~A/N> Well, I got the chapter done on time! :) I don't know why, but I think this is one of my favorite
chapters so far. It was a bit trying to write because there are some things I've never written before (like a
dinner party) but I think it came out okay and I hope you like it too! Thanks as always to poppywillow, you're the
greatest friend ever!! Until next Saturday...
Christmas Eve night came quickly; after work Hermione had rushed home to help Harry prepare, which was a waste of time because he still refused to let her do anything. So she had sat at the kitchen table talking about anything and everything with him, and before she knew it, it was time for her to get ready for the dinner.
After showering and fixing her hair, Hermione stepped into the dark red dress she had bought especially for that night. It had an empire waist that tied over the zipper on the back of the dress and was made of stretchy silk chiffon; the only problem with the beautiful maternity dress was that she couldn't zip it by herself.
Hearing Harry's bedroom door opening just down the hall, Hermione opened her door just as Harry had started in her direction. When she saw what he was wearing her heart rate sped up. He had on an emerald green long-sleeved silk shirt, black dress trousers and black dress shoes. His hair was still an unruly mess, but she couldn't help but notice how his green eyes seemed to shine with an inner radiance. When he stopped and gave her his lopsided smile all thoughts of what she was going to ask him flew out of her mind.
"All ready for dinner?" he asked her, and when she didn't respond immediately he asked, "Hermione? Are you okay?"
Shaking herself and realizing that she had been staring at him, Hermione felt her cheeks grow warm as she said, "I-I'm fine, just a bit scatterbrained tonight." When he continued to smile at her but looked at her with confusion she said, "I was going to ask if you could zip me up?"
She gestured toward the back of her dress and Harry replied, "Sure." When she turned around he grabbed the zipper pull and pulled it upward. After he had it zipped completely, his hand lingered for a moment before he ran his fingertips across the bare skin on her back. The whisper of his touch caused goosebumps to raise up on her arms and she closed her eyes at the intimacy of it. She felt him sweep her hair to the side and was surprised when he placed a kiss on the bare skin of her left shoulder. She felt liquid heat spread throughout her body at the feel of his lips and she gasped.
The feel of her bare skin under his fingers and lips was driving Harry mad. He'd kept his desire in check (mostly) since she had moved in, but the way her eyes had sparkled and the way her dress clung to her ever-growing breasts made it very hard to suppress the naughty thoughts that came into his mind. Without giving it another thought, Harry spun her around, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her as tightly to him as her swollen stomach would allow. He bent down and captured her lips in a heated kiss, allowing his desires to outweigh his common sense.
Hermione was surprised by Harry's actions, but the minute his lips covered hers all thoughts were wiped from her mind. The heat she had felt in her blood before seemed to have traveled south and gathered, causing new feelings and sensations she had never experienced before. When his tongue sought entrance, she readily opened for him and their kiss deepened. Needing a closeness that her stomach wouldn't allow, Hermione wrapped her arms more tightly around his neck, pulling him as close to her as was possible.
"Hello?" someone who sounded like Ron called from the sitting room, "Harry, where are you mate?"
Pulling apart quickly at the sound of Ron's voice, Harry and Hermione stood panting, their breath stolen by the kiss they had just shared. "I uh, I should go meet them so that they don't come looking for us."
"Right," Hermione answered breathlessly. When Harry turned to make his way to the sitting room she said quietly, "Harry wait!" When he turned back to her she lifted her hand to his lips and wiped away the remnants of her lip gloss, a smile gracing her flushed face.
"Thank you," he said, returning her smile before he made his way to greet Ron and Luna.
~*~
The minute that Harry walked into the room to greet them, Ron knew what had kept him. By the look of his red cheeks, puffy lips and glazed eyes, Ron would bet all the money in his Gringott's vault that they had just interrupted one hell of a snog session between Harry and Hermione. He had seen Harry look that way before...it was always after he and Lavender returned from the Room of Requirement.
"Hiya Harry," Ron said, unable to suppress the knowing smile that he wore.
When Harry turned from giving Luna a hug to face his best mate, he noticed the Cheshire-cat grin right away, not to mention the laughter in his eyes. "Hey Ron, Happy Christmas!"
"You too," Ron replied, "Though it already looks as if it's been a very happy one for you so far."
'By damn, he knows!' Harry thought to himself with a silent chuckle. Keeping the joke between them Harry said, "Yes, it has been pretty happy so far."
When both of them broke out in laughter Luna walked over to them and asked, "What's so funny?" When Hermione walked in, looking much the same as Harry, Luna came to the same conclusion that Ron had and said quietly, "Oh."
~*~
Harry and Hermione's embarrassment at being found out by Ron and Luna was short lived; five minutes later more guests arrived and they had to switch into gracious host mode and greet them all. Since Harry had set up a special apparition spot in the sitting room (with only invited guests knowing to arrive between the front door and the Christmas tree) he would greet them and usher them into the Dining Room, where Hermione would offer drinks and appetizers.
When Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrived, Harry knew he was in for a lecture just by the look on Molly's face.
"Happy Christmas Harry!" said Mr. Weasley with a pat on the back.
"Happy Christmas Arthur," Harry replied, trying to ignore how strange it was to use Mr. Weasley's first name.
"Harry Dear," said Molly as she wrapped her arms around him, "How have you been? We haven't seen you in a while."
"Things have been good," Harry answered as he returned her hug.
"And Hermione? How has she been?" Molly asked, and then without waiting for an answer she said, "That business with the Prophet must have upset her...especially in her condition."
When she stood there staring at Harry, waiting for his answer, he replied, "Uh, yeah...about that...I'm sorry that I didn't say anything about it, but Hermione asked me to keep it to myself. I know you wouldn't have said anything to anyone else, it's just that..."
"It's okay Harry," Molly said, smiling, "Luna was over this morning and she explained everything to us. Although, it would have been nice if you would have gotten in touch with us after the article came out and explained everything yourselves...you know you can talk to Arthur and I about anything, right dear?"
"I know I can," Harry said sincerely. After a moment of quiet he said, "Why don't we go into the Dining Room, I believe everyone's here now so we can settle in and start the meal."
Walking into the Dining Room behind his surrogate parents, Harry caught Hermione's eye and smiled reassuringly. Hermione sighed in relief; she had been afraid that the Weasley's would be upset with her for not telling them everything. Obviously Harry had elucidated why they hadn't explained things themselves. She really liked Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and she couldn't bear the thought of them thinking badly of her, especially with the close relationship they shared with Harry.
"Would everyone please take a seat...the meal is about to begin," Harry announced, breaking into her thoughts. She walked toward the head of the table where he would sit and took the seat next to it. She watched as he walked into the kitchen to speak with Dobby, a house elf from Hogwarts that was helping them that night. As he walked back out Harry stood at the head of the table and tapped his fork lightly on the side of his crystal goblet. When the twenty or so guests quieted he said, "I want to thank everyone for being here to share dinner with us tonight. I wanted my roomate Hermione to meet my friends and those that I consider my family." Hermione smiled as he looked down at her and winked and then continued, "If you would all raise your glasses, I'd like to propose a toast." He waited for everyone to raise their glasses slightly into the air and then said, "A wise man once told me that it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live...I know we all lost a lot of people we loved in the Second War, including that wise man, but now it's our time to live our dreams in peace and happiness. Here's to our friends and loved ones, and to all those who may not be here in the flesh but are certainly with us in spirit...to peace and love."
A chorus of "To peace and love," rang out around the room right before they all took a drink of their beverage of choice. As everyone set their goblets down Harry said, "Alright then, let's eat," with a smile on his face and a moment later a meal of roast turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, vegetables, bread sauce, cranberry sauce and gravy appeared on their plates. A murmur arose as the guests commented on the wonderful meal and then all that could be heard was the clink and clatter of forks and knives on china as everyone ate. Harry looked around the table at the faces of those he cared about most; Ron and Luna sat to his left while Hermione, Edna and Edward sat to his right. He couldn't help but feel happy that his life was finally the way he wanted it...well, there was one exception, but that would be taken care of soon enough.
~*~
After a flaming Christmas pudding had been served for dessert everyone continued to drink and converse amongst themselves. Hermione laughed at something Ron had said and realized that her cheeks actually hurt from smiling so much. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so welcome and content...and it was all because Harry and his wonderful friends had graciously accepted her into their close knit group. A thought of how much her Father would have gotten on well with everyone came into her mind and she had to blink back tears.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked as he noticed her watery eyes.
"Nothing," she replied quietly with a smile, "I was just thinking how my Dad would have gotten on well with everyone here tonight."
"You must miss him so," Edna said as she put an arm around Hermione's shoulders and gave a comforting squeeze.
Gathering her emotions again, Hermione said, "Yes...well, should we do the Christmas Crackers now?"
"Absolutely!" Harry replied.
'He looks up to something' thought Hermione as she took in the excited look on Harry's face. As soon as everyone started pulling the Crackers apart she found out why...he had put silver necklaces in all the ladies crackers and intricate coin bags in the mens. When Hermione looked at the pendant hanging from the chain she realized that it was a phoenix with a bright blue stone for an eye. Looking over at Ron she saw that he was examining the coin bag; it was made of a brilliant blue, purple and green material and had a phoenix in flight embroidered on the front. As everyone looked up surprised toward Harry he smiled and said, "My gifts to you all! I hope everyone has a very Happy Christmas!"
As a chorus of thank you's erupted Hermione smiled at Harry and said, "The necklace is lovely Harry. It was so thoughtful of you to get gifts for everyone."
"It was the least I could do," he replied, "Everyone here has stuck by me through hard times and was always there when I needed them the most."
After that everyone seemed to realize that it was almost ten o'clock and that they needed to get back to their homes to prepare for the next day. After saying goodbye to everyone individually, Harry and Hermione watched as the last couple apparated away and wearily sank into the couch in the Sitting Room. The only guests left were Ron, Luna, Edward and Edna, who was staying the night with them. After saying their goodbye's to Ron and Luna, and witnessing a very private goodbye between Edna and Edward, Harry transfigured the sofa into a comfortable bed for Edna to sleep on. After bidding Edna goodnight, Harry walked with Hermione to her room, kissed her good night and made his way down the hall to his room. After the wonderfully tiring evening they had just had, the three of them knew that they would need all their strength to deal with Hermione's Mother in the morning.