2007
“Do you really have to leave?” Hermione whispered, clenching onto Ron’s Auror robes as he hugged her tight.
“I don’t want to either, love,” he kissed her hair and pulled her even closer.
It was the morning of the 21st of December and Ron was just called to go on a mission over the Christmas holidays. Ron knew the conditions of his job, but going away over Christmas has never happened before so it came as a shock to him. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it. Being part of the Aurors meant that he could be pulled to go on missions at any given moment. It had happened to Harry before, but he got lucky this time and was able to stay home, while he had to miss his son’s first Christmas.
“We are gonna miss you,” Hermione pulled away from him, wiping the tears from her cheek.
“I’m gonna miss you too,” he cupped her face, using his thumb to trace the outline of her cheekbones on her skin, “but you’ll be at the Burrow on Christmas, so it will be at least a little close to normal.”
“It’s not gonna be normal without you, Ron,” she sniffed.
“Hey,” he tucked a strand of hair that had fallen into her face behind her ear, “I am just trying to make this less hard.”
“It’s not working.”
Ron placed his thumb under her chin and lifted it to press a kiss on her lips, “how about now?”
“A little bit better,” she smiled.
“Good,” he kissed her once more, “now where are my little demons? I need to say goodbye to them.”
“Don’t call them demons.”
“I called them little demons.”
Hermione chuckled, shaking her head, “Rose is in her crib and Hugo is still asleep in his room.”
Ron made his way to his daughter’s room, Hermione walking behind him. He opened the door and was greeted by a small child shouting “Daddy!” while gesturing her arms upwards. Ron went over to pick her up, “Hello princess, did you sleep alright?”
Rose nodded, rubbing her eyes. Ron laughed and Hermione walked over to them
“I know it’s early, sweetheart, but you wanted to say goodbye to daddy, right?”
The toddler nodded again and threw her small arms around her father's neck.
“I’ll miss you, Rosie,” Ron stroked her back gently, “Take care of mummy for me okay.”
Rose pulled away and nodded before reaching her arms over to Hermione. She took her daughter from him and looked at Ron, “You go say goodbye to Hugo, I’ll put her back to bed and then meet you downstairs again.”
He nodded and gave Rose a kiss on the head and left the room.
In Hugo’s room, he walked light-footed towards his son, watching him carefully. He was only three months old and it was a blessing if he slept for more than two hours straight.
“Hey buddy,” he whispered, kneeling down in front of his crib, “I know you’re asleep, but I couldn’t leave you before saying goodbye.”
Hugo didn't move at all and Ron admired how peaceful he looked, the sound of his small breathing being the only thing proving he was actually alive.
“I’m sorry for not being around for your first Christmas, Hugs. I know you won't remember it anyways, but I’ll forever feel guilty about it.” Ron stuck his hand through the gates of the crib and stroked the back of his small wrist, “I love you.”
Behind him, Hermione yelped quietly, which made Ron turn around. She was crying again and Ron gestured for her to come sit next to him. He took her in his arms and they just sat in silence for a while watching their son sleep.
“Promise me, you’re gonna be okay,” she whispered suddenly.
“I can’t, but I’ll promise you I’ll come back home to you and the kids.”
...
Christmas morning was stressful for Hermione. Rose had been awake since 5 am, eager to open her presents. Hugo had woken just ten minutes after his sister, despite being awake for the majority of the night. They were supposed to be at the Burrow at 11 for Christmas brunch, and Hermione was looking forward to having some help with the kids. She would never admit it openly to any of her family members, but the past 4 days felt like she had been through hell and back, twice.
Having a barely two-year-old toddler and a basically newborn baby to take care of on her own required organisation skills, not even she had. Rose had been extremely moody ever since her father had left and wouldn’t go to bed unless he would read to her. That this wasn't possible took about an hour of explaining. Every. Single. Night.
Hugo was also having a tough time with Ron’s absence, though he couldn’t verbally express it. He woke up a lot more often during the night and took ages to fall back asleep. Normally Hermione and Ron would split the night shift, but that was obviously not possible with him gone. How she had gotten through the last few days was a mystery to Hermione. She was tired and when she arrived at the Burrow, Molly had immediately given her 'sofa rest'.
She was sitting next to Ginny in the living room of the Burrow, watching the fire sizzle, her mind empty, which said a lot for someone like Hermione Granger-Weasley. Still, she was happy to be around the Weasley home. It gave her a little bit of comfort, even if Ron wasn’t there with them.
They spend a few hours getting through brunch and Hugo (being the newest nephew and grandson) was being passed around to everyone, forcing Hermione to rest unless she had to feed him. Rose was occupied ordering James, Albus and Teddy around and Hermione could only smile at how much she saw herself in her daughter at certain moments.
The early evening rolled around and the entire family gathered around the fireplace once again. Percy, Harry and Bill were talking about some current ministry business Hermione technically was involved in but had no interest in discussing. Fleur and Audrey were busy keeping an eye on Louis and the twins. George, Angelina and Ginny were playing Exploding snaps in the corner, having trouble keeping James, Freddie and Roxanne away from them. Arthur had Hugo in his arm while testing his new muggle radio he had gotten from Harry and Ginny, and Molly was talking to Hermione about something. She wasn’t really listening because her mind kept going to her husband, hoping he was okay. She knew he wouldn’t want her to worry, but Hermione couldn’t help herself.
A knock on the door pulled her back to reality.
“Me!” Rose shrieked, running towards the front door as fast as she could. Charlie caught up to her and picked her up on the way, “little lady, we can’t just open the door to strangers.”
Rose giggled in her uncle's arms as he walked towards the door, out of sight for everyone.
“Are we expecting anyone?” Ginny asked.
Molly shrugged, “maybe it’s Andy and Teddy.”
“DADDYYY!” Rose shouted from the front door and Hermione immediately jumped up from her seat and ran to where the sound was coming from.
And there he stood, his daughter already clenching onto him.
“Ron?”
“Hey love, I thought I’d say hi. I just got back from the mission.”
Hermione ran straight at him and kissed him hard on the mouth.
“OI! I don’t need to see that,” Charlie groaned.
She pulled away, slightly embarrassed, “sorry.”
“Mummy, is daddy,” Rose squealed.
“I know, sweetheart. He’s back.”
They went around the corner and Ron greeted the rest of his family before sitting down next to Hermione, sleeping Hugo now resting on his chest, and a hand placed on Hermione's thigh. She leaned into him and whispered, “that was a really nice surprise.”
“It’s nothing, I knew I had to be here,” he kissed her head, “but you have to promise to not be mad at me later.”
Hermione pulled away slightly and raised an eyebrow at him, “What did you do?”
“I might have quit my job with the Aurors,” he said, his voice even lower than a whisper, “and before you yell at me, remember that we are around our family.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to be there for you,” he shrugged, “and saying goodbye to the kids broke my heart the other day.”
Hermione still seemed too shocked to say anything further.
“Don’t worry ‘Mione, I’ll find something else.”
“I know you will. I am just shocked,” she explained, “you are too good for me, Weasley.”
“Nothing is too good for you, Granger-Weasley.”
She kissed him on the cheek and leaned her head on his shoulder.
Christmas turned out to be not so horrible after all.