This chapter skips to the Christmas holiday on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I hope you all enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I never have and never will own Harry Potter or anything related to it.
*Time skip*
Two months had gone by, and the Christmas holidays found Severus and Hermione staying at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley bustled about in the kitchen, and Hermione was all too happy to help. She sighed happily as she pulled gingerbread biscuits out of the oven.
"How's married life treating you Hermione?" Molly asked.
Hermione smiled. "It's wonderful. Severus is surprisingly very thoughtful and sweet under his façade. Don't tell him I told you that though."
Molly laughed. "I wouldn't dream of it dear."
Hermione laughed before heading out to the sitting room where the rest of the Weasley family as well as the other Order members were sitting. She found Harry and Ginny snuggling on the couch with Ron and Luna sitting between their respective friends knees on the floor. Ron and Luna had started dating a month earlier, and were really happy together. Bill was talking with Tonks, Charlie, and Percy while Fleur perched herself on the arm of the chair he was sitting in. Charlie and Tonks had also started dating recently. Fred and George were playing Exploding Snap on the floor. Remus was sitting in the other armchair, Sirius positioned in his lap. It hadn't really been shocking for anyone when they announced they were together. They were conversing with Severus and Arthur. Dumbledore stood in the corner, watching with a twinkle in his eye, and McGonagall was in her cat form, resting by Harry on the arm of the couch as he absentmindedly scratched her behind the ears.
"Dinner's ready," Hermione said, and everyone turned to look at her, before they got up and headed into the dining room.
Dinner was the usual noisy occasion that always ensued during Order meetings. Severus and Hermione sat next to each other, with Sirius and Remus across from them. She saw out of the corner of her eye that Severus and Remus shared smirks, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to ask what it was about. After dessert, it turned out she didn't need to. As they sat around the table and talked about various things, she felt Severus's hand come to rest on her thigh. She saw Sirius's eyes widen and guesses that Remus was doing something similar across the table. He quickly stood up, drawing everyone's attention to him.
"I'm going to bed," Sirius said, faking a yawn. "I'm exhausted. I'll see you all in the morning. Remember to get to bed early or Father Christmas won't come."
"He won't be the only one that won't," she heard Remus mutter and choked on her Butterbeer.
He smirked at her. Severus's hand continued sliding up towards her center, and she, like Sirius, also stood and bid everyone goodnight. She walked up the many stairs to the room she was sharing with Severus. He walked in a few minutes later.
"That was cruel," she said, and he smirked before leaning over her.
"Let me make it up to you," he said, and they spent the next few hours doing just that.
Hermione awoke to sunlight coming through the window and a soft knock on the door. She pulled on her dressing gown and found Luna at the door of their bedroom.
"Happy Christmas, Mione," she said. "We're going to open presents downstairs and you're the last ones up so I was sent to get you."
Hermione smiled. "Thanks Luna. Let me get Severus up and we'll be right down."
She shook her husband awake and he lazily put on some grey sweatpants and a black shirt before they headed downstairs. Hermione had also changed into sweats and a shirt.
"Nice of you to join us," Ron said impatiently.
"Ron!" his mother scolded, but Hermione just laughed while Severus scowled at him.
They all opened their presents. Hermione had received a beautiful sapphire bracelet from Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall. She got the usual Weasley sweater and box of sweets from Molly and Arthur, a book about Wizarding France from Bill and Fleur, several books on dragons and Wizarding Romania from Charlie and Tonks, some books on Ministry jobs from Percy and his muggleborn girlfriend, Audrey James, two boxes of WWW goodies from Fred, George, and their girlfriends, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell. From Ron and Luna she got a pair of gold rose shaped earrings and a box of chocolate frogs. Harry and Ginny had gotten her a new copy of Hogwarts: A History that was self-updating and had charms to prevent wear and tear. From Sirius and Remus, she got several muggle mystery books that she hadn't read, as well as a gift certificate to Flourish and Blotts. Severus had given her a breathtaking emerald necklace with matching earrings, as well two new books on Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions.
When everyone had opened their presents, Bill and Fleur stood up.
"We have something to tell you guys," Bill said. "In five months, we're going to have a baby."
All hell broke loose at that statement. Everyone rushed to embrace the couple. Severus and Hermione watched from the back and silently agreed to offer their congratulations later.
"When are you due?" Molly asked Fleur.
"Ze doctor says the babe will be born around May 11th," she answered.
After the excitement of the news calmed down, the clan settled down for breakfast.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. There will be more time skips now. The next chapter will be the Easter holiday in 2000, and after that there will be some big news. Thank you for reading.