As I am NOT the original author of the Harry Potter series, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter 41 Christmas
The next week while walking down the corridor heading to meet Hermione Harry heard Neville call out, "Harry could you hang on a moment?"
"Sure Neville what's up?" Harry said watching Neville approach at a trot the tails of his robe flying behind him.
"I want to get Ginny something special but I don't know what to get her."
"And I'm being asked because?" Harry said hoping he didn't need to make suggestions.
"I want to talk to Hermione without Ginny finding out. I asked me Gram about it. She suggested that I ask one of her girlfriends what she would like. Evidently they talk about such things."
"That's a good idea why don't you stop by sometime when Ginny's at Quidditch practice. I'm sure Hermione would be willing to help."
"Thanks." Neville said rushing off to his next class.
Harry continued on finally catching up with Hermione just as they were entering Herbology. "Remind me to tell you about Neville later." Harry whispered as they took their places adding, "Nothing bad," when she raised an eyebrow at him.
Ron had scheduled a Gryffindor practice that night so shortly after dinner one of the goblins entered asking, "Longbottom?"
"He's expected let him in." Harry said watching the goblin duck out then enter behind Neville who was surprised to see the goblin follow him in.
"One of our new restrictions until the goblins can assure themselves that you are not under the impervious or someone else in polyjuice there will be at least one guard present when you are with us." Hermione explained.
"Oh?"
"Be glad you're not Professor Snape, after his little escapade when our guards first arrived all six must be present for him to be in our presence." Harry said with a chuckle bringing a smile to Neville's face.
"Bet he likes that."
"Not especially. Now what can I do for you Neville?" Hermione asked.
"My Gram suggested I talk with Ginny's girlfriends about what to get her for Christmas. So I thought you might be the best one to talk with."
"What about the girls in her dorm?"
"I don't really know any of them and I… well I trust you." Neville said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"I don't think if she is expecting anything particular from you. Why don't you tell me what you were thinking of giving her and I'll let you know if it's suitable."
"That will work." Neville said stopping and rummaging in his pocket before pulling out a note and saying, "Gram suggests perfume or something like that," as he read the note.
"Disregarding your grandmother and everyone else tell me the very first thing that comes to mind in reply to this question. If you could give Ginny anything at all what would you give her?" Hermione asked.
"A promise ring." Neville said quickly then as he blushed added, "Sorry, I know that is not appropriate."
"Why not?" Harry asked speaking up.
"It's Ginny, she can't feel like that about me." Neville said sadly.
"I need to check to see what her favorite perfume is before I suggest anything Neville why don't you and I talk about this later." Hermione said changing the topic.
Half an hour later after a good discussion of the goings on at Hogwarts Neville left and Harry commented, "So a promise ring for Ginny?"
"Yes,"
"You are not going to spill that secret are you?"
"Don't be silly but I am going to have a heart to heart with Ginny about Neville. If what I think is actually true Christmas this year might get interesting." Hermione said a sly smile gracing her face.
"You know something don't you?"
"I might. But before you say anything to Neville I need to do a little research."
"Not right now you don't!" Harry said getting up and taking her hand.
"I can't believe you. Here I am fat and getting fatter and all you want to do is…." Hermione teased.
"Can you say you don't?" Harry replied moving over and wrapping his arms around her.
"The things a wife puts up with for her husband."
"Well if that's the way you feel." Harry said relaxing his hug.
"I didn't mean it that way." Hermione replied hugging him tighter.
"But?"
"Harry the bedroom is that way." Hermione stated firmly, the grin in her voice was reflected on her face when Harry swept her up in his arms carrying her into the bedroom.
The goblin who had looked in to check on them after letting Neville out closed the door to their rooms before turning to talk to his compatriot standing guard in the anteroom.
Four days later Harry and Neville were walking around the great lake talking. "Neville, do you really want to give Ginny a Promise ring for Christmas?" Harry asked after checking that no one would overhear them.
"Yes but I know that's just wishful thinking."
"Well there is a Hogsmeade weekend coming up and if you want Hermione and I will distract Ginny so you can visit the jewelry store I've checked and they have a good selection of Promise rings there."
Neville stopped walking and looked at Harry his eyes wide. "Wha…."
"I can't say for sure but I know Ginny has visited Hermione. I was thrown out of course but, well, Hermione said…"
"Said what exactly?" A very concerned Neville asked.
"She said that she couldn't be 100% sure without asking Ginny directly but all indications are she might say yes." Harry said watching Neville's face go through several cycles of elation to depression to joy finally ending up with a happy expression.
"I think it would be a good thing for two to distract Ginny next time we go to Hogsmeade." Neville said after they'd walked in silence almost back to the castle.
"I'll let Hermione know." Harry replied glad Hermione had told him that Ginny felt exactly the same way. She expected perfume or something along those lines but felt a promise ring would be ideal.
Hermione took her seat in Charms setting out her quill and parchment before sitting back in the seat waiting for the start of class daydreaming slightly. Hermione was comfortably at the top of her classes, well except for DADA where Harry was so far ahead of the rest of the sixth years he functioned as a teacher's assistant in class. Harry's grades were close to her in other classes they shared.
The only problem Hermione could see was Ron. Ever since that first day when they'd visited the Gryffindor common room and announced their marriage Ron had become increasing distant he was hanging out with Shamus and occasionally Dean but there were still some hard feelings between him and Dean left over from Dean's dating Ginny for a short time.
Hermione had been worried and talked Ron's estrangement over with Harry but he had reassured her that Ron's increasing distance was not a problem for him in fact he felt Ron would be safer as a result. With Christmas approaching they had started talking about where they would be staying and when. Harry reminded her they were due to spend some time with Maalhook and the rest of the goblin family. Her aide Harhook was pleased at the pace both her and Harry were mastering Gobbledegook. She'd only had to leave for one meeting with Narnok, the Goblin ambassador. Since Harry's blow up Dumbledore had said nothing further anytime either of them left school. Of course it could be because whenever Hermione left she was surrounded with six armed goblins. Even Professor Snape turned and when back the way he'd come from when she walked by.
As Professor Flitwick lectured on a complicated appearance charm Hermione went into student mode automatically taking notes. Harry beside her made no attempt to hide the fact he was not taking notes but his attention was focused on Professor Flitwick catching every word and movement the professor made. Professor McGonagall had been the first to notice Harry's lack of note taking but his and Hermione's exceptionally quick mastery of anything she was trying to teach kept her silent. A few days later she'd cornered Hermione asking her about it.
Hermione smiled her sly smile before replying, "It's not like my boyfriend is using me we are married. Harry pays close attention to the professor noting wand movements and other subtle things which he points out to me when we try the spell or charm. We find it a workable arrangement and it does make both our lives easier. I can concentrate on making sure my notes are complete and Harry makes sure to catch every nuance from the instructor. Our grades are satisfactory I believe."
"Yours were always exceptional and this year Mr. Potter's have increased dramatically. Although I understand your arrangement I wish Mr. Potter was also taking notes. It tends to set a bad example for the other students." Professor McGonagall replied.
"I will convey your concerns but I doubt Harry will change." Hermione said excusing herself before heading back to their rooms.
All too soon the Yule Ball arrived. Harry was looking forward to being the only instructor whose lessons were not disrupted by girls more concerned about who was going with who as well as who was wearing what than they were the subject of the class. Unfortunately several of the third years had been invited by fourth years. "I thought being around girls during the run up to the ball fourth year was rough. I need to apologize to the other instructors it is worse on this side of the fence. I now understand why every one of them concentrated on revision. I don't think anyone of my third year Hufflepuffs paid attention especially the girls. From what I've overheard the fourth year Hufflepuffs who were not dating made a point of inviting a third year to the ball." Harry said as he sat down to lunch with Hermione the day before the ball.
"Boys too?" Hermione asked surprised.
"Yes it seems the fourth year girls were surprisingly bold."
"I wish Gryffindor had done that." Hermione said a little sad.
Harry watched his wife closely her mood swings had started becoming more sever and he really didn't want to set her off before the ball even started. "Well next time we will need to insure hints are dropped I'm sure Ginny is up to the task."
"Oh speaking of Ginny, I wonder when Neville is going to ask her? I hope it happens before they leave I really want to see her face when he offers her a promise ring." Hermione said her mood quickly swinging to excitement.
"I bet she'll be over the moon." Harry replied with a chuckle. 'Good old Neville I hope that boy knows what he's getting into. Mrs. Weasley will either kill him with a glare or break a few ribs hugging him. I'm betting on the ribs myself.' Harry thought.
Classes ended at noon on the day of the ball but several young ladies skipped classes entirely that day not wanting to chance having anything go wrong in potions or one of the other classes that would cause them to miss the ball. Lunch was well attended but ten minutes after it ended the only girls that could be found even in the common rooms was an occasional third year and below who was running an errand for one of the girls attending. The boys amused themselves with games of exploding snap or chess. Although the Gryffindor chess players normally played in the own dorms rather than the common room due to Ron Weasley's habit of challenging the winner of any chess game he saw being played, even among first years. Still two hours before the ball was due to start even the boys that were attending had migrated to their dorm rooms to shower and dress.
Harry was actually looking forward to attending the ball this time around. Hermione had made sure he was a passable dancer and with her choosing his outfits he knew they would look good together. His only problem had been he had to dress far too early. Now he sat in their living room area talking with Sigtug while Harhook and Winky were ensconced in his and Hermione's bedroom helping Hermione get dressed. He had hoped now they were married he would be allowed be in the room while she dressed but Hermione informed him that was not going to happen for a while yet.
Just as his nerves were reaching a critical stage the door to their bedroom opened, and out stepped a vision in silk robes. "Hermione you've never looked more beautiful." Harry said as his eyes swept over his wife.
"Harry I'm fat and not at all attractive despite the best efforts of these two," Hermione sputtered motioning to Harhook and Winky who had followed her out.
Harry shook his head saying, "Love you are pregnant not fat. I love the way you look."
"You'd better I'm got a few more months to go and I'm going to get a lot bigger. You just had to create twins didn't you," She said fussing with her robe.
Harry bit off his quick reply of 'Hey, it took both of us,' knowing she was just being cranky. It was astonishing how helpful Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey were once they realized Harry was a lost husband without a single clue about what he should be doing. He had a sneaking suspicion they were talking to each other because they never duplicated their advice. After letting Hermione fuss for a few more minutes Harry asked, "Are you ready to go?"
Hermione looked over at her two friends who nodded back before turning to Harry saying, "Yes we might as well get this over with."
Sigtug held the door to their entry room for them. Once in there Hermione looked at the four goblins that would be guarding her tonight noting they were all wearing ceremonial robes before saying, "I am sorry for being the reason you have to wear your formal robes tonight."
"Mrs. Potter it is not a problem I know for a fact that at least one of your guards is looking forward to being seen in them." Sigtug said doing his best to reassure her.
"Sigtug we might be going up to Gryffindor tower to visit with some friends after the ball starts to wind down. I hope that will not be an inconvenience," Harry asked formally.
Sigtug waived it away then motioned for the main door to be opened. Two guards entered the hall and after a quick look around stepped away from the door signaling that is was safe for Harry and Hermione to exit.
Up in the Gryffindor common room the boys had assembled awaiting their dates. Neville was thankful that one of the first down was Ginny. Two years removed from their date to the Triwizard Yule Ball Neville couldn't believe the changes in Ginny. He knew she'd grown, after all there was a promise ring in its box sitting in the inner right hand pocket of his robes that he hoped to give her tonight. But he barely recognized the woman descending the stairs from the girls' dorms as Ginny. She looked far more mature and worldly than the girl he'd seen bound up those same stairs several hours ago. "Ginny you… Merlin you are beautiful." Neville finally managed to say.
Ginny beamed at the praise then looked at Neville saying, "You are quite handsome yourself. I might need to hex some girls tonight."
Neville realized the teasing in her voice deciding to tease back he replied, "I won't need to hex any boys. Your sheer beauty will render them incapable of speech or movement."
Ginny almost broke into giggles at his words only to hear one of the seventh year girls comment to her date, "Since when did Neville get a silver tongue. He's turned in to quite the charmer," as she walked by them in the common room.
'Yes and he is mine!' Ginny thought possessively taking Neville arm as they turned and headed down to the ball. Ginny insured that several times during their journey his arm brushed against her chest. When he glanced over after one of the harder contacts she smiled at him and did it again bringing a red tinge to his cheeks.
The Potters arrived at the Great Hall both smiling at the view before them. It was not the winter ice palace of the tri-wizards. The hall was ringed with Christmas boughs and wreaths adorned most possible locations and a few that would have been impossible without magic. Behind the staff table a majestic tree presided over all the festivities. When Harry commented that it felt more homey than the Tri-wizard's ball Hermione agreed it was as elaborate but not as formal looking.
They slowly made their way to the Head table walking around the round tables that had replaced the long house tables normally present. More than one witch complemented Hermione on her robes as she passed by. With each she took a few moments to than them and exchange pleasantries before moving on toward the head table her guards keeping pace with her and doing their best to appear inconspicuous. A hard task despite their robes. Once Harry and Hermione were seated at the head table her guards took up positions at the four corners of a phantom box surrounding them.