Four
"A Humbug of a Christmas"

Christmas Morning

On Christmas morning the family, still in their pajamas crowds around the Christmas tree. They open presents and partake in holiday merriment. Not this morning. Ginny, Liam, and Herman were the only ones in the family room with the gigantic tree. Everyone was still in bed sick about the information they received last night.

"Oh by the way I took the Christmas presents over to granddad's and grandma's before I came here."

"Great thank you." Ginny took a gift from under the tree, "This one is for Herman from mummy." He began sniffing around the box. He pawed at it as Ginny ripped the paper off. She took the lid off the box and his head disappeared inside. When he emerged he had a giant dog treat clasped in his teeth. "You're welcome sweetie," she patted him on the head as he lay down next to her and began to eat it.

"This is from me," Liam handed his mother a box.

"Aw … Happy Christmas babe," Ginny watched Draco drag himself into the room. He groaned as he crossed the room. He went down a couple of steps into the kitchen. There was an elaborate breakfast on the table and he helped himself to some coffee.

"Let's see what my baby has gotten me." Ginny tore into the box and tossed the tissue paper aside. "Oh wow," she pulled out the oversize snow globe. She shook it, "this is so pretty," she watched the snowfall, "wait a minute… this is your drawing." She examined what was in the snow globe. It had the Liam spin, it was one of his wintry scenes in 3d and it was "the burrow covered in snow, this is great!"

"You like it?"

"It's wonderful," she put the globe down and hugged him. "How ever did you do it?"

"That's my little secret."

"You're so talented."

Draco plopped down on the couch.

"Thanks mom. I got you a real gift too."

"The snow globe is a real gift," Ginny got up and sat next to Draco on the couch. "Are you ready to exude holiday cheer?"

"Oh yeah," he grunted and disappeared into his mug.

"Here Dad Merry Christmas," Liam sent a package floating over to him.

Draco caught it, "thanks." He put his coffee down and opened the box. It too was an oversize snow globe with Liam's artwork in it. It was the upstate New York house covered in snow, "it's beautiful," he put it back in the box. Ginny hit him on the arm. "What it is," he was a little upset. He knows Liam has talent, if it wasn't for last night he would be excited right now.

"It's great," Draco put the box on the coffee table, "but now that we've all had a chance to sleep we need to talk."

Liam sighed, "Do we have to?"

"Yes we do," he was very serious. "Have you thought this through?"

"Thought what through? I met a girl, I like her and we started seeing each other. We made the terrible mistake of sharing the joyous news with our parents."

"Her parents aren't happy about this?" Asked Ginny

"No, they're not. They're concerned about her being with a Malfoy."

"They should be so lucky," Draco spat out of pride. Although he thought the Petersons were right. It's hard being a Malfoy, "but have you really thought about this… it's going to be a fight all the way around. From your family, from her family and that's tiring. I know this from experience, our relationship didn't come easy. I know that you're used to having your privacy invaded but Elianna is not. People are going to hound her about being with you and about being a squib."

(***)

Elianna was sitting at her desk typing away. She was working on her final essay for her university applications. She was in the zone of higher academic achievement.

"Yeah," she called when someone knocked on her bedroom door.

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah," she was only half paying attention.

"Good morning, what are you doing?" Kristen asked entering her bedroom.

"Yeah"

She wasn't paying attention, "I spilled nail polish on your bedspread."

"Yeah… wait what?" She shook herself and turned from the computer.

"Glad to see you're still here on earth. What are you doing?" Kristen took a seat on her bed.

"I'm working on my university applications what's going on?"

"Happy Christmas"

"Happy Christmas"

"Why are you held up in here?"

"I had a bunch of stuff to do." Between her mind going non-stop and being on the phone with Liam all night she hasn't slept. "I went for a swim, did Pilates, and completed my holiday reading and trigonometry assignment. I'm on my last university essay."

"You're such a busy beaver."

"I like to keep busy and I wanted to get it done before mother demands I make breakfast for everyone."

"She's in the kitchen doing it herself."

"She is," that was a surprise to Elianna. Generally when the family comes over her mother drags her out of bed. She makes her be up and about acting like a hostess. If her mother was doing it herself it meant she was pissed.

"She seemed a bit frustrated."

Elianna sighed; she got up and face-planted onto her bed next to Kristen.

"What's wrong?"

"Liam," she spoke muffled into her bed.

"What"

Elianna rolled over, "Liam."

"Who's Liam?"

"My boyfriend"

She hit Elianna on the leg, "juicy. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't tell anyone," she lied. She never thought to tell Kristen, she's close to her and she's trustworthy. She was too close to home. It's hard to keep anything private in their family. "Until yesterday, I told my parents and they didn't take it very well."

"Why? Are you dating a bad boy?" She smirked, "That is so unlike you little miss perfect."

Elianna snorted, "I'm not perfect. He's not bad but its family stuff."

"They don't like you?"

"That's not what I meant but no they don't. He's a Malfoy and my parents are uneasy about that."

"Who are the Malfoy's?"

"I shouldn't tell you. That way when my father brings up the fact that no one has forgotten what they've done I can use you as an example," Elianna sat up.

"Well I haven't forgotten, I don't know. What did they do?"

"They attempted world domination, not in a brainstorming kind of way but with curses, hexes, and murder."

Kristen couldn't believe this, "you're dating a murderer?"

"God no, his Grandfather… and father. He wasn't even alive."

"I suppose that's kind of sketchy."

"He's great"

"That's what most girls think about guys that like them," Kristen pointed out.

"He's wonderful. Smart, caring, and interesting… He's an amazing artist. He has a curiosity about him and a personality."

"Where did he inherit that gene?"

"Probably from his mother, she is quite the humanitarian." It's an assumption from what he's told her. She only met the woman for a few moments. How would she know? The way things were going she may never know.

"She'd have to be, to give a murderer a chance," Kristen said in a sarcastic tone.

Elianna rolled her eyes, "I like him and he's not his parents."

"Is he at least cute?"

"He is to die for," she got her phone from the desk. "He's so handsome," she pulled up a photo and handed her phone to Kristen.

"He's not African!"

They both laughed, "So!"

"That's going to be the first thing Nyanya is going to point out," Kristen continued to laugh. "He is handsome. He's got some gorgeous eyes. How long have you two been together?"

"It will be two years in March."

"Two years! You're already head over heels then."

"Pretty much, it's hard because he lives in New York and spends most of the year at school in Scotland."

"It's complicated and long-distance. How did you two even meet? I would ask if you were online dating but with the world domination thing and hexes I assume he's a wizard."

"He's a wizard. We met at Chauncey's his family has a home here. The distance and time difference does make it hard but we've managed…"

There was a knock on the door before it opened, "breakfast is ready girls." Yvonne was standing in the doorway.

"We'll be right there."

"I'd like you to come now. It's Christmas everyone is at the table but you two."

"To be continued," Kristen stood up.

They all left the room and went down the hall to the kitchen. When they entered the room everyone turned to look at them.

"What's wrong with you guys," asked Kristen.

"Nothing," answered Mr. Peterson. "Happy Christmas, let's have breakfast," he looked rather concerned.

Yvonne went over to him and looked at the newspaper in his hand. Well, it wasn't a newspaper but a rag. It was a tabloid, "Aussie Talk". One of her nieces must have a subscription because this paper doesn't come to their house. There was a small article on the second page with no picture with the title, "A Peterson and A Malfoy".

"Aren't the Malfoy's the ones who tried to massacre our people?" Angela Okeke Yeboah is the middle Okeke sister. She teaches Arithmancy and is the mother of Kristen and her two knucklehead brothers. Right now she's in her colorful Christmas outfit with a startled expression on her face.

"I thought it was hakuna uchawi*," Mr. Yeboah Angela's husband said.

"She means anyone who's not pureblood," said Pam Okeke Johnson. She is the oldest Okeke sister and the one helping Yvonne bring breakfast to the table. "That would be us," she's a corporate accountant and mother of two girls.

"Tragic," Nyanya, mother Okeke, and grandmother dismissed. She had a more pressing concern, "the boys not African!"

This is not good, thought Elianna.

Kristen decided to help, "We all started in Africa." Nyanya didn't seem pleased but it earned a chuckle from her cousins and siblings.

(***)

"How could you let this happen?" Lucius questioned Draco as they sat on the terrace that afternoon. "I thought you were firm with the boy."

"I am!"

"Not firm enough!"

"I am since he hid this information! He knew better than to tell me," Draco didn't like this one bit. He was angry enough and his father hounding him was not helping.

"Not only can't she do magic but she's black, not to mention Australian. This place may be beautiful but it's founded by criminals and moral degenerates. They'll never let you back in the club again."

"They won't let me back in your club which is completely fine since I'm not a member. But at my unrestricted club, she would be welcome. You're the only person who cares she's black… and Australian."

"I shouldn't be."

"Well, you are… I suppose I shouldn't tell you my first real relationship was with a Black woman. Right before I met Ginny. She was wonderful… I even considered settling down." It's been over 20 years and Lucius began fuming as if it was yesterday. "Unfortunately we had a misunderstanding surrounding my relationship with you and mum. When you date someone with high self-esteem they remove themselves from problematic situations."

"This is all your fault!"

Draco rolled his eyes, Liam was aware that he had dated a black woman. He was aware of several of his dating experiences, they came up when they were talking about girls but that hardly made this his fault.

The thing that was eating Draco up about this was that he agreed with his father. Not about race but about the squib part, he wanted his family and bloodline to stay magical.

"Liam is capable of making his own decisions. I, unfortunately, don't agree with this one… and I don't know how to get out of it."

"Well, there is a simple solution. Tell him it's your way or he's cut off! He'll spend the rest of his life as a black spot on the family tree," Lucius got up and stormed back into the house.

(***)

"Are you all right," Liam asked Elianna as he lay across his bed on the phone with her.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Are you sure because you sound funny and you didn't want to video chat?" He could tell something was going on with her.

"I'm not dressed, sleepy start… then presents and pancakes. The entire family is here," she sighed as she sat in her room completely dressed. "My cousins are getting on my last nerve." That was true, the whole family was there. Her mother's parents, her two sisters, their husbands, and they had five children between the two of them.

Her father was an only child whose parents were still in South Africa. She liked her family and enjoyed spending time with them. But her parent's prediction came true. She made the paper, well a tabloid and her extended family was questioning her.

There were no pictures from the event last night, only hearsay and rumors. She was uncomfortable with it but she didn't want to tell Liam. He would worry and think she couldn't handle being with him. She had a feeling he hadn't heard about any of this.

"Are you sure?"

"Yup but if you're up to it later we can meet up after dinner. Better than video," she giggled.

"Oh god, yes, please. I need to get out of this house…"

"I know the feeling…wait what are you doing now?"

"Lying around"

"If you give me half an hour I'll pick you up."

"Yeah"

"I'll see you around the corner?"

"No, come up to the house. Everyone here knows about you, what's the point?"

"Ok, I'll see you in a bit."

"Bye," he hung up. Something was wrong. He sighed and got out of bed. He was going to shower and throw something on. "Trix"

An elf appeared in the room, "yes young master Malfoy."

"My friend Elianna is coming, she drives a red car. Please let her in but don't tell my parents or grandparents."

"I don't know…" the house-elf was uneasy.

"It'll be fine, let me know when she's here. Thanks," he went into the bathroom.

(***)

"We need to come up with a proactive solution." Narcissa and Draco were in the living room and this time his mother was ripping into him. Of course, she did it with tact. "He's young, I'm sure they're not that serious… perhaps if we introduce him to someone else. Whatever happened to the Farrow girl or… Plum Anderson's daughter is 16. She's studying abroad but I'm sure she'll be in town for New Year. She's a lovely girl, intelligent, fluent in three languages, and has a cute figure."

"Mum, I don't think that's going to work."

"Why not, he's a teenage boy. If a cute girl walks past I'm sure she'll catch his fancy. If he prefers brown women the Sugmars of Bangladesh. They have a daughter about Liam's age, pureblood, and very old money. Or the Zivai's our across-the-street neighbors in Nairobi. Oh my god, their daughter is stunning. She was a Miss Witch Universe, models, and is a student at the Magical University of Medicine and Maladies in Cairo. She's a couple of years older but the match will be perfect."

This was very much like his mother to find a solution. Sure you could replace one attractive girl for another no one will notice the difference.

"Who's that," Narcissa asked as a red convertible drove past the windows.

"I don't know," he and his mother went over to look. Draco opened the door and stepped out onto the balcony. "That is Elianna Peterson."

They watched as Liam came out of the front door and got into the car, he leaned over and kissed her before she pulled away.

Draco went back into the house. He stormed out into the foyer intending to hunt down Ginny. But she was already there closing the front door.

"Where is Liam off to?"

"He's going to spend some time with Elianna," Ginny said as if it was nothing.

"I don't recall giving him permission besides its Christmas."

"He asked me and we're not doing anything. He'll be back in time for dinner."

"Gin, I am not ok with this. You and I have to get on the same page. I am his father!"

"I know that and I agree we do need to get on the same page. I am not going to join you on the page of bigotry. So you should widen your thinking." She walked off.

This wasn't over, he followed her. "Well, how about you widen yours to consider mine. All these years it's been the Malfoy way bad. I agree with you on a lot of things but that doesn't mean my beliefs aren't valid."

She went into their bedroom. She waited for him to join her and close the door before she said, "you don't think Liam should be able to date who he wants?"

"I do think Liam should be able to date who he wants, as long as it's a witch. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with muggles or squibs, but I know what I want for my family. I want us to have a long proud lineage of magic doers."

"I think you are jumping the broom a bit too fast here. Liam is only 17, how many teenage romances last? People don't get married quite as young as we did anymore… the first time. Plus they've been in a long-distance relationship. Who knows what will happen when they get to be in the same place, or even if they will get to be in the same place. Magic is great but there are other great things, like our son being happy. Happy with someone who doesn't want anything from him other than to be with him."

"You would be all right if he married her or someone with no magical powers?"

"Yes," Ginny answered confidently. "He won't be any less valued or loved by me."

"This could ruin centuries of Malfoy."

"You ruined centuries of Malfoy when you married me."

"That was different… you're a witch, a pureblood witch."

Ginny felt as if someone had hit her. "You know I never even thought about that mattering between us… we started for gain. I had something you needed and still do."

"It wasn't about that, it worked out that way. The only thing I need from you now is you."

"Someone found out that their daughter was dating your son and freaked… your reputation still precedes you."

Draco sighed, he was completely aware that there was still a stigma surrounding his name. He felt terrible his son has to pay for his mistakes. "We let him get away with too much."

Ginny scoffed, "he doesn't do much of anything to get away with. Up until this moment, I thought you were fine with the son we got. He's mild-mannered, polite, and he's a good person. What more could you ask for?"

"I love him and I'm proud of him. But I'm not ok with this and I don't see how I'm ever going to be. But that doesn't mean you get to keep me out of it and sneak around."

"There was no sneaking around. He was leaving told me where he was going and asked if it was all right. I said sure."

"I get a say Gin."

(***)

"What are you doing," Elianna asked as she watched Liam wave his wand circling the area where her car was.

"I'm putting up wards for privacy."

"I don't think that's necessary. Who's going to bother us out here in the middle of nowhere," she grabbed a basket and blanket out of her back seat. She spread the blanket out on the ground.

"Just in case… Did you make us food?"

"No," she opened her basket and pulled out a Chauncey's bag.

"They're open on Christmas?"

"They're always open. I couldn't make anything. My house is full of people. They would start asking questions. So I went to Chauncey's and ordered your favorite."

"This is great," he leaned over the spread and kissed her, "Oh, Merry Christmas."

"Happy Christmas," she kissed him again.

"Did you get out of the house without question?"

"It's quite handy having an exit in your bedroom," she explained. "I'm not usually one to sneak out so I don't think my parents think about it too much."

"Lucky you, I got caught leaving."

"Your mother waved at me."

"She didn't care that I was leaving. I want to give you your present," he got up and got his rucksack out of the car. He pulled out a long black box and handed it to her.

She untied the red ribbon and opened the box. There was a bracelet inside, it was rose gold with round rubies. Each ruby surrounded by small round diamonds. Or at least that's what they looked like because she hoped they weren't real, "This is beautiful… it's not real is it?"

"Of course it's real."

"Liam I can't accept this," she was speechless; it was such an extravagant gesture.

"Yes you can."

"But babe these are diamonds and rubies."

"I know and I want you to have it."

Does it mean something when a man gives you real jewelry? His house ring was one thing but this, it's not like it's a ring but it's so real. "Ok but… what does this mean?"

"It means that I thought you would like it," he shrugged. "I didn't put much thought into it. I was in Edinburgh with Justin one weekend when we were only supposed to go to Hogsmead but, you know, boring. I saw it in a shop window and thought Elianna would like that. Justin thought it was for my mother because she's the only woman in my life he knows about. I thought it would be nice."

"Thank you. It's beautiful," she took it out of the box and fastened it on her wrist. She hoped she wouldn't lose it.

"You're welcome and I got you something else."

"You shouldn't have, you've already put my gift for you to shame."

"I'm sure I'll love it. This is the planned present," he pulled another small package out of his rucksack.

The moment she touched it she knew it was a book, she pulled off the paper. It was Bell Hooks Ain't I Woman. She already owned this book. She was pretty sure she mentioned it to Liam because she has talked about Bell Hooks ad nauseam.

It's used but not as loved as her copy. She had folded down corners and made notes in the margin. "I love Bell Hooks," she opened the book and her heart sank. There on the cover page beginning, Elianna was a short note from Bell herself, "oh my god!"

"You mentioned she was doing a reading at the Union Square Barnes and Noble so I may have gone and—"

"Harassed her," Elianna cut him off, "she mentions it in the note."

"Yeah, after I tracked down a copy of the book. It's a first edition."

Elianna flung herself at him and he fell over, "thank you." She kissed him

"I knew a book was the way to get my girl hot," he laughed as she kissed him more.

"I should give you your gift."

"This isn't it," he tangled his hands in her hair and kissed her.

She smiled against his lips, "no." She climbed off of him

"I would be okay with only this."

"I know," she got to her feet and popped her trunk. She pulled out a large box and struggled over to him.

"What did you do," Liam asked as she placed the blue snowflake-covered package down in front of him.

"I bought my baby a Christmas present."

Liam ripped off the paper and took the lid off the box, he removed the tissue paper. He pulled out a wooden box; it said Liam Christopher Weasley-Malfoy in gold on the left corner. He opened it, it was a paint set.

"I did all this research. They're supposed to be top of the line but I'm not an artist and you can only trust Google so much. You said you were thinking about painting…"

"Elianna," he smiled at her, "you don't have to justify your gift, I love it… I've heard these are good too."

"Good," she smiled, "there is more stuff in the box."

There was a tabletop easel, a four-pack of canvas, and at the bottom was a black leather portfolio with his initials embossed on it. "I like this," he opened it and examined the pockets. "This is nice."

"I know I got a small one for my CV for university interviews."

"How are those going?"

"I haven't had any yet I finished my last application this morning."

"So you got it in anticipation."

"More like nerves but yes. We should eat this stuff, it's getting cold," Elianna grabbed one of the shakes she procured.

Liam waved his wand over the spread and warmed it back up.

"Problem solved"

(***)

When Draco heard Liam come home, he immediately stormed across the hall to his room. "We need to get a few things straight," he began slamming the door behind him. "You are not to go around me because you think you'll get a better answer from your mother…"

"Dad…"

"You are not to interrupt me. For the rest of this trip, you are not to see that girl. In fact, you are not to see her anymore." Draco was seething, "While you are still supported by me what I say goes! I know you think this is so unfair but I have been lenient with you, too lenient. Because you thought you were going to get away with this! I understand her circumstance is not her fault but it is not accepted here! It is not acceptable for you to see her! End it or I will make you suffer! Suffer so much you'll wish you were just disowned!"

"May I speak now?"

"Yes"

"FUCK YOU!"

"Excuse me! I don't know who you think you're talking to!"

"I'm talking to you! Make me suffer and I will hit you back twice as hard." If his father thought he was scared, he had another thing coming.

Draco pulled out his wand and sent a hex flying at his son. But the kid was good. He blocked it without his wand. Draco sent another one and he blocked it again, on the third hex he jumped out of the way.

He took the chance to get his wand out and sent a spell at Draco. It hit him in the chest and he stumbled a bit.

"That really stung Liam!"

"That's kind of the point Dad!" He sent another spell flying toward his father. Draco threw himself to the side as some piece of furniture behind him exploded. The remnants went flying everywhere.

Liam tried to use the chaos and the smoke to get out of the room.

"Where are you going," Draco grabbed him and put him in a headlock.

Liam was struggling to get free; he stomped on his father's foot and then elbowed him in the gut. While he was groaning in pain he loosened his grip a bit and Liam was able to get away.

(***)

Ginny heard a loud bang and rushed into the hall. She was mortified when she realized it was coming from Liam's room. She opened the door, "STOP IT!" Her son and husband were engaged in a fistfight and the room was destroyed. She watched as they hit and threw each other around.

Draco got hold of Liam but he managed to get away. Draco threw a spell at him. Liam ducked and it hit Ginny. She went flying backward through the open door across the hall back into her room.

"MOM!"

"GINNY!"

They lowered their wands and ran to check on her.

"Are you all right? I'm so sorry," Draco bent down next to her.

"I'm fine," she groaned.

"I was aiming for Liam."

"Oh, so you weren't trying to hurt me but my son," she sneered as she sat up. "What the hell has gotten into you two?"

"Well—" Liam began.

"Look I know you two don't see eye to eye on this but violence is a no," all this mess was getting on Ginny's last nerve.

"It wouldn't have come to that if Dad hadn't tried to hex me."

"I wouldn't have tried to hex you if you weren't so disrespectful!"

"Disrespectful?" Liam couldn't believe this, "You threatened to disown me and make me suffer!"

Ginny narrowed her eyes at Draco and hissed, "You did what?"

"Calm down," Draco didn't want her to lose it.

"I will not calm down! How dare you!" She shouted

"You know I'll do what I should have done; to begin with," Liam stood up, "I'm out."

"Where are you going," Ginny climbed to her feet pushing Draco's hands away as he tried to help her up.

"I'm leaving, this house, our family… it's not worth the fight. I want to be with Elianna, who knows what will come of it. Chances are I'll later end up with someone else you don't approve of so…I'm going to go."

"Liam no," there was no way in hell Ginny was going to let her son go anywhere.

"Liam, hold on…" Draco said exasperated, "I realize you're young and want freedom. You have urges and if you want to get laid—"

"How dare you!" Liam was livid, he charged at his father.

"Stop!" Ginny threw herself in front of Liam before he could strangle Draco.

"That's not what this is about! I like her! I'm not going to stop seeing her! And I'm not going to tolerate you disrespecting her!"

Liam went back across the hall to his room. A moment later he came out with his rucksack and headed for the door.

Ginny made a growling noise at Draco and went after him, "love wait."

"Sorry mom," he kept walking right out the front door.

Ginny followed him, "Li," she ran to get in front of him. "Stop and talk to me."

"Mom I'm not going to come between you two."

"Your father is coming between us all! No one is going to make you suffer or disown you! You can date whoever you want and your father is going to have to get over it!"

"Mom…"

"Liam," She took his face in her hands, "its ok love. It's ok. Give me your bag. Go take a walk, let off some steam. Take Herman with you. He gives great hugs," he half-smiled at that. Ginny went back to the house, "Accio leash," she caught the leather strap, "HERMAN!" The dog came running, she put his leash on "go with your brother." He walked around Ginny and pranced along to join Liam. Ginny watched Liam pick up the leash and the two of them leave the property.

Ginny took Liam's things back to his room.

Draco was standing in their doorway, "I'm sure he'll cool down."

Ginny glared at him. "If you ever assault my son again, it will be the last thing you do," she walked away. She too needed to let off some steam.

(***)

Liam was sitting in the sand on Bondi beach. It surprisingly wasn't empty on this late Christmas afternoon. Herman was lying in the sand next to him.

What had he gotten himself into? He's heard the stories of the things that have happened in his family. He knows about the tyranny and the ability to cut one out without a second thought. Despite this long dark history he never thought this would be an issue for him.

Draco is a bit squirmy about certain things. But in the back of his mind, Liam always thought his father would choose him. But now he knows. He must be prepared to lose everything. Not at this moment or even in this situation but if he ever does something his parents don't agree with… he's out.

Elianna plopped down next to Liam. She wrapped her arm around him and he put his head on her shoulder. They sat there in silence.

(***)

"Put this on your eye," Elianna twisted the instant ice pack. He was leaning against her car. She had the first aid kit she keeps in her trunk open on the roof. She couldn't believe this was happening. She was bandaging her boyfriend who was beaten up by his father for having a relationship with her.

He winced when she wiped the cut on his lip, "Sorry." He looked like he was trying not to notice the sting when she cleaned the cut on his forehead. When she finished she bandaged both.

"Thank you"

"You're welcome," she packed everything away. "How did it come to this?"

"My dad's an asshole."

"But that's not how you would have described him until you told him about me."

"I would have described him as a hard-ass."

She took the first aid kit off the roof and went to put it back in the trunk. To think her parents told her to invite him and his parents over for lunch tomorrow. She was so unsure about this. They claimed it was to be polite. She had a feeling it was so they could all tell them how much of a bad idea their relationship is.

"Love, it's ok."

"It's never ok to get into a physical altercation with your father," she came back and leaned against the car next to him.

"It was worth it."

"To think I was hesitant about this whole telling thing, silly me."

"I didn't bring it up on a whim. I've been thinking about this for a while. Come June life changes, it's pretty much complete freedom. We can be where ever we want whenever we want. Have you thought about what's going to happen?"

"I have thought about it. I thought we would get time together. The whole freedom thing would make it even easier to keep our families out of it… but I have thought about telling them… of having that stupid traditional moment where you bring a boy you're crazy about home."

"We should've had more discussions and planning before we told. But it's out now."

She took a deep breath, "… My parents want me to invite you and your parents to lunch tomorrow."

"Really," this was a surprise. "That's nice of them. They want you to bring the boy home."

"Well, I plan on telling them you declined. You're leaving tomorrow and don't have the time."

"Why would you do that?"

"I'm pretty sure the point is to get you and your parents there so they can all air their grievances and bully us out of our relationship."

"Oh"

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"You're right."

She sighed and pushed off the car to face him, "would you like a ride home? I'm going to have to get back soon. Christmas dinner and an angry family," that statement made her not want to return home, "god I don't want to go back there."

"We could always run away."

She smiled, "that is a very good idea."

"You should go. I don't want you to get into trouble. Herman and I are going to walk back we have nothing to get home to."

"Your family"

"Isn't acting like much of a family at the moment."

"Babe…"

"It's fine, we'll get through it. You know it doesn't matter because it's…"

"You and me," she finished.

He nodded, leaned down, and kissed her, "the walking is good for my head."

Elianna took hold of his head, "you're good for my head."

He smiled and kissed her. Being with her was the best thing, "we should make plans to see each other tomorrow before I leave… unless you want me to ask my parents about lunch?"

She let go of him, "sometimes I think you just like to stir up trouble."

He smirked, "not really… I want it clear that I'm serious about you."

She felt he was serious about her. But she didn't want their parents to get together and attack each other. Then start attacking them. "Do you think your parents will be up for this? You just fought with your father."

"No, but I can always ask. No matter what the answer I'll come."

"Really"

"Yes, I'm the one with you. It will give your parents a chance to get to know me. See that I'm not bad."

"That doesn't sound so bad… too bad nothing has gone as planned."

"True but you're planning for this lunch to go badly which means it could go very well."

(***)

Christmas was ruined, no one went to dinner. Lucius and Narcissa had taken ill, well not literally ill, but in an overdramatic 19th century way. Christmas dinner sat in the kitchen, no one partook except for Ginny and Liam. They ate alone in a quiet secluded corner of the house.

They talked about everything except for the dark cloud hanging over the holidays. There wasn't much more to say.

Most of their conversation revolved around Liam's after-school plans. In the discussion about his likes, Ginny mentioned how great of an artist he was. She began to suggest things he could do with that. It seemed like the wheels were turning in his head. She hopes he figures something out. School was going to end and him sitting at home doing nothing wasn't an option.

Now she was in the bathroom finishing her nightly routine. She was going to go out into the bedroom where her husband is. He bothered her today, she still hadn't calmed down.

"You were way out of line," she said as she took off her jewelry and placed it on the nightstand before climbing into bed.

"He's out of line," Draco was sitting up in bed reading a book.

"I'm talking about the insinuations you made about his sex life."

"Come on the girls a glorified muggle. He couldn't possibly see her as more than a bit of fun," Draco turned the page of his book.

Ginny turned to look at him. She was having the strangest sense of deja vu. "I can't believe you."

"What! You can't possibly tell me you like this?"

"Let me be completely clear." She began firmly, "I do not care that Elianna is a squib. I do not mind that Liam is dating her. What I do mind is, what you said about her is what your father said about me."

"I did not"

"Yes you did. At the Rosier's Christmas party, Mr. Roiser referred to me as a pass time. Your father went on to explain the only interest you could possibly have in me was a bit of fun."

"This is completely different."

"You're right, it is. Unlike your father, you spent all this time working on yourself and still came out a bigot. He never changed," Ginny got out of bed.

"Where are you going?"

"To sleep somewhere else"

"Gin," he got out of bed as well, "don't be silly."

"I'm not. I'm hurt and angry," she slammed the door.

"A Humbug of a Christmas"

*hakuna uchawi – Swahili for muggle