"Christmas is on a Thursday this year," Ginny groaned, leaning back into the couch after pouring a glass of wine for herself.
"Merlin, I can't believe I nearly forgot about Christmas," Hermione said as she shook her head. "I've been so preoccupied with this gala..."
Ginny laughed at this before taking a sip and looking out of the window to the lake. The girls were having a night together at Hermione's cabin, and Ginny was insistent that it was going to be a stress-free night without all of the fuss of the gala or the boys; Draco and Blaise seemed rather happy and insistent on Ginny and Hermione having a stress-free night together, and they were even more delighted when the girls mentioned going to the cabin.
"Now now," Ginny scolded, holding up a finger to Hermione. "You promised no gala talk tonight."
"I wasn't talking about the gala," Hermione said in a playfully exasperated tone as she pulled her legs up underneath her. "I simply mentioned it."
"Same difference," Ginny said with a wave of her hand. "No mentioning or talking about it."
"Fine, fine," Hermione sighed. "So what are you doing for Christmas?"
"I don't really have anything planned right now," Ginny said with a shrug. "Mum and dad are planning on hosting their regular Christmas dinner with the family."
"Are you thinking of going?" Hermione asked curiously.
Ginny chewed on the inside of her cheek momentarily. "I'm not sure. I mean, it'll be weird to go because Harry is going to be there and he's bringing his girlfriend, but it'll be weird not to go because it'll be the first Christmas dinner I miss."
"Oh yeah, that's going to be really awkward," Hermione said with a frown. "Regardless of the fact that you and Harry left on good terms, that's still incredibly awkward."
"Harry somewhat agrees, though he knows that if I go, Blaise will be going so he thinks it'll balance out," Ginny shrugged. "I haven't even brought it up to Blaise though, since I'm not sure if I'm going still."
Hermione took a sip of her wine and shook her head before nudging the red head with her foot. "Maybe Blaise will whisk you away on a surprise trip so that you have an excuse not to go!"
Ginny laughed at this. "That would be ideal right now! Mum's been asking pretty much every day if I'm going to join them, and I don't know what to tell her."
"Just tell her you have plans with Blaise already," Hermione said with a shrug.
"But the thing is, I kind of want to go," Ginny sighed, looking into her glass. "Charlie's going to be joining us apparently, and you know it's been years since I've seen him."
"Merlin, I can't even remember the last time you told me you visited him," Hermione laughed. "That's going to be interesting."
"You're more than welcome to join," Ginny said brightly. "You know they won't say no to you being there; Mum even mentioned it."
Hermione paused before sighing. "They might object to me bringing Draco though."
"If they aren't objecting to Blaise then they shouldn't object to Draco," Ginny shrugged. "Besides, they got along with him pretty well at your brunch."
"Yeah, after I slipped your mother some Calming Draught," Hermione muttered before taking a sip of her wine.
"What?!" Ginny exclaimed, grinning. "How did you manage that?"
"It was actually in the mimosas," Hermione said, returning the grin. "I didn't want anything to happen in my new house so...I made sure everyone was calm."
Ginny laughed loudly at this, shaking her head. "That was probably the best thing that you could've done then. I'm just happy it all worked out."
"Me too," Hermione said with a smile.
Ginny then reached over with her foot to nudge Hermione's leg. "So how about we make a deal?"
Hermione raised her eyebrow again. "What?"
"If Blaise doesn't whisk me away on a trip for Christmas, you and Draco come with us to my parents' for Christmas dinner."
"What's in it for me?" Hermione asked skeptically.
"I'll have mum make your favorite fudge," Ginny grinned.
"Ugh, you do not play fair," Hermione groaned before shaking her head and smiling slightly. "Let me talk to Draco about it and I'll let you know."
Ginny took a triumphant sip of her wine, smirking at her friend.
After landing in the field just outside of the Burrow, Hermione squeezed Draco's hand and asked, "You're still sure you want to do this?"
He looked up at the large house with a sigh before looking back down at her. "Absolutely. I don't want you to do this alone, and I know that Ginny and Blaise will be here as well so it won't be too lonely for me."
She smiled, shaking her head before stepping up to give him a kiss. "Harry's here too."
Draco raised an eyebrow at her as she pulled him towards the house and he said, "That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"Oh hush, you two get along just fine," She laughed.
"I wouldn't say 'just fine'," He muttered as they stopped at the door.
Hermione gave him one last look before knocking, and the door was nearly immediately opened by a smiling George.
"Happy Christmas, Hermione!" He said excitedly, pulling her into a large hug and twirling her around.
Draco fought back the urge to growl, knowing that George was hardly a threat to his relationship with Hermione and forced a smile as the red head set her back down and held out a hand to him.
"Good to see you, Draco," George said with a smile. "Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas, George," Draco replied. "How's the shop?"
"It's doing very well, thank you!" George led them inside and as he shut the door behind them he asked, "How about your business? You work mainly in the wine business, right?"
"Yes, and it's also doing well thanks to this one," Draco said proudly, pulling Hermione against him with a grin. "The two vineyards she recommended have brought us so much business, it's incredible!"
Hermione blushed and waved him off. "I can't take credit for that..."
"I'm still giving it to you," Draco chuckled, giving her a quick kiss on the head before looking around. "It smells absolutely wonderful in here!"
"Mum always goes all out for Christmas," George grinned before waving them through a door. "Come on; everyone's outside!"
Hermione hesitated before asking, "Everyone?"
George smiled from the doorway as he said. "Well, minus one person in particular. No word on him yet."
She relaxed at this and pulled Draco along with her as they followed George out into the garden. A tent had been set up, this one much smaller than the one used for Bill and Fleur's wedding but still rather large; there were lanterns hanging from the top of the tents that illuminated the space in a soft glow, and even though it was snowing outside of the tent the space inside was warm. There were couches and chairs set up with a few tables and there was also music playing faintly in the background over the many conversations.
"Hermione and Draco!"
Arthur met them immediately, smiling as he greeted them both with a large hug. When he pulled away, Hermione couldn't help but laugh as she spied the large red bow on his head.
"Make yourselves at home!" He said, gesturing around. "There's eggnog with rum in it over on the table; I believe a muggle tradition around this time of year?"
Hermione giggled again and said, "It's common, yes."
Arthur beamed excitedly before leaning in and adding, "There's also butterbeer too, just in case. Molly insisted on it as she thinks eggnog is too odd."
"Many muggles would actually agree with you," Hermione laughed before spying Ginny on the other side of the tent.
"Go on, have fun!" Arthur said with a wave before walking away to rejoin his wife.
Hermione immediately pulled Draco through the crowd of red heads, giving hugs and greetings as she went until she got to Ginny and Blaise. They were talking to Harry and another witch that Hermione recognized from the Ministry, and Ginny gave her a relieved look when the two of them joined the group.
"I was wondering when you two were going to show up!" Ginny said happily as she gave them both hugs. "Happy Christmas!"
Blaise raised his glass in greeting and asked, "Did you two get the presents we sent?"
"Yes, and I said you didn't need to get us anything," Draco said with a scowl before holding out a hand to Harry. "Happy, Christmas, Potter."
Harry grinned as he returned the handshake and said, "Happy Christmas to you too, Malfoy."
Hermione rolled her eyes as she gave Harry a hug. When he pulled away, he then gestured towards the woman and said, "Hermione, Draco; this is Morgan."
"Hello," Hermione greeted warmly.
Morgan returned the smile and said, "It's very nice to meet the two of you, I've heard so much about you!"
"You're an Auror, aren't you?" Hermione asked curiously. "I know I've seen you in the office before."
"Oh yes, I've been out on a mission the past couple of weeks though," Morgan nodded.
There was a sudden shriek of glee that turned everyone's heads as Molly raced past them, her hands in the air. She embraced the newcomer and cried happily as other members of the Weasley family joined them, loudly greeting him.
"That must be Charlie!" Ginny exclaimed, bouncing up and down excitedly.
"The brother that works in Romania?" Blaise asked.
Ginny nodded happily and then raced off once Molly had released Charlie from her embrace, and Ginny immediately took her mother's place. Even though Charlie was in the middle of saying something to George, he happily picked his sister up and spun her around before setting her back down on the ground.
"Are Ginny and Charlie really close?" Blaise asked curiously, moving up to stand next to Draco.
"They're pretty close," Hermione said with a smile. "She would write him letters all the time. He rarely visits though; the last time I remember seeing him was..."
She fell quiet as memories of the battle flashed through her mind. Shaking her head, she forced another smile as she finished with, "It's been a while since he visited."
Draco and Blaise both gave her a curious look but neither of them said anything in response. Ginny managed to pull Charlie away from the rest of the group who all returned to where they were originally standing, and as they approached Charlie wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Well this is an interesting bunch," He said with a laugh as they stopped in front of the others. "Good to see you again, Harry."
Harry nodded and Charlie then looked at Hermione, pulling her in for a hug. "Merlin, Hermione, I almost didn't recognize you!"
Hermione laughed as she returned the hug. "Hi Charlie! It's good to see you!"
He pulled away and she got a good look at him; he was tall and lanky like the rest of his brothers, but his hair was somewhat longer and a bit more curly.
She noticed his eyes linger on Draco and Blaise for slightly longer before he looked over at Morgan. "And who is this beautiful woman?"
Morgan's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as she shifted her weight, taking Harry's hand. He beamed happily as he said, "This is Morgan, my girlfriend."
"Pleasure to meet you, Morgan." He smiled at her before turning to look at Blaise. "And you are?"
Ginny pulled herself out from under Charlie's arm and went to Blaise, taking his hand and standing somewhat in front of him. "This is Blaise. I told you about him, remember?"
"Ah yes," Charlie nodded, holding a hand out to the wizard. "Good to finally meet you, mate. I've heard a lot about you."
Blaise smiled and returned the handshake. "Good to meet you too."
Charlie then turned towards Hermione and Draco, eyeing the blond warily. "Draco Malfoy, right? You being here is an odd sight, I do have to say."
"I can't say I ever thought I'd be here," Draco answered curtly.
"And you're with Hermione?" Charlie asked, looking at her as he asked this.
Hermione nodded and smiled up at Draco. "We're together, yes."
Charlie's eyebrows went up in surprise but he smiled then and held out a hand to Draco. "Well, if Hermione's picked you then you must be alright."
Draco seemed to relax finally as he took Charlie's hand and shook it. "I would hope so; she's a very smart person so sometimes I wonder why she picked me."
Hermione laughed at this and gently smacked Draco's arm, prompting a grin from him. Charlie laughed as well before looking around and saying, "I'm going to go make my rounds but I'll be back to chat some more soon!"
He walked away then and Draco let out a heavy breath. "Merlin, I thought I was on trial for a moment..."
"Charlie can be intense sometimes," Ginny said with a smile. "He's used to dealing with dragons so he can be intimidating when he wants to be."
"Fantastic," Blaise muttered.
Harry laughed at this. "Don't worry, mate; he's quite nice once you get to know him."
Ginny leaned against Blaise, wrapping an arm around his back and stepping up to give him a kiss. "Don't worry about Charlie."
"I'm not worried," Blaise said with a smile. "It's going to take a lot more than a red head with a stern look to scare me."
Everyone laughed at this, and they returned to the couches as they continued to chat. Draco and Blaise went to get drinks not long after as Ginny and Hermione talked with Harry and Morgan.
"I think there are more people arriving," Morgan said after a while, straightening up as she looked at the Burrow. "Who else is supposed to come?"
Hermione's stomach flipped as she and Ginny both turned around just in time to see Ron and Claire walking into the tent. Ron immediately froze when he laid eyes on Hermione, and after realizing what happened Claire froze as well. The air suddenly became tense as the rest of the party saw what was happening, and there was silence for what felt like an eternity.
"Um..." Ron started finally, looking around and forcing a smile. "Happy Christmas, everyone."
A/N: ohhh I love drama :D hope you all enjoy! <3