A/N-I am SO sorry this is so incredibly long, but it is just too hard not to. Anyways, I am breaking up the three day Christmas holiday by day-so today is day one, or Monday, the day before Christmas Eve. I don't think this is checked very well, which is awful on my part. Just notice those mistakes and know that I can do much better-and if you're very peeved then tell me the mistakes and I'll fix them. Anyways, read and review, and ultimately enjoy!

-Chapter Ten-

General POV

"Harry! Harry!"

Ginny Weasley put her hand on her hip with the utmost of attitude, and sighed. "Harry!"

Harry Potter finally woke, startled by being woken up so animatedly. "G-Ginny?"

Harry's first thoughts were, why is Ginny in the boys' dormitories (especially with Ron, and his habit of sleeping partially nude)? But then he looked up, and realized he was in the Gryffindor Common Room. He scratched his head in thought. "C'mon Harry, get up."

"But-but what am I doing in here?" he asked, as he struggled to wake from his once cavernous slumber. He sat upright, looking at Ginny. Her hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, and she had on her light blue 'G' sweater. Then Harry's mind connected with the present deeds-and he remembered, today is Monday! The day before Christmas Eve! The day he and all of his friends went to the Burrow!

He jumped up quickly, like a child eager for Christmas activities to begin. "What time is it?"

"Eight," Ginny answered. "Why don't you go shower and I'll meet you back in here in thirty minutes?"

Harry nodded, and, with a sudden impulse, gave Ginny a great hug. "You have packed right?"

Harry shook his head, as Ginny gave him an intimidating look, and said, "I guess I'll pack for you."

Harry grinned. "Okay, but remember to grab my gray boxers too, they're the only ones without-"

"Ew, okay," Ginny said, with her hand up in testimony. "I love you Harry Potter, but seriously, I do not want to know about your underwear."

"Underwear?"

A voice came from the staircase, as Hermione descended down, like a graceful woman in etiquette school. She looked beautiful-her hair was down her shoulders, in soft curls-and the chocolate brown 'H' sweater brought out her eyes.

Ginny laughed, as Harry said, "Goodbye for now," and walked to the lavatory aimlessly.

"Hey Hermione," Ginny greeted, "Having a good morning?"

"Yes, I am," Hermione answered, smiling. "I think today is going to be a special day-oh, what are you off to do?"

"I have to go pack for Harry, would you like to join me?"

"Umm…" Hermione laughed nervously. "Have you seen his underwear?"

Ron's POV

Ron yawned, stretched, and opened his curtains, so the mid-December sun was reflexive of the deep winter snow. Several moments pasted before Ron realized what today was-and, more importantly-what it meant for him and Hermione. He suddenly felt his heart beating repetitively through his ears-just hearing that name, Hermione, caused him to do back flips.

"It's okay Ron," Ron instructed himself aloud. "Just put on your clothes-that's right, one leg in, now the other one-socks, yes-shirt-"

He rustled inside his drawers to find his Weasley 'R' sweater, but after tossing through several white dress shirts, robes, and t-shirts, it was no where to be found. But wait-what's that? A red sweater that looked about two sizes to small, but it was his sweater!

Ron held it up to his chest, and saw the sleeves themselves only went up to his elbow. The length of the sweater only went to his belly button-assuming he could get it over his head. How old is this thing? He wondered. Or, how much have I grown?

Well this simply wouldn't do! He couldn't go to his mum's house without the typical Weasley sweater-what was he to do?

"Hermione!" he screamed. He ran down the staircase, just as Ginny was coming up. "Where are you going?" the siblings said in unison. They shook it off absently, and continued on their way. "Hermione! Hermione!" Ron continued to scream. When he finally reached the Common Room, he was completely out of breath.

"Ron, what is it?" asked Hermione, concern in her mellifluous voice. Ron stopped in his tracks-boy, does she look so beautiful, he thought. Oh, what do I say, what do I do? I want to kiss her so bad-look at her-oh if only-I would-

"Ron!" Hermione took Ron by the arm, and sat him down beside her on the red velvet couch. She felt his forehead. "Are you sick? Why aren't you wearing a shirt? Do I need to take you to the Hospital Wing? Do you want some water? You're looking pale, do you need some-"

Ron took Hermione's hand from his forehead, and slightly wrapped his fingers through hers. She instantly fell silent, heating rising into her cheeks.

"Hermione, how come we've never…"

Hermione replied, softly, "I-I don't know Ron…what you mean…"

In a sudden burst of confidence, Ron moved closer to his love. "You know exactly what I mean."

Suddenly, the portrait door creaked noisily open. Hermione jumped in fright, her nerves shaken from the events of moments ago.

"Hey guys," said Luna nonchalantly. She looked peculiarly at Hermione, but decided against asking for information. "Your carriage is outside."

"They're early!" Hermione said.

Ron looked to Hermione, and back and Luna. "Says who?"

Seamus' POV

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

Seamus dashed from tree to tree, and finally arrived at the carriage that would soon transport Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione to the Burrow. He remained on the ground (careful to not be spotted by the coachman) and carefully loosened the right back wheel, so after about thirty minutes the carriage (and the occupants) would begin to shake and turn.

"No one should get hurt," he repeated confidently to himself and his conscience. But inside, Seamus begged for it to be true.

Fred and George's POV

"Well done!" Fred said enthusiastically. "Yes-this will be great."

Fred and George had appeared on the scene just as Seamus was back inside the castle.

"Well, if you're sure this is necessary to scary Harry up a bit," Seamus said doubtfully. "But aren't you worried something will happen to Ginny?"

"It won't crash," said Fred.

"Just shake enough to give them a fright, that's all," said George.

"And then we'll see if Harry can fix the wheel-Ron won't know-"

"A thing about it, so that's no-"

"Trouble."

Seamus stopped walking. "Wait-are you two scared to be caught loitering inside the castle?"

"Of course not," said George, as the three began walking again. "And anyways-we're here for much more important business."

"Yes, we've come to put in our fine names in for the new teaching opportunity."

Seamus put a hand to his forehead, as if to see if he was delirious with a fever. "A-a job? You two? Work at Hogwarts? What about the shop?"

"Oh, we can own and manage it still," said Fred.

"And work it part-time."

"What kind of job here would allow that?" Seamus asked.

Fred pulled Seamus into a nearby window, and pointed upward, into the clear, crystal sky.

Ginny's POV

"Socks, jeans, sweaters…check, check, and check!"

Ginny closed Harry trunk, and heaved a great, "Finally!"

She pulled it off the bed, and onto the floor. Just as she made her way to leave, she noticed she had left a drawer open. "Aha, you thought you could hide from me, did you?"

She bent down to close it, when something caught her eye. It said, Journal: Fourth Year. She wrinkled her nose unexpected. She had not ever assumed, nor thought, that Harry Potter would keep a journal! How peculiar it was, yet…how tempting. Oh Ginny, she thought to herself. It's probably just one hundred pages about quidditch and…wait, wasn't he with-no, it couldn't be that-he was with her during this year…

Ginny abandoned all of her rational thinking, and snatched the old journal in her hands, ready to read of its sinister secrets and mysterious thoughts.

Ron's POV

"Hermione!" Ron complained. "Look-it's sown in yellow thread, and the sweater is red!"

"It was either that or pink," Hermione defended. "Besides, maybe if you hadn't grown five inches since last Christmas it would actually fit you!"

It was these voices that Harry faced when he entered the common room. It was a familiar sound that seemed quite queer now-but Harry was not faltered by it. Ron's 'R' sweater had been sown with patches of cloth, in attempt to make it appear to fit. But alas, Hermione's could intentions had turned for the worst, and he now resembled a homeless stray man.

"Do you think this is funny Harry?" Ron asked threateningly, staring at Harry's face like it was a precarious monster.

Harry shook his head no. "Of course not…I actually think it's quite…umm…"

"Fetching?" Hermione added.

"Yes, yes! That's the right word. Fetching," said Harry, who looked around quickly for a distraction. He soon found her, flowing down the staircase with his trunk in hand. He quickly walked to her, thanked her, and took the trunk. Harry leaned in to give her a quick kiss-but she backed away, seeming rather blanked about something.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"Oh, nothing…I-I'm not feeling well," Ginny lied.

Ron grabbed him trunk, and said to Hermione, "Thank you for doing this for me-I'm just worried about Mum. Dad said she was sick in his last letter and I want everything to go perfectly."

"Its fine," Hermione said, "I can understand the want for perfection."

Harry's POV

Harry did not know what was wrong with his beloved girlfriend, but it was beginning to worry him. This was his first time meeting the Weasleys as Ginny's boyfriend, and he needed all the support from Ginny as he could. Nonetheless, her help was nonexistent today, and he did not have the slightest clue as to why.

"I dunno mate," Ron whispered, as he, Harry, and the coachman loaded their luggage into the back. "Have you tried talking to her?"

"She talks to me," said Harry, giving a glance to Tim, the middle-age coachman who was eavesdropping on their conversation, before returning his eyes to Ron. "But not-well, why are we standing here, talking about me! What about you and Hermione?"

Ron stifled a sigh. "What about it?"

Harry gave a quick roll of his eyes. "Well-has anything happened yet?"

"Almost, this morning," Ron answered. "I think there's something special about Christmas-I dunno, but it feels right…do you think it's the right time Harry?"

Harry nearly said an enthusiastic "YES!", but soon realized that only Ron could tell when it was the right time. "I can't tell you that mate."

"All loaded up here chaps!" said Tim, with a heavy Irish accent. "Primetime to set off I suppose! Be to the house 'round five, I say!"

"What did he just say Harry?" Ron inquired. "Sounded like something around my mother's knickers-oh bloody hell, Hermione has about drove me crazy!"

Hermione, who was already inside the carriage with Ginny, opened the carriage door, and poked her head through the opening. "What about me?"

"Nothing!" Ron answered. He turned to Harry, just as Crookshanks jumped out of the carriage door. Ron scooped him up, and said, "Keep that cat away from me Hermione."

Hermione stifled a, "Oh, what an inconsiderate idiot!" and climbed back inside the carriage with Ginny.

"She is the smartest bloody witch in the world-she hears everything!" Ron screeched.

As Harry and Ron walked to the carriage door, Harry was sure he heard a loud and dignified, "I heard that Ronald Weasley!" from inside the carriage.

Molly Weasley's POV

Molly was busy giving the bustling house the last touches of Christmas, and wrapping the last few presents, but it was always on her mind. She hadn't told Arthur yet-she was far too nervous. It just isn't fit, she thought to herself. I have children old enough to give me grandchildren! How can this happen?

Hermione's POV

"We're nearly there ladies and blokes!" was all Hermione heard as they turned quickly on the road. Tim was about to strike Hermione's nerves the wrong way, but she wasn't going to let that, nor Ginny and her newfound attitude, ruin her time with Ron.

"So Hermione, "Ron said, conversationally, "What do you want for Christmas?"

"You mean you haven't gotten my present yet?"

"Of course I have," answered Ron, with a large grin. "I was curious to see if I got you the right thing."

Hermione laughed, and recited a list of books that she wanted. But in her heart, she knew what she really wanted-to be with Ron.

"I really wish it would stop snowing," said Ginny, Crookshanks in her lap as she interrupted Hermione's thoughts.

"Why ever so?" Hermione asked.

"Look," Ginny said, pointing out the tiny window. "It's so slippery out there-so much snow!"

Harry put his arm around Ginny, who promptly sat up and pushed him away. Ron and Harry exchanged somber looks, Hermione's gaze full of sympathy, when it happened: in one sharp turn, the carriage suddenly lost several inches. They had lost a wheel. Hermione screamed-or perhaps that was the wood hitting the gravel-whatever it was, they all covered their ears. The carriage continued to spin-Hermione grabbed Ron's hand-and Ginny, apparently forgetting her angry, grabbed for Harry-when they all felt the prickling sensation of falling. Several screams later, it finally stopped. Hermione found herself up under the seat, and Ron's face was in her knees. She rose up steadily, Ron following suite. She had a cut on her cheek-from the seat, she concluded-but her and Ron were both seemingly unharmed. But where was-

"The door is open!" Ron screamed. He slide out, and Hermione realized that the carriage was sideways. She followed, pulling her skirt back down to its respectable length. They were in the middle of a forest-the road barely viewable. Ron gave a huge gulp. Below them was a huge snow-covered hill, for as far as he could see. He knew Harry and Ginny and somehow fallen down that-but who knew where they were now?

Hermione grabbed Ron's elbow. "Ron, do you think they're done there?"

Ron nodded regrettably. "It's okay, Harry is there," he said. "He'll know what to do."

Hermione nodded, and suddenly dug her head in Ron's chest, as she suppressed a sob. Ron patted her chest, as her eyes suddenly got wide. "W-where's Crookshanks?"

Ron looked around wildly, with depressing thoughts of what could happen to Crookshanks, when he spotted the cat a yard or two away, playing in a bush. Sighing from relief, he picked up the annoying feline, and put him in Hermione's hands. Tim, the coachmen, stumbled onto the scene.

"I'm alright!" Tim said loudly. "Aww-where are the other two? The one they call Harry Potter-and the girl with a mad face?"

Ron pointed with one hand down the hill, as he used his other to awkwardly rub Hermione's back.

"Oh dear!" Tim said. "Well, we have two choices: you can wait until I figure out how to fix this loose wheel, or you can walk."

"How far is it from here?"

"About a mile," said Tim. "I suggest you walk if you want to be home before nightfall-should I alert the ministry about those two?"

Ron shook his head. "That's okay, Tim. How will you get home?"

"I will apparate!" he said, as Hermione raised her head and wiped her nose on her sleeve. "See you chaps!"

And just like that, he was gone. Ron put his arm around Hermione shoulder, and they began to walk to the Burrow.

Ginny's POV

"Harry!"

Ginny ducked down under a low hanging tree, took a step-and slid into a patch of mushy snow. She fell into like a soft bed-but her opinion quickly changed when it began to slowly slide down her shirt. She closed her eyes, wishing for everything to be better-and when she opened it, Harry was standing in front of her.

"Harry," she whispered. She sat up, and crossed her legs, as Harry bent down and did the same. "Harry-that was so scary."

He took her hand, and she didn't flinch or pull away. She suddenly felt awful for her behavior, she just couldn't help it-that old diary full of Cho had brought some kind of jealousy out of her. Then the tears came-today had been an awful day for her. She fell into Harry's strong embrace-just as the diary poked out of her pocket.

It hadn't even occurred to her that it was still in there until Harry broke away, holding it, and said, "Ginny-what is this?"

She bit her lip nervously. "I-well-Harry-"

Harry got up suddenly, and began walking in the other direction. Ginny debated about following them, and then realized that she should, since she had caused this incident.

"Harry!" she called, but he sped up. Soon she did too, and they were running like a pack of Harry's wild fans. "C'mon, be reasonable-"

In an all too sudden movement, Harry stopped and turned, his face full of angry. Ginny ran into him, and then soon recovered. "You want me to be reasonable?" Harry demanded, "When you have been angry at me all day because of something that happened two years ago?"

"It-it was stupid Harry!" Ginny cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Yes, it was!" Harry said. "This thing-" He threw the diary down roughly on the ground, and stomped on it. "This thing is nothing! And you know she is nothing to me anymore! I love you Ginny!"

Ginny began to cry harder, as she realized how much it hurt him to have her angry with him for such a dim reason. She threw her arms around his neck, and cried. "I'm sorry Harry-but what if I can't do this!"

"Do what?" Harry asked, his voice a considerable amount calmer.

"Have a real boyfriend-one to show my family. What if you find someone better-and-"

"Shh…" Harry said softly. "Ginny, listen to me, I will never find anyone better. I love you, Ginny. And because of that, everything else-like your family- will just work itself out. Oh, wait? How did this happen? You're the one who broke my privacy and didn't trust me."

Nonetheless, Harry patted Ginny's shoulder, and tried to not be angry with her. She wiped her eyes, and looked regretfully into his.

"I am sorry, Harry."

"I know," Harry said, wrapping his arms around her tighter. "I understand."

Ginny looked up at Harry, with a different look in her eyes. She pushed Harry aside, and ran her fingers through her hair nervously.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, his eyes full of concern. Ginny looked back at him, and her knees crashing into the thick, wet snow.

"You-you're what's wrong with me," she told him. "You're so forgiving-oh, Harry, I don't deserve you! Maybe we should…"

"Should what?" Harry's eyes turned angry. "Are you suggesting we break up?"

"No!" Ginny cried. "Are-are you?"

"No," Harry answered, sighing. He outstretched his hand to Ginny, and helped her stand. He put his arm around her back, and kissed her forehead. "C'mon…let's just go home."

Fred and George's POV

"C'mon boys," said Mrs. Weasley sternly. "If you're not going to help me clean when I'm pre-…tired, then at least go tidy Percy's old room for Hermione."

The boys exchanged raised eyebrows and strange glances, before slowly climbing up the staircase. "Something is wrong with Mum," Fred said, as soon as Mrs. Weasley was out of earshot. George silently nodded.

"We should figure it out," George suggested. "She said 'when I'm pre-'?"

"Pre-menstrual?"

The twins cracked up heartily.

"Does Mum even get that?" asked George.

Fred shrugged. "How old is she now?"

"We'll ask Bill later," said George. "Oh, wait-was that the doorbell?"

The twins flew back down the stairs from which they had just came, and landed near the front door, where Mrs.Weasley was taking a dozen red roses from a worker.

"Aww, boys! Read this card: A dozen red roses for a dozen more years of love. Love, Harry. Isn't that so sweet?"

"Shouldn't we tell Dad about this?" Fred said jokingly.

"Yes, I'm sure he would like to know."

Mrs.Weasley slapped the arms of her boys, and chuckled. "They're not for me, but for Ginny! Harry wanted to surprise her! Will you go put them in her room for her?"

Fred grinned. "Oh, sure, we'll put them up for her."

George exchanged glances with his twin, and then understood. He, too, began to grin. "Oh, yes. We'll put them up."

Ron's POV

"Ron, look! We've made it!" Hermione screamed, as she grabbed Ron by his shirt and dragged him into the driveway of the Burrow. "Look-it's everything, just as I remembered it; the garden gnomes, oh, Ron-look at Crookshanks play with them!"

She fell into his side, and he slid his arm around her back. "It all seems so-perfect."

Ron held her gaze, bent over, and met his lips to hers. As soon as this had occurred, the kitchen door flew wide open, and there stood Mrs. and Mr. Weasley, and Fred and George.

"Bloody hell-"

Ron broke away nervously, his face growing red by the moment. "This-this isn't what it looks like! Well, I guess it is…I, umm…"

Mrs.Weasley looked at her husband for words of any kind to break the silence, but Fred and George opted to fill it themselves.

"Aww, does Ronnie have a little bitty girlfriend?"

"Shut up, Fred!"

"Now don't be cross with him, just because you have a girlfriend Ronniekins!" said George. The twins laughed hysterically, and, giving one another high-fives, ran back into the house, screaming, "Ron and Hermione kissed! Ron and Hermione kissed!"

Then, hearing Hermione's voice, Ron suddenly woke up.

It was mid-afternoon now at the Burrow and Harry and Ginny had still not arrived yet. Mrs.Weasley said she wasn't worried, but she still had the twins flying over the area, seeing in they could spot them, and Bill and Charlie were wondering around in the woods, calling for them.

"Oh, Ron," Hermione whispered, as Ron sat up and she silently sipped her tea. "You scared me so! You kept screaming, and…"

Mrs.Weasley came into the living room, and put a hand on Ron's forehead. "No fever, dear. Are you just worried about your sister and Harry?"

Ron nodded guiltily. His dreams had been free of Harry and Ginny. "What time is it now?"

"Three," Hermione answered.

"Why don't you two go do something?" Mrs.Weasley opted. "Hermione has helped me do everything imaginable already-I thought about taking a little nap myself before I began making dinner."

"Are you sure?" Ron asked his mother, wrinkling his nose. "Do you need anything picked up?"

"No, nothing that I can think of," she said. "Oh-yes, now I have it! I completely forgot to get some fresh flowers for the table. Could you get some for me?"

"Where would you find those, Mum, in the middle of winter?" Ron inquired.

"Oh, Diagon Ally keeps them fresh year around," Hermione said. Ron gave a questioning look, and she turned scarlet. "I read it in the Daily Prophet of course."

Ron and Hermione stood, put on their scarves and hats, and waved Mrs.Weasley goodbye.

Mrs.Weasley smiled to herself as they left. "She'll be my daughter-in-law, yet."

Arthur Weasley's POV

"Oh, Arthur?"

Arthur Weasley turned around at the door, and faced an old friend and co-worker. He was very tired, and very ready to go home.

"I was wondering," asked Bobby Boyce, his hair graying, yet he was still a considerable amount more attractive then Arthur considered himself, "If I could ask you a favor."

"Oh, of course," Mr. Weasley answered. "I'd do anything for you since you helped me out with that toilet-brush mania a few months back."

Boyce took a long breath, and pulled his pale green sweater closely. "Well, my daughter, Anne, is having trouble finding a date for our annual Christmas party, and seeing as you have so many sons, I just wondered…"

"Oh…well how old is Anne?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Sixteen," Boyce answered. "I know Bill and Charlie are a bit too old-but what about one the one…oh, yes, I know! What about the one who is a friend with Harry Potter?"

Mr.Weasley shifted his workbag uncomfortable, and scratched his head. "Oh, well…"

He had no idea if Ron was with anyone-Hermione, perhaps? Oh, blast!

"Great, thanks!" Boyce said, giving him a friendly punch on the arm. "I told the boys in the office, but they just wouldn't believe me-I told them, Arthur, I told them, 'Arthur is a good man,' I said to them, but they just went on and on about all these awful things…well, you understand, of course…"

Mr.Weasley's eyes changed uncomfortably from surprise to anger, as he was left speechless. "Thank you…I think."

Hermione's POV

Ron held a pretty bundle of purple, pink, white, and red flowers. Checking the label, he said the name of these flowers the best way he could.

"Viscaria?" he opted to Hermione, his now assigned flower partner.

Hermione giggled, and stroked them.

"What?" Ron asked lightly.

"Well," Hermione said, smiling as she used her best matter-of-fact voice, "technically you just asked me to dance with you, Mr.Weasley."

Ron stroked his chin, as in deep thought. "Hmm…says who?"

"Well, about every bridal book in the entire world," Hermione answered. "Did you know that for ages brides and grooms, mostly the grooms, will send one another flowers with special meanings, such as this?"

Ron lifted a hand to carelessly brush a pile of sunflowers. He and Hermione were standing in the greenhouse, which, of course, was not an ordinary greenhouse in the least. It actually looked like a summer day inside-causing Ron and Hermione to shed their coats in the front. Ron couldn't think of anything else he would love to do with Hermione-well, he could think of a few other things.

Hermione laughed. "I'm sorry, I am completely boring."

Ron grabbed her hand casually. "Of course you aren't! But actually, I do have a question for you, Miss Granger."

"Oh, you do!" she said loudly. "Alright then, Mister Weasley, let's hear it!"

"Why are you reading bridal books?"

Hermione bit her lip. "I was quite-interested-at one point at wedding."

"You were interested?" Ron teased. "Or obsessed?"

"Oh, honestly Ron!" Hermione said. "You know what I think?"

"No, but wouldn't that be wonderful!"

Hermione playfully hit his side-and noticed that he still had her hand locked into his. "You're awful," she teased. "You know, I think that you really want to read my bridal books, and that is why you're acting rather jealous."

"Oh, really?" Ron inquired. "Well Hermione, give me one of those books, and I will certainly read every bit."

"And why is that?"

Ron turned to face Hermione, his heart beating. She looked so beautiful. "Because, Hermione…you are my Hermione, after all."

Hermione nearly dropped the other flowers she had in her hand-the one not, she thought, in with Ron's.

A worker came up to them at that moment, which was just as well for Hermione, as she was speechless anyways. "Well, hello!" greeted the woman. "Are you two here doing some wedding shopping?"

Hermione opened her mouth to answer, "No, we're much too young for that!" But Ron got in the way first and, putting a hand on Hermione's shoulder, he said, "Yes, my fiancée Bettie and I are very excited."

Hermione hit Ron playfully in the stomach. "Actually-"

"Well, let me help you then!" the friendly worker said. "My name is Rhonda, and if you follow me this way, Mister…umm…"

"Pointsie," Ron lied.

"Mister Pointsie, I'll show you some lovely flowers that mean love, peace, and long relationships…"

Ron grinned at Hermione, and dropped his arm. "Stay here, dear, and keep browsing. I'll be right back."

Hermione stuck her tongue out childishly whenever Rhonda wasn't looking, as Ron was lead to the deeper part of the store. She continued to browse through, and had quite a lovely selection whenever she heard a throat being cleared near her. She looked up-and there was a man around her age. He was tall, though shorter then Ron, with perfectly placed brown hair, thick lips, and a strong body. He smiled broadly at Hermione, who in return nearly jumped her skin and continued to walk.

"So, I hear you're getting married?" he said loudly. Hermione gave a reluctant friendly smile. "Actually, no," she answered. "That was just a joke from my friend."

"Oh, your friend?"

Hermione nodded.

"Well, in that case," he leaned in, very close to Hermione's face, "hi, I'm Richard."

"Hi, I'm Hermione."

"So, where are you staying at?"

"Oh, the Burrow, with my friends and their family," said Hermione nonchalantly.

"The what?

"Burrow," Hermione said with a laugh. "I couldn't tell you the exact address even if I wanted to!"

Richard laughed with her, but Hermione guessed it was more of a forced laugh then anything. "So, tell me," Richard said, "How your eyes got so beautiful."

Hermione had no way to respond to this. She bit her lip, stifled a laugh, and said, "Tell me, Richard, how your pickup lines got so lame."

She moved towards the other side of the room-she couldn't stand to be around him anymore. When she finally got out of earshot, she began to laugh. Wait until she told Ginny! Her face suddenly fell. Ginny! Where was she? Was she home yet? Was she okay? She frowned, her flower picking mood lowering by the second. She closed her eyes, hoping that Ginny and Harry, wherever they were…were safe.

Ginny's POV

"Harry-I think we're almost there!" Ginny said excitedly, wrapping Harry's cloak around her more, to protect against the harsh winter snow. "Oh, do you think Mum will have mugs of coffee or hot chocolate waiting for us? I wonder what she's making for dinner! Oh, I am absolutely famished!"

Harry grinned, pulling his Ginny closer to him. "You sure can talk quite a lot," he joked, pulling her face closer to his. He kissed her gently, and soon they were kissing-Ginny putting her hands around Harry's neck, and they went closer together-and when they finally parted, breathless, Harry grinned. "Well, why don't we start doing that much more often?"

"Because, Mr. Potter, you are the perfect gentleman," Ginny backcombed, giving him a finally kiss before they entangled their hands once again, and set back out for the Burrow.

"Ginny, do you recognize were we are?" Harry asked her.

"Yes, I think-there is the creek that I got my first kiss."

"Hmm…" Harry smiled. "And who is this by, again?"

"Eric Boyce, if I remember it correctly," Ginny said. "Yes, he was quite the talker-maybe you should meet him."

Harry grinned. "Perhaps I will…soon, in fact."

A loving silence pasted, and Ginny said, "Well, I don't know if you're aware yet, but the whole side of town is having a Christmas Eve Festival, the annual one, actually…and, for some reason, I am always given a song to sing…usually a duet with Ron or another, but that has gotten quite dull. I was wondering, well Harry-you have an excellent voice, and well…"

Harry grimaced. "Actually Gin, you have the excellent voice. Me?"

"Yes you!" she answered stubbornly. "You are just too much of an adventure-type introvert hero to admit it, but yes, you have a great voice, one I intend to have with me tomorrow."

"I'll think about it," Harry answered. He looked up, and down, down, down the street he could see it-the Burrow. "Ginny, look!"

She smiled happily, as they hand in hand began to dash down the street. Several neighbor gave odd looks, but neither cared. They were running towards family-they were running towards the essence Christmas.

Fred and George's POV

Fred and George were high in the clouds, the snow hitting them now very violently. Fred put a hand over his eyes, and strained his eyes-he saw something!

"Look George," Fred said, flying closer by him. "Is that what I think it is?"

George tightened the grip on his broomstick. "A future dead boy named Harry Potter…and our sister…and they were just..."

"Kissing," the two said in unison.

George looked at Fred with angry eyes. "Wait until Bill and Charlie hear about this!"

Ron's POV

Ron came out of the backroom with red, pink, and white camellias in hand, arranged in a lovely bouquet. He held it out for Hermione, whose expression changed softly when she saw it.

"Ron, do you know what these flowers mean?" she asked. Ron nodded. "I asked Rhonda-but that doesn't mean I won't still read your books, of course."

Hermione smiled, he was being so perfect! "B-but…camellias…" She looked up, and Ron was surprised to see a tear in her eye.

"I'm sorry," Ron said immediately. "I can take them back for something else-I-"

Hermione playfully punched Ron in his abdomen. "No Ron…it's perfect." Ron wiped the teardrop out of her eye, and, to both of their surprise, kissed the top of her head.

"I mean what they-" he indicated to the flowers, "say Hermione," he whispered. "This thing-me and you, I'm ready, Hermione… I'm in, I'm all in."

"You-you mean…"

"If you want me, that is," Ron said slyly.

Hermione smelt her flowers, and looked up at Ron, with devilish eyes. "Oh Ron!" She kissed him lightly, indulging in it heavily. They quickly broke apart, both hearts beating. As Ron grasped her hand and they paid for the flowers, and walked out of the shop, Hermione thought of what the camellias meant. The pink, she thought, means longing for you. The red, you're the flame of my heart, and the white, perfect loveliness.

Arthur Weasley's POV

When Arthur Weasley walked through his front door, he could see two peculiar things: One, Ginny and Hermione were in the front room, the one they never used, and were chatting excitedly about, what he guessed to be, the day's events. Harry and Ron were in the living room playing wizard's chess, and talking in low voices, Ron with an unusually large grin on his face. He took off his hand, kissed his wife, and saw what they were having for dinner-some kind of pork that smelt delicious.

"How was your day dear?" he asked his wife. She apparently had the same enthusiasm as everyone else in the house as she answered, "Great! I think," she lowered her voice, "that Ron and Hermione finally got together-Harry and Ginny are doing the Christmas duet tomorrow, and everything is as it should be!"

Mr. Weasley scratched his head. "Well, umm…I actually told Bobby Boyce that Ron would escort his daughter, Anne, to their Christmas party."

Mrs. Weasley's smile faded. "You did what?"

"Well!" he answered hastily, before she could go in for the kill. "I didn't know about him and Hermione… and it'll just be one party!"

Mrs. Weasley sighed. "You better go tell Ron then, and soon."

As he turned to go into the living room, his wife stopped him. "Oh, and would you tell Harry to go wake Fred and George? They were awfully tired after looking around for Ginny and Harry. But tell him to let Bill and Charlie sleep; they were at work earlier this morning."

Mr. Weasley nodded absently, and walked into the living room to give Ron the news…

Harry's POV

"And then I just-"

Ron stopped retelling how he and Hermione had kissed, as he heard someone above them clear his or her throat. They looked up, and found Mr. Weasley.

"Oh, hey Dad!" Ron said cheerfully.

"Hello son," Mr.Weasley said. "Well, I have some news…Harry, could you go wake Fred and George for dinner? But under Molly's order you should let Bill and Charlie continue to sleep."

Harry nodded, gave Ron a hopeful glance, and went up the staircase. He hadn't been up two flights until he heard a, "WHAT?" which he was sure was Ron's. Harry grimaced. Couldn't anything go right for Ron whenever he got close to Hermione?

He finally reached Fred and George's once-shared bedroom, and knocked lightly. He heard nothing in reply, so he opened the door. The two were heavily asleep in their beds. Harry lightly shook George, then Fred.

"Uhh…what is it?" Fred's eyes suddenly narrowed. "Oi, George! Look, it's Potter!"

"Oh…Potter," George said, and the two instantly sat up in their beds, "The one who was out gallivanting with our sister today."

"Wait, we were-" Harry started.

"Yes, well listen here Potter," said Fred dangerously. "You better watch it around us now-and Bill and Charlie, too. We all saw how you were snuggling in the snow earlier."

The twins got up in a steadily speed, and both roughly pushed Harry down. Luckily for Harry, he caught himself in a chair quickly to avoid embarrassment. Then the twins gave haughty looks, and descended down the stairs.

Hermione's POV

"What do you mean you 'can't get out of it'?" Hermione said angrily, as she paced the sitting room. "I thought we were finally…well…" She looked up at Ron. "It's not fair, Ron, it's just not…fair."

He put a comforting arm around her shoulder. "Hermione-you know that if I could be with you tonight…I would. Just let me deal with this, for my dad's sake. And hey, I bet it's some quiet and timid girl who can't get her own dates!"

Hermione forced a laugh. "Okay, but promise…no fun tonight, right?"

Ron nodded. "Absolutely, no fun..."

Hermione nodded with him, and fell into his embrace. He kissed her head, and said, "Will you help me pick out my clothes?"

She laughed, and took his hand. "Yes, I'm sure you're going to need it."

Ginny's POV

"Oh, Harry look!" Ginny whispered, her feet comfortably in Harry's lap. "They made up!"

"Oh, goody," Harry grumbled. Ginny put a hand on his cheek, and gave a concerned look. "Harry, what is this rotten mood about?"

Just then, Fred and George came out of the kitchen, paying no mind to Harry and Ginny. Harry shoved Ginny's legs nervously out of his lap, as Ginny cast him an offended look.

"Hey guys," Ginny said, as the twins sat down across from them. "How it going?"

"Great," said George tonelessly.

An awkward silence past, so Harry got up quickly to get a glass of water from the kitchen. He was mindful to stay out of Mrs.Weasley's way, as it seemed like she was nearly done with her dinner. He approached the living room again carefully, and noticed that Bill and Charlie were slowly coming down the staircase, their eyes on Harry. Fred and George joined in, and soon Ginny turned around to see what they were staring at-and only saw Harry.

"What's going on?" Ginny asked her brother's slowly. "Why are you all staring at Harry?"

Harry, with a shaky hand, attempted to get a sip of his water-and made it all go straight down the front of his shirt. There were several snickers around the room, as Harry said, "I'm okay…thanks."

Ginny jumped up and took Harry's hand. "Here, let's go to the bathroom Harry."

Harry's face turned red. Didn't Ginny know what her brothers were doing? "I-I think I'll just go by myself." Harry's face begged her to understand, that he wanted her around him but her brothers were just too hard to face. But Ginny didn't receive the message, and looked at him with hurt eyes. She stiffly sat down back on the couch, refusing to speak to Harry again.

Ron's POV

Ron heard the doorbell go off all the way from the attic. He looked at his close in front of him-and knew Hermione had picked something that would look great on him.

"Is this a dancing party?" Hermione had asked him.

"I don't know," Ron had answered. "But if it is-I'll save you the last dance."

That's what he did indeed to do. I'll go through with this thing tonight, he told himself, and then I can come home-to Hermione!

"You look great!" Hermione whispered, as she went through the door. "I'll be downstairs!"

As she closed the door, Ron's heart yearned. This relationship was very new to him-but he wanted Hermione to know how much she meant to him, but he just didn't know how!

He dressed quickly in black trousers and a light-blue shirt, which Hermione had stated brought out his eyes. He put on his shiny black shoes-combed his hair, and was ready. He went down the staircase, and saw instantly a strange picture: Harry was missing, Ginny was looking upset, and all of Ron's brothers were simply staring at the wall angrily. Hermione had answered the door-and was standing next to a blonde girl dressed in red. Her hair was long and curly-her eyes a sharp green, and her body simply curly and beautiful. As soon as Ron's brothers noticed this girl-Anne-their eyes instantly turned to a different emotion then angry; they were now intensely provoked. Ginny noticed too-and wrinkled her nose in disgust. Hermione, however, was looking irritated and envious.

"Hermione, I…"

Hermione gave Ron a glare full of several emotions, and she walked outside, onto the porch.

Ron gaped at her as she left, unable to say anything truthful without hurting her or Anne's feelings.

"Oh, don't you just look wonderful!"

Ron turned around, and saw Mrs.Weasley was smiling happily at Anne. "And who is this young gentleman?"

Ron suddenly noticed another man beside Anne-he was tall and handsome.

"Oh, my brother Eric!" said Anne, giving Ron a flashily grin. Ginny's eyes narrowed, as Eric gave her a toothy smile.

"Hey Ginny," he said, with a toss of his hair (Ginny suddenly realized she was holding her breath, and dropped it immediately). Just then, Harry came in from upstairs, dressed in a much drier shirt of his.

"Wow, is that-"

Ron nodded to Harry.

"And Hermione-"

Ron nodded again, and Harry understood. "Well, then who is this?"

"Eric Boyce," said Eric, his hand outstretched. "And you are?"

"Harry Potter," Harry muttered taking his hand and shaking it. Before Eric could rant on about meeting Harry Potter, he said, "Hey, your name sounds familiar, do I know you from somewhere?"

"Well, I don't know about that, but," Eric said, "I did have quite the past with Ginny, you know."

Harry tightened his grip on Eric's arm. "Oh?"

Suddenly, Mr.Weasley's hand was on Harry's shoulder. "C'mon Harry, let's go…"

He led Harry into the kitchen.

"I wasn't even doing anything!" Harry shouted. Then, realizing he was screaming at Mr.Weasley, his best friend's Dad and also his girlfriend's Dad, not to mention his gracious host, he blushed red. "Sorry sir-I just, well…"

"You won't make Ginny very happy if you go off the deep in and get angry," Mr.Weasley said matter-of-factly.

Harry nodded, understanding his words. Mr.Weasley frowned. "I have a wife Harry, I know these things."

Hermione's POV

"Hermione?"

Hermione looked up, wiping her eyes on her sleeve-but it was too late, and Harry knew she'd been crying. Harry leaned against the porch rail with her, the silence overtaking them slowly.

"He loves you, you know."

Hermione looked at Harry, but the look was to strong; she looked away. "Harry, I know…but it just-hurts to see him with someone else…"

She sighed. "I know that it's not his fault, but Harry…she was beautiful…not to mention she was completely exposed in that way…oh Harry, what I am to do?"

Harry patted her back. "What about me, Hermione," he said. "Ginny's brothers are all over me-except for Ron, of course. But now Ginny is angry with me, and not to mention her ex happens to be in a few yards with me."

"Not anymore," Hermione said. "They left just as you were coming out here-I could spot those green flames anywhere, even through a window."

Harry chuckled. "I just wish we could go to the party and-"

Harry stopped, and met Hermione's eyes-and they smiled.

Mr.Weasley's POV

"Now Harry making it on Hermione, eh?" said Charlie.

"Oh, Charlie!" Mrs.Weasley exclaimed, slapping his neck with a hand towel in her palm, "how could you say such an appalling thing?"

"Like this," Charlie said to his mother, as she walked back into the kitchen, "now that Ginny and Harry are in a fight, Harry has to have someone else to take up the time."

"I'm with Charlie," Bill agreed. "Thank goodness my Fleur is visiting her family this Christmas, huh?"

"That not Potter would have any chance," Fred said with a grin.

"Boys!" Mr.Weasley said loudly, coming into the living room with such anger that the boys-all grown now-jumped in fright, "Listen here, and listen well! If you can't stop speaking ill of our guests, then all of you can go!"

When no one moved, spoke, or even breathed, Mr.Weasley said, "Well, then I don't want anymore of this nonsense going on!"

Ginny's POV

Ginny wished she could sleep-but it just wouldn't come. She had planned to instantly hit the pillow and be completely drained from all her worries-but the sleep just wouldn't come. She'd given up on the sleep, and had instead chosen to eavesdrop on the conversation downstairs. It made her so angry at her brothers-how could they speak to Harry in such a way? She wanted to go to him and apologize, but her pride just wouldn't allow it yet. She sat up in her bed, and sighed. Wait-what was that tapping on the window? She looked up. An owl!

It was brown and playful, and flew to the cage of Pig, who snubbed him as he drank his water.

Dear Ginny,

Hello! Well I hope you are having a pleasant Christmas! I am having a great time at home; I am studying my magic with my family until I can go back to Hogwarts. I love the break, though, and I owe that largely to you and your friends. Tell everyone Merry Christmas for me, that is, if they wish to hear from me. Anyways, I hoped maybe you could find it in your schedule to come see me! I would come see you, but I'm not really sure how great of an idea that would be. Anyways, on the separate sheet is my address. It would be great if you came Tuesday morning, maybe mid-morning. If you could mail me your answer ASAP I would appreciate it!

Love,

Cho

Ginny smiled, and looked at the address. It was a short fly on a broom-easy to get to. She folded the parchment over, and wrote:

Cho,

I would love to! See you tomorrow!

Ginny

She tied it back to the reluctant-to-go owl, and sent him out the window. Hermione came into the room a second later.

"Whose owl?" she questioned.

"Cho's," Ginny answered lightly. "She wants me to stop by her house tomorrow-will you come with me?"

"Why don't you invite Harry?"

Ginny gave her a dark look. "Hermione…please."

Hermione sighed. "Okay, Ginny…but you guys should-"

"Hermione!" Ginny screamed. "Please-stop telling me what to do! That's all anyone ever does to me anymore-just tell me what to do like I'm imprudent!"

"Ginny-you are not imprudent!" Hermione said, in a voice that was amazingly calm, yet it held firmness. She got up and touched Ginny's forehead. "Maybe you should take a nap-your head is hot."

"I know! I'm a hothead!" Ginny exclaimed. "And I can't sleep, for you information! I've been trying for the past hour!"

"Okay, okay," Hermione said softly. "I'll go get you some warm milk."

Hermione turned to exit the bedroom, Ginny barking, "Warm milk? What am I, a baby?"

When Hermione exited the bedroom, she saw Harry sitting outside the door, looking glum.

"I did this," he grumbled. "I made her upset."

Hermione tossed his messy hair around through her fingers. "Oh Harry, everything will be alright, this I am sure of."

She offered her hand to him, and he quickly stood up.

"C'mon," Hermione whispered. "Let's go-just think, Ron is probably dancing on the table tops with that shrewd Anne, and you think you have problems."

Ron's POV

The party was increasing its size by the minute-and the women kept getting prettier and prettier, but the only one on Ron's mind was Hermione. His eyes kept wondering around the room-hoping she would appear suddenly to his eyes. He'd spotted her four times, then saw that his eyes were just playing tricks on him.

"Oh, Ron!" Anne said, bending over in front of Ron to increase her cleavage, "Let's dance again!"

"That's all we've done," Ron couldn't help but grumble. "Dance and dance and dance-do you ever eat?"

Anne laughed, as though he'd made a funny joke. "C'mon silly, don't be so shy!"

Ron grudgingly took her arm, and led her onto the dance floor. The Boyces obviously had money-they had expanded their house for the occasion-including the huge hall. The music was loud and jazzy-and Ron imagined having Hermione in his arms, dancing the night away…

"My friend Hermione would love this," Ron told Anne. "She loves to dance-she won't admit it, but I know she does."

"Do you often speak of other woman twelve times while you're on a date with another woman?" Anne asked bluntly.

Ron shrugged. "Honestly, Hermione is, well, more than a friend."

"I noticed," Anne said, and she drew herself closer to Ron while they dance. Ron tried not to look down-so it wouldn't appear that he was trying to see down her dress-but he had to look at his feet occasionally to make sure he was doing it successfully. Each time he did this, Anne would giggle, and make some tainted comment in his ear. Ron grew quite tired of the game-and sat down at one of the many tables, trying to discover some edible food. Twice Ron saw Eric Boyce-Ginny's ex-boyfriend, and both times he was surrounded by a new batch of women. Ron laughed, wondering what Harry would do if he was here.

Harry's POV

"Hermione? Hermione!"

"Okay, okay!" Hermione hissed from the other side of Ginny's bedroom door. She cautiously opened the door, and slipped out. "I was stuck were I was for five minutes!" she told Harry. "Ginny finally fell asleep-and God forbid I wake her!"

Harry laughed, but then his face turned serious again. "Did you find the Boyce's address?"

"Eventually," Hermione answered. "I just feel awful about snooping in Mr.Weasley's office-"

Harry suddenly whispered urgently, "Get down!"

He forced Hermione's head down, as she and Harry hid behind the stair rail. It was now nine-and mostly everyone had separated and done something individual after dinner. The living room was dark, but Harry figured him and Hermione could successfully travel to the party by floo powder-that was if someone didn't discover them and their escape attempt.

"Oh, get up!" came a growl from Fred.

"We heard you ages ago!" said George, as Hermione and Harry stood. Yes, indeed, Fred and George were standing in the living room, their arms folded on their chests.

"What are you doing?" Hermione demanded.

"You think you can trick the kings of sneaking out?" Fred said back to her. "Don't bother with what we're doing-what are you two doing?"

Hermione and Harry slowly traveled down the steps, and landed beside the twins.

"Well, did you think you could go without us?" George asked.

"What?" Harry said, startled.

"Don't 'What?' us Potter," said Fred nastily. "We know what's going on here-"

"Harry and I are not doing anything if that's what you mean," Hermione said quickly.

Fred and George exchanged looks. "Well, we didn't," Fred said.

"Until now!"

Harry sighed angrily. "This is pointless Hermione!" he turned to the twins. "I don't care if you approve of me dating Ginny or not-but I have to check out Eric because that is what a good boyfriend does!"

Suddenly his face fell. "And-and I haven't been a very good boyfriend, have I? Letting you two and your brothers intimidate me and hurting Ginny!"

"You two ought to be ashamed!" Hermione added. She looked at Harry. "Good speech Harry-but we need to go!"

"Right," Harry agreed, leaving two stunned men in front of them.

"Wait!" Fred said. "We're going to!"

"Yeah, did you see the-umm…assets on that Anne?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Go if you must!"

Hermione went first, landing inside a deserted office. As she went to check the doorknob-Harry followed. Dusting himself off, he came beside her. "Is it locked?"

"From the outside," Hermione muttered. "That's odd."

She took out her wand, and said, "Alohomora!"

Suddenly, a jet of blue sparks bounced from Hermione's wand to the door, and, as if the door had some protective spell against all other charms, it reflected on Hermione, causing her to be pushed backward several feet, and land on the floor.

"Hermione?" Harry asked, bending down beside her. "Hermione-are you okay?"

Fred and George came out of the fireplace, and came to the other side of Hermione.

"What happened?"

Hermione sat up, and rubbed her head. "I don't know Fred-I was casting Alohomora to open the door, when it bounced back on me!"

Harry went to door the door to inspect it, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "Go over there," he instructed to others, and they quickly obliged. Harry took out his own wand, and said, "It's safe to say that a Colloportus spell is being used to seal the door, but something else…something to make the door violent…but I just don't know what it is…" Harry didn't put his wand down. "You just go out that window there and go through another way."

The others nodded. "Aren't you coming Harry?" Hermione asked, as Fred and George pried the window open.

"I'll meet up with you later," Harry muttered. Hermione nodded, and she and the twins slipped silently out the window.

Ginny's POV

Ginny woke up to find Hermione's bed empty. She walked down into the kitchen and the living room-and found nothing but silence meeting her there. On a hunch, she went up to Ron and Harry's room, and found Harry was not there. Angry flared into her body. She went back inside her and Hermione's bedroom, to find any clue of where they might be. It was then that she saw a torn piece of parchment, and on it had: The Boyce's Address, in big letters. Ginny grinned. So did everyone think they could leave her and have on the fun?

"Not likely," she said aloud, as she headed to the fireplace.

Ron's POV

Ron yawned, and continued to dissect his pie-it tasted wonderful, but Ron found he was in an appetite aversion tonight. He sighed, trying to think of anything but Hermione-and falling dreadfully. He felt a tug at his collar.

"Hermione!"

Anne looked at Ron as though being called Hermione was normal. "No, silly! It's me, Anne." Ron looked back down at the table, and put his head into his hands. Anne looked desperate for a moment-then a smile crept on her lips. She tugged at Ron's arm, and he slowly followed her out of the hall.

"Where are we going?" Ron grumbled. Anne put a finger on his lips (in an attempt to appear sexy, but just making Ron miss Hermione even more) and whispered, "Somewhere."

She led him down the hallway. Her face was mischievous as she opened the closet-full of mops and brooms- and pushed Ron roughly in. When he began to realize what was going on, the door was already shut, and Anne was guarding it like a hulk.

"Anne," Ron said impatiently, "look, you know we can't-"

But he never finished his sentence, because suddenly Anne's lip were on his, her hold on Ron's held showing more strength by the second. Ron struggled to break apart. "Anne!" he said. "Wait!"

He pulled himself away. "What the bloody hell was that?" he demanded, wiping his mouth with the corner of his shirt. When he looked back down at it, he noticed it red with lipstick. He was fearful of what his face looked like.

"No, you see," Anne whispered, "I want you, Ron." She put her hands against his shoulders, and smiled. "And I always get what I want."

Hermione's POV

Hermione took off her coat to the greeter, happy that the party wasn't invitation-only. Fred and George marveled at her dress: It was a light blue, and went down a few inches past her knees. Her hair was, as usually, curly and thick-but tonight Hermione had pinned it around her face perfectly.

"Ron sure is a lucky guy," George muttered, as Hermione laughed.

"Would you like to explain the attire of tonight, Miss Granger?" Fred asked in a prominent voice.

"Well," Hermione said, as they walked down the hallway, "you see, I figured that if Ron or anyone we knew spotted us, we could do our best to try and blend it."

The twins looked down at their jeans and sweaters, and laughed. Midway down the hallway, they heard a rustling in the closet.

"What could it be?" Hermione wondered aloud, as she went to open the door. She didn't have to however; the door suddenly flung open, with a familiar voice screeching, "Let me out! Let me out!"

Ron ran right into Hermione. Hermione's first instinct was to kiss him-for he looked so cute with his hair array and his shirt ruffled. Then the realization hit her that Anne had made him look that way-and he suddenly wasn't cute anymore.

"Hey Hermione!" Anne thundered. Hermione wanted to hit Anne so badly-but instead, she balled up her fist, the tears swelling in her eyes.

"I was a fool Ron," she said. "Well you know what I am now? I'm all out." She loved quoting Ron's statement in the flower shop ('I'm in Hermione, I'm all in.') to her on advantage but it felt wrong somehow.

She ran into the hall, unsure of where she was going. But anywhere, her head said, is better then out there! With Ron and his little kissing buddy!

She knew Ron was behind her-so she ran into the women's' lavatory, to avoid facing him. She went into an empty stall-and tried not to cry. She remembered the last time she was crying in the bathroom because of Ron-but right now she would rather face a mountain troll again then have her heart broken.

Harry's POV

Harry ducked down, trying to decipher the clues of the door before-well… Harry didn't want to ponder that right now. If the spell won't be removed, Harry thought, maybe I can break the door and break the spell. "Diffindo!" Harry said, expecting the door to split in half instantly-but it didn't. Harry scratched his chin. What is the secret behind this door?

The door suddenly opened from the other side-hitting Harry's head first. He fell backwards, and felt his eyes closing, along with blood running down his forehead-Harry forced his eyes to open, to see who had opened the door. The room was dark, all traces of light gone-along with the death eater standing above Harry. Harry struggled not to gasp-but found it wouldn't matter if he did or not, for the death eater had his hand over Harry's mouth. The eyes of the death eater looked into Harry's with amusement-as though this was his favorite game. Harry wasted no time-he brought his leg up, and kicked the death eater in his stomach. He fell backwards-giving Harry time to quickly stand; He grabbed is wand, and advance on the death eater. When the death eater looked up, he grinned at Harry, seeming impressed. Harry knew much better than to accept the flattery of such.

"What are doing here?" Harry said his wand still steady in the face of the attacker. When he didn't answer, Harry began to mutter the bat-bogey hex when someone came from the ceiling, and fell on Harry's head. Harry went down, as did the second death eater-but this one left no time for Harry to escape. He punched him square on the chin, and Harry was sure it was broken. He struggled to stay awake-I can't give up, he told himself. He tried to get out of the grasp of the second death eater-but he tightened his grip and called for the first one to help hold him. They hit him again-and Harry could fell the blood run down the front of his shirt. Still, he faltered-if only, he thought, if-if only…his eyes closed, no longer able to bare the pain.

It was the sound of someone coming in from the fireplace that awoke Harry. He opened his eyes enough to see a flash of red hair-then he finally fell to the floor.

Ginny's POV

"Harry!" Ginny screamed. "Harry-"

He had been knocked out! Who had done this?

"I warn you!" Ginny said loudly to the two men dressed in all black, "I'm armed!"

The two chuckled. "You're just a woman!" one said, laughing. He took out his wand, and said to the other, "I'll just finish her off-"

"Petrificus Totalus!" Ginny shouted, causing the first death eater to fall instantly to the floor. The other looked at her with large eyes, first filled with astonishment, then with anger.

"You could be useful," the death eater said aloud. "If we were inside your head-yes, who knows what you could find out for us!" He took out his wand. "Too bad I must kill you-Avada Ked-"

"Protego!"

There was a flash of green light-then silence. The spell didn't go through, Ginny thought. So that must mean that- she hadn't even realized what had happened, until she saw the death eater, lying there, lifelessly.

"What have I done?" she cried. "No, no-" She leaned beside the death eater, and shook him, trying to see through her tears. She muttered, "Lumos!" Her wand alit; she looked at the face of the attacker. The face of the man was old, traced with wrinkles-and suddenly, it went into a grin. He snatched Ginny's hand, and tightened his grip on her hand. She winced from pain. "Stop!" she shouted, as he snickered.

"That's what I can't stand about you all!" the man sneered. "You want to act like you're capable, like you can do a thing or two-yet when you thought you had killed me, you couldn't stand it. Protego only blocks certain spells, young one."

Ginny sobbed from relief and then from anxiety. What was he going to do with her? She had no time to ponder this, because suddenly she heard, "Stupefy!" With a flash of red lightening, the man with the terrible grip on Ginny's hand fell to the floor with a thud. Ginny looked up and saw Harry, who barely had any strength left at all. She ran to him, and embraced him.

"Harry!" she said. "Oh, Harry! I-"

"Shh," Harry whispered. "It's alright-what you need to do Ginny is go the fireplace and alert your parents and the order."

Ginny nodded, and took off her sweater, revealing a t-shirt. "Here," she said, offering Harry her Weasley sweater, "Wipe your face, Harry."

He nodded gratefully, and saw the blood on his jeans and his shirt-not even mentioning his face. He winced from pain, but stopped himself from getting to loud. He didn't want to worry Ginny anymore than he had already.

Ron's POV

Ron couldn't stand it any longer. Hermione had run off, and Fred and George were still in that blasted closet with Anne-and he was going out of his mind. Hermione had not returned from the bathroom yet-and the party was nearly over.

Finally the door opened-and out came Hermione, her face showing strength and determination. She didn't even past glances at him at all.

"Are you planning on doing that all night, Hermione?"

Ron caught up to Hermione's pace. "Doing what?"

"Pretending like I'm not here," Ron answered. "Pretending like-you don't care about what just happened."

Hermione didn't pass him a glance. "Oh, well Ron, that's because I don't."

"Really?" Ron said, looking skeptical.

"Yes, because, unlike you, I have composure," Hermione answered.

"Oh, is that a fact?"

"Yes, Mr.Weasley, it certain is."

Ron put his hand on Hermione's face, and kissed her full on the mouth. She pushed him away abruptly, looking rather upset. "You madman!" she cried. "What do you think you're doing?"

"How is your composure coming along, Hermione?" Ron said with a smirk.

Hermione gave him a smug look. "Oh, the nerve! I hate you Ronald Weasley! For messing with my heart, for making me believe all the lies you told me-and for kissing me so rudely!"

"So I kissed you without you wanting it?" Ron asked tonelessly.

"Yes Ron, and-" She stopped speaking suddenly. "W-wait…you didn't want Anne to kiss you?"

Ron laughed. "Are you kidding me? Of course not! Why would I want to be with anyone but you?"

Hermione looked as though she might accept it-but then went right on walking. "You won't win me this way, Ron," she said snidely. "I'm smarter then that, you know. You can't tell me what I want to hear and then expect me to fall at your feet like a servant."

"Not like a servant," Ron said, sounding upset. He put his hands on Hermione's shoulder, causing her to stop. "Like a friend, Hermione-no, like my girlfriend. That's what I want you to be-because Hermione, I love you!"

"If you loved me Ron," Hermione said, "than-well…you would've…I mean…you can't pos-possibly love me…I'm-I'm just-"

Ron kissed her again-his arms wrapped around hers. She kissed him back, her knees practically giving in-she felt his heartbeat on hers, and thought, this is how things are suppose to be. Ron and I are one when we're together-I feel like I fit.

When the broke apart, they heard the music start up again, and the host said, "Last dance of the evening!" Ron took Hermione's hand, and said, "I told you I would save you the last dance."

Ginny's POV

"Well, and then…"

Ginny was awfully tired of retelling the night's events over and over again. Moody and Lupin had finally hauled away the death eaters, and they had sent Harry to get checked out at the hospital. Mr.Weasley had gone to find Bobby Boyce, and explain what had happened, and Mrs.Weasley had gone home early to put on tea for everyone, and fill Bill and Charlie in. Ginny and Tonks remained.

"Where are Ron and Hermione?" Tonks suddenly asked. Ginny shook her head. "I dunno Tonks…I think I'm going to go to on home. You wouldn't mind finding Ron and-"

Tonks shook her head. "Well, I know it is hardly the time to ask-but oh, I must! Are Ron and Hermione-"

"Together?" Ginny finished. "Well, I don't know-tell me what you find out." Tonks didn't know what she meant, but she let Ginny leave anyways.

When Ginny arrived at home shortly afterwards, she was greeted by a huge hug by her mother.

"I won't trouble you now about exactly what happened," Mrs.Weasley said, "So I'll let you go get some rest before the entire order gets here. But don't bother Harry-he just got back and doesn't need any distractions."

Ginny grumbled unhappily about having to retell the same story again, but grudgingly went upstairs to rest. Her entire body felt shaken by what had happened tonight. As she thought about this, she pasted by Ron and Harry's room-when curiosity hit her; she creaked the door a bit more than it already was-and saw Harry, in a t-shirt and boxers, was packing.

"Harry?"

Harry looked up for a moment, and then looked back down. Ginny walked in, no longer worried about if she disturbed him or not. "Harry, what are doing?"

"I'm leaving Ginny," Harry said. "What happened tonight was horrible-on my part. I never should've come here! Look what it did? It put you in danger Gin. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to you."

Ginny folded her arms over her chest. "Well Harry Potter, if this isn't about the stupidest thing you've ever attempted! You can't leave now! That would hurt me ten times worse than if something physical happened-see Harry, don't you realize that-well…I need you, Harry."

She embraced him, and his bag fell to the floor. She kissed him softly-then more aggressively. Ginny found it getting out of hand-and pushed him away.

"To fast," they said in unison, and they ginned and chuckled afterwards.

"That's why we're so perfect," Harry told her, causing her to lean into his arms-and not ever wanting for him to let go.

Hermione's POV

Ron was a much better dancer than Hermione had thought-in fact, he had quite the moves, but as Hermione had told him, she didn't want to see fancy moves-she just wanted to be in his arms. So she was, just as she'd wanted. Ron held her closely, savoring every moment. When Hermione thought the moment couldn't be any more perfect-she heard someone clear their throat nearby.

She looked up. "T-Tonks?"

Her first reaction was that of embarrassment-then she realized that something terribly bad had to have happened for an order member to suddenly appear. Ron seemed to think the same thing.

"Harry and Ginny…are they-"

"They're fine," Tonks answered, puffing her newly styled hair. "They're at the Burrow-they were attacked by two death eaters."

Hermione gasped, and grabbed Ron's hand. "Were they hurt?"

"Harry was pretty bloody," Tonks admitted. "Ginny isn't hurt-besides a nasty bruise on her wrist."

Hermione felt herself crying, but she closed to eyes in an attempt to suppress them. "Oh Ron," she muttered. She looked at Tonks. "Can we go now to see them?"

Tonks nodded. "Yes, as soon as we find your brothers, Ron."

Ron shook his head. "I don't think that will be a problem."

Fred and George's POV

Fred and George were shoved quickly inside the fireplace, as they tried to contain their grins. It felt wrong to smile and be glad when their baby sister had been attacked tonight-so they kept their mirth and happiness to solely one another of the night's happenings. When the got back inside the Burrow, Hermione rushed around, trying to find Ginny and Harry. The others sat at the table, eating some midnight-snack cookies Mrs.Weasley had prepared. Hermione came into the kitchen red in the face.

"They-they were asleep," Hermione muttered, when Ron looked at her with questioning eyes.

"And you two," Mrs.Weasley said, giving the twins a dark glance, "best leave them alone, you hear?"

"Harry was asleep whenever I went in," said Bill. He stood up suddenly. "I think it's time for me to go find Dad."

"What do mean?" Mrs.Weasley asked. "No, your father can handle it-I can't bear for more of my children to be in danger tonight."

"I'm not a child," Bill said defensively. "C'mon Charlie, we've missed enough tonight…"

Charlie got up, and gave his Mum a reluctant smile. "We'll be back soon."

Mrs.Weasley watched them disapparate with a frown on her face. "What is it about today?" she said angrily. "Why do all my kids have to be in danger?"

Ron looked at her with large eyes. "Because, Mum…we're not kids anymore."

Hermione's POV

Hermione was worried. She had seen Harry and Ginny sleeping peacefully in Harry's room-but she worried that someone else would find them. She pushed all thoughts of them doing something wrong-I mean, how could? She thought. That's not Harry or Ginny! All I need to do is concentrate on waking them up before someone else finds out!

But Hermione couldn't move, because Ron had his arm around her, and her head was lying on his chest.

"I don't think we should do this," she said to him once. "An hour ago I never wanted to see you again."

Ron laughed. "I guess love will do that to you."

It hadn't even occurred to Hermione until now, but they had a bond together now-love. It was more than an 'I love you' relationship-it was a connection. A connection that, if she had rushed into it before she was ready, would've surely fallen!

"So it was all meant to be," Hermione accidentally said aloud.

Ron asked, "What?" but when she didn't answer, he assumed what she was talking about and smiled happily to himself.

Everything that happened at Hogwarts, Hermione thought, all of it was leading up to this moment. This wonderful moment when I think everything is just so right and peaceful-

"BLOODY HELL!"

Hermione jumped quickly, not realizing what had broken her connection with Ron. Now she realized what it was. Fred and George had found Ginny and Harry sleeping together!

"It's entirely my fault!" Hermione gasped. She jumped up from the couch, and ran up the stairs, Ron following her.

Harry's POV

"What is this?" Fred demanded. Harry hadn't even realized that he and Ginny had fallen asleep-and certainly not in the same bed. He remembered feeling so great and wonderful having her in his arms-and the next thing he knew he had fallen asleep, just to awoken by two screaming brothers.

Ron and Hermione came in, both looking speechless. George yanked the covered away from the couple, and revealed Harry's boxers. Harry put his hands on his head, as though in shame, but it was actually just from a headache, and he outstretched his hands defensively.

"I-I was like this before she came in," he stuttered. The twins looked at him in disbelief.

"Oh, sure Potter."

"And we were born yesterday," George finished.

"Really," Ginny said, wiping the sleep from her eyes, "nothing happened besides sleep! Honestly, you two!"

She got up and walked out, the twins following her, saying, "Mum! Mum!"

Hermione gave Harry a hopeful look. "I believe you Harry."

"Yeah, me too mate," Ron said.

Harry grumbled, "You're the only ones," and got up from his bed. "Tonight should be interesting."

Mr.Weasley's POV

Mr.Weasley was tired-he really was. He'd sent Bill and Charlie to alert the order members together, since they had arrived at Bobby Boyce's house, trying to interfere. After he'd finally finished explaining to Bobby Boyce exactly what had happened, he proclaimed, 'Never will I get mixed in with you Weasleys again!' and screamed over the loss of his door, which Arthur said he would pay to repair somehow. Arthur also said that the Boyces should get out of their home and stay with some relatives for a while-since the death eaters had been in their home, after all-but he refused. And Mr.Weasley still had the feeling something was going to go terribly wrong.

When he got back home, sighing to himself indeed what a long day it had been. As soon as he apparated, all he heard was a cacophony of screaming and arguing. He recognized the voices instantly-it was practically everyone in the house. Fred and George were screaming loudly at Harry and Ginny, Harry and Ginny answering in the defense against them. Hermione and Ron were speaking almost simultaneously, but tried their best to remain on the couch, and out of harms way. Molly's voice was shrilly and practically hysterical-she kept screaming, "Stop! Stop! Oh, Fred, oh, George! Quiet!"

Mr.Weasley took his previously unused for-the-day wand out of his robes' pocket, and said, "Silencio!" to the screamers. He pointed at Ron and Hermione with his index finger, who still possessed their voices, as they watched the other five (including Mrs.Weasley, who was not satisfied to have been accidentally hit by the spell also) scramble around, moving their mouths furiously but no sound erupting as it sound. It was all too amusing.

"What is going on?" Mr.Weasley thundered, oblivious to the scene in front of him.

"Well Dad," Ron said, exchanging worried glances with Hermione, "I'm not so sure I should tell you."

"Ronald Weasley, tell me or-"

"Fred and George caught Harry and Ginny sleeping together!"

Hermione smacked her head, frustrated, and glared at Ron. "Don't you mean they were sleeping in the same bed together?"

Ron looked away from his Dad. "Same thing," he muttered.

"No, Ron," Hermione said, turning her attention to Mr.Weasley, "Actually Mr.Weasley-Mr.Weasley!"

Mr.Weasley had attempted to lunge himself at Harry, something that had baffled everyone in the room (besides, of course, from Fred and George, who were exchanging looks of glee). Ron jumped up, and struggled to hold his father.

"It wasn't like that Dad!" Ron insisted. "Honestly! I mean, at the start of term, I saw the same thing-them, in the bed, together-but it couldn't have been-I mean-"

Slowly Ron's face dropped, and as Mr.Weasley seemed as though he had been slapped roughly by this news, Hermione gave Ron a slap on the arm. "Why don't you just let me do the talking?" she barked. The spell quickly wore off, and the house was back to their cacophony of noise. The fireplace was suddenly full of green flames, and in came Bill, Charlie, Alastor Moody, Lupin, Professor McGonagall, Kingsley, and Tonks. The group of order members turned to puzzlement-why was everyone screaming?

Moody cleared his throat loudly, and it seemed like everyone stopped moving. Stopped breathing, and stopped thinking practically…as Moody said in a firm voice, "I think it's time to start the meeting, Arthur."

Ginny's POV

Ginny sat numbly between Harry and Ron as the meeting proceeded. She held Harry hand as the night's events flashed before her eyes-and she was careful to avoid eye contact with all of her brothers, excluding Ron.

"Patrol of the house should begin immediately," Moody said.

"I agree," Lupin opted. "But wouldn't it be easier to just go to Grimmauld Place?"

"No!" Mrs.Weasley instantly protested. "The kids will only be here for two more days-how much damage can be done?" She eyed Moody, who returned her glance. "Besides-we'll monitor all of them-especially Harry. From now on, all of you must be in a group of three or four, got it?"

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny nodded, noting that would basically mean no free time for the couples to-umm…talk.

"As much as we appreciate you taking charge, Molly," Moody said sarcastically, "I must say that-"

"Oh, let it go Alastor," Professor McGonagall said reasonably. "It is Christmas after all-which brings me to my business here, of course." She cleared her throat, as Ron and the others sat upright stiffly. "We will, of course, as always, take the appropriate actions as we always do when term starts back, as usual."

"So we don't get time off?" Ron joked, as the Professor actually cracked a smile.

"Oh, of course not!" she said. "Well, I must be going…good-bye Weasleys, and I assure you the safety of your children and-umm…"

Mr.Weasley put his arm around Mrs.Weasley. "We practically consider Harry and Hermione as our own." Harry and Hermione passed smiles (McGonagall apparating quickly), as Mrs.Weasley stood up.

"Oh," she muttered. "I'm-I'm not feeling to well-"

Arthur came to her side instantly. "Meeting dismissed."

Hermione's POV

Hermione, of course, knew what was wrong with Mrs.Weasley, why she was said to be vomiting lately. She didn't know until her head had hit the pillow, and then it had suddenly occurred to her. But too fatigued to share this information, she instantly fell into a deep sleep.

"Hermione, Hermione!" Ron was saying in her deep, deep dream.

Hermione grinned. "Ron, oh Ron…"

Her eyes suddenly flew open, and she realized she was actually having this conversation. She sat upright, suddenly self-conscious about her hair and nightgown.

"Oh, Ron. What is it?"

His hair was sticking out in odd places also, Hermione realized, and suddenly she didn't feel so ridiculous. She spotted Harry outside the doorway, along with Ginny. "Harry heard a noise," Ron said grimly. "Outside. I thought we should all inspect it."

Hermione suddenly was tense. She fumbled quickly with her wand, and stood. She didn't want any surprises this time like she had earlier-she wanted to get ride of whoever was out there.

Ginny and Harry were talking in hushed tones when Ron and Hermione exited the bedroom. They were quiet and quick as they descended down the staircase, Hermione leading. The hair hit her face almost immediately-the ground was covered in a thick sheet of snow for Christmas Eve. Hermione looked around, searching the ground for something large-maybe a footprint, or worse, a person. The others stood behind her, searching as she was, when she saw it. Something darted from under a brush, quickly-and before Hermione could comprehend what it was, she had shouted, "Stupefy!"

There was a huge flash of red light, and a loud thud erupted.

Ginny squinted, and then gasped. "Hermione!" she shouted. "What have you done?"

A/N-Ha-ha, I clift-hangered you, hope that wasn't too awful. Well remember to read and review!

Hogie