Author's Note: I'M A TERRIBLE AUTHOR I'M SO SORRY I FEEL LIKE I'VE LET EVERYONE DOWN! Well, anyway, I've been working on quite a few real-life projects and I just haven't made Fanfic my number one priority! I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY OK? I love you all if you're still reading (feel free to take a little refresher on the other chapters – I'm aware it's been a while)! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, favorite, story alerted, etc. last chapter. I hope this one will be good enough to make up for my prolonged absence! *Also, I know no one wants to read about Christmas right now but IT'S CHRISTMAS IN MY POTTER WORLD OK?* *Also I'm sorry this is so long and it might be choppy in some parts but I didn't know how to split it in half so you get a beast of a chapter.*
"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Glad tidings we bring…" Ginny trilled as she looped pine garland through the railings of her staircases. Waving her wand, she covered the pine roping in crystal snow and added little red bows for a festive touch. Perfect, she thought to herself as she surveyed the stairs.
"Harry?" she called. "Where are you? I've finished the steps and I need your help hanging the roping on the chandelier!" Her husband bounded down the stairs moments later, toying with several strands of blinking colorful lights. "Having a bit of trouble there, dear?" she asked, noting that he seemed to be tangled in the strings. "You know, we could just light the tree with floating candles instead of bothering with that elecktrikicy stuff!"
"No, no, I can figure it out. It'll be just fine," Harry said. "I always used these lights as a child and even though I don't have too many fond memories of that time, I want our children to know of Muggle traditions as well as wizard ones."
"Fair enough, love," Ginny said. "Now, how do the stairs look?" Harry glanced at them quickly and gave her a nod of approval.
"Looks great, darling! Very festive!" Harry said. "You wanted me to put the roping up in the chandelier?"
"Yes, if you would. And I know we never really light the chandelier, but I want to put some red candles up there. I bought some absolutely adorable ones with miniature gold bows on them! And I want to do some crystal frost up there too," Ginny said.
"Alright, let me just grab my broom and I'll fly up there quick," Harry said. He Summoned his Firebolt 5 and mounted, zooming to the top of the thirty-foot tall ceiling with the pine roping flying behind him like a bushy tail. He circled the antique light, looping the garland around the iron candle arms in an upward spiral. "How does it look, love?" he called down to Ginny.
"Great!" she said. "Now just Summon the candles one at a time and stick them on the little arms, please."
"Accio, candles!" Harry shouted. Before Ginny could do a thing, all five packs of candles zoomed at Harry, hitting him in various spots and knocking him off his broom. He managed to grab the stick and was left hanging off of his Firebolt thirty feet up in the air. Ginny cast a quick hovering charm on the candles to prevent them from smashing to the floor, then looked up at her husband. He grinned at her as he tried to pull himself back onto the broom.
"Harry, dear, next time I specify 'one at a time', it might be a good plan to listen, no?" Ginny asked.
"Of course, darling," Harry said. "You're right."
"Right, well, good luck here," Ginny said. "Let me know when all the candles are up and I'll come back to do the frost."
"You're just going to leave me here?" Harry asked, giving Ginny a wounded look as he once again tried valiantly – and failed – to pull himself back onto the broom.
"Hey, you got yourself into this mess, you get yourself out!" Ginny said. "I'll be in the kitchen finishing the cookies." And with that, she turned on her heel and walked out, giving Harry a little wave over her shoulder.
"Well, I sure screwed that one up," Harry said. "Seventeen years of marriage, and Ginny's still such a spitfire." He chuckled to himself as he tried to swing his leg over the broom again, failing for a third time. "How in the name of Merlin am I going to get myself out of this?"
Half an hour later, Harry was finally safely back on his broom and the candles were situated on the chandelier. "I'm done, Gin!" he called. She emerged from the kitchen carrying a hot tray of sugar cookies.
"Oh, it looks great, Harry!" Ginny said. "Now, let me just grab my broom and I'll pop up there quick to add the frost."
"Gin, you're almost nineteen weeks pregnant with twins. There's no way you should be getting on a broom!" Harry exclaimed.
"Oh, Harry, that's preposterous. I'm pregnant, not an invalid! I'll just be up there a minute," Ginny pleaded.
"Gin, that's just not a good idea. Give me the incantation and I'll do it," Harry said.
"If you're sure…" Ginny said hesitantly. "The spell is Frostea Drisellia and it's just a quick swish and flick like Wingardium Leviosa. Not terribly difficult."
"It'll be fine!" Harry said. He waved his wind in a large swooping motion and shouted "Frostea Drisellia". Crystal snow began to spray from his wand as though it was a fire hose, quickly coating the garland and spilling onto the floor below.
"Harry! HARRY!" Ginny shouted. "Stop it!"
"I don't know how!" Harry said in a panicky voice, flying circles around the chandelier in an effort to spread out what was fast turning into a blizzard.
"It's Drisellium Novesa! Drisellium Novesa!" Ginny shouted. Harry quickly muttered the spell and the flood of snow pouring from his wand slowed to a trickle and finally stopped. They both surveyed the chandelier which was covered in crystal snow to the point where the candles and garland were invisible. Ginny sighed and, pulling out her wand, quickly Vanished the snow from her vantage point on the floor.
"Let's try this again, Harry," she said. "Make a smaller motion with your wand and don't shout the spell. A simple statement will suffice." He waved his wand in a much more subdued circle and snow began to fall in manageable quantities, sprinkling the garland with light amounts of frost. "Merlin," Ginny muttered. "The man is the Ministry's top Auror and yet he can't perform a simple decorating spell!" Moments later, Harry landed on the floor next to her and made to grab a sugar cookie from the tray.
"Not so fast!" Ginny said. "After that decorating debacle, I don't think I'm going to be giving out any cookies any time soon."
"Come on, Gin," Harry pleaded. "You know I don't do decorating! I tried my best! You can't deny me one of your cookies. You know they're my weakness!"
"Well," Ginny paused. "I suppose I could give you one." She offered him a large red cookie in the shape of a poinsettia. He bit into it lovingly, closing his eyes for dramatic effect.
"Delicious, love," Harry said. "I really am sorry about the chandelier! From now on, we'll just leave the decorating up to you, yeah?"
"Oh, you can help! But I'll be supervising a bit more closely next time," Ginny said. "And the kids will be home soon as well, so they can help out."
"Only five more days!" Harry said. James, Albus, and Lily would arrive home from Hogwarts on December 15th, and Harry and Ginny usually saved most of the decorating to do as a family.
"I'm so excited!" Ginny said.
"Me too," Harry agreed. "You know I love trimming the tree with the kids! I can't wait for them to be home." The Potter family traditionally stopped at a Christmas farm to buy a tree on the way home from Kings Cross, and trimmed it together that evening.
"Our last Christmas as a family of five," Ginny said, patting her belly lovingly.
"I know! Just think, this time next year the twins will be almost eight months old! They'll be crawling, calling us 'mama' and 'dada', maybe even standing up!" Harry said with excitement.
"Oh, Harry, don't remind me. They grow up so fast!" Ginny said.
"I know, I know. But for now, we can just enjoy the moment. The babies aren't even here yet. Merlin, their furniture isn't even here yet!" Harry said.
"Yes, and I've been meaning to talk to the company about that, because I thought it should have been here by now," Ginny said.
"Oh, I don't know, Gin. I'm sure it'll get here soon enough," Harry said, a mysterious glint in his eye. "Now! I'm going to keep working on these lights. I want to put them around the door and trees outside so it all looks great when the kids get here!" With that, he turned on his heel and headed upstairs again, taking the steps two at a time.
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Harry entered the soon-to-be nursery, surreptitiously looking over his shoulder to make sure Ginny hadn't followed him upstairs. He let the door swing shut and stood in the middle of the room, rotating slightly as he surveyed his progress.
"Boo!" Harry jumped in fright as a redheaded figure popped out of the closet and waved its arms at him, trying and failing not to laugh.
"Bloody hell, Ron!" Harry exclaimed. "You scared the hell out of me!"
"I know, mate," Ron said, laughing hard. "Y-you should have seen yourself jump! I thought your head was going to h-hit the ceiling!"
"That's not true, Ron. I wasn't even that startled!" Harry said, looking defensive.
"Like hell you weren't! Mate, you screamed like a little girl!" Ron laughed.
"Fine, fine, whatever. Just keep your voice down! When did you get here?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I don't know. Soon enough to see you cause a blizzard in your foyer," Ron laughed. "You are really killing it today, Harry."
"Shut up, Ron," Harry said, punching him on the shoulder. "And really, speak a little more softly! Ginny will hear you!"
"Harry, it's fine. I'm not stupid! I cast a Silencing Charm on this room the minute I got here," Ron said.
"Oh. All right, then. I guess we can get down to business," Harry said.
"Yeah, what's the plan here, mate?" Ron asked. "Why'd you ask me over?"
"Well, this room is going to be the babies' nursery. I want to have it all painted and decorated as a Christmas gift for Ginny. She doesn't even know the furniture's here yet! I've managed to hide all the deliveries from her, and I've been making secret trips during the nights to bring everything up here. She has a whole idea of how she wants it set up, but she's a bit stressed about getting it all done as well as decorating and shopping for Christmas and getting everything ready for the babies, so I thought it'd be a nice present," Harry said.
"Oh, Harry, you're so thoughtful," Ron squealed in a high-pitched voice, still laughing at his best mate.
"Seriously, Ron, shove it! I just want to do something nice for my wife, damn it," Harry laughed. "Do you have to take the mickey out of me at every possible opportunity?"
"Course I do, mate. It's what brothers are for," Ron laughed.
"You'll never change, Ron. I don't know why I bother," Harry laughed. "Now, let's get started. Today I just want to paint the walls and the ceiling. We're doing this sky blue color Ginny picked out. Paint and rollers are over there, so we can get down to it!" The two men walked over to the corner of the room and Harry cracked open a paint can, coating his roller and starting on the walls. The carpeted floor was fortunately covered in a clear drop cloth, as Ron dripped paint onto it the moment he picked his roller up.
"Sorry about that, mate," Ron said. "I dropped a bit of paint there."
"I know you, Ron," Harry said. "That's why I put the cloth down." They both laughed and continued on, spreading paint over the walls in an even rhythm, each lost in their own world.
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"I just don't know what to do, Mione," Ginny said, pulling another tray of cookies out of the oven and setting them on the counter to cool. It was December 12th, and Hermione and Ginny were discussing Christmas gifts as they baked together in the Potter kitchen. "I have absolutely no idea what to get for Harry! I mean, I have some gifts already, but they're just normal. I want to do something really special, this being our last Christmas before the babies."
"I don't know what to tell you, Gin," Hermione said. "I know that Harry will love whatever you get for him."
"Oh, Hermione, that doesn't help. I need a solid idea! So far I've gotten him new dress robes, a book on Defense against the Dark Arts that he's been wanting, season tickets to the Cannons, and the Firebolt 6000."
"Gin, those are great gifts!" Hermione exclaimed. "What are you even worrying about?"
"I know he'll like those, but I just want to do something more personal," Ginny said. "He's been so secretive lately; I know he's got something special for me. And I'll feel terrible if I don't have something great for him!"
"Hmmm…." Hermione mused, rolling out some dough and cutting it into Christmas shapes. Several minutes went by before either woman spoke again. "I know!" Hermione finally exclaimed. "You could make him a family album. You know, like that one he has from Hagrid with all the pictures of his parents? You could do one with old pictures from when you were kids, and pictures from your wedding, and pictures of the kids as babies, and your vacations, and everything! Your whole lives!"
"That's a great idea, Mione! Harry loves all that sentimental stuff. He always cries a bit when he opens cute stuff from the kids, but he pretends he's not crying. He makes this odd sniffling sound and I can always tell. It's quite adorable, actually," Ginny said with a smile. "Oh, I can even end the album with the sonograms I've gotten from Healer Bones!"
"Oh, Gin, he would love that! That way the whole family could be included," Hermione said.
"Okay, so now I'm set on gifts," Ginny said. "For Harry, at least. I still have some shopping to do for the kids."
"Oh, me too," Hermione sighed. "I'm not even done with Ron yet. And we still have to get our Kris Kringle gifts for the annual Weasley gift exchange."
"We got our Kris Kringles already. All I have left are some odds and ends to tie up with the kids. I'm thinking of getting Albus an owl," Ginny said.
"I think he would love that," Hermione said.
"I know, he's been so sad about his rat dying, I think it's time for a new pet," Ginny said.
"I'm getting Rose an owl as well," Hermione said. "I've got one on hold at Eeylops, a nice snowy."
"Oh, beautiful. I don't know what kind to get Albus yet. I'm still debating whether or not he's mature enough to handle it," Ginny said.
"He's thirteen years old now, Gin. He'll be fine," Hermione said.
"Merlin, don't remind me Hermione," Ginny said. "They grow up too fast. Soon these little ones will be thirteen too, and I'll be an old woman." She placed a hand protectively on her belly.
"Now Ginny, don't go erasing their childhoods just yet! There's a lot to live through before babies still in the womb turn into teenagers," Hermione said.
"You're right, of course," Ginny said. "I've been such a downer lately. I think it's missing the kids."
"Well, you won't have to miss them much longer, because they'll be home in three days!" Hermione exclaimed.
"And I couldn't be more excited," Ginny said, pushing yet another tray of Christmas cookies into the oven.
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"MUM! DAD!" Lily Luna shouted as she ran off the Hogwarts Express and grabbed her parents in a bear hug. "I missed you so much!"
"Whoa there, baby," Harry said. "Watch that you don't knock your mother over!" He steadied Ginny, and then held onto his daughter, stroking her hair and planting a kiss on top of her head. Ginny seemed near tears, arms wrapped tightly around her youngest as she rocked back and forth, eyes shut and a smile of pure bliss splitting her face. Moments later, a young boy joined the family hug, smiling up at his mother and father.
"I missed you guys," Albus said.
"We missed you too, Al. Very, very much," Harry said as the hug finally broke apart. "But where's James?"
"I don't know, I wasn't with him on the train," Albus said. The family scanned the platform for their tousle-haired oldest son. Lily finally spotted him across the platform, slapping hands with his two best friends and joking around, not a thought of his parents even entering his mind.
"There he is!" Lily said, pointing through the smoke.
"Classic James," Harry laughed. "Not even remembering why he's here." The Potters loaded their bags, including a cage containing a bedraggled cat, onto a cart and walked over to James who was saying goodbye to his friends.
"Later, Finn!" he said. "Happy Christmas! I'll owl you about meeting in Diagon Alley." Finally, he turned around and noticed his parents.
"Oh hey, Mum, Dad. Nice to see you!" he said, hugging them each briefly. "Wow, Mum, babies are getting big, huh?"
"Yes, right about halfway there!" Ginny said. "They'll be here before we know it."
"I'm so excited, Mum!" Lily said. "I can't believe I wasn't there when you felt them kick though."
"They're kicking all the time now, Lil," Ginny said. "You'll be able to feel it before the holiday is over."
"Oh good!" Lily said. "I wish they were here now so they could spend Christmas with us!"
"Don't rush it, Lil," Albus said. "They'll be here next Christmas…"
"And you might be wishing they weren't," James interrupted with a laugh. Harry gave his eldest a warning look. "Only joking, Dad, don't get your knickers in a twist."
"I hope so, young man," Harry said. "Now, are we ready to go?" James added his bags to their cart and they passed through Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Emerging from Kings Cross, they piled in to the Ministry car Harry had gotten for the day, and drove off.
"There it is, Dad! There it is!" James said, knocking on the window excitedly as he pointed to their traditional Christmas tree destination, Pines and Needles Farm. Harry pulled the car into the lot and gingerly parked next to a large truck. James, Albus and Lily jumped out, immediately running into the lanes of trees and chattering excitedly. Harry helped Ginny out of the passenger seat and they followed their children, laughing at their antics. Harry and Ginny wandered through the lanes of trees for several minutes before Albus raced up them, almost jumping up and down with joy.
"Dad, can we get a really tall tree this year? Like really, really tall?" he asked.
"How tall are we talking here, buddy?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I dunno…maybe like twenty feet or so?" Albus asked.
"Twenty feet!" Ginny exclaimed. "How would we get the star on top of it?"
"Dad could fly it up on his broom!" James exclaimed, popping out from behind a tree.
"Well boys, let's see what we have here and then we can make a decision," Harry said. "After all, remember we want a nice full tree with strong branches first and foremost. We can worry about height later. But if we can find a tall tree that fits the other specifications too, then we'll go for it!" The boys raced off again, and moments later Lily appeared.
"I've found a tree!" she said. "It's beautiful!"
"Where, Lil?" Ginny asked. "Can you show us?" She complied, grabbing her mother's hand and leading her parents through the rows, finally stopping in front of a full, fourteen foot tall fir tree in one of the last rows.
"Isn't it pretty?" she asked excitedly.
"It sure is, baby," Harry said. "I love it! Why don't you go find the boys and see if they like it too?" She dashed off in search of her brothers, calling their names loudly.
"I actually really like this one," Ginny said.
"I know! She picked a great one!" Harry agreed. "If the boys agree to it, this could be one of our fastest tree outings ever." Moments later, Lily rushed back with the boys in tow, gesturing excitedly.
"See," she said. "This is it. Do you like it?"
"I kinda like it," Albus said slowly. "But I wish it was a little taller."
"It's fourteen feet, boys," Ginny said. "I think that's tall enough for us to manage!"
"I like it," James said. "It's nice and big, so we can hang all the ornaments on it."
"Okay," Albus said finally. "We can get it."
"Yay!" Lily exclaimed. "This is the first time we've ever gotten the tree I chose! I'll go tell the tree man so he can wrap it up." She raced off again, running over to the little house where the owner sat.
"I'll stay here to watch the tree," Harry said. "James and Albus, why don't you boys and your mother go inside and get some hot cider?"
"Great idea, Dad!" James said. "I love cider! And we never get it at Hogwarts anymore! Come on, Mum! Let's go!" Laughing, Ginny followed after the boys and entered the little building as well.
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"I've got the last ornament!" Lily shouted, holding up a pair of spangled ballet slippers and then hanging them from a center branch of the fir tree. She stepped back to admire the bedecked tree, strung with colored lights and silvery tinsel and covered in unique, sparkly ornaments. Harry had finally figured out the electric lights, and compounded with the magical sparkle of the ornaments, the tree gave the room a happy, festive air. A fire roared in the fireplace, and a plate of Ginny's famous sugar cookies rested on the coffee table.
"Merlin, we're almost done!" Harry said. "Just have the star left now. Whose turn is it this year?"
"It's me! My turn!" Albus said, looking very excited.
"I've got it right here," Ginny said. She carefully opened up an unassuming white box and pulled out the magical star she and Harry had purchased on their honeymoon to Germany. It was charmed to literally glow and give off light, and its five points were made of intricate gold scrollwork. She held it up so the family could admire it, then handed it to Albus. "Alright, Al, you do the honors."
"Dad, can you float me?" Albus asked. When Harry nodded in assent, he went over and stood by the tree, holding the star high overhead. With a quick swish of Harry's wand and a murmured, Wingardium Leviosa, Albus flew through the air up to the top of the tree. With a flourish, he placed the star on the uppermost branch as Ginny snapped a photograph with her enchanted camera. Moments later, he arrived back on the ground and the entire Potter family stepped back to admire the tree.
"This could be our best tree yet!" James said. "It looks so great!"
"I agree, buddy," Harry said. "Great job to you for picking it out, Lil."
"Thanks, Daddy! I love it!" Lily said.
"I do too, Lil," Ginny said. "Everyone did a great job."
"I'm so excited for Christmas now," Albus exclaimed. "Only ten more days and it'll be here! I can't wait!"
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"Lily! Psst! Lil! Wake up, baby," Harry whispered in Lily's ear. She turned in her bed and stretched an arm out, almost hitting Harry in the head.
"Mmph…Daddy, what is it?" she groaned. "Isn't it the middle of the night?"
"Yes, well, it's 5 o'clock, but I need your help, and this is something we have to do while Mum isn't around to discover us," Harry said. "Come on, get up, darling." Lily stretched and yawned, slowly sitting up and hopping off her bed. Harry took her hand and led her out of her room and down the hall.
"Daddy, where are we going?" Lily asked, yawning.
"Right here," Harry said, swinging open the door to the nursery and flipping on the light.
"Wow," Lily breathed. "What is this, daddy?" She took in the sight of their old spare room, which had been completely transformed into baby heaven. The walls and ceiling were a soothing sky blue, and the floor was covered by a thick, plush carpet in bright white. Two traditional wooden white cribs rested against each wall, completely made up with creamy sheets and knitted blue blankets. There were little dressers and a changing table, a miniature bookshelf, and a cozy rocking chair with a plush pillow on the seat. The only out of place element was a drop cloth in the far right corner of the room, as well as several small cans of paint and brushes.
"Well, Lil, I wanted to create a really special Christmas present for Mummy, so I decided to go ahead and decorate the babies' nursery for her!" Harry said excitedly. "Do you think she'll like it?"
"Oh, Daddy, she's going to absolutely adore it! But I don't understand…what do you need me here for?" Lily asked.
"Well, I've almost completely finished decorating, with some help from your Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione, but I haven't yet completed the mural. Mum wanted to paint a rainbow in the room and sponge dot clouds onto the ceiling. I think it would be really special if you helped out with that," Harry answered. "That way, a part of their older sister could always be in the twins' nursery."
"I would love to help paint the mural, Daddy!" Lily exclaimed. "Let's start now!" The exuberant 11-year-old rushed over to the cans of paint and cracked each one open, examining the various colors and nodding her approval. Harry quickly sketched an arch shape on the wall, and they began filling in the rainbow, which spanned across the corner of the room behind the rocking chair.
Lily wrapped up in one of her father's old shirts as a makeshift smock, and they chatted and laughed as they painted. "I'm going to get you, Daddy!" she jokingly said as she reached up and dotted her father's nose with a dab of red paint.
"Oh, you're in for it now, baby!" Harry said. He quickly took his own brush and made two purple dots on the apples of her cheeks. They giggled and worked until 8 o'clock, when the sounds of morning began to travel up from the second floor and they washed the paint off of their faces, quietly escaping from the former spare room.
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Later that same day, Ginny recruited the kids for a Christmas gift project. When Harry left the house for a quick "work outing," she herded them into the lower level of the house, where she had set up several folding chairs and a card table, on which were lined up all the supplies for a beautiful family scrapbook.
"Oh, Mum," Albus groaned. "Please tell me you aren't going to force us to scrapbook all afternoon!"
"None of your whining, Albus dear, that's exactly what we're going to do. I'm making a family album as a Christmas gift for Dad and I want you children to be involved. It can be from you too! I've laid out all the supplies, and we can go through our old photos and choose the best ones. It'll be fun!" Ginny said. Albus and James looked less than thrilled, rolling their eyes at each other at the prospect of doing anything "crafty."
However, the brothers soon found that the scrapbooking was actually quite fun. Within 15 minutes, photos of the family waving and mugging for the camera all around the world on summer holidays were strewn across the card table. Baby photos, family outings, and Christmas holidays past were all represented in the stacks of pictures.
"This is actually kind of interesting, looking at all this old stuff," James said.
"See! I knew you'd like it!" Ginny exclaimed. "Sometimes old Mum isn't as stupid as you think!"
"Al, you were such a twerp," James laughed, holding up a picture of a six-year-old, bespectacled Albus dressed in an argyle cardigan and slacks on a trip abroad.
"Hey, at least I wasn't fat!" Albus said, snickering at a picture of chubby James at age five.
"Oh, you little –" James began, reaching over to hit his brother until Ginny caught his hand.
"Come on, you two, be nice! Can't we just have some fun family time?" she implored them. They sighed and nodded their assent. The little group continued pasting, writing, and choosing photos until a bulging scrapbook lay in the middle of the table.
"Well, that looks beautiful!" Lily exclaimed. "I'm sure Daddy's going to love it!"
"I think so too, love," Ginny said softly. "Daddy will definitely love it." She turned to the final page, a bright green paper layered with photos of Harry's parents, the Weasley clan, their most recent family portrait, and, at the bottom, the twins' latest sonogram, from which the dim pictures of the babies seemed to wave to their daddy. Tracing the faces of her family, she whispered, "It's all about the people he loves the most."
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Before the Potters even knew it, Christmas Eve was upon them. Nine days flew by in a blur of decorating, baking, shopping, and gift exchanges with the Weasley family, until all was done and the only thing left was preparing for Father Christmas and the big morning.
"Oh, Mummy, we have to put out some cookies for Father Christmas!" Lily exclaimed, rushing downstairs at nine o'clock that evening.
"Yes, love, I've already got them right here," Ginny said, handing her excited daughter a Christmas plate holding a generous portion of her famous sugar cookies.
"Oh, good! Daddy and the boys are filling a bucket of water and putting some carrots outside for the reindeer," Lily said. Ginny smiled at her young daughter's happiness.
"You'd better put those by the fireplace, Lily," Ginny said. Lily nodded and skipped off, putting the plate lovingly down on the hearth next to her handwritten note to Father Christmas just as Harry, James and Albus emerged from the yard.
"It's started to snow, Mum!" James said excitedly, brushing small snowflakes out of his messy hair.
"Oh, how wonderful!" Ginny rhapsodized. "There's nothing more perfect than a white Christmas!"
"Now, kids," Harry said. "It's getting a bit late, so let's get ready for bed, yeah, and then we can read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, alright?" The kids nodded and raced upstairs to put on their new Christmas pajamas. Moments later, they joined Harry and Ginny in front of the fireplace to read their traditional book. Harry opened the book and drew all three children closer to him, sharing the illustrations and beginning to speak softly.
"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! The children were nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads. And Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap…"
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"IT'S CHRISTMAS! HAPPY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!" Lily shouted, racing through the house at 7:30 in the morning, her exuberant older brothers right behind her.
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS, MUM AND DAD!" yelled Albus
"WAKE UP SO WE CAN OPEN OUR STOCKINGS!" added James, as the three burst into their parents' bedroom. Harry and Ginny smiled blearily from the bed as Lily pounced on them, holding a stocking bulging with little toys, trinkets, candy and fruit.
"Happy Christmas, Mummy! Happy Christmas, Daddy!" she said again, squishing herself between them and hugging each around the neck.
"Happy Christmas, darling," Ginny said, giving her a hug. "Happy Christmas, boys!" They too jumped onto the bed, hugging first their mother and then their dad. To their surprise, Ginny was tearing up, and began to cry softly.
"Oh, Mum, why are you crying now?" James asked. "It's a happy day!"
"I'm just so happy to have you all here with me," Ginny said quietly. "I love you so much."
"Merlin, Mum, you get so emotional when you're pregnant!" James said. "Try to calm yourself, would you? Of course we're all here! We love you too!" The rest of the family laughed at James' indignant expression, and Ginny did indeed dry her tears.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Albus asked. "Can we start opening?" Harry laughed and nodded, and the kids immediately tore into their stockings, a storm of tissue paper and presents peppered with periodic exclamations of delight over a particularly wonderful gift. As the kids began to wind down the opening, they reached over to their parents' stockings which laid at the side of the bed.
"Come on, Dad, you've got to open yours!" Lily said.
"You too, Mum!" added James. They both handed the stockings to their parents, impatiently waiting for them to finish the opening process so they could go downstairs and get to the real stuff.
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Only an hour and a half later, the Potters lay in various states of repose in their living room, surrounded by piles of wrapping paper from which animated Santas waved and colorful lights twinkled. Harry always had a tendency to go overboard with presents – Ginny thought he was making up for his own childhood – so Lily, James and Albus were each surrounded by a stack of gifts. Lily held an animated doll made to act like a real baby and was rapidly consuming a jumbo box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. Other presents lay around her in a circle, including a Wizard's Chess set. Albus' brand new snowy owl flew high above their heads, hooting and swooping down every so often to try and steal a bean. Albus himself was also buried in presents, presently examining a pile of chocolate frogs with delight, organizing the cards into a new display case. James was holding a new broomstick high and looking at it with wonder; as soon as his parents' attention was on Lily and Albus, he tried to board it and take a lap around the living room. Harry and Ginny also had substantial piles of presents.
"I can't believe it's all over already! We've opened them all!" Lily said. "Well, at least until the family comes over this afternoon."
"Not quite, baby girl," Ginny said. "I think we still have one more gift." She winked at her children as she pulled a medium sized gift from under the tree. "Remember, it's for Daddy?" Lily nodded, and she and the boys and Ginny exchanged knowing looks. Harry looked surprised.
"For me? Oh, but you've already given me so much!" he said, surveying his own brand new broomstick along with the books, handmade cards, and other presents that lay in front of him.
"This one's special, Dad," James said. "We all worked on it."
"James! Don't give anything away!" Albus said, shushing his older brother. Ginny passed the box to Harry, who made a show of shaking it, smelling it, and holding it up to the light to try to see through the paper. Finally, he tore open the wrappings and pulled the blue scrapbook out of the box. He opened it to the first page, on which was a picture of their family and a caption hand-lettered by Lily. He slowly flipped through the book, noting pictures of their extended family and close friends, as well as many of his own three children, his wife and himself. Finally, he reached the last page and traced his fingers over the sonogram. Ginny and the children watched him eagerly.
"Do you like it, Daddy?" Lily asked. Harry didn't respond for a moment. He made a small sniffling noise as he closed the book, and Ginny exchanged a knowing look with James.
"I love it, baby. More than words could ever express," he said. "Thank you all so, so much." He stood and gathered his family into a huge hug, then gave Ginny a kiss.
"Come on, Dad! Don't kiss in front of us!" James said. "That's so gross!" And with that, the sentimental moment broke apart into shared laughter, and Harry took hold of Ginny's hand.
"Oi! James! I'll kiss my wife if I want to!" Harry exclaimed, giving his eldest a mock punch in the arm.
"Well, at least tell me so I can leave the room first!" James said, laughing as he returned the punch. The family began to settle down again, Ginny taking a seat on the couch and the boys returning to their gifts, but Harry and Lily remained standing.
"That actually wasn't the last present," Harry said.
"There's one more special one for you, Mummy!" Lily said.
"Blimey, for me? But I've already got so much!" Ginny said, gesturing to her pile. However, she looked excited at the prospect of another gift. Christmas was Ginny's absolute favorite holiday, and she lit up like a kid whenever she was given a present.
"It's not down here, though," said Harry. "We have to go upstairs."
"Upstairs? Merlin, what could it possibly be that you can't bring it down here?" Ginny wondered aloud, as she followed her excited husband and eager daughter upstairs. The boys brought up the rear, whispering among themselves – though they hadn't painted the mural, they were aware of the secret gift and were quite excited to see their mother's reaction. Ginny looked more and more confused as they climbed the stairs to the second floor. Once they got there, Lily pulled a pink scarf out of her pajama pocket.
"Alright, Mummy, now we have to blindfold you," Lily said, handing the scarf to James to tie over their mother's eyes.
"You have to blindfold me? What in the name of Merlin is going on, Harry?" Ginny asked, looking a bit alarmed as her son tightened the blindfold over her face.
"You'll see, darling," Harry said. He swooped over to Ginny and in one smooth motion, lifted her off her feet and began to carry her up the next flight of stairs. Ginny let out a yelp of surprise.
"Harry! What the bloody hell are you doing?" she gasped, tightening her arms in a choke hold around her husband's neck.
"Now, Gin, remember what we've said about cursing in front of the children," Harry said playfully, winking at James, Albus and Lily. Ginny tried to hit him, and he laughed. Moments later, they arrived in front of the old spare room door, and Harry motioned to James to open it. He did so, and Harry gently let Ginny down on the threshold of the door. Lily wiggled forward and grabbed her mother's hand as Albus carefully undid the blindfold, handing the scarf to his father. And Ginny opened her eyes and gasped, immediately brimming over with tears and laughter and joy.
"Oh! Oh!" she said, rushing forward into the room as quickly as a pregnant woman could rush, standing in the center underneath the rainbow light and slowly circling around, taking it all in. She walked to the white dresser and opened a drawer, stroking the rows of little socks and looking at the two pairs of miniature shoes. She walked over to the cribs and held one of the little blue knitted blankets up to her cheek, feeling the plushness of the Mrs. Weasley-sewn gift. She glanced appreciatively at the decal frames above each crib, ready and waiting to hold her babies' names. Harry and the children looked at her expectantly as she traced her hands over the rainbow mural, signed by Lily and Harry at the very bottom in miniature script, and laughed delightedly at the fluffy clouds on the ceiling. Finally, she plopped down in the rocking chair, sinking into the plush cushion.
"This may be the best Christmas gift I have ever received," she said. Her family rushed to her, surrounding her in a giant Potter hug, and she started to cry softly again as she held them.
"Oh, Mum!" James said. "Don't get all mushy again!" And so they laughed, and Ginny dried her tears of happiness, and together they surveyed the room where their newest family members would soon reside. Harry placed a protective hand on his wife's belly, and feeling his new children kick, he felt like they were already there – like their family was finally complete.
"Happy Christmas, my dear," he said.
A/N: I'm so, so, so sorry about the ridiculous wait for this chapter, guys! I promise, stick with the story and it will never be that kind of wait again. Also, sorry this is so long – as I said, I didn't know where to cut it so you're getting a beast of a chappie. Hope you enjoyed it though! As always, remember to favorite, alert, and most importantly, review! Ideas for new chapters, thoughts on this chapter, con crit, etc. are all wanted and welcome! You can still go to my profile page to vote in the poll about baby names, so if you're interested go ahead and do that. Feel free to suggest any new baby names as well! I love seeing Fanfic emails in my inbox – really keeps me going and makes me want to write more. So thanks for reading, thanks in advance for reviewing, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'll try to have the next one out soon! –Lily
Also, if anyone's interested, here's the picture I imagined the Potter's nursery looking like: 2012/06/03/5-fairy-tale-nursery-rhyme-themed-nurse ry-room-ideas/ It's the second photo down I believe. Theirs wouldn't be quite that fancy, but I loved the clouds painted on the ceiling and walls, and the furniture would be very traditional like that. Isn't that a beautiful room? I just loved it! –Lily