Chapter 37: Father Christmas

prompt: Extortion is one of my favourite interrogation techniques


Christmas Eve 2007

Godric's Hollow

"I'm pretty sure Father Christmas doesn't bring puppies as presents, Teddy." Harry's voice sounds amused albeit tired as it carries from Teddy's bedroom into the hallway where Ginny is trying to settle baby Albus down for the night. Like most nights, she walks up and down the hall, humming softly with their 5-month-old against her chest. Meanwhile Harry is trying to put Teddy in bed for the third time tonight. "Sorry, mate, maybe for your birthday, eh?"

It really didn't come as a surprise to Ginny nor Harry to have a dog written on top of Teddy's Christmas list this year, but despite Ginny's love of animals and urge to adopt any stray animal she meets, they decided this year wouldn't be the year to add yet another member to their family. Little Albus has only recently started sleeping more than 5 hours a night without wanting to feed and Ginny is the first to admit that her youngest is also the most challenging of her babies. Add a lively pre-teen, a boisterous toddler, 2 cats, an owl and a few pygmy puffs to the mix and Harry and Ginny have enough action without a puppy on their hands, thank you very much.

"I know your mate Will got a dog for Christmas last year." Over the last few weeks, both Ginny and Harry have had the dog discussion on various occasions at various times and places with a hundred reasons from Teddy why a dog would be the perfect gift. Still, they have tried to make it clear that a dog is not going to sit under the Christmas tree in the morning. Ginny smiles down at Albus perfect little head as the baby sighs contently in his mother's arms and Harry's patient voice sounds in her ear as she passes Teddy's bedroom yet again. "It's almost midnight, Ted. If you don't go to sleep now, Father Christmas might not come at all."

"Father Christmas isn't real." Teddy's voice has taken a bit of a sulky undertone, as it does more and more often. Usually, Harry would wind the little terror up for being moody but following Teddy's statement there's silence for a moment. By reflex Ginny tries to shield little Albus from hearing while also being extremely interested in the exchange.

"What do you mean, he's not real?" Harry sounds very composed, almost strained, as he watches his godson intently. Teddy gives Harry a pointed look.

"I'm 9, not a little kid."

"Ah, okay, and 9-year-olds do not believe in Father Christmas?"

"No."

There's silence as Teddy takes the dragon cup from his nightstand and takes a sip of milk. Ginny almost laughs at the absurdity of a nine-year-old telling his parent he's too old for Father Christmas while drinking out of his favourite night-time cup.

"Hm." Harry runs his hand through Teddy's dark locks and presses a kiss to his forehead before he stands. "Okay then, I guess. We'll see if Father Christmas brings presents for non-believers. Or for non-sleepers."

Harry's already at the door, almost out of the room, when Teddy turns on the light by his bed. He's sitting straight up and looking at Harry with wide eyes. "That's blackmail."

"I suppose it is. Extortion is one of my favourite interrogation techniques." Harry turns the little lamp off with a wave of his wand. "Try to get some sleep, Ted. James will be up in a couple of hours. He'll have lots of presents from Father Christmas to open."

"Harry!" Teddy sounds almost panicky and Ginny is having a hard time not to laugh as Harry looks at her with a wicked glint in his eyes before turning back to their eldest.

"Yes, Teddy?"

"Maybe I'll believe in Father Christmas this year. Because James still believes in him and all."

"Hm, maybe Father Christmas will leave something for you this year then. Good night, Teddy. Love you." Harry smiles at his godson as the kid returns his good night with a yawn. Softly, looking at Ginny bewilderedly, Harry pulls the door almost all the way closed, leaving it ajar for a bit of light to fall into the room.

It's almost an hour later, when Albus is settled in his cot in their bedroom and Harry and Ginny are cuddling in their Christmas pyjamas that Harry admits what Ginny has been thinking since Teddy uttered those unsettling words.

"I'm really not ready for Teddy to not believe in Father Christmas."

"It's happened." Settling her head on her husband's chest, Ginny sighs. "Nine years isn't that bad."

"I think I want him to still believe in all of it because I used to believe in Father Christmas, even when I never got much… I always felt like I wasn't good enough for Father Christmas to bring me anything." Absentmindedly, he's quiet for a moment as he remembers his early Christmases. It's these kind of moments - quiet, dark and just the two of them - when Harry occasionally opens up about his childhood. Over the years, Ginny has learned not to pressure him. "I want Teddy to never doubt he was good enough, because he's great, isn't he? He should believe Father Christmas brings him his presents for being such a good kid."

Ginny runs her hand over Harry's arm, locking her fingers with his. "I think he knows he's good enough. He's kind and funny and pretty great. So maybe he doesn't believe in Father Christmas bringing the presents anymore, but maybe that means he'll know how loved he is that the people around him buy him presents to make him happy."

"Hm, I think I like that." Harry lifts their entwined hands and kisses Ginny's ring finger as he often does. "I remember when your mum sent me my first Weasley jumper in first year. I had never gotten a real present for Christmas until then… I don't think Ron understood how happy and loved I felt that Christmas."

"Well, that's Ron for you. Emotional range of a teaspoon and all that." Ginny giggles against Harry's chest as her husband yawns tiredly. "We'll talk to Teddy when he mentions the Father Christmas thing again. Until then, we'll just happily pretend he's still out little Teddy-Bear."


Happiest Christmas everyone! Or happy whatever holiday you celebrate or not celebrate!

I'm sorry this is late - I had a completely different chapter up for posting but didn't get it finished in time so though I'd give you something else instead. Hm, hope you like this one - the other one might get still get posted.

I hope everyone had a lovely few days. Stay home, wear your masks and stay healthy. Here's to a better 2021.

All the love, CD 3