Chapter 28 - Christmas Closure
The following morning was Christmas Day. Hermione had left the Burrow the previous evening after kissing Harry. She returned to her house, planning to return the next morning, leaving Rose and Hugo there to spend the night with their cousins.
She was filled with contentment as she got into bed that night. Harry had told her that he loved her. In all of the years she had known him, he had never said those words to her. The last place she ever expected it to happen was in the downstairs bathroom in the Weasley house.
She and Harry had agreed to meet very early on Christmas morning to exchange their gifts. Harry had also spent the night alone, disapparating to his London home. Although Ron now knew they were a couple, Hermione was still anxious about keeping their status from the rest of the family and didn't want to exchange gifts in front of the Weasleys.
Promptly at six in the morning, Hermione heard a knock on her front door. With her heart beating in anticipation, she opened the door and there stood Harry, looking a little bleary eyed but happy. He was carrying a gift-wrapped box under his arm.
"Happy Christmas, Hermione."
"Happy Christmas, Harry." She replied, unable to keep the smile off her face as Harry bent down to embrace her. She ushered him inside, brushing some of the snow off of his coat. It had finally started to snow overnight and was still snowing lightly.
Harry hung up his coat and followed Hermione into the kitchen. She had prepared a light breakfast of tea, toast and blueberry jam. She knew that Molly would be preparing a huge breakfast feast for the family later that morning after everyone had opened their presents.
While he sat down to eat, Hermione went into her bedroom to retrieve Harry's gift. She had bought it during her work travels and she hoped that he would like it.
They ate breakfast in relative quiet since Hermione knew that Harry wasn't a morning person. They had also known each other so long that they didn't feel the need to fill the silence with meaningless chatter.
When they finished eating, it was time to exchange the gifts.
Harry handed a large box over the kitchen table to Hermione. "I hope you like it."
Hermione stared at the box, which was wrapped in gold paper with a red ribbon. It was too big to be jewelry, perhaps it was a book? She opened the card and read.
Dear Hermione,
This is our first Christmas together. Even though we've been exchanging gifts for years, I really wanted to get this one right.
I love you,
Harry
Reading those words brought a blush to Hermione's cheeks and filled her with cozy warmth. Harry watched her closely and she unwrapped the present. Hermione was never one to tear into her gifts (unlike Ginny) as she carefully and deliberately removed the ribbon and wrapping paper and then opened the box. Inside were four leather bound books, three were old and slightly frayed and the other was brand new.
Hermione reached for the older books first, she immediately recognized them as Jane Austen's Emma, one of her favorite Muggle stories. Her mother, Elizabeth, had turned her on to Austen's works when she was twelve and she had loved them ever since.
"But why are there three copies, Harry?"
"These are the original editions from 1815. The novel was first published in three volumes and there were only about 2,000 printed."
"Oh, Harry! These must've cost you a small fortune!"
"It doesn't matter the cost. I just thought you would like it."
"Like it? I love it. This is the sweetest, most thoughtful gift I've ever gotten, even from you!" Hermione cried as she launched herself at Harry and showered him with kisses.
Harry laughed, pleased that Hermione was so happy with her gift. "Hermione, you've got to save some of this, I still have one more gift."
"Oh, of course." She said, a bit sheepishly as she let go of Harry and picked up the other book. The cover was blank and she opened it, so were the pages. Hermione gave Harry a quizzical look.
"It's a journal." Harry explained. "I thought you might want to use it to record your experiences traveling, or whatever."
"It's lovely, Harry, thank you. I have been keeping a diary of my travels, and it's almost full. This is perfect."
She leaned over and gave him another kiss. She pulled away all too quickly and handed Harry his gift. This box was smaller and wrapped in silver paper with a blue ribbon.
"What could this be?" Harry asked as he removed the wrapping, not as carefully as Hermione had. He opened the box and inside was a wristwatch. But it wasn't any wristwatch but a Patek Philippe with a black leather wristband and a white face with roman numerals.
"Hermione, you bought me a Patek Philippe?" Harry exclaimed, gobsmacked.
"Yes, I got it in Switzerland. One of their ministry members had a connection, and I was able to get a good deal."
"It still must've been very expensive." Harry protested. "You didn't have to."
"It doesn't matter the cost, I just thought you would like it." Hermione repeated Harry's earlier words back to him. "Besides, your current wristwatch is falling apart."
Harry looked at the beautiful watch and took it out of the box. He removed his old watch and put it on.
"Thank you, Hermione. It's amazing." He paused. "But I don't want you to think that you have to buy me expensive presents. I would've been just as happy with a no-name brand."
"Yes, but I saw that watch and I remember you were telling me that you always wanted to own such a watch so you could pass it on to your children. So now you do."
Harry embraced her then. "Thank you." He whispered. "Do you think it's okay if I wear it to the Weasleys?"
"You can always say you bought it for yourself." Hermione suggested.
"I would love to be able to tell them the truth." Harry prodded.
"Harry, please? I still want to wait. I know Ron knows and he said he would keep quiet, but I still feel weird about everyone else knowing. The kids are still adjusting to the divorce and everything."
Harry sighed, knowing he wouldn't be able to convince her. "Okay."
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Later that morning at the Burrow - the family was happily opening their presents around the tree when Harry and Hermione arrived. The children were excitedly comparing their presents. Mrs. Weasley had knitted her usual Christmas sweaters for all of the grandchildren, who were all similarly dressed.
Hermione made sure to be there when Rose and Hugo opened their gifts. She and Ron had bought Hugo a new broomstick and Rose a set of books on alchemy. Both were very happy with their gifts.
Meanwhile, Ginny had gotten some gifts for her children during her world tour with the Harpies. She gave Lily a flying lesson with their star seeker, a team autographed Quidditch robe for Al and new set of Keeper's gloves for James.
Ginny sat down next to Hermione for the first time that holiday.
"Hermione, may I have a word?" Ginny asked.
Hermione smiled nervously at Ginny. "Of course."
Ginny led Hermione into the den, which was quiet. "So how are you?" Ginny asked.
"Good." Hermione replied, wondering what Ginny wanted.
"Listen, Hermione. I want to apologize to you for all the stuff that happened the past few months. Especially dragging your name through the mud in the papers. My lawyer thought it was a good idea to try to get the public on my side if I painted myself to be like Princess Diana during her split from Prince Charles. But it all backfired terribly and I regret agreeing to those interviews with the Prophet.
"I know you and Harry were not having an affair behind my back. But I do know this, while I know he loved me, I was never you. I think he always loved you a little bit more. Ron said something at our custody hearing - he said that Harry and I should've never gotten married. Perhaps in retrospect that is true."
Hermione sighed in relief. "Thanks, Ginny, for your apology."
"So, I wanted to ask you something." Ginny began.
"What is it?"
"Viktor Krum."
"What about Viktor?" Hermione asked, eyebrow raised.
"What is he like, I mean to date him?"
"Why?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I ran into him at a Harpies game in Bulgaria. He came to the locker area after one of our matches and he brought his son with him, who wanted to meet the team."
"Alex."
"You know Alex?" Ginny asked, in surprise.
"Yes, I met him a few weeks ago when I was in Bulgaria for work. Viktor and I had dinner and I met his son. He's a sweetie, isn't he?"
"Yes, he's adorable. Anyway, Viktor seemed interested in me and asked me to get in touch with him the next time I'm in Bulgaria."
"Really. Do you like him?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not sure." Ginny said. "He's not the most charming of men."
"No, but Viktor is very nice once you get to know him. I think he's lonely - his wife died a couple of years ago, and he wants a wife and mother for Alex."
"Did he want you for that role?" Ginny asked.
"Kind of."
"But you refused?"
"Well, Ron and I aren't officially divorced yet, and I'm not quite ready for that."
"But you would for the right man, wouldn't you?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, for the right man, I probably would.'
"And that would be Harry, wouldn't it?"
Hermione felt uncomfortable, but didn't want to lie to Ginny.
"Hermione, it's okay. I see the way you and Harry look at each other. I'm not blind - it's okay if you want to be with him. I'm not saying that I'm completely thrilled with the idea, but I want Harry to be happy after everything I put him through."
"Thanks, Ginny, I appreciate that." Hermione smiled. "So are you going to see Viktor the next time you go to Bulgaria?"
Ginny smiled. "Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea."
TBC
A/N: Sorry for delay in chapters. Hope to wrap this up in the next week or so. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
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