If This Isn't Love (Fred Weasley Sequel)

Chapter 33 | Happy Christmas

Monday, December 25

It's finally Christmas.

"Hermione, wake your arse up!" I shout in her hear, shaking her shoulders with a smile.

She groans and tries to pull away, but I won't have it. "Get up!!" Ginny finally gets up and decides to help me get Hermione up.

After the two of us harassing her, she sits up and sighs. "What do you want?"

"Happy Christmas, 'Mione! Get up!"

She groans once more but gets out of bed anyway. I drag her down the stairs and Ginny follows.

In the common room, there are piles of presents for every individual witch or wizard. Before looking through mine, I find the twins. Fred is nonchalantly sitting on the couch with George.

I take his hand and they share an exasperated look but let me drag them to their piles. Last night, I placed a few additional presents for my friends, and that includes them.

They start to tear through their pile while I look through my presents one by one. Harry and Ron come running downstairs like little children, but I didn't expect anymore.

The boys finish with all their presents before I do. I'm excited but all the gifts but I didn't get to see their reactions.

Fred comes over and attacks me with kisses on the cheek. "Thank you!"

I had gotten him a box of his favorite treats, a card, and a Jersey from one of his favorite teams. That cost a lot of money, but it was for Fred.

I also purchased more discs for George's record player, a charmed Quaffle and goal for Ron, and an ancient spell book for Harry. I tell him maybe he ought to teach some of the spells to the D.A.

All of that comes with a custom bag of sweets, for whichever candies I'm 99% sure they like.

For me, I get Christmas candies from Ron, a Guide to Poisoning book from George, a really nice-looking pair of earrings from Harry, a very beautiful scarf from Molly Weasley, and three charms for my necklace by Fred. One is in the shape of a camera, the other is a tiny bottle with something neon green (probably Fungiface Potion) and the last is a little glass heart.

That is so sweet. I immediately put the charms on the necklace I am wearing and hug Fred for the gift. As for the earrings, I go upstairs to put them on. I have to look at the mirror.

They are so mesmerizing... How did Harry get these? They look so beautiful.

When I go downstairs, Fred asks me about them. They're very small, but noticeably dazzling. "Harry got them for me," I gush, beaming at Harry.

He just smiles politely and looks away. Typical.

Fred isn't so happy, but he tells me they look nice on me.

At breakfast, Hermione also comments on my jewelry. "Earrings? Those look expensive," she tells me. "Fred really knows his jewelry."

I shake my head at her. "Harry got them. Fred got these charms." I show her the three charms and she smiles.

"You are lucky to have him."

"Tell me something I don't know," I murmur, sighing at the charms.

I decide to pull my hair up to show off the earrings. The scarf is just a bonus to my already lovely outfit. Ginny tells me I look nice today, before we have to get on the Hogwarts Express.

I examine her own outfit. The plain Hogwarts uniform, but she'll probably change once she's on the train. "Thank you."

Hermione sits in her own apartment with Harry and Ron, and I squeeze in with Fred, George, Angelina, Alicia, and Katie.

Fred saves a spot for me between him and George.

"I swear if that Umbridge woman doesn't quit with her incessant detentions," Alicia starts. "I'm going to blow. She gave me a warning for being on the Quidditch field before practice started."

"I saw that," Katie says, groaning. "Angelina was literally in the changing rooms and we were about to start anyway."

Angelina rolls her eyes and the twins share a look.

"Honestly, I can't with these Decrees. I'd rather have bloody Lockhart than that pig."

"Who's Lockhart?" I ask, once again being reminded that I have not been here for very long.

Katie lets out a humorless chuckle. "Egotistical fraud. Got Obliviated by the end of the year by our celebrity."

"No, I'm pretty sure he Obliviated himself?" Angelina cuts in. "Wasn't he so embarrassed for being caught that he erased his own memories?"

Alicia lets out a snort. "It probably was an accident. Potter and Weasley were probably easy to take down, so no way was he going to get exposed by them alone."

"Ronald told us," the twins announce.

"Used Ron's wand when it was broken," Fred says.

George agrees. "He accidentally Obliviated himself."

I laugh. "How do you accidentally Obliviate yourself?"

Katie shrugs. "He wasn't just incredibly smart."

I look away and allow them to continue their conversation.

~~~~
We celebrate Arthur's recovery with a toast.

"To Harry!" We all shout. I notice Harry's embarrassed blush, but I don't pay it any mind. I'm just glad the Weasley's dad is fine.

To match the scarf, Molly gives me and several others sweaters of their own. The Weasley kids may not like it, but I am honored to be wearing this.

I catch Hermione's little smile to Ron when he gets his gift. I can tell he doesn't like it, but only because he gets it every year.

Arthur himself looks thrilled to be here with his wife, children, and friends. He does look pretty bad though. His eye is still bruises and he has a neck cast, but on the other hand I'm glad it's not any worse.

After their little Christmas dinner, I go upstairs with the twins and Hermione. Ron and Ginny follow a little afterwards, chatting amongst themselves and just overall being annoying siblings to each other.

Ginny keeps looking back at Harry, but he's with Sirius. She's just radiating desire, especially now that she's single. It's funny, actually. Everyone knows she's pining after Harry.

I don't care though. As long as she's good to him, I can allow them to be together.

Hermione takes my hand and drags me to the room we'll be staying in. We unpack with glee and I hop in my bed. It feels so nice after a warm welcome and a delectable feast.

They allow me to go to bed early, even if they want me to stay up and party.

Fred gives me a "goodnight" kiss and I smile into my sleep. Such a magical day.

~~~~
Published 5-15-20