A/N: Hooray for part 3.
Spoilers: All five books.
Warnings: Fluff, OOCness, and Original Characters! (Rachel and Alanni Jade.) This particular cut is extra fluffy!
Aiko's Christmas Special (Part 3)
From: The Last Dawn
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Harry and Rachel sat down next to each other at the dining table in Grimmauld Place. Christmas this year was a rather joyous event. All the Weasleys (those left alive) were in attendance; McGonagall had come especially for dinner (but then she had to get back to the school!); Snape and Draco had been brought out of hiding for the occasion; Jade had been declared healthy once more, and had escaped Poppy Pomphrey's clutches; the majority of the Order of the Phoenix was also in attendance.
"So, Severus, Draco, how have you been holding up?"
Snape sneered while Draco grinned. "We've been fine, Harry." Draco nudged his godfather, "Though Severus here has missed you dearly."
"Oh yes, Draco," Snape drawled, "I've missed him about as much as I've missed an additional hole in my head."
McGonagall chuckled, "Severus, there's no need to be coy. We know you miss us just as much as we miss your sunny disposition!" People around the table chuckled appreciatively.
"Naturally, Minerva. I'd expect nothing less."
Rachel grinned and nudged Jade, who was sitting to her right. "So, Lani, I heard from a little bird that you've got some incredibly joyous news…"
"Rachel, you're horrid! I didn't want to say anything yet!"
"Oh, come on, Lani! We're your family! There's no keeping secrets!" Ron threw a roll at her from across the table. She threw it back at him. He was about to throw another when it was snatched from his hand by Hermione.
Snape sighed in a rather dramatic fashion. "We might as well tell them, Lani. They won't rest until we give in."
Jade arched an eyebrow at the man on her right. "Give up, Snape? I never give up. And neither do you!"
"Ah, yes, well I am also smarter than you, and therefore know when it is best to go quietly into the night."
She glared at Snape once more before turning to gaze around the table. "Well," she began, "Severus and I have decided to get married."
The table burst into applause. McGonagall shook both their hands from across the table. "Congratulations, children!"
"Thank you, Minerva." Snape smiled softly.
"Of course," Jade spoke above everyone else's excited/disbelieving chatter, "we'll have to wait until a certain snake is out of the way… but hopefully that won't be too long from now." Jade winked at Harry.
"Oh, sure, Lani. Put all the pressure on me to take care of that bastard just so you can marry the biggest git ever to teach at Hogwart's!" Harry grinned and threw his hands up in the air. "Of course I'll do it quick! Can't let dear old Severus get cold feet, can we?"
Jade shook her head and grinned, "Of course not, Harry. We can't give the bloke enough time to figure out this is the worst decision he'll ever make."
Snape cleared his throat, "That bloke is right here, you know, listening to everything you're saying."
Harry watched Jade and Snape fall into a small argument with a smile on his face. They really were perfect for each other. As perfect as he and Rachel…
He stood up and cleared his throat. "Excuse me, everyone! I know that we've all just had some very exciting and unexpected news, but I cannot allow myself to be cast out of the spotlight!" Harry winked. "As the Boy Who Lived, I must constantly steal the stage! So, duty calls!" Harry dropped to one knee beside Rachel and pulled out a small black box. He opened it to reveal a silver engagement band with a solitary diamond on it. "Rachel Outlaw, I love you more than life itself, and I would be greatly honored if you would consent to be my wife."
Rachel's eyes filled with tears and she threw her arms around Harry. "Of course I'll marry you, Harry! I love you so much!"
Christmas day at Grimmauld Place was a very joyous occasion that year. It was one of the best days anyone could remember since the Second War had begun in earnest. And it served to make everyone even more determined to finish this war as soon as possible, so that they could all enjoy many more days like this one (not to mention have an awesome time at the two biggest weddings of the century).
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