Rmtw

Chapter 3: The Best Christmas

Disclaimer: don't own them

A/N: My adapter finally came! Woohoo! Now on with chapter 3! I've written the whole story out just gotta type it--- (ditto for fans of my other story that's in progress, HP and the Time Turner!)

Over the next few days, Harry and Ron spent most of their time in their dormitory, working on the scrap book for Hermione. Hedwig had returned a few days later with about two dozen photos of Hermione and her parents.

            'I'll make a wish for you

            And hope it will come true

            That life will just be kind

            To such a gentle mind.

            If you lose your way,

            Think back on yesterday,

            Remember Me This Way,

            Remember Me This Way.'

And finally, finally, after what seemed like ages, Harry and Ron found a smile on her pretty face when she waited for them for breakfast a few mornings later. Harry and Ron grinned, and she grinned back, one hundred percent of Hermione Granger shining through. "What?" she asked.

            "Nothing," Ron said. He had wanted to give her the scrap book now, but since Christmas was on its way, Harry decided they should wait.

Hermione looped her arms around Ron and Harry and they walked into the Great Hall. Half way through breakfast, the mail arrived. Pig, ecstatic about making a delivery hovered around Ron for about ten minutes, trying to get his aim right and drop it in Ron's lap. Ron was jumping up, trying to get the letter Pig had clutched in his talons. Finally, Pig let it go, and it hit Ron in the head and fluttered to the floor. He hurriedly snatched it up.

            "What is it?" Hermione  asked anxiously.

Ron turned the letter over and pulled a Quill from his bag. "Charlie's coming home for Christmas. Mum invited you and Harry."

            "Oh," Hermione looked down at her hands. "Uhm, that's very kind of her, but I'm just going to stay here."

            "But, it's Christmas---" Ron started.

            "I know," Hermione said. "I'm just not… up to it."

Ron grimaced and raked a hand through his hair. "Sorry, I…"

            "It's okay," she replied quietly.

            "Yeah, we love your mum, but I'm going to stay as well." Harry said.

Hermione smiled at him. He smiled back.

Ron's face fell. "Well, you do know that I HAVE to be there…"

            "I know," Hermione said. "I'll send her a Christmas card saying Harry and I won't be coming."

Ron sent his reply off with Pig. "Ah, so she could knit you a Weasley sweater as well?"

            "Did someone say Weasley sweater?" Fred grinned, sitting down next to Ron.

            "I believe they did," George said, sitting next to Hermione.

            "What's a Weasley sweater?" she asked.

            "Ah, dear girl, I'm afraid you'll find out soon enough," Fred grinned.

George put an arm around her shoulders. "A nice Candy Apple Red, you think, Fred?"

            "Banana Yellow, maybe."

            "Yes, with a big, cursive H on it," George made gestures in the form of an H.

Harry and Ron were laughing.

To her amazement, George gave her a quick hug and Fred patted her hand before they left to terrorize someone else.

Hermione smiled after them. "So, what's a Weasley sweater?"

Ron looked embarrassed. "Well, every year, my mum knits us sweaters… with our initial on them."

            "Big, and centered," Harry grinned.

            "I bet she spends a lot of time on those!" Hermione protested.

Harry and Ron laughed.

            In what seemed like no time at all, the Christmas break had arrived. Hermione and Harry said goodbye to Ron and wished him a Merry Christmas. Then they returned to their empty common room and collapsed in front of the fire.

            "Thank you for staying," Hermione said. "I know Ron's your best friend and all,"

            "But you are too," Harry replied. "And I wanted to stay."

Hermione smiled. "You're my best friend too, Harry." She paused. "You and Ron have been so great,"

Harry gave a small smile. "We're just trying to help. I--- I do know what you're going through. Anytime you want to talk, I'm here."

Hermione's eyes filled with tears. She didn't expect anything less of Harry. He was always so sweet, so caring. No wonder she loved him so much. And not just as a friend, either.

He walked over to her and enveloped her in a hug. "It's okay," he whispered soothingly.

            They had agreed to meet in the common room to exchange gifts on Christmas morning. Hermione was there, with a small wrapped box. Harry came in with a badly wrapped square shaped one.

A book, she guessed.

            "Merry Christmas," he said.

            "Merry Christmas, Harry." She gave a small smile.

He handed her the present. "Here, open yours first."

She took it from him.

            "Sorry about the wrapping," he said.

Hermione smiled. "I love the wrapping." She tore open the present and gasped. It was a white leather bound book with a picture of the three of them grinning on the cover in Hogsmeade. Ron was making goofy faces, Harry was giving him bunny ears, and Hermione was standing straight, a huge smile on her face.

            "Open it," Harry encouraged.

Hermione opened the book. She as a child, along with her parents were grinning back. She was in their office, holding a certificate that said Cavity Free. She looked through the book. More photos of her and her parents. "I… I don't know what to say," the last photo was of her, Harry and Ron, arms around eachother at the end of last year. She looked to Harry with tears in her eyes.

            "Ron and I made it," he grinned sheepishly.

            "I can't believe you did this," she whispered. "This is the best gift anyone's ever given me."

            "When Hagrid gave me that photo album of my parents, it helped a lot, so…"

            "Thank you, Harry!" She threw her arms around his neck.

'I don't need us to see

            The love you bring to me

            No matter where I go.

            And I know that you'll be there,

            Forever more a part of me,

You're everywhere.

            I'll always care.'

            "This is for you," she said, stepping back and handing him the small box.

Harry took it and opened it. Inside was a small red heart, with the words I Love You centered.

            "It was my mother's," she continued. "It's been handed down from generation to generation. My mother gave it to my father as her mother before, and so on. It's two parts…" she reached out and took the heart, snapping it in two. "I'm supposed to give it to the boy I love."

            "And you're giving it to me?" Harry asked quietly.

Hermione nodded. She stepped up to him and put half of it up to his ear. "I had it bewitched in Hogsmeade. If I truly love you, your half will beat."

Harry could hear a beating sound coming from the small object.

            "And if you truly love me, my half will beat." Hermione said. She put her half up to her ear and smiled.

Harry glanced down at her lips. Their bodies were inches from eachother. And their faces grew closer and closer. Harry kissed her. Hermione drew her arms up and around his neck.

They both knew this was the best Christmas they had ever had.

End of chap 3!!! Review! Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapters 1 and 2 and have been patient during my technical difficulties!