"Welcome home!" cried Mrs. Weasley, enfolding Ron, Harry, and Hermione in one big hug. She ushered them inside the front door of the burrow, taking their jackets and throwing them onto a coat rack. Mr. Weasley, who was beaming, came over and hugged his son. He shook Harry and Hermione's hands as well, giving Harry an extra special smile.
As Harry looked around, he could see the Weasleys' were more then ready for Christmas. Bright, festive colored lights were strung up around the windowsills. Holly and mistletoe hung from every doorway, along with an animated Christmas scene playing over and over near the kitchen sink. A nativity was set up in a far corner near the back door. A tall, fresh evergreen tree caught Harry's eye as he began to walk towards the kitchen. It was quite clear Arthur had convinced his wife to use Muggle decorations to decorate for the festivities. Harry could see Fred and George in the living room using magic to string up the lights and tinsel. Apparently, as he had heard quite a few curses, it wasn't working to well.
"What the bloody hell are you doing?"
"What am I doing?? What are you doing?!"
"Trying to string up these--- (Mrs. Weasley turned around, and screamed "FRED!") lights!"
"Retasca!"
"NO! THAT'S TO TAKE THEM OFF GEORGE!" screamed Fred. Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned to see a bewitched string of lights fly through the air and up the staircase. Mr. Weasley dashed for his wand, while Mrs. Weasley ran up the stairs, colliding with Charlie.
"OW! Mum!" shouted Charlie, as he rubbed his head.
"Sorry dear," cooed Mrs. Weasley, as she patted her son's head.
"You two are never decorating the Christmas tree again!" Mr. Weasley said, glaring at Fred and George.
Everyone froze as they heard a bloodcurdling scream from upstairs. Hermione, frightened leaped onto Ron. Ron blushed slightly. Then they heard a loud bang, and saw an angry looking Bill coming down the stairs.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WERE YOU TRYING TO DO?! THESE LIGHTS NEARLY STRANGLED ME!!!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. Fred and George gave a quick glance at each other.
"Sorry, gotta run! We'll be back later," said George quickly. He took another glance at the extremely red-faced Bill. "Make that much later. Nice to see you Harry, Hermione." With that there was two loud pops, and both Fred and George disappeared from the living room. Mrs. Weasley went off on a screaming tirade, while Mr. Weasley and Charlie tried to calm her down.
Ron cleared his throat as he followed his parents into the kitchen. "Happy Christmas?" he said rather weakly. Mrs. Weasley instantly stopped her outburst and rushed back over to the trio.
"I'm so sorry, you poor dears! Don't mind my behavior, it's just...those two get me so worked up sometimes. Sit down you three! You must be starved!" said Mrs. Weasley, pushing them into the kitchen chairs. Hermione eyed Ron worriedly, who shrugged. She knew he knew what she was thinking. Ginny....what do they know about Ginny? My baby...my little girl. Mrs. Weasley's smile seemed only half-hearted. Ron could tell. He cleared his throat.
"Er...Mom. So you've must've heard about...Ginny," he began very carefully, pausing here and there. Mrs. Weasley, who was wringing her hands with a towel, began to shake a little bit. Mr. Weasley put his shoulder on Ron.
"Yes," she said, a little too hysterically to be considered all right.
"We've heard," sighed Mr. Weasley. "And Albus refuses to tell us where she is....he says she's being well taken care of, but we're still worried. He doesn't know when she is to return."
"Then you've heard about all that we had," finished Ron. Mrs. Weasley turned around, and everyone saw a few tears escape her eyes.
"Now, now Molly, everything will be okay," said Mr. Weasley consolingly as he patted her on the back.
"Oh, I know...but I can't help but be worried. Why won't he tell us where she is? That would take so much strain off of the matter."
"Albus has his reasons," said Mr. Weasley dismissively. Molly Weasley wiped her e yes.
"I'm sorry all of you, I don't mean to worry you too! We can't let this put a damper on the holidays. Charlie! Bill! Finish the decorations on the tree at once, Arthur, would you care to clear the front walkway, it has a bit of snow on it, and you three," she said, her eyes resting on Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "You three just sit down, and I will have you all fed in no time!"
"Mum, but we ate on the tra—"
"No matter, you can never have enough food--that's what my mother always said!"
"But Mum—"
"Ronald!"
Harry grinned. He had missed being around the Burrow. Hermione glanced at the clock on the wall, seeing that it was rather late: ten past nine. Just then everyone heard a knock on the door. Mrs. Weasley, who was in the middle of making lamb, shouted "Arthur!"
Mr. Weasley immediately ran to the door, holding a long stick with a rounded metal scoop at the end (a shovel!) Everyone heard a babble of voices, and Mr. Weasley called out, "They're here!"
Harry immediately got up and went to the front door, and to his surprise he saw Professor Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mad-Eye Moody, and Mundungus at the door. Professor Lupin looked rather pale, but had a smile on his face. Tonks's hair was twisted up in a bun, and was colored a bright green and a dark red. She also wore dark red lipstick. Kingsley Shaklebolt's grin was more broad than ever, and Moody's eye was swiveling around looking at all the decorations. Mundungas Fletcher looked around, and sneakily (or so he thought was sneaky) made his way back out the door—but not too quickly, as Harry could see a cauldron in his hand.
"Welcome, welcome!" said Mr. Weasley merrily as he pulled Lupin and Shacklebolt into a hug almost choking them. "Happy Christmas...almost," he said, grinning as he released them. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Charlie and Bill returned to the front door to greet the guests.
"Where are Fred and George, this lovely winter evening?" Lupin asked, after shaking Ron and Harry's hand.
"Well er- "
"Don't tell me...they were messing with something, right?"
"The Christmas Tree lights," Ron said matter-of-factly.
"And Percy?"
"Away on business he says. Of course the last time he kept to himself all the time was when he was dating Penelope Clearwater, which I think means...well you know," Ron said blushing, looking in the direction of Hermione who at the moment was marveling over Tonks's hair.
"Ah I see. And have you heard any news on..." he trailed off, as his eye gave a saddened look about them.
"Ginny? Not much. All Dumbledore told us was that she was safe, and he wasn't sure when she'd be back. And then he said something else happened, but he decided to let our parents tell us about it...do you know what that is Professor?" Ron asked, slightly eager. Remus did not say anything for a moment. He looked somewhat thoughtful and worried.
"I will show you later. For now, let's just try to enjoy Christmas huh?" he said, trying to smile, and just barely doing that. He said as he made his way to the kitchen to greet Molly.
"What do you suppose is wrong with him?" asked Ron looking oddly confused.
"Must be the full moon," Harry answered slowly, watching as Lupin embraced Molly in the kitchen.
"Honestly!" said a voice behind them. They whirled around to see Hermione who was impatiently tapping her foot as if annoyed by something. "How can you two be so dense?"
"What are you talking about Hermione?" Ron said, irritated by Hermione's attempt to always make him look stupid.
"Well, isn't it obvious why he's upset?" Hermione stated, placing her hands on her hips. The boys stared at each other in confusion.
"I'm lost," said Ron. Hermione rolled her eyes and made her way to the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasley with the dinner.
Later on that evening, Tonks, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley were inside cooking for the large amount of people. Mr. Weasley was outside, taking a crack at the Muggle way of shoveling. ("Truly amazing, what they come up with! Absolutely fantastic!" "ARTHUR WOULD YOU COME IN HERE!") Bill and Charlie were remedying Fred and George's fiasco with the Christmas lights while chatting of what they had been doing recently. The remainder of them were sitting around he fireplace on the couches, talking and laughing together.
"You know," Ron said very loudly all of sudden, after Kingsley had finished his story about a man he met in a Cauldron Shop. "Harry has truly beautiful poetry. And I think he would like to sing us all a Christmas Carol right now that he made up all on his lonesome." Ron grinned at Harry. Harry's eye's narrowed. He held up his finger to retort but Mundungus, who was obviously finished with his 'cauldron business' interrupted.
"Is it true Harry? You can make songs?" he asked eagerly while chewing on a peanut of some sort.
"Er-"
"Now go on Harry," Ron said, his grin growing wider. "Sing for the nice people."
Harry turned to his best friend. "I'm going to kill you later," he grumbled and got to his feet. "Um...ok, I guess, this song is called uh...Happy Christmas. Ok..." Harry took a deep breath...
Oh...Happy Christmas here
Happy Christmas there
Happy, Happy Christmas every bloody where!
Er- Oh...we all got our Christmas clothes on
Outside all it does is snow
And guess what Hermione and Ron?
You're makin' out under the mistletoe
Ron blushed furiously at this line and everyone stared at him. Hermione having heard her name peaked through the door.
"Harry did you call me?"
"No Hermione,"
"Oh keep going Potter" Mad Eye Moody said, smiling at Ron's flushed face.
(This part is to the tune of 'That's Entertainment' from the Bandwagon)
Oh...Now it's time to embrace
Don't you see the happy look on his face?
When he gets to see Hermione?
Ron loves his Herm
Herm loves her Ron and we all love them!
Harry put up his hands as if it were a big finale. Harry smiled as he looked at Ron whose ears were going red. He grinned and sat back down. Ron was staring straight-ahead, eyes horrified. He very slowly turned his head towards Harry.
"Harry...I'm going- to have- to kill you now." Harry got up and ran from the living Room.
Ron leapt to his feet and began to chase Harry all around the house screaming, "WHAT THE HELL KIND OF CHRISTMAS CAROL WAS THAT?"
While Hermione, Tonks and Mrs. Weasley were in the kitchen they heard Ron shouting and running around the room.
"Oh what are those boys up to?" Mrs. Weasley asked absentmindedly as she bustled about the kitchen. They heard Ron and Harry's feet rapidly run around the small house when there was a loud crash.
"Oh brother!" Tonks said irritably, as she was fixing a side dish. "And for once it's not me...I'll go see what they're doing." With that she quickly left the kitchen following the footsteps in the next room.
"Hermione dear could you-"Mrs. Weasley began.
Hermione stopped what she was doing. "Yes Mrs. Weasley," she said not turning around.
"Could you-"
Hermione waited. "Yes," she said a little bit impatiently. All of sudden Molly burst out into tears. Hermione slightly frightened jumped back a little as Mrs. Weasley suck to the floor in sobs.
"Oh goodness are you all right?" Hermione asked worriedly, approaching the older woman.
"Oh Hermione! I'm so terribly sorry. It's just the past few days...I've kept it all bottled up, my poor little baby all by herself! Not here for Christmas, she doesn't get to see her older brothers hardly ever and...oh she's my only girl. If anything ever happened to my little girl, I don't know what I'd do! Oh Merlin, I pray every moment that my baby is safe!" Mrs. Weasley continued to sob harder. Hermione looked at her with compassion.
"There, there Mrs. Weasley. Dumbledore said she'd be fine. I'm sure there's not reason worry," Hermione said in a reasoning tone.
"You're right," Mrs. Weasley said hoarsely drying her eyes on her apron. "I just can't help but wonder what's going to happen to my little girl." Mrs. Weasley sniffed. Hermione patted her on the back. She looked up to see Tonks in the doorway, holding up Harry and Ron by the back of their shirts.
"Got them – Oh Molly! What's the matter?" she asked, as she dropped Harry and Ron on the floor.
"She just, had a little emotional outbreak about Ginny," Hermione answered as Molly was still sniffing and wiping away her tears.
"Oh mum!" Ron cried while getting to his feet and running over to her. "Are you all right?"
"Yes Ronald, I'm fine dear," she said grasping her youngest son's shoulder and rising to her full height. "I just need to take a rest. Do you girls think you can handle dinner?" Mrs. Weasley tried to cover her tear-stained cheeks and puffed eyes.
"Of course Molly, you just go lie down. We'll take care of everything."
When Christmas Eve arrived, four days later (No! I'm skipping days in my story ::sob::) the Burrow was full of hussle and bussle. George and Fred returned and Bill tried strangling them with the lights they had been using on the Christmas Tree. Arthur was still insisting on wrapping his presents the muggle way, no matter how many time Molly tried to talk him out of it. Mad-Eye Moody and Kingsley had to leave on important Ministry business, but luckily Remus, Tonks and Mundungus managed to stay over until Christmas.
A splendid dinner was prepared by the ladies which consisted of mince-meat pie, spice sugar cakes, roast lamb, steak-and-kidney pie, pumpkin juice, apple cobbler, fried potatoes and candied yams. (::drool::). After the hearty meal, Mrs. Weasley retired to her room claiming she was too tired to stay up and bid everyone good night. (This was of course after she had passed by a drawing Ginny made for her she was six). Arthur said he had some last minute wrapping to do. Bill, Charlie and Mundungus played cards on the kitchen table, while Tonks was in front of the mirror changing her hair to snow white, and then back to green and red again unable to decide which she liked better for Christmas. Fred and George were in their room and frequent noises were heard from inside. (Obviously they're still working on those Wizard Wheezes, huh?)
Hermione, Ron and Harry wandered around in search of something to do. Hermione had offered her opinion on Tonks's hair, but Tonks kept insisting she liked the other way better. But then would she'd change to that hair style and she'd say she liked the other one better. Hermione got irriated and impatient then left. Bill, Charlie and Mundungus decided they were too young to play cards the muggle way. (Involves much gambling.) Hermione again offered Arthur help with his muggle wrapping, but he insisted on doing it himself. (All though Hermione thought he could use all the help he could get. He was totally butchering the wrapping paper.) Ron, Hermione and Harry wandered upstairs, and found their old professor sitting by the firelight reading a book.
"Professor Lupin?" Hermione inquired, as they pushed the door to the guest room open. He looked slightly startled and he quickly closed his book.
"Oh hello, Hermione, Ron, Harry," he said. "What can I do for you?" He smiled. The fire light bounced off his graying hair giving him a look of the golden brown it once was. His gray eyes looked tired, but never the less happy.
"Well, no one wanted to talk to us," Ron mutterered grumpily, while slouching into the chair opposite Lupin, without asking.
"Oh well, I'll talk to you," he said as Hermione and Harry quickly joined Ron inside the room. Hermione sat on the arm of Ron's chair while Harry sat on the carpet.
"Professor Lupin, would you tell us the thing Dumbledore didn't tell us at Hogwarts," Ron asked finally after a long, awkward silence.
"Well, it's rather bad news.... are you sure you want to here it on the day before Christmas?"
"We don't care, honestly. We just want to know," Hermione said at once. Remus gave a small sigh and crossed the room and opened a drawer in his desk. He shuffled through some papers and retrieve what looked to be the Daily Prophet.
"Here," he said, handing the crumpled newspaper towards them. "Read the headline." Ron took the paper. Hermione and Harry leaned in to see what it said.
You-Know-Who's Supporter leaves an Important Message
Early, on the morning of December 19th, Ministry workers found a message written on the wall of the headquarters. The message read, 'The Dark Lord's vengence seeks the young one,' written in blood. Ministry officals are still trying to decifer what this means. Some believe it to be Harry Potter, the-boy-who-lived. However some other experts have their money on a few other children who were found in the Department of Mysteries just two years ago, at the uprise of You-Know-Who...
Harry trailed off from reading. Voldemort was going after someone? Could it be me? Harry thought as he sat back down on the floor. Well, why shouldn't it be? he finished his thought sarcastically. Ron had already stopped reading. Hermione however finished the entire article. When she had finished she looked thoughtful.
"You – you don't reckon this has got anything to do with Ginny do you?" Ron said, in a barely audible voice.
Remus the whole time had been pacing around the room. "I don't know Ron, I just don't know."
"No wonder Dumbledore didn't want to tell us," Hermione said slowly, letting the news sink slowly into her head. "Someone is out there after a child, a kid! For all we know it could be any of us."
"But it can't be Ginny!" Ron shouted at once. "Because...because Dumbledore said she was safe."
"Yes but Ron, that was only three days after Ginny left. Don't you think that is an odd sort of coincidence?"
"No!" Ron shouted as he got to his feet, obviously extremely emotionally unbalanced. "My sister is fine! You-know-who is not after her! I refuse to believe it!" Althought he denied it, his eyes looked somewhat tearful.
"Ron, calm down please. No one said for sure that he was after Ginny, it's jus – "
"HE'S NOT!" Ron roared and ran out the door. Hermione quickly ran after him and stopped him as he came to the door.
She grabbed his trailing hand. "Ron," she insisted. "Listen to me. Please. I'm sure Ginny is okay. I mean, we were all in the Department of Mysteries last year so it could be any of us, Neville or Luna. Think about it, Neville's parents got tortured by You-know-who, perhaps Bellatrix Lestrange convinced Voldemort to kill Neville. Don't jump to conclusions Ron, we're all so worried about Ginny and there's just so many things to worry about I jus –"she stopped and started sniff, as she wiped away a trailing tear. Ron turned around very slowly.
"Sorry Hermione, I was just...you know Ginny's my sister and all. I sometimes don't think. Forgive me?"
"Of course," she said giving him a smile. They heard snickers from behind them. Lupin and Harry were covering their mouths with their hands, stiffling their chuckles.
"This is no laughing matter!" Ron yelled, as he spun towards them. Harry stiffled a laugh and then said to his friend, "Look up Ron," he said pointing directly above him.
"What?" Ron said as he looked towards the ceiling. Hermione looked up too. About them was a small piece of mistletoe. The small white berries shimmering from the light the fireplace gave off.
"Er wow, didn't someone say those were infested with nargles?" Ron said, blushing crmison and taking a step backwards.
"Oh Ron, don't be ridiculous. Come here you." Hermione lunged forward and grabbed Ron by the front of his shirt. She pulled his head down to her height and kissed him gently.She held him there with her hands on either side of his face. Ron's eyes were open in shock. After a moment, she slowly released him, grinning slightly in a victorius sort of way.
"Good night gentlemen. See you in the morning," she said as she pranced off towards her room looking mighty pleased with herself.
Ron looked as though he was not quite sure what had just happened. He touched his lips. And then he turned to Harry.
"You know you'd never know Hermione was such a good kisser."
"No offense Ron, but I don't want to know," he said chuckling slightly. The two boys bid good night to their old teacher and made their way towards Ron's room, Ron still looking goofy from the Christmas Eve kiss Hermione had given him.
As Harry was getting into bed, he could hear his best friend's loud snores coming from the bunk on top of him. Harry sighed and rolled over on his side. Who could they be after? Well it's obviously someone who is in someway related to the Ministry. It could be Neville-- after all Voldemort's supporters killed his mum and dad. I don't think it's Luna, that seems unlikely. Maybe he's going after Hermione, since she's so clever and she's a muggle-born. But that hardly seemed sensible. Hermione was no threat to him. At least Harry didn't think so. Harry thought it was most probably himself. Voldemort has been wanting to kill him since he was born, why stop now? But- Harry pondered. Ginny just disappeared now, and remember it was her who Tom had taken in to the Chamber. Her dad works for the ministry too, and she was the youngest one in the Department of Mysteries! But Dumbledore said she was safe. What if he lied? So we wouldn't panic? The recent news kept Harry thinking all night, until his thoughts tired him out and sleep claimed him.
"Harry! Presents!" A hard shove jolted Harry from his slumber. He woke to see Ron above him, his freckles more noticable than usual and a huge grin on his face as he tried to shake Harry awake.
"Happy Christmas to you too, Ron," Harry said groggily sitting upright and grabbing his glasses from the nightstand next to the bed.
"Come on Harry! The presents are down stairs, under the tree!" Ron said, tugging on Harry's arm. "Hurry, we have to wake up Hermione too!" Harry pushed his covers aside and rubbed his eyes. Having only slept a few hours, he felt exhausted. He got to his feet and stretched. Ron looked at him impatiently.
"Let's move!" he cried, grabbing his arm and dragging him out the door. They came to Ginny's room which was two doors away. Hermione was sleeping in the bed Ginny usually occupied. Tonks was on a cot in the corner of the room near the window. Ron sighed beside himself when he looked at Hermione. But quickly got over it, and ran inside to wake Hermione up.
"Hermione, Happy Christmas! There are presents downstairs! Come on," He said shaking her shoulder.
"Hmm – wha?" Hermione mumbled, her eyes open slightly.
"Presents!" Ron said, shaking her a little harder. Hermione got a glimpse of Harry who was leaning against the doors frame, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"Ron, what time is it?" she asked, slowly rising.
"Late enough, now come on!" Harry had figured Hermione had also been thinking last night about the recent news. Hermione slowly got to her feet.
"Ron I've got to make the bed..." she said sleepily, as she moved a hand towards her untidy covers.
"No time for that," Ron said quickly, yanking her away from the bed. "Let's go," he said as he dragged her along, much to her protest ("Ronald! The presents will still be there if I make my bed, Ron!") Harry sauntered along after the two, taking his time. ("How come Harry gets to walk at his own pace? Ron! Would you let me go?!") Ron lead them downstairs. They found Fred and George sitting at the base of the muggle tree already opening their presents. Mundungus Fletcher was on the couch, still fast asleep. They caught a glimpse of all the presents. "Bloody hell," Ron whispered to himself, before bolting downstairs to rip his parcels open. Harry and Hermione took their time and arrived at the tree shortly after Ron had ripped open his first present.
Harry sat down between Ron and George. George readily thrust a package into his hands. "This one's for you," he said while ripping the paper on his own present. Harry examined the present in his hands. He yanked the paper off the package. It was from Mrs. Weasley. Through all her worry she had still managed to knit them a sweater. His was red, and had a golden 'H' on the front. He smiled at his gift knowing how much effort Mrs. Weasley had put into it and he slipped it on over his pajamas.
In time Harry had received a Chudley Cannons offical guide to Quidditch from Ron, a How to Study for your N.E.W.T.s from Hermione, a few trick wands and exploding bubblegum from Fred and George, and a few other assorted items from the grown-ups. He even found poorly knitted socks from Dobby, who apparently in his note used the Owlery (with permission from Dumbledore of course.) All in all it was a pleasing experience for everyone.
Mrs. Weasley was the first grown-up to wake and she had already started making a Christmas breakfast. Mundungus Fletcher woke up shortly after, because Fred and George were trying their new 'ear muffs' on him. What they actually did was emit a loud noise into the sleepers ear. Mundungus ran off cursing to himself. Lupin arrived downstairs, looking rather tired, but never the less happy. Tonks strode down after him, she had finally decided on a mix of white, green, and red hair. Mr. Weasley remained asleep for quite sometime until his muggle alarm clock finally woke him up. He was thrilled to see it had worked for him. By that time though everyone was almost done with the wonderful breakfast (which consisted of sausage, eggs, orange juice, crumpets, bacon, and other really yummy breakfast foods.)
Later that evening, the trio found Professor Lupin reading at the kitchen table while the other grown-ups were off doing other things. Fred and George were up in their room again, Mrs. Weasley cleaning up, Mundungus and Arthur were looking at some of the plugs Arthur had been collecting, (Fred and George has given him a new one for Christmas and he was simply delighted). Bill was in his room, writing a letter to someone (no doubt a sweetheart in Eygpt) and Charlie was on the couch reading Quidditch Monthly.
Hermione, Ron and Harry approached him as they had the night before. When he heard them, he quickly shut the book his was reading and turned to face them.
"Oh hello you three, having a good Christmas?" he said cheerfully, almost as though he was covering something up.
"Yes lovely. I loved that book you gave me Professor. I've been reading it all day," Hermione said, enthusiastically, holding it up for him to see.
"Yeah it took as nearly an hour to unglue her from it," Ron retorted. Hermione threw him a furious glance.
"Anyway," Hermione said in a bright tone, ingnoring Ron, who was now mocking how she read. "What are you doing here all by yourself?"
"Oh, just reading," he said shifting uncomfortably in his chair.
"What are you reading?" Ron asked nosily, hopping up to a chair next to Lupin.
"Nothing," he said pushing the book aside, so Ron wouldn't lean over to see what it was.
"But you just said- "
"Ron," interrupted Hermione. "Why don't we talk about something else? Professor Lupin were you pleased with your Christmas presents this year?" Hermione took a seat on his other side as Harry walked around and took a seat across.
"Yes, they were all lovely," he said casually, folding hands.
"Me too!" Ron blurted out. "Fred and George gave me this fake shampoo stuff that turns hair white or gray so the look ol-"Hermione nudged him hard in the ribs to make him stop. Remus seemed somewhat amused and laughed at this.
"Anyway," Ron said, rubbing his now painfully sore ribs. "You should have seen what they gave Hermione." Ron chuckled. Hermione's face went beet red.
"I'm sure that Professor Lupin has other things to do than to hear about – "
"Let me talk Hermione." He said, holding his hand up to silence her. "Okay so listen, Hermione picks up their package and it's really, really heavy right? So Hermione tears off the wrapping paper and it's a really, really big book. And it's called, 'Head Girl and Boy Knowlegde' or something stupid like that. So Hermione gets all jumpy about it right?" Hermione opened her mouth to retort but Ron kept going. "So she opens it up and a custard pie comes flying out of the book! Oh man you should have seen it. She had pie everywhere. And boy, she ran after them full speed, right Hermi-"Hermione gave him a quick slap across the face. She looked furious.
"Ow...Hermione, what the bloody hell did you do that for?" he said rubbing his cheek in distress and ignoring the snickers from Harry.
"Ron! You had no right to tell that story! You're so insensitive!"
"Well if I'm so insensitive why do you like me?"
"I HAVE NO IDEA AT THE MOMENT!" Hermione shouted getting to her feet.
"Yeah well, NEITHER DO I!" Ron said also getting to his feet. Then he looked around for moment thinking of how horrible his comeback had been. "Er- I mean – "he started but suddenly, a loud crash from Fred ang George's room came and rocked the house slightly. Hermione toppled over onto Ron, and Harry and Lupin's chair fell over.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Mrs. Weasley screamed from inside the kitchen. They could hear other voices that were complaining also. ("No! My collection is ruined!" Arthur screamed.)
"Not to worry," came Fred's voice. We're just restocking our collection of fireworks. Have no fear!"
Ron and Hermione blushed severely, Hermione was lying on top of Ron. After a moment, Hermione quickly pushed herself off. She got up and dusted herself off, after blushing furiously some more. She reached out her hand to help her old Professor up. She noticed a silver glint around his neck.
"Professor, what's that?" Hermione asked pointing to it.
"What, oh this!" he said looking down. "This is just a medallion I wear." He tucked it back into his robes.
"You get that for Christmas?" Ron asked, craning his neck to get a better look at it.
"Yes... I've had this a long time, since I was about your age, maybe a little younger."
"Can we see it?" asked Harry, finally getting to his feet.
"Well all right," he said pulling it out of his robes. Hermione, Ron and Harry leaned in to see it. It was a flat, circular piece of silver on a long silver chain. A wolf was printed on the front of the charm.
"Oh how lovely," Hermione said after she had finished looking at it. "Who gave it to you?" she asked. Lupin said nothing for a long time. The trio could see, a very sad look crept into his eyes, it almost looked like he were going to cry. His face seemed to have pale also and he looked very hurt in some way. Hermione was about to apoligize for saying anying, all though she wasn't quite sure what she had said. However, he quickly turned away from them.
"I'm getting rather tired," he said, turning towards the staircase. "Happy Christmas." He mutter. They heard him walk slowly up the stairs. They watched him until he disappear into his room.
"What do you reckon?" Ron started as he looked towards the stairs. "You suppose Sirius gave him that thing, and that's why he's so upset."
"Makes sense," Harry said, casually putting his hands in his pocket. Hermione was quiet though. If Sirius gave him that necklace, she thought. Why didn't he show people it when he was alive? No, that was from someone he lost along time ago... his mum? Dad maybe. Or perhaps... a girlfriend? Professor Lupin never spoke of his love life, so maybe -
"Hermione!" shouted Ron, jolting her out of her thoughts.
"What?" she answered, rather rudely.
"Me and Harry are gonna go play some Wizard's Chess. You wouldn't fancy coming, would you?"
"How did you ever guess," she said saracastically. Ron and Harry shrugged and made their way up the stairs.
Hermione made her way to the big couch over by the warm fire. She looked across at the other couch, where Charlie deeply absorbed in his magazine. As soon as she sat down though, he put it down quickly and smiled at her.
"So, I've heard about you and Ron," he began carefully, examining her face. Hermione blushed. Oh not now, Charlie...I need to think.
"Really?" She tried to act surprised.
"Really. I just wanted to let you know that I really admire that you took the first step...we were all wondering when one of the two of you was going to be brave enough to finally make things happen. In fact, Bill, Fred, George, and I all placed a bet. Everyone thought you would win, except for Bill.... anyway, I just wanted to tell you: Congratulations!"
Hermione blushed furiously after his speech. "Thanks, Charlie!" she said softly. They sat in silence and looked at the fire for a couple minutes. Then there was another explosion from upstairs, making the house shake even more violently then before.
"SORRY!" shouted George from upstairs.Charlie and Hermione saw Mrs. Weasley run up the stairs, and minutes later start screaming.
"Well, I think I'll go back to my room now....try to get some peace and quiet," said Charlie, grinning. He winked at Hermione.
Minutes later, Hermione was left alone on the couch. Perfect, she thought. I need to think. Now....Ginny....
Author's Note: The ninth chapter is already finished. However we are still editing it so it will be up very shortly, in a day or two. For now be patient. We wanted to end this chapter on a high note, because there are dark ideas for the future. There's a song that I think really reflects the mood of this chapter. It's from the movie 'Meet Me in St. Louis' made in 1944. It's sung by Judy Garland. I think this is exactly what is happening in this chapter.
Have yourself a Merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
Next year all our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a Merry little Christmas
Make the yule tide gay (happy)
From now on our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days, of yore
Faithful friends, who are dear to us, will be near to us
Once more
Someday soon we all will be together
If the fates allow
Until then we'll have to muddlle through somehow
So, have yourself a Merry little Christmas now
That song makes me so emotional ::sniff:: Okay now...
DarkAngel31: Ah another extremely amusing review. I think that only silver bullets are harmful. I could be wrong...but oh well. And Ginny's reaction. Well we were going to do something about that. But I think Ginny wasn't really given anytime to, because Lily asked her something right afterwards, and Ginny sort of disregarded it. So...what can I give you know? You can have...a plush Tom! Yay! ::Gives DarkAngel a plushy Tom:: When you squeeze his belly he says "I am Lord Voldemort" :D
Pyrogurl4: I'm so glad you liked my treat. And the chapter. And since I already gave you another chapter...I guess you can have...another ice cream bar YAY!
Lupinfan227: Loved the way your story turned out. Yay no longer in a cliffe. You can have a stuffed Remus! ::Gives Lupinfan227 a plush Lupin:: Aww he's so cute. I wish I had one!!
Deal-with-it: I am so pleased you liked my story on the point where you were about to shoot me :D I have to say I was highly amused by your review. (I was on the floor laughing) Anyway...As a token of my appreciation...I shall give you a my flack cannon so you can threaten more authors :D ::gives deal-with-it a flack cannon:: Enjoy!
Piper of Locksley: Aggh! Deadly puffskeins NOOOO! ::Runs away screaming:: Oh now...thanks for your review, and as your reward...I give you a free plush puffskein! That isn't deadly! ::gives Piper of Locksley a stuffed puffskein:: YAY!!
VanillaChocolate: I'm loving your message...so huzzah-ish as you say. Thanks for your review...and now you get a freed plushy of the word HUZZAH! YEAH! ::Give's Vanilla Chocolate stuffed Huzzah::
Oh my, the presents are getting better :D