Harry entered his flat to find his wife busying around the kitchen.

"Hey, what are you up to?" He asked, genuinely curious at this wife's behavior.

Ginny turned and faced Harry. She was unusually chipper. "I'm cooking. Wouldn't it be the best thing ever if we were to spend our first Christmas together in our own flat? I was preparing for our Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow and then we can have an amazing breakfast in front of the fire and open our gifts." She did a little hop and returned to cutting vegetables.

"I thought we would spend Christmas Eve at the Burrow. Didn't we agree we'd spend the night there? It's your nephew Gerard's first Christmas, I thought you didn't want to miss it."

"I just want to be together by ourselves. Don't you want to be with me?"

"Yes, of course. But we can be together at the Burrow." Ginny looked as if she was getting angrier with each word her husband said. "Ron and I saw Molly and we ARE going to the Burrow tomorrow. If you don't want to go, you can stay here, but I want to be with our family."

Ginny then tossed all the items in the sink of on the floor without so much as a look at Harry. She then proceeded down the hall and slammed the bedroom door. Harry went into their den and sank into their comfortable sofa that had been his bed for so many nights. His head dropped to his hands on his knees. He no longer knew what to do and feared that his new marriage was crumbling before his eyes.

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Christmas at the Burrow was usually a loud and rambunctious affair, but this year is was horribly subdued. Before Harry had finally dragged Ginny over, it seemed like it might be okay. We weren't overly cheerful, but we hadn't been since dad's death. But once Ginny began eyeing everyone, the conversation lulled and only hushed voices could be heard.

It was ridiculous. Everyone was walking on eggshells, afraid of a huge outburst from Ginny. She was the one with the problem.

"Dinner's ready." Mum called and people seemed relieved to have something to do other than avoid the subject we all wanted to discuss. At least the mood couldn't affect mum's incredible food.

About half way through a meal filled with simple chit chat about work and the weather, Ginny spoke up. "Ron, there is this girl at the bank I'd love you to go out with. She's seen you in there and thinks you're very cute. I set something up for next Thursday; a double date with Harry and me at 7:00. Should we meet here?"

Where did that come from? Ginny had tried a few times aver the past year to set me up with a young witch, but never had been so bold has to make the date and promise my attendance. "I don't think so. I'm not in the mood for dating right now."

"Give me a break, I already promised."

"Well you can tell her I said no or I'll do it for you." The family was now watching the conversation between us as if we were tossing a quaffle.

"Ron, you need to get out there and find someone worthy of you."

"I have found someone but I'm not worthy of her."

"Don't be stupid. Hermione is a maybe out of prison but she's still as guilty as ever."

"Shut up Ginny! I'm not stupid, I know that Hermione will likely never want to be with me or even be my friend again. But I have to try. I know we were meant to be together." Fred and George gave me a sympathetic look. Mum rubbed my back lovingly and was about to say something when Ginny continued.

"It's lust that's blinding you Ron and from what I understand she's damaged goods. The guards took care of that! Why would you want that piece of trash?"

Mum began to scold Ginny, but I came to realize that I don't think I had mentioned anything about the Hermione's situation with the guards. "Harry," I got his attention while the others were yelling and trying to calm each other down, "did you tell Ginny about the guards?"

"No," he said as a realization came to his face.

Had Ginny known about Hermione's treatment in prison or was she just guessing? I interrupted everyone. "Ginny, how do you know about what the guards did to Hermione?"

She was taken off guard and looked as though she was coming up with an answer. "Everyone knows what happens in there." She said unconvincingly.

Tears prickled the corners of my eyes. "You knew about what was happening to her didn't you? I know you probably didn't care what happened to her, but still. How did you know?"

Ginny looked trapped so she decided to tell the truth. "I knew because one of the guards was a client at the bank. He told me about her and that he was one of her guards. He might have said something about things going on. Ron, she killed dad, she deserves all the torture she can get."

"No wonder you're ashamed to face her," I said. "We aren't idiots. We all knew half the stuff you gave to the Aurors and said at trial was lies; hell probably all of it was. At the time I guess we also just wanted to make sure she went to jail, but we still didn't lie. To think that you knew what was going on at Azkaban and you were able to sleep at night makes me sick. Did you encourage them too?"

"Of course not! I'm not a monster." She screamed while everyone was looking at her accusatively.

"I've got to get some air." I ran outside and down to the pond. I couldn't believe Ginny but at the same time, just a few weeks ago I was hoping that Hermione was suffering in prison too. Would I have let those things happen to her? I tried to convince myself I would have. I turned around and saw Harry.

"Ginny and I are going to leave." I just nodded inn understanding. "I know what you're thinking. Yes, you would have done something about it, you would have told someone." I appreciated his faith in me. "Look, could I maybe stay at your flat for a few nights? I don't want her to be alone on Christmas, but after that I'll probably need a place to crash other than my couch."

"Sure mate." Harry trudged back to the house. He looked like he was in misery and I didn't know how to help him.

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I woke up Christmas morning to an amazing surprise. I had presents and not just the few I expected from Professor McGonagall and likely Ron but a lot of present. Some were from people she knew while others were from strangers that were simply well-wishers.

Each present was special. Neville and his wife Hannah sent me a very unusual plant. It was suppose to bloom at night and give off an aroma to help you sleep. Professor McGonagall gave me a gift certificate to Flourish and Blotts and Hagrid had baked me some unidentifiable cakes that I decided could substitute for coasters. Remus and Tonks gave me a lovely necklace and earring that was an amber color. The note from Tonks said that she thought it would go nicely with the new streaks in my hair.

There was a letter from the Minister explaining that next Saturday was the reception/ceremony and to inform me that my bank account had been restored with my restitution. It was a large sum, but it made me sick to think of it. One part of me felt I deserved more while the other didn't want any of it because of what I went through. I decided if I ever truly needed it, I could use it; otherwise, that amount would stay in the vault untouched.

I finally reached a small parcel from Harry. Ginny's name was noticeably absent. I opened it and it was a beautiful little music box he had obviously bought in the Muggle world. I placed it on the night stand and moved to the package from Ron. It was a leather bound journal with a note attached.

Hermione, Merry Christmas. I didn't know what to get you. I hope that you fill up this journal with stories of a happy future. I hope that you and I could talk someday soon. Love, Ron

I fixated on the word love. I had loved him so much and at nights I used to dream he would confess his love and we would be happy together forever. I would daydream about red-headed children. I even dreamed of a day he would come and get me out of prison and we would live happily-ever-after. But now I am out and I can't get over the hurt.

Lastly, I opened a bulky package from Mrs. Weasley. Just from feeling it, I knew what it was. I was right, a Weasley sweater. I scrunched up my eyes to keep the tears from going all over it. It was a deep purple with the initial H over the left pocket area. I just stared at it for the longest time. She had always given them to Harry, but this was my first ever. I read the sweet card attached that explained that she looked forward to our meeting.

After my shower I grabbed one of my new pairs of jeans and the sweater. I don't know why, but I had to wear it. It was like being a part of something again. It was soft and warm, like I was being enveloped in a giant hug. I felt happy and loved for the first time in a really long time.