Winter 2008 – The Christmas dinner

As the afternoon turned into early evening the weather got decidedly colder in Ottery St. Catchpole.

Gone was the wind from earlier, replaced with swirling snow showers. Little snowflakes danced around the trees that surrounded The Den, drifting towards the windows and resting on the ground, changing the earthy greens and browns into a beautiful carpet of white. The transformation was stunning and very festive.

The children took the foggy, steamy windows as a clean canvas to draw upon, creating little stick people flying on broomsticks whizzing around the wintry scene. Pig, happily perched on the hand of Lilly, ate the crumbs from the tasty home-baked apple pie brought by Alicia. The little bird was quick to complain if Lilly's attention wavered, tugging at her flame-red pigtails every time he wanted more.

Ginny had joined Hermione in the dining room and helped her sister-in-law put the dinner plates on the table, laying the settings for their Christmas dinner.

Ron looked at the turkey and winked at Hermione, stroking his stomach. He felt a swell of pride bubble up inside him as he watched Hermione fastidiously place each knife and fork just so along the elongated family table. She really had pulled out all the stops to become a worthy hostess and he marveled at her ability to, for the first time, prepare one enormous dinner for so many people.

Hermione smiled in gratitude at her husband while she began to situate Matthew in his chair. Harry and Ginny followed suit and sat their girls next to their cousin.

Soon the kitchen became a hive of activity. Mrs. Weasley started to prepare the children's plates while Mr. Weasley opened several bottles of wine, flicking his wand elaborately in the air causing the corks to pop from their bottles and jump erratically around the room. The young Weasleys and Potters were delighted, laughing and cheering as their grandfather inadvertently entertained them. Crookshanks, however, did not enjoy the entertainment, as one of the rogue corks flew across the room and smacked him on the nose, causing him to leap off his comfy cushion and fly up the stairs for cover.

Ron and Harry burst out laughing at this while Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes and Mr. Weasley pretended that he hadn't noticed anything.

Fred sat close to Angelina and George to Alicia, who was feeling less shy around her future family.

Ron sat close to his wife and noticed how pale she was looking. He knew Hermione had been a bit stressed during the last few days trying to get everything right for their first Christmas with family at their new home but she also seemed a little bit… nervous. More than a little bit, he thought, frowning

He made a mental note to remind her to not bring so much work home from Hogwarts.

The heat from the open fireplace licked around the house, melting away any cold that leaked in. The comfortable warmth mixed with the lingering aroma of the dinner, accompanied by the chinking and clattering of cutlery made the afternoon feel nothing short of charming. As the children's laughter echoed throughout the house, Christmas truly had arrived at the Weasleys' home.

"That was delicious, Hermione. My little Weasley has enjoyed it too, I think. He's kicking me with much more enthusiasm than usual. Well done," Angelina said as she placed her knife and folk down on her empty plate.

Hermione put one more spoon-full of dinner into Matthew's mouth. "Thanks, Angelina. You know I'll always be grateful to Molly for the time she spent teaching me many of her exquisite recipes."

Molly was serving herself another helping of Yorkshire Pudding. She looked up and smiled affectionately. "Oh, no problem, sweetie. Anytime you need more tips, tell me. And the same for you, Angelina."

Angelina stroked her tummy happily. Fred kissed her cheek and put his chin on his her shoulder, looking at her through tired eyes.

Ron chuckled when George started pretending to imitate his twin, making his nieces and nephew laugh.

Fred soon snapped out of his daydream when he felt a rouge foot rub up against his calf. It was Ginny, touching her brother jokingly. She loved nothing more than an opportunity to wind her brothers up, the way they so often had done to her in their younger years. Harry always found this amusing and chuckled happily while passing a wine bottle to Ron.

"Fred hasn't been sleeping enough; he's almost falling to his plate. Been eating too much… fruit Fred?" Harry quipped, smiling cheekily at Fred and winking.

Fred scowled to his brother-in-law, keeping his head at Angelina's shoulder. "I swear I don't want hear about that bloody fruit," he grumbled.

Angelina poked his arm playfully. "Fred, language. And if I remember rightly, you didn't complain much about getting the fruit!"

Fred winked at his wife, smiled lazily, rested his head back on her shoulder and closed his eyes as if to fall asleep. George, who loved any opening to catch his twin, threw a cork at Fred's head

"Ouch!" Fred cried in mock pain. "Alicia, watch your boyfriend, please."

Alicia giggled shyly then playfully grabbed George's hand above the table. George quickly turned the tables on his girlfriend, moving swiftly and gently twisting her hand so he could kiss it gently.

Mr. Weasley smiled wisely at his wife. "Ah, chocolate pudding fruit… Brings back memories, Molly," he said. "Fred, you are a Weasley, you'll have to find more of that fruit one day."

Ron remembered when he had Apparated hundreds of miles to get that infamous fruit Fred was talking about for Hermione during her pregnancy. 'The Black Sapote', the fruit was known as, or as it was more commonly called 'The Chocolate Pudding Fruit' because of it's taste and since it was used often to make ice creams. His father had told him that the fruit had magic powers and every unborn Weasley child made their mothers crave it. Ron also remembered how much fun he and Hermione had due to the fruit's magical effects. He made another mental note for invoke those thoughts later, when he would be alone with his wife.

After dishes were cleaned and the gifts unwrapped, Ron, Hermione, and their guests were sitting in the living room talking while the children were playing with their new gifts. Fred was helping Matthew figure out how to use the Quidditch charmed balls. The little boy was beaming, playing with each gift he got from his family. Alicia sat on couch with Lilly and Jane, showing them how to plait their dolls' hair.

Harry challenged Ron to a game of chess. "On that fabulous table of yours, mate," he smiled.

Ron grinned, puffing out his chest regally. "Well, I am the Weasley Chess King," he said, in a very posh voice, "so I do need a fabulous table like that…" He took hold of Hermione's hand, pulling her gently to his side. "And as the Weasley King, I have to have the best Queen too. Oh, and the best broom! The broom I took care of last year. And the Queen--I have to take care of her everyday."

Hermione rolled her eyes, showing a genuine smile before giving him a peck on his lips.

Harry cringed. "Please, guys, we have children here watching."

Hermione poked Harry's chest playfully with her elbow, he in turn looked for his wife seeking her support, but she just laughed and continued to pour her father's coffee.

Ron went to the kitchen having picked up a piece of cake that Matthew had dropped on the floor before Crookshanks could decide to eat it. Hermione followed close behind and pulled a bottle of cold water from the refrigerator.

Ron looked over suspiciously and asked, "Are you feeling all right, love? You didn't eat much at dinner and you're looking a little pale."

Hermione smiled shyly. "No, I'm fine, I think all that preparation, you know, cooking and baking so much food, I just lost my appetite."

Ron nodded, although how anyone could lose their appetite was beyond his comprehension. He didn't want to argue the point on such a full stomach, however. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead in an understanding way.

Women, he thought. I just don't think I'll ever understand them.

"Checkmate."

"What! Not again, little bro! It's not fair!" Fred cried in mock despair.

Ron had now lost count of how many games he had won that evening against his brothers, who were taking turns with Harry in playing against Ron. Little did Ron know that the three of them had a side bet to see who the first one would be to win against him and with Fred losing again both Harry and George were again in the running to win the bet.

Fred put the chess pieces on the right places again. "One more game, then I'll give up. You haven't had this much luck at chess since the day you proposed to Hermione. Although your luck did run out that day, didn't it?"

"Yeah, poor ickle Roniekins," George said, an amused look crossing his face. "After such a big moment, having to spend the rest of the night in St. Mungo's... Your luck certainly did run out that day," he laughed.

Ron nodded, laughing along with his brothers. "Yeah, but I couldn't complain, really. My animal magnetism works better on Hermione when I'm sick, so she didn't get too angry with me after that accident."

Hermione moved closer to her husband. "Of course I wouldn't get angry with you, it wasn't your fault. It was just one of those unfortunate things; nobody could have foreseen it."

Harry arched an eyebrow, "What happened exactly? I never did ask you. Ginny and I were in Greece at the time and we didn't get all the gory details about that particular adventure of yours. Only the news that I was needed to be the best man at your wedding."

Ron chuckled. "Well, it was me, Ron Weasley, trying to be romantic, but that slippery spiderfish spoiled my plans," he blushed. "Well, the hospital is just the place for a newly engaged couple to spend the night," he laughed. "Thankfully, that night hasn't reflected on the rest of our married life…"

Autumn of 2000- The Burrow

The elements were in a playful mood that night. Although it was still warm for the time of year, with a bright full moon in the sky, there was also a light breeze.

The playful breeze blew gently through the branches of the old oak tree that stood proudly in the garden of The Burrow, tickling it branches and the first of the autumn leaves, pulling them from their comfortable twigs. Each leaf reluctantly gave in and cascaded gently from its home to the pond below, staining the crystal moonlit surface of the water with their shades of brown, gold, and red. The night was quiet and only the rustling of leaves and the distant sound of crickets echoed in the air, a soft, peaceful symphony from nature to accompany Ron through his restless night.

The heat rising through the house on that warm evening circulated in his room, the attic, so in his wakeful state Ron decided that he would sit outside. His mind was buzzing with the plans he was making for the future and for his and Hermionés life.

Ron sat on the spot where three summers ago he had told Hermione the nature of his feelings for her. He smiled, remembering how he noticed that step was very small for both of them to be sitting on and how he could feel Hermione's body heat so close to his skin. The memory of their first kiss made him shake his head in disbelief of his own stupid error. He could have avoided so much wasted time and trouble if he had only been braver and more honest with Hermione back in their sixth year instead of being such a coward and a total git.

But, Ron knew that although it had taken him longer than he had hoped to tell her, it was worth the wait. He never had felt so happy and hopeful about the future, their future.

The wizarding world would take a while to recover from the many losses suffered during the last battle against Voldemort, but the sensation of knowing Harry and Hermione, two people that although they are not blood relatives were as close as his real siblings were to him, were alive and safe, gave him enough strength to face anything. Only the memory of his brother, Percy, tinged that feeling of freedom and made him feel sad. He paid a high price for his choices, but he was a Weasley after all, he was his brother and his loss would be always leave a hole in Weasley family.

His reverie was broken when someone opened the door behind him. It was his father, rubbing his eyes and sipping a glass of milk.

"Can't sleep either son?" he asked sleepily.

Ron leaned against the door, nodding. "Yeah, a lot on my mind."

Mr. Weasley sat beside Ron, and sipped his milk before smiling. He took his glasses off, examining them and as he did so said knowingly, "I bet it's a bushy haired, beautiful girl." He finished speaking and took the corner of his nightshirt and cleaned the lenses of his glasses.

Ron blushed. Was he that transparent?

"I was thinking about stuff, I mean… We've dated for three years… and… well… I think it is time for…. you know… I mean… we're renting a flat and stuff and we have some money saved… and well… I want propose her, dad."

He gulped, looking at his father by the corner of the eye.

Mr. Weasley put on his now clean glasses and looked at his son proudly. He placed one hand on Ron's shoulder, and smiled. "That's great news, son. Wonderful news."

Ron looked up to his father and smiled nervously.

"It seems like only yesterday when Hermione came here for the first time, then spent her first summer here. She has always been a special friend to us. Both of you always reminded me of your mother and I." Mr. Weasley smiled at his son. "It took you long enough to get up the mind to tell her, didn't it," he chuckled. "Good thing your brother got married, or you might still be hiding your feelings."

Ron passed one hand through his shaggy hair. "There's just one little problem though. The ring." Ron turned and looked out into the moonlit night and sighed. "I would like to buy a ring worthy of her, but rings are so expensive and I think if I waited until I could afford a decent ring we would get married with gray hair. I'm still only a reserve keeper; I don't know when I'll have the chance to become the main keeper of Cannons, and earn enough to buy one."

Mr. Weasley looked at his son again, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose.

"Ron," he said seriously, "although we have never been that affluent and we have always had… problems with money, we've always gotten through, and no one has ever gone without. Weasleys' find solutions, and I think I have the perfect solution for you."

Ron looked at his father with a mix of emotions rushing through his mind. Solutions usually meant second hand, homemade or worse… old and haggard, but there was something in his father's voice that had him hopeful that this time a solution may be better than he expected.

"Your mother and I have talked about the possibility of you being the next son to get married."

Ron felt a sense of hope surge through him that made him grin, "Really, dad?" But no sooner had the grin appeared and a happy surge spread through him, it had disappeared. "Dad, I'm a grown man, I don't want you and mum making more big sacrifices for me. It's about time I began to sort myself and my own problems out."

Mr. Weasley stood and opened the door. "What your mother and I decided isn't a sacrifice, it's a gift, for you and Hermione. Stay here, I'll be back in a minute."

When Ron saw what his father had for him, he felt blessed. His family may not be rich or affluent, but the wealth they had was measured in love and generosity. Suddenly that happy surge returned and he felt blessed to be part of such a wonderful family.

"Ron, my feet are wet, where are we?"

"Just one second, love. Three more steps. Okay, now you can open your eyes."

Ron removed the blindfold from her eyes. A small gasp escaped her lips when she saw the place Ron had brought her. She turned and smiled excitedly as he held her softly, kissing her hair. They were at her favorite Muggle beach and almost at the spot where she loved to spend her time: one big rock, in shape of a big circle where one person could sit or lay down. She had spent many happy hours on the rock, both on her own and with Ron. She liked to read while sitting on the rock, obviously, feeling the sea breeze and smelling the air. Sometimes she would sit with Ron and just watch the fabulous sea view… when he wasn't spending his time snogging her.

The beach was empty that night, but the sky was sparkling and glistening with stars and the scent of the salty sea was just inviting them to stroll along the shore.

Ron held her hands in his. "Hermione, there is something I would like to talk to you about…and …umm… here seemed to be…well… bringing you here… I thought…here would be the perfect place," he struggled to say the words. His mouth was dry and his hands were shaking.

Hermione nodded but was worried, Ron seemed really… odd. "Ron, is everything all right?"

Ron caressed her cheek. "Yeah, yeah," he said breathlessly. "No worries. I just… well... I want to ask you something," he swallowed hard trying to quell the nerves. "…but, you know I'm not brilliant with words. I have thought about how to say this to you but each time it sounded... wrong, odd even. So maybe it's better if I just say it straight out."

Hermione put her arms around his neck. "Ron, you can say anything you want, however you want. We've known each other long enough to not have these awkward moments between us, don't you think?"

Ron massaged her arms softly. "Yeah, you're right. Tell me, we've been together for three years now and we known each other about nine or ten, right?"

Hermione looked straight to his eyes. "Precisely ten years, one month and ten days. Ron, are you trying to…"

Ron put his fingers to her lips. "Hermione, let me finish," he smiled nervously. "What I want say is…. I love you. Always have. Always will. You know who I am, what I have to offer to you and that I want to share my future with you. So… Miss Hermione Granger… Will you marry me?"

Hermione eyes brimmed with tears of joy as she nodded fervently and threw her arms around him, holding him tight. Ron grinned against her hair, feeling very relieved. It was done. He had proposed to the most beautiful, clever, and lovely woman he ever met in his life, the woman he'd loved for so long, and she had accepted.

Ron reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the small velvet box his father had given him, and gave it to Hermione.

She gasped when she saw the silver ring, gleaming in it's velvet box, two ruby stones shaped like small flowers.

Ron took the ring and slipped it carefully on her finger. It was a perfect fit.

Hermione smiled enthusiastically. "Ron, it's gorgeous, I love it," she said, holding her hand out in front of her and watching as the moonlight caught the stones' surface and shone like one of the stars from the sky above them. "You shouldn't have spent so much money though, I would have been happy with no ring at all; I only needed to hear you say the words and know that I'll have you in my life."

Ron smiled. "I have a confession about the ring, you'll be surprised to know who was the last owner. My father inherited it and other precious stuff from my Aunt Muriel when she passed away last year. My parents decided this absolutely gorgeous ring would belong to the next son to get married. I told to my father I would need to buy one for you, and he gave it to me--for your perfect fiancée--his exact words."

Hermione kissed Ron lightly. "And it will be a honor to wear it, a piece of Weasley history. And to be from Aunt Muriel; she was so lovely to me when I met her at Bill's wedding."

Ron laughed. "Yeah, she was always very nice to me, too. Do you remember when she thought you were Harry's girl? It was funny to watch Ginny; she was infuriated and poor Harry, trying to explain to her that she had the wrong idea."

Hermione caressed his cheek. "Your aunt was very wise, she felt the love between Harry and Ginny and as a Weasley, she loved to tease--that must be where the twins got it from," Hermione laughed, before shivering. "By the way, we have our feet inside water and I'm freezing."

Ron took her in his arms. "Oh, I am sorry, Miss Almost a Weasley."

Hermione giggled but when Ron put his feet on the dry sand he gasped, almost dropping her.

"Ouch, my foot!!"

Hermione looked at his foot and panicked. "Oh, no, it can't be…. Ron, I think you were bitten by a spiderfish."

Ron looked frighten. "A spider what?!"

Winter 2008 – The Den's living room

"And then we spent the rest of the night at St. Mungo's, warming Ron's foot. It's the only way the for the venom of the spiderfish to be removed."

Ron, who was sitting with one arm around Hermione's shoulder, put one lock of her hair behind her ear. "And you are brilliant at warming hurt feet."

Hermione rolled her eyes and everyone laughed of his statement.

Hermione was always brilliant to Ron indeed, whether doing complex research on dark magic potion effects or chopping vegetables in order to prepare a soup, and he did love her perfection through and through.

After everyone had left, Ron and Hermione took Matthew, who was now sleeping, to bed.

Hermione dressed Matthew in his pajamas very carefully, while Ron put his favorite teddy bear close to him and kissed his forehead. Hermione wrapped him up in the sheets and blankets with the little snitches that matched the little owls on the bedroom walls, kissed his cheek and closed the door softly behind her as she left.

Ron was waiting for her in their room. Hermione approached him quietly.

"Poor thing, today was a very busy day for him. He loves playing with the girls and seeing the pranks the twins pull."

Ron smiled before putting his arms around Hermione's waist. "Are you sure you are all right? You still look a little pale, love."

Hermione smiled. "Don't worry, it's normal. I'm feeling all right, really."

Ron looked straight into her eyes. "You never miss breakfast and you did this morning, and yesterday--now that I think of it.. You haven't eaten very much at all. The last time you didn't want to eat was when you were…"

He stopped, looking at Hermione who was glowing and smiling happily, a twinkle in her eye.

"Pregnant? Another baby? My Christmas gift? Our second baby? Hermione, I'm right, aren't I?"

Hermione couldn't be happier with Ron's reaction, and nodded enthusiastically.

Ron leaned and kissed her deeply. She held him by waist. "I had to resist telling you because I wanted it to be a surprise."

Ron kissed her hair. "That is the best present I have ever had for Christmas. When will the baby be born?"

Hermione was beaming at finally being able to tell Ron about her pregnancy. "The middle of June. A summer baby. The perfect time; Matt will be almost four."

Ron took her hand and led her to their bed. "Now I understand the mystery over your gift to me, and why I had to wait."

Hermione smirked. "'Course you had to wait, you had to be the first to know and I wanted to get your reaction just for myself. I don't think I can hide this any longer though, it has been hard, your mother is so wise with her suspicions, plus my clothes are starting to feel a little tight."

Ron grinned. "I hope this time we have a girl."

Hermione smiled. "Really? I thought you would like to get a Quidditch team of boys."

Ron pushed softly against Hermione so that she would sit on their bed, and started stroking her belly, lifting her blouse and kissing it.

"I would like more boys, but a little bookworm like you would be wonderful. And who says she couldn't play Quidditch?" Ron winked. "Now, Mrs. Weasley, it's time for your Christmas gift."

Hermione looked surprised. "But you already gave me one. I've told you before, you don't need spend much money on me, I don't need gifts, just you, Matt…" she paused and placed her hand on her tummy, "…and the baby."

Ron arched an eyebrow playfully. "I know that, but after you see what I have for you, you'll thank me eternally."

To be continued…..

A/N: In case you're wondering, a spiderfish is what a jellyfish is known as in Portugal. Thanks to our wonderful beta, and thanks for reading our story! Reviews are appreciated. :)