Ron Weasley and the Successful Shopping

Ron Weasley and the Successful Shopping

Ron awoke from an amazing dream. He had been snogging a particular brunette, and he was not keen on waking up. He grumbled as he rolled over, but his grumbling was cut short as he remembered the date.

December 25^th. Christmas Day!

Ron shot up and his eyes fell on a teetering pile of presents at the foot of his bed. He was so excited as he began tearing through paper that he completely forgot to be nervous about the gift he had gotten Hermione.

He laid aside his new Chudley Canons gloves from Harry ("now with Broom-Grip Strips") and Niffler-shaped bank from Ginny ("it squeals with joy when you put money in") with the others and reached his last gift.

Ron held on to the package as he remembered finding a gift for Hermione.

~*~

"Harry, have you noticed girls are impossible to shop for?" Ron asked exasperatedly.

"Actually mate, I haven't." Harry had the good grace to look apologetic. "The only girls I ever have to buy gifts for are Ginny and 'Mione. Hermione always loves books and Ginny...well Ginny likes Quidditch as much as any girly stuff. Its kind of win-win."

Ron put his head in his hands and bent over his knees. He didn't want to give her a book. Of course she would love one, but he felt like it was about time he did something special. Something no one else would think to get her. But as Ron didn't get any OWLs in Romance, he had no clue where to begin.

Ginny wandered into the Leaky Cauldron with her friends, Lauren and Allison. They had their noses stuck in the newest WWW catalog. Ron doubted that he could find much for Hermione at a joke shop, but the GM products were getting pretty popular. Ron decided to suck up his pride and ask for more help.

"Oi, you know you can't buy George a present from his own shop, right?" Ron teased as he sat at the girls' table.

"Ron, you git, I got George's present ages ago. I'm trying to decide what to get Hermione. I found a great book called 'Advanced Arithmancy for the Especially Studious', but I think I want to do something more fun."

"That would be fun for her!" Ron chuckled, and Ginny heard him mutter, "Crazy girl", under his breath.

"So those girly products are really starting to sell, eh? What are they called, GM? Wos' that stand for again? Girl Magic or somethin'?"

"It means Grags and Mags," Allison piped up. "Surely you've heard of some of these products. The Forgetful Flings are quite popular after all."

Lauren fell into a fit of giggles as Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Have a look," Allison added with a slight sulk, "I'm sure Hermione would love something thoughtful from you."

Girls are so strange, Ron thought.

He sat next to Ginny and grabbed the catalog. Most of the stuff looked clever, but not very much like Hermione. This looks like stuff Lavender would buy, Ron thought with a shudder.

"Try the next page, Ron. That first page is all fluffy stuff; the really clever goods are on page two." Lauren seemed to be beaming with pride. You'd think she invented the lot, Ron wondered naively.

He turned the page and his eyebrows went up. These things were indeed more suited to his girlfriend. An exam-themed glamour that keeps you looking well rested even after all-nighters, special quills ... A Love Letter Quill, Ron pondered, now that could come in handy.

And then he saw them. The perfect gift. His eyes lit up, and when he looked up at the table they were all peering at him anxiously.

"These will be absolutely perfect! These GM witches must be almost as clever as Hermione herself!"

Ron ran out of the pub, without saying good-bye to Harry and without noticing the satisfied pride on the girls' faces.

~*~

Ron was snapped out of his memory by the creaking of the door. He looked up to see Hermione standing in a fluffy, red robe. She was holding a clumsily wrapped package clutched to her chest.

"Happy Christmas, Ron."

"Happy Christmas, 'Mione."

Hermione strolled over and sat on the edge of Ron's bed. She leaned forward and kissed Ron gently but quickly on the lips. He felt his cheeks warm slightly. He wanted another kiss. Actually, he wanted to re-enact his dream, but now was not the time. I've got a much better chance after she sees her present.

"Why don't you open yours first, Ron?" Hermione looked slightly flushed, but eager.

Ron fumbled with the paper quickly. As he tore it away, two smaller, and still wrapped, gifts fell onto his bed. He looked up at her, confused, and picked up the smaller of the two. When he tore away the paper, he stared at the book.

"I'm not sure if I should laugh or be insulted." Ron said, trying unsuccessfully to hold in a chuckle.

In his lap lay a book entitled "Charming Charms: How to Make Your Bachelor Pad Witch-Ready". He opened to it and scanned the Table of Contents, which included "Cleaning Without Cleaning: Hiding those stains and smells in less than five minutes" as well as "Gauging Her Comfort: Knowing when doors should be shut and when they should be open". He glanced at the bottom of the page and blushed deeply when he read "Silencing Charms: Your roommate and neighbors will thank you". Ron stared at Hermione, who also wore a blush.

"Well, with you and Harry getting your own place soon, I thought it would be nice if Ginny and I didn't have to personally train you." She giggled when his eyebrows shot up. "Plus, I gave Harry the same book. That's why I got you two things. I wanted to give you something more...special."

Ron picked up the soft, familiar feeling package and began to unwrap it. When the paper fell away he held up a deep green sweater with Ron written in true Gryffindor red across the pocket on the left side. He simply stared at it.

"I know you don't like the red on you, what with your hair, and green always looks so handsome on you," Hermione rambled, "and after making those hats and such for the house elves I just kind of kept knitting, and I thought it would be a nice reminder of--"

"Bloody hell, Hermione, take a breath!" Ron teased. "This is absolutely amazing. Truly amazing. How long did this take you?"

"A few months. I kept going back and forth between magic and Muggle knitting. I used magic on the pocket; it can hold an enormous amount, kind of like that bag I carried around..."

They paused for a moment, remembering. They tried not to talk about that time of their lives if it wasn't necessary, and neither wanted to spoil the good cheer in the room.

"Well I love it. Thanks." Ron leaned forward, placed his hand over her jaw and kissed her very softly. She let out the slightest moan of pleasure, at which point Ron thrust himself back from her.

"No, no, no, none of that now. If you start doing that you will never get to open your present." He dropped his sweater onto his lap in what he hoped was a subtle way and waited for her to open her gift.

She smiled mischievously at him, and then turned her attention to the package in her lap. She carefully tore the paper at the seal, painstakingly removing the packaging. Ron heard her gasp as she revealed the clothing. She looked up at him, her eyes filling slowly with tears.

"You remembered? I can't believe you were even listening. That must have been... how long ago?"

"Just last year. You said it was the first year you hadn't received pajamas at Christmas, since we couldn't very well take owls while on the run. I think you were talking mostly to yourself, honestly, but I listened a lot more than you think. That was a key point in the book I wa- um, Mum has always said that was important to girls. And the advert said these were especially good for Muggle-borns, because of the Christmas carols you all sing."

Ron took the pajama top and unfolded it. "You see this little angel printed on the collar? You tap it with your wand and it plays music. Their called Serenade Sleepers. I got to pick the songs, but I don't really know Muggle carols, so I just picked some from a list. I hope you like it."

She still hadn't taken her eyes off of him. He blushed and turned away, showing a little grin.

"These are... I can't believe... thank you. This is almost definitely the most thoughtful gift I have ever received." She scooted toward him and hugged him tightly. He could feel her warm breath on his neck and he shivered delightfully.

"Where did you get these, anyway?" Hermione asked once she had pulled away. "My mum would adore some for herself."

"Actually--" Ron beamed. "--I thought of that already." I am so good! "I got her a pair as well, you know, from us... if that is ok."

Hermione stared at her boyfriend, and then fell back onto the bed giggling. "Oh, you are so proud of yourself, aren't you? It is written all over your face!" She was near hysterics. "You git. No clue at romance for years, and now suddenly you could write your own book."

Ron wasn't sure if he had been insulted or complimented, and it showed on his always expressive face. The brunette sat up and only just managed to stifle her laughter.

"Oh Ronald, you've just... you've grown up so... I'm very proud of you."

Despite the grin and the red hue of his cheeks, she thought she heard him mutter something about "sound like my Mum" under Ron's breath.

"Yes Ron, I think it is an excellent idea. My Mum will love them. And I'm sure we can order something clever for Dad. They won't mind that they're late." Hermione smirked. "We can blame the owl post."

She kissed him suddenly, pushing him back onto his bed. After a short, but deliciously frenzied snog, Hermione asked, "Now let's see what songs these nightclothes know."

~*~

Desired Ship: Hermione/Ron

Quote to Inspire: "It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old. With angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold?"

Christmas Theme: Christmas pajamas