Broken Smile

Hermione lay peacefully asleep in her warm bed, covers tucked
under her chin. Her peaceful sleep didn't last long, the covers
where pulled from her, someone was slapping her face lightly.

Hermione opened her eyes while trying to avoid the hand that was slapping
her. "What" Hermione asked tiredly?
"Time to get up, come on" Fred said very excitedly, trying to pull
Hermione out of bed. Hermione yelped from the pain of the bruising on her wrists as Fred pulled her.

"What’s wrong?" Fred asked, Startle at Hermione's reaction.
"It's ok, I hurt my wrists, what time is it?" Hermione asked.
"CHRISTMAS TIME" Fred and George yelled together, making Hermione look at them as if they where mad?.

"Do you realize, you both sound like five year olds" Hermione said through yawns.
"Do you realize we can't open one presents until you get up, mum likes the whole family present and since you are the newest member, you have to get up" George said.

"That is a problem, but that’s your problem" Hermione said laying back down and cover hersel The The twins where about to take action when Ron came in, "I'll take care of this one, you two better go help Ginny, mums starting to resist" Ron said, mockingly saluting the Twin.

The twins hurried off, while Ron sat on the edge of Hermione's bed, taking the covers down from her face, she pretended to be asleep.

"Well since you’re asleep, I guess I can answer the question, does Miss Granger wear a bra to bed?" Ron said taking the bottom of Hermione's T-shirt in his hand starting to raise it, Hermione grabbed Ron's hand.

"Ron" Hermione said, opening her eyes. Ron smiled making his blue eyes sparkle. "So, I take it Miss Granger doesn't wear a bra to bed" Ron said, his smile faded as his eyes took in the sight of Hermione’s bruised wrists.

Hermione sat up following Ron's eye trail, his large hands rubbed her wrists. The bruising will fade soon" Hermione said watching Ron's haovemovements.
"Ron...thanks....I mean for letting sleeping dogs lie, with Malfoy" Hermione said

Ron's hands stilled at the mention of Malfoy name, "Lets not talk about Him,
it's Christmas" Ron said, changing the subject. Ron's hands started to caress Hermione's wrists again.

"Well, when it's morning wake me" Hermione said laying back down.
"Listen you, Weasley's take Christmas very seriously" Ron said laying down next to Hermione, pulling her to him.

Hermione turned onto her side, resting her head upon Ron’s chest, while Ron placed his arms around her gently running his hand up and down her arm, making Hermione's skin tingle.

Hermione had noticed Ron had changed since he starting going out with Jen.
Hermione couldn't help but enjoy how affectionate Ron had become to her,
he was no longer scared to hug or kiss Hermione, especially after her parents deaths.

Sometimes Ron would smile, a special smile, the smile he only used for Hermione, which made Hermione's heart flutter and her head feel incredibly light. Though Ron's sudden at oft of affection wasn't always a blessing, maybe this found comfortableness was a dagger in the possible relationship that awaited them.

"We should go down the twin's are probably pining away by now waiting to open their presents" Hermione said sitting up. Ron kept his arm around her waist pulling her back to him. "Harry and Charlie our trying to wake Bill so that should take a good amount of time....or strength" Ron said. "What do you mean strength?" Hermione asked puzzled.

"Well, have you ever try to pick up Bill? he's quite heavy" Ron joked, Hermione slapped his cheek playfully.
"so what our we doing today Mr. Weasley?"
"First we open presents then get dressed while mum makes a huge breakfast" Ron resting his chin on the top of Hermione’s head and continued, "Ginny wants to build a snan, an, so, you can help her with that, while us men have a snow fight like boys" Ron said with amusement in his tone.

They could here Bill complaining the whole way down the stairs, "It will still be Christmas in two hours, when I haven’t had enough sleep I can be a real bastard" Bill said in a warning tone.
"Merry Christmas to you too" Charlie said.

Harry stuck his head in the door of Hermione's bedroom, "Come on, no going back to sleep it was hard enough getting Scrooge out of bed" Harry said.
"Who's Scrooge?" Ron asked.
Hermione and Harry laughed.
"What" Ron said confused.
"Scrooge is a muggle story, about a very mean old who who has lost the Christmas spirit"
Hermione said sitting up.
"Oh" Ron replied

Ron stood up to stretching his arms over his head then looked at Hermione.
"Jump on" Ron said now turning around so Hermione can climb onto his back.
"I can walk, Ron" Hermione said, "Besides, I'm far too heavy"
"your not, I'm not wanting to be like this Scrooge bloke, hop on" Ron said.
Harry grinned at Hermione as she climbed onto Ron's back awkward.

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Hermione spent the morning opening presents and eating Mrs. Weasley monster breakfast.
Charlie brought Hermione and Ginny necklaces with a real Dragons teeth hanging from it,
most of her other presents she realized where books which she loved. Hermione op a s a soft gold wrapped package, what was inside made her feel warm and wanted.

Hermione looked up to see Mrs. Weasley watching her, pulling out a purple knitted jumper
with a red H on the front. Hermione rose walking over to her.
"Thank you, it's lovely" Hermione said hugging her.
"Your welcome, dear" Mrs. Weasley said with tears in her eyes.
Mr. Weasley came over, putting his arm around his wife "welcome to the family,
Hermione" Mr. Weasley said, smiling warmly.
Hermione hugge. We. Weasley, "Thanks for having me" Hermione said softly.

Christmas day was just perfect, they had snow ball fights, the boys even helped build the snowman, Christmas dinner left every feeling fat and happy.

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New Years Eve was upon them, the Weasley’s were holding a small party at the burrow.
Remus, Tonks and Moody where attending.
Molly set up a table full of food while Arthur bewitched a muggle radio filling the house
with music, he seemed to have it tuned to an oldie station.

At almost mid night Hermione looked around at everyone, they all seemed to be enjoying them selves, Hermione left the room unseen or at least she thought.

The snowman still stood in the front garden, Hermione walked towards their frosty Creation, fixing the snowman’s hat back on properly. The night was blistering, but beautiful.

Hermione felt a coat go around her shoulder, turning to Charlie standing behind her,
pulling the coat on properly. "Thanks, I needed some" He" Hermione said looking out to the distant.
"It's almost midnight, are you coming back in?" Charlie asked "Yeah, I just need a minute" Hermione said softly.
"Ok" Charlie said turning to walk back in.

"Charlie..."
"Yeah"
"Have you ever wished to relive a day?" Hermione asked
Charlie frowned, "yeah of course everyone does" Charlie said walking back oto hto her.
"What day would you relive?" Hermione asks looking up at him.
Charlie seemed to ponder on answering, then a smile lights his face. "My first date with mary Donley, the night was a complete disaster" Charlie said cringing at the memory.

Charlie knew what was running through Hermione mind, he took hold of her hands rubbing the
backs of them with his thumbs. "The sad fact is we can't undo the past but the choices
we make in the future define them" Charlie said watching emotion play across her face.

"You know I used to look at Harry and feel so sorry for him.....I thoug und understood how
he felt.... at least I know my parents right?" Some tears slipped her her cheeks as she
spoke, Charlie seemed to understand Hermione had to get this all out, he continued to caress her
hands with his thumbs.

"....I mean Harry was just a baby....Harry once said 'if you heard your mum screaming and
pleading for her life, just about to be killed, you wouldn't forget in a hurry'...Now I know
how he felt"

Charlie looked stricken, just like Hermione did that day when Harry spoke thought’s words.
Hurt fell in the form of tears, Charlie wiped away the fresh tears that had falling.
"....I told Harry there’s nothing he can do, I was right, no matter how smart or brave any of us are it wouldn't make a difference..." Hermione broke off no longer able to speak
bitter words.

Charlie didn't know what to say or how to comfort her. He took hold of her face in his calluses hands, looking into her deep brown eyes. "I don't know what to say to make you feel better, I Know I can't take the pain away" Charlie said feeling helpless.
"I'm sorry for laying all this on you, I..."
"Sshh" Charlie said silencing her with his finger.

He leant forward slowly giving her time to stop him if she didn't feel comfortable with what he was about to do. His lips brushed against hers ever so gently, a heat crept across Hermione's cheeks causing the blistering night to be forgotten

Charlie pulled back slowly taking in the details of Hermione's face. Her eyes closed leaving
long lashes lying on her rosy cheeks. He runs his thumbs along her soft lips making her eyes
flutter open. "Don't ever be sorry, if you need an ear to listen, then my ears are yours" Charlie
spoke in a whispery voice.

"Sometimes I just feel....broken" Hermione said also in a whisperyce. ce. Charlie tuck a loose curl behind her ear "your more stronger than you realize" Charlie said capturing her lips again.

This time Hermione kissed back, nervously placing her hands on his muscular chest feeling his fast heart beat beneath her palms. His tongue ran along her bottom lip asking for permission which Hermione granted. Charlie explored her mouth, his tongue run along her teeth meeting
her tongue some where in the middle making both of them feel as if they where floating.

His large hands moved slowing down to her curvy hips, Hermione couldn't think straight,
she wasn't even sure if she was breathing, all she know was Charlie made her feel alive again, not quite unbroken but alive.

"How could you" Came a hoarse shocked voice in the distance. Hermione and Charlie broke apart losing the warmth between them, through Ron looked heated enough for both of them. "What...what the fucks going on?" Ron yelled looking angrier then Hermione as ever seen him.

Ron walked towards them, his blue eyes lit with firer, He Towered over Charlie.
"Ron just calm down" Charlie said trying to place a hand on Ron's shoulder, Ron wouldn't have any of it. "What the hell are you doing kissing Hermione...she's..." Hermione cut Ron off.

"She's standing right here Ron, I was kissing him too you know" Hermione eyes also held anger now.
"And why was that, WHY" Ron shouted.
"Stop shouting, I was upset Char..." Hermione tried.
"So you took advantage of her while she's vulnerable, is that it?" Ron started to shout at Charlie again.

Charlie didn't get a chance to defend himself, Hermione placed her hands on her hips and then let Ron have it.
"I'm a big girl Ron, Charlie was not taking advantage of I w I was quite content receiving comfort from him, I told you I do not need you to be my knight...."
"But you need Charlie to be?" Ron looked very hurt when he said this, he lo dow down to the snowy ground no longer able to keep eye contact with Hermione"

Hermione placed her hand on his arm, "Please Ron, lets all stop shouting, where talk about this sensibly" Ron pulled his arm out of reach of her hand.
"Kiss who you like Hermione, Hell shag him if you want" Ron said spitefully.
Tears filled Hermione eyes, Charlie stepped in front of her saying. "You need to cool off...."
"Fuck you Charlie" Ron said storming back to the house.

Charlie turned around to see Hermione’s face in her hand, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.
Charlie pulled her to him, Hermione tried to protest but Charlie held onto her until she gave up resting against his chest crying.

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lyn-Thanks, improvements on spelling is thanks to pinky my beta.

Next chapter Charliees aes a sacrifice.