Traditions are an important part of the holiday season. Can Ron survive Hermione's reaction to his favorite tradition?
Song: Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney
"Wake up, love." Ron nudged the lump in their bed. "It's time to get up. Fellowship breakfast at church is in an hour."
Ron did not want to know what the garbled words that drifted up from the lump actually were. "Love, holiday traditions." Ron gently nudged the lump again. "We go to church for the fellowship breakfast and then we can come home for a nap."
"New holiday tradition." a sleepy voice rose from beneath the blankets. "The pregnant lady gets to sleep as long as she wants and the ginger gets her a cup of real coffee and muffin when she finally decides to arise."
"No such luck, love." Ron laughed as he stood from the bed. "The pregnant lady agreed to help serve at the fellowship meal and the ginger only makes decaf right now. Time to rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty."
"Five more minutes." Hermione's curls peaked from under the covers. "Five more minutes and we will see can be done. I need my beauty sleep."
Ron: Can you let the ladies know we are running late?
Ginny: Sure, Is Mione okay?
Ron: Just the normal sleepyhead stuff
Ginny: You may end up with morning duty
Ron: I won't mind
Ginny: You say that now
"So what is the plan for this afternoon?" Ron asked as he opened the door for Hermione. "I need to grab a couple more things for under the tree before then end of the day."
"All I had planned was wrapping gifts and eating dinner." Hermione looked at Ron and raised an eyebrow. "I thought you got everything we needed the other day. What did you forget?"
"Just a few little things for the stockings." Ron shrugged. "It shouldn't take long for me to get them. I'll help you wrap for a while before I go."
"I thought you weren't going to wait until the last minute this year." Hermione sighed and pulled out her Christmas list from her bag. "Start getting the stuff out of your office. I'll get the stuff I need from the closet in our room."
"I did not wait until the last minute." Ron yelled towards their room from the office. "Shopping tomorrow would be the last minute. Besides, how am I supposed to get a gift for you when you are with me?"
"Have you ever heard of Amazon?" Hermione tried not to laugh as she listened to Ron's reasoning. "You have had plenty of opportunities to shop without me. What am I supposed to do with all these baby toys?"
"Wrap them. Where is the fun in getting everything done early?" Ron laughed as he carried supplies into the sitting room. "Don't worry, I know what I still need to get. It should only take an hour or so."
Hermione: Where are you?
Ron: At the store
Hermione: If you don't get home soon, I'm going to bed
Ron: I haven't been gone that long
Hermione: Check the time
Ron: It's only 9:30
Hermione: You left at 6:30
Ron: I'll be home soon
Hermione: I'll leave the wrapping paper out for you
Ron: Love you
Hermione: Love you more … Come home
Ron carefully slid his key in the lock and turned. He was running a little later than he expected and didn't want to take a chance on waking Hermione up if she had gone to sleep. His shopping trip had been a success, even if it had taken longer than he expected.
"Just a little longer?" Hermione's sleepy voice carried through the dark sitting room. "I was beginning to wonder if you had gotten lost in the stores."
"It took a little longer than I expected to find a couple of things." Ron kissed her forehead and set his shopping bags on the coffee table. "I had to go three different places before I found the last piece of Mum's gift. Why don't you go on to bed? I'll be there as soon as I wrap these last gifts."
"I'm not sure I like this tradition, Ronald." Hermione yawned as she stood up from the sofa. "Come to bed soon. We have to be at Mum's by ten."
"Happy Christmas, Mione." Ron pulled her into his kiss. "You and the little one get some rest. I'll be there soon."
Harry: That is your greatest Christmas gift
Ron: Yes she is
Harry: When are you giving it to her?
Ron: At Mum's tomorrow afternoon
Harry: I am going to hear about it when we get home
Ron: Not my fault I thought of it first
Harry: She may never take it off
Ron: That's the idea
Harry: Go to bed. It is late
Ron: Family tradition says the husband adds a charm to the necklace each time they add a child to the family
Harry: I guess I know what I am getting Gin for her birthday
Ron: Night
Harry: GO TO BED
Ron: Happy Christmas
Harry: Happy Christmas