Harry Potter and the Founders

By: LuvFantasy

Chapter Thirty Four: Muffins and Mistletoe

"…and now Hermione and I are dating again!" Ron said energetically, handing Harry a freshly washed potato from the stack by Mrs. Weasley's sink. They had arrived that morning, leaving Hogwarts through Floo Powder, accompanied by Ginny – having already said their goodbyes to Hermione in the Common Room and had found themselves in the Weasleys' grate before ten minutes had passed. After several long good wishes, sharing of pleasantries, and numerous hugs from Mrs. Weasley, the three had found their way into a kitchen.

Unfortunately, Ron and Ginny had become engaged in a heated fight soon thereafter and were caught by Mrs. Weasley, who punished them with kitchen duty … without magic. Harry had joined in with Ron of his own accord, mainly because he did not wish to bake the muffins with Ginny.

"That's great." Harry jabbed bitterly at the potato with his cutting knife, severing it cleanly in two and slamming the knife into the cutting board. Ron looked over at him in surprise,

"Knife slipped," Harry muttered.

"Oh." Ron was about to turn back to the potatoes when he paused and then sidled over to Harry, whispering in a hoarse voice, "Reckon you could clean these potatoes for me considering mum took my wand?"

"I heard that Ronald," Ginny snapped from across the room, eyeing him angrily, "and if Harry does help you, I'll tell mother." She slammed the oven door shut behind the muffins before turning sharply on her heel and leaving the kitchen to set the room.

"Bit touchy that one," Ron glowered. He looked over at Harry. "Well?"

"I think Ginny would notice next time she came in," Harry said, reaching for the next potato and proceeding to chop it as viciously as the last. Ron glared at him and then turned back to the potatoes,

"So what – I'm not afraid of my little sister."

"I never said you were," Harry snapped, his frayed temper getting the better of him.

"Sure implied it."

"I never meant it, Ron. I just figured Ginny wasn't as inobservant as she might appear."

"So now you're insulting my sister?" Ron demanded, turning on him. Harry stared back at Ron in disbelief. Ron cowed slightly, though he still looked irritated.

"What's wrong with you?" Harry demanded.

"Nothing." Ron proceeded to drown the remaining potatoes in a sink full of water.

"You're lying. Tell me," Harry said simply.

"I'm not lying," Ron said stubbornly, avoiding Harry's gaze.

"Then look me in the eye and say it."

Ron turned to face him head on, "Fine. I'm mad."

"Yeah, never would have thought that." Harry said sarcastically, turning to cut the next potato.

"I'm mad because you're keeping something from me. And Hermione. We both noticed it at Slughorn's Ball – and before it too. Hermione says you asked her to the dance."

Harry felt the blood rush to his face and slammed down the knife loudly. "No, I didn't. I was just wondering if she was going with someone – and what business is it of yours if I did anyways?" He demanded bitterly, glaring levelly at Ron.

"You're my best mate, that's why," Ron said simply, "And to be honest, you're not acting much like it right now."

"I'm not? You're the one who's been fighting on and off with me and Hermione the whole year!"

"And I'm at least trying to change, Harry. You on the other hand – this isn't the first time."

"It's not for you either; or have you already forgotten Fourth Year?" Harry spat. Ron didn't move for a long time, and Harry began to feel guilty about his comment, and though he continued to chop systematically, his eyes were frozen on the board rather than on his knifework.

"We've all had our ups and downs, Harry," Ron finally said slowly, "And we've all come clean about it before. Now it's your turn."

Harry stopped cutting and looked over at him seriously. "I can't tell you, Ron, because you don't want to hear. You wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Now you sound like Dumbledore," Ron said half laughing, though his eyes did not move from Harry. "Try me."

Harry shook his head, turning back to the potatoes. No matter how much he couldn't stand Ron and Hermione dating, he wasn't going to tear them apart because of his own selfish desires. "No."

"Mum says to see that you two finish the potatoes so that I can start the stew," Ginny stated icily, re-entering the room, her long red hair swaying behind her. She walked briskly over to them and looked at the pile of potatoes, eyeing them skeptically for a full minute before finally turning back to her stew preparations on the counter. Harry and Ron finished the potatoes in silence.

.xxxxxxx.

The days remaining before Christmas passed in a flurry of last minute shopping, Mrs. Weasley bustling around the Burrow in a flustered manner, glimpses of Mr. Weasley while he wasn't working, the twins popping up every now and then, and Lupin and Tonks both arriving at the door on Christmas Eve.

Mrs. Weasley was the one to open the door, and when she did she let out an exclamation of happiness. "Remus! You made it!"

Lupin smiled, his face still scarred with long red scratches and his legs covered in a plaid blanket from his seat on the wheelchair Tonks pushed, though his eyes were bright and merry. "Yes. The medi-witches have proclaimed me nearly hale and only require I visit them three times a week for a check up."

"So the full moon then – it wasn't a problem?" She asked worriedly, shutting the door behind them both and ushering them into the family room where everyone else was seated, mugs of cocoa in their hands. Lupin grimaced and coughed slightly before answering, "I managed."

"They say he's been improving wonderfully," Tonks said brightly, her hair back to its normal cheery hues, "in one month, if there's been no relapse, he'll be free to continue as he always did."

"Oh that's wonderful!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, helping them out of their coats and hurrying off to the old coat stand in the room next door. Mr. Weasley stood up from the couch, setting his mug on a nearby table while the twins made to stand up purposefully as well. He shooed them back down.

"Hello, Remus," he extended his hand and smiled.

Lupin shook it, "Arthur."

"You really are feeling better?" Mr. Weasley asked as Tonks followed Mrs. Weasley to the next room. Lupin was about to reply but then looked over at Harry and the other Weasleys, smiling instead.

"Of course." He pulled out his wand, aiming it at the chair, and he zoomed forwards until he stood next to the couch where Harry and the others sat. "So how are you?"

"Good," Harry lied. "You…honestly?"

"Much better than I was previously." Lupin turned to the twins, "And how is the Joke Shop?"

Geroge's expression soured. "Brilliant as usual because we're clearly still running it."

"We should be out – working for the Order," Fred continued, "not sitting in the safety of Diagon Alley like all the other pansies!"

"Boys," Mr. Weasley roared. George turned mutinously on him, but Mrs. Weasley and Tonks reappeared at that moment, so he held his peace.

"Now, we just finished dinner," Mrs. Weasley announced loudly, clasping her hands together and eyeing Lupin, "but there's plenty left over so if you're hungry-!"

"No, I'm fine, Molly, but thank you."

She eyed him critically, "Are you sure? You still look a bit peaky."

"Perhaps it's just my wolfish nature," he said with a rueful grin. She sighed and took a seat in the arm chair by the tree, looking at the proper angel – no longer a gnome – on top and sighing contentedly as she turned on the record player. She turned to Ginny,

"Would you be a dear and fetch Remus and Nymphadora some cocoa?"

Ginny glowered bitterly and stood up, walking as slowly as possible from the room – "And shut the door behind you, dear!" Mrs. Weasley called. It slammed shut.

"Albus will be coming tomorrow with a young charge," Lupin said quietly, "And you and Molly are to stand off watch for the moment. Viktor will be taking your place." He looked over at Harry and Ron, "And I have some news for you boys as well…you two, Fred and George."

Mr. Weasley took over, saying quickly and quietly, "Boys," a serious expression crossed his features, "You're to be given a mission for the Order."

"Really?" They exclaimed together. Mrs. Weasley hushed them viciously as the reedy voice of Madame Opal's voice rose to a higher and higher pitch; her face turning more irritated with every passing moment. Mr. Weasley continued,

"You are both to head to … the headquarters on New Year's to be told, as," his eyes flickered for a moment on Harry and Ron, "…we cannot tell you at the moment."

"But-!"

"Quiet!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, "One word of complaint from either of you and I'll have you taken out of the Order. And as for you two," she turned on Harry and Ron, "…neither of you are to go repeating this. It's only on your father's wishes tha-!"

The door swung open and Ginny entered, looking thoroughly used as she carried in a tray of cocoa; handing the mugs wordlessly to Tonks and Lupin.

"You left me standing by the glade,

Alone in the snow,

Waiting on a word –

A glimmer –

The slightest chance that you were there.

But you never showed

And I found myself

Alone, rejected, and broken hearted

On Christmas Eve…"

"Can't you change the record, mum?" Ginny demanded, clapping her hands over her ears as Madame Opal continued to warble mournfully throughout the room.

"No, it's tradition," Mrs. Weasley snapped. Ginny stuck out her tongue – fortunately her mother didn't notice – and Ron snorted.

"So how is Hogsmeade doing, what with the war and all?" Mrs. Weasley asked, turning to Tonks. She took a gulp of cocoa, swallowed, set it down on the tray and then answered brightly,

"Surprisingly well. Wizards and witches are still flocking in to pay their respects to … well, you know. Though they've begun to trickle back to a reasonable pace again."

Mrs. Weasley nodded and then looked at her wristwatch, exclaiming, "It's nearly midnight!" She turned to the twins, Harry, Ron and Ginny. "It's high time you went to bed."

"Aww, mum!"

"We're adults now!"

"It's Christmas Eve!"

"I'm not even tired!"

"Off to bed!" Mrs. Weasley said sharply, pointing towards the stairwell. Grumbling, the twins went upstairs, muttering darkly to each other. Ginny followed them, and Ron and Harry brought up the rear. They all went up to their rooms, Harry into Ron's, and shut the door.

Ron sat down on his bed, looking speculatively at Harry.

"So, where are we off to next – after we get back to Hogwarts I mean?"

"Why do you suddenly care?" Harry asked, sitting down on the spare bed Mr. Weasley had conjured and looked back at Ron in turn.

"I've always cared, I've just been…preoccupied before."

"And you're not now?"

"No," Ron said firmly, "Hunting down the Horcruxes and destroying…You Know Who is the most important thing we can do right now."

Harry sighed, climbing underneath the bedcovers and staring up at the lurid orange ceiling for several moments. Finally. "I don't know where to go next. I've just been relying on chance and Hermione for the most part." He frowned, "I reckon we should try and get the second heirlooms of both the Heirs though, before Voldemort does. He doesn't know we're after the Horcruxes, but I'll reckon he knows we're after the Heirs. And even if he doesn't, he's definitely going to be looking for the relics. So that he can destroy them and our chances of success."

"What do you suppose they are?" Ron asked, climbing under his covers as well and turning to look at Harry in the single shaft of golden light that crept into their room, underneath the door, from the hall.

"I dunno. Probably something ancient and magical. They've already given us weapons."

Ron nodded in assent, "You're probably right."

There was a long silence, during which Harry wondered if Ron had proceeded to fall asleep; and just as he had begun to close his eyes himself Ron's voice cut into Harry's thoughts.

"What did you get Hermione for Christmas?"

"A book on the four founders, a new quill and ink set, and a comb for Crookshanks," Harry muttered, thinking it far too little now that he knew the true extent of his feelings for her. He'd bought her those presents weeks ago – back on their first visit to Hogsmeade. "Why?"

"Just wondering."

"Well what did you get her?" Harry asked, trying to prevent himself from envisioning Hermione receiving Ron's gift and cherishing it above his own.

"Perfume."

"Oh."

Ron let out a sigh of frustration. "Why can't I ever get her anything better? I mean, she's my girlfriend, right? This should be easy! I know she loves books, and … stuff, but I just can't remember which ones – and get her things she, well, she didn't like my present before did she?"

"Er…" Harry didn't know what to say. It had been obvious to him that Ron's present of perfume hadn't exactly been Hermione's idea of a nice present, but he couldn't tell his best mate that…

Ron let out a loud groan. "It's always so easy with Luna! I always get her the right thing why can't I-!" Ron broke off, and Harry could tell, that had the room been bright enough, his ears would have been going red. "I-I mean, not that I- well…get Luna gifts," Ron spluttered, "It's just…seems…" he trailed off into an embarrassed silence that Harry, curious as he was, did not break.

.xxxxxxx.

Christmas morning dawned as it always did in the Weasley house. Bright, cheery holiday music warbled faintly up the stairwell from Mr. Weasley's recorder, the scent of breakfast carried up with it, and Ron's harried unwrapping of the presents noisy above all.

"Great haul this year!" He exclaimed, holding up an expensive looking pair of Muggle boots. "Odd though, these." He eyed them for a moment and then looked around the mess of presents and paper, "Harry – have you seen my shoe box?"

"No."

"Oh well." He threw them down near a small mound of gifts at the foot of his bed; lifting up a package wrapped in bright red and green paper instead.

"Oy! It's Hermione's present!" He ripped it open, and Harry leaned in closer to look as Ron lifted a heavy book on 101 Ways to Keep Organized by Mel EtGarnier. "Oh. Well…" he threw it distastefully on top of the boots, reaching for a smaller present and ripping it open. He gave an exclamation of delight.

"I've always wanted one of these!" He held up a strange looking contraption for Harry to see, explaining quickly at Harry's puzzled expression, "It's like a Sneakoscope…except it finds spiders." He placed it reverently on his bed, where it whirred silently. Harry eyed it for a moment and then turned to Ron,

"Whose it from?"

"Er…well…nothing really," he went on muttering for several seconds before finally saying, "It's from Luna."

Harry fought back a laugh, and Ron hastily ducked his head, ripping open a back of sweets from Ginny. Harry stood up and went to the foot of his bed, lifting up his top present and reading the tag; To Harry: from Ginny. He quickly threw it aside and picked up the next. Hermione's present.

He unwrapped it quickly, while behind him Ron let out an exclamation of delight, and revealed two items: a book on defense against the dark arts Everything They Teach You and The Things You Have To Know; and a book on owls, beneath it was a letter:

Dear Harry:

I hope this finds you safe, happy, and well on a very merry Christmas.

I gave you the Defense Against the Dark Arts book because I know you loved the subject and we'll need to know as many spells as possible in the coming months. The book on owls is because I know you love Hedwig, and I think I've given you enough Quidditch books over the years anyways. Honestly, you and Ron still have yet to understand that there is more to life than Quidditch…"

Harry suppressed a grin at this and continued reading,

"…You seemed a little irritated the night of the Ball, Harry, and you left before I could talk to you about it. Write to me soon, I want to hear from you – something's wrong, I know, so don't try denying it. Ron may believe you, but I don't Harry. I'm worried.

Love,

Hermione."

He stared in surprise at the letter and then looked back over at Ron quickly – he was eating some cauldron cakes and watching his arachniscope happily – before pulling out a pen and piece of parchment, beginning to write:

"Hermione:

Thanks for the gifts, they were great. Ron liked his too.

Nothing's wrong with me. I'm perfectly fine. I was just tired. Besides, you didn't seem so happy yourself either.

See you soon,

Harry."

He debated for a few minutes as he looked at the letter, wishing he didn't have to lie and that he could write more – but he knew he wouldn't. She was beyond his reach, and the only way to keep from hurting either of his best friends would be to remain out of their reach as well.

He sealed the note and handed it to Hedwig who hooted irritably and stared reproachfully at him for sending her out on a holiday before finally taking the letter and soaring out Ron's window. He turned around to look back at his stack of presents to see Ron staring at him,

"Who was that to?"

"Hermione."

"Why were you writing her? We just saw her…like…a week ago."

"She asked me too."

"She didn't ask me too," Ron exclaimed, sounding hurt and rummaging through the pile of paper for Hermione's gift. Harry simply shrugged and returned to his pile of presents, opening them each slowly, leaving Ginny's until last and opening it with a wince.

Just a note. He opened it slowly and read: Maybe if you'd gotten me a present, I would have spent more than a few drops of ink on you.

He stared at it and felt his stomach tighten. He'd forgotten completely about Ginny's gift in the swirl of events. But how did she know that? He wondered, she'd be opening her presents right now – just like me!

"Harry, breakfast." Ron said, nodding towards the door from which Mrs. Weasley's hollers were clearly audible. Harry stood up and followed him down the stairs, still pondering this newfound discovery.

The meal was cheery and warm, for the most part entirely enjoyable save for the few moments when Harry could no longer ignore the icy glare Ginny was shooting at him and was forced to squirm uncomfortably in his seat. The twins entertained them all – save Mrs. Weasley – by leading two gnomes dressed up as Father Christmas down the hall, cheerily humming "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" the entire time under their breath.

Everyone then retreated to the family room where Mrs. Weasley started a record of Christmas carols and Fred and George began to rip the presents out from underneath the tree, handing them out busily to their respective owners.

Mr. Weasley received a Muggle cell phone from the twins – who eagerly explained its high end features to him – and a beautifully knit blanket from Mrs. Weasley,

"For those cold nights in the office," she explained warmly, her cheeks flushing pink as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. He kissed her on the lips and she flushed crimson as the chorus of I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas rose in pitch behind them. He reached for the next present – from Fleur – and unwrapped a beautifully sewn tie of blue and gold. The presents continued on in a similar manner until everyone had opened theirs, and were all seated happily around the tree, playing with their new oddities. Tonks turned to Lupin,

"I believe it's time for us to take a quick trip to the Park, Remus…am I right?" She asked, oddly formal. Lupin looked up at her and then over at Mr. Weasley, who gave him a quick nod, and shook his head in reply.

"Yes, I believe you're right, Nymphadora. Let's go."

"But you can't go!" Fred exclaimed, "We've not even started the gnome bobbing contest!"

"And you won't," Mrs. Weasley said fiercely, her eyes flashing between the two boys. "It's Christmas Day!"

"Exactly."

"Don't you have any holiday spirit, mum?" George demanded irritably.

Tonks stopped wheeling Lupin out, giving the twins an encouraging grin, "Leave it till New Year's, eh?"

Fred grinned after her retreating figure as Mrs. Weasley gave an irritated "hmph!". He turned to look at George, "That's my type of woman."

George nodded solemnly, "If only she was a tad bit younger…"

"Lucky man, Remus Lupin."

The twins retreated the room to the sound of Mrs. Weasley's chastising. Mr. Weasley turned to everyone else still in the Family Room, attempting to keep a straight face,

"I believe it's about time for a visitor…" he pulled out the new cell phone the twins had gotten him and opened the flap gently, his face fairly alighting with joy as it gave an answering jingle and lit up. "Marvelous inventors these Muggles! And it is time for Dumbledore to come-!"

"Dumbledore?" Ginny exclaimed, looking over at her father sharply and then looking from Ron to Harry in surprise, "Dumbledore's dead! I-I saw him… he's not, he's not come back has he?" She whispered this last phrase, her voice trembling slightly whether from happiness or disbelief Harry couldn't tell.

A plume of green flames erupted from behind the Christmas Tree, and two somewhat sooty figures stood up from the grate, the taller of the two smiling genially at them all and then waving his wand, "Scourgify!"

The soot vanished, revealing Dumbledore…and Malfoy. Harry stared. Surely he wouldn't bring Draco…into the Burrow!

"Albus!" Mr. Weasley said happily, setting down the cell phone reverently and approaching Dumbledore to shake his hand. Ginny stared at her father as if he were mad.

"Arthur," Dumbledore said firmly, giving Mr. Weasley a quick smile. "You are doing well I trust?" Draco stood awkwardly beside the Christmas tree, looking oddly out of place in his best robes and neatly combed hair compared to the remainder of the Weasley family who were all still in their pajamas.

"Perfectly," Mr. Weasley answered genially. His eyes snagged on Draco and a look of surprise crossed his features before he covered it with a large – if forced – smile. "Mr. Malfoy." Draco looked at the floor uncomfortably, jerking his head slightly in assent.

Dumbledore looked over at Ron as Mrs. Weasley entered the room. "I believe it is time for you to perform your duty as Secret Keeper, Mr. Weasley."

"But why?" Ron demanded, "It's just Ginny!" Her head jerked over to look at him so quickly her long auburn hair whipped Harry across the face. Ron cowed.

"That's Albus Dumbledore." He pointed quickly at Dumbledore and then fell silent. Ginny looked at him in shock and worry, and then turned to follow his gaze, her brown eyes landing on the old man standing before her. She let out a gasp.

"Miss Weasley." Dumbledore inclined his head slightly and Ginny didn't move, staring at him as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Y-You're…you're alive."

"Yes, Miss Weasley, I believe I am," Dumbledore said lightly, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly as he smiled.

"But – everyone else – why didn't anyone tell me?" She demanded, turning on the rest of her family. Fred and George exchanged awkward glances and didn't return her gaze. "You all knew," she said, her voice trembling, and her eyes shining in the early morning light. "Do I mean that little to you all – am I so untrustworthy?"

"Ginny-!" Mrs. Weasley made to swoop in on her and embrace her tightly, but Dumbledore held up his hand, walking slowly towards her and kneeling down to her height, taking her cold hands gently in his own.

"Ginerva," he began, "…I asked them not to tell you earlier because we did not want to endanger you." She didn't answer. Instead a silent tear coursed down a cheek. A jerky movement to the other side of the room caught Harry's attention. He realized with a slight convulsion of surprise in his stomach that Draco had been watching Ginny.

"However, times are changing. They already have changed, and we all need to learn to trust each other. A second haven is necessary … and, another guardian."

"You mean for me to be a Secret Keeper?" she asked, her voice slightly incredulous.

"No, I mean for you to help protect the secret keepers and help those they guard."

"You mean yourself then," she said, her voice slightly scathing. Dumbledore shook his head again.

"No."

A long moment of silence dragged between them, during which Dumbledore looked deep within her eyes, occasionally a muscle in his face would tighten slightly to reveal that he was seriously considering something.

"Ginerva Molly Weasley…do you promise to keep everything you have seen today to yourself, revealing none of this – or anything else to come – to any other being by word of mouth, telecommunication, written symbolization, or any other form?"

She nodded slowly, another tear coursing down her cheek, though her eyes had cleared for the most part and some of her metallic pose had returned.

"And what do you swear on, Miss Weasley?" Dumbledore asked, his voice serious. She looked at him, slightly confused,

"What do you mean – do you want an Unbreakable Vow?"

"No," Dumbledore shook his head, his eyes smiling for the briefest moment before fading to an expression of grave importance once more, "I would never demand something so binding… so destructive. Someone's word is an honor, to themselves and the ones they give it to… and the breaking of it deserves a punishment greater than death."

"What could be worse than death?" Ginny asked. Dumbledore surveyed her for a moment before saying quietly, his voice serious,

"Perhaps one day you will know. It is easy for the innocent…and the guilty to assume that the door we all must pass through, and the unknown beyond is the worst infliction any can cause. They are wrong." He took a deep breath and then stepped up to his normal height, passing across the floor to Draco, who he conversed quietly with for a moment before Draco gave a short nod and he turned to address the whole room.

"Arthur, you already know of the boy. Molly, please hold your tongue. Fred and George – as members of the Order you are bound to obey the vows you yourselves swore to: honor and selflessness." Dumbledore paused and then pointed at Draco.

"Here stand Mr. Draconus Salazaar Malfoy."

A/N:

I'm sorry. I've been having a bad week. Thus the long lapse in updating. And during the course of that bad week, I got addicted to facebook. Another factor in the pause. I also would like to apologize to all my reviewers for (a) taking forever to update (b) giving you a short, jumpy chapter and (c) the typo – imagine the odds of this – that occurred while typing up my last replies: I made the mistake of stating R/Hr would happen in the end, I state clearly it will not I have amended the mistake by reposting thanks to mathiasgranger message to me. That being said, I offer my condolences to any R/Hr shippers reading this story: I perfectly respect your ship, I just don't believe in it. My story will reflect that. All this being said, I will now put up my long awaited replies:

mathiasgranger: Well, the lightbulb's been plugged in and is lit… so he's slowly getting there. Also, thank you for alerting me to my blunder in typing (imagine the difference one tiny word makes!!) and I have reposted that chapter to prevent any further miscommunication.

Viopathartic: Er yeah… sorry about the typo, however, I have fixed it in the repost thanks to my other typo. I swear, that was my "typo" chapter or something. ;

Winnipeg: Ah it's fine. I've been hitting several road bumps in writing too – sorry (grins awkwardly) – Draco will be revealed soon. H/Hr? Well, she actually ruined the moment (a) because she couldn't believe it was actually happening (b) wanted to make sure he was asking her before she choked him to death by pouncing on him and say "yes, yes, yes!!!" – okay so she wouldn't have been that dramatic, but you get the point – and (c) I felt like ruining everyone's day. Draco and anger management? Well, we'll find out what got him out of sorts soon…though I think I've left a couple hints. Letters? Well, I commend you on your sleuthing skills. I myself am a horrible sleuth. (smiles) Thanks for reviewing!!

chase.and.cameron.4ever.93.: Your welcome, and thanks for the compliment. I am sorry about the whole "ship" thing, but hey, I guess that's what obsessing over a story is about. Out of curiosity, besides Hermione, who would you like Ron to hook up with?

Particle Accelerator: Neville? Yeah, I intend to, though he's got a couple more months of "bad luck" to go through before his moment. But he'll get there. In an angsty way – since when don't I make things tragic? – and hopefully everyone will like it. Dracmione? No offense to anyone who ships that, but please … no. I will not do that to you. Spoilers? I'll take it to heart. Though this site does not condone chapters that consist only of author's notes, I will put up a spoiler warning for reviewers like you in the future. That being said, I now realize I did it all over again with Neville. That was the last time. I promise. Warnings will be set up in next update.

CharmedNightSkye: Hee hee. You read the plot of that particular chappie just like I meant it; ya hit everything on the dot!!! I commend you in your mind reading skills!

grannyHPfan: Two Horcruxes? The trio has another trip to go on before then…but we'll get there, I promise!

Souunga: Yeah, I was wondering about the bird thing too – but whatever. Ours sounds better. Exactly. I tried to give the frequently misunderstood Lavender a character behind … well, the snogging and jealousy … but no, I will not follow JKR's example and suddenly make a minor character the protagonist's girl. But I think you already knew that. (grins and laughs as reads remainder of review) Well, I have a crazy imagination too, however I can tell you the house elf was only there because I wanted Harry to have a "what would Hermione do" moment. However, you have reminded me Kreacher and Dobby have disappeared from the plot… (frowns and tries to rework subplots)

caramary: Thanks, I made a point of drawing about seven different time – lines before I started, each dealing with a different category (e.g. "main plot", "relationships", "The Order", "Voldemort and Cronies", you get the point). However, I will beg author's right to remain silent when questioned on Hermione's true feelings… (smiles) Thanks for reviewing!

Wolviezchick: Founders and Heirlooms – well, they'll be revealed pretty soon…I'm thinking a few more chappies the way I type – however I am trying to edit!! On "Draco Harry Moments" – you don't mean… ship moments do you? If you don't, then I'm just taking everything wrong – as usual – and I guess this chapter revealed, no, there is no scene like that. If you do, well… I just don't write slash, so sorry I guess. Thanks for reviewing!

Thank you to all my reviewers and again, no it will not be R/Hr in the end. I apologize for the glitch (if you haven't already read that above). P.S. I know there was no "mistletoe", but I needed some alliteration in the chapter title - and it is a holiday custom.

.LuvFantasy.