Chapter Thirty Five
The next day was spent putting up Christmas decorations. Harry had gotten used to coming home and the house being already decorated and ready for the festivities, so it was strange to be helping to put them up once again, especially as the last two years he hadn't made it home for Christmas at all.
Danica was meant to be helping Kreacher in the kitchen but she was mostly just eating the icing she was using to decorate the gingerbread house. Mrs Weasley kept going in, checking on the preparations and cooking.
"You're covered in icing!" Mrs Weasley chided gently, wiping an uncooperative Danica's face with her apron.
"I'm going to have a bath later!" Danica complained, "It's fun."
Sirius was singing carols as he quite literally decked the halls with bows of holly. Nikka and Tonks were also singing although the lyrics were completely wrong, giggly madly as Sirius tried to get them to behave themselves.
It wasn't long before Hermione arrived, lugging her trunk behind her.
"Hello." she said happily, "Sirius said I was welcome to come for Christmas, my parents are off skiing and it's not really my cup of tea. I'll have loads more fun here."
Harry gave her a large hug, "You're always welcome, and to be fair, it'll help dilute some of the Weasley-ness." he grinned.
Hermione laughed and greeted the others, Fred and George helpfully carried her case up the stairs for her. They even did it without the use of magic.
Christmas day arrived with Danica excitedly waking him up early in the morning, saying Father Christmas had been and she was going to 'literally die' if he didn't get up right now.
Harry rubbed his still sleepy eyes and shoved on his glasses, "Did he bring you lots of presents?"
Danica nodded, her plaits waving around madly, "Come get dressed, then help me get dressed so I can open them!" she pleaded.
Harry promised her he would be in her room in ten minutes and she darted out the door to get her dress laid out. Harry stretched and pulled a brush through his hair before changing into his white robes.
When he was young, it had always been winter solstice that they had celebrated. However Hogwarts only ever ended on the 21st at best, normally it was even later so Lily had moved the family celebrations to Christmas. Danica had been young enough to not really notice.
Harry walked up along the corridor to Danica's brightly painted bedroom. She was sitting on her bed, cuddling her teddy and reading 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard'. Her white dress was sitting, laid out neatly on her chair with a pair of white satin shoes.
"So, horror, are you ready?" Harry asked, wondering what time it was.
Danica nodded and put the book down, stripping off her nightdress. Harry pulled the dress on her and the pair of thick, knitted, white wool tights before lifting her up onto the bed so he could buckle her shoes.
"There we go." Harry said, "All done."
Danica let out a loud sigh, "Hair?" she said, pointing to her head.
Harry laughed and grabbed her brush before taking out her plaits and brushing through her thick, black, straight hair. Unlike his, hers always lay flat against her head before cascading neatly down her back. She handed him the holly crown to pin into place before giving herself a once over in the mirror. Harry smiled and caught sight of the clock in the mirror; he checked his watch quickly.
"Danica, do you know what time it is?" Harry asked.
Danica nodded, "Yeah. It's about half past six by now. You brush my hair so slowly!"
Harry couldn't help but laugh despite the fact he would of liked to have slept until at least seven. He took her hand to led her from the room. He'd just reached the door when it swung open to a surprised looking Severus.
"Danica gave me an early morning call." Harry explained with a grin.
Severus nodded his understanding and smiled, "Well, Lily has just gone to go and wake you so I'd go and catch her. I'll take Danica downstairs and get the porridge on the go!"
Harry nodded and wondered back down to his room, he spotted Lily about to head down the stairs, "Mum."
Lily turned around, clearly relieved to see him, "I was worried. You're not one for being up this early."
"Danica saw to it." Harry smirked, "I have to say, I'd be very disappointed if Father Christmas hasn't come to visit me as well."
"Don't worry. I think he's been for you as well." Lily laughed, leading him down stairs, "I saw you'd brought you broom back, is everything OK?"
Harry sighed, "I had to drop off the Quidditch team, Umbridge was trying to stop the team from being able to play while I was on it."
"Oh baby." Lily sighed, "I'm so sorry. I know how much you love to play."
Harry shrugged, he couldn't deny that he was missing being able to play but the DA was taking his mind off it a lot, and hopefully he'd be able to get a couple of practice games in with Draco.
The dinning room was already filled with the warm smells of Christmas cooking. Kreacher was in the kitchen, singing loudly and stirring a large pot of porridge.
Danica took her seat at the table, next to Fleur who was looking most elegant in her white robes with black specks, and spread the napkin neatly on her knee. Harry grinned and slid in next to her.
"Why does your dress have black on it?" Danica asked, running her hand over the sleeve.
"It is tradition for people 'ho work very 'ard at Beauxbatons." Fleur explained, "I am a membor of a very special… umm… club. Where we learn to fight bad peoples."
"What's it called?" Danica asked, "Can I be a member?"
Fleur let out a tinkly laugh, "I am sorry, my dear, but only Veela can be membors and besides, you are too little I am afraid. It is called Appeler les Anges."
"What's that mean?" Danica said, "It's a funny name."
"Danica that's enough questions." Lily smiled.
"It is all right, I do not mind. Well it is French, like me." Fleur smiled, stroking Danica's hair, "It means Calling Angels."
Sirius and Nikka walked into the dinning room, sliding into their seats.
"We woke up the Weasleys before coming down. They'd only complain if we opened our presents and ate without them." Sirius grumbled.
There was the clattering of feet as Mrs Weasley ushered her children into the room. None of them were dressed in white, which surprised Danica who'd never seen someone who didn't wear white at Christmas.
Mrs Weasley gave a clearly disapproving glare at Fleur as Bill slid into the free seat next to her and offered to fill her coffee cup.
"Well, shall I get breakfast on?" Mrs Weasley asked, "A nice cooked breakfast and then we can open presents and get ready to go and visit Arthur again."
"No needs." Kreacher said, the porridge pot floating in behind him, coming to rest gently on the table.
"Yummy yummy." Danica said, holding her bowl out.
"Danica put the bowl down." Lily told her.
" 'Ere I'll 'elp 'er." Fleur offered, helping Danica to hold the bowl up as Kreacher served the porridge.
Ron took up his spoon and added a large amount of sugar before taking a big mouthful.
"Wait!" snapped Danica, looking furiously at him, "It's not time yet!"
Harry and Sirius looked down to stop themselves from laughing at Ron's face after being told of by a barely seven year old.
"Danica, the Weasleys don't do the same things as we do." Lily told her gently, "They can start eating if they'd like."
Danica didn't look so sure of this fact but said nothing, after shooting another glare at Ron. Lily brought over the candles and pulled Danica onto her lap.
"As we wait, surrounded by family in this world and the next, by friends who will always stand by us and those who are yet to come, we give thanks to the warmth from the rising sun. The darkness will pass, as all things must, g
5iving rise to new life and new birth. As the days from now grow longer we set out minds to the coming year, and all that it may bring." Sirius said clearly.
Harry, Nikka, Lily, Danica, Fleur, Severus and Sirius stood and lowered their heads for a moment, thinking of everything they wished to achieve in the new year.
Lily handed Danica to Fleur, who balanced her easily on her hip. Lily walked over to the fireplace and lit a long thin candle before moving back to the group and lighting the three large candles.
The Weasleys sat awkwardly in their seats, not standing up to join them but also not wanting to eat until they were all once again sitting down.
"Why don't you take part?" Danica said, once she was sitting down again and adding caramel cream to her porridge.
"We've never followed the old ways." Bill explained, "I think Mum did, when she was little."
"My parents stopped before I can really remember." Mrs Weasley said quickly, "I never saw the point in trying to bring it back."
"Plus Dad is nuts about muggles." Ron grinned.
Mrs Weasley rolled her eyes, "That's enough, Ronald. Would anyone like seconds?" she said, reaching for the large ladle.
Harry knew how much food was coming later so just had the one portion. Once they had all finished, Mrs Weasley cleaned the dishes with a flick of her wand before Kreacher could protest.
"Well, just means we can open our presents now." Lily said, trying to calm Kreacher who was annoyed at having someone else 'housekeeping' again.
They all walked into the living room and sat around the large Christmas tree.
"So how come you didn't go back to France for Christmas?" Bill asked Fleur, "Not that I'm not very happy to have you here."
Fleur laughed, "I did go back for umm… middle winter?" Bill nodded his understanding, "Yes, I did go back then but Lily and Sirius 'ad been so kind to invite me to Christmas as well and my
famille were going away to visit my Grandpapa and said I could come back 'ere."
"That was so kind of them." Bill grinned, "Will you miss seeing your Grandfather?"
Fleur shrugged, "A little, but I am 'appy to be 'ere."
"Presents time!" Mrs Weasley said, moving between them on the sofa.
There was a knock on the window as an owl tried to deliver a rather lumpy looking parcel. Sirius stood up and took the parcel, offering the bird some treats but it ignored him and flew off.
Sirius looked awkwardly at window, looking towards Mrs Weasley, "Molly, it's been returned to you."
Mrs Weasley reached out a trembling hand and took the parcel. Percy's address was written, and crossed out with neat, clear handwriting on the front, 'Return to sender' sprawled on it. She wiped her eyes quickly.
"Never mind." Mrs Weasley said after a moment, "It was worth a shot."
Danica jumped down from where she was sitting with Lily and walked over, looking at the parcel that had caused such a commotion.
"What is it?" She asked politely.
Mrs Weasley looked as though she was about to burst into tears.
"It's Percy's Christmas jumper." Bill said quietly, "He must of sent it back."
"Pile of rat droppings." George hissed.
Danica looked around, just noticing that all the Weasleys were wearing matching jumpers with their first initial on.
"That was really mean of him." Danica said, handing Mrs Weasley a tissue, "You can give it to me if you like?"
Lily laughed gently, "Your name begins with a D not a P sweetie."
"They're close enough P is just a D with a tail." Danica said, "And tails are cool! Cats have tails, and Padfoot."
Mrs Weasley smiled and gathered up Danica onto her knee, "I think we should open our presents. And I can make you a jumper if you want one."
Danica nodded and dived under the Christmas tree to start pulling out everyone's presents. She'd been well and truly spoiled by everyone and was sitting surrounded by a mountain of toys. She also managed to snaffle Percy's jumper. She'd coloured in the tail of the P to near enough match the blue of the jumper and happily danced around in it making everyone laugh, even though it was hugely too big for her.
Harry had also done pretty well, apart from the homework planner that Hermione had given him which chirped annoyingly perky phrases at him, meant to help motivate him to study but instead left him thinking of ways it could 'accidentally' fall into the fire.
Lupin, who'd arrived shortly after they started to open the gifts, had teamed up with Sirius to give him an old set of books, bound in heavy leather with embossed covers, called 'Practical Defensive Magic and its Use Against the Dark Arts'. Harry had only had the chance to flick through it but it looked as though it was going to be very useful.
Sirius and Lupin gave him knowing looks and made comments about him sharing the knowledge they contained with his friends.
Nikka and Danica had made their own version of slightly less deadly spells, all illustrated by Danica. It was a personal gift which meant the world to Harry on top of the fact that some of the spells could be quite effective.
Fleur had gotten him a dictionary French to English in the front and English to French at the back which would translate a word or sentence that you spoke to it.
Tonks had gotten him a tiny firebolt that sat in the palm of his hand and whizzed around the room on command.
Draco and Daphne had gotten him a top of the range broom compass, that also told him how high he was flying and the exact time, both from his starting destination and in whatever time zone he was in. He had wanted one for a while and knew that, even with the amount of pocket money they got, this model must of stretched their budget.
Neville had gotten him a selection of small, magical cacti, that Harry could see disappearing into Danica's room as soon as he'd gone back to school. Pansy got him a set of silver and emerald quill tips.
He also got a box of home made fudge from Mr and Mrs Weasley. It was added to the large pile of gifts from his parents. He handed out what he'd gotten for everyone else, mostly handmade or what he could get from Hogsmead as the shopping day he'd planned for when he was due home from school had been overlooked with everything else going on.
No one seemed to mind though and gave him a big hug. Lily managed to get him out of having to go back to the hospital, pointing out that hopefully Arthur would be home soon anyway and Harry could see him then. Plus it was Christmas and although Harry would 'love' to go and visit Arthur, Lily would much rather he stayed with the family.
Harry didn't say anything otherwise and happily flipped though his large new collection of books for an hour or two before going into the kitchen to help cook. Kreacher and Lily didn't need any help cooking but he loved being surrounded by his family as he chopped carrots and Danica peeled the outside off brussel sprouts at a fraction of the speed the adults could, even without magic.
For the first time in a long while, Harry felt himself relax, like everything was going to be all right.