Arthur Weasley sat down upon the sofa, handing his wife a glass of eggnog. He was about to take a sip of his own when he looked at his wife.

"Oh, don't worry love, hasn't got any alcohol in it."

"Yes," Molly said, swirling the frothy drink in her hands, "because that would be terribly upsetting."

There was creaking sound on the staircase. They turned and saw that it was Bill, who was wearing pajamas that had streaking golden snitches and green clovers.

"Mum, Charlie's been making strange noises in his room and I can't get to sleep," Bill said, rubbing his eyes.

"Right, well I'll see to that," Arthur whispered, standing up but bringing his drink.

"Has Father Christmas brought the presents yet?" Bill asked dreamily, taking his father by the hand.

"He, uh," Arthur turned around to his wife, who held back a grin, "he's got loads to do tonight. When he comes around, I'll tell him you said hello. Now, come on, then."

Arthur and Bill went up the staircase, leaving Molly by the little fire they had built for just the two of them. It always took ages to put the boys to bed and the night before Christmas had been no exception. Thankfully Percy was such a quiet dove, thought Molly. Just a tuck in his crib and he always went straight to sleep.

Her peaceful thought was interrupted by a jab from her womb. Then another. Molly rubbed her swollen belly.

"Alright, in there, that's about enough," she whispered.

"Did you say something, dear?" Arthur said as he descended the staircase.

"Honestly, Arthur, I think there's a circus performance going on in there," Molly said, leaning back on the sofa.

Arthur gave her a swift peck on the cheek.

"Oh tell me this act is a ballerina? Hmm?" Arthur sat on the sofa and laid his ear against her roundness, "Maybe not another one who fancies pretending to be a dragon and starting small fires in his bedroom."

Molly shook her head, "Charlie. Of course the first drop of magic and it's fire. Arthur, I thought you talked to him after the incident at the robe shop."

"You know I did," Arthur said with a weary sigh, "Never even liked that robe shop, really. Always a bit sniffy in there."

Molly placed a hand on her husband's shoulder, "Have you got me a present?"

"Why yes, I have!" Arthur said, brightening up, "I even wrapped it up this year."

"How perfect! And here's yours," Molly said, presenting him with a small box.

"No wait!" Arthur said, holding up his box, "I want you to open this one up first. You know I've always been horrid about getting you a gift on time, but I know you're really going to like this one."

Molly smiled widely and took the gift, "Why isn't this exciting?"

Arthur rubbed his palms together, "Took a good bit of time to acquire. Had to call in a few favors from work."

Molly unwrapped the silver paper and removed the lid of the box.

"Oh my," she whispered, taking out a large plastic leg.

"Isn't it magnificent? Muggles wear these if they lose a leg. Go ahead, give the toes a wiggle."

Molly articulated the largest toe. It bent and curled with ease.

"Remarkable piece of mechanics, isn't it? You think we could get Mad Eye to-"

"There is no 'getting to' with that stubborn goat of a man. You weren't going to hand over this plastic limb now, were you?"

"Heavens, no. This one's for the wrong leg. Thought we could display it in the garden. But now that I think of it, Marty from work was making noise about this one possibly being part of a pair."

Molly ran her hands through his red hair, "Alright, sweetheart. That was very thoughtful of you and this will look lovely. In the backyard. Beside some bushes. Yes. Well, here's yours."

She handed him the small box.

"It's not much, but I think it will do for this year," She whispered.

Arthur lifted the lid and looked at his present. His eyebrows wrinkled in momentary confusion and then slackened in sober realization.

"Oh no."

"You don't like it?"

"No, no, darling it's perfect," Arthur answered, turning to her and smiling warmly.

He lifted the present out of the box. Inside were two golden ornaments shaped like stockings.

"Seems like another two for the mantle. You think they're girls? It would be really nice to, you know, round out the-"

There was a large crash from several flights upstairs. The din triggered Percy's sharp wailing. Molly turned to Arthur. He tilted his head back and drank the remainder of his eggnog.

"Here we go, then."