New Years Eve found Hermione and Severus once again at the Burrow. Having been so warmly welcomed the last time, Severus was even less hesitant to join her this time, and they had a thoroughly enjoyable evening with Hermione’s unofficially adopted family. As midnight approached, Arthur and George ushered everyone into the yard to wait in the dark while Charlie, George, and Bill prepared the fireworks. A countdown started somewhere (Hermione suspected it was Harry), and the whole crowd joined in.