Christmas was a lovely affair. Presents were received, a feast was consumed, and everyone could relax with their loved ones. They were happy, which was something that no one in the Burrow ever thought would be possible to have after the war. The only damper was that Hermione would be leaving tomorrow for Australia and she had yet to tell anyone. She wanted to tell Fred first before anyone else, but she never could seem to find him alone.

By the time she did, it was eleven-thirty at night and he was standing in front of the clock with a bottle of Firewhisky in his hands. "Fred," She called, gingerly placing a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head a little to the side to acknowledge that he had heard her. But, she noticed that he grasped the bottle a little tighter and she could see tear stains on his cheek. "Oh Fred," She said as she wrapped her arms around his midsection and that was all it took for Fred to come undone.

He shook in her embrace, sobbing as he mourned his brother who was not there with them this Christmas. When he finally calmed down a bit, she loosened her embrace a bit so he could turn around in her arms. He gently wrapped his arms around her (still holding onto his bottle) and rested his head on her shoulder. They stood that way for what seemed like hours before he finally spoke, "He should have been here with us."

Her hold on him tightened as she felt her own eyes fill with tears. "But then we wouldn't have you here."

"Maybe that would have been for the best."

"Fred, no. I hate that Percy is no longer with us, but I could never imagine a life without you in it. Especially since we…"

Fred raised up to look her in the eyes, "Especially since we, what?"

"Especially since we are going to be married. I – I have developed feelings for you, Fred. And as I said, while I hate that Percy is no longer with us, I couldn't imagine a life without you. I mean that."

Fred looked at her contemplatively and Hermione began to wonder if she had said the wrong thing. In fact, she knew she did. Why did she have to bring up her feelings now? He was obviously mourning his brother and she was being insensitive. She should have just kept her mouth shut.

Fred brought a hand up to her head and smoothed her hair down. When he reached her cheek, he cupped it and looked into her eyes. "Thank you, 'Mione." And with that, he brought his lips down to hers. It was a light kiss, it was as fierce as their previous ones had been. Even so, it held just as much meaning if not more so.

She heard the bottle drop onto the floor and felt as his hand cupped her other cheek. He began kissing all over her face. Her eyes, her cheeks, her nose, her forehead, her lips. And with each kiss came a 'Thank you' that he murmured. Hermione smiled as he did this, content.

When he finally pulled back, both smiling, she suddenly remembered why she went to seek him out in the first place. Her hand found his as she dragged him to the couch (a quick scourgify over her shoulder to clean up the mess the bottle made) and sat him down. She paced back and forth in front of him and she felt his eyes following her every step. "Hermione, what are you…" She cut him off with a finger that told him to give her a second and then she stopped in front of him.

"What are you doing tomorrow thru, say, a week?" She asked, rather nervously.

Fred just stared at her and shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing out of the ordinary, I suppose. Work, mostly. Celebrating the New Year, too. Why are you asking? Wanting to monopolize my time?" He asked his last question with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Well, kind of. I have a portkey that is leaving in the morning – five-thirty sharp – and will be taking me to Australia. I know that it's a bit last minute – "

"A bit?"

"But, I couldn't find you alone. I wanted to speak with you before I told anyone."

He chuckled, "Blimey 'Mione, you could have just pulled me away."

"Can I finish what I'm saying before my heart explodes?" After a nod of confirmation, she continued, "Thank you. Now, I'm going to search for my parents to restore their memories so they can be at our wedding, if they're not mad about the situation. I was originally going to go alone, thinking it would be best if they didn't get overwhelmed, but I have decided that, if you're willing, I would like for you to go with me."

He had his arms atop of his knees, the palms of his hands clasped together as his fingers danced along each other. Finally, he looked up at her, "Well, we're going to owe George big time for just up and leaving him to run the store by himself and by we I mean you." He gave her a wink, "But of course, 'Mione, I'll go. Just need to pack a few things and then I'll be ready. Do I need to have some sort of notice that says that I'm going to leave the country via portkey or…?"

Hermione beamed at him, "I'll owl Kingsley right away, I'm sure he will give you a pass. Thank you, Fred!" And with that, Hermione threw herself onto Fred, hugging him and peppering kisses on his face.

"Why is that every time I walk in a room, you two are always in some scandalous position?" George was standing in the doorway, legs crossed, and holding a bottle of Firewhisky.

"I don't know brother of mine, but you do have the uncanniest timing."

George chuckled, "Well, I will leave you to continue receiving your Christmas gift." George wiggled his eyebrows, straightening up and was going to leave.

"And here's our gift to you Georgie, Hermione and I are leaving for Australia tomorrow and won't be back for at least a week, so you get to man the store all by your lonesome. Happy Christmas!"

George turned around to face the pair with his eyes bugged out and his both slack, "Oi, that isn't a Christmas gift, it's a gift from hell!"

"Bugger off George, we're going to search for Hermione's parents."

George's face took on a note of understanding. "You sure it isn't just an early honeymoon?"

Hermione laughed, "Well, there may be perks involved." Fred stared at Hermione, a blush on his face and a smirk on his lips. "But no, the sole purpose of this trip is to find my parents."

"Hmm, well don't do anything that I wouldn't do." George winked and turned on his heel leaving Hermione and Fred alone.

Fred whispered, "So, perks? What may some of these perks entail?"

Hermione blushed and began untangling herself from Fred, "Not sure, may I'll buy you an ice cream. I need to write the Minister now and you need to pack."

Fred laughed, "And what about the family?"

"We'll tell them on our way out."

"Very well then," Fred caught Hermione before she left, hugging her to him, "Happy Christmas Hermione."

"Happy Christmas Fred."