An Unfortunate Miracle: Part II

Chapter Seven

A Weasley Christmas, Part Two

Author's Note: Has anyone out there heard of IMVU? If not, its a 3D chat program in which you create your own avatar (a 3D person) and you can chat with other people from around the world. You also earn credits that you can use toward clothing for your avatar. All in all, a very cool program, which I would suggest checking out. If you're already a member, look me up. My avatar's name is IvyWolfe, and I created her in the way I see the Ivy you all know and love. LOL. So yeah, if you think it sounds interesting, just go to and sign up!

I added some stuff to the last chapter, so you can reread it if you want. There weren't any major plot changes, so it doesn't matter if you reread it or not. Your choice.

When we all sat down for lunch on Christmas day, I thanked Mrs. Weasley profusely for the silver sweater she had knitted me.

"It was nothing, dear," she said. "George happened to mention that he thought you'd look nice in silver, and I must say I agree with him."

I blushed slightly before smiling at George, whose ears I noticed had turned slightly red. He returned my smile.

Percy arrived with the Minister about twenty minutes after we began eating. Percy wasn't as dorky-looking as I had pictured him, but was tall and thin and sported horn-rimmed glasses. Rufus Scrimgeour looked quite like an aging lion with a slight limp.

Percy's entrance was followed by a rather tense silence.

"Merry Christmas, Mother," Percy said finally.

"Oh, Percy!" said Mrs. Weasley, and threw herself into his arms.

Scrimgeour was standing in the doorway, leaning on his walking stick and watching Mrs. Weasley and Percy.

"You must forgive this intrusion," he said. "Percy and I were in the vicinity – working, you know – and he couldn't resist dropping in and seeing you all." However, Percy looked like he wanted to be anywhere but at the Burrow.

"Please, come in, sit down, Minister!" offered Mrs. Weasley, straightening her hat. "Have a little purkey, or some tooding...I mean – "

"No, no, my dear Molly," said Scrimgeour. "I don't want to intrude, wouldn't be here at all if Percy hadn't wanted to see you all so badly..."

"Oh Perce!" Mrs. Weasley reached up to kiss him.

"...We've only looked in for five minutes, so I'll have a stroll around the yard while you catch up with Percy. No, no, I assure you I don't want to butt in! Well, if anybody cared to show me your charming garden...Ah, those two are finished, why don't they take a stroll with me?"

I looked at Scrimgeour. What was it he wanted to question me about?

"Yeah, all right," said Harry. I only nodded, and followed Harry out the door.

When we reached the garden, Scrimgeour looked out at the unrecognizable plants. "Charming. Charming." This guy had something to say, and was itching to say it. "So what are your names?" he asked finally.

"Ivy Wolfe," I said.

Harry gave the Minister a strange look. "You know my name."

"Yes, I do," Scrimgeour said, before turning to me. "Are you American?"

"Yeah."

"Your name seems awfully familiar..."

"My name was in the paper in September last year. I started at Hogwarts in my seventh year."

"Ah yes, I remember now," said Scrimgeour unconvincingly. "You'd never been trained in magic before. An interesting decision on Dumbledore's part."

"Albus has his reasons." I was beginning to see where this conversation was going. "Not that I know those reasons."

Scrimgeour looked slightly surprised at my use of Albus's first name. After a moment, he headed in a new direction. "So where in America are you from?"

"California," I told him, trying not to be too specific.

He studied me. "And you never showed up on their wizard registry? That's rather odd, don't you think?"

Ah, so that's what he wants. "I suppose. Um – If you don't mind, sir, I'd like to have a bit more turkey before it gets cold."

"Of course, of course," Scrimgeour said quickly. "Well, don't let me keep you. I'd like to have a small chat with Harry before I leave."

I nodded, feeling awfully sorry for the poor kid. "Merry Christmas, sir," I said before heading back to the house.

However, I didn't stop for more turkey, but passed right through the kitchen and headed up the stairs to Ginny's room. I didn't feel like staying to see Ginny and the twins throw mashed parsnip at Percy, who was sitting at the table, eating pudding silently.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. "Ivy?" came George's voice. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah."

George sat next to me on my cot. "Are you ok? What did Scrimgeour want?"

I sighed. "My life story," I said bitterly.

"Oh. Did he ask about your parents?"

"No, thank god. If he had, I probably would have slugged him. He wanted to know why Albus let me start at Hogwarts so late, and even I don't know that."

Neither of us said anything for a moment.

"Can I ask you something, George?" I said finally.

"'Course, Ivy, what is it?"

"That mistletoe thing...Do you remember kissing me?"

He looked surprised. "Yeah, why?"

"I don't. All I remember is reaching the third landing, then nothing, then you telling off Fred."

"Really? Memory loss isn't a good side effect."

"I know, that's what Ginny said."

He looked thoughtful. "There must be something wrong with the enchantment on the mistletoe." He stood and walked towards the door. "I'll go let Fred know."

"Okay. Merry Christmas, George."

"Merry Christmas, Ivy."

Author's Note: Wow, that was a crappy ending. I hope you're not so disappointed that you wont leave me a review! LOL. Anyway, see you next chapter.