Here is the Christmas chapter! Half way through the school year already. Thanks again to everyone who has favorited, reviewed, and followed! It makes me feel so good that you all are enjoying this. That's why I wanted to get your opinion. If there is something you want to see more of, maybe more of a character, or more development of a relationship or friendship, let me know. I'm up for suggestions; just leave them down in the review area. Thanks! -AshSun

Harry woke up, arms around Ginny, tucked warmly into the sheets and covers of his bed. It took him a moment to remember what had happened. He smiled. After they had separated from Ron and Hermione yesterday, Harry and Ginny walked all throughout town; just talking. It was truly lovely to be in each other's presence again. They went to a little café for dinner before it got too dark. When Ginny told him that they should get back now, Harry said,

"Oh…okay. I suppose your right. Wouldn't want everyone to worry…but…I had planned on showing you what me and Ron had done with Grimmauld Place. It looks like a whole new home."

"Oh, I suppose that's alright then. Mum wouldn't worry, I don't believe."

Harry smiled. "Great. Shall we go then?" Ginny nodded and they apparated directly

After that, there wasn't much "showing of the house". They participated in other activities.

This all crossed Harry's mind as he began to wake up more, and more. He looked over at Ginny, who was wearing one of his shirts, still fast asleep on his chest. She was beautiful. Harry loved feeling so close to her; it was indescribable. Ginny stirred awake in that moment, blinking slowly. She caught sight of Harry and smiled.

"Good morning." He told her cheerfully.

"Mmm good morning." She lightly kissed his chest.

"How are you?" He said, stroking her hair.

"Absolutely wonderful," She stretched and let out a soft moan. "And you?"

"Brilliant. Ginny last night…I just…I missed you so much, and it made all those months so worth it."

Ginny sat up now. "Yes…so worth it." She chuckled. "Although I didn't get too much of a house tour now, Harry." She grinned slyly.

"If memory serves me correctly, I believe you had no more interest in the house than I did." He said sarcastically. "Well…except maybe for the bedroom here."

Ginny laughed, punching him on the shoulder. "Prat…..oh, bloody hell Harry."

"What is it?" He asked quickly.

"It's morning! Mum's probably in a fit wondering where we are! Shit. And Ron…Merlin if he finds out…"

Harry took hold of Ginny's shoulders. "Ginny! Calm down. No one will notice. Everyone will have gone to bed before any of the three of us would've returned; and you know Ron didn't notice anything when he went strolling into the burrow. I'm sure he just had Hermione on the brain." He smiled.

Ginny breathed out deeply. "I suppose you're right. But we should probably get going before everyone wakes up and starts becoming suspicious. I don't want to deal with that today." She rolled her eyes.

Harry couldn't help but laugh at her. "Alright, alright. Let's get ready and go."

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Christmas morning had finally come and gone. It was a lovely time. The entire Weasley family gathered at the burrow along with Harry and Hermione. The loved the fact that they were truly thought of as family around there. Everyone was cheerful, but the absence of Fred still hung in the air. George socialized a little but spent the majority of his time up in his and Fred's old room. When the opening of gifts had concluded, everyone split off and did their own thing until Mrs. Weasley would announce that lunch would be ready later that afternoon.

During this time, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny decided to just stay up in Ron's room, as to not get in anyone's way. The atmosphere was still a bit tense and emotional.

"I supposed that went as well as it could have." Ginny said, plopping down on Ron's bean bag chair.

"If you say so." Ron replied sarcastically. "It was all really strange. I mean, it's understandable…but if everyone is still so torn up, why do we even try?" Ron asked, falling onto his bed.

"Come on, Ron…wouldn't it be worse to…to you know…mope around all day rather than trying to keep things normal? I'm sure your parents just want you to have the best Christmas possible." Hermione told him, trying to help.

Harry chimed in. "She's right…they just want everyone to know that not everything has to change drastically. You're still a family."

Ginny and Ron nodded. They had to admit, it was a relatively nice Christmas, even with Fred being gone. They had so much respect for how strong their parents were being.

Well," Ron piped up. "Anyone up for a game of chess? There's at least a few hours until lunch."

"You three go ahead…I've got um…some things to do." Ginny told them, getting up and leaving the room. There was something she wanted to get done without anyone chancing to bother her. She closed Ron's bedroom door and tiptoed slowly down towards George's room. Once she reached the outside, she listened. Nothing could be heard. She knocked quietly, twice. No answer. Barging in wasn't one of her best ideas, but she had too. When she entered, he was nowhere to be seen, that is until her glance moved towards the small balcony off the side of the room.

There George sit; on the balcony looking so peaceful, yet so haunted all at the same time. She inched closer to the glass sliding door leading out to the balcony and knocked gently. George turned quickly as Ginny sat beside him, but he didn't speak.

"Hi.." She said, unsurely. "If you don't want me to bother you, I can go." She motioned for the door.

He looked at her and shook his head. "I don't mind, sis." He said weakly, practically in a whisper.

"Okay…I just thought you would like some company sense you've been spending so much time alone…although, that's understandable too. I've spent a lot of time alone while I've been at Hogwarts this year. In a way, it kind of keeps you sane, huh? I know. Sometimes it just feels like your head is going to explode, right?"

George nodded his head. Ginny continued.

"Look, I know this has affected you the hardest, and why wouldn't it? But I just want you to know that I'll always be here for you…and so will the rest of the family. You don't always have to hurt alone." Ginny's voice began to crack. She could feel tears beginning to well up. No. She had to hold it together for George. "I know how you feel…I just don't want to lose you too. I want you to still be around us, and still come to family gatherings, and still have fun, George. It'll take time I know…just don't forget that we all love you. So much." She only let a single tear escape down her cheek.

George looked at her and unexpectedly took her into to the deepest hug she was sure he had ever given her. "I do love you so much sis. Ginny, it means so much to me that you came to talk. I know I haven't said much to you, or anyone else for that matter…but I am trying to get better, and I will eventually." He let go of her now and looked her straight in the eyes. "You made, and would make Fred so proud." He smiled.

She hugged him back. "Thanks George."

When they separated, and Ginny was just about to go back inside, George started to pull something out of his pocket. He looked at her.

"Hey…how about when you go back to Hogwarts…carry on our tradition at least once more, huh?" With a sly grin, he handed Ginny one of the biggest fireworks she had ever seen. She smiled up at him.

"Of course."

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When Ginny went back to Ron's room she saw that Harry and Ron had fallen asleep; but where was Hermione? She looked all throughout the upstairs but still couldn't find her. Finally though, when she walked into her own room she found her lying on her bed reading a book.

"Hermione?"
Hermione looked up. "Oh, Ginny…I'm sorry. The boys completely knocked out so I figured I'd crash in here for a bit. I went looking for you but figured you wanted to be alone."

Yeah, it's fine…you can come in here whenever you like." She said, joining her sitting on the bed. It'd be better than watching the boys sleep, I guess." She chuckled.

"Would it, Ginny?" Hermione said slowly.

"Huh?"

"Watching the boys sleep? Watching Harry sleep? Have you done that lately?"

"Hermione…what are you on about?"

"You know Ginny, I thought we told each other everything. At least the big stuff."

"We do! I'm lost, really."

Hermione sat up, and cleared her throat. "Do you remember the day after we got back? You know, the day after I had stayed with my parents, when I came to the burrow that morning early ?"

"Yeah…why?"

"Well, I was anxious to talk to Harry, so I walked up to the boy's room, but only Ron was there. I found it curious. I just figured he had gone to the loo or something. So I decided to find you…but you were gone also. And then do you know what I saw, Ginny?"

Ginny's face was turning pink. "Wh…what?"

"I glanced out the window and saw you both apparate in the yard. It was quite early to just be out and about, wouldn't you say? It would have to have seemed like you would've had to stay together all night to arrive that early…" Hermione was staring right through her friend. "Is there something you would like to discuss, Ginny?"

Ginny's face was now blood red. "Um…well….alright! You found me out, Hermione! Are you happy?"

"I don't feel like I've had any sort of victory over you…it's just that…I don't know, I figured you'd tell me when it happened." Hermione told her. "But then again, that is something important and if you wanted to keep it to yourselves…"

"No…you're right. We tell each other everything. I was just scared. I thought you might…judge me or tell Ron. And he's the last person I'd want to find out. Even though he and Harry are best friends…I don't know how he'd feel about him if he found out. I mean, I know he knows it's a normal thing. I'm sure you and him-"

Hermione looked down, somewhat embarrassed and uncomfortable.

"Oh…" Ginny said. "I didn't know. I'm sorry."

"No Ginny, don't be silly. It's me who should feel stupid."

"But why?"

"Because I haven't…you know."

"Hermione…why in the world would you feel stupid? It's not some sort of competition or something that has to be done by a certain age. That'd be mad."

"Are you sure? Honestly, I've been so worried about it. I know we're getting older, and as many have said it's what guys want. I'm just afraid because I really don't want to yet. What if Ron can't handle that and he…he leaves?"

Ginny scooted closer to Hermione and looked her straight in the face. "You listen to me, okay? It's perfectly fine that you haven't yet and that you're not ready. You can wait as long as you bloody well want to, alright? As for Ron, he would never leave you because of that, do you understand? He loves you and love goes far beyond the physical aspect. Don't ever feel ashamed about what you believe in. If it worries you that much…talk to him about it. It may be a bit uncomfortable but you'll feel better afterwards, I promise. I mean, what is a relationship without conversation and being able to feel comfortable?"

"Thanks, Ginny…you're right." Hermione smiled.

"I mean it, Hermione, don't ever feel less than someone else, just because of this fact. You are no different. Everyone lives their life at a different pace and blimey, that's okay."

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