(a/n): Thanx all as always for the reviews. In the news, this time, I was ready a few days ago but struggled a bit with the new format. My other grumble is the loss of one of my favorite stats: the total hits, which topped 250k ---I think, a couple of days after it went away. Oh well.
I celebrated my birthday on 11/7. And of more interest, I'm sure, is that Not the Only Redhead also celebrated its 1st anniversary on 11/9.
Bill & Charlie are a case of the fruit not falling far, and yeah, I'm afraid they're lock-step with Mum & Sis. Have to admit, I was a little surprised at the one remark of "bad form on Harry for tagging Bill" My personal take is, it was deserved. And it seemed like something most people would do. I've always thought Harry (in canon) was held to a higher standard. Certainly higher than his peers and I wish he had gone off more in canon when treated unfairly. Guess the Dursleys beat it out of him.
I did have Ginny make an effort, but it was just too little and Harry's not ready to forgive & forget. Maybe later, maybe not. I have one last blowup in the works, sorry if anyone minds, but I wrote it even before I wrote Chap#1 here. It's a DL thing.
One review commented on chap#16 about the number of Weasleys. It was in Rita's article. The inaccuracy was intentional on my part (another Rita **fact**)
Meanwhile, welcome to the Bones house.
25– Happy Christmas Harry (pt2)
"You owe me the decency of an answer, Harry Potter!" Mrs. Weasley shouted. She was again objecting to Harry's leaving Grimmauld Place apparently without the Headmaster's knowledge.
Harry had ignored her first question, then now, her shout "Ready to go, Sirius?"
"I see no harm in it, Molly." offered Sirius, in an attempt at reasonableness.
She sneered at him "And what qualifies you? Additionally I have gone to considerable trouble to put together a large meal. And further, that girl is en---"
"SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!" Harry exploded. It took longer, but Molly began expanding, like his Aunt Marge had.
A blinding white flash from Sirius' wand broke Harry's concentration, though. All the Weasley children rushed to help their mother into a chair.
"Don't you…ever…talkabout…Sirius…likethat…" Harry panted "Or…Susan…again…Or I'll---"
Sirius cut him off "It would be best if we left. Happy Christmas. Let's go Harry."
"Fine." Harry said tightly. "Oh…and I can cook just as good as you."
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At the Bones residence, the fireplace emitted a short high-pitched screech that announced incoming Floo travelers. The sisters were dozing together on the couch. Susan squealed and ran for the bathroom, dumping Tina to the floor.
"Wha'th?" the preteen mumbled, rubbing her knee. She rolled over and found herself face to face with the biggest dog she'd ever seen. "EEP! A grim!" she squeaked. To Tina's shock, the dog licked her nose.
Fortunately, Snuffles was saved from any further trouble as Harry arrived. "OOOF!" he landed with a thud. The floo had tossed him out and he landed flat on his back. "I can't wait til I can apparate. Bloody thing."
"Me neither." Susan said lightly "Doesn't make for a stylish entrance, does it?"
Harry, who was still holding a grudge toward Mrs. Weasley, immediately forgot everything as he looked up "Swwoooooo!" he whistled "You look incredible!"
"You like?" she asked, then helped Harry to his feet. She put her hands behind her neck and bounced her thick thatch of bright red hair around. She twirled around.
Blood pounded in Harry's ears. He'd only seen the dress once, when Susan bought it. The velvety material hugged every curve. He had to swallow a lump in his throat. Despite her confidant stance, Susan blushed under Harry's inspection. The pink tinge found its way down her neck, which Harry noticed.
"So kiss her already!" Tina exclaimed, then giggled.
Harry drew Susan in and kissed her. He let go of her hands and ran his up her bare arms. Susan's went around his waist. Snuffles howled.
"Did I hear a---" Susan's mother burst in.
Harry pulled away from Susan, feeling embarrassed "Hi, Mrs. Bones" he said, shyly.
"That is a grim, isn't it?" she asked, nervously.
Counting himself lucky, Harry replied "Yeah, but really, he's not dangerous at all. Sue knows him from when I was in the hospital. He'd never hurt anyone."
"He kissed my nose, Mum." Tina said with a giggle.
Though skeptical, Mrs. Bones replied "I'll take your word for it. But, if something happens."
"Come on Snuffles, show Mrs. Bones how good and smart you are." Said Harry.
In response the dog got up on his hind legs and offered a paw. When Susan's mother shook the paw, Snuffles licked her hand lightly "Oh my!" she exclaimed "A gentleman dog! Well, I suppose."
"Stop showing off." Harry scolded, he bent down and flicked one of Snuffles' ears. "He's been a little confined while I was in school and I thought maybe he could run around your yard a little."
That was when Susan's father entered the room "Harry Potter." He said, with a touch of stiff formality.
"Good to see you, Mr. Bones." He replied "Happy Christmas."
Neil Bones had been the target of a sometimes not very subtle campaign from every member of his family. And the closer Christmas got, the more intense it got. His youngest daughter couldn't be blamed. But, his wife and even his sister-in-law had gotten into the act. He finally surrendered when Frank 'turned traitor' He had certain concerns, but he promised to make the holidays comfortable. Shaking hands warmly he returned the greeting "Happy Christmas, Harry."
"Thanks." Harry replied with a grin. "I got something for everyone. If you can unshrink them." He pulled five tiny packages from his pocket.
Damn, the kid's a charmer. Neil groaned internally. "Allow me, engorgio."
"I'm staying with one of my Dad's best friends." Harry explained "He told me you could never go wrong with Firewhiskey. For you Mr. Bones."
"This is over two hundred years old." Neil observed, he couldn't keep the delight out of his voice.
Handing a larger package to Susan's mother, Harry said "Sue told me you're going back to work when Tina starts Hogwarts. So I got you a set of Potions equipment."
"First rate!" Joan Bones said, inspecting a balance. Everything was top quality. "Very thoughtful, Harry." She embraced him and kissed his cheek.
Harry blushed vividly and turned to the largest boxes "This one's for you, Sue. And one for Tina. I also got one for Hannah."
"Buying other girls gifts?" asked Susan.
Harry shrugged "Just because she's your best friend."
"A FIREBOLT!!" Tina yelled "HOLY SHIT!!" She wrapped herself around Harry's legs, toppling them both.
"Christina Marie Bones!" Neil exclaimed.
Tina crawled her way off Harry, leaving him to splutter in an effort to get her blond hair out of his mouth.
"Young lady, you know we do not approve of that language in this house." Joan lectured her. "You're grounded."
Tina pouted and looked down at her feet "Sorry, Mummy."
"Tomorrow, that is." Neil amended.
Meanwhile, Susan pulled Harry to his feet. She couldn't help laughing. Harry gave her a slightly cross look. "Oh, come on, Harry." She laughed "You beat dragons, You-Know-Who and his followers. And what happens? My little sister flattens you!"
"Oh yeah!" Harry hissed in her ear. He grabbed Susan's waist in both hands and squeezed, causing her to squeal.
"Harry, we all want to thank you." said Mrs. Bones "But, and please don't take this wrong, any one of these gifts is rather expensive. Even the Firewhiskey, which I wonder how an underage wizard…When you add it together…Do you see my point?"
Harry let go of Susan's waist, she took his hand though, he nodded "I do ma'am. But, I just found out my parents left me a lot of money. I always thought the vault I paid for my school supplies with was all there was. I never really spent much. But, now that I know…well…I guess I went a little crazy."
"I must admit, I was shopping for Potions equipment." Susan's mother said, with a smile "And you did choose very well. Very well indeed."
Susan, looking a little unsure of herself, went to a pile of still-wrapped presents and retrieved hers for Harry. The shape was that of a book, though it was larger and heavier than most.
"You got me a book!?" asked a surprised Harry "Sure you're not Hermione?"
An almost human laugh came from Snuffles.
"She didn't buy it! She made it!" Tina exclaimed.
Susan nodded "I sorta started it by accident." She explained "You were in the hospital. And I was bored. I had to take my mind off the trial, so…." She handed it over.
"Dragon scales?" asked Harry when he tore off the cover.
Susan nodded "Mmhmm. And the pages are also made from them… very thin…I wanted to do it right. Mum got them."
"It's beautiful." Harry said. He blushed at the inscription that said With Love, Sue.
"What's it say? What's it say?" asked Tina, bouncing up and down.
Susan planted a hand on top of her sister's head and said "NOYB!"
"Git!" the little blond girl whispered. "I helped too, so it is so my business!"
Harry wasn't paying attention to the byplay between his girlfriend and her sister. He had turned the page to what he recognized as a Family Tree – His – Five Generations of Potters Susan had titled it. In what had to be one of history's big pranks, Harry's Great-Great-Great Grandfather, the man at the very top, was named Draco Potter…he could only groan. It was just wrong. He noticed that one line running from Draco Potter, down, was blinking. Asking how didn't occur to him, as it led him directly to James and Lily Potter, beneath them his own name. A reference note, in Susan's handwriting, directed him to page 80. There were more than a dozen pictures spread across the two pages. The two largest were a wedding picture and Harry's birth announcement. His voice cracked with emotion and tears filled his eyes "It's amazing!"
"I didn't want to make you sad." Said Susan. "I mean…I thought it might…I almost didn't give it to you…Look I can get you something else. Forget about it."
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Neil gave his wife a mildly cross look when she pulled him into the kitchen "I'm not keen on leaving them alone like that, Joanie." He complained.
"And you think they don't find alone time at school." Susan's mother pointed out. She had also tugged her younger daughter along. "You stay here as well, Tina. In fact, help me with dinner and we'll consider your grounding served. Just thank Harry properly later and watch your tongue."
Without being told what to do, Tina started slicing cucumbers for salad. "Yes, Mummy." She said, sounding contrite, but hiding a smile with her focus on her work.
Joan stroked her daughter's long blond hair while addressing her husband "Neil, our little Suzy is all grown up. You did read her letters, did you not?"
"I still think they got too close too fast." grumbled Neil "She's so young."
She scoffed in response, teasing "Just because you were so old. Dad had a tough time with you being five years older, I remember."
"I'm only five years younger than Harry." Tina observed. "Oww" (giggle)
Joan had swatted her daughter on the behind, but didn't actually comment. "At any rate, nothing's permanent now, and even you admit she could do worse."
"I'll get the ham cooking." Neil said, displaying a grimace.
She wrapped an arm around him from behind and squeezed "Thank you, dear." She whispered in his ear. Then she nipped him lightly.
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"Got you all wet." Harry apologized, pulling his face from Susan's shoulder.
"One of the advantages of spaghetti straps." Susan joked.
Harry let out a wet snort and wiped her shoulder "Pathetic, ain't I?"
"Of course not!" she replied, kindness mixed with a little exasperation. "Sometimes I start something. Then I get a little obsessed and go way overboard. I'm sorry I upset you."
Harry wiped a last tear off his cheek and said "You didn't…Well, what I mean to say…Yeah, I cried, but it wasn't because I was sad---" He broke off, not knowing what else to say. Seemed like a moment for a kiss, he thought.
Susan agreed and wrapped her arms around his neck. They kissed lingeringly, but softly. "That mean you like it then?" she asked.
"Didn't know what you would get me." He replied "Actually, didn't know you would get me anything. It's pretty amazing, though…just like the girl that made it."
She almost felt insulted at the first thought. But, Harry's second thought turned her to so much goo. If she hadn't leaned against him, she would've crumpled. "Amazing?" she asked, surprised how strong her voice came out.
"Actually, I said pretty amazing…and well…pretty…pretty." He replied.
Susan blushed, she couldn't help it. Shades of red and pink stained her cheeks, shoulders and cleavage. "Aww… Stop it, Harry."
"I'm serious." He replied as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
Good old Snuffles chose that moment to howl softly.
Harry guffawed and nudged his transformed Godfather with his foot "Fine." He said "You can be Sirius if you want. I'll be serious."
Snuffles whined, laid down, and covered his face with his front paws.
"Quite a smart dog you got." Susan said. She sat in a chair near Snuffles and gave his head a thorough scratching.
Harry couldn't help feeling slightly guilty for lying --- well omitting the truth --- "Yeah, he's quite a character."
"Almost human." Susan said.
Harry stiffened. For once he was grateful they weren't in contact. He didn't know how Sirius managed not to react. Damn, she's smart. Casting about for another topic, he said "So, where's Frank?"
"Well, it's still technically a secret. Buuuuut…" She said with a playful glint "…About now, he should be down on one knee. Waiting to get kissed."
It took Harry a moment to work that through. He asked "He's proposing to Paula Polkiss?"
"Yep." Replied Susan, with a nod.
"Well, good on him." Harry replied.
"He'll be here, sooner or later." Susan smiled in agreement "So, wha'd'ya wanna do?" she asked.
".lll.l" Harry said. His eyes were drawn to her figure.
Susan stood, walked over to him and pushed him onto the couch "Let me rephrase that." She added "Bearing in mind that my parents are less than thirty feet away…What would you like to do?"
"Right." said Harry. He ran a finger between his shirt collar and neck. "How about telling me about this?" he indicated the book.
Susan sat beside him, curled her legs up beside her and leaned against Harry "That we can do." She replied, playfully. "Come on Harry, focus."
"Ulp…right." He said "You know this really isn't fair."
Susan giggled and teased "Come on, it's just me. So where to begin?"
"The beginning?" Harry offered.
She gave him a back-handed swat on the chest "Smart-ass." She chuckled "Right, fine. The idea started with Hannah, even before we got together. Even before you and You-know-who broke up."
Harry snorted in amusement.
"Well, you started it." Susan observed "Anyway, like I was saying. At the time, you two were fighting and Hannah said if she didn't have a boyfriend and you broke up…well, you get the idea."
Harry did, not that Susan wasn't beautiful. But, Hannah had inspired a hard-on or two…late at night. He shook himself slightly.
"Watch it, buster!" growled Susan. She poked him in the chest.
It didn't hurt, it tickled. Harry retaliated by digging a finger into her side.
Susan squealed and tried to slide away. As Harry tried to wrestle her onto his lap, she twisted and rolled off the couch altogether.
A look of concern flashed to his face, which turned to shock as she pulled him to the floor. He landed on top of her. That might have ended it, but this was hardly their first play fight. Certain parts of Harry's back were vulnerable to his girlfriend's touch.
"Give up?" asked Susan as she dragged her fingernails lightly across his ribs.
Harry gritted out "NO!" between clenched teeth. He never knew whether it hurt or tickled when she did this. He may have had one of Susan's arms trapped above her head, but he couldn't capture her other hand. Then, his whole body shivered when she changed tactics and drew a torturous line down his spine. He yelled "NEVER!!"
"Fine by me." Susan laughed. Her hand roamed under Harry's shirt seeking another sensitive spot.
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Several things happened at nearly the same time "WHAT IS ALL THAT BLOODY NOISE!" Neil Bones yelled from the kitchen.
A flash of light and two pops overrode an immediate answer. "What… pray tell …is going on here?"
"HI Auntie!" Susan squeaked. She gave a cute wave and waggled her fingers.
Harry rolled off Susan "Thisisntwhatitlookslike." He mumbled hurriedly. 'Not good' he thought noticing a bulge in his pants. Thinking about it only made it worse. He rushed to sit up and curl his legs before looking up.
"What it looks like, is you laying on my niece on her living room floor. Or am I hallucinating?" asked Amelia Bones in an icy tone.
Harry stuttered and stammered. Susan pointed out "Technically, not true, Auntie. Right now, Harry's sitting next to me on the floor."
"Auntie Ami!" Tina yelled as she bounced into the room.
While holding her youngest niece, the most powerful witch in England warmly greeted her in-laws. Some of her colleagues might have been appalled at her behavior. "Happy Christmas everyone."
"Hedwig!" Harry exclaimed, happily leaping to his feet. His snowy white owl rapped on the Bones' front window. He rushed out the door and returned with her on his shoulder.
"Animals are quite averse to apparation." Amelia explained "So I gave her a note and addressed it here."
Harry smiled and said "Thanks Madam Bones."
"Harr-ummph!" the man who had accompanied Amelia coughed impatiently.
Despite Harry's assumption, the man wasn't a wizard. Amelia introduced him, specifically looking at Harry. "My apologies" she said "This gentleman is Edward Weasley. Mr. Weasley, this is Harry Potter. Harry, Mr. Weasley has spent the last month working on your financial records."
"Ron, Fred and George are my closest friends." Harry replied. "Nice to meet you."
The accountant merely nodded at Harry, not taking his offered hand. "My contact with my relations is negligible." He said, gruffly "Though I do appreciate your business. If it isn't too much trouble, I would prefer a professional distance, Mr. Potter."
"Err…Ok" Harry replied, uncomfortably.
"Would you care to join us for dinner, Mr. Weasley?" Susan's mother offered "There's always plenty."
He shook his head and replied "Thank you, no. I have much to do and would rather offer my report and go."
"Joan, how long before dinner?" Amelia asked.
She replied "We just put the ham in, so it'll be a couple of hours yet." While Susan's mother was a talented witch, and used magic quite frequently, she refused to 'take shortcuts' with everything. One specific event was her Christmas dinner. All preparation, done by hand. Cooking done on totally Muggle, though modern, appliances.
"Good." Amelia replied. Then, turning to her brother-in-law, requested "Neil, might we borrow your den?"
Neil waved his hand expansively in the direction of his home office.
The accountant struggled with a large, heavy box.
"Allow me." Amelia offered. She pointed her wand at the box and cast Winguardium Leviosa; it floated out of his hands, moving in the direction of Neil's den.
The sour man followed the box into the room.
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"Poor Harry." Susan commented, as the door shut. "He doesn't like people like that, much."
Neil had to work for something positive to say "Now, Suzy, there's something to be said for dedication."
"Is he a Goblin?" asked Tina.
Susan laughed out loud. Neil hid a smile with his hand. Joan told the young girl to "Get back to work."