What’s in a gift?
Sometimes I can’t recall why people do it all.
Why people give.
Why make the sacrifice, pay such an awful price for just a gift?
Can somebody tell me how it is the thought that counts and not the dollar amount?
Because if just the thought can count
Why not just tell them how it was thought about?
(Clark Baxtresser)
❅❅❅
Snowflakes fall from the sky, slowly dancing to the ground and covering the small alleyways of Diagon Alley in a blanket of snow. The old cobblestone streets are adorned with festive lights and filled with crowds of people doing their last-minute Christmas shopping, promising a holiday more magical than ever.
Just above a small corner shop lay a tiny apartment, where Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley had moved into just a few months ago. Their little flat exudes warmth and cheer, filled with the scent of evergreens and the crackling of a fire in the small fireplace.
Hermione, wrapped in a soft blanket and a book in her lap, sat by the window, her breath creating patterns on the frosted glass. Outside, the moon glowed on the scene below, painting a picture of a perfect Winter Wonderland.
Her eyes wander around focusing on witches and wizards holding large bags filled with gifts for their loved ones. She smiled as her mind set on Ron. Her Ron. The person she had recently started a new chapter of her life with and quite simply the love of her life.
With Christmas only two days away, Hermione found herself contemplating how to make the day special for Ron despite the constraints of their tight budget.
Living on their own and being on the lowest end of the Ministry hierarchy meant that the couple had to watch what they spent, living from month to month, paycheck to paycheck.
Harry had offered to help them multiple times, but both of them were too stubborn to accept such an offer from their best friend. And besides it is not like they had nothing, they had a roof over their heads, food in their fridge and most importantly they had each other and Hermione knew that deep down that was all they needed. Still, she wanted to find the perfect gift for Ron. Something she knew he would love and use. Something meaningful, that would scream just how much she loved him.
The loud crack of the old flat door pulled her out of her thoughts as Ron returned from his day at the Ministry. Hermione couldn’t help but notice the glimmer of excitement in his eyes. His cheeks were coloured red from the cold, making his freckles stand out even more than usual reminding Hermione of the snowflakes outside.
Ron was wearing an expression on his face that resembled that of a child on Christmas morning. He had always loved Christmas and Hermione knew how excited he was to spend the holiday living together. It was special to him and she was determined to make sure the day would be as magical as possible.
“Hey love, what are you thinking about?” Ron asks, smiling as he lets his bag and coat fall to the floor by the door.
“Ron,” Hermione sighs, her eyes darting to his stuff on the floor.
“Wha- Oh yes, sorry,” he bends down, picking up his belongings and hanging them by the door, where they had put in nails just a few weeks ago.”
“Thank you,” she smiles at him, “How was your day?”
Ron sighs, dropping down onto the sofa, “Don’t ask. Robards made all the trainees do paperwork all day because half of the Auror department is already on holiday leave and the other is on a mission,” he leans back his head onto the backrest closing his eyes, “How about you?”
“It was okay, I suppose. Lots of meetings.”
He turns his head to look at her. “I can’t believe they put you in all those boring meetings. They don’t appreciate your brilliant brain enough.”
Hermione laughs, shaking her head, “I have to work my way up, Ron.”
“Nah, they are wasting their time. They might as well offer you Minister already.”
“You’re ridiculous,” she chuckles.
“And you love it,” Ron grins at her and opens his arm, “Come over here.”
Hermione set aside her book and moved down from the window sill to join Ron on the sofa. She snuggles into his side, resting her head on his shoulder. Her eyes focused on the fire as the couple sat in silence for a while. Ron’s thumb drew small circles on her arm while she played with the zipper of his jacket. Hermione’s mind wandered back to her earlier concerns as she thought about what to get Ron for Christmas.
Ron caught her expression and turned to face her, “You look worried.”
“Oh it’s nothing,” she assures him, “I’m just tired.”
“You sure?”
“Yes,” she smiles resting a hand on his shoulder, “I’m sure.”
Ron still didn’t look convinced, “Listen ‘Mione, if it is about me having to work tomorrow I swear I tried to get out of it but you know Roba-”
“- Hey,” she interrupts by cupping his face with both hands, “It’s not about that at all, Ron.”
“You promise?”
Hermione laughs and pecks his lips, “Yes, I promise. I think I’m just a little nervous about tomorrow. Our first official Christmas living together. I just want it to be perfect.”
"Hermione, love, I know it's not the fanciest Christmas, but being here with you is all I need," Ron said, wrapping his arm around her.
She smiles, appreciating his sentiment but still wanting to make the season extra special for him. "I know.”
The couple didn’t stay up long after that and went to bed, limbs intertwined and the anticipation of Christmas surrounding them.
❅❅❅
The challenge of a tight budget hung in the air, but Hermione was determined. Christmas Eve arrived with a soft dusting of snow, and Hermione, bundled in her warmest cloak, ventured into the crowded streets.
Diagon Alley was a spectacle of festive decorations, each shop window telling a tale of holiday enchantment. She strolled along, her breath forming misty clouds in the crisp air, looking out for something she could get for Ron. Nothing seemed to fit until she stumbled upon a quaint broom accessory shop tucked away in a corner.
Through the frost-kissed window, a Quidditch-themed embellishment caught her eye. A brown, leather cover for a broom. It was perfect – nothing too cheesy or classy, but something she knew he would appreciate. A testament to Ron's love for the sport. Her heart bursts in the excitement of finally having found something worthy for her boyfriend. Her heart sank however when she saw the price tag. Hermione sighed, realizing it was far beyond what she could afford.
She turned away and kept walking down the street, her eyes moving around in hopes of finding something different. But her mind and heart were stuck on what she had seen earlier. Hermione cursed under her breath when she arrived in front of Flourish and Blotts. The shop looked relatively empty compared to the bustling street and she couldn’t help but enter. The soft sound of a bell rang through the store and drew the attention to the young witch.
“Ah Miss Granger,” the shopkeeper greets her smiling, “How can I help you today?”
“Just looking around, thank you.”
Hermione made her way through the small familiar passages of the old store. The smell of paper brought her a little bit of peace. She let her fingers run over various book spines taking in the beauty of it all, when she stopped in front of a small shelf. The sign above it read “Hogwarts: A History special edition”. Hermione smiled to herself, she already owned this copy, she’d had it for years at this point. It was one of her most precious possessions, it must be worth Galleons by now. Her mind stopped at this thought. Must be worth Galleons . She couldn’t. It was a piece of her magical journey she held so dear. She simply couldn’t. But it was Ron.
Hermione stared at the shelf in front of her, her mind wandering back and forth, stuck on what she should do. She ran her hands over the multiple new copies in front of her, flicking through the pages. There were so many memories tied to her own copy. From the first time she arrived at Hogwarts to the multiple late nights in the library. There was nothing more special than this. Well except for Ron. There was nothing and no one she held dearer than Ron.
She turned to the shopkeeper, “Do you buy books as well?”
With a heavy heart, Hermione made her way back home, clutching the Quidditch bag tightly against her chest. The sacrifice weighed on her, but she knew it would bring joy to Ron and that was all that mattered. He was all that mattered.
❅❅❅
Christmas morning arrived with a soft light shining through the windows of their bedroom. Hermione stretched her arms above her head and turned onto her side coming face-to-face with Ron who was still fast asleep. She smiled at how peaceful he looked, his soft snores filling the quiet room.
Hermione brushed a lock out of his face and ran her finger down his jawline.
“Good Morning,” Ron groaned softly.
She chuckled, “Merry Christmas, Ron.”
“Merry Christmas, love,” Ron rested a hand on top of hers that was still drawing circles on his face.
“Did you sleep alright?”
“I got to wake up beside you, so I’m not complaining,” he smirks.
She huffs, “You’re ridiculous.”
“Oh really?” He grins, “I’m just being honest.”
“Sure thing,” she laughs.
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“I would never,” Hermione holds up both her hands, “I still think you’re ridiculous though.”
Ron sighs, “Hermione Jean Granger, I will mark the day in my calendar when you’ll finally accept a compliment from your boyfriend.”
He reaches his arms around her waist and pulls her close, taking in her scent. Hermione’s hands wander into his hair, gently massaging his scalp.
“How about we stay in bed all day?” Ron muffles into her neck.
She chuckles, “Do you want your mother to kill us?”
“There are so many people in this family at this point I doubt she’ll even notice we’re not there.”
“Don’t say that,” she hit his back lightly, “of course she’ll notice. And besides, if we stay here all day you won't get to unwrap your presents.”
“I’ll get to unwrap you though.”
Her head shoots back in laughter, “That’s very ambitious of you.”
“You say ambitious,” Ron lifts his head and locks eyes with her, “I say realistic.”
He moves his hand behind her neck and pulls her into a longing kiss. Hermione melts into him, her hands running down his shoulders as she smiles.
As he pulls away shortly after she groans.
“Who’s ambitious now?”
“Shut up and kiss me again,” she shoves his shoulder lightly.
“All in time, love,” Ron pecks her lips once more, “you said something about presents?”
❅❅❅
The couple sat on their sofa together, each a wrapped gift in front of them. With a mixture of excitement and nerves, Ron lifted his gift for her and spoke, “You go first.”
Hermione smiled and took the gift from him. She opened the package carefully and her heart stopped when saw what was inside. Not being able to hide her shocked expression, Ron tilted his head to the side, “You don’t like it.”
“No,” Hermione exclaimed fastly, “No, Ron, that's not it.”
Her eyes fall back down to the gift – a beautiful, enchanted book cover for Hogwarts: A History . Tears formed in her eyes as she looked back up to Ron, “This is perfect, I just -”
“You don’t have to lie to me, ‘Mione. We can return it if you want. I knew I should have got–”
“Will you shut up for a second?” Hermione chuckled, wiping a tear from under her eye, “I had to sell my special edition," she confessed, her voice timid and soft, “to afford your gift.”
“You did what?” Ron exclaimed, “You didn’t have to do that!”
“You deserved something special, Ron,” she explained, “it’s just a book.”
Ron’s expression softened as he took her hands into his, “It’s not just a book to you, love.”
“It’s fine,” she smiled through soft sniffles, ”I promise. Now please open your gift.”
She urges him to take the wrapped package sitting in front of her. Ron, still not convinced, took the gift from her, “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Now please open it.”
He sighed as he began to pull the paper away and his eyes widened when Hermione's gift was finally revealed. He stared at it for a second before he started laughing.
Hermione furrowed her eyes, “What’s so funny?”
“Please don’t kill me, when I tell you this, but I sold my broom to afford the book cover.”
“What?”
Ron’s laughter filled the room, and to Hermione’s surprise tears glistened in his eyes too, “We did the same thing. I sold my broom for your gift, and you sold your book for mine.”
Hermione was too stunned to speak until a wave of laughter overcame her as well. At that moment, amidst the laughter and tears, the couple realised that the most precious gifts came from the heart, even if it meant sacrificing a piece of their own magic. Surrounded by love and the enchantment of the season, Hermione and Ron embraced the spirit of Christmas, grateful for the joy they had given each other.
❅❅❅
What’s in a gift?
Is it how smart or dumb, is it just who it’s from?
What’s in a gift?
What’s the real reason for it, is it just the season for it?
What gives?
(Clark Baxtresser)