It Happened One Night

CHAPTER 17: Happy Christmas From The Lupins







“You realize I can’t see anything don’t you?” Remus said from behind the tall stack of packages he was carrying as he and Hermione approached the front door of The Weasley home.





“You can put them down in a second we’re late as it is thanks to you.” Hermione said as she jostled the bags of gifts in her hands.







“Well if you would put knickers on under your dress we wouldn’t have to make little detours on our way out.” He said. Hermione knew he was smiling behind the mountain of wrapped gifts. They had been ready to go when Hermione reached into the coat closet for their coats. Unfortunately as she reached the back of her skirt began to inch upwards and Remus decided to investigate under her dress. Instead of getting into their coats and heading off to the Weasleys on time, they ended up on the floor in front of the Christmas tree shagging like rabbits.





“Sure, blame it on me you randy wolf. Just so you know, I never bothered to put any on before we left.” She said just as she banged the knocker. She laughed when he growled softly behind the presents. The door flung open and Molly stood there with her hands on her hips.





“Where have you been? You are late young lady.” She said, pulling Hermione inside. “Is that Remus with you?” She asked.





“Yes, I made him carry presents.” Hermione laughed as she took off her coat and hung it on one of the many hooks lining the wall just inside the door. She took half of the presents from the stack so she could see her husband’s face and winked at him before taking them over and setting them with the rest of the gifts under the tree.







“Well it’s nice to know men are good for something.” Molly said as she scurried off to the kitchen.







“I’m good for other things besides fetching and carrying.” He said. “I’m good for kisses under the mistletoe.” He pointed up at the sprig of mistletoe hanging from the doorway above them.





“Prove it.” Hermione taunted and then laughed when he pulled her into his arms and kissed her beneath the mistletoe.





“Ahem.” Remus and Hermione both looked up to see Harry and Ginny standing there smiling at them. “Happy Christmas.” Harry said.





“Happy Christmas!” Remus said as he reached up to wipe away Hermione’s lip gloss.





“So are you two going to come in and say hello to everyone else or were you planning to snog in the doorway all evening?” Ginny asked.





“We were on our way, we just got a little sidetracked.” Hermione said.





“Oh? And why are you late?” Harry asked..





“We got more than a little sidetracked.” Remus said. He grunted softly when Hermione elbowed him in the stomach. Harry was laughing as he handed them cups of egg nog that was more rum than egg nog, no doubt thanks to the twins.





“Just stay where we can see you, there are no hidden passages in this house for you to hide in.” Ginny said.





“I don’t know what you mean.” Hermione said, blushing slightly.





“Oh yes you do. Come on, everyone is in the back of the house in the family room.” Hermione followed Ginny through the house. The Weasley house had no rhyme or reason to it, the floor plan was an odd one as a result of several additions over the years. The family room was where everyone usually congregated as it was right off of the kitchen and dining room. Arthur had a wireless television set and everyone was currently gathered around it watching Quidditch.







Ron barely acknowledged their presence, not that they expected a warm welcome from him.





“Hello, Hermione and Remus. When did you two get here?” Arthur asked from his ancient easy chair.





“We just got here.” Hermione said.





“You didn’t bring dates, either of you!” Molly said, making her way into the family room.





“Well, you see we can’t really bring dates per se.” Hermione said, figuring it was easier to get it over with early.







“I don’t see why not.” Molly said as she took a seat on the worn and sagging sofa. “You’re both single.” Hermione saw Ron toss back his drink and reach for a refill.





“Well that isn’t true either. You see, we can’t bring dates because…..well, we’re married.” Hermione said.





“To who?” Molly asked, laughing because she figured they were pulling her leg.





“To each other.” Remus said, putting his arm around Hermione’s shoulder.







“That isn’t funny, Remus.” Molly scoffed. She noticed the looks on their faces and her lips pursed slightly. “You aren’t joking are you?”





“No.” Remus said. Hermione was biting her bottom lip nervously as she waited for the response of the people she considered family.





“Well I didn’t even know you were a couple!” Molly said, staring up at them in shock.





“No one did, well Harry and Ginny knew.” Hermione tattled with a smile.





“And you didn’t think to tell us?” Molly glared at her daughter and son in law.





“They told us not to!” Ginny said.





“So how long have you two been together?” Arthur asked.





“Since their wedding.” Remus said pointing towards Harry and Ginny.





“And when did you get married?” George asked.





“Um, we eloped the night of the Quidditch Semi-finals.” Hermione said, holding up her left hand to show them her wedding band.





“Well I think it’s bloody fantastic!” Fred said, coming around the sofa to hug Hermione and slap Remus on the back. “You old horn dog, I wouldn’t have thought you had it in you!”





“Thanks, I think.” Remus said, looking over his shoulder to make sure Fred hadn’t stuck one of their joke products on his back.





“So it was the two of you behind the bookcase at Harry’s!” George said laughing hysterically. “I thought it sounded like Hermione but told myself there was no way!” He shook Remus’s hand and then shook his head. “You should really learn to cast silencing spells mate.”







Hermione’s face heated and Remus felt an embarrassed flush creeping up his throat. They accepted the well wishes and congratulations from the rest of the group. Everyone seemed rather happy about it, everyone but Ron who just stood against the wall drinking and glaring at them.







They were thrilled to have it out in the open so they could relax and enjoy their time with friends without trying to be careful not to slip up. The conversation through dinner was lively with a lot of teasing from the twins and Harry about their sneaking around. Molly and Arthur were just happy to see Hermione settled, even if it wasn’t with their son.





Hermione helped Molly and Ginny clean up the kitchen while Remus joined the others in the family room. From the sounds of things, the twins were demonstrating their most recent creations.





“I still can’t believe you eloped with, Remus.” Molly said shaking her head and laughing as she spelled the sink to do the washing up.





“Are you kidding? I still can’t believe she came on to him in the first place.” Ginny said, trying to shove another container into the overfull icebox.





“That was your idea if you recall.” Hermione said. “And a wonderful idea it was too.”





“Well, you look very happy, dear. Remus is obviously taking good care of you.” Molly said, pinching Hermione’s cheek affectionately.





“I am happy and yes he does.” Hermione smiled as she wiped down the dining table.







“Yeah, we all know how happy he’s keeping you.” Ginny snickered.





“Oh, you hush!” Molly said, swatting her with a dish towel. “Do you think we weren’t well aware of what you and Harry were up to over the years?”





“Hey! Mums aren’t supposed to say things like that to their children.” Ginny said indignantly as her face reddened. “Parents and sex just shouldn’t be in the same conversation.”





“And how do you think we ended up with seven of you? Did you think you were transfigured from stones? Delivered by thestrals perhaps?” Molly asked.





“Ewwww….stop!” Ginny covered her ears and started humming as she walked out of the kitchen. Hermione followed her, laughing as Molly called the rest of the crew into the sitting room to exchange gifts.





“Did you miss me?” Remus whispered into Hermione’s ear as he snuck up behind her.





“I always miss you when you aren’t touching me.” She said. Remus smiled and took a seat in an old armchair, pulling Hermione into his lap.





“It’s weird seeing you two like this.” Fred said, sitting on the floor in front of the sofa. “It’s going to take awhile for me to get used to it.”





“You have plenty of time I suppose.” Hermione said. “It’s not as though we are going anywhere without each other from now on.” They exchanged gifts with their friends and as the night came to a close they made their way back home.





Hermione removed her coat and hung it in the closet then started down the hall towards their bedroom.





“Hermione?” Remus called. “Could you come here for a minute?” She turned around, yawning softly as she walked back into their living room.





“What is it?” She asked.





“It’s after midnight, love. Happy Christmas.” He said, handing her a small package.





“You don’t want to wait until morning?” She asked, taking the small black box with the red bow.





“Not for this one. Open it.” Hermione opened the little box and felt the tears begin to sting as she looked in at the beautifully engraved ring. A round diamond sat atop and elaborately carved gold band and on the inside of it she could see the words “Forever Love”.





“Remus, it’s stunning.” She said, holding it up to the light from the tree and watching it sparkle. He took it from her and slid it on her finger with her wedding band.





“Technically I should have given you this one first. But if I hadn’t already married you, I know I would have asked you to marry me and I would have chosen this ring for you.” He kissed the rings on her fingers and pulled her close.





“I would have said yes. I love you, Remus.” She said softly.





“I love you too.” He whispered against her lips just before he kissed her.