Dear Harry,

First of all, Merry Christmas! There's only an hour left of Christmas and I'm sat in my bedroom. Today was weird. It was the worst Christmas I've ever had and I hope that in the future this time of the year will be a bit happier. I woke up this morning and for a second, a wonderful second, I thought that this was like any other year and that I'd go downstairs and you and Ron would be sat at the table. Then it all came back to me. You wouldn't be sat at the table or be waking up in Ron's room. I don't even know where you are and you might not even realise it's Christmas and if you do I don't suppose you can even celebrate it on the run. I went downstairs to find mum sorting out the presents under the tree. There's a small pile each for you and Hermione and a slightly bigger pile for Ron. Everyone wanted to get you presents just in case. I guess we'll keep them safe for when you come back. The twins had spent the night here and so before long they were bounding down the stairs, trying to get everyone's spirits up. I got some nice presents. Lots of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes from the twins. I guess they feel sorry for me because I got more than I would any other year, including loads of their witch products as well as a few things mum wouldn't want me to take to school (but that's not going to stop me!). Mum and dad got me the usual jumper, this year mine has a heart on it. You've got one too, and Ron and Hermione. They also got me some sweets, both chocolate frogs and bertie bots every flavour jelly beans. Lupin and Tonks came round mid morning and Lupin ate a bogey flavoured jelly bean, his face was a real picture! Tonks tried to help in the kitchen but was eventually banished to the living room by my mum when she nearly cut her hand off with a knife, she's still as clumsy as ever! Bill and Fleur didn't come until near lunch time and we all sat down to eat. It was weird having empty seats at the table, it didn't seem right. No one was as talkative as usual. The twins tried their best to crack some jokes. After lunch mum put on Celestina Warbeck as usual but no one complained this year. Bill and Fleur kept giving each other funny looks though and then said they had to go mid afternoon. Mum was a bit put out but I think dad managed to explain to her that they wanted some time to themselves as it's their first Christmas as husband and wife. But Lupin and Tonks stayed and it's their first Christmas. Bill and Fleur probably just wanted to get away from the tense atmosphere here. I asked if I could come and visit sometime to get away from the Burrow for a while but they said it would probably be best if I stayed here. An owl came in the afternoon bringing me a present from Neville, he got me some chocolate and some Weasley products. It was nice of him and it meant that I could send the owl back with his present, Errol is definately too old and Pigwidgeon was sending Auntie Muriel her gift.

This evening we all just sat round talking. I was asking Lupin about what he thinks you're doing but he wouldn't say much. Just that if Dumbledore gave you a mission, then it must be important in ending the war. It lifted my spirits a little, I suppose it made me remember that this is about something bigger than me. But I still want you here. I want to be able to talk to you, know that you're safe and well. Lupin said that he's sure you are okay, since you've got Hermione to look after you and Ron to joke around with. I hope that he's right.

Anyway, I'd better go before mum realises I'm not asleep like I'm supposed to be. In a couple of weeks I'm going to be back at Hogwarts so I'm going to try and make the most of being at home. Once again Merry Christmas and I hope that I see you soon. I heard mum go upstairs to her room and cry earlier, it's hard on all of us but it hits home when I see my parents cry or look scared. I just can't wait until it's all over, but only as long as we all get out of this.

All my love,

Ginny