Christmas morning was set off with a definite bang, Dante thought, as she awoke to Molly screaming at Fred about something. She crawled across the bed the four youngest girls had been shoved into and opened the door to listen. It was always amusing when Grandmum shouted, she found, and usually it was because Uncle Fred had done something funny.
"HOW DARE YOU GIVE YOUR FATHER ONE OF THOSE DRATTED CREAMS?" She screamed, even though her uncle was probably mere inches away from her in the kitchen, "YOU CHANGE HIM BACK RIGHT NOW!"
There was a pause, during which Fred probably explained that he could not comply but that Arthur would return to normal within ten minutes.
"TEN MINUTES? HE'S SUPPOSED TO STAY LIKE THIS FOR TEN MINUTES? I SWEAR, FRED WEASLEY, IF YOU WEREN'T MY SON I WOULD THROW YOU OUT OF THIS HOUSE!" She ranted.
However, there was a loud squawk followed by laughter from two males. Dante quickly shut the door as her Grandmum stomped up the stairs. They had been at The Burrow for a week and at least one prank was played every day. When it was not Fred or George, it was Ralph and Scott or Alexis and Alexandre. Dante, Zephari and Zoë had played their part as well, sneaking some Gibbering Goblets onto the table the night before.
Dante giggled at the memory of Harry's cup suddenly announcing that it wanted to run off and join the rabbits in Antarctica. Arthur's had even declared that the penguins in Mongolia had better manners than him. It had been very entertaining. Not to mention that it had been Fred and George's new product's first test. Obviously, the goblets had passed with flying colours.
"Hey, Zoë, Zephari, Amanda," She whispered, prodding them in turn, "Wake up, it's Christmas!"
As if she had flipped a switch with the last word, Zoë's eyes flew open. "Christmas?" She asked Dante, who nodded, "Hey! Wake up you two! It's Christmas!" She cried joyfully, pouncing Zephari.
Zephari hissed and threw her off onto Amanda, though she was grinning, "I know that, you great lout, I was just listening to Grandmum's amazing vocal skills."
Dante sniggered, "Uncle Fred's done it this time, hasn't he?"
"Just like every year." Zoë said offhandedly, "C'mon, we've got presents to open!"
Dante grinned and joined the other three in crawling to the edge of the bed and reaching for their presents – which, as always, were in neat piles – which they opened one by one.
"Wow! Thanks, Zeph!" Dante said happily as she unwrapped Hogwarts: A History.
"You're welcome." Zephari replied, holding her unwrapped present in her hands, "It's a new edition, so it's updated to have recent events included."
"Ooh, thanks Dante!" Zoë squealed, opening a present to reveal a pink toque with a golden lion on the front.
Zephari had finally opened Dante's present to her, which was a photo album. She opened it and stared, "Dawn... How?" She asked, looking up and gaping.
"I asked around. Everyone was happy to contribute." She replied, blushing slightly. "There're pictures of everyone there: Aunt Hermione, Uncle Ron, your dad, your mum, all the cousins, a bunch of school friends. Basically all the pictures that everyone had and could make themselves give up."
Zoë had missed this exchange as she ripped open the present Zephari had given her. "Wow, neat!" She said brightly, holding up the pink collar with a bell in the shape of a lion. "Harry'll love it!"
Dante carefully opened Zoë's present. A Collection of Werewolf Accounts, the book was called. She beamed proudly. She adored werewolves, she found them intriguing, and Zoë knew that which was obviously why she had given Dante a book about them. She grinned, "Thanks Zoë!" She said brightly.
Amanda finally opened the present from the three of them. "Wow!" She squealed, playing with the small figurine of a lion. "Thanks you three!"
Zoë smiled, "Took the better part of first term to get it work." She admitted, "It roars if it's ignored for a month, and purrs when you stroke it."
Amanda had gotten them all one present to share. It turned out to be a copy of the huge extended Weasley family picture they had down in the living room, taken a year before the war. Dante looked down at all the happy faces in it, knowing that had known then that danger was upon them. She did not feel sad that they smiled from the picture as if there was nothing to worry about. Instead, it made her happy that they had been happy.
Zephari touched the faces of her parents hesitantly with a small smile. "Thanks Mandy." She said truthfully and – to everyone's surprise – she hugged the youngest girl.
Zoë looked down into the face of her father, smiling as he held a baby Chiharu. Dante noticed that she looked sad and realized that she probably felt betrayed and jealous. "We can put it up on the dorm wall." Zoë said, tearing her eyes away from it, "That way they can watch us as we sleep, keeping us safe."
The silence stretched on endlessly with the four of them looking at the picture. Amanda was looking into the smiling face of Remus Lupin and his wife, Arabella Figg, as they held their son, Bartholemu, in a hug. He had been killed right before graduating from Hogwarts, for being the son of a werewolf and an outspoken activist against Voldemort's remaining supporters.
Dante finally cleared her throat, "Look, Grandmum's given us all sweaters." She said brightly, pointing at the lumpy packages.
"How she manages to knit one for every cousin and every uncle and aunt and for everyone in the extended family, I don't know." Zoë mused as she picked up hers.
Amanda grinned, "She uses magic to knit. She used to only knit one at a time, now she knits about five."
Dante opened hers to show a midnight blue sweater with a gold D in the upper left. Zoë's was black with a pink Z on the back while Zephari's was also black with silver Zs on the shoulders. Amanda's was a deep green with an A in gold in the upper left, like Dante's. Without a word, the four girls pulled them on and then continued to open the rest of their presents which were mostly candy.
Zephari watched her cousins open their presents gleefully before quietly ripping open the one from Sirius. She felt rather silly for not wanting them to notice, but she liked her privacy. His present was a small dragon figurine. It was blood red and she identified it as a Chinese Fireball. She smiled and stroked its neck, making it lean into her caresses. She adored enchanted dragon figurines.
A letter sat in her lap amongst the wrapping.
Dearest Zeph,
Sorry Father and I have been so late in getting there for Christmas. He had a few things to tie up at school so he could leave for the holidays. As such, I've been stuck with my mother's family. Most irritating group of people, I must say. I met my sister, Veronica, the other day. She hates me and I know it. I hate her and she knows it. We're just one big happy family here in the Parkinson mansion.
Did I mention how dark and dingy this place is? One would think I'm used to it, what with going to Durmstrang and all, but these people could lighten up a bit; especially around Christmas.
Going by what you've said, I'd consider the Slytherins a cheery lot after being with these trolls for a week. I swear they've never had any real fun in their lives. They also appear to blame me for my mother being locked up in Azkaban. Honestly, it's not my fault she went and joined Voldemort. They also blame father. I guess that's why Kai likes them so much.
Anyway, Father told me that we shall be dropping by – and by this he means 'invading with our constant scowls, nocturnal habits and crankiness' – later this afternoon. Pity that Dethol-fellow is stuck at Hogwarts with his various beasties over Christmas. Probably for the best, anyways, as they might escape and wreak havoc on the unsuspecting students and staff if he left. Do you suppose they hibernate during the summer, which allows him to leave then?
With hopes of seeing you later,
Sirius
Zephari grinned as she finished reading it. Sirius had a funny way with words. He always managed to make her smile when he wrote. She supposed that was why he was such a close friend of hers with the very little time she had known him. However, she quickly wiped the grin from her face and carefully placed her little figurine on the shelf across from the bed.
"Wow, Zeph, who sent you that?" Zoë asked, watching her.
"Sirius." She replied with a smile, "Draco had a few loose ends to tie up at school, but they'll be arriving today."
"Wonderful." Zoë muttered.
Zephari smirked and got up, changing out of her pyjamas and into a nice pair of trousers, a shirt and her robes. She paused for a moment, then pulled her Weasley sweater on over the thin shirt. She turned to face the others. "Up for breakfast?" She asked casually.
Sirius stood with a bag, full of his clothes and most personal belongings – along with the enchanted cobra figurine that Zephari had sent him –, beside him in the entrance hall of the Parkinson mansion. His grandparents were talking amongst themselves behind him, as if he could not hear their non-whispering voices.
"Draco's late. Again." His grandmother snapped at her husband.
"He's always late, dear." His grandfather sighed, "Unlike his parents. No, Lucius and Narcissa raised him as a good boy."
"A shame he went so wrong in the end." His grandmother agreed.
"At least he's not locked up in Azkaban." Sirius sneered, turning to glare at them, his fists clenched.
"What did you say, boy?" His grandfather demanded.
"I said: At least he's not locked up in Azkaban." Sirius repeated, sneering all the while.
"How dare you!" His grandmother screeched, lunging at him.
"I'm terribly sorry, but you'll have to keep your hands from my son." Draco said coldly, stepping between them, "You ready, Sirius?"
He nodded. "Yes, Father." He said, smirking at the Parkinson duo from behind his father's back.
"He is not welcome here anymore!" His grandmother announced, "I do not want that... that scum in my household ever again!"
"Very well." Draco snapped, "I was reluctant to bring him here in the first place."
With that, he placed a hand on Sirius's shoulder and they were gone.
With a flash, they reappeared in the Weasley kitchen.
"Ah, there you are Draco!" Molly Weasley said happily as they reappeared.
Sirius felt rather disoriented. His father had never Disapparated with him before. It was a nauseating experience. He supposed it was not so when one knew where they were going and did so themselves. He would have staggered, has his father's hand not been tightly gripping his shoulder.
"Hello Molly, sorry for the delay," He said smoothly.
"Kai has decided not to come this time?" Arthur asked, sounding sympathetic.
"No, I fear he's decided he likes his maternal grandparents too much." The blonde man informed him, taking off his cloak.
"Ah, Draco Malfoy... We meet again." A quiet voice said from behind them.
Sirius whirled to see a complete stranger looking evenly at his father. He then noticed the other stranger, right behind the first. He did not like the way the second one was glaring. His father had never done anything wrong, except perhaps marry Pansy Parkinson, so why were these two Weasleys attacking him so?
"Albus Weasley... And Harry Weasley, as well," Draco replied, nodding curtly, "You look well."
"Same to you," Albus replied, extending a hand, "I believe I never had the chance to thank you for what you did."
Draco took the hand and shook it, "No need, it was simple courtesy. Besides, I owe the Weasleys more than I would like to admit."
Sirius stared between them in confusion. His father and this man were old acquaintances, but why was the other one still glaring like one would at a particularly vile food?
"Malfoy." The other said sharply, nodding.
"Weasley." Draco replied, doing the same.
"Who's stuck a wand up his arse?" Sirius whispered to his father, who looked sternly at him in a 'don't let me hear you say that again' way.
"Sirius!"
Sirius turned in time to be fiercely hugged by Zephari. He, awkwardly, hugged her back and she released him before he got too uncomfortable. She had not changed much in the past few months, he observed, though she was slightly happier now that she was not worrying about getting sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Nice to see you." He greeted, smiling lightly.
"And you. Merry Christmas and thanks for the gift." She replied, tugging on his sleeve and dragging him out of the room.
"You too." He answered as she dragged him into the living room, "What's up?"
"All the adults were staring at us. Those two who were talking to your dad are my uncles. My real uncles, mind you." She informed him.
"Ah, no wonder I had never seen them before. The Auror uncles?" She nodded, "Albus seems rather nice, though Harry looks like he's got a wand up his arse."
She grinned, "He's just like that. He's a tad overprotective and I suppose Uncle Charlie told him that we were friends."
"Well that explains it." He answered.
Ginny could not help but smile kindly at Draco. She could never get used to the fact that they were now co-workers at Hogwarts. She had spent most of her school days hexing him whenever she got the chance and now she worked with him in not only a courteous, but comradely, manner on a daily basis. Seeing him standing in the kitchen of her childhood home only intensified how odd it was to see such a dark, proud and sinister person and not be trying to harm him.
"Gin," Michael said forcefully and she looked at him in surprise.
"Sorry, I was thinking." She said evasively.
"You seem to think a lot whenever Draco Malfoy is over." He muttered irritably.
"Jealous?" She teased, then instantly regretted it, "Sorry, Mike... I didn't-" But it was too late, as he had already stalked off to talk to Cho.
Ginny sighed and looked down at the tabletop. She was a married woman and far too old to be rethinking her school-girl crush. She was with Michael, after all, and she loved him. But lately their marriage had not been doing too good, and she knew it. He knew it as well, as he kept avoiding her and being waspish. Vaguely, she wondered why she had chosen him after going out with other boys she had liked more.
"Hello, weasel." Draco greeted in a whisper, sitting beside her, "Deep in thought, are we?"
"Hello, ferret." She said in return, looking past him at her husband.
"Ah, I see now. Relationship troubles," He mused, following her gaze, "It's funny. You broke up with him back when you were fourteen, but you went back to him. If it didn't work then, what means it'll work now?"
"It's worked for over fifteen years." Ginny informed him.
"Which is more than I can say for any of my relationships," He agreed, looking back at her and drawing her gaze.
"What? Not having enough one-night stands to please yourself?" She snapped.
"Those were Auror missions, hellcat." He muttered crossly, "You know that, so don't get false ideas."
Ginny felt rather abashed. It was true, they had been Auror missions. They had, of course, led to more than he had bargained. He had even married Pansy Parkinson due to an Auror mission. She pitied him for that, though she did not dare show it. He would never forgive her if she did. The tentative friendship they had formed over the last six or so years would crumble if she so much as whispered of her pity.
"I wasn't." She told him, "I'm just..." She trailed off, gesturing helplessly.
"Frustrated." He drawled slowly, "Yes, I realized that."
"So, Sirius won't be able to return to his grandparents' anymore, will he?" She asked, changing the subject and trying to distract herself from how much Draco Malfoy appealed to her at the moment.
"No, they threw him out when he insulted Pansy." Draco said brightly, for him anyways. "So he'll have to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays."
"Or come here." Ginny pointed out.
"Either way, he'll be happier. He never liked those cranky old moles, anyways." The blonde man replied, leaning back in his chair.
"And Zephari will be rather pleased as well." Ginny said with a smirk.
"Yes, that too," He agreed, "Which is rather ironic, yet not; her being a Black-Weasley cross and all."
"And your mother was once a Black." Ginny added quietly.
"You know the truth, then?" Draco whispered.
She nodded, "It's best to remain unknown to most." She told him, "So don't say it here."
"I'll tell him when he's sixteen." He added just as quietly, "And I'll let him know what happened to his brother, so he'll be smart enough to keep the name of Malfoy."
She smiled at him, "Good to have you around without professor-ly formality, Malfoy." She said warmly.
He smirked, "Same to you, Weasley." He answered, and she did not even bother to correct him.