Hurt

It's the Christmas chapter!

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Remus strokes his finger down Hermione’s spine. She hums softly and buries her head into his shoulder more. “Come on love, it’s time to get up,” he whispers. A muffled complaint makes him chuckle. “I guess I’ll be getting all the presents then. If you don’t get out of bed, you don’t get your presents.”

Hermione lifts her head and glares at him. “You better not touch my presents Remus Lupin. I’m not moving from this bed until you get me the chocolate covered cherries you promised me last night. Well… I-I’ll be right back,” she mumbles and leaves the bed to go to the restroom. Remus stands from the bed and stretches before selecting a warm set of pajamas for the pregnant witch in the next room.

“Happy Christmas, love.” Remus holds out the pale purple clothing as Hermione comes out of the restroom. She smiles at him and moves to crawl back into the bed. “No, no. We have things to do today,” he says. He licks his lips when Hermione pouts at him. She takes the clothing from him and struggles with the pants.

“Remus? Hermione? You two awake?” Sirius’ voice inquires through the door. The knob turns and the man sticks his head in the room. “Harry and Ron are…” he trails off as he stares at Hermione’s still very nude form. One of the babies shifts, causing the skin to move so his eyes widen. Remus quickly pulls her pants up her legs for her as she covers her breasts.

Hermione bites her lip as a bright red blush flares on Sirius’ face. Remus nods to the man. “Harry and Ron are here already? Tell them we’ll be right out,” he says then helps Hermione with her shirt. A slight grin flickers across his lips as he reads the text printed across her swollen belly. “’Tell me how huge I am. I dare you.’ When did you get this one?” he asks. She looks down at the shirt then up at him.

“Professor Dumbledore got it for me after Malfoy said I was huge. Said he knew it upset me and decided to get me this,” Hermione whispers. Remus chuckles and takes her hand to lead her out of the room.

Harry and Ron look up from playing with something as Hermione clears her throat. A loud cackle makes her move toward them so she grins. Eamon squirms then giggles when she takes him from Harry. Remus helps her settle into an armchair so she smiles at him. “Eamon can barely sit on your lap ‘Mione,” Ron says.

A loud thwack makes her look up from the baby in her arms. Ron rubs the back of his head as Remus stands over him with his arms crossed, glaring. “You do not, under any circumstances, imply that she is fat,” Remus hisses. Harry laughs at Ron’s expression when they finally notice Hermione’s shirt. Sirius moves over to the large tree in the corner and starts sorting the gifts. “Gifts then breakfast,” Remus says and nods to the man.

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“Hey ‘Mione?” Harry asks. Hermione looks at him so he sits on the edge of the table in front of her. “Are… are you going to keep the babies? You know, not give them up for adoption?” he asks softly. Everyone looks at the two so Harry swallows hard then offers her a slight smile. “I want you to keep them. I want to help. That’s why I asked,” he says quickly when he notices tears forming in her eyes.

Remus lays his hand on Harry’s shoulder. “We’re keeping them. She’d have my head if I told her to let them be adopted. And yes, Harry, you can help. We’d both appreciate it after she has them. Sirius has already volunteered his services. We need all the help we can get,” he says.

“Wait a minute. ‘We’? Who is ‘we’?” Ron asks. Hermione glares at him before Eamon nuzzles her neck to distract her.

“We as in Remus and Hermione, Ron. They’ve been an item for a while now,” Sirius says absent mindedly. He pauses in setting a present into Hermione’s pile to look at the others. Hermione avoids everyone’s gaze as Remus blushes brilliantly.

Harry stands and stares at Remus. “Is this true? Are you sleeping with her?” he asks. Remus gives a little cough in affirmation so Harry glares at him. “Are you going to marry her as well? Once she’s graduated and had the kids?” he demands. Hermione swings her gaze to the man as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “Well? Answer me damn it!” Harry grabs the front of Remus’ shirt and shakes him roughly.

“Yes!” Remus snarls and knocks the boy’s hands away. “If you’ll have me,” he says in a much quieter tone to Hermione. Her eyes widen then tear up so he moves toward her. “I didn’t want to say anything for a while. To give you more time with only the stress from the pregnancy. I also still need to get Byron’s permission,” he mumbles and rubs the back of his neck.

Sirius chuckles then claps his hands. “I get to plan a bachelor party!” he cackles. Remus glares at him playfully then grins at Hermione when she giggles. “Remember James’ bachelor party?” Sirius asks nostalgically.

Ron looks to Harry as Remus snorts. “You are not hiring a dancer. If you do, I will miss the wedding for being in Azkaban for murder,” the older man growls. Sirius blows a raspberry at him then throws a package. He stands and levitates Hermione’s pile of presents to her.

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Hermione smiles as Eamon clutches a plush frog. “Good thing I got four of those things, isn’t it?” Harry chuckles. Eamon giggles as Harry jiggles the thing, causing the rattle inside to make noise. “Are you guys going to the Burrow with us?” he asks.

Ron bites his lip and furrows his brow as he mashes buttons on his new handheld game. “Mum wants you to come for dinner. Ginny’s been hounding me to get you there all break so far,” he says without looking up. Remus takes Eamon from Hermione and goes into the bedroom so she rubs her belly.

“I’m not sure if that would be a good idea,” she murmurs then smiles at Harry when he lays his hand on her belly. One of the babies kicks so Harry laughs.

“That’s so cool. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re feeling,” he whispers.

Sirius tears open his last present then raises an eyebrow at the witch across the table from him. “Should I even ask?” he inquires and holds up a dog collar and leash.

Hermione sits up a bit then reaches for the objects. She motions Sirius to sit forward then clasps the collar around his neck. “To keep you in line. You get rowdy when you’re excited and you might get a little too rambunctious when the babies come. Safety precautions,” she says to the man’s glare.

Harry roars with laughter as Hermione smacks Sirius’ hands away from trying to take the collar off. “You’ve been adopted Sirius! You’re no longer a stray mutt,” he cackles. Hermione giggles when Sirius pouts.

“Byron should be here soon to get Eamon. I’ll get his presents gathered up while he’s taking a nap,” Remus says as he shuts the door. He stops short when he notices the collar around Sirius’ neck and the leash in Hermione’s hand. “Something I should know?” he inquires.

Ron gasps in outrage then puts the game down. “I lost.”

Hermione stands from the chair with Harry’s help and moves over to Remus. She gives him a soft kiss so he wraps his arms around her. “We adopted Sirius. He’s not a stray anymore,” she says then buries her face in his chest. Remus rubs her back then steps back and lets her pass by him.

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A/N: Wow, I'm back on the ball. Two updates in a month! Not much to say about this one aside from "OMG, it's Christmas!!!" Hermione has gotten over her fear of talking to the guys so she talks more in this one. Well, I must go. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, carrots, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie are waiting for me. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my American readers and to everyone else as well even if you don't celebrate the holiday.