*Christmas announcement*
Eveything was quiet in the house. Finally, Belle had given in to her Christmas excitement and went to bed. So now Hermione and Ron were putting all the presents under the tree.
"Have we got everything ready?" she asked when Ron had finished placing the last box. He stood up and nodded.
"Now... it's time for Santa's treat." he said walking to the coffee table and grabbing the plate of cookies and the glass of butterbeer that his 6-year-old daughter had left for Father Christmas.
"I can't believe you convinced Belle that Santa would prefer butterbeer instead of milk with his cookies." Hermione said.
"Well, Hermione... Santa's always around kiddy stuff. He needs some grown-up treat for himself once in a while." he said, smirking at her. She giggled and went to the perfectly decorated Christmas tree by the window. She looked for the small box that she had hidden there earlier that day. When she found it, she took it and gave it to Ron. He looked at her, kinda confused. She looked back.
"I thought we were exchanging presents in the bedroom, Mrs Weasley." he said raising an eyebrow and smiling seductively. She rolled her eyes.
"I know. But I want you to open this one first." she said.
He left the plate and the glass on the table and opened the box. Hermione looked at him, eager to see his reaction. His eyes opened as wide as his smile.
"A Chudley Cannons' T-shirt!" he exclaimed as he took it out of the box. He frowned and looked at the piece of cloth, confused. "Are you sure it's the right size, love? It's pretty small." he said.
"That's because it's not for you exactly." she said, bitting her lower lip to avoid telling him right away.
"Well, it's small for Belle too." he added as he noticed a card that fell on the floor.
"It's not for Belle either." she said as he picked the card up and looked at it. A smile was starting to show again in his face. He looked at her. She smiled and nodded. He stood up, picked her up in his arms and kissed her passionately as he swirled her around the living room.
The next morning, the three Weasleys were up in the living room opening presents. Belle was more than excited with everything she got: dolls, books and even a toy wand. As she was opening the last box, Hermione and Ron exchanged looks. They knew what that present was. Belle took it out and showed it to them. It was a pink T-shirt that said "the best big sister in the world" in big, bright white letters. She read it, then she looked at her parents.
"Why did Santa bring me this?" she asked.
"Because it's true." Ron said with a big smile on his face. Belle shook her head.
"I'm not a big sister." she said. Hermione smiled.
"Well, not right now, baby. But in some months you will be. See, there's a tiny baby growing inside mommy's tummy right now." she explained as Belle sat in between them on the couch.
"Like James was inside Aunt Ginny last year?" Belle asked. Hermione nodded.
"Exactly like that. So... the baby's going to grow here until it's time for he or she to come out." she said laying a hand on her stomach. Belle rested her head on her mom's belly.
"Is it really in here?" she asked.
Hermione nodded.
"I don't hear it. It must be really small... or asleep." the little girl concluded. Hermione laughed a bit.
"I guess so. How about we get ready to go to grandma and grandpa's? You can wear your new T-shirt." Hermione suggested. Belle kissed her mom's cheek, then took her present and went upstairs to her room.
Everyone was already at The Burrow when Ron, Hermione and Belle arrived.
"We were wondering where you three were." Mr Weasley said.
"Wrapping something up." Hermione said as her and Ron took their cloaks off. Belle just ran to where everyone was. Hermione and Ron, followed by Molly and Arthur, went behind her. Belle turned around and looked at her parents.
"Can I show them now, mommy?" she asked.
Everybody looked at them, between eager and confused.
"Show us what, sweetie pie?" Molly asked. Hermione looked at her daughter and nodded. She went and helped Belle take her coat off. Everyone gasped when they read what was inscribed in Belle's t-shirt.
"Is it... is it true?" Molly asked, her eyes filling with tears. Ron and Hermione nodded, smiling. Everyone went and congratulated them.
"Why iz everyone zo 'appy?" Victoire asked Belle. Belle looked at her cousin and smiled.
"I'm going to be a big sister like you, Tory." she said proudly. Victoire sighed.
"Don't be too 'appy about it. Domi iz a real nightmare most of the times." Victoire said referring to her little sister.
Belle didn't mind. She was happy she was going to share her life and her things with a sibbling. Maybe she could teach the new baby to read and play Exploding Snap.