I've had so much love for this recently that I thought I'd post a Christmassy epilogue part just to thank you all for the wonderful response! So, here is Hermione and Fred's first Christmas as a married couple. Enjoy!

THE LEAVES AT CHRISTMAS

The leaves were nowhere to be seen anymore. The snow had fallen across the Burrow and all of Ottery, St Catchpole where Hermione and Fred were spending their Christmas. They had tried multiple times to convince Mrs Weasley to join them at the apartment over the shop for Christmas but Mrs Weasley always insisted they come to her for she did enjoy feeding them up. The Burrow was a beautiful place to spend Christmas anyhow. The snow outside, the huge Christmas tree inside, the wonderful spread that was placed before them on Christmas Day plus, Hermione's favourite part, a new Weasley jumper.

Now that none of them were at Hogwarts any longer, the Weasley spent the whole run up to Christmas together. From December 10th, everyone moved back in until just after New Year's. Sure, the Burrow became hectic and there were so many people around constantly that it was difficult to hear yourself think but it was the best new tradition that the Weasleys had.

Hermione and Fred had already arrived at the Burrow on the 9th after shutting the shop for the evening. The shop was doing well and Fred and George were still working hard on it to make everything perfect but Hermione knew it would never be perfect for them as they had new ideas for tricks nearly every week. She loved being in the chaos of the shop and even when she had to leave to babysit Teddy with Gin, she found herself wishing she was back at the hectic store.

As they had arrived early, they got the pleasure of helping Mrs Weasley decorate the tree. The lights and decorations were on and now all that was left was the star. Mrs Weasley had left Hermione to do that as she went to make some hot chocolate for the two of them. Hermione was reaching up on her tiptoes but she fell just short of the top of the tree. She tried clambering onto the sofa to reach but she wasn't near enough. Just as she tried her third attempt, she felt a pair of hands on her waist lifting her just high enough. When her feet were safely back on the ground, she turned to see Fred grinning widely at her.

"Don't worry, love, not everyone can be tall like me," he winked at her. Even after being together for two years, he still managed to make her blush like a small schoolgirl.

"Oh, shut up," she pushed his shoulder, giggling. Fred rebounded and leaned closer, resting his forehead against hers.

"Make me," his whisper brushed across her face. She bit her lip before leaning in even closer and kissing him softly. When they pulled away, she snuggled into his arms.

"Merry Christmas, Fred Weasley,"

"The leaves are snowy, Hermione Weasley."

Stood in front of the newly decorated tree with the log fire blazing and wrapped in the arms of her husband, there was no place Hermione would rather be.