Hey again! I know it's been awhile, I've been busy with 

basketball and school (don't even get me started on 

algebra). But here's another R/H, H/G fic that'll put you in 

the Christmas-y mood. It could have a sequel if ya'll like it, 

tell me WHEN YOU REVIEW. (that was kind of a hit-you-

over-the-head clue that you should review this story) All 

right, enough of my incessant ramblings. May the story 

begin...


Mistletoe


It was nearly Christmas at Hogwarts, and the Gryffindor 

common room was abuzz with pre-holiday excitement. 

Harry and Ron were playing a very exciting chess game 

and drinking iced pumpkin juice that Fred and George had 

brought up. Hermione, however, was in her usual spot 

doing what she usually did-studying. She sat in the window 

seat, practically buried beneath her stack of Potions note for 

the enormous test that Snape had cruelly decided to give 

them the next day, the day before Christmas break. Ron 

looked up at her, letting out an exasperated sigh.


"All right, Hermione, I know this is hard for you, but you're 

going to have to trust me on this one. 

Step...away...from...the...homework." Ron said, grinning.


Harry, who was in an incredibly good mood, burst out 

laughing.


Hermione looked over her Potions book.

"First of all, Harry, it wasn't THAT funny. Second of all, 

do you realize how important every test you take this year 

is, what with the O.W.L.'s and-"


"Okay, Hermione, you give me no choice." Ron launched a 

chess piece at her.


She blocked it with her Potions book,, sighing, and 

slamming the book shut.


"Fine. It's time for a little Yuletide cheer for Hermione 

Granger. It's not like I don't know everything in that bloody 

book." She looked a lot more cheerful as she joined Ron on 

the couch.


Just then, Ginny came through the portrait hole, and saw 

the three of them sitting over on the couches.


"Ooh, pumpkin juice. I'm parched." She sat down next to 

Hermione, grabbing a glass.


Harry suddenly felt a twinge of disappointment. The first 

thought that popped into his head was, "There's plenty of 

room next to me." Quickly shaking off this thought about 

none other than Ron's little sister, Harry stared very 

determinedly down at the chess board..


Ron and Hermione were both laughing very heartily about 

something and Ginny was watching them with a very 

frustrated expression. Harry thought this was a little 

strange, but quickly decided to stop looking at Ginny. He 

had been feeling really weird around her lately. It was as if 

he had suddenly realized that she wasn't a little kid 

anymore. She was nearly his age, and he had started to 

fearfully realize that he was thinking about her more and 

more. He was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts by very 

girly giggling by Hermione. This was a little 

uncharacteristic.


"No, Ron, I'm NOT going to tell you what I got you. You're 

just going to have to wait!" She laughed, going to get up 

but accidentally knocking over their glasses of pumpkin 

juice all over both of them in her sudden laughing fit. 


They took one look at each other, both practically drenched 

and started laughing even harder.


"Y-You'd better go change!" Hermione gasped, tears 

streaming down her face she was laughing so hard.


"You shouldn't! I like that drowned rat look!" Ron said, 

grabbing his aching sides.


Hermione giggled again, turning and going up to the girl's 

dormitories.


Ron told Harry and Ginny he'd be right back through his 

spastic fits of laughter, and then raced off to the boy's 

dormitories.


Harry laughed, looking at Ginny.


"Guess the holiday's makes people act a little crazy."


"I guess." Ginny said thoughtfully, talking very quietly and 

embarrassed like she usually did around Harry, then 

suddenly exploding.


"Those two make me so MAD sometimes!" She slammed 

her goblet down so hard on the table that Harry jumped 

back, his eyes wide.


"W-What?" He sputtered.


She talked in a furious whisper.


"Ron and Hermione, of course! It's so obvious she likes 

him, and believe me, Ron is crazy about her! You should've 

seen him this summer! Every morning, he'd run downstairs, 

"Letter from Hermione yet? Er......or Harry?" It would be 

kind of funny if it didn't make me so mad! Wouldn't they 

just be so perfect together? Why won't they just TELL each 

other?" She finished, so angry she was nearly spitting.


Harry didn't reply right away. He had to think about this a 

bit. Ron and Hermione. His two best friends. No, he would 

be lying if he said he had never noticed that they seemed to 

like each other, but it was kind of strange to think about. In 

fact, it was really strange to think about. But he could see 

Ginny's point. They would make a pretty cute couple. And 

who was he to stand in the way of that? He wanted them 

happy, and they would of course make each other happy. 

That said, they drove each other absolutely mad sometimes, 

but, as he thought about it, he wondered if that was just 

some strange way they showed affection. Yes, the more he 

thought about it, the more he thought they would make a 

really good couple.


"I know what you're saying, Ginny. They would make a 

good couple, even if it would be a little strange seeing 

them, you know, together."


Her mouth broke into a wide smile and Harry felt his heart 

thump wildly.


"Okay, Harry, I've been thinking. And I think if they're not 

going to tell each other how they feel, we're just going to 

have to....help them out a bit.." Ginny's smile suddenly 

turned very mischievous.


"And what did you have in mind?" Harry asked.


Ginny rummaged around her bag, and pulled a small 

satchel. Raising her eyebrows mysteriously, she very 

discreetly pulled out its contents. A little bunch of mistletoe 

tied together with a red silk bow. 


"Oh, I get it." Harry couldn't help but smile himself.


"Yes. And if you think about it, it wouldn't be that hard. 

There's a perfect spot right before you go through the 

portrait hole. We could just hang it up on Christmas Eve, 

and send them on a little errand together, and....." Ginny's 

voice trailed off as she looked very pleased with herself.


"But we'd have to do it at exactly the right time or it 

wouldn't work. About a million things could go wrong...." 

Harry was thinking this plan, although a promising one, 

had a very probable failure.


"Oh, Harry, that's what makes it fun! And if it doesn't work, 

we'll just be right back where we started, right? Where's 

your Christmas spirit?"


"Fine. Let's do it." Harry agreed, and they continued to 

quietly plan how everything would turn out exactly right. 


Suddenly, Hermione came down the stairs. It looked as 

though she had not only changed but fixed her hair. 


"Hey, you two. What are you talking about?" Hermione sat 

down next to Harry, looking at them suspiciously.


They had gone absolutely silent when she had walked in, 

and neither were very good at keeping straight faces.


"Oh, we were just talking about-about how much we're 

looking forward to Christmas." Ginny said lamely, shooting 

Harry a 'help me out, here' look.


"Yes, and how-er-hungry we are. Want to go down to 

dinner, Ginny?"


"Er-yes! That sounds great, I'm starved. Care to join us, 

Hermione?"


"Actually, I'll just wait for Ron." She said, her cheeks 

flushing slightly.


Harry and Ginny grinned at each other, and left the 



Gryffindor common room practically unable to conceal 

their excitement.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The next few days flew by. Harry and Ginny spent a few 

minutes each night going over their plan and making sure 

that they both knew what to do. Harry had to admit that it 

was great spending time with her. Every time they shared a 

laugh or a smile, Harry felt his heart flutter strangely. And 

Ginny was obviously feeling the same thing. It was 

odd....but wonderful. But neither of them had time to focus 

on their relationship. They were too busy worrying about 

Ron and Hermione.


Finally, it was Christmas Eve. Harry and Ginny were both 

nervous and excited. No one really noticed their scheming 

because they thought it was just pre-holiday excitement like 

everyone else. Ron and Hermione were totally oblivious 

that anything was about to happen, but that just made it 

more fun. The day went by rather quickly and 

uninterestingly. The only exciting moment was when 

Harry, Ron and, of course, Hermione discovered they had 

all passed the Potions test with flying colors.


"Maybe Snape has caught a bit of the holiday spirit." Harry 

suggested, looking disbelievingly down at his score.


They were all silent for a moment, then all said at the exact 

same moment:


"Not possible." 


Laughing, the three left Potions in very high spirits. But 

Harry most of all. It was almost time to put he and Ginny's 

plan into action.


It was finally nightfall and the crowd was slowly dwindling 

down in the Gryffindor common room. Finally, after 

Hermione left for the girl dorms, Ron went to the boy's 

side. And not long after that, Harry and Ginny were the 

only people left in the common room. 


"Do you have it?" Harry asked, whispering even though 

they were the only ones in there.


"Of course. Right here." Ginny pulled out the satchel, 

smiling.


She took out the mistletoe, and she and Harry went over to 

the exact spot they had decided on a long time ago, Ginny 

pulled over a stool that was in front of an armchair and put 

it right under the designated spot.


"Well, here goes. Do you want to put it up or should I?" 

Ginny asked.


"Go ahead." Harry told her, and she excitedly clambered 

onto the stool.


Taking out a nail that she had put in her robes, she pushed 

it through the ribbon, hanging the mistletoe exactly where 

they had wanted it to go.


"We did it!" Ginny shrieked, starting to get down but losing 

her balance.


She went flying off the stool, and Harry caught her 

instinctively. Suddenly, they both realized what an 

awkward position they were in. Harry had both his arms 

around Ginny's waist, and she had her arms around his 

shoulders. When she looked up, she realized their faces 

were about an inch apart. They both looked up and saw the 

mistletoe dangling over their heads.


"Well, according to tradition, this is where we kiss." Harry 

said nervously.


"Right." Ginny said, her hands shaking.


And at practically the exact moment, they both leaned in 

and kissed each other. And it felt so right, so perfect. When 

the kiss ended, there was a very long, awkward silence that 

was interrupted by the clock suddenly chiming, telling both 

of them it was midnight.


The sudden noise caused both of them to jump away from 

each other.


Harry looked at Ginny, waiting for her to say something. 

But she looked as if she was in a daze. Her eyes were as big 

as saucers, and mouth hung open in wonder.


"What?" He asked, laughing at her expression.


"Nothing...it's just that...I can't believe that just happened. 

I feel like I'm dreaming or something."


Harry didn't say anything. He was a little in shock of what 

had just happened as well.


"Well---Merry Christmas, Harry!" Ginny suddenly said, 

turning on her heel and dashing off to the girl's dormitories.


Harry walked off to his room, feeling very happy but a little 

worried. What did all this mean? Would their plan work the 

next day? And, most importantly, should he tell Ron?


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Harry woke up the following morning, and it took him a 

moment to remember what had happened last night. His 

whole body felt pleasantly warm and he couldn't help but 

smile. 


"Morning, Harry. Opened your presents yet?" He heard a 

sleepy Ron ask from the bed next to his.


Harry felt a little guilty. He always told Ron everything, but 

he couldn't exactly tell him he had kissed his little sister last 

night.


"Er-no, Ron, I just woke up."


"Well, I can't wait to see mine." Ron said, sounding like he 

was a little kid again, as he excitedly pulled his pile of 

presents towards him.


Harry did the same, receiving the usual sweater from Mrs. 

Weasley, a scarf covered with broomsticks and Gryffindor 

lions from Hermione, mismatched socks from Dobby, a 

book from Ron that detailed every Quidditch match that 

had ever taken place, and food from Hagrid that Harry had 

learned was best to avoid. The Dursleys sent no present, 

and Harry could really care less. Suddenly, he saw one 

more small package with all the others. He opened it 

curiously. Inside was a silver ring that had the simple 

design of a crown on it. A note was enclosed. To Harry-I 

bought this a long time ago with you in mind, but never had 

the right opportunity to give it to you. Well, now I do. It's 

to remind you that you'll always be the king of my heart. 

Much Love, Ginny.


Harry quickly tucked the note and ring into a sock from 

Dobby, smiling and feeling his face grow a little hot.


"Blimey, Harry, quite a hall this year, eh?" Ron asked, still 

marveling at his present from Hermione.


It was a very nice broomstick, one that Ron could never 

afford. Hermione must have saved up ages for it. Sure, it 

was just a Firebolt and there were nicer brooms to be had, 

but Ron looked at it as if it was made from pure gold. Harry 

had given him the new updated Chudley Cannons shirt and 

poster, and he seemed to like those very much as well.


A few more Gryffindors than usual had stayed for 

Christmas this year. There was really no reason, it had just 

worked out that way. So Hermione had decided not to 

come up to the boy's dorms like she did when it was 

practically deserted on Christmas.


She woke up relatively early, and opened her presents from 

Ron and Harry. Harry's was very nice, it was a leather book 

bag so she could replace her old one that had ripped about 

three thousand times. Ron's was even nicer though. To her 

anyway. It was a moving picture that Harry had taken of 

herself and Ron at the Weasley's that summer in a very nice 

silver frame. It showed her and Ron both leaning slightly 

together with identical huge smiles at a professional 

Chudley Cannons game the three had gone to that summer. 

Ron was wearing his Chudley Cannons hat and sweatshirt 

and looked very cute, she thought to herself. Sighing 

slightly, she wondered if this picture meant anything or if 

she was just trying to make a big romantic sign out of 

everything. I need to get a grip. Parvati and Lavender act 

like this, not me. She told herself mentally, putting her 

picture inside the book bag and leaving them on her bed. 

Changing into jeans and a blue sweater, she put on her 

black robes and decided to go see if Ron and Harry had 

come down to the common room. As she was walking 

down the staircase, she heard someone call out her name. 

Turning around, she saw Ginny standing behind her, 

breathing very fast.


'Merry Christmas, Gin!" Hermione told her, trying to read 

her expression.


"You too," Ginny said distractedly, "Listen, Hermione, can 

we talk-in private?"


"Er-of course. Let's go up to my room." Hermione led 

Ginny up to her dorm, where Parvati and Lavender were 

doing each other's hair and giggling.


They were the only other people in there. 


"Here, let's go in the bathroom. That way they won't hear 

us." Hermione whispered to Ginny, dying to know what she 

had to tell her.


They walked into the lavishly decorated bathroom and sat 

down on the silver tiled floor.


"All right. What's wrong?" Hermione asked her, as Ginny 

sat down, still looking a little flushed.


"Okay, you are never going to believe this. Hermione, 

Harry kissed me last night." Ginny said this very quickly 

and stared down at her feet.


"Ginny! That's great! Wait-how?" Hermione was smiling 

genuinely but looked beyond surprised.


"I still can't believe it! We were down in the common room 

when no one else was---and it just kind of happened. I don't 

know what to do! I don't know what to say to him! To 

RON! Ron would kill Harry right after he was through with 

me! And I don't know how Harry's going to act after all 

this! Does he think it was a mistake? Does he really like 

me? Hermione, you've got to help me!" Ginny looked 

desperately at her.


Hermione fell silent. She had no idea what advice to give. 


"Maybe you could tell Ron over the summer, give him 

sometime to cool down and get used to the idea-"


"THIS SUMMER! Hermione, it's only Christmas! If me 

and Harry were, you know, a couple, you don't think I 

should tell Ron until summer!!" Ginny was getting close to 

hysterical.


"Calm down, Ginny. I see your point. Okay, I don't what to 

do about Ron. But with Harry-just see how he acts. You've 

liked him for, oh, I don't even know how long, and this is 

probably kind of new to him. Don't come on too strong, but 

definitely show him that you're interested. He wouldn't 

have kissed you if he didn't like you, Ginny. And I think 

that's great that he did. Now let's go down to the common 

room and see if they're down there." Hermione said, getting 

up.


Ginny looked a little shaky, but excited. Following 

Hermione down to the common room, they saw Harry and 

Ron sitting on one of the couches. Ron looked up at 

Hermione with a huge grin, and Harry didn't even look at 

Ginny. He was looking determinedly out the window. But 

Ginny saw something that made her heart thump wildly. 

Harry was wearing the ring. Sitting down next to him 

nonchalantly, she asked him if he was ready to pull off the 

plan while Ron and Hermione were talking.


He turned to look at her. Those eyes...! Ginny couldn't help 

thinking with a slight shiver. 


"Thanks for the ring, Ginny." He smiled widely at her.


"Y-You're welcome." She stammered stupidly.


"Let's do the plan now. The common room's getting really 

crowded, and we've got to do it before everyone goes down 

to breakfast." Harry suggested.

Ginny saw that Fred and George were in the common 

room, and smiled when she thought about how they would 

never let Ron forget it if he did kiss Hermione.


"Okay, Harry, go for it." Ginny suggested.


Harry turned to his two friends.


"Ron, Hermione, could you two go get something for me?"

They both looked at him, puzzled.

"I want a Quidditch book from the library, but Madam 

Pince has really been on my case lately, so I would really 

appreciate it if you two went and got it. It's called Flying 

Hints and Taking Hits-A Book for the Seeker."


Harry knew that this had come out a little lame, but they 

didn't seem to think much of it.


"Sure, Harry." Hermione said, shrugging.


"Whatever." Ron laughed, giving Harry an odd look.


They both got up together, and started to walk towards the 

portrait hole. Ginny looked nervously at Harry. Practically 

every Gryffindor was in the common room now. The 

moment they stepped under the mistletoe, Ginny knew it 

was her chance.


"Hey, Ron, look up!" She said very loudly.


Most of the talking around the common room ceased. 

Everyone looked towards Ron and it started dawning on 

people what he and Hermione were standing under.


"That is sooo sweet!" Lavender shrieked, grabbing Seamus' 

hand, who was looking at Ron with a sympathetic but 

amused smile.


Parvati started giggling madly. Fred and George looked at 

each other with wide, malicious grins, and started to yell 

things like "Go for it!" Now even more people were paying 

attention. Even sixth and seventh years were cheering them 

on, the boys all amused for Ron and all the girls thinking it 

was the sweetest thing they had ever seen. Everyone who 

knew Ron and Hermione were cheering and yelling. The 

first and second years looked a little confused, but decided 

to cheer along with everyone else. 


Ron looked at Hermione, horrified. She had a matching 

expression on her quickly paling face. Both had the sudden 

feeling to just make a run for it. But no one would let them 

leave now. Fred and George were nearly doubled over 

laughing as they watched them. Harry and Ginny smiled at 

each other. The plan was working. Now it was just up to 

Ron and Hermione.


Ron finally smiled, although it was a very embarrassed 

smile. Hermione grinned as well, her cheeks flushed bright 

red by now. Ron's ears were quickly turning the same color 

as his hair. 


"This wasn't exactly how I pictured it." Ron said quietly, 

laughing. 


"No, me neither." Hermione laughed as well, as everyone 

started to grow silent, trying to catch their conversation.


"Oh, well. Here goes nothing." Ron smiled, looking happier 

and happier.


Hermione felt her whole body go warm. Was this a dream? 

Was this really happening? As Ron started to lean towards 

her, it was as if all the laughing and cheering and everyone 

else in the world slowly faded away. They met each other 

with a sweet, quick kiss that only lasted for a few seconds. 

But it was the greatest few seconds of either's life. When 

their lips parted, the whole common room erupted with 

cheers. Ron and Hermione grinned awkwardly at everyone, 

and then practically tore out of the common room. 


"That's the Weasleys for you! Always get the girl!" Fred 

yelled, throwing his arm around Angelina.


"Or guy." Ginny whispered to Harry, with a shy smile.


Harry took her hand. Everyone was starting to leave for 

breakfast.


"Well, the plan worked and I got a girlfriend in the 

process." Harry told her quietly and happily. They were 

silent for a moment. 


The common room was empty except for them now. Ginny 

looked up at the sprig of mistletoe.


"I'll never get rid of that thing." She smiled, deciding to get 

it down later and keep it forever.


When she looked back at Harry, he kissed her again.


'Who needs it?" He laughed, squeezing her hand.


"Let's go get some breakfast." She suggested, trying to keep 

from exploding with happiness.


"Good idea. Oh, and-Merry Christmas, Ginny." Harry and 

Ginny walked through the portrait hole, both thinking what 

a wonderful Christmas it had been-and this was only the 

beginning. Who knew what the rest of the day would hold?



(A/N-The end.....of this part anyway! I'm pretty sure I'll 

write a sequel, it seems to make sense to continue this 

story. What do you think? Tell me in your review. Did you 

like it? It was so much fun to write, I love R/H, H/G. 

Happy December everybody!)