Chapter Seventeen - Christmas

Hermione and Fred tumbled out of the fireplace into the flat, still wearing the Christmas cracker paper crowns from their dinner at the Burrow and laughing hysterically. They were each sporting their new jumpers, made by Mrs. Weasley in contrasting colors and featuring a large "F" and "H" respectively.

Hermione struggled to catch her breath. "The look on Fleur's face..." She couldn't finish.

Fred snorted. "She didn't find it nearly as amusing as Bill and Charlie."

Hermione wiped a tear from her cheek. "What in the world possessed Charlie to give Bill a bone and a dog collar for Christmas? I thought your mother was going to go apoplectic!"

Fred shook his head. "I don't know but it was sure nice to see someone else get lectured for a change. That was a Christmas present in and of itself."

He reached over and pulled Hermione into a big hug. "Speaking of, Christmas is not quite over yet for you, young lady." He lead her to a specific spot near the fireplace. "Stand right there and close your eyes."

A suspicious look came over her face. "Fred?"

"It's perfectly safe! Just close your eyes."

She continued to stare at him warily.

"Please?!"

She couldn't help but smile at the pleading tone. "Fine!" She closed her eyes.

She heard his voice move further away. "You have to promise - No peeking!"

She crossed her arms. "I promise."

"Promise promise?"

She laughed out loud. "Promise promise!"

She could hear various movements going on around her and then felt a warmth coming from the direction of the fireplace. The smell of hot chocolate began to fill the air. Suddenly Fred's voice was right next to her ear. "Right. There are pillows on the floor directly behind you. I am going to help lower you down so you can get the full effect, okay? Trust me?"

Hermione nodded confidently. "I trust you."

Fred gently guided her onto some pillows and then sat next to her. "Okay, you can look now."

Hermione opened her eyes and was enchanted by what she saw.

Directly in front of them was a large Christmas tree, decorated with floating lights and candles. The ceiling of the flat had been enchanted to look like a winter sky with the stars shining brightly. A fire was burning in the fireplace and a tray of Christmas cookies and hot chocolate was sitting next to them.

"Fred! This is beautiful!"

Fred grinned. "I remembered how much you liked the trees and the ceiling of the Great Hall at Christmas time."

"It's perfect!" She leaned over and kissed him. "Thank you!"

"Don't thank me yet," he smiled. "If you'll notice there is a present under the tree which I believe is for you."

"But you already gave me a present at the Burrow. The lovely scroll and quill set."

He nodded. "Yes. That was the "in front of the family" gift. This is the "I have you alone" gift."

She raised her eyebrows and he struck a pose of mock horror. "Why, Miss Granger! The places your mind goes!"

They both laughed. Fred continued, "It's not that sort of a gift...although I now have ideas for next year."

With a flick of his wand the package levitated and drifted softly over to Hermione's lap. She took her time inspecting the beautiful wrapping. "Fred, you shouldn't have!"

"How do you know? You haven't opened it." It was obvious that the suspense was getting to him.

She slowly removed the bow and brightly colored paper to reveal a cardboard box. She lifted the lid to find a very old and obviously much loved copy of the book Hogwarts - A History.

"My favorite book!" She gently removed it from the box and examined the binding. "This is a much earlier edition than the one I have."

"That's not what makes it special, though." Fred reached around her and carefully opened the cover and pointed to an inscription on the front page. Hermione gasped. There in a faded but familiar bold script were written the words:

Property of Albus Dumbledore

Her eyes flew open wide. "Fred! You didn't..."

Fred started to laugh. "Nick it from McGonagall's office?" He shook his head. "Sorry, luv. Nothing so dramatic."

"But how..."

"I happened to be at Flourish and Bott's one day when the Headmistress was there ordering a batch of the new revised copies they are printing for the library. It struck me later that the school might have some older copies on hand that they might not mind parting with. Then I remembered that Dumbledore had already left you his copy of Beedle the Bard." Fred shrugged. "I figured it was worth a try so I sent McGonagall an owl and asked to meet with her."

He sat up straight and grinned. "You would have been proud of me. I wrote out my points beforehand and..." He leaned in and whispered loudly, "I brought biscuits!"

Hermione giggled as she tried to imagine the Professor's face when Fred offered her a biscuit. "How did you convince her to part with it?"

"Didn't take much really. I mentioned your inheritance of Beedle and how that showed Dumbledore's fondness for you. I brought up everything you had done to protect the school, your love of the library and pointed out that there was absolutely no one in the world that would care for and cherish the book the way that you would."

He smiled again. "Her only request was that some day, after you graduate, that you take the time to write up his margin notes and provide a copy of them back to the school. I didn't think you would mind so I told them it was a deal."

Hermione was gingerly turning the pages, taking in the various annotations that her beloved former Headmaster had made. A tear streamed down her cheek as she pictured him holding the book and jotting down his thoughts.

After a moment of silence, Fred quietly asked. "So...do you like it?"

Hermione took a moment before turning towards him. "This is quite possibly the most wonderful, thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me." She suddenly threw arms around his neck and hugged him so tight that he thought he might pass out.

Fred struggled to catch his breath. "Oi! If I knew that was going to be the reaction I'd have asked for the whole shelf!"

She giggled and clasped the book to her chest. She then bit her lip and looked towards the fireplace. Fred leaned towards her. " 'Mione? What's wrong?"

She looked down at the book and then back at Fred. "Nothing. It's just...I had another gift for you as well but after your present I'm afraid you'll find it silly."

He reached out and stroked her hair. "Luv, I would never find anything from you silly. But you already got me a gift and I know that those Dragon Skin safety gloves cost you more than you should have spent as it is."

Hermione made a face. "First off, the cost of the gloves is not the issue. Keeping those hands and arms safe from the chemicals that you work with is my first priority. I have plans for them, you know."

Fred waggled his eyebrows. "Why, Miss Granger! There that mind goes again!"

Hermione playfully smacked him on the arm. "Besides, your "I have you alone" gift is something that I made." She inhaled deeply. "But you have to promise not to laugh."

Fred placed his hand on his heart. "I solemnly swear."

Hermione still looked hesitant but finally reached over and pulled a package out of her bag. She held onto it for a long moment before handing it over to Fred. He fought back the urge to rip off the paper and took the time to appreciate the effort she had taken to wrap it so nicely, noting that the wrapping was in Gryffindor red and gold. "It's lovely."

She giggled. "You can open it now."

He grinned and tore into the paper. Inside was a leather journal, roughly the size of a composition book, with a blank front and metal clasp for a seal. "It's beautiful."

She smiled shyly. "It has a protection charm. The words will only appear if one of us is actually touching it."

He reached out and, as soon as his hand made contact with the cover it began to change. Before his eyes a title appeared in Hermione's handwriting. It read:

Things I Love About Fred Weasley - Volume One - By Hermione Granger

He glanced at her curiously and then slowly undid the clasp and opened the book. As he touched the front page, words began to materialize, all in Hermione's distinctive script.

Things I love about Fred Weasley (In no particular order)

#1 - The color of his hair. Most people think that it is simply ginger but it is actually a complex combination of brown, auburn, ginger and blond. The color also varies depending on the light and whether it is wet or dry. My favorite is how it looks in front of a fire because of the way the light dances on it.

#2 - His eyes. Again most people think they are simply brown but there are flecks of hazel and gold in there as well. I love the way they express his emotions - the way they sparkle when he is happy, the singular glint when he has a really good idea, the way they darken when something has drawn his anger. When I look in those eyes I feel a warmth I've never felt before.

#3 - His smile. Slightly lopsided with a pull to the right side. It is the brightest smile in the world and when you see it you can't help but smile back. I am certain that even if the sun, moon and all the stars were to go dark that I could still find my way by the light of that smile.

#4 - The way we fit together when he holds me. My head aligns perfectly over his heart so I can hear its strong, steady beat...

That was as far as Fred made it before he had to stop. He turned away from her and worked to control his breathing.

A moment later he heard a soft voice. "It's stupid, isn't it? You're trying not to laugh."

He shook his head but did not look at her. "Not laughing, luv. And it isn't stupid at all..." He continued to flip through the pages, stunned to see that every one of them were filled with her thoughts and feelings about him.

He finally turned back to her and whispered, "All of this...is about me?"

She nodded. "Is that okay?"

He fought to take hold of his emotions and find the right words. "My whole life, Hermione...no one...not even my family...ever looked at me - really looked at me like this. Hell, most of the time even George and I only looked at ourselves as interchangeable parts of a set." He returned his gaze to the book in his hands. "You are the first and only person to actually see me."

He continued to turn pages until he reached the end where his eyes fell on the final entry and he read the six words that completely undid him.

Fred Weasley makes me feel safe.

At that he suddenly reached across and kissed her deeply before wrapping her into a firm embrace. He blurted out, "Merlin's Beard! I think my heart is going to explode."

Hermione ran her fingers through his hair. "Good thing I know where the first aid kit is, then."

He laughed and began kissing over and over again, murmuring "I love you" between each one.

She finally pulled away to regain her breath. "My goodness! If I had realized that was going to be the reaction I would have given you this first one as soon as I finished it!"

He stopped short. "First one?"

She placed her hand on his cheek and smiled. "Silly boy - you missed the most important part of the title, didn't you?" She turned the book back over and pointed. "Volume One."

He just stared at her. "Don't you see, Fred? Every day that I know you I find something else to love about you."

His expression turned to one of disbelief. "Even the days when I'm an idiot?"

She tweaked him on the nose. "Especially when you're an idiot."

"Come again?"

She took his hands in hers. "Even when you've done something that infuriates me I always know that you will find a way to make me laugh about it."

She rolled her eyes. "Maybe not right away...but eventually. I love that too."

He took her face in his hands and gazed at her. "I really wish I had enough words to tell you everything I am feeling right now."

She curled up and laid her head on his chest, intertwining her fingers with his. "How about...Happy Christmas, Fred."

He snuggled in and closed his eyes contentedly. "Happy Christmas, Hermione."