Chapter 11- A Christmas Gift
Harry and Hermione returned to Hogwarts after their honeymoon to resume their normal lives, well normal for Harry. Hermione was still trying to get used to being away from her apartment and office. Now that she no longer had to plan a wedding, she requested work from the ministry for her to do, mainly at home for now.
Snow lightly blanketed the Hogwarts grounds as students filed onto The Hogwarts Express to leave for holiday vacation. Harry watched the students from the astronomy tower window. He sighed heavily, envious of the carefree nature of the students. He didn't notice the steps coming up the stairs.
"If one didn't know any better, I would say you are fantasizing about those little children, and I don't mean that in a good way."
Harry showed no visible change in his stance, as he kept facing the window. "Didn't anybody teach you it isn't nice to sneak up on people?"
"Your Auror skills are fading if you think that was sneaking," Hermione accused.
"Is that really such a bad thing?" Harry asked, not really expecting a response.
Hermione backed down immediately, "Sorry, sorry, I didn't come up here to start a fight."
Harry didn't soften right away, "Then why did you come up here?"
Hermione, injured, spoke softly, "I know how you get lonely at holidays and I just thought that I would come up and see how you're doing. If you want to be alone that's fine." Hermione turned to leave.
"Wait!" Hermione paused in mid-step. Harry turned to look at her while he spoke, "I'm sorry. You know me well. I was just thinking back to our old holiday vacations, sneaking around the school, feasts in the Great Hall, even that one time when the Weasley's had us at their house for the holidays."
Hermione smiled at all of those fond memories. "Those were the good times. It does make us seem old."
Harry laughed, "We are old."
"Oh, not really. Come on the twenties are young. We will be wishing for these days when we hit 60."
"In body we are young. In mind we are older than many people become. We have seen more death, destruction, and sadness than many ever know in a lifetime. It has taken our youth from us in a sense."
Hermione stepped forward and held his gaze. "Yes, but we have seen more friendship, compassion, and love!"
Harry smiled and brought Hermione close to him for a hug. He whispered into her ear, "How do you keep so positive."
Hermione had to concentrate to answer as his body was very distracting, "I have to, in order to not go insane."
Harry laughed as they pulled apart. "Are you saying I'm crazy?"
Hermione smiled, "Maybe I am"
"Figures I'd go crazy, once I was happy."
"You're happy?"
Harry smiled sweetly, "Very Happy."
Hermione thought for a second and then spoke, "How would you like to come to the Weasley's house for Christmas.
Harry looked skeptical. "I don't know."
"Oh, why not?"
"Well," Harry paused. "I wasn't invited and I feel kind of weird since I haven't been to their house in ages and the only time I saw them in the last couple years was at the wedding"
"But, you know them, they will be so thrilled to see you again. You know you are always welcome in their house," Hermione spoke with conviction, trying to persuade Harry into going.
Harry nodded, seeing that Hermione was right. "I guess I will go then."
Hermione jumped excitedly. "Thank you so much. This will be the best Christmas ever." Hermione gave Harry a tight hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. Hermione ran to the owlery to send a letter to the Weasly's to inform them about the extra guest.
"You're welcome," Harry whispered as he felt his cheek where his skin was burning where her lips had been.
***********
Harry's mind slowly came to consciousness as Hermione rolled over into his arms. He smiled at Hermione who was sleepily opening her eyes to the morning light.
"Happy Christmas," Harry whispered.
"Happy Christmas Harry."
Silently, both laid there for a few minutes as they both were slowly waking up. The day was still quite early and both were content to just sleepily lay there in bed for a while as their minds slowly woke up.
Hermione was the first one to sit up and there at the end of the bed was a small pile of presents for each of them. Hermione reached for the top one and started to open the top gift which ended up being a large book from Ron. Harry slowly sat up and followed suit. They both opened gifts from everybody. The last gift that each held in hand was the gift from each other.
They both looked at each other smiling. "You go first," Harry told Hermione.
She nodded and slowly started to unwrap the present. From the way the gift felt, Hermione thought it was just going to be another book, but she was wrong. After taking the wrapping off, she found a leather bound memory book.
Harry watched Hermione's expression as she took in the cover. "It's a scrapbook."
Hermione opened up to a random page in the middle. The spine creaked as the book fell open to a page with a moving picture of Harry and Hermione at a dance they had attended together, because neither really wanted to go through the hassle of finding a date. They thought it was convenient that neither had a date and decided it would be easiest, and most enjoyable just to go together. The night had ended up being really fun and it was Harry's first dance that he really had a lot of fun at. The picture showed them right inside the Great Hall, posing for the picture.
Hermione smiled at the memory and at the corner of the page to see a flower that had been dried and placed on that page. Harry had picked a flower from outside and placed it in behind her ear. Without Hermione knowing, Harry had snatched another flower to keep for himself to remember.
"I can't believe you kept a flower from that long ago," Hermione spoke, shocked.
Harry grinned, "I needed something remember that awesome evening. I don't think I have ever had as much fun as that night. I put all sorts of little mementos like that throughout the book, along with tons of pictures."
"That is such a sweet gift," Hermione spoke truthfully. "Actually, it is interesting we chose similar presents
Harry's eyebrows raised in a curios manner. "Oh really? Well, I guess I best be opening my present." Harry reached down to grab the soft package and started to rip off the gift wrap. What he uncovered was a large and thick quilt. Harry immediately loved the gift as he spread it out over his lap. On it were tons of pictures that had been transferred onto material. Also, there were tons of odd fabrics used on the quilt that made it look really random.
Hermione immediately started to explain the gift. "I made a quilt from all of these pictures and used special material. Like this," Hermione pointed to a patch of thick black wool. "That is a piece of your first school robes. And that over there," this time she pointed to a velvety green cloth. "That is a scrap from your Yule Ball robe from our fourth year."
"Wow," Harry couldn't think of much else to say. He was honestly touched by the thought and work that had gone into his present. "This is a truly amazing. I love it so much."
Hermione sighed in relief. "I am glad you like it so much."
"How can I not? I have never seen something more beautiful."
Hermione blushed. "Your gift is quite spectacular as well."
"Thank you." Harry leaned in and gave Hermione a soft quick kiss that neither really put much thought into.
**********
Harry twisted his fingers nervously as Hermione knocked on the Weasley's front door. From behind the door they could hear lots of yelling and laughing. Harry met Hermione's eyes.
She smiled and whispered, "It'll be fine."
The door opened, and instantly Harry's anxiety left as Mrs. Weasley engulfed Harry in one of her famous hugs. Then Mrs. Weasley turned to Hermione and did the same.
"Happy Christmas dears. Please come in and make yourself at home and Hermione, you can just set those gifts under the tree dear."
Harry panicked for a brief second at leaving Hermione's side, but he had no time to dwell on this feeling as the entire Weasley clan started to greet Harry. To Harry it was just a red headed blur as he hugged and shook hands of all six Weasley children and an excited Mr. Weasley.
After greeting the eight of them, Harry thought he was done. However, he did not notice all of the red-haired kids jumping up and down around him. `Of course they would have kids' Harry thought to himself.
Soon, Harry was now acquainted with Aaron, Leo, Arissa, Ian, Mary, Jack, and Kate Weasley who all varied in age from 2-10. He remembered Aaron, Mary and Jack from when they were just little babies. They had all been newborns and infants when he lost contact with all of them. He was amazed by how big they had gotten, and how smart.
Jack was the eldest of them all, and definitely the boldest. "Mr. Potter, did Voldemort scare you?" Jack asked matter-of-factly.
A couple people gasped as the roomed silenced. Everybody's head was now turned towards Harry. Hermione was frozen in her spot. She didn't want Harry to flip out or do anything drastic. He never liked talking about Voldemort and what happened during that final battle.
Charlie, Jacks father, took a moment before he could even speak. "Jonathon Matthew Weasley," Charlie admonished. "You know not to say that name, and that was incredibly rude, apologize immediately."
Before Jack could say a thing, Harry just waved his hand. He lowed himself so that he was eye level with Jack. "First, don't ever be afraid to say the name Voldemort. He is gone forever, and a fear of a name increases the fear of the person itself. And to your question, Voldemort terrified me. I still have nightmares of him."
It took everybody a few minutes to regain composure. Everybody in the room had this strange urge to applaud Harry at that moment. Later the women in the kitchen would be whispering to each other about how they are not surprised that Harry became a teacher, look how he handles children. But, for the moment now, everybody was resuming what they had been doing. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.
After this incident, the children felt this strange sense of attraction to Harry. The kids' parents could not pull them away from Harry. Harry decided to take them outside for "flying lessons", which the older kids jumped up and down at.
The kids went outside with Harry. In hand he had his broom that he had summoned from Hogwarts. The kids trudged through the snow, trying to keep up with Harry's long legs. Soon, he was giving them lessons on flying and letting them ride with him. He would take small loops around the clearing, not even three feet from the ground.
Hermione walked outside to get some fresh air. It was hard to think in the noisy house. She turned the corner of the house and the clearing where Harry and the kids were in sight. Hermione was curious and took a seat on a porch swing and started to rock back and forth slowly as she watched Harry.
She never ceased to be amazed with Harry's ease around kids. She watched as he took each of the kid on a short little ride around the clearing. The kids giggled in glee as they each had their turn with Harry. He treated each child specially, as if they were the best kid in the world. Even when Arissa tripped over a log and started to cry, Harry soothed her tears away as he comforted her. Hermione was even more amazed with the scene that followed.
Each of the kids enjoyed themselves, but soon they got bored with standing around and waiting so they each slowly went back into the house, except for Jack. Harry and Jack were sitting side by side on the hovering broom.
"Mr. Potter," Jack began.
Harry interrupted, "Please call me Harry."
"But, I am always supposed to show respect to my elders and never call them by their first name."
Harry laughed at the poor confused boy. "Then call me Uncle Harry."
"I think that is a good compromise," Jack decided.
"You are very bright for your age."
Jack blushed and mumbled a thank you.
"So, did you have a question earlier?"
"Ah yes, I was wondering how are students sorted into their houses at Hogwarts? Father won't tell me because he said that part of the traditions of going to Howarts is not knowing how you are going to be sorted. Uncle Fred and George insist that it has something to do with wrestling a troll, but I know enough to not trust anything they say," Jack spoke certainly.
Harry grinned at the remembrance of his own first day at Hogwarts. The memory was as clear as if it had been yesterday that it had happened. Hermione was mumbling spells, trying to prepare herself for whatever was to come. Ron and him were discussing worriedly what the task could be. He has on more than one occasion seen the first years from other grades put on a similar display. It really was a tradition and he did not want to go against the wishes of Charlie.
"Why do you want to know?"
"I want to prepare for whatever they have us do. I don't want to let my family down," Jack spoke seriously as he looked down on the ground.
Harry had to bite back the laugh that was bubbling inside of him. He knew that Jack was not joking in any way and did not find his situation humorous in any way. "What do you mean let your family down?"
"Well, they have never said it to me really, but I can tell that they really want to me to be in Gryffindor. I mean look, all of our family has been in Gryffindor. How could I survive if I was put into Hufflepuff, or worse," Jack looked side to side and hissed, "Slytherin."
"Do you want to be in Slytherin?" Harry asked.
"No way!" Jack almost shouted.
"Then you won't be in Slytherin. Your parents love you, and no house can change that. One way or the other your parents will be proud of you. And just between you and me," It was Harry's turn to look side to side and whisper, "You will be in Gryffindor."
"Really?" Jack looked up curiously.
"I don't have a doubt. You have shown a lot of bravery today by talking to me and getting on this broom, and you are a very smart person. There is not a better house for you."
Jack's face lit up with a smile at Harry's compliments. "That makes me feel so much better."
"Oh, and I am telling you right now that the sorting is not painful in anyway and you don't have to study for it. Just be yourself."
"That is such a relief," Jack sighed. "I knew Uncle Fred and George were lying. I have to go and tell Arissa. She is convinced that the task has something to do with reciting a spell book from memory." Jack jumped off the broom, turned around and thanked Harry, and then started to run towards the house. "Hi Aunt Hermione," Jack called as he ran past her towards the house.
Harry stepped off the broom and started to walk towards the swing that Hermione was sitting on. He laid down his broom and took a seat next to her. "So how long have you been watching?"
"Oh just for a little while," Hermione replied softly.
The two of them sat in companionable silence for a while. Each lost in their own thoughts.
"It's amazing how you treat kids. It's weird seeing you so fatherly."
Harry shrugged. "It's second nature."
"Have you ever thought of having kids when you get a wife?"
"I thought you were my wife?" Harry joked.
Hermione laughed, "when you find the woman that you truly love."
Harry's smile disappeared. `I have found the woman I love is what he wanted to say, but what actually came out was, "Yeah, I have thought about it. I really do want kids."
"Really?"
"Yes, I really want to love and nurture my kids the way I never was. I know it sounds corny, but I really want to give the life that I never had to my own children."
"It's not corny, it's sweet," Hermione whispered, as she gazed up into Harry's eyes.
"Do you want children?" whispered Harry nonchalantly, not even sounding like he cared as he leaned towards Hermione. He didn't know what was happening, but he couldn't keep himself from leaning towards Hermione's lips. He didn't even know if he wanted to stop it.
"Yeah, I do," Hermione's voice could be barely heard as her lips came within centimeters of Harry's own lips.
Both closed their eyes as they anticipated the kiss.
"Oy, lovebirds, dinner is ready!" Ron hollered at Harry and Hermione.
They each immediately jumped back from each other and looked at Ron, who could not see what they had been about to do.
"Are you going to sit there forever? You know how food is around our house, it won't be on the table for long."
Harry snapped out of his thoughts. "Yeah, we are coming." Harry stood up and picked up his broom and started to head towards the house.
Hermione waited a few seconds before getting up. She walked a few steps behind Harry the whole way to the house. `What did that mean? Was he really just about to kiss me? Does he like me then? Do I like him? Am I going insane?" Those were just a couple of the thoughts that ran through her mind on her walk back to the house.
The rest of the evening seemed to go by in slow motion to Harry and Hermione. Through dinner and a gift exchange, all they could think about was being by themselves so they could talk about what happened, or what almost happened.
After saying their goodbyes Harry and Hermione apparated back to Hogwarts where they made the walk back to the castle and up to their room. The whole trip was spent in silence as they didn't really know what to say at first. Each wanted to say something, anything that would clear up the confusion between them, but neither could come up with anything that was appropriate.
Finally, they reached their room. Harry opened the door and threw his cloak on a chair by the door. Hermione followed suit. Harry turned around and met Hermione's eyes. A Muggle could feel the tension in the air as they stared at each other.
Harry couldn't control himself any longer and took a step and captured Hermione's lips with own. This wasn't a chaste kiss like the ones they had shared before. This was a passionate kiss that neither could control. Hermione moaned as she pressed herself closer. Hermione opened her mouth to give Harry entry as their kiss deepened. Hermione needed to feel closer to Harry, so she started to raise his shirt, trying to take it off. They broke a part for a brief second as Harry raised his arm so his shirt could come off. Instantly they were kissing again, Hermione was running her hands along the muscles of Harry's chest. Harry started to press Hermione towards the bed and this time he took off her shirt. Once the shirt was off, Hermione leaned back onto the bed. Harry got on the bed as well, never breaking their kiss.
Harry moved past her mouth and started to kiss her chin and then moved down to her neck. Hermione ran her fingers through Harry's hair as she moaned in pleasure. "Hedwig," she moaned.
Harry lifted his head. "Hedwig?"
"Hedwig," Hermione confirmed.
Harry's mind started to clear a little and he now could hear the tapping of a beak on his window. He turned, and saw Hedwig trying to gain entry. Harry groaned and got up to let the bird in.
Harry grabbed the note from Hedwig and quickly read it. "Shit," Harry exclaimed.
"What?" Hermione questioned.
"It's Ron, he has been kidnapped."
A/N I am pretty proud of how it turned out actually, except for the love scene which I know sounds forced. Well, it's because it is forced. I mean I don't really have much experience in these kind of things, so, all I know is what I have read in other stories. Sorry about that part.
BTW-Most authors notes on this story are just copied a pasted portions of my authors notes that are on ff.net. Some of the notes don't apply obviously since the story is all done but some still apply…however, after rereading, I thought the kissing wasn't written as bad as it was at the time…not too forced…yay!
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