Just a very short idea that sort of sprung into my head whilst I was watching tv.
It was almost painful, watching the forced smile on Lily's face as she gripped Ginny's hand a little tighter.
"Do we have to?"she pleaded, for what felt like the umpteenth time.
Harry looked down at his only daughter, her wide brown eyes, so like her mother's, beseeching him to see sense.
"Yes, Lil. We have to," he replied calmly. "It's only for a couple of hours."
"I still don't see why I had to come," Fifteen-year-old Teddy grumbled from Harry's left. He turned his gaze onto his godson, who, thankfully, had dressed for the occasion. If only he would change his hair – turquoise-blue was the kind of colour that would make the neighbours talk.
"Because if I have to put up with this, you do," James piped up from beside his sister, more than a little resentfully. Harry caught Ginny's eye, and the pair had to look away or else burst out laughing. James had quite the smart mouth for a nine year old. Harry liked to say that he got it from his mother.
"It's not that bad," Ginny sighed, shepherding her kids along. The only one who hadn't moaned yet was Albus, and Harry had an inkling that Al just didn't want to get involved. "They're actually quite nice people, you know, James."
Al looked like he was about to agree with his mother, but shut his jaw with a snap instead. Albus would ever admit it in front of his brother, but Harry thought he actually enjoyed these visits.
"But they're so boring!" James expostulated angrily, eyes dancing with the threat of a temper tantrum.
"Well, you're just going to have to deal with it!" Ginny huffed, finally reaching her breaking point. The kids had been whinging for the entire car journey over to Surrey.
Checking to make sure that his children looked convincingly happy, Harry walked briskly along the meandering garden path to stop at the front door. He seized the knocker – ruefully noting that it was in the shape of a lion – and rapped smartly on the varnished oak three times.
The door opened to reveal a thickset blond man holding a struggling toddler in his arms. He gave Harry a tentative grin, which was returned without hesitation. It had been years now, and they were finally used to the cordial friendship that had grown between them.
They were family, after all.
"Merry Christmas, Harry," the blond man said.
"Merry Christmas, Big D."