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Chapter 9

Harry woke up Christmas morning with his beautiful girlfriend in his arms. He had just had sex with his Hermione, his best friend since the age of eleven, and now… his girlfriend. In relationships people say they want to get to know each other first before they dated. Well Hermione and Harry were way past that because they were able to be so close after all the years together. They really grew together over the past year and realized, it was meant to be.

Harry looked down at Hermione and saw her blissful state. Her hair was all messed up but she still looked pretty. He brought her closer, kissed her on the head, and whispered "Happy Christmas Hermione".

Hermione stirred a little them opened her eyes. Harry leaned down and kissed her. "I'm gonna go take a shower and get dressed but I'll be back."

"Ok, happy Christmas Harry". He gave her another small kiss and then reached for his boxers that were mixed in with the sheets. He put them and got out of bed. As he did so he folded back the sheets on his side of the bed. Something on the sheets caught his eye. There was blood. That's not possible. She couldn't have been a virgin… Malfoy. O, my gosh. I came in just in time. Nothing happened.

"Hermione" Harry yelled hopping back into her bed. She sat up and looked at him puzzled. "There's blood on your sheets! Hermione! Do you know what that means?"

It took Hermione a second to process it. She didn't react but Harry saw her smile in her eyes.

"Nothing happened Hermione."

"Harry its all because of you. If you hadn't come to find me.." she couldn't finish and she started to get upset.

He quickly moved in front of her. He put a hand on the bookshelf to keep her in front of him. "So how are you?" Her eyes met his and she shuttered.

"Get away from me before I make a scene Malfoy".

He smirked. "Ok, ok. But first, I was wondering if you wanted to get coffee or something?"

She crossed her arms and waited for him to move.

"Is that a yes?" he asked.

"Actually it's a leave me alone and kill yourself! Got it?"

He then leaned over and whispered in her ear, "If your not gonna make time for me babe, I will just have to find you."

Hermione shook her head and tried to erase the memory from her mind.

"Hermione what is it?"

She looked up at him and smiled, "Thank you Harry".

"I'm always gonna be there ok? No one's ever gonna hurt you."

Hermione smiled and kissed him. She then grabbed her wand from her nightstand and said, "Accio Harry's gift".

Two small packages levitated to them. Harry opened the bigger one first. "Leave it to you to get me a book".

Hermione lightly hit him in the back of the head. "You know I'm joking thank you. Honestly, I really like it."

Hermione smiled, "open the next one".

Harry unfolded the neat gold wrapping paper and took out a black leather box. He opened it and saw the gold ring with the black onyx. "You have always had your scar to warn you when dangers coming. Since Voldemort passed and it doesn't ever hurt you anymore this can be your scar. The ring actually turns red and grows hot when you are in danger or someone very close to you is in danger."

Harry looked at it in awe for a moment and then put it on his finger. "This is really special Hermione."

"You are a special guy"

He kissed her. "I'm gonna go get dressed for church then I'll bring your present over and we will go".

"Harry, we don't really have to go to church, I just wanted my grandfather to think we are".

"I'm not a liar. This is something I want to ok?" he said sweetly.

"Thanks Harry."

He kissed her on the forehead, threw majority of his clothes on, and walked to his flat. There he showered and threw on a new pair of kakis and a sweater. Then he sprayed on his cologne. He grabbed a wrapped box and went back to Hermione's.

She was still doing her makeup went he go there so she told him to wait on the couch when she heard the door open. She had trouble deciding on what to wear. She ended up wearing black pumps, a tight grey pencil skirt, and a black sweater. She walked into the living room as her heals clacked on the floor. Harry saw her and got up. He held out his present to her and said, "Happy Christmas Hermione".

She gave him a kiss and took it from him. Then she took a seat on the couch and he did as well. She opened the card first. On the cover there was two cartoons kissing under the mistletoe. Hermione then read the inside.

Dear Hermione,

A kiss is just a kiss
until you find the one you love.
A hug is just a hug
until its the one your thinking of.
A dream is just a dream
until you make it come true.

You've made my dream come true and I love you. I hope our first Christmas together as a couple is as exciting as every moment I spend with you. I know how much this day means to you and I want to make it perfect like you. I can't tell you how excited I am for Italy. Let's make a plan to experience as much culture, class, and romance Rome has to offer us. When in Rome!

Love Always,

You're Harry

Hermione gave him a kiss on the check and started unwrapping her present. Then she opened the box and pulled out a beautiful dress. It was a red wrap dress, with short sleeves, and a large bow in the back that wrapped around front. It went past her knees, but it was very fancy and truly breath taking.

"O Harry it's beautiful!" She said admiring it.

"Well, I want to find the fanciest restaurant in Rome and take you out to dinner wearing that."

She smiled. Then in a sexy voice she asked. "Well, can I wear this too?" As she asked this she put her arms on opposite sides of her waist and slowly pulled her sweater over her head reliving her lingerie. It wasn't a porn star type of lingerie but a sexy, city, chic kind of lingerie. Harry pulled her onto his lap and smiled into a kiss.

"If you don't the trip is cancelled" he said breaking the kiss. She laughed and put her hand on the back of his neck and kissed him again. "As much as it hurts me to break this, we are gonna be late for church!"

Hermione nodded and got off of him and together they attended mass. Afterwards they walked home to get their gifts and went to the Weasley's. Hermione and Harry realized they didn't tell anyone about their relationship. They didn't want to make a big deal of it and they figured everyone would pick up on it.

When the trio was alone for the first time that night Ron looked at them and tried to hold a smile back.

"What" Hermione finally asked?

Ron laughed and tried to think of how to put it, "honestly I don't care at all if you are, but are you or are you not a couple cause it's driving everyone mad!"

Harry put an arm around Hermione and said "We are".

Ron congratulated them then yelled, "Charlie, you owe me three sickles".

Everyone seemed to look up when Ron said this and Hermione went red.

"Hermione why didn't you tell me! This is so exciting" said Ginny. This was not the response Hermione expected from Harry's ex.

"Well it just happened recently and stuff. Harry asked me out at the ball and then after everything that happened…" Hermione stopped. No one really knew what happened to her. The figured she went to St. Mungo's to get her stomach pumped for alcohol poisoning or something.

George, who, in his melancholy state, had been quiet all night, asked, "What did happen that night Hermione?" The whole room was silent.

"It's not something to share with the table" Harry said.

Then Hermione said, "No it's ok Harry, I've got to tell them sometime". Hermione paused and looked down. "Muggles invented this thing called a ruffie. It's a pill that guys drop in girls drinks when they are not looking. Girls do not realize it, but soon they become very weak, and their vision fades, and, and then they slowly loose consciousness. Men use it to take advantage of girls. Girls could be raped and wake up with no memory of what happened sometimes. But at the ball, someone put one in my drink. Harry realized there was something wrong with me, so when I went to the bathroom he followed me." As she said this she put her hand on Harry's lap and he put his on top of hers. "Then he saw me well, pass out half way there, and, he took me to St. Mungo's." Hermione looked down a little embarrassed.

"Who would do such a thing" Ron said.

Harry opened his mouth to say it was Malfoy but Hermione squeezed his leg. "I don't know Ron, but it's over and nothing happened". As she said his she looked at Harry and smiled. Then she raised her glass and said "To Harry, for always being around to save the day". Everyone nodded and raised their glasses.

Later on they exchanged gifts. Hermione got a sweater from Mrs. Weasley, earrings from Ron, and a bracelet from Ginny. She was most surprised and delighted by Ron's gift. They were simple pearl earrings but they matched Hermione well.

"I know they are kinda plain" he said as Hermione held them up in admiration.

"O, No Ron I love them! Thank you!" she kissed him on the cheek and hugged him.

They spent the rest of the night eating, drinking, and enjoying one another's' company. They had a good Christmas. Hermione was happy. This was the first time her and Harry were a couple in front of the Wealseys. She has someone to laugh with, hold hand with under the table, and someone to love.

Authors Note: Kind of a boring Chapter but the beginning is what is important.

Next Chapter Rome!

Teaser: "This place is magical Harry. Not like Hogwarts magical, like fairytale magical. It's breathtaking. I feel like, here, with you I can accomplish anything. I have this gumption restored in me. I just love the city and you. The combination makes me dizzy Harry. My hearts pounding" Hermione said putting her hand over her heart. "My hearts pounding fast".

Merry Christmas Everyone!