Chapter 20

Soon the time came for Christmas vacation. Most of the students were going home, but on the night before there would be a Christmas Ball. Draco and Harry decided to stay, both rather being here than at their respective homes. The Weasleys decided that since most of the family was at Hogwarts already, Christmas would be held there this year. Hermione also decided to stay, saying ther her friends were more important. Later on she revealed that her parents would be in Bermuda anyway, and she had to stay.

Of the others, Crabbe, Goyle, and Neville all decided to stay as well as two third year Hufflepuffs.

The Weasleys arrived the day before the Christmas Ball.

The Five were in the Hall watching Ron tromp Harry at chess again. The Great Hall doors opened.

"Hullo, my children!" Molly called as she entered with Bill, Charlie and Arthur.

"Hullo Mum," returned all but Draco. He simply nodded and smiled nervously. Mrs Weasley swept in and engulfed her children in a hug.

"Mum!" Ron protested, "I can't breathe!" Ginny nodded frantically and Molly let them go. Bill came up from behind and grabbed Ginny, tickling her in greeting while Charlie grabbed Ron in a headlock, forcing his younger brother to bend.

"Oi! Leggo! Mum!"

"Charlie, let your brother go." Molly replied without looking.

"Yes mum." He let Ron go and the unbalanced teen fell rather ungracefully on his bum.

"Grrr." Ron growled, red faced as his father helped him to his feet.

"Hello, Ron."

"'Lo Dad."

Meanwhile Molly Weasley was staring at Draco Malfoy and inscrutable look on her face. Draco smiled nervously.

"Hello, ma'am."

Molly smiled and enveloped Draco in a hug. Draco was taken completely by surprise. "Mrs. Weasley?" Molly held him at arm's length.

"Oh don't look so surprised, Draco dear. Narcissa was a very close friend of mine in school, and I've never approved of your father. Your mother owled me immediately after you declared your independence. I promised I would look after you. You're always welcome with the family dear." Draco found he was near tears.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley." She rolled her eyes.

"Call me mum, or at least Molly. I just convinced Harry to do that, and I don't want you setting him back." Draco laughed.

"OLLY! PUT ME DOWN!" The voice echoed into the hall. Molly looked confused.

"Is that Percy?" Molly asked, looking in the direction of the voice.

"Sounds like it," Bill said, equally puzzled. Molly's eyes widened and she smiled in realization. Percy entered a moment later, feet first, bum in the air, and pounding on Oliver's shoulders and back, demanding to be put down. Olly saw the Weasleys and smiled, the put Percy on the floor so they were face to face.

"Percy?" He asked, "Did we tell Bill and Charlie about us." Percy shook his head.

"No, love, They don't even know I'm gay."

"Oh.well, I think they know both now," Oliver replied as he looked at them over Percy's shoulder. Percy blinked at his love and spun around to face his family.

"Oh.bugger." he muttered. His mother smiled at them and, walking foreward, hugged her son, and "son-in-law".

"Hello, Olly dear, you're looking well."

"Thank you, Mum." She smiled and turned back to Percy.

"Let me look at you." She stood back and observed him as he stood there, and exasperatedly bored look on his face. She shook her head. "You're so thin! Haven't you been eating at all?" She turned to Olly, "I put it on you to make sure he eats properly and gains back some weight and he still looks like a scarecrow." Back to Percy. "You need to eat, Percy." Percy rolled his eyes.

"I have been eating mum. I've gained over twenty pounds since 7th year and I eat steadily. Oliver makes sure of it. I'm fine. Healthy and out of the red. I'm naturally built like this, like Dad." (a/n: in Weather Magic Percy goes through some self-harm including a drastic drop in diet where he wouldn't eat and looked almost skeletal. Since recognizing his magi abilities (and gaining Olly as a lover) he has started to eat regularly once more to keep up his energy.) Molly pursed her lips but didn't answer, settling to hug him again.

Bill and Charlie stood to the side watching the scene and their younger siblings (by blood or not) great the blond professor that carried their serious Percy into the hall. Charlie decided they were never going to get answers by just standing there and took matters into his own hands. He went over and offered his hand to Oliver.

"Hi, I'm Charlie."

"Oliver Wood. I've heard a lot about you, mostly from McGonagall during my first years on the house team, and the twins." Charlie raised his eyebrows, pleased.

"You played Quidditch?"

"Aye. Keeper."

"He was also the Gryffindor team captain for how may years?" Oliver blushed as Percy approached and spoke on his behalf.

"Four."

"And they won the House cup in the final game of out seventh year against Slytherin. It was poetry." Percy slipped one arm around Oliver's waist and held the other to his brothers. "Hello Charlie, Bill."

"Percy," Bill answered before pulling his off guard brother into a hug. Charlie settled for pounding on Percy's back when he was let go and Bill held a hand to Oliver. "Bill."

"Oliver."

"Is that Sprout?" Molly suddenly asked from the conversation to their left. "Please excuse me a minute, I have a bit of catching up to do." And Molly bustled off, leaving the older four boys tighter and staring at each other. Arthur had captured and was interrogating the muggle studies teacher while the younger ones disappeared.

"Well one thing's for sure, Perce, you sure know how to make an enterance. Percy made a face and thumped Charlie's shoulder. Any further comments we cut off when the Flitwicks entered and began to decorate for the Christmas ball.

Yes, the Christmas Ball. A time for dancing and eating and mistletoe kisses. Fast foreword to Christmas Eve and the Christmas Ball where we once again join our heroes.

A giant tree stood sparkling and golden at and end of the hall and wreaths spanned the hall. Magicked mistletoe cause mischief among the students and teachers relaxed with the help of eggnog. Small round tables replaced the longer house tables, though students generally grouped by houses. The Weasley table was on the Gryffindor/Slytherin border.

Molly Weasley looked splendid in Slytherin green robes and Arthur looked.like Arthur in powder blue ones. The rest of the table included Bill (Saphire), Charlie (Chocolate Brown), and the twins (Teal and chartreuse). The next table held Percy (silver), Oliver (Crimson), Ron (Black), Hermione (gold), Harry (Emerald), Draco (Steel gray) and Ginny (Navy Blue).

Across the room the instruments began to play, filling the hall with festive music. At one of the teacher tables sat Methos (green), Severus (Black), Remus (Brown), Sirius (Burgundy when human), MacLeod (White), and Minerva (Plaid). Severus noticed the Weasleys for the first time (he and Methos had been.busy.the day before) and more specifically, Molly Weasley.

"Is that.C'mon Adam. There's someone I want you to meet." Methos looked confused, but stood. Severus motioned to Duncan, who stood as well. The three stood and started to cross the dance floor, but Mac got snagged and motioned for the other two to keep going, and he'll meet up later. Severus stood behind Molly and covered her eyes with his hands.

"Guess who," he whispered by her ear. Molly's face scrunched up into a smile.

"Severus Snape, you good for nothing scoundrel! Let go of me and let me look at you!" Molly turned in her seat and mock-glared at Severus before grinning and embracing her Prince. She held onto his arms (she couldn't quite comfortably reach his shoulders) and looked him over.

"You're gotten so tall! And so handsome!" She poked his side and he jumped away, protesting.

"Hey!"

"You are too thin! Aren't you eating?" At the next table Percy smothered a snicker but Molly heard it anyway. Molly turned on him. "You're in no position to laugh, young man. "Percy blushed and pulled Olly to his feet.

"Please, take our seats. Sit and chat. We're going to dance."

"And escape the lecture," Oliver stage whispered to Adam as they passed to the dance floor. Adam smiled and Severus took the opportunity to introduce Adam.

"Molly, this is Adam Pierson, the new History of Magic professor." Molly smiled and hugged him, too.

"Oh, it's wonderful to meet you. I'm so gald Severus finally found someone." Severus blushed faintly as Methos laughed.

"Me too." He said wryly as he grinned at Severus. Sev smiled back and they took the seats vacated by Percy and Oliver and moved them to the adult table. Charlie tapped his father's arm.

"Dad?"

"Yes Charlie?"

"Why are Mom and Snape so friendly?" Arthur looked confused.

"Don't you know?" Your Mum was a Slytherin and practically Snape's older sister. They were close ever since her fifth year, when he was a first year. To understand any better you'd have to be familiar with the house's internal politics and that takes a while to explain."

"Oh." Charlie sat back and exchanged mildly shell-shocked looks with Bill as Severus Snape, the greasy git himself, smiled and joked and laughed with their parents and his boyfriend(?). Another nercomer soon joined them and was soon introduced as the new Physical Defense teacher, Duncan MacLeod. He noticed Charlie and Bill watching them, so he took a moment to introduce himself to them personally.

"Duncan MacLeod," he said, extending his hand.

"Bill Weasley."

"Charlie."

"Dear Lord!" Bill cried out suddenly as a flash of something shiny dragged his gaze from Mac's impressive form. "Is that Percy?" They all turned to look at the dance floor. Percy and Oliver were dancing up a storm to "Jump, Jive, n Wail", performing flips and jumps and spins most often seen only on the professional circuit.

"I never knew he could dance like that," Charlie commented.

"I have a feeling there's a lot about Percy we don't know," Bill replied, with a flash of insight. The song ended with Percy jumping into Oliver's arms, legs around Olly's waist as they paused for applause. Percy slowly unwrapped himself and as he sank to the floor he pulled Oliver into a kiss that started the applause louder and brought forth whistles from the twins.

They separated, red in the face, but otherwise grinning. Percy bent to pick op their discarded dress robes as the band took a break and the two young wizards joined Percy's family once more.

Charlie summed it up in one word.

"Wow."

Percy laughed again and took Charlie's water, downing it in almost one gulp.

"When did you learn to dance like that?" Percy shrugged.

"I started to learn in my fifth year. I didn't get really good until the end of my sixth."

"We've missed that all this time?"

"There are a lot of things you missed while you were abroad," Percy replied not quite testily.

"Which brings in out next line of questioning." Started Bill, "When did you get together? And since when were you gay, Percy? What about Penny?"

"Seventh year, All my life, and at the moment she is living very happily with her girlfriend Betty in Hogsmead where they run the apothecary there."

"Oh." The band came back on and Percy drained the rest of Charlie's glass before pulling Oliver back to the dance floor.

The rest of the night was spent laughing and dancing. Even Severus and Methos got up to dance at one point.

When everything was said and done, everyone had a marvelous time.

TBC

Just a little note about the m/m relationships. Where they are in terms of commitment.

Percy and Oliver are "bonded" and can be considered husbands as they are essentially married. Severus and Methos are lovers, they're closer and more long-term than boyfriends, but have made no formal commitments. Remus and Sirius are bonded for life. They are life-mates and will never be with another. They can also be considered married though they are still trying to get an offical ceremony. Harry and Draco are boyfriends. Both are too young for serious commitment and it is still up in the air weather they will spend eternity together, though it is likely unless one dies. (I'm not planning on that, but what the muse says, goes) Duncan/? Is pending and will start off like Harry and Draco and probably evolve into a Severus and Methos like bond.

Thank you

Ok..uh..wow.it's been a long time, hasn't it. Sheesh, I'm sorry. Shool. Work, and band finally caught up with me, but guess what! Summer vacation's here and I have time to write again! after this batch I'll have two more chapters to type up and read (I'll post them together too) and then I'll have to start writing again (which I will. I like where I am. It's starting to finally get interesting for me as the plots get more and more interwoven and confusing.

I have read HP and the Order of the Pheonix. It took me 8 hours. I was finished in one day. Go me.

JK Rawling, you rock my socks.

The book is amazing. Sad in places, but amazing. I will say no more in case some of you haven't read it yet.

But if u haven't read it, why are u reading this? Go get it!

And now, response to reviewers

Tea - welcome back. I missed you. I agree about Ginny. She will get someone. Just wait and see. I will give a hint, though. She will have more than one pairing, which is more than any of my other characters, and the last will be long lasting. I agree about the human touch thing, especially for a Healer. Touch is mondo important. That's why she's so sad, she had no one to hold or to be held by. That will change, however. And fluffy encouragement is always welcome.

Lady Cinnibar - sorry to keep you waiting, my dear, and rationing the chapters is a good idea. Here's another chunk and hopefully by the time you ration this off, there will be more. I think the chapters should start to come more steadily. About that thing with Dumbledore, that's just a bad wording situation. He meant for all the Slytherins and Gryffindors to stay and all the others return to their dorms. Yes, my birthday is st. patrick's day, the midway point of march (or, rather, soon thereafter). So did you like the outcome of the chess game? I laughed while I wrote that, I cackled with evil laughter. Tee hee hee. Everybody loves the Slytherin Royalty, myself included. It was, I must say, one of my best ideas on this work. I HAVE fantastic beasts and where to find them.but I can't find it. Ok.I can see where you can say Fitz, too. I only recently saw an episode with him and I can say.Rodger Daltry is cute. (. Where did Mario come from? Oh well. until next time, my dearest Lady, which will be soon!

Aurulumpi - during the attack the Death Eaters were able to nock a few stones loose here and blow up a section of wall there before they were stopped. The dreams were too drained (they are only human after all) at that point to notice. I was going to have water enter the tower too, but how would it get up there?

Annakas - you know, everyone seems to like the Slytherin Prince idea. I actually came up with that last minute and threw that in, it seemed so perfect. I guess I was right. And just a hint, Severus' Prince status come into play later in the series. I'm working on MMR as soon as I finish updating this story and, well, it's been pretty hit or miss with Major and Minor. I think I'm going to stick to Major and take down Minor. Not many people like that one. (or at least, that's how it seems)

Vampire Child - I know, I recognized Peter though the army makeup in the commercials (I'm pathetic). I'm so excited and look for an X-Men/Highlander crossover soon were Peter's part was really Methos. Don't know when, but soon. I'm working on MMR as soon as I finish updating this story.

MidnightLoner - Snape will be summoned after the new year.after chapter 23. Anything more I can't say. Oliver and Percy will have important roles in this and the next story, as they are the major defense at Hogwarts now. They are the only wizards capable of warding off large numbers at a time. Plus.they're my favorite pairing.

RunningWithCoyotes - Cassandra was there to add drama to Methos' charater and was originally going to be the love interest of MacLeod. I have since changed my mind, and I assure you, she's not going to be featured in anything until the end of the series.maybe. Sorry bout the soreness. I hope it's all better by now. Tell Danny too keep up the good work ;)

Silverlie - hey, I just reviewed your story. U know what I think of it (. Nice hair color, I'm digging the teal. I don't know weather I'm putting the blue streak back in or not.hmm.family says hey and I hope to see you soon. And im me when u finish Hp and the OOTP. We'll talk.

Vertigo - I know absolutely no Mandarin. I'm studying Russian and Latin, but in another Highlander story (I have long since forgotten which) it mentions Methos loving to curse in Mandarin since it's so colorful. I wish I did know some. I love cursing in other languages.nobody knows you're cursing!

Ok, until next time, I was, am and will always be, Immortaljedi