Parseltounge

"Speech"

Thoughts/Telepathy

/flashback/

Map writing

Yule Traditions

Chapter 12

Harry fell to the pushily carpeted floor of Lucius Malfoy's private study. Ann fluttered off his shoulder and transformed. Voldemort chuckled at the unflattering sight of Harry sprawled on the floor. He held out a hand to his prone son as his wife dropped his wedding band from her teeth. Harry smiled, a sweet open expression, and accepted the help up.

"Joyful Yule, son," Voldemort said.

"Happy Yule to you, Father," replied Harry. He continued as he turned toward her, "And to you Mother."

"The rest of the Family is waiting in the Hall by the tree," Mrs. Riddle said as she hugged Harry.

"Let's not keep them waiting," said Harry enthusiastically. He felt wonderful being with family for the holiday, exactly where he knew he belonged.

Voldemort led the way to the Grand Hall of Malfoy Manor. They passed by a number of paintings which smiled and wished them a Happy Yule as they passed. The portraits of the Malfoy family were just as gossipy and friendly as any other family, so long as they knew you were 'family'. The Grand Hall of Malfoy Manor was about three fourths the size of the Chamber of Secrets. The ceiling was twenty meters up and spelled to look like the Sistine Chapel. Long ago a Malfoy squib had created the "muggle" masterpiece. Unlike the real artwork, the spell had not faded over the centuries.

The large pine tree reached fifteen meters high and was lavishly decorated. A golden star shined from the tip and tiny glowing fairies danced around on the branches. Real icicles shimmered in the firelight and fairy light. There were also a number of 'muggle' ornaments adorning the branches. They had been made by the Family's children over the years, using craft kits rather than magic. The tree was a rich deep green and looked very much alive. It was in fact alive; it had been temporarily transplanted from the woods.

Under the huge tree were over a hundred gifts. Each gift box was wrapped in colorful paper and adorned with bows. Situated around the tree were couches, sporting the adults of the "Dark Family". The children were waiting eagerly to begin their Yuletide traditions sprawled around the floor. The scene was somewhat strange to Harry because normally everyone would still be in their pajamas, and normally the Pettigrews would be there as well. He grinned in anticipation as he approached with his family.

"We have managed to rescue my son from the clutches of the vile Dumbledore," Announced Voldemort dramatically during a moment of silence within the murmur of conversation.

The adults laughed and gave Harry welcoming smiles. The children cheered. Harry joined the other children and dropped himself gracefully between Kira and Draco. Moments later Carol-Anne Lestrange crawled into his lap and hugged him. "I missed you Harry," she said in her innocent six year old voice.

He returned the embrace and said, "I missed you too."

Voldemort conjured a large chair beside the tree and sat down. He looked over his closest friends and family. His voice was calm and 'strangely' kind, "This year our Yule traditions were thrown off because of Harry's incarceration at Hogwarts. This means we did not have our Yule Breakfast where we appreciate what has been most important to us in the prior year. So instead we will commence with that part of our tradition before I distribute the gifts."

The tradition of appreciation was similar to Christian giving of thanks, but the "Dark Family" did not thank any deity. Each member of the tight knit group would share what they were most grateful of and at times what personal achievement they were most proud of. The adults often spoke of their beloved partner, though at times Lucius, Rabastan, and Regulus would speak of something they had achieved for the cause. The children would usually waver between their parents, toys and siblings. The Yule traditions were uncannily touching and no one outside of the 'family' had ever witnessed it.

The tradition of appreciation had been started by Voldemort's wife the year he had attacked the Potters. She had nursed a very ill Harry Potter as well as a magically depleted husband back to health. The fact that both survived had been a cause for much rejoicing on her part. She expressed in a private Yule dinner with Calvin how grateful she was that her beloved hadn't died.

Every one spoke their piece. Voldemort always spoke last and this year was no different. "This year as always a have appreciated my beautiful wife and wonderful children. In addition I have been most pleased with the pace our revolution has shifted to. As Rabastan has already said our bill which gives the right to a trial for sentient non-humans has successfully been passed by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. This is the first definitive step we've made in over a decade. Other plans are also in effect and our goals are no longer out of reach. I am very pleased."

"Here-here," cheered Bellatrix.

He nodded to her and then said, "I will now pass out the gifts. Everyone knows the rules... if you open your present before everyone else has theirs, yours will be charmed to the side and you'll have to wait until everyone else has opened their presents. Now I will summon a gift from under the tree and then send it over to you."

The children spread themselves further apart so they would have enough room to open their gifts. Voldemort distributed the gifts. Once everyone had their colorfully wrapped packages, Voldemort sent up a shower of green and silver sparks with his wand. The children tore into the wrappings with enthusiasm. The chaos was a boisterous, let yourself enjoy being a child moment. None of the Dark Family's children were really allowed to be like the innocently expressive children of other wizarding families. Yule was truly a special time for them.

The adults were a bit more reserved. They opened each of their gifts and thanked the giver before opening the next. More than one of the adults wadded the wrapping paper up and threw it at the person they were thanking. Yule was also a time for them to express emotions more freely. Before long the adults were individually mobbed by the children in thanks for the wonderful gifts.

The gifts ranged from the extravagant to the simple. The gifts from the children to others were often very simple and often handmade. The gifts from spouses were often the more extravagant in nature. Draco's favorite gift was the miniature fire-breathing Chinese Dragon toy his father gave him. Blaise's favorite gift was the baby earth sprite from her mother, the sprite was a magical creature known for bonding to humans who raised them. Harry's favorite gift was the signed regulation snitch from Uncle J. Kira's favorite gifts were the muggle chemistry set from Uncle Calvin and the rare potion ingredients from his wife Jessica.

On Yule it was tradition for the Dark Family to eat the largest meal at mid-day. The Malfoy house-elves had outdone themselves this year. Every dish was exquisite. The simplest sides were spiced to perfection while the meats melted in their mouths. As usual the children were seated with the adults at a huge circular table. Everyone could see and talk to everyone else.

Conversation was turned as Regulus Black asked, "So where are we going until the new year?" This too was part of their traditions, not as ingrained at the gift giving or appreciation rituals. Every year the ladies of the Family would chose a place for them to vacation and every year Regulus would ask for details at the Yule meal.

"We were planning on an amusement part and resort this year," replied Ann Riddle.

"A wizarding one?" asked her 'brother,' Uncle J.

"No, actually, a muggle one," responded Narcissa.

"Which one is open at this time of year?" asked Rabastan.

"Disney World," crowed his cousin-in-law enthusiastically.

The children had been quietly watching the progress of the conversation. They erupted in cheers. "I'll take that as support from the munchkins for your deduction," added his life partner with an easy laugh.

"You are correct, dearest cousin," said Bellatrix. "We felt that Disney World would be a fantastic place to go again. It has been five years since our last winter trip there."

"The same rules will apply as every other year, because we will be among muggles there is to be no unnecessary magic," said Jessica.

"Yes mom," responded everyone in unison. They knew the Pettigrews would meet them at Disney World.

The adults could easily remember the vacation at Disney World from five years prior. The quartet remembered it rather well also. That was the year Harry bonded with Cornelius and found himself adored by a rather wealthy family of muggles. The family had since been absorbed into Calvin's program dealing with muggles.

/ Harry and Kira had managed to wonder away from their parents after leaving the "It's a Small World" ride. Their mom had been busy holding their father in check. He wanted to tear the ride to shreds. Harry and Kira had found his anger only so amusing and so they decided to explore. A scream of, "My baby!" caught their attention.

They ran quickly toward the sound. What they saw would have terrified anyone else. A woman in a periwinkle blue dress was trying to move past a coral snake which was not more than two feet away from a two or three year old little boy. The snake was muttering 'Hungry, need food, where is food.'

The heirs could tell the snake was woefully underfed. Kira noticed a canvas bad not far from the snake. Harry said, "We need to feed the poor thing."

Kira said, "Grab that bag and distract him. I'll try to summon a mouse for him."

Harry nodded, scooted around people to grab the bag and then walked toward the snake. 'Little one,' he hissed, 'little beautiful one, please don't hurt the stupid boy.'

The coral snake slithered to look at Harry. The mother stood rock still because that brought the deadly serpent within a foot of where she had moved. The snake hissed, 'You speak? Why should I not hurt the stupid non-speaker?'

'Because my sister is getting you food.'

Kira had hissed, 'Mousy treat, Bitty meat, come to me, so mote it be.' A single mouse zipped to her hand. She grabbed its tail and walked to where her brother was speaking with the snake. She hissed, 'I have a mouse for you.'

The coral snake slithered past the mother and stopped before the heirs. Kira held the mouse over him and he struck lightning quick at the mouse. She released it and it fell to the ground with the snake's fangs deep in its fur.

The coral snake began to eat the mouse, while the mother grabbed up her son and backed away quickly. Harry waited until the mouse's head was within the snake's mouth and then quickly bagged the snake with the canvas bag he had picked up. The father of the little boy arrived then and saw the logo on the canvas bag. Voldemort and his wife arrived then and noticed the heirs as the center of attention. He could also hear the snake screaming, 'I hate confinement!'

Harry hissed, 'I'll let you out once we're away from those who would kill you.'

The father stepped up to Harry and said, "What do you think you are doing to my son!?"

"He rescued your son!" snapped Kira.

Voldemort stepped forward then, "My son has a way of charming the violence out of animals. I assure you that if he hadn't interfered your boy would be dead."

"He is right William. The boy hissed at the snake and it calmed down. The girl gave it a mouse and it took the mouse rather than attack our son," said the mother in periwinkle blue.

William said, "I apologize, I saw the logo on the bag and thought the worse."

"The bag was lying near your wife and son," said Kira, "I think the snake had been in it before."

William took a deep breath. "That is not good."

"Perhaps we should speak elsewhere. I am Tom Riddle," said Voldemort as he held out his hand.

"William Dorlinth," said the other man as he shook the offered hand./

Voldemort and William had spoken at length that day. The Dark Family had then helped him get revenge on those who had set the serpent on his family. William was a member of a powerful crime syndicate in Dallas. Another syndicate boss had decided to rid himself of the problem William was to his quest for power. Harry and Kira's interference with the coral snake had foiled the plot. After that William and his wife, Morgan, took the potion to ensure magical children. Their three year old daughter had recently performed accidental magic. The heirs wondered if the Dorlinths would be at Disney World again this year.

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I know rather short, but I can't go into the vacation without spoiling stuff...

Review responses:

AN: I am sooo happy... this is the most reviews I've gotten yet(does happy dance)

Szihuoko THANK YOU!!!!!

scholcomp25 Glad you thought so, I'll update as quickly as I can.

NatashaNiracval Actually I did say he moved to view his reflection. The first paragraph he was looking with mystic sight while not being reflected, the second paragraph he moved so he was reflected. The other two maps... you'll learn eventually

Shadowface I'm updating... sheesh no need to curse me... actually you really shouldn't, I have a mirror spell up which sends the curses back to the caster. Hope your curses didn't hurt you.

gboyary I know Blaise is a boy in cannon, but this is an AU with a lot of subtle differences and some glaring ones, so I wanted a female best friend for Kira before they started school and I just couldn't see Pansy or Millicent fulfilling that role.

Jean-Claude Iscarot I thought so too, did you like what was used as the port-key? I'm not really good with pranks, but I will definitely think about a prank war in later years, especially after Harry ... um actually I need to not continue that thought. Thank you for reviewing basically every chapter, it is very encouraging.

Pearl of the Moon Thank you, I tried to draw in an audience that likes darker fics without making a truly evil one. I'm glad you kept with it past the dubious parts.

Kage Mirai Thank you. I just couldn't leave Harry at Hogwarts all alone.