J.K.R. owns Harry Potter, not me.
December 24, 2003
The Christmas celebration was in full swing at the Burrow on this night. It seemed everyone was there: family, friends, order members, teachers, colleagues, even new significant others. Molly was going back and forth, keeping up conversations with everyone there, while Author was trying to help his twins on lessons of fatherhood. They had announced last week that Angelina and Katie were both pregnant, due the same day.
Ginny and Harry were talking with Ron and Luna over by the fire. After Voldemort had been defeated, they all took up jobs as professors at Hogwarts; Harry as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Ginny as the Charms teacher, Ron as the Care of Magical Creatures, and Luna as the Divinations teachers. Actually, after the war, many of the teachers retired to let a new generation take a swing at it. Other additions included Neville, Herbology, his wife Lavendar, who was assisting Madame Pomfere until she finished her medical training and took over as the Mediwitch of Hogwarts. The Patil twins, Panama, married Seamus, was the Arithmathy teachers and her sister, having gotten back from her honeymoon, was now married to Dean. Both to guys, however, were Aurors.
Albus Dumbledor and Minerva McGonagall(really Dumbledor) still taught at the school. It seemed Dumbledor wouldn't leave until he found the perfect replacement, and it couldn't be his wife. Once they picked out the new Head Master or Mistress, Minerva would give up, or as she liked to say, pass along, the Transfiguration position and they would retire together. But that didn't mean he was giving up being Head of the Order just yet. Even though the Tom Riddle was defeated years ago, they still liked to keep an eye out for anything.
At the current moment, the happy couple was talking to Draco Malfoy, who had come to Albus seven months before the Final Battle, volunteering to be a spy in order to protect him and his soon-to-be wife, Pansy Parkinson (although they were now happily married and had just found out Pansy was nine weeks along), Remus, Tonks, who was holding little Teddy, Sirius, who fell out of the veil when Bellatrix was thrown in two months before the battle, and Alastor.
Bill were talking with Charlie about the latest model of Nimbus Brooms, while Fluer and Charlie's wife, Annalisa, were playing with little Jenny on the floor by them. Little Jenny, or Little J., as everyone liked to call her, was Bill and Fluer's 17 month old daughter. She had a head of hair proudly showing she was a Weasley, but also blue eyes like her mother. Annalisa was also asking Fluer about her new clothing line, L.J. Designs. She had been working on it for years, but only recently finished her new maternity line.
Percy and Oliver Wood were discussing the scoreboard for the European Quittich Association, as Penelope and Alicia talked about work. Oliver had been married to Alicia for three years and was now on England's team while she had just finished up her healer training and was part of St. Mungo's staff. Percy was working in Muggle Relations, taking over his father's place when he became Minister of Magic two years ago. Like Penelope, Alicia had just finished training to become a healer was working at St. Mungo's also.
"Okay everyone, gather around the tree! It's time for Christmas Music!" Molly ran around the house, the living room, kitchen, backyard, and even up stairs, to gather everyone up. Even though it seemed stupid, one of the traditions they had started the years ago, before the Final Battle was that they would all gather around the tree and sing songs and celebrate the time of the year. And they may have been wizards and witches, they listened to mostly muggle music, from all around the world and in all different languages. It was a few minutes before the music started, and everyone just talked lightly or looked around. One of the many places they looked at was the empty spot right by the front side of the tree, where the radio stood on the table.
It was known to all that the space, no matter if they were all squashed together or couldn't breathe, was not to be stood in. It was saved for the person who had started the tradition. Back in forth year, when she had come, she always loved to sit by the tree and sing Christmas Carols. Slowly, people would always come over to hear her sing and, after getting the words, sung along with her. After a the second Christmas, she got everyone into it and they sung songs all night long. Now, it was tradition. The only problem?
She was gone.
Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her age, the only female of the Trio, who had her whole future planned out for her, was gone. She had sacrificed herself in the Final Battle, given her soul so that her friends. Literally. After hours of research, she had found an ancient ritual that aloud one person, in a sacrifice of blood, to give their energy and power to a person or a group of persons. Dumbledor had given her specific directions that she was not to do the ritual unless it was completely necessary, for in the few times it had been used, the outcome was always different. Yes, the main point of giving energy and power to people was always the same, what happened to the person giving was different. Some fell into comas, some went crazy, some died, and some became squibs.
But something different happened this time. As she completed the ritual, everyone could feel her power rushing through them. Ginny and Luna had been there with her, just in case anything went wrong. According to them, when it was done, she collapsed. Her pulse had become slower and weaker by the second, so they did the best they could to help her, but the battle called to them. So, placing her in a safe place away from the Death Eaters, they left. She was gone when they left. It was like she was never there. Her wand was gone also. In the following months and years, they searched, but nothing came up. So at Christmas, her spot was reserved, just in case she ever came home.
It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling
You'll be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year
The lights had been turned down and the candles were lit up. Little Jenny, being hugged close by her father, was giggling and laughing. Everyone was smiling and singing joyfully.
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greeting
And gay happy meeting
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all
The holiday spirit seemed to radiate around the room. Ginny sighed and leaned against Harry, cuddling into his embrace. Like the other woman in the room, it was these times together when she knew she had picked the right man, and the right friends.
They'll be parties of hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
They'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of glories of Christmas's long, long ago
Molly had to thank whoever was watching over her family at these times. When they could all be together and celebrate and be happy. Times when they could be care free and escape from the normal boring routines.
It's the most wonderful time of the year
They'll be much mistle toeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year
Remus and Sirius looked at each other, remembering the times when James and Lily were still alive, when Peter was still a friend. They always went out and had huge snowball fights, then cuddled up in front of the fire with hot chocolate. Things had been so simply back then.
They'll be parties of hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
They'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of glories of Christmas's long, long ago
Albus knew that in all his Christmas's, all his long years, this was one that would always be remembered. Little Jenny was old enough to start understanding the concept of presents, most of the girls were pregnant and glowing, and times seemed to calm. It was like something was just waiting to happen. But for now, he was just going to relax and embrace his wife.
It's the most wonderful time of the year
They'll be much mistle toeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year
Yes the most wonderful time
Oh the most wonderful time
Of the year
Everyone around clapped and Jenny started to giggle and bounce up and down in Bill's arms, making him set her down. They all watched as she started to wiggle around and clap her hands, what they guessed must be her idea of dancing. The music changed and Jenny called for her father to pick her up. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came on and Bill whispered it softly to Jenny, but sent a mocking glare at Ginny as she started to add in the muggle parts Hermione had taught her. It had been one of her favorite songs, and to confuse everyone, had added the small parts in here and there after the had all learnt it. Meanless to say, it through everyone off.
As the first verse ended, Jenny wiggled to get put down again. Amazingly, when they did, she didn't start dancing again, but crawled through everyone else and found the door. It took her a few minutes of hitting on it until they finally figured out that she wanted them to open it. "You want to go outside, baby? Huh? What's out there?" Fluer went to her daughter and picked her up, but Jenny still tried to get to the door. "Fine. Have it your way. But it you get cold, it's not my fault." Molly came over and opened the door, as Fluer was trying to restrain Jenny, and let out a gasp.
Lying on the ground in front of the door was a young woman. Her hair was long and dark, tangled and wet from the now. Her jeans were drenched, and her sweater couldn't have been helping any. A black carrier bag laid next to her, by her feet, which were covered in brown shoes.
After a minute of shock, the boys raced out to help the woman and bring her into the house. As she was lain on the couch, Jenny went over and wiped some of the hair of her face. At the sight before them, everyone stopped breathing. Wet, covered in blood, sweat, and a few scars, but she was there. Hermione Granger, MIA for five years was in front of them, cold and pale, but alive.
I do not own Harry Potter or anything/anybody else. I know we still have a while until Christmas, but I am(surprisingly) excited and in the mood. And who knows, maybe by the time Christmas comes around, it'll be done. We can only hope. R&R! it keep me going...