Here I am looking out on my back yard at Green. Man this has been one green January. Here Friday is the beginning of February and everytime I seem to look out on my yard I see Grass. We were close to setting a new record for Snowfall in my area last winter and this year has been more green they white. Why am I complaining well I'm writing a Chapter about Christmas and I feel that snow is important for a proper Christmas.
Chapter Nine A Joking Good Christmas
As the time to leave for the Holidays approached Amy made sure she had everything she needed. She made sure to leave the gifts for the students staying on with the house elves. She gave Emily hers since Fred, Angelina, and Emily were spending Christmas with Angelina's family instead of at the Burrow. Finally week before Christmas She was waiting in the Entrance Hall with her Backpack, a couple bags, and Shiki who was once again using Hannah's old backpack. She had seemed to lay claim to that part of Hannah's things. Harry soon walked up. Elly was behind him dragging her trunk.
"The Carriage should be here soon," Harry said. "This year we have to be at the Burrow extra early like first thing tomorrow."
"That will prove interesting," Amy said. "When is everyone else arriving?"
"George is also scheduled to arrive tomorrow, Percy the next day, Bill isn't sure, Charlie and Colleen apparently are due today. As we know Fred won't be coming. Your grandmother is worried what George might pull on everyone especially with Fred's wedding coming up a few days after Christmas."
"Makes me think what Fred pulled last Easter with a trick towel. Abigale ended up the victim when he thought he had thrown the trick one at Emily. Well she ended up looking like she had been covered in mud."
"Do I even want to meet your uncles?" Shiki wondered.
"Most of my uncles are normal. Dad when is Ron coming?"
"We don't know. No one had heard from him and Ashley. It has everyone worried Hecate might have gotten to them," Harry explained.
"I hope she hasn't She's done enough damage to our family," Amy said.
"I agree," Harry said.
That afternoon proved quiet. The next day They Floo Powdered to the Burrow where Elly was quickly mobbed by her brother. The Tree was about a nine footer that year.
"Mom told me to go easy on the tree this year. Ron, Tammie, and Rick will be arriving in a couple days?"
"What about Ashley and Wendell?"
"Wendell is real sick they admitted him to St. Mungo's. Ashley is staying with him," Charlie said. "Who is your friend?"
"This is Shiki she's an exchange student at Hogwarts," Ginny explained. Colleen quickly swept Melanie up off the floor.
"How is my little niece?"
"Colleen is fascinated with babies. We'll be lucky if she sets Melanie down for bed," Amy explained to her friend.
Within a few hours Amy was in the living room with a big goblet of Pumpkin Juice when the Fireplace blazes and two young girls with Dark hair walk out. Amy gives the two newcomers a strange look.
What are the ice cream assailants doing here? Right behind the two girls were George and a familiar face.
"Sadia, what brings you here?"
"A little of everything Amy," Sadia responded as Molly walked in.
"George, glad you entered normally for once. No Dungbombs going off or other distractions. Who is your friend?"
"I'm Sadia Archer I work at Madame Malkin's in Diagon Alley. George invited me here for Christmas with the family."
"I see. Any particular reason?" Molly asked giving the Robier a dirty look.
"Well for one thing it will make it easier for anyone who still needs robes for the wedding to get them since I would simply do them right here," Sadia explained.
"How long have you known George?"
"I personally didn't know them until this summer when I moved to Diagon Alley from India. My late husband used to run a joke shop in Kanpur India. When he died I moved here and took a job with Madame Malkin until I can get together enough money to open my own Dress Robe Shop," Sadia explained. "I find myself going over to Weasley Wizard Wheezies on average two three times a week."
"George, you could have warned me you were bringing a guest," Molly said.
"I thought I did," George said.
"If you did no one ever told me," Molly said as Sadia's two girls tried to knock Amy over in the result splashing the Pumpkin Juice on the Clock.
"Katrina, Kaylee, cut it out," Sadia growled. "Otherwise I'll make you spend the holidays with a couple Dementors."
"Why I don't know but I'll find a way to harness their energy," Amy said. "Grandma, where are Elly and the others?"
"I'm not sure really. Why who are you looking for?"
"Elly, Shiki, and Rubeus?" Amy said.
"Why what do you have up your sleeve?" Molly wondered.
"First Snowball Fight of the Holidays of course," Amy said.
Fairly Soon Amy, Katrina, and Elly were going up against Shiki, Rubeus, and Kaylee. George was suitably secured using the Full Body Bind.
"Rubeus what's the idea behind this?" Shiki asked the only male around.
"Christmas Tradition, everyday we try to see who can pelt the others the best. Last year we had uneven teams except for Christmas Day when Amy had a Slytherin on her team. Imagine that a Slytherin having a snow ball fight with a bunch of future Gryffindors. So where do you go to school?"
"Last year I was at the Tokyo School of Magic in Japan but I'm at Hogwarts this year. Why was George given a Full Body Bind?"
"Last year he and Fred from an upstairs window cursed everyone's snowballs so they landed on our cousin Jeanine and she ended up with a cold. Grandma's temper really flared that day when she found out. Uncle Percy and Aunt Penny made sure those two paid bigtime," Rubeus said as Katrina pelted him with a big snowball. They headed back in an hour later to find Sadia in the kitchen whipping up hot chocolate. Colleen was setting out a big plate of cookies.
"Aunt Colleen, who made the cookies?" Amy wondered.
"George, he insisted they were safe," Colleen said.
"Katrina, you want to taste one to be sure?"
Katrina picked up a small tart like cookie. Shortly after that She was acting like a monkey.
"Thought so. Shiki, always be careful about anything provided by Fred or George. "
"Oh boy what happened now?" Charlie wondered as he walked in.
"George slipped a few joke cookies into the stuff he and Sadia brought," Colleen explained as Charlie grabbed a cookie shaped like a snitch. His head suddenly looked like one.
"Do those two leave anything alone?"
"Not really," Amy replied.
"Sadia, I hope you are prepared for what happens should you and George ever get married," Amy commented.
"Yeah I'll need to make sure I keep the phone number of a Wizarding Psychiatrist on hand," Sadia commented. "Colleen, when do you want me to fit your Robes. I'm doing Ginny and Charlie after the kids have warmed up. Molly is all set probably because of her husband's position."
"Maybe first thing tomorrow," Colleen said.
"OK . I'll be real busy this week getting Robes ready and getting last minute Christmas stuff done," Sadia commented.
Amy spent the rest of the day working on an essay for History. The next morning Amy decided to unleash her arsenal of cleaning charms. In fact she was so busy she didn't notice Penny apparate in within striking distance of Amy's wand. Thankfully Amy was using a spot removal charm and Penny happened to have a spot on her robes.
"Thanks Amy," Penny said.
"Oh Hi Aunt Penny. I'm just taking care of the cleaning for Grandma and Grandpa."
Right then Jeanine and Little Arthur came through.
"Amy, are the clowns here yet?"
"If by clowns you mean Fred and George well George is but we put him under the Full Body Bind yesterday. Not taking chances after what they pulled last year. I better warn you don't eat anything George brought with him."
Just then Katrina and Kaylee went by.
"Who are they?" Jeanine wondered.
"Two pint sized bandits. George invited his girlfriend for Christmas. Grandma wasn't too pleased but Sadia has been making herself useful around here. Well those two bandits are Sadia's twin girls. They happen to be your age," Amy informed her.
"What did they do to you?"
"When I was in Diagon Alley doing my shopping I stopped at Florean Fortescue's for a snack and while I was eating my sundae one of them spooked me and I landed face first in my sundae."
"HE's a pretty nice guy. Of course to get the best deals you almost have to be an A list customer," Arthur said.
"I think I'm definitely an A list customer," Amy commented. "Katrina, see if you can round Elly, Rubeus, and Shiki up."
"What's up Amy time for the daily Snowball fight?" Kaylee wondered.
"I think so," Amy said.
"Amy, is your slimey friend going to show up this year?"
"He wasn't sure but he was invited. IF he does show up it will probably be that day."
The others showed up right then. Penny went to make sure George was suitably restrained. They kept the same teams as the day before with Jeanine joining Amy's team and Arthur joining Rubeus's team. AN hour into the Snowball fight a rouge ball entered the battle as a slightly dark skinned teen popped into being.
"Hi Sam," Amy said. "Weren't sure when you would make it."
"Well we got lucky and Dad was able to arrange a Portkey. Otherwise we would have had to take a Muggle Plane and getting reservations would have been a killer for sure. All we need now is Flint to make an appearance."
"He might not come depends on how his family is," Amy explained. "I hope Ashley and Wendell can somehow make it."
"So do I. HE's a good kid," Sam said.
After the snowball fight was over Sam, Amy, and Shiki sat down to eat some cookies that Colleen and Ginny had made up while George was restrained and drink Pumpkin Juice and Hot Chocolate. During all this they compared the educational styles at Hogwarts, Luxor Academy, and the Tokyo School of Magic. In fact the talk went so long that Big Arthur and Percy arrived during it.
The next day everyone hung out in Katrina and Kaylee's case mainly causing trouble especially since Harry and Ginny were busy getting ready for a small party since that day happened to be Melissa and Melanie's first birthday. About two o'clock Tammie walked into the room her Earmuffs, coat, boots and gloves already on.
"Come on gang let's go," She growled.
Everyone then suited up. They once again insured that siblings were not on the same team.
"Tammie, how is Wendell doing?" Amy inquired.
"He's improving. Mom may try to find a way here for Christmas but he won't be here which is too bad. Oh well I'll just have to torture someone else like Jean," Tammie responded.
"Hey," Jeanine said as she pelted Tammie with a fresh snowball.
"Jean, I think your supposed to throw the Balls at the other team," Katrina joked.
"Stuff it twerp," Jean said since she wasn't sure she liked the Archer twins. Right then though Rick and Kaylee threw snowballs right at Jean. By the time the fight ended everyone was well covered.
The next few days were busy ones. The day before Christmas a cab pulled up and Ashley emerged. The driver looked at her as if she had two heads or something since Ashley had given him a couple Galleons for his fee from the nearest Train Station.
The next morning Katrina woke everyone in the girls room up at 6am.
"Come on let's go," she cried.
Amy grabbed her wand and pointed it at the exuberent seven year old. "Petrificus Totalus"
The girl then flopped back down on her cot. An hour later when sounds could be heard around the house everyone started to actually move about. At that time Amy released Katrina from the Full Body Bind.
"Smart move Amy," Tammie said.
"I wasn't quite ready to get up at that point."
Soon the Living Room was full of fresh scents of Cookies (mainly at this point the ones George had brought), Cider and Pumpkin Juice, and the Chatter of people opening their presents.
"Shiki, The Kusas did they ever formally adopt you after you went to live with them?" Ginny asked at one point.
"No they didn't why?" Shiki wondered.
"In part it deals with you transferring full time to Hogwarts after the school year is over. Ginny and I were discussing it with Percy since he had arranged the Exchange Program through his department along with the guy who was at Hogwarts from the Education Office the day that most of the Gryffindor Quidditch Teams brooms were torched and well our figuring was that you could stay with us during the summer holidays. To make it even easier we were thinking of adopting you as our own daughter," Harry explained.
Shiki seemed quiet. Sam had a touching look on his face as he unwrapped the photo of Hannah.
"Talk about sweet Amy," Sam commented.
After the last of the presents were opened Amy put her sweater on and under her robes and cloak and grabbed the bag of Owl treats.
"Grandma, I'm going to tend the owls," She called out. Shiki joined her.
"Amy, of the things I unwrapped under the tree I think your parents gave me the best gift I received."
"What news that they were thinking of adopting you?"
"Yeah. It would make everything easier besides your parents from when I first arrived seemed to treat me like family. Heck your whole family has even Sadia and she isn't a full member of the family not like I am," Shiki commented.
"I know. She probably will someday. By the time Katrina and Kaylee get to Hogwarts if by chance I end up a Prefect I will make their lives miserable. After all they won't be arriving there until sixth year I think."
"Somehow I doubt your dad and McGonagall would go for that move."
Both girls turned around at the unexpected voice to find Marcus.
"Wondered if you were planning on making an appearance. Practically everyone was asking about you," Amy said.
"I only came for a few minutes to give you your present. Man I wish I could stay the rest of the day but I can't. I liked the present you gave me," Marcus said. "Usually I just picked up a can of polish but you went beyond that."
"Couldn't you at least try to come back for dinner. I think everyone is looking forward to you being here," Amy commented. "Besides George's girlfriend brought her two daughters and we need everyone we can get."
"Wish I could besides my return port key is in four minutes," Marcus said. "See you after the holidays."
He then handed Amy a box and headed off before the Port Key took him away."
"IS that normal for him showing up for a few minutes then leaving?" Shiki wondered.
"Last year he wasn't able to leave until After dessert. He managed to stick around but then we kept encouraging him to stay," Amy said. "
They then headed inside.
"Where did that box come from?" Molly wondered.
"Marcus, He wasn't able to stay long. I tried to convince him but it didn't work?"
"Amy, what did you all do with Hannah's things?" Samuel wondered.
"For the most part nothing. Shiki laid claim to her backpack and Hannah's owl Edgar has been coming to me lately with stuff. I think he chose me as his new owner. I think those are the only things to really get claimed. I'm not sure what we will do with the rest of her stuff?"
"What kind of stuff remains?" Tammie wondered.
"Clothes and textbooks primarily."
"You know the books are easily dealt with. Just find an incoming student who can use them."
"Good point After all they are fairly common books.
Dinner was served about 630 that night. About six forty five the air got real odiferous. George was hard pressed to hide his grin.
"George Albert Weasley, what did you do put Dung Bombs under everyones seat. I can't believe you would do something like that on Christmas Day Have you no shame what so ever?" Molly Screamed at him.
"Molly, calm down you know you shouldn't let your blood pressure get high like this," Big Arthur said.
Molly gave her husband a very mean look.
After dinner George was quickly put to work cleaning up all the dishes along with the dining room without Magic. Everyone else meanwhile was availing themselves of the shower. In the room that night.
"Amy, is grandma always like that when people do bad things?" Kaylee wondered since she and Katrina looked at Molly and Big Arthur as substitute grandparents."
" Fraid so."
"She can really be strict. AS it is she doesn't care for what Fred and George chose to do with their lives running a joke shop and all," Jeanine said.
"Our dad before he died ran one it was pretty neat," Kaylee said.
Closing A/N Next Chapter will be the Wedding and Fehrlyevil can be thanked with reviews of her work. Her actual Pen Name is much longer but I prefer the Shortened version.