| +++ Yule +++ On a cold winter’s night All snowy and fair A congregation of four students appeared In the frostbitten, wintry air +++ All cloaked and frigid The four stood in the knee-deep snow Speaking to one another in chuckles and whispers While in the background wind did blow ++++ The first of the four was a demure little woman With fiery hair aflame And eyes as bright as a zeyphr And the word ‘Ginny’ for a name +++ The second was a righteous young chap Whose eyes put fancy emeralds to shame Who people called ‘The boy who lived’ Harry, whose heart only a lady could tame +++ The third was a poignant young woman With a sparkle in her chestnut-coloured eyes And a little laughter in her heart and mind Hermione, who it was most difficult to despise +++ The final was a rigorous young man Whose hair resembled a rusty blaze And whose bravery could match any knight Who went by ‘Ron’, and who never required any praise +++ The group was here on the evening of Yule Where the night was longest in all of the year And where people celebrated the rebirth of light With the utmost tidings of happiness and cheer +++ So it went that Ginny spoke first Eyes twinkling like the stars above And so she said to her merry little group ‘Why not converse on the topic of love?’ +++ All eyes went to stone, all faces went blank For love was a topic almost forbidden And besides, who on this jovial evening Who would want one of their deepest secrets unhidden? +++ Hermione was the first to reply Trying frantically not to fall apart Her face was turning bright pink As she spoke the words ‘why speak of the heart?’ +++ The two boys chuckled nervously Jamming their fingers within their sleeves For they knew that if things were said about their ‘love’ They would be chastised from here to Christmas Eve +++ However, young Ginny persisted Saying ‘why not now, why not here?’ Grumbling and whining as she always did Asking ‘Are you afraid because the one you love is near?’ +++ Both males’ eyes fell to the floor Entranced suddenly by the white sugary substance at their feet Cursing silently at the bouncy redhead At the truth in her words that could lead to their defeat +++ These actions made Ginny excited She was practically bubbling inside with joy ‘I knew that was the reason you wouldn’t talk’ ‘And we won’t let you fake out with a ploy!’ +++ It was Ron’s turn to speak to Ginny And speak with strong, dark words ‘I don’t want to speak about ‘love’ as you wish’ ‘I don’t want to, don’t need to, won’t,’ Ron splurred +++ Harry was next to pipe in his dissent About Ginny’s poor choice of theme ‘Nobody wants to speak about ‘love’ during Yule!’ ‘I’m not going to bed again with a bad dream!" +++ Hermione began; ‘The only bad dream you will have, Harry’ ‘Is one where you feel the pain of rejection’ ‘And why would someone in this group reject you?’ ‘When all we have for you is a LOVING affection?’ +++ Harry cursed at both girls now Anger beginning to take a toll ‘Oh, you girls and your obsessions with love!’ ‘It’s as if that’s all you need for your heart and soul!’ +++ ‘But love is all that’s needed’ Ginny did insist. ‘To live a long and prosperous life’ ‘To have, to hold, to LOVE someone’ She winked at Ron, ‘and maybe, someday, have as a wife’ +++ ‘So dear brother, why not answer my question’ ‘That you heard from me earlier today’ ‘Why not announce your fancy to the world?’ She simpered, ‘…or simply to the girl across the way?’ +++ Yes’ whispered the Ron very suddenly ‘I…do fancy someone here’ His voice began to quaver and mumble His last word the only word one could hear +++ To say the least, Ginny was thrilled Showing it best on her cream-coloured face ‘I knew you’d come around, Ronnie-boy!" ‘Now tell her, you prat, face-to-face!’ +++ Hermione began to tremble With what seemed like fear, anticipation, and…LOVE She set her gaze upon Ron Weasley Heart beginning to beat like the wings of a dove +++ So with courage making him stronger And a simple song in his soul and mind Ron walked over to young Hermione, grasped her hand And whispered ‘To you, my heart is entwined’ +++ All breaths were taken in In both horror, shock, and in a gasp Who would have ever thought Ron would admit His feelings for her would have come out so fast! +++ And then, in the blessed snowy place With trembling fingers so snowy white Ron leaned over to Hermione, nose to nose And breathed the question ‘alright?’ +++ And to this inquiry Hermione did grin And she giggled slightly at Ron ‘I… would like that… if you want to’ And their lips finally met, and the world was gone +++ It wasn’t really just a kiss It was a promise that they would BE Come rain or shine, snow or hail Ron would always cherish Hermione, his lady +++ While all this happened between Hermione and Ron Two other friends had joined hands Fingers and souls intertwining together Harry and Ginny, lady and man +++ And so when the friends finally glanced At the pair that was opposite them The giggle smiled, congratulated and kissed And pledged their friendship would never cede, only stem +++ And so ended the night of Yule As the pink of morning dawned But the love and friendships we witnessed tonight Will live on, and on, and on |