Chapter 54: You Can't Always Get What You Want

The next morning, Harry awoke and went down to the common room. Per usual, Hermione was already down, sitting by the fire. She was drinking a cup of tea, reading her book that Harry gave her.

"Merry Christmas, Hermione," Harry greeted her.

"Merry Christmas, Harry" she returned, smiling brightly as he walked up. As they were alone, she spared him a kiss. "Want to open our gifts?"

She gestured to the tree next to the fireplace, Usually the elves bring the presents to the foot of bed but, by request of Harry and Hermione, they had instead set them out around the tree.

"In a little," Harry said. "Would you like to have some breakfast first?"

After breakfast, they walked the snow-covered grounds, enjoying the silence that the winter brought the valley. They arrived back in the common room, ready to start opening gifts.

"First things first," Harry smiled. "Dobby!"

Dobby popped in wearing a green outfit that looked right at home in the North Pole.

"Yes, Harry?" Dobby looked ready to serve.

"I want to give you my gift," Harry pulled a box from underneath the tree. Dobby received the box with tears in his eyes.

"Dobby is never being given a gift before," Dobby said. "Not for Christmas anyway."

"Well you're part of my family," Harry said. "As such, you will be bequeathed a gift."

"Thank you," Dobby wiped his eyes and carefully unwrapped the paper, taking great care to keep it intact. Inside the box itself sat a fedora, a specific, distinct fedora resting on top of a leather jacket

"I know you liked Indiana Jones," Harry said. "I thought you'd like to dress like him."

"Thank you," Dobby hugged the coat to him. He then put on the fedora.

"Your ears will come through the hat, giving you maximum amount of comfort," Harry explained.

"This is from me," Hermione offered Dobby her gift. Inside hers was a smaller scarf like the one she had made for Harry.

"You made this for me Her'Mione?" Dobby was getting better at using her name. "How did Dobby get so lucky?"

"I say the same thing all the time," Harry said, smiling at Hermione. "I can't believe how fortunate I am to have those surrounding me and that includes you."

The sound of footsteps thundered through the common room as Ron sprinted down, holding two gifts.

"Good morning, Harry," Ron then gave Hermione a softer look. "Merry Christmas, Hermione."

"Shall we get started?" Ron asked, offering presents to each one of them. Harry opened his to find a Chocolate Frog whereas Hermione found a bottle of perfume.

"Oh that's," Hermione whipped her head away as she caught a whiff when she removed the cap. "powerful."

Hermione hastily slammed the cap back on before the offending odor could escape any further.

"Thank you, Ron," Hermione and Harry then gave him the gifts they got for him. Hermione got him a planner that would give him study tips when you turned the page ("Today is not a day to procrastinate," it said when he opened to the first page) and Harry gave him package of licorice wands. Hermione knew her gift was annoying but she thought it would do him some good. And she also wanted to annoy him a little bit.

Ron smiled nonetheless and retreated back upstairs.

After that, the three of them dug into their gifts. McGonagall gave both of them some dragonhide battle robes ('for the duo who can't seem to avoid trouble,' she wrote,) and Flitwick gave them holsters for the daggers that were on the way. Neville gave them each a plant. For Harry, he gave a couple of lilies which, apparently, were all spawned from the lily he gave Neville for his 12th birthday. Hermione got an enchanted rose in a class case that would last for years. Parvati and Lavender gave each of them shampoo they designed. "Specializing in taming the most untamable hair," they wrote. Hermione got a few books, some clothes and new earrings from her parents. Helen and Richard combined to get Harry some clothes as well but it was the last two gifts Harry found the most special. From Richard, Harry got a selection of comics featuring Thor, the God of Thunder.

I thought a hero based on a Norse God, who channels lightning and goes to a realm where you travel down a rainbow bridge sounded like the closest comics have gotten to the Wizarding World, Richard wrote. Thanks for being a part of the family, kid.

Harry laughed at Richard's note, sobering for a second at the last line. It was Helen's gift that really got to him, however.

"What is it?" Hermione looked up from her new blouse that Helen sent her as Harry had tears in his eyes.

"It's her cookbook," Harry said. "She copied all her recipes, including those from her mum, down for me. 'Keeping the recipes in the family for another generation,' she wrote."

Hermione slid close to him as he thumbed through all the recipes, hugging him tightly.

"I never thought I'd be a part of a family," Harry said. "I always thought I'd be a freak; that nobody would want me.

"You and your parents continually prove me wrong," Harry silently wept. Hearing Ginny coming down from the girls' staircase, Harry wiped the tears from his eyes and greeted her.

"Merry Christmas, Ginny," Harry called out to her.

"Merry Christmas, Harry, Hermione," she beamed. "Thank you for the shawl. You are right, Hermione, the color is perfect for me."

Ginny played with the golden shawl they purchased back in France.

"Harry," Ron reentered the common room and called attention as he pulled a large package under the tree. "You have one last one here."

"Who's it from?" Hermione asked.

"It doesn't say," Harry said. "It just says 'this is for all the birthdays and Christmases I have missed.'"

"Well go on," Ron said animatedly. "Open it!"

Harry pulled on the string and a brand new broomstick rolled out onto the floor.

"Is that…" Ginny was astounded.

"A Firebolt!" Ron's eyes were alight. "Wow!"

Harry just looked at the broom, a single thought raced through his brain. Who would do this and why?

"This is a good broom, right?" Hermione asked, her eyes held no excitement, merely concern and puzzlement.

"Good broom?" Ron said. "Blimey Hermione it's the best broom there is. Somebody obviously likes you, Harry."

Or really hates me, Harry thought.

"Let's take it for a spin!" Ron said.

"I don't think so," Harry said. He noticed Hermione visibly relax next to him. "I'm hungry and it is almost time for Christmas dinner."

Usually dinner was an evening affair but for the holiday, the main meal was going to happen around midday.

"That actually sounds good," Ron said and before anyone knew what happened, he was up and out the portrait hole.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked Hermione as they walked down. "You're being rather quiet."

"I'm fine," Hermione said as she chewed her lip the way she always did when she was nervous about something. Harry knew she wasn't fine but decided to leave it be for the moment. "Just hungry."

Despite her statement, Hermione didn't eat much, preferring instead to pick at her food. With so few people in the castle, a single table was all that remained in the Great Hall. Midway through, a bespectacled woman dressed like a gypsy wandered in.

"Professor Trelawney!" Dumbledore greeted her. "How unusual to see you! Please join us!"

"I was gazing at into my crystal ball," the woman spoke in an airy tone. "The fates told me I should make an appearance."

"That and you were hungry," McGonagall said under her breath. Trelawney's eyes squinted when she looked at the Transfiguration professor.

"Though I'm not sure," Trelawney focused her gaze next to McGonagall, on Harry. Harry quelled under her look, feeling like a walking corpse, the way she looked at him. "There are untold omens at the table."

She bade a hasty retreat, leaving Harry feeling chilled.

At the conclusion of the meal, Hermione held back to have a word with Professor McGonagall while Harry retreated to the common room, an excitable Ron in tow.

"Hey buddy," Ron said as Harry examined the broom. "Do you think I can have a go, after you of course?"

I'm not your buddy, guy, Harry thought.

"I'm not sure we should," Harry said. He picked up the broom, holding it as if it were a bomb that might explode at any time and walked toward the portrait hole.

Before he could get there, the portrait swung forward and McGonagall stepped in, with Hermione right behind. McGonagall walked up to Harry while Hermione just stared at her feet.

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said. "I am told you received a broom?"

"Yes ma'am," Harry said, showing her the Firebolt.

"And no note as to who sent it?" McGonagall looked closely at the broom in his hands.

"Yes ma'am."

"Hmm," McGonagall pursed her lips. "Well I think I will need to confiscate this."

"Confiscate it?" Ron was incredulous.

"Yes Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said. "As your head of house, and your guardian, it is my responsibility to make sure there is not anything wrong with it."

"I understand," Harry said, handing the broom over without another word. McGonagall held it aloft as she turned and exited. As soon as she departed, Ron rounded on Hermione.

"Why did you go to McGonagall!?" He shouted at her.

"Because I thought it might be cursed," Hermione started to explain, tears threatening to escape her eyes.

"Cursed?" Ron said. "As if someone would send Harry the best broom just to curse it. I think you were just jealous that someone spent that much on him."

"Jealous!?" It was Hermione's turn to sound incredulous. Before she could say anything more, Harry's voice cut through their argument.

"Ron, can you give us a moment?" Harry asked.

Ron glared at Hermione and walked up the stairs.

"Why did you go straight to McGonagall?" Harry said. He didn't shout. In fact, he simply sounded disappointed. "Why didn't you talk to me about your concerns first?"

"I thought it could have been sent to you by someone wishing to kill you," Hermione said. "I'm sorry she took your broom away but I was scared you might be overeager to fly it."

"I'm not angry about the Firebolt. I had the same feeling as well. I was going to take it to McGonagall before you went behind my back to get her," Hermione was shocked by his admission that he found it strange too. "It's just a broom and I can afford another. But I thought you trusted me enough to talk to me about your concerns. I could tell something was bothering you and you could have told me your concerns then. I thought that you had faith that I would listen to them without you needing to resort to going to McGonagall. We have based our relationship on trust, faith and communication. Why didn't you do any of those, Hermione?"

"I'm sorry," Hermione responded, tears in her eyes. "You have at least two maniacs out for you, maybe upward of four, depending on Malfoy and Voldemort. In the past you have nearly been flung from your broom, had a bludger jinxed to attack you and nearly fallen to your death."

Hermione picked up momentum and went on the offensive.

"If I am going to watch the boy I love play this infernal sport, then I am going to make damn certain the equipment is absolutely safe."

"Wait... Say that last part again."

"If you're going to play Quidditch, I want you to be safe as possible."

"Not that part. The last part when you said 'boy I love.' You love me?"

Hermione froze. She had been working hard to keep from saying that out loud. She tried to backpedal.

"Well... What I mean. That is to say... You're my best friend, my boyfriend, and I love having you in my life and..."

Harry interrupted her runaway train of thought, grabbing the back of her head and kissing her fiercely.

"I love you too. I've tried to deny it; to keep myself from saying it aloud but I can't deny it anymore. I love you, Hermione Granger."

Hermione smiled through her tears, grabbing his head and smashing her lips against his.

"I DONT BELIEVE IT!"

Harry and Hermione turned to see an irate Ron standing at the bottom of the staircase.

"First you go behind our backs to get McGonagall to take away the Firebolt," he pointed angrily at Hermione before rounding on Harry. " And then you. You go and take my girl."

Ron glared at the both of them

"Your girl?" Harry stepped toward Ron. "How is she your girl?"

"I asked her first," Ron shouted. "I called dibs. She was supposed to be mine! You're the Boy-Who-Lived. You could have anyone you want. Lavender, Cho Chang, any of the Chasers, hell I'm sure you could even get your hands on the Bones Bust but instead you take my girl!"

Hermione was too shocked to speak but she didn't have to.

"Stop right there," a frigid edge infiltrated Harry's voice. "Hermione is a beautiful, wonderful, smart, independent woman. She is not some thing to be claimed or owned."

"Thank you, Harry," Hermione finally found her voice. "Ron, I have tried to make this clear but I will say it again: I don't have any feelings for you. I don't feel anything for you beyond friendship. I know this must be painful to hear but I've fallen for Harry. I fell for him first year and we've been quietly dating since this summer. I don't know how you got it into your head that I want anything romantic in regard to you but you need to get it out immediately,"

"But we're supposed to be something more," Ron pleaded. "At least that's what mum-"

"Mother!?" Ginny had entered through the portrait hole just as Harry and Hermione kissed. "Is that what she was telling you in Egypt? With the twins running interference- thank you for that, by the way Harry- she spent a lot of time with you. I saw her whispering to you but I never knew what she was saying."

"Yeah," Ron puffed himself up. "Mum told me that opposites attract and Hermione would be a good fit for me. She told me I needed to get my grades up and it would give me an opportunity to cozy up to Hermione and show her just how good we could be. When I heard Harry couldn't go to Hogsmeade, I thought that'd be the perfect opportunity to take you on a date, Hermione but no. Lavender and Parvati had to go and spoil that."

"You're an idiot," Ginny said. "I noticed it right away in the Leaky Cauldron that Harry and Hermione were dating. I figured they eventually would when I saw them my first year. The rest of the castle knows by now. You didn't notice because you didn't want to. Mother knew of my crush on the Boy-Who-Lived so she thought she'd clear out the biggest rival so I could get what she thought I wanted.

"That's just typical mum. I love her but sometimes she's just overbearing, trying to give us what she thinks we want rather than finding out what we really want. Why do you think she still gives you maroon sweaters? She thinks you like them so she makes them for you. Why do you think Bill and Charlie took jobs in Egypt and Romania, respectively? The first chance to get away, they took it. She never asked me what I wanted; she just assumed. That's why she pushed so hard for you to go after Hermione. She knew I stood no chance with her in the picture."

"That's just hogwash," Ron said. "They're too similar. Everyone knows opposites attract."

"You need some common interests to make a relationship work and we don't have any, Ron," Hermione said. "You need to let this go, Ron. I love Harry. End of story. There's a great girl out there for you but I'm not that girl. We're just too different."

"Get away from me, slag," Ron spat. "I get it. Boy-Who-Lived shows an interest and you spread your legs. Hope you have fun, Harry, I hear the brainy ones are the kinkiest."

Ron opened his mouth to continue but found it hard to speak when Hermione's fist connected with his jaw.

"That's enough!" Hermione's cheeks darkened. "Ronald Weasley, I have tried being kind. I have tried to gently rebuff your advances but I'm done. I am not, will not- nor will ever be- your girl. I get you're upset but get this through your thick skull: I am not interested. Any ideas you have to the contrary, obliviate them right here and now."

Ron held his aching jaw in his hands and he scrambled to his feet, out the portrait hole.

"Idiot," Ginny rolled her eyes. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry and I'm very happy for both of you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a letter to write."

"Feel free to use Hedwig," Harry said. "She could use the work."

"Thank you, Harry. Enjoy your evening," Ginny's hair whipped around her head as she turned and stormed through the portrait hole.

"I'm sorry about that," Harry said. "I know he's been attracted to you but I didn't think he'd react that poorly. How's your hand?"

"It hurts," Hermione said as she shook her hand to alleviate the pain. "Worth it. I think Daphne was correct. Ron needed to see us snog and I also needed to punch him.

"Harry," Hermione's eyes softened as she looked at him. "I'm sorry I went behind your back. You're right that we should trust one another. I let my fear override everything else. I love you and I just don't want to see you hurt."

"I love you too," Harry wrapped his arms around her, holding her as close as he possibly could. "I understand your worries but next time, please talk to me. Let me know when something is bothering or concerning you. I need you to trust me, okay?"

"I understand," Hermione said as she held him firmly. "I'm sorry, Harry. I made a mistake; I should have talked to you first. Can you forgive me?"

"Already forgiven," Harry said. "Thank you for caring enough about me to risk pissing me off to keep me safe. And thank you as well for loving me. You're the first person I can remember saying they loved me."

Hermione picked her head up from his chest and looked deeply into his eyes.

"I love you, Harry Potter," Hermione said, tears sparkling in her eyes. "Truly, madly, deeply. I'm glad to have met you."

"I love you too, Hermione Granger," Harry kissed her again, letting the kiss linger. Harry's heart felt so full, like it would burst right out of his rib cage. In that moment, something clicked. Still holding onto her, Harry drew his wand.

"Expecto Patronum," Harry cast and a blue-white Patronus lit up the common room, growing larger until it finally took shape. The light grew four hooved legs, growing from a huge body, ending in a majestic head adorned with antlers. The stag turned and looked right at Harry and Hermione. Hermione turned in his arms and drew her wand as well. Harry whispered in her ear. "What happier memory is there, than one of love?"

Hermione cast the spell and a light spilled from her wand, matching Harry's for brilliance. Her light took the shape of an otter, swimming through the air as if it were water. Her otter turned and started gamboling around the antlers of Harry's stag. With a thought, Harry moved the stag around the tower, Hermione's otter moving with it, moving around its legs before resting on its back.

"They're beautiful," Hermione said, awestruck. The stag approached her and bowed its head.

"I love you, Otter," Harry said. Hermione relaxed into him as he held her in his arms.

"And I love you, Potter," Hermione craned her neck back for another kiss.

"Merry Christmas, Hermione," Harry said. "You know, I have to admit: I was hoping to get a new broom for Christmas. Guess it just goes to show you can't always get what you want."

"But if you try sometimes," Hermione couldn't help continuing the lyric of one of her favorite songs.

"You just might find," Harry leaned toward her again.

"You get what you need," they said in unison. Harry led her to their love seat. The fire was burning low, snow was falling outside, making it look like the idyllic Christmas day. Dobby popped in with a blanket and hot cocoa. In that moment, Harry decided he just couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.

(A/N: There's the infamous Firebolt confrontation and the blowup of Ron discovering Hermione is taken. Though parts have changed, this chapter was one of the first ones written for this fiction. It was nice to write a version of this where Harry talks things through and they work through it instead of shutting Hermione out for two months.

Harry's response to Ron calling Hermione his girl is what I'd like to say whenever I come across a fiction that has Ron try to make that claim.

Love being a stronger memory to create a Patronus is referenced in Gandalf's Beard's "Moments in Love" fiction and it makes so much sense, I decided to follow the same logic.)