Disclaimer: It's JKR's not mine, I highly doubt anyone would make the mistake of thinking my drivel up to par with hers.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait again, but my time to write has been less plentiful as of late and frankly this chapter just hasn't wanted to be written. I'll be working this summer much more, so I'll try to get at least one update of the story out a month until the fall.
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December 24th, London Grimmauld Place 3 pm
"Harry, get your lazy arse down here Moony and I have something we want to discuss with you!" Sirius screamed up the stairs of Grimmauld Place.
Harry groaned in his room, Hermione's arm around his middle tightened reflexively. Slowly and ever so carefully Harry pried himself from her warm embrace still feeling the effects from the late night activities he had engaged his fiancé in. Making the dutiful 'morning' march to the bathroom Harry waved his hand gently covering Hermione in the large duvet with a built in heating charm as she snuggled into the covers seeking out something to replace his warmth.
Harry pulled on a pair of pajama pants and a long sleeved shirt before he made his way downstairs to talk to his godfather.
Grumbling he spotted both Remus and Sirius in the den laughing and chatting about something, probably from their younger years.
"What did you want?" Harry grumbled.
Sirius glanced up and his expression turned solemn, "I was wondering if you'd like to talk about the attack on Hogsmeade a week ago. I know things have been rather crazy since then with the memorial and clean up duty at the ministry, and I just wanted you to know that both Moony and I are willing to listen if you have something to say."
Harry's expression hardened as he replied, "Thanks, but I think I'll be alright. Hermione has always been the best about getting me to work through this stuff." Harry didn't bother to see if the elder marauders had any further to say as he left the room quickly, not in the mood to discuss the matter any more.
Remus and Sirius shared a concerned glance; it had been a long running concern that the events of the war were going to harden both Harry and Hermione. Based upon Harry's reaction a moment earlier, they had assumed correctly.
Sirius sighed before his eyes lit up, "That's it Moony, if we can't help him deal, we can at least take his mind off of it for a bit. Where's that muggle tree lot you were telling me about?"
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Harry rubbed at his eyes tiredly as he walked back into his room, a small smile flickering on his face as he noticed Hermione was still sleeping. Carefully Harry climbed back into the bed, Hermione subconsciously seeking out his presence as she curled into his chest, a small content smile on her face.
As his eyes grew heavy with sleep his groggy mind noted the conversation with Remus and Sirius, he would clear the air with them when he woke up, and there was no reason to be harboring ill will this close to Christmas. As he drifted off he thought back to the memorial service a few days ago, it had been one of the most difficult things he had ever dealt with.
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One of the big negatives about life at Grimmauld Place was the mere presence of one Draco Malfoy, under house arrest by Albus Dumbledore until a time could be set aside for an interview of the pale haired teenager.
The Boot's had been informed that Terry had died tragically in a fire during the attack on Hogsmeade, considering the sensitivity of the truth of the young man's demise; it was a necessary evil of the war. So, after some heavy thinking by Dumbledore he requested Draco be placed under house arrest, and the ministry seemed amenable to the idea all things considered.
It had come as a stroke of genius when Harry gathered Dobby up and said, "Make sure Draco is treated better than you were treated when he was your master."
Draco had winced at that, anything short of torture would have been acceptable if that was the case, but fortunately the elf had simply treated him as a prisoner of war. Of course the light's interpretation of the P.O.W. was much preferable to the dark lord's approach of torture prisoners and then beat them into insanity.
Rico's Tree Lot, Outskirts of London 3:45 pm
"Remus pay the man, we have to get back so we actually have tonight to decorate the blasted thing. The Grangers will be at my place in less than an hour." Sirius muttered anxiously after nearly a half an hour picking through the remaining trees.
Remus sighed but pulled out his emergency billfold, the one he had for his sojourns into the muggle world as had become his custom of late. Fortunately, his years of finding work amongst the muggles allowed him to move seamlessly between the two worlds.
The stubby looking owner of the lot grunted, "Ten quid will cover ya for that beast guv."
Remus nodded and gave him the exact amount before they made a hasty exist, with Sirius inconspicuously casting a feather light charm on the reasonably large tree as they found the nearest alleyway to disappear from.
Hogwarts, 4 pm
Albus Dumbledore was outside on a blustery winter afternoon awaiting the appearance of the American branch of his family. The castle was completely barren aside from a few staff members with no familial connections, and he would have the next week to entertain the 26 coming and he had a feeling it would be a time he would never forget.
Suddenly the Knight Bus stopped at the edge of the wards for the school and he watched from a distance as people began to pile out. House elves immediately began grabbing luggage and returning to the castle leaving the carriages the students typically used to bring the others to where he was now.
As the carriages approached he was filled with an anxiety of seeing several family members for the first time, or in the case of his younger brother the first time in over one hundred years. It filled one of the many empty places in his soul he had long ago felt would never be filled again after the death of his one love.
First out of the carriage was a regal looking elderly witch, her face warm and lined with evidence that she smiled a lot. Next out of the carriage was a long bearded man that could have passed for himself if not looking closely, his face also showed evidence of a happy life and his eyes literally shone when they set upon Albus. Throwing all pretenses aside the men and woman walked up to him quickly and pulled him into an awkward three person embrace.
Pulling away after a moment Marcus Dumbledore smiled and boomed in a deep voice he had inherited from his father, "Ah Albus, you have no idea how much my heart needed that. Is Abe around?"
Albus nodded with a small smile on his face before the elderly witch stepped in and spoke in a cultured southern accent, "While my husband's lack of manners can be excused away due to his excitement, I will gladly introduce myself. Delilah Dumbledore and it is a pleasure to finally meet my brother-in-law."
Albus smiled and addressed the congregated group, "Welcome fellow Dumbledore family members. As I am certain you have heard of Hogwarts in some capacity I will only ask that you keep your explorations to the castle and grounds. The staircases are constantly shifting, so keep this in mind and we shall have a safe and happy Christmas Holiday. I hope to get to know each and every one of you again."
He turned to Marcus, "Abe is working in his bar down at the village you passed while in the Knight Bus. He will be up to the castle later this evening, so we will have ample time to catch up for over a hundred years of missed experiences."
Marcus smiled and followed as his older brother lead the assorted group into the castle, while it had been many years since he had been in his homeland a certain sense of rightness filled his very being.
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Remus and Sirius found themselves in the entrance hall of Grimmauld Place with a rather large Christmas tree and no exact place to spot it.
Remus sighed as he watched Sirius shrink the tree down, "Ok so we have a tree, but no place to put it Padfoot. I am open to any brilliant suggestion you might have."
Sirius rolled his eyes, "We'll put it in the same place we did last year, and it gives a good excuse to finally clean the parlor room out."
Remus nodded tiredly as he followed Sirius into the cluttered room, frowning he looked down and picked up a book, his frown disappeared when he read the title before the implications of it settled in, "Padfoot, why is there a copy of the Kama Sutra in here?"
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Harry blinked his eyes open as the distant sound of someone yelling could be heard echoing throughout Grimmauld Place. But it wasn't the sound that awoke him; instead it was a clever little hand on a particularly sensitive piece of his body.
Hermione huskily murmured, "Just relax Harry, and let me take care of you."
Harry nodded with a small smile playing on his lips as he watched Hermione crawl up his body and begin trailing kisses along his jaw line before capturing his lips in a passionate embrace. Soon enough she grasped him again, but this time she took the time to guide him to her entrance before she sunk down on him. She moaned pleasurably as she began to rock side to side and up and down. Harry thrust into her every couple of seconds and they both felt their release wash over them after a few minutes filled with pleasure filled gasps and grunts.
As they back in their post coital bliss Hermione murmured into Harry's chest, "We should get a shower Harry; we're both sweaty and sticky. Also, I'd like to see mum and dad before dinner and if your watch is right they should be back."
Harry nodded as he rolled out of bed, taking care to slip his boxers on before he scooped Hermione up and marched into the shower enjoying her little squeal as he completed the movement; as much as he loved Hermione's parents he knew they could wait a little bit longer.
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David and Elizabeth Granger had spent most of the past year going from safe house to safe house, helping the Order when they could but finding that it wasn't very often. They were going to see there daughter for the first time since the summer, and now that they were back at Grimmauld Place it didn't seem as though it could happen soon enough.
David looked around impatiently before he glanced into the Parlor room as Remus and Sirius struggled with cleaning out the room to make space for the Christmas tree. Stifling a laugh he turned to his wife, "Well, I guess Harry and Hermione could be just about anywhere in this place. What do you say we wait until they come down here before we catch up?"
Elizabeth smiled and suggested, "Why don't we help Remus and Sirius get the parlor room cleaned up? That way we can stay busy while we wait for the guests of honor to arrive."
As they entered the room a crash resounded as Sirius was buried in a pile of books and Remus laughed mirthfully. Elizabeth reached down and plucked a book that was covering Sirius' face and sweetly asked, "Could you use a hand?"
Remus chortled as Sirius attempted to glare before he finally settled on taking Elizabeth's offered hand and getting to his feet as the books were scattered further. Elizabeth looked around before she asked, "Where do all of these books go?"
Remus softly replied, "They're for research assignments that various people have been working on for the Order. Unfortunately, we can't just return them back to the library."
Elizabeth nodded, "How about one of those house elves you and Harry employ. They might be able to muster some sort of storage bin for these until after the holidays are over."
Sirius groaned and looked at Remus, "Moony how could we forget Dobby and Winky?"
Remus merely shrugged, "Even as wizards, we often forget all of the resources at our disposal."
Elizabeth grinned, "Well witches and wizards usually don't have an ounce of logic from what I've gathered. So, I guess we can excuse it this time."
Sirius laughed dryly before he called out, "Winky!"
Downtown London, Percy Weasley's flat
Ginny Weasley was sitting in her older brother and legal guardian's flat, sullenly staring out the window at the dreary backdrop of an alley running along the apartment building they lived.
The feeling in her chest right now was a heavy and oppressive pain, which seemed to course through her tiny body. She had been a betrayer in the past, but she had never put much thought into the pain felt when on the other side of the ledger.
Terry and the love they shared…that had all been an illusion by Draco Malfoy the bastard ferret incarnate. It was the second time a Malfoy had completely destroyed her, and she didn't know if she had the strength to get up from this attack. She no longer had a large family to support her and aid her in recovery, and friends of true value like Harry and Hermione weren't as close as they once had been.
She only had herself to blame, she had everything in her hands at one time and her own vanity had ruined it all. Still for a 15 year old girl, she would hope that her life hadn't been completely ruined by making decisions she never should have.
Percy and Penny would be back soon enough, and she didn't want to ruin the little family support she still had by messing up their Christmas.
The sound of a door opening realized Ginny's worries as Penelope and Percy shared some whispered words before the muggleborn witch walked into the room.
"Ginny, sweetheart I think we need to talk about what happened." Penelope softly stated as she sat down next to the redhead on the couch facing the window.
Ginny sniffed once, her control of her emotions slipping as she asked, "What do you want me to say Penny?"
Penny wrapped an arm around the smaller girl and gently squeezed, "Tell me what you're feeling right now."
Ginny's lip quivered before she replied, "I feel betrayed that Terry was actually Draco the entire time. I feel angry at myself for not being smart or strong enough to realize that it wasn't the real Terry. I feel sad because I know what I felt for him, and now I understand that everything he did was a lie. I mean, yes he saved my life at Madam Puddifoot's and I think he was actually going to tell me who he was. But…I mean how can I ever know that?"
Penelope ran a hand through Ginny's flame red hair trying to calm the younger girl before she answered, "Sweets, you have to talk to him so you can move on from this. Once you're out of Hogwarts you can try dating again, and I'll help you little sister."
Ginny sniffed and then let out a small giggle, "I've always wanted an older sister."
Penelope merely smiled and kissed Ginny's the porcelain skin of her alabaster forehead, "I've always wanted a younger sister too. Once Percy and I get married we can make it official. But, you need to send an owl to Hogwarts and arrange a meeting with Draco Malfoy. You can only move on after you get some answers."
Ginny nodded as the pair of women idly watched snow fall down on an early winter evening in London.
Grimmauld Place, London 6 pm
After a nice long leisurely shower Harry and Hermione dressed and prepared to join the other occupants of Grimmauld Place in some holiday traditions.
Hermione had a sated smile on her face as she squeezed Harry's arm tightly entering the parlor room to join the festivities. As though everyone realized it all at once the group turned and smiled at the young couple joining them.
Sirius bounced out of his seat by the fireplace and gave both a hug before he said, "We've almost finished decorating the tree you two. We left you the star at the top of the tree and a special ornament that Moony came across the other day while he was cleaning out an old storage room."
Harry grinned at his godfather before he said, "Sirius, I um I'm sorry about earlier and snapping at you."
Sirius waved it away, "I understand pup, and everyone gets irritable after seeing an attack like that one. But, have you and your lovely fiancé come to an understanding of sorts?"
Hermione simply glowed as she answered, "I think we have yes."
All of the adults laughed lightly at the obvious love shared between the teens, Hermione's parents were next in the hug line followed by Remus and Tonks.
Emmeline had simply been watching with a small smile on her face until she softly spoke, "This is what we're fighting for. Moments like these, remember these happy moments because they are a reminder of what we have to gain."
The light mood took on a slightly more solemn tone as everyone sobered before Sirius grabbed the last two decorations and held them behind his back.
Sirius grinned almost like a little child as he said, "Pick a hand Hermione, after all a true gentleman allows ladies choice."
Emmeline muttered, "Good thing you aren't a gentleman then."
Sirius stuck out his bottom lip as everyone else laughed before Hermione picked Sirius' right hand. Sirius' eyes were alight as he revealed an ornament which was obviously magical in origin.
He handed the ornament to Hermione for closer inspection and she gasped as a miniature version of James, Lily, and a teenaged Harry waved to her from what she surmised must have been Godric's Hollow.
Sirius wistfully said, "Lily was so talented at charms she gave these out to her closest friends as a perpetual Christmas card. If James and Lily had survived to have more children they would have been on the ornament also. As you can see, Lily rarely spared any expense to make you feel a part of the family."
Harry smiled softly as he listened to Sirius talk about his mother; Hermione gave him a chaste kiss on the lips before she wandlessly levitated the ornament to the tree, a built in sticking charm took care of the rest as a bare branch suddenly was inhabited by the Potter family.
Harry took the star from Sirius and brushed his lips over Hermione's ear as he whispered, "You'll be on that ornament when we take it out next year for decoration."
Hermione couldn't help the small shiver from the emotional overload that statement, full of promises evoked in her.
Outside of Atlanta Georgia, 1 pm local time (6 pm London time)
Perhaps the one nice thing about this time of year for Ron was that the guards all relaxed enough that he didn't need to look over his shoulder at every turn. He had been in this training for nearly seven months now, and he was beginning to see just how stupid and wrong his entire approach to life had been.
He had received enough news of what was happening back home to understand how the war was affecting the world, heck Bill had been killed and he never even thought to grieve for his oldest brother.
Family…how do you squander something so abstract yet important? However, it was possible Ron understood just how badly he had mucked things up. To a casual observer there might have been a time where some might have thought Harry and Hermione had been that close to him. Now in hindsight a part of him wondered if he had let them in a little bit. Third year at the very least, Ron would now allow that he would have given his life for Harry's in the Shrieking Shack.
Where had it gone wrong, had it all started when Harry's name came out of the goblet of fire? He no longer could suppress his baser urges and had lashed out, to no particular end other than the frustration of losing out to boy wonder again. The Yule Ball had simply been the final nail in the coffin of two friendships, and he knew that he burned all bridges by the end of his time in Britain. He would start over, but where would it be and could he overcome his mistakes of the past to do it?
Ron was so lost to his pensive mood that he never noticed Dave watching him with a thoughtful frown across the room.
Grimmauld Place 9 pm
"Come on Harry give us a song." Sirius slurred in such a way to leave no doubt about his relative sobriety to anyone else.
Harry chuckled at his godfather's antics before he turned to Emmeline, "Do keep your man under control, would you?"
Emmeline laughed softly, "Sirius is like a force of nature Harry, and if he wants to do something it takes something very big and very determined to stop him."
Harry pursed his lips in mock annoyance before he turned his attention back to the rest of the room. Remus, Tonks, and the elder Grangers were all dancing to a Christmas song playing on the WWN, a prospect which apparently was attractive to Hermione based upon her puppy dog eyes she was aiming at Harry.
Harry did a small bow and formally said, "Would my lady care for a dance?"
Hermione snorted as she took his hand and said, "That was so dorky, but yes I'd like to dance."
As Harry's hands came to rest on Hermione's hips, her hands found a home around his waist as they began to sway to the music. It was a ballad by Celestina Warbeck; the song was You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me and the soothing tones it made. Harry couldn't suppress a smile at some of the sappy lyrics but he refrained from saying anything as Hermione turned her cheek into his chest and sighed contentedly.
When the song finally ended some ten minutes later, apparently the wizarding world believed in making songs very long, Hermione smiled and turned her head so that she was looking into Harry's eyes. With a vague hand gesture Hermione summoned mistletoe that had been floating across the room.
Pointing up with one of her hands Harry glanced and spotted the mistletoe before he released a low rumbling chuckle. Bending his neck their lips came together before the kiss deepened, for the moment they were simply a pair of teenagers in love the war ceased to exist and things were as they should have been.
Unplottable location, somewhere on the British Isles
The man once known as Tom Riddle winced as Potter's echo of a connection was sending some very distracting and painful thoughts his way. The time was running out until he would have to force the final confrontation. Dumbledore still stood and by all appearances the young Malfoy had been discovered, only one plot remained to remove Potter's most wily supporter.
While the mudblood might fight by Potter's side, the old wizard was the one watching their flank and that would prove to be a problem if he hoped to win the final confrontation. He could feel it every day, the way the power was shifting in the world.
As he ran an agitated hand through his still thick hair the door to his chamber slid open to reveal Bellatrix. Perhaps Potter wasn't the only one who would have a strong female at his side in the end; a book of rituals came to mind, and for the first time in a very long time some of that power shifted back to Lord Voldemort.
A/N: My apologies but the ridiculous wait, but I hope you all liked the chapter. Next time around we have the second and last part of the holidays including a visit with the Dumbledore clan at Hogwarts, more fun at Grimmauld…and some less than fun stuff with Draco.
Thanks to everyone that has stuck with the story and thanks for the reviews.