There were some things that her great aunts were particularly skilled at, like distracting Harry while she snuck out of the house. Following their second date, and only after they had to explain why they were dressed in second-hand clothing, Hermione roped her family into distracting Harry.

She was only gone an hour as she browsed shops for a present for him. Muggle shops weren't terribly helpful, so once she came upon a secluded place, she glanced both ways before apparating directly into Diagon Ally. The Yule season was in full swing around her as she bundled her coat closer - having changed into her regular attire before leaving - and made her way into the Quidditch shop.

Teeming with people, she elbowed her way through, squeezing through the gap in the line. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a familiar head of hair, and freezing in place was the last thing she should have done.

He called out her name as she turned, and she hurried on, hopeful Oliver would assume she hadn't heard him and move on with his day. "Hermione!" He yelled again, and she heard him say goodbye to one of their former classmates, and then there was the heavy footfalls against the wooden floors. "Hermione," he said again, breathlessly this time as he caught her by the elbow.

Feigning shock rather than admitting she had no desire to speak to him at all, Hermione smiled. "Hello, Oliver." She greeted, and she was certain the smile on her face was twisted in a pained grimace. "How is your holiday?"

His face fell as she shrugged his hand off of her. "Hermione, come on. You've always called me Oli."

Her brows drew together. "What?"

"You're standoffish." He replied though he looked like he immediately regretted it. "That was rude."

She snorted. "How nice of you to notice." Hermione turned toward the shelf before her. Stocked from top to bottom with gloves, she wasn't sure what in the world she would purchase. Though.. "Oliver?" She asked, knowing full well that he hadn't left her yet. She might as well make some use of him.

"Yeah?" He angled himself closer to her as someone moved past them. "Shopping for Ron?" He guessed, a smile toying at the edge of his lips.

"Actually, no. I'm seeing someone. It's our first Christmas together," that might have been mostly a lie considering she'd seen Harry every year since she was eleven, but it was worth it to see the smirk on Oliver's face slip. "I was wondering if you could give me an opinion on a quidditch related gift?"

His mouth fell open. "You're seeing someone?"

"What of it?" She replied cheekily. "I heard you were seeing Katie Bell now. Congratulations." There was not an ounce of malice in her voice, though a few months ago, there surely would have been. "Back to the topic at hand,"

Oliver cut her off, his voice so loud it made everyone in the shop fall silent. "I never heard you were seeing anyone." He gritted his teeth. "Anyone I know?"

"Oh, undoubtedly." Still, Hermione skirted around the topic, not all that sure of what she and Harry had become. Though that was her insecurity talking, she didn't fancy having it wind up in the Daily Prophet because she blurted it in public. "Not that it's any of your business." She added.

Oliver didn't say another word as he walked away from her, and stormed from the shop altogether. Hermione blinked.

How odd.

Hermione visited another shop after settling on a new pair of gloves, and the last minute, impulse buy of a new broomstick. Looking at the now shrunk package that contained the latest model, she hoped it wouldn't seem excessive to Harry. It wasn't as if the Ministry hadn't just given her a holiday bonus, and she knew he was still riding his Firebolt from Sirius.

This shop was different, and she was happy to buy the first red set in her size and hurry home. Now that the rest of her extended family was arriving, she walked in the front door after apparating closely to the house.

The scene that waited for her made her burst into laughter. Three glasses full of what must have been spiked eggnog rested on the table. Harry sat across from Mildred and Matilda, his gaze not breaking from the cards in his hand. Hermione muffled a laugh with the back of her back so as not to disturb his concentration.

"They've been at it for an hour." Her father said, coming to her side. "That's some man you've brought home with you." He murmured, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Mildred tried to convince him to play strip poker. He wouldn't do it."

Hermione snorted. "That's good." She didn't want to imagine the jokes they would be on the receiving end of if her family had seen the scratches adorning his back. "Who do you think will lose?"

Mr Granger laughed. "We have a pool going in the kitchen if you'd like to join in. I bet on Harry, so did your mum, but the rest of the family is betting on one of the twins."

She grinned. "Twenty pounds on Matilda," Hermione told him, pulling the bill from her handbag. "I've seen her in pubs." Hermione didn't mention that she could see the winning hand already and that Harry had probably lost long before she walked in the door. "I'll be right back. I'm going to go leave this in my room."

Once in her room, Hermione laid the long package on her bed, restoring it to its normal size. The clerk in the shop had wrapped it of her, asking her if there was a name she'd like to include on the gift tag. No doubt an attempt to coax information from her - everyone was still so nosy, even so long after the war. Hermione pulled the middle drawer of her desk open, taking the ballpoint pen in her hand as she scribbled his name. She tucked it neatly beneath the bed frame, out of sight.

The next thing she wanted to do had her stomach in knots. "Insecurities," she muttered, setting the bag at the foot of the bed. He'd already seen her naked, so wearing lingerie shouldn't be so much different. Admittedly, it was probably the idea of gifting herself that made her gnaw her lip.

Hermione peeled her shirt over her head and pushed her jeans down her legs. Leaving the garments in a pile, she unclasped her bra and tossed it into the pile. Next came her knickers, and she pulled the flimsy fabric from the bag.

While she was nervous, there was a smug smirk on her face as she thought Harry wouldn't know what hit him.

Harry bumped his shoulder as they sat in the den, a fire crackling before them. "What did you get me?" He grinned, wrapping an arm around her as she tipped her mug to her lips. "Did you think I wouldn't notice you were gone earlier?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you what it was." She chastised, turning her nose up. His fingers were drifting up and down her spine. "I think you'll enjoy it. What did you get me?" Hermione asked. "Not that I expected -"

Despite her family looking on, Harry ducked his head and kissed her. Hermione sighed, her hand raising to cup his face. Pulling away from her sooner than she would have liked, Harry produced a small package that was unmistakably a book. "I would like it to be noted that I bought this before we ever left, and this was not an attempt to get into your knickers." He whispered in her ear before kissing her hair and pulling her into the curve of his body.

Gingerly tearing the wrapping from the gift, she quickly realized it was a copy of Pride and Prejudice. "Did you know how much I loved this book before we came here, Mr I-Remember-Everything?"

He nodded, lifting her by the hips and settling her into his lap while they sat on the couch. "You used to read it at the Burrow. You would go down by the biggest tree, and stay there for hours."

She arched an eyebrow. "Harry, that's been years since I last did that. I haven't spent enough time at the Burrow since Ron and I parted ways."

He shrugged, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I read it once while away on auror training. Ron gave me shite for it, but I was curious."

"You read all of it?" She asked.

"Well.." he trailed off, "most of it."

She snorted. "You only read the ending, didn't you? You can't appreciate Mr Darcy's character if you don't read all of it."

At first, she didn't understand. She had several copies since the book was a default gift from all of her friends, even if it was a Muggle book. Or they would buy her copies of Hogwarts: A History, a running joke at this point. Ron had bought her four of them, all of them being the newest edition, not that she was complaining. Hermione left the gift wrap fall to the floor as she flipped the book open, running her fingers along the title page.

Upon flipping the page, she shrieked. Matilda dropped her eggnog, rushing forward to lean over the couch so she could see.

Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him. "You bought me a first edition?" She murmured, setting the book on the cushion beside them and throwing her arms around his neck.

"Happy Christmas, Hermione," Harry said softly, smoothing her hair as he wrapped her into a tight embrace.

It was only right that Mildred shattered the quaint moment with, "Oh, he is definitely getting laid tonight."

Hermione wasn't in a mind to care much at all.

Once her extended family returned to their hotels for the night, and her parents and great aunts had retired to their rooms, Hermione took his hand and led him up the stairs. "I'm so glad you came with me." She said, closing the door behind her. The lock clicked into place, and she cast the appropriate charms before turning to face him. "You've really made this the most wonderful Christmas."

He tucked his hands into his pockets. "I should be thanking you, not the other way around."

"You have a choice to make." Hermione hedged, nearly talking herself out of it once more, but that wouldn't do. "I did buy you a gift, and it's under the bed if you would like it."

His eyes narrowed on her slipping off her jacket, her shoes, and stepping forward. "What's my other choice?" Harry asked, catching her hand with his own.

She swallowed. "Me?" Hermione squeaked, staring at the carpet beneath her feet.

"That's a stupid question." He rasped, tilting her chin up. "Always you." Harry hugged her close, but let her lead him onto the bed while she slid her hands up his chest.

She straddled his waist, hands dropping to the hem of his shirt as she pulled it over his head. There were scars marring his chest, some from the war, some from his career as an auror. "Harry," she whined as he pinched her nipple through her shirt. Hermione traced the long scar from the bottom of his stomach up to his sternum. "What is this?" She asked.

His fingers twined in her hair, yanking her head back to expose her neck. "Werewolf nearly got ahold of me during a full moon once." He growled, nipping the base of her throat. "Six months ago. I would have died without the healer."

Hermione vaguely remembered the night. "I never knew it left a scar like this."

He nodded. "Do you like this shirt?"

She blinked. The royal blue blouse had been hanging in her closet for almost a full year, and this was the first she'd worn it. "Not particularly - Harry!"

Harry ripped the blouse open, buttons scattering across the bed. She might have teased him for acting like a caveman, but the words died in her throat as his eyes raked over her. "Is this what you meant when you said you were my present, Hermione?"

"The knickers match."

"Show me then," Harry asked with a sly smile.

She slid from his lap, hooking her fingers in her waistband and sliding the loose skirt to the floor. His reaction didn't disappoint as he took her in, his eyes growing darker. "You're so fucking pretty." He groaned, reaching out to slide his finger against her clit.

"So you've told me." Hermione gasped. "Happy Christmas, Harry."

"Happy Christmas to me in-fucking-deed." He growled, gripping her hips and pulling her forward. "Would you let me spank you again?" His question was accented by his palm sliding over the supple skin. "Would you let me bend you over my knee?"

Breathless, Hermione nodded, and she let him position her. It was unlike anything she'd ever done before, she thought as he bent her over his knee on the bed. "Harry," she whined, wiggling her arse when he teased her with slow touches, featherlight movements of his fingers.

His hand came down hard on her arse, drawing a moan from her. "Fuck." He groaned, massaging the skin before striking the soft flesh again, harder this time.

She choked on a whimper, adjusting herself where her elbows were digging into the mattress, and her arse was raised higher. "Mm, gods, please."

His fingers slid along her folds, parting them as he rubbed her clit. "You're dripping for me." Circling her clit, he smirked while she gripped the sheets tightly. He pumped two fingers into her tight cunt, feeling her walls futter around them.

She writhed in his lap, moaning his name over and over again as he curled his fingers inside of her. "I should -" she broke off, shuddering as his thumb circled her clit, applying pressure. "I should touch you." Hermione gasped raggedly.

He slapped her arse, surely leaving a handprint on her pale skin. "What do you have in mind?"

Her body still shaking as he fingered her, she lost the train of thought as she melted under him. "I want your cock in my mouth." Hermione whimpered. He stilled just as she was on the edge of her orgasm. Her cheeks heating up as she realized exactly what she'd just said, Hermione moved off his lap. Sitting with her legs tucked under her, she said, "I meant it."

He unbuttoned his trousers, followed by his boxers.

Hermione reached for him, taking his hard length into her hand, and stroking him. Harry hissed, fingers delving into her hair as she slid to her knees before him while he sat at the edge of the bed.

The first flick of her tongue was purely experimental, just to see if she could drag the low groan from him. Still sliding her hand along his shaft, she leaned forward, her eyes closing as she closed her mouth around the tip. Whimpering at how his fingers tightened in her hair, urging her to take him farther, Hermione slowly slid her mouth down, her tongue laving the underside of his cock. She was by no means an expert - there's that niggling self-doubt creeping in - but the soft, "please," falling from him encouraged her.

Hermione's hand slid between her thighs, rubbing the sensitive nub as her cheeks hollowed. All too quickly it was over as quickly as it began. "I want you." He groaned, tugging her hair and guiding her to her feet. Harry summoned his wand, casting a contraceptive charm against her belly.

If she'd thought foreplay was intense, well, it was nothing compared to the anticipation thrumming in her stomach as he whispered in her ear to get on her hands and knees. This was a wholly different side of Harry, she thought as he spanked her arse, and murmured, "So pretty with my handprint on you."

She swallowed, pressing herself back against him. "Please," was all she managed with the feel of his cock sliding against her slick folds.

Harry's large hands gripped her hips tightly, holding her in place so she couldn't push herself back to take him. He was torturously slow with her, teasing her with each thrust, but never sliding fully into her. "Fuck," he growled, low under his breath.

She clawed the sheets, whimpering and moaning for him. "Harry, please, I'm begging -" Hermione admitted she'd never screamed before, but that she did as he slid into her fully in one thrust.

He whispered to her how tight her cunt was wrapped around him, that she was gorgeous writhing below him, his name falling from her lips. And ultimately in the end, how fucking perfect she was when she finally shattered.

She woke before anyone else in the house, much as she always did. "Harry?" Hermione whispered, reaching across the beg. Her fingers were met with his bare skin. He groaned, rolling onto his side to face her. "Wake up." She murmured, tickling his side.

Harry jerked, headbutting her and nearly splitting her lip in the process. His eyes shooting open, he apologized. "Oh, fuck, are you okay?"

Hermione nodded, wiping her mouth, her hand coming away free of blood. "Well, I'm not happy you punched me; you do know that's not what they mean by deck the halls, don't you?"

Harry's chest rumbled with laughter as he reached for her, pulling her into the curve of him. "If I remember correctly, you told me I had two presents. I'd like that other one now."

The corner up her lip lifted. "What if I tell you the second surprise is only me in different lingerie this time?" Hermione grinned as he propped himself up, hovering over her.

"I would hope you've realized we wouldn't be leaving the bed at all. Not a bad way to spend Christmas, is it?"

Hermione rolled away from him, reaching over the side of the bed, and grabbing the wrapped broomstick. While she did so he spanked her once more. "Happy Christmas, Harry." She murmured, holding the box out to him while pulling the sheets to cover her breasts.

His eyes lit up, riddled with disbelief as he raked his fingers through his hair. "Merlin, you went all out, didn't you?"

She laughed, leaning against the headboard, and letting her head fall to the side. "You're still riding that Firebolt from Sirius. You should have a newer model to use regularly, and you could display the firebolt. What are you waiting for? Open it." Hermione urged him.

He sat in silence, having since grabbed his glasses from the table, and he stared at the box in his hands. "I had no idea you were to Diagon Ally."

"Yes," she smiled, "there's an interesting story there too, but first I want to see your face when you open it."

He tore the wrapping off the package in pieces, each of them falling to the blanket. Harry's eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle. "This is the newest model, Hermione. I know you said I needed a newer model, but this - this must have cost -"

Hermione crawled across the bed, setting the broom beside them, and framed his face in her hands. He fell silent as she pressed her lips softly to his, his hands finding hers, and lacing their fingers together. "The Ministry was particularly generous with our holiday bonuses this year, and I wanted to be sure you enjoyed your gift." She murmured.

Harry grinned as he leaned his forehead to hers. "I enjoyed one a bit more than the other."

She scoffed, collapsing against him as she laughed. "I wonder which one that could be. My family will be awake soon. Are you ready for your last day with the Grangers?"

He kissed her temple. "I suppose we'd better make the most of it then."

There was something to be said about the smile that stayed on his face throughout the day. Harry drank in the holiday, and Hermione could only watch from her spot on the couch. Sure, he'd always been happy to see the Weasleys at Christmas, but there was something to be said about the way he effortlessly fit in with her family.

In passing, he whispered in her ear that this was his favourite Christmas. "For several reasons." He told her, backing her toward the countertop. "Would you look at that?" Harry smirked, pointing at the mistletoe above them. "Would you mind terribly?"

"I would mind terribly if you didn't." Hermione giggled, stretching up on her toes and wrapping her arms around his neck.

She was sad to see the day go, but time was not on their side as they found herself in her bedroom packing once more.

"You said there was a story to be told about when you were in Diagon Ally?" Harry asked, not bothering to fold his clothes, and just tossing them into his bag. "What was that about?"

Truth be told, she'd completely forgotten about Oliver and his rude behaviour. "I ran into Oliver. He behaved strangely." Hermione said nonchalantly, shrugging.

"Oh? Strange how?"

"Well," she paused, placing her hands on her hips and sighing. "I'm fairly certain he was going to ask me to go home with him. He was oddly playful, and he pretended to be hurt when I didn't call him Oli."

Harry arched an eyebrow.

"Then he asked me if I was shopping for Ron, and I told him I was seeing someone." Hermione finished, reaching for her first edition and carefully setting it in her suitcase.

"Let me guess, he didn't take it so well?"

She shook her head. "He tried to convince me to tell him who you were."

Harry chuckled. "You should have told him."

Hermione grimaced. "Well...I wasn't entirely sure what we were yet, and I didn't want to expose you to gossip."

He snorted, zipping his bag and throwing himself onto the bed. "I know you're going to worry how this could negatively impact our friendship,"

"It very well could ruin our entire friendship." She blurted, but Hermione probably hadn't cared since he tossed her into a snowbank. "I didn't tell Oliver because I didn't want to assume I'd earned myself a spot as a permanent romantic fixture in your life."

"We've done this all arse backwards, but I want to give this a try because I know it won't fail. You've built it up in your mind that you're a terrible girlfriend, but I have a hard time believing that after having you as my fake girlfriend."

A giggle bubbled up and she nodded. "I want to." Hermione agreed, and he rolled out of the bed. "Merlin, Ron is going to have kittens."

Harry roared with laughter. Wiping his eye - a complete show on his part - he nodded. "He won't be angry. Shocked at first, maybe a bit jealous, but he'll accept it." That she had a hard time believing, but realistically Ron had eventually learned to support her. "How do you fancy a third date?" Harry asked, peering down at her, his eyes uncharacteristically bright behind the wire rims of his glasses.

She put on a front as if she were weighing the options. "I hear there's a Quidditch match coming up." Hermione murmured, choosing to pick a date for him this time. "Would you like to go with me?"

Oliver had started with Puddlemere upon graduating from Hogwarts so long ago. Now, however, he was a keeper for the Falmouth Falcons. When she'd suggested they go to a professional quidditch match, she hadn't meant they should watch Oliver.

To be fair, he was a prick, dumping her on Christmas Eve and everything.

Harry led her by the hand as they took their seats. Nearly the best seats in the stands and she teased him for using his auror rank to get the seats he had. In front of them, they could see the banners for the Chudley Cannons on the opposing side.

She sipped her pumpkin juice as she settled in her seat, laying her head on Harry's shoulder. "Do you have any plans after this?"

"Beyond ravishing you?" He chuckled, glancing down at her. "Not particularly."

She rolled her eyes. "I have to visit my office after the match. Katie had some problems with paperwork, and by problems, I mean it's fucking vanished." Hermione gritted her teeth. "Afraid I'll have to pass on the ravishing tonight." She laughed, sliding her arm through his. "We could have a late dinner if you like."

He hummed, wrapping an arm around her back. "I'll bring you dinner."

She didn't object. "Oh, for Merlin's sake, what are they doing?" Hermione groaned, pointing up at the sky where there was an enlarged picture of the crowd in the sky. It skimmed across the faces in the stands.

"Whoever it lands on has to snog," Harry explained.

"That's ridiculous."

There was loud fanfare as both teams entered, zipping around on their brooms. She caught sight of Oliver, who didn't notice her in the slightest. "Hermione.." Harry nudged her, and she realized the stadium had fallen silent. Despite the match already kicking off, there were no eyes on either team. "It seems we need to snog." He grinned ear to ear.

Hermione smiled, red painting her cheeks as she lifted her bag to hide them from view as his mouth slanted against hers. The crowd erupted into applause, and she covered her smile behind her hand as Harry looked as if he were the cat that finally got the cream.

The only thing that could have made it even more satisfying was accidentally making eye contact with Oliver Wood. He was stunned, his mouth had fallen open, and then -

He was struck by a stray bludger.

If you read all the way through, thank you! I'd love to hear your thoughts. This was my second foray into Harmony, and I will probably write a WIP for them soon.