A/N: Ok, this is just a short little chapter I tossed together because I missed both of Harry and Hermione's birthdays and I wanted some extra fluff and something to string the previous and next chapters together.
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I can't believe how wonderful things have gotten since we had Rita locked up. Sure, there have been requests left and right for follow-up interviews, but Harry and I have agreed to only give interviews to Luna. She's the only one we trust.
But the only thing on my mind right now is Christmas. It's tomorrow and I'm worried about my gift for Harry. I know he'll say he loves whatever I get him, but the goal is for him to actually love whatever I get him.
This year, I did a ton of research and made him a family tree tapestry like Sirius' (only without the shameful scorch marks). I thought he would enjoy seeing his family background. I didn't have time to get one for his mother's side, but maybe I can get that one in time for his birthday. As it is, this one goes back all the way to Godric Gryffindor himself. I'm pretty proud of myself on this.
And I'm certain Harry will like to see his family, but will it bring up bad feelings? What if this makes him more sad than happy? Why have I turned into such a worrier and a whiner? I can't wait for this wedding to be over so I can go back to normal!! Mum insists that she was like this before she married my father, and she was twice my age. I don't know if that was supposed to be a good thing or not, so I just nodded and smiled when she told me.
As for now, I'm waiting for Harry to get home so we can go to Ron and Luna's Christmas party. They're so excited to host their first one, but it's gonna be difficult with all the Weasleys there. Yikes.
Currently, he's out buying Ron's present. I told him he was cutting it very, very close, but he barely cared, since we aren't exchanging gifts with Ron and Ginny until they come to our flat after Christmas. Harry said it finally occurred to him what to buy and he wouldn't buy anything until the perfect gift came to him. I shrug as I finish wrapping Ginny's present from us.
Finally, I hear the crack of his return in the other room.
"In here, Harry!" I call.
"Ok, what do you think?" he asks as he holds up a box.
"What is it?"
"Ron's gift. Well, it's for the whole family. Mostly for the baby, but it's supposed to keep babies entertained, so that's a gift for Ron and Luna as well. The salesman says they're very popular. I just had to get it customized for Ron."
I look closer at the box and see that it's a mobile for the crib. It's Quidditch themed. Little brooms, snitches and players dressed as the Chudley Cannons. It's … different. Ron will love it.
"You hate it," he sighs.
"I do not!" I defend. "It may not be my first choice, but I think Ron will love it. And I think Luna will find it charming."
He beams.
"Great, then let's get going!"
We Apparate to Ron and Luna's and find the party already going. (Well, what can you expect with all 7 Weasley siblings, their significant others and Molly and Arthur already there?)
I run to Ginny who is sitting alone as Harry makes his way to Ron.
"Hey, Gin," I say as I plop down next to her. "Is there a reason you're sitting alone when there's a million people here?"
"Lonely," she replies.
"With a million people?"
"Just without someone."
"Oh. No significant other this holiday? What happened to Brad?"
"Brad was the one before Michael and we broke up yesterday," she replies.
Ouch, that's cold. And has she had that many boyfriends?
"Sorry. Got them mixed up. Don't worry about it, Gin. The right guy is probably right around the corner. He may be right under your nose!"
"Like you and Harry?" she asks with a shake to her voice.
"Maybe. Maybe you've been friends with him for years and he's secretly been pining for you!"
"Or maybe it's a pipe dream."
"Ginerva Weasley! I don't want to hear that from you! There is a man out there for you and you will find him!"
"Yes, mum, geez."
"Sorry. I just hate to see you like this. You've got so many people here that love you. Just forget about being single and have fun with them."
"It's hard to forget about being single when you're the only single person in a room of couples."
"I'll give you that. But come on, we'll have fun!" I tell her as I pull her off of the couch and into the crowd.
"Well, looks who's decided to join us!" Ron shouts.
Ginny shoots Ron a hand gesture that earns her a second "Ginerva Weasley!" (this one from her mother).
As the night wears down, I ask everyone I can about Harry's present and their opinions of it. Everyone agrees that it's a wonderful gift. That makes me feel better. Considering that Christmas is now in 1 hour.
I quickly search for Harry and find him on the couch with Julienne and Joseph, each of them snuggled up to each side of him and sleeping peacefully. It warms my heart.
"How are you planning on getting home, Uncle Harry?" I whisper as I kneel in front of them.
"I have no idea," he replies. "But I wouldn't wake them for anything. Look how peaceful they look."
The twins looked like little angels with Joseph's thumb in his mouth and Julienne's fist grasping Harry's shirt.
"Think Bill and Fleur will let us take them home?" he asks with a grin.
"You want them? Take them!" Bill says as he happens by.
"Well, maybe not tonight, but I think we could certainly watch them some night if Mummy and Daddy need some time off," I offer.
"You, Hermione, are my new best friend!" Bill says as he presses a kiss to the top of my head. "However, it is time to get these two home. So, give me trouble-maker one," he whispers as he picks up Joseph. "And I'll send Fleur over for trouble-maker two."
Harry looks down at Julienne. "She's so precious. I think I'd like one just like her."
"I can handle that," I reply.
Just then, Fleur shuffles over. "Thank you, Harry. I've got her from here," she says as she scoops Julienne up, somehow getting her to let go of Harry's shirt in the process.
"Good night, Fleur," I tell her as she walks away.
"Bonsoir," she replies softly. (A/N: Sorry if that's wrong, my French sucks)
Harry stands up and surveys the scene around him. These redheads are really the only family he has ever known. Family. It was the most important thing in the world to Harry and I intended to give it to him.
We make our way to the group, say our goodbyes (which takes a long time!) and finally Apparate home.
Once we climb into bed, I snuggle up to Harry and smile.
"What's on your mind?" he asks.
"Everything," I reply.
"I see. That narrows it down."
I lightly smack his chest. "Well, there's the Weasleys, Joseph and Julienne, Ginny."
"And all those things have what in common?"
"Family. The Weasleys are obviously the epitome of family, Joseph and Julienne are the product of a loving family and Ginny is scared she'll never have that."
"Even with her entire clan?" Harry asks incredulously.
"One's brothers are no substitute for a husband, or even a boyfriend."
"I see. So, this all breaks down to having a family, i.e. children, with me, your husband."
"Wow, you could have been a psychiatrist!"
Harry smiles.
"I just want to give you everything you've always wanted," I admit.
"You already have."
"No, not until we've got a house full of little ones. I want you to be able to do what your own parents weren't. I want you to raise your children. To love them, to know them, to put them on the Hogwarts Express."
"Not if we move into the school."
"Harry, even if we did move to the school, I'd never deny our children the time on the train. That's where we met!"
"Good point."
"So, how many do you want?"
"Kids?"
"No, trains," I sarcastically reply. "Of course, kids."
"I don't know. I mean, I'd love a few, but not too many. I want to be able to give them equal time. Maybe 3? 4 tops."
"I can handle that. Especially since I'm the one that has to carry and deliver them."
"You'll make a phenomenal mother," he says as he smoothes my hair.
"How do you know?"
"I just do. I see how you are with Joey and Julie and I see how you are with the kids at the school. You've got a way with kids. It's because you are the kindest, most caring person I know. Our kids will love you."
"Well, we've got lucky children then, because I know they'll love you too. You'll make a great father. And before you ask why, it's because you have the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. You were ready to give your life for the world, so I don't even know what to expect that you would do for your babies."
"Anything. I'd do anything for you or our children," he says softly.
"What do you think we'll have?" I ask.
"It doesn't matter. But I always imagined having a girl first. A girl with her mother's brains and curls."
"Poor kid. But if she gets Daddy's eyes, she'll be breaking some hearts."
"And then we'll have a little boy," he adds.
"With that Potter hair and mischievous smile."
"And his mother's deep chocolate eyes. We've got very attractive children so far."
I giggle.
"I can't wait," he says quietly and with a tear in his eye.
"Me neither."
"I love you so much, Mione. You are the one person I can be myself with, insecurities and all. I mean, even with Ron, I've got to be manly Harry. I couldn't cry to him about having children."
"Well, I think Ron may have matured more than you think, but I don't mind seeing this side of you, keeping it to myself."
I feel Harry shift a bit as he checks the clock and then he kisses the top of my head. "Merry Christmas, Mione."
"Merry Christmas, Harry. I can't wait to give you your present."
"I can't wait to give you yours, either. But for now, maybe we should get some sleep."
"That's fine. I love you."
"I love you too."
And with that, we're off to dreamland.
As morning breaks, I noticed Harry staring at me.
"Well, it's about time!" he says, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.
"I'm sorry?" I ask, wiping the sleep from my eyes.
"It's Christmas! Let's go!"
He bounds out of the bed and heads out of the room for the Christmas tree.
I never know how to feel during moments like this. I'm so happy that Harry is finally enjoying life and having fun Christmases, but it just serves as proof that he had none of this when he was a child. Bloody Dursleys.
"Mione!" he calls like an impatient child.
"Ok, ok, I'm coming!"
When I get there, he's got my three gifts on the couch and he's holding one as well. I always let him open the first of our traditional three gifts.
"Go ahead, Mr. Impatient," I tell him and he quickly opens the box.
"Wow! A new quill and a snitch shaped holder!" he exclaims. "That's going on my desk as soon as we go back! Now you go!"
I open the first box, which is wrapped so perfectly. Inside, I find a beautiful pearl necklace and matching earrings.
"Harry," I gasp. "They're … beautiful."
"They were my great-grandmother's on my father's side. I know you still need your something old, so there you go."
I'm crying like a baby now. "Well, open your next one."
Harry then opens the box with the newest book on deflecting curses.
He hands me my next present and it's a nameplate for my desk that says "Madam Hermione Potter."
"That's for after the wedding," he explains.
"I figured," I giggle. "Thank you!"
Now's the big one. He slides the enormous box over to him and tears into it. He pulls the huge tapestry out and lays it on the floor.
"Mione," he whispers. "It's … wonderful."
His eyes are misty as his fingers trace over the names as he works his way up and then back down to his own name. "But where's your name?"
"It'll appear after the ceremony. I'm not a Potter yet," I say.
"I see. Ok, open your last one."
I call tell that he's torn between examining the tapestry more or watching me, but he finally tears his eyes away from the family tree to see me.
It's a tiny box and I open it to reveal a stunning gold ring with a sapphire and a ruby.
"Now, I know it's a lot like your engagement ring, but that will change," he begins. "According to the salesman, a new stone will appear after each child is born. It's a mother's ring."
"It's wonderful," I finally choke out. If the necklace didn't get me, then this certainly is.
"Merry Christmas, Mione."
"Merry Christmas, Harry. I love you so much."
"I love you too."
And with that, we share our first kiss of our last Christmas as single people. And I cannot wait for the next one!
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A/N: Ok, that chapter was just for fluff and so there wasn't a 3-month gap in chapters. The next chapter is Hermione's bridal showers (I think she'll have 1 for each side of the family).