Fred watched as Hermione put the ornaments on the tree by hand. Molly had offered to use magic but Hermione had protested. It was the little things in life she had said. She looked at peace placing the bobbles on the limbs. Every once and while she would glance back at him and smile. He lived for those smiles. What was driving him insane however is when she would bite her lip as she stretched to place another decoration on the tree. He hadn't touched her in that way since before she was kidnapped. He wouldn't touch her until she asked him. He wanted her to be completely healed and ready. But if she didn't stop biting her lip she was gonna have to get ready.

Ginny came down the stairs with another box of decorations floating behind her. She set it down beside the tree and began to help Hermione. Fred shook his head at his little sister. She was turning into quite the young woman. She had begun cooking lessons from mum and was taking on more chores than normal. Her manner of dress had even become more like an adults. She was no little lady though. They had begun fight training with Remus and Tonks, and Ginny was whooping all of their asses. Remus also shared knowledge on the dark arts to better prepare them for what was to come in the days ahead.

Even still, there was a sadness in her eyes. She missed Harry. They all did but no more so than her. He let her know as often as possible how he was doing, but with each passing day she grew more stressed at the fact he was alone out there. From the last report Harry had sent, he had just escaped some snatchers but they were on his trail. This had done little to help Ginny's mood.

A loud boom reverberated throughout the house coming from his and George's room. Everyone turned to look at Fred, who shook his head and went to see what his twin was up to. Walking into their room he saw George hanging from the ceiling by his shoe laces. He was fighting like mad to get back down but to no avail. As George spun around and saw his twin, he grinned and just shrugged his shoulders. They had been working on a levitation prank spell and from the sight before him, it looked as though George had made a successful breakthrough. Fred grinned back and walked back down stairs as his brother yelled at him to help him down.

Molly was standing at the bottom of the stairs when she saw Fred coming down with a grin.

" I've got him."

She shook her head at Fred and went to help his poor twin. He could hear her laughter upon discovering George.

As he walked back into the room he noticed Hermione was gone and the tree was finished. It looked amazing. Ginny was sitting on the couch playing with her pigmy.

" Where is Hermione?" Fred asked her.

" She went outside to the broom shack. She told me to tell you to meet her out there." Ginny smiled as she watched the pigmy jump through a miniature hoop.

Fred made his way outside toward the shack. It was cold and for the life of him, couldn't figure out why Hermione would be out here. The doors were open and laughter was coming from the building. He could see Remus, Tonks, and his father were also in the building. He strolled inside and was met with a surprising sight. Standing beside Hermione was Harry. He looked far different than the last time he had seen him. His hair had grown much longer, long enough to be put in a ponytail. He even had a mini beard going on.

" Hello Fred!" Harry beamed walking up to hug the ginger.

" Hello Mr. Potter, tell me have you ever heard of a haircut?" Everyone laughed again. Judging from the laughter this had already been joked about. Harry just smiled.

" I was hoping Hermione could give me a trim before i went inside. Haven't really had the time to try it myself." Harry laughed.

Tonks ran inside and grabbed a chair and scissors for Hermione. When she returned, Harry sat down and Hermione went to work. Remus got Harry a razor to shave the beard off. Mr. Weasley conjured some clothes for Harry from his trunk upstairs. Remus caught Harry up to speed about what had been going on since his departure. As Hermione finished his hair,he stood up and checked his reflection in some glass. Back to his old self.

" Does Ginny know you're here? Merlin, i should go get her." Fred started out but Harry stopped him.

" No. It's a surprise for later. In her last message to me she had said she was sad i would miss Christmas with you all. I decided then that i wasn't. So i am going to hide out here for a couple more hours then waltz in as you are handing out presents." Harry smiled.

" Should we wrap a bow around you then?" Fred piped out earning another round of laughs.

" Just make it Gryffindor colors that's all i ask." Harry joked back.

" You showed up just in time Harry. Although we were behind ourselves. Ginny and Hermione just finished getting the tree setup. We got a very late start this year." Mr. Weasley chuckled.

Fred laughed. Late was the keyword. It wasn't until this morning that it dawned on anyone that no decorations hadn't been put up. Mrs. Weasley had refused to let anyone open presents until it looked like Christmas in the house. So instead of their usual Christmas morning present opening, it had been pushed to Christmas night. Fred was excited. He had bought Hermione something he knew would knock her socks off.

Mrs. Weasley jogged outside to announce supper was ready. If it hadnt been for Remus's quick thinking and covering her mouth, she would have given away the whole surprise. Pulling away from Remus she wrapped Harry in one of her famous hugs as Mr. Weasley explained the surprise. She nodded her head and sent tonks to stealthily sneak Harry a plate of food out here as to not give Ginny any suspicion.

Before Tonks could hand Harry the food, he got one last round of hugs before they all went inside. Coming back inside they all sat down as Molly went to get George and Ginny. Hermione felt weird about leaving Harry alone outside on Christmas, but was excited about the surprise. She knew Ginny didn't suspect a thing. What she didn't know, was that she was going to be getting her own special surprise that night as well.