Happy Christmas Hermione

A/N: This story is dedicated to my Muse - my Bibliophile Aunt who gets first dibs on anything I write - and tells me when a story needs work - and Fangirling4Life - who requested something mushy sweet and fluffy for Christmas. Here is what I came up with - and I hope it's well received. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, Good Cheer!

Ron stood in the doorway to their modest library. In any other home, it would be a small fourth bedroom, maybe for a baby or an unexpected guest. For his brilliant yet barmy wife, it was her library. This was her personal sanctuary, when the world got too much for her to bear, or she needed a place to research and study, away from the chaos only kids could cause.

She was asleep at her desk yet again, her face gracing another legal tome, of what didn't matter. The presents for the kids were snuggled under the tree, along with the few from the remainder of the family. Most would be shared with them at the Burrow later today, but this morning, safe and warm at home, their family came first.

What his wife didn't know was that there was a special one under the tree now, just for her. One that he knew she would love him forever for – at least until next year. He took pride in finding that one gift that would make her speechless. Some years, he was successful, like Christmas 1999 when he presented to her, on bended knee in front of the entire family, proposing to his then-girlfriend. Her parents were there, now part of the Weasley gathering annually, and he even asked Fred first before buying the ring that now adorned her finger. The small fortune he spent on such a ring – magic included – was a small price to pay for marrying his best friend and love of his life.

He wasn't successful ever year. That Christmas was a special one. The books were always appreciated, but never well enough to make her speechless, or shed tears of joy. The trip to the Med for the two of them was well rewarded, but the kitchen appliances were frowned upon.

This year, he received help from the entire family, having planned out this gift and the details behind it for months. He needed that long to coordinate with the family on their contributions to it. As usual, they turned out magnificently.

He padded into the library, moving his wife's hair from her face. A kiss on her ear was enough to make her stir from her slumber.

"Ron?"

"It's midnight on Christmas. You need to be in bed."

"What?"

"You fell asleep in your legal reading again."

"Oh."

She looked up at her husband, finding his smile. Out went her arms, and he picked her up as he was want to do. "You smell so good."

"That would be the piece of cake I had a little while ago."

She snuggled into his maroon jumper we wore over his t-shirt. Chocolate wafted from it. He might be a mighty auror, but he still needed a snack before bed so he could sleep all night.

"Smells so good on you."

"Everything wrapped?"

"Sure is. The bikes are assembled and under the tree too."

"Such a wonderful husband."

"Only for you, dear."

He tiptoed to their bedroom, keeping quiet near the kid's bedrooms. They would be up early enough as it is, since it was Christmas.

He felt her shift in his arms, planting a kiss on his neck and his jaw.

"Ron," she whispered for his ears only, "I'm not so sleepy anymore."

"Anything in mind, love?"

He felt her snuggle further into his arms while he maneuvered them into their bedroom. A handful of ink stained nails across his chest was enough of an answer.

"I think that can be arranged," he intoned back.

A giggle from his wife was all that he needed.

"Daddy."

A not so gentle poke in his arm was enough to make him open his eyes. Through the fog of exhaustion he saw his son, bright eyed in his pajamas. "Daddy, it's Christmas!"

He grinned, seeing the joy on his son's face. Nothing brought him more glee than seeing Hugo excited for another morning. He was like his mother that way.

"Where's Rosie?"

"Still 'seep. Only I wake and wanted you to see what Santa brought."

"Santa brought toys?"

Hugo nodded only like he could – energetic like his daddy; bouncing bushy auburn hair like his mum.

"Well, let's go see what Santa brought for us!"

Ron unlimbered out of bed, noticing his wife's brown eyes watching them surreptitiously from her pillow. One smile from her, and she closed her eyes to drift back to sleep.

They tried to be quiet in the bedroom but his son was just too excited to stay that way. "Hurry, Daddy!"

"Let me grab my robe."

"Daddy!"

They left the bedroom, with Ron closing the door. This morning was his wife's opportunity to sleep in, even if she would be up in a couple more hours to make breakfast for them. The only time she seemed to sleep past her normal half five was when she was up late. That certainly was the case this morning.

They tiptoed past Rosie's room, and there was the marvel as the Weasley Christmas tree. Fairy lights competed with the muggle ones that Hermione insisted on for now. Popcorn was strung along the branches, tinsel and ornaments as well. Under the tree was a plethora of presents, in various papers and bags.

"Look Daddy!"

"I see all of it. Santa was great, wasn't he?"

"Can I open them now?"

Ron stood there, towering over his son who looked in anticipation. He scooped up his son, blowing a kiss on his neck. Giggles followed.

"We have to save some for later, so Mummy and RosiePosie can watch too."

"Awwww."

"But it couldn't hurt to open one each now, before I start breakfast."

Hugo started squirming in his arms, frantic to go find one of his own to open. "Lemme down Daddy!"

Ron opened his arms, catching Hugo right before his feet hit the floor. "Gotcha!"

Giggles and squeals bounced around the den of their cottage.

Hugo ran for the pile under the tree, finding the biggest box he could. Rattle, rattle, rattle. "I got one," he declared.

"Well, go on, tear into it."

Ron plopped down on the floor in front of the couch, watching his son tear into the huge box covered in metallic reds and greens and gold. Ron sat there grinning, watching his son work through it. Like his Mum, his brow furrowed, focused and determined while he worked. He knew what was inside – having kenneled the puppy a few hours prior – and leaving the bottom of the crate open for the puppy's benefit.

Paper flew everywhere while Hugo struggled to unwrap his present. He found the lid, and plopped it open. "Oh Wow! Daddy! Look!"

Hugo sat up on his knees, and lifted the puppy out of the box.

Grins abounded, and barking commenced. "A Puppy!"

Feet pounded down the hall of their cottage. There stood six year old Rosie, half asleep, hair a mess like her Mum, and just as wide eyed as her younger brother. "You got us a puppy?"

"Sure did, RosiePosie."

The Jack Russell terrier barked with appreciation at the kids who were now playing with him. "What's his name Daddy?"

"I thought we could call him Otter."

The kids grinned before turning back to the playful terrier. "If you want, we can go pick up his brother later today."

"Another one?"

"Sure. If I had brought both of them home, they would have been barking all night and gave away the surprise."

"Yipee!" cried the kids in glee.

Ron noticed movement from the corner of his eye, and saw his wife standing at the doorway to the den, watching the kids voices echo through the house.

"I see that Daddy gave you the best surprise."

"He said we can have one more."

"He's right, but you also have to help take care of them."

"We will Mummy!"

Four arms hugged Hermione, then leapt on Daddy and hugged him around the neck.

"We love you Daddy!"

Ron looked up, grinning like a kneazle in the creamery.

"Alright, let's open presents!"

While the kids were tucking into breakfast of fried eggs and rashers, with scones and toast and tea, Ron watched his wife nibble on her bowl of porridge with fruit and crème. No matter what he tried, he still couldn't convince her to eat a hardier breakfast.

"Hermione?"

She looked up from the Daily Prophet in front of her, the cooling cup of coffee next to her.

"There's one more present to open."

"Really?"

She turned back around, looking at the bottom of the Christmas tree in their den. Toys and trash lay everywhere, and the puppies were asleep on the red felt blanket under the tree.

"I thought we got all of the presents opened."

"We did – the ones under the tree, that is."

"So where is it?"

Ron grinned, finally enjoying the surprise.

"Hugo, buddy, can you go get Mummy's present. She never opened her best gift."

Hugo flashed his own snaggle toothed smile, and jumped off his chair to go get the last present.

Her smile betrayed the annoyance in her voice. "Where did you hide it this time, Ronald?"

"I didn't hide it. Hugo did."

Hugo rustled in the tree, bringing back a small box covered in printed paper.

Hermione looked at the present, adorned with ribbon and a bow. She looked closer and saw that the wrapping paper was pages from a book.

She stared in horror at Ron. "You destroyed a book to wrap my present?"

He smirked. "Of course not. Far from it. That book wrapping was from a tattered book that Flourish and Botts was tossing out. I asked them if I could have it, and paid them for it."

Hermione stood there looking rather cross. "Well? I'm waiting."

"Just open the card on the front of the package."

She looked down, and there lay a card, embossed with the Waterstone's logo on the outside. "Ronald Weasley, what have you done?"

His smirk grew wider.

She delicately opened the card, reading the inside.

"For Hermione, Much love,"

And on the inside were scribbles, crayon signatures, and glitter. Embossed on the inside of the card lay signatures of the entire family, along with Drs. Hugo and Jean Granger.

She looked up, and was speechless. "Well, go on, you barmy witch. Open it."

She looked down at the parcel in her hands, and delicately opened it.

The kids sat at the table, watching Mum slide her butter knife under the decorative tape, cutting along the seams of the package.

"Mum, hurry up!" whined the kids from the other side of the table.

Ron saw it first, a small shake of her left hand. "Rose, go help your mum. I think she's too excited to open the package properly."

Rose slide out of her seat and made her way to the other side. Small fingers helped take the paper off, followed by removing the rest the tape from the diminutive black box.

Hermione opened it, and inside lie a black digital tablet, embossed with the word Kindle.

"Ron!"

"I saw you looking at them the last time we were in Waterstone's, and so I had your Mum pick it up for me. The entire family gave us suggestions for the contents of the walking library at your fingertips. The magical titles are in there, courtesy of Dad and Mum, and Ginny also loaded a selection of her favorites as well."

Hermione turned the digital reader on, and her eyes grew as wide as a house elf's. Tears trickled out of her eyes, and she began to sniff. The black tablet was softly shaking in her hands.

"Your Dad was kind enough to load about a hundred titles on it, and everyone chipped in on either a title for purchase, or helped to purchase it. It was my idea, but the whole family wanted you to have it."

She looked up, and her beautiful brown eyes were bloodshot.

"Hermione, all of us remember that disastrous First Christmas. I remember you hitting me with the cookbook when I laughed at Mum's gift. All of us wanted you to have something really special, one you can take anywhere at any time, and not hurt your back lugging around."

"Oh Ron!"

Hermione took three steps to her husband, embracing him in a tremendous hug.

"Daddy, is mummy unhappy?"

"Oh no, Hugo. Those are tears of joy."

Ron looked down, and his wife's untamed bed head was nodding in agreement.

"Daddy laughed one Christmas years past at the gift Mummy got from Gramma Molly. It was a cookbook, and Mummy was unhappy when Daddy laughed at her for receiving it. She didn't forgive daddy for a few days for him being insensitive and laughing at her. So now, I hope this makes up for it."

He felt her nodding again, hugging him even harder.

"Mummy loves reading, but is so busy with her work and researching that she doesn't have as much time as she would like for pleasure reading. So, I thought that if she had her personal library at her fingertips, along with having her other legal research accessible too, she might have time to do more and spend it out of a book."

He looked down at their kids, bright blue eyes looking up at him in wonder and awe. He grinned back. "Now Mummy can have her library with her while we're out at the park playing, or with us at Gramma Molly's house or at Grampa Granger's house. How's that sound kids?"

Squeals and giggles resonated through the home.

Hermione unlocked her hands from her husband's waist, looking up at his bright blue eyes.

"Oh no. Daddy's gonna kiss mummy again."

Hugo made barfing noises while his parents snogged in the kitchen.

"I wish they wouldn't do that."

"Oh hush Hugo. It's sweet. Like Prince Charming or Snow White."

Ron broke the kiss first, wiping his wife's eyes for her. Sweet words passed back and forth between them, with nary a word said.

He turned to see his kids smirking. "Come on kids, let's get dressed. Gramma Molly is expecting you shortly at her house for breakfast."

"You too Daddy?"

"Mummy and I will be there a little later. This is for you kids."

The kids scampered off their chairs to run get dressed.

A smile, and a snog before the kids came back to the room. "We're ready Daddy!"

"Well, come along then. Let's floo over."

He glanced over his shoulder to see his wife fingering the gift in her hand. "When I get back, I'll show you how to use it."

She looked back up at her husband standing in front of the fireplace. "I can hardly wait."

Ron stopped in at the corner post office, collecting their mail. They might get owl post at home, but their muggle post couldn't be delivered since they made their property unplottable. In the mail on a cold Wednesday morning was a bill from Waterstone's.

What's this, I wonder?

Ron opened the letter, and dropped his parcel. Hermione! $300! For Books! Three times the budget! Bloody Hell!

He stopped, and smiled. She's worth it. She's at Sunday brunch at Mum's and out with us more instead of at work or locked in her library.

He picked up the parcel, and made his way home to the family he loved.

Merry Christmas to all of my readers, far and wide.