I am determined to finish this story before I go off to college.

Just so you know, I move in on September first.

DISCLAIMER:

I own nothing, except for my OCs and this plot line.

Chapter Twenty-Six: House of Burrows

Nina's POV:

As soon as we got our luggage and stepped off the train, we met up with everyone on the platform. And I say everyone, I mean everyone.

"Nina," Al grabbed my hand and pulled me towards an old woman with graying red hair. "This is my grandmother. Gran, meet Nina."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Weasley," I said, smiling. I held my hand out to shake hers, but she rejected. Instead, she pulled me into a warm hug.

"Please, call me Molly, dear," she replied. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Nina."

"Nina," Mr. Potter came up behind me, tapping me on the shoulder. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Hi, Mr. Potter. Nice to see you, too." We shook hands. Mrs. Potter was right next to him, and she pulled me into a hug as well.

"Hello, darling," she said as soon as she let go of me. Then she moved to Albus and Lily.

I noticed James standing behind them with his arm around Riley. They smiled and waved at us as we went around greeting everyone else.

We all apparated back to The Burrow after getting our luggage together. I stood next to Al, gazing up at the house.

"It looks a lot bigger than it did in the films and books," I commented.

"Yeah…" He snaked his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. "My parents and grandparents added extra rooms on as the years passed to give it more space. What do you think?"

"I love it. It's very… homey."

"It is." He lifted my chin, leaned over, and kissed me. He felt so warm compared to the chilly air around us.

"Can we just stay here forever?" I whispered as soon as we broke apart, our foreheads leaning against one another's.

"I'd go inside if I were you!" Lily shouted from the doorway. "It's snowing if you hadn't noticed!"

"Thanks for ruining the moment, Lilykins!" he called as he pulled me inside. "Come on, Nines. Let's sit by the fire and chat with everyone else."

"So Nina, you're the Chosen One, yeah?" Victoire asked after everyone else had arrived. We were all sitting in the Weasley's living room around the fire, drinking butterbeer and firewhiskey.

"Yeah," I answered. "It's not too great."

"I know what you mean," Mr. Potter piped up. "I was the Chosen One when I was in school… Not. Fun."

"You're telling me. There's been too much kidnapping and mysteries going on for any of us to handle."

"It's horrible! It was so scary," Amber but in. "I mean, going up into the creepy attic and down into the cold cellar back at Anubis… ugh."

"Oh Amsie, don't be scared," Alfie comforted her. "It's not too bad."

"You were the one who was so creeped out by going into the cellar that you asked Amber to give you a good-luck kiss," Patricia teased.

"Shut it, Patricia," he muttered. Everyone giggled.

"What are we doing about sleeping arrangements?" Mara suddenly asked.

"Well," Al's gran started, "everyone else will be where they normally are, and," she paused. "Nina, Amber and Mara, you'll be rooming together. Joy will be with Patricia and Riley. Fabian, Mick, Alfie and Jerome… You don't mind sharing a room between the four of you for the next two weeks, do you dears?"

"Nope," Fabian answered immediately. "It'll be pretty much like back at Hogwarts."

"Yes!" Alfie exclaimed, punching the air. "Jerome, old buddy, we're roommates again!" They high-fived.

"They were roommates back when we were at Anubis House," Patricia explained, looking bored.

The room was once again loud with chatter.

"Hmm…" Al trailed off, putting his arm around me and pulling me closer. We were sitting on a couch with Amber and Alfie.

"What?" I asked, resting my head on his shoulder.

"You need a cute nickname."

"What about Nines?"

"Everyone calls you Nines." He started playing with my hair. "I want this to be… a special nickname. Something only I can call you."

"Oh, can I help?" Amber butt in. "How about… Ninkerbell!"

Al looked at her weirdly. "Ninker- What?"

"Ninkerbell!" Amber shouted. I buried my face in my hands. "Oh, come on! Peter Pan! Tinkerbell! The little fairy that teaches Jane to believe in fairies!"

"You truly were raised in the Muggle world," Lily muttered.

"Please don't call me that," I groaned.

"Okay, Ninkerbell." He beamed at me.

I blushed. "Fine. You can call me Ninkerbell."

"YES!"

"But only you - no one else. Got it?" I glanced at Amber.

"Oh, don't worry Nines. I won't call you Ninkerbell." She smiled innocently.

Just then, Jerome appeared out of literally nowhere.

"Nina has a new nickname?" he asked frantically, sitting down between Al and I. "Do tell!"

"First off," I started, glaring at him. "Move. Secondly, no."

"Fine," he shrugged, getting up. "Oh, and Ninkerbell… Nice nickname." He walked away, rejoining Mara, Lucy and Fred, a huge smirk present on his face.

"He's never gonna let me live that down," I muttered, instinctively moving closer to Albus.

"No, I'm afraid not," he replied. "But… I have a new cute nickname for you now!"

I sighed.

"So, what do you guys normally do for Christmas?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Well," James butt in, "we eat. A lot. On both Christmas Eve and Day. And there's almost always at least one Quidditch match. You'll have to participate, seeing as Al told us you played Seeker at least once during the term."

"Huh. Alright then."

The next day was Christmas Eve. Riley and I were sat in the living room by the fire, playing an intense game of Wizard's Chess.

"Knight to E5," I said.

It beheaded her piece.

"And I win!" I exclaimed, leaning back in my chair.

"Hey, no fair! I call rematch!" she prodded.

"Nope. I think I'll go see if Mrs. Weasley needs any help in the kitchen.

I walked into The Burrow's crowded kitchen to find Molly, Hermione, Ginny, Fleur, Angelina, and Audrey all hard at work, using their wands to prepare food and clean the place up.

"Um…" I trailed off, unsure of what to do. "Do you need any help, Mrs. Weasley?"

"No thank you, dear," everyone but Ginny answered.

Without a second thought, I turned on my heel and walked back into the living room, only to be greeted by Molly and Roxanne having an argument.

"Roxie, I know you stole my top! WHERE IS IT?" Molly shrieked.

"I didn't steal anything!" Roxanne brandished her wand. "And don't. Call. Me. Roxie!"

I decided it was time to intervene. "Roxanne," I started off calmly, stepping between them, "you can't legally use magic outside of Hogwarts, remember? You're underage! Put your wand away."

"You're not my mum, Nina," she muttered before pointing her wand at me.

"ROXANNE WEASLEY!" Suddenly, George barged into the room. Relief washed over me. "Put your wand down, young lady! And apologize to Nina and your cousin." He then turned to Molly. "I'll find your top, Molls."

"Nina!" Al called, standing at the foot of the stairs. "Come on." He ran over to me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me from the room.

"Where are we going?" I asked, snatching my winter cloak before being dragged out the front door. "It's freezing out and everyone's inside, waiting for dinner-"

I cut myself off, staring at five other people, gear on, and a chest of balls in the ground in front of them.

He grinned, holding up my broom. "Fancy a game of Quidditch?"