Chapter Text
“George, can you come give us a hand?” Ginny called across the room. She was directing the Christmas tree decorating while rubbing over her enormous, swollen, pregnant belly. The holidays had exploded inside The Burrow, and nearly the whole family was in residence.
Fred and Hermione were trying to hang a string of dried fruit and popcorn around the tree the Muggle way. Hermione insisted it would be a ‘holiday bonding’ experience. Still, Fred found it downright frustrating especially because Hermione was too short to reach the top half of the tree even with a chair. She was currently leaning precariously on her tiptoes on the edge of a rickety wooden chair with the string in both hands. A slight breeze could turn this whole situation into a disaster.
George set down the card stock and scissors on the craft table, sighing. “Alright.” He stood, stretching his long arms over his head and cracking his neck. “I needed to get up anyway. My arse was falling asleep.”
As he approached Ginny, she pointed to the far side of the tree. “Go help Hermione.” George swung his head towards the tree. His cheeks turned pink as he watched Hermione’s skirt inch up over thighs as she stretched to reach a high branch.
“I can manage!” Hermione scoffed, stumbling, just barely not teetering over, flinging one hand out wildly in search of the back of the chair.
George grabbed her around her waist, holding her steady. “Obviously.”
“Fucking hell. This would be so much easier if we could use bloody magic,” Fred grumbled.
“Language, Fred!” his mother scolded from the craft table.
“Sorry, mum.” He peeked around the tree and caught his twin's eye, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.
“Hush, Fred! It’s so much more satisfying to do this the traditional way!” Hermione’s lips were downturned in a petulant frown.
“But I thought the phrase ‘the magic of Christmas’ existed for a reason.” Theo’s playful voice rang out from the doorway. He had his arm slung over Harry’s shoulders as they sauntered into the room. “Why can’t we use a little twirl of our wands to save us some hassle?”
Hermione made a frustrated sound from her throat. “That is not what that means!” She tried to spin around but nearly catapulted off the chair instead. Thankfully, George still had his hands firmly on her waist, keeping her stable. A blush stained her cheeks as she caught his gaze burning into her.
“What then, exactly, does it mean?” Theo chirped.
She jerked her gaze back over to Theo and huffed. “The magic of Christmas, or more commonly known as the spirit of Christmas, refers to encompassing generosity and acts of service, of spreading love, kindness, and joy to the world. It requires you to be selfless and focus on other people rather than material items, and fostering togetherness and celebrating family and friends.” Putting a hand on her hip, she gave him a pointed look. “Definitely lessons you could benefit from.”
Rolling his eyes, Theo let out a soft laugh. “Sounds like a bunch of Muggle drivel to me.”
Hermione scoffed and whirled back to the tree, nearly toppling over once again. George was still present, and with a chuckle he caught her, just in time to save her from pitching into the branches.
Theo hip-checked Harry, giving him a wink, and strode over to Fred. Draping his arms around Fred’s shoulders, he planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “Well, then, perhaps you and I should go create another kind of magic,” he murmured into his ear.
Ginny’s mouth dropped open. “I heard that!”
Harry put his hand on her belly, rubbing in small circles. “Oh, Gin, it's not like we didn't create any magic ourselves.” He slid his hand up to cup her jaw, bringing her mouth to his for a tender kiss.
Just then, Charlie sauntered into the room, a travel duffel over his shoulder. “Well, well, well. Look at all the lovebugs.” He eyed George and Hermione, noting George’s grip on her waist. “Is this a new development?”
Quickly dropping his hands, George’s cheeks flamed hot. “Um, no, we’re just… I was just…”
Hermione swooped in to save him. “He’s keeping me steady while I decorate, nothing else.” The pink on her cheeks warred with her words, and Charlie simply chuckled in response.
It was obvious to everyone in the room except George and Hermione that they’re attracted to each other. Neither would openly admit their crush, or had the guts or the gumption to do anything about it.
Theo’s breath tickled Fred’s ear as he leaned in close, ensuring no one but him would hear. “I think we need to set these two idiots up so they can figure out once and for all how much they actually like each other. What do you say, my love?”
Fred’s mouth crooked up into a devilish smile. “I think I have just the plan.”
<><><><><>
“George, I was thinking,” Fred started, as he sat down on the couch across from his twin.
“I wasn’t aware you could do that.” George ducked as the throw pillow sailed over his head.
“Funny.” Fred grinned over at him, shaking his head. “Anyway, I think you and I should try out that new restaurant on Diagon Alley. The one that boasts the best cocktails in all of wizarding London.”
Looking up from his tinkering, George set down his tools. He’d been working on building a new toy for the joke shop. “Amortentia? Isn’t that more of a date night place? Why wouldn’t you take Theo?”
“Can a brother not want to spend time with his only twin?”
George pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. “What aren't you saying?”
Fred let out an exasperated sigh. “Okay, fine. I think I want to propose to Theo there, but I need to go first, scope it out, make sure it’ll work. What if the food is terrible? Or the atmosphere is all wrong? Or what if the wait staff won’t help out?” Fred clasped his hands in front of himself in a pleading manner. “Please, Georgie?”
George rolled his eyes, picking the small screwdriver back up. “Fine, I’ll do it. But you better involve me with the proposal when the time comes. At least let me be there to take photos.”
Fred couldn’t help the mischievous grin that split his face in two. “Excellent. I’ll make a reservation.”
<><><><><>
“Why are you making that face at me?” Hermione gave Theo a contemplative look.
With one side of his mouth quirked up and his head cocked to the side, he was studying her like a specimen for a science course. “I’m just taking in your beauty, my dearest friend.”
They were situated on Hermione’s couch, one at either end. With his legs crisscrossed in front of him, Theo sat sideways, facing her, with a purring Crookshanks in his lap. Hermione faced forward, a notebook in one hand, a quill in the other. Ink smudges marred her fingers and one cheek. As a bleeding heart, she was working up a proposal for werewolf rights, including the distribution and regulation of wolfsbane.
“The ink stains just add to the effect,” he cooed, his half smile converting into a full grin.
Scoffing, Hermione magicked away the black marks on her hand. “Stop being an arse, Theo.”
“I would never.” He picked up his wand, flicking it toward her face. “You missed a spot.”
She brushed her fingers over the cool tingle of magic on her cheek.
“Now whatever would you do without me?” Theo playfully taunted.
“Probably get my work done in half the time,” Hermione grumbled under her breath, but still at a volume he could hear.
A sharp bark escaped him, loud enough to startle Crookshanks out of his reverie. He jumped down off the couch with a hiss. “Well now look at what you've gone and done.”
Dropping the notebook and quill into her lap, Hermione covered her face with her hands and sighed. “What are you doing here? I really need you to leave so I can get my work done.” Her voice was muffled as she spoke through her fingers.
Letting out an offended snort, Theo placed one hand over his heart. “You wound me. Do you not value our friendship?”
She let her hands fall as she swung to face him. “Stop being so dramatic! Of course I do!”
“Then prove it.”
“If I do, will you leave and let me work?’
Theo pursed his lips, looking pointedly at the notebook in her lap. “If you insist on being boring, then yes.”
“Fine. Go on.”
“Come with me to Amortentia.”
Hermione crinkled her brow. “The new place on Diagon Alley? Isn’t that kind of a romantic restaurant?”
“Who says you and I couldn’t be romantic?” He placed a hand over his heart with a flourish. “If I were into the ladies, you’d be my top choice.”
Rolling her eyes, she picked up her notebook and quill again, finding her place. “Fine.”
Theo clapped his hands excitedly. “Excellent! It’s a date!”
Hermione’s attention was fully back on her notes. “Floo powder is on the mantle.”
Theo skipped across the room, thrilled to share the news with Fred. He tossed the powder into the fireplace, calling out Fred’s address before stepping into the green flames.