changing table. The little girl, who was quite by now, looked at her mom and smiled as if she could understand what she was talking about. Hermione changed her daughter's diaper and got her dressed, then they went downstairs where Ron was cooking breakfast. Christmas breakfast was nice. Ron had made pancakes for all. Harry and Ginny gushed over the baby and were pretty eager to open the presents already. When everybody had finished eating, they all moved to the living room where the big Christmas tree and the presents were. As it was expected, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione were more excited about the presents than little Belle was. They all exchanged presents, and then Ron and Hermione proceeded to sit with Belle to open her presents. Ron and Hermione had gotten her some books, clothes and some soft toys. However, Belle seemed more than interested in the wrapping paper. Harry and Ginny were eager for Belle to open their present: a toy broom.
"She's not playing with that." Hermione said firmly.
"Why not?" Ginny asked, clearly shocked.
"Well, for a start it's for 1-year-olds onwards. She's only 7 months." Hermione stated.
"It's a great present, guys. But maybe we'll keep it stored until she turns a year. She barely crawls now, let alone be balanced on a broom." Ron said. Everybody but Hermione was surprised by his maturely response. Belle, on the other hand, didn't seem to care much whether she could play with the toy broom or not. Wrapping paper seemed quite attractive to her, and Hermione couldn't stop but smiling when she saw her.

Despite the circumstances, everyone seemed to be in a very jolly mood at the Burrow later that afternoon. Bill and Fleur couldn't keep their hands off each other. They had just announced they were going to be parents and were incredibly sweet to one another. George had brought his new girlfriend, Angelina, and they were engaged in a confetti fight with Teddy Lupin. Percy and Charlie were in a corner talking while Ginny and Harry were looking at the presents under the Christmas tree. Hermione and Ron were sat on the couch, baby Belle sat on her mother's lap playing with some sort of rattle that resembled to a magic wand that George had gotten her. Mrs Weasley walked in the living room. She waver her wand and some packages started flying around, landing on their owner's hands. She then picked up the last two that were under the tree and walked to the couch. Ron was opening his package and found his traditional maroon Weasley sweater. Although he never liked the colour, this time he didn't anything. He kissed his mother on the cheek and put it on, smiling. Mrs Weasley went directly to Hermione.
"I've been meaning to give this to you for a VERY long time. You've always been part of this family, Hermione, and I'm more than thankful for everything you've done for us. Although this has been a rought time, you've given us an incredible gift, and I'll be forever grateful for that. Merry Christmas, sweetheart!" she said, giving Hermione a brown package. Hermione looked at it and took carefuly in her hands as she was carrying a precious gem. Everyone looked at her, expectant, as she opened the gift. There it was: a bright blue and purple Weasley sweater, her very first one. Her eyes welled up with tears and she had the biggest smile on her face. Ron took the baby from her as she got up and hugged Molly tight.
"Thank you, Mrs Weasley! It means so much to me!" the girl said. Molly smiled.
"Call me Molly, sweetie. And this... is the very first one for our first grandchild." she said giving another brown package to Ron. Hermione put on her sweater and sat next to Ron. Belle looked at the little package in her father's hands, curious, as he ripped the paper apart eagerly. There it was: Belle's first of many Weasley sweaters. It was yellow with a letter B in blue. Hermione couldn't stop crying of joy.
"Look at that, baby! Your first Weasley sweater!" Ron beamed. Belle looked at it as Hermione put the sweater on her, then looked at her with loving eyes.
"Look at you, guys! Get together so I take a picture!" Ginny eagerly told them taking her brand new polaroid camera. Hermione and Ron got closer, baby Belle sitting on her mother's lap, smiling. Later on, that picture would be one of Hermione's favourites and one to be framed on the desk of her office at the Ministry. Now she just looked at it with the biggest smile on her face. It truly was a special Christmas for them.