One Last Try [HP Jamione fanfic]

15. Peace

A/N: Thank you for the lovely reactions to the last couple chapters! You guys are the best. Here we go further into Christmas. I've just finished writing the 39th chapter for this, and I'm about to begin writing seventh year! So much left to do :O

24th December 1974

The days with her friends passed much too fast in Hermione's opinion. They spent the days exploring the house and grounds, and then lounging around in the library, Hermione's room, or giggling over something in the parlour.

They were having one last large dinner together before Geraint Apparated the girls back to their families early the next morning. Molly and Arthur had arrived the night before with Bill and Charlie - who were two and four respectively - and would be staying until boxing day. Geraint's younger brother and his wife, Ignatius and Lucretia, would be joining them on Christmas day, and this year so would Arthur's parents Septimus and Cedrella Weasley.

They all took seats at the table, Hermione with Charlie on one side of her. She ran her hand lightly through her niece's long, messy red hair and tried not to think about how weird it was having the Weasleys, who'd always been years older than her, so much younger. Hermione had been anticipating Charlie, who had demanded to be called that instead of Charlotte pretty much as soon as she could speak, coming out since Molly had announced she was pregnant and it was with a daughter.

Charlie had told Hermione, in a quiet moment during Bill's wedding, that he was trans and it had taken him until nearly the end of Hogwarts to tell anyone except Bill.

It had taken his mother a long time to get past no longer having him as her daughter after he'd told her. It was part of why he'd run away to Romania after school, he'd explained, wanting to start a life where no one had ever known him before. Hermione really hoped she could show him that his family accepted him no matter what this time round. That he'd feel comfortable coming to her, at least, when he was ready. She'd also told the twins, who had been wholly accepting. They'd been just as furious as Hermione that Molly had made her son feel he couldn't come out to her for so long, and then she'd confirmed his fears.

The dinner passed pleasantly enough, Hermione sat back and watched everyone interact for most of the time, until Dorcas drew her into a spirited discussion on some new law the Wizengamot was considering. Soon the whole table had joined in and the rest of dinner was spent discussing it.

"We're going to head upstairs if that's alright?" Hermione asked once dinner was over.

Iphemia smiled happily at her daughter, "Of course it is, darling. I'll send Twinky up with some hot chocolate for you in a bit."

"Thanks, mum." Hermione and her friends rose from the table as one, everyone waving goodnight. Charlie burst into tears when she left and Hermione's heart clenched, but she heard Molly consoling her youngest as they headed upstairs.

"Those kids are adorable." Alice said as they climbed the stairs.

"I know, right!" She gushed. The young Weasleys were one of her favourite things about the past - they were easy, loving, and uncomplicated. "Don't tell Molly, but I'm almost certain she's going to have more no matter how much she insists against it." They laughed as Hermione pushed the door to her room open. They all flopped down comfortably on the bed and chairs, disturbing a peacefully sleeping Hermes with their giggling. Twinky popped in with their hot chocolate soon after.

"I've been saving something for tonight." Dorcas said with a cheeky grin, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a shrunken bottle of firewhiskey. She enlarged it with an Engorgio and a cackle at her friends' expressions. "Come on, Christmas Eve drinking and Never Have I Ever! What could be more fun!" She exclaimed.