The snow crunched under Kaitey's boots as she made her way through the streets of Hogsmeade. Everything was decorated with bright lights and red ribbons, and Kaitey felt like a child again. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had offered to watch Ayden so that she could go out with her friends.
"And besides," Molly had said, "the boys will keep him plenty entertained dear." And giving her stomach a protective rub she waddled after the twins.
Walking in through the door of the Dancing Mermaid, she shed her cloak and gloves searching around for her group. She found them with little trouble, in the back corner booth talking merrily with one another.
"Hullo guy, Happy Christmas," she smiled around at all of them before taking her seat next to Remus.
"Hey Kit, how's Ayden?" James smiled across the table at Kaitey his arm wrapped protectively around Lily's ever-growing stomach.
"He's doing wonderfully. He's actually starting to turn himself over." She gave her brother a triumphant smile and then turning to Jade and Sirius, "So how was Italy? You were so excited to go and now you haven't told me anything about it."
Jade sighing as her eyes lit up, "It was SO beautiful! We went through Florence, then Rome and I can't even begin to remember most of the other names of the cities. The magical ancestry there is just so overwhelming. We got to see the Coliseum and a bunch of the older Roman temples. Oh and the muggle museums and churches were beautiful as well!"
Sirius, grinning broadly at his new bride, gave her a soft kiss on the neck and then turning to Kaitey, "Yea, I think she liked it. She and I are joining the Order next month." Then giving her a more sympathetic look, "So how about you Kit? How're you holdin' up?"
Kaitey's eyes darkened briefly as thoughts of Severus swept back into her mind and she gave Sirius a forced smile replying, "I'm fine. I'm just not sure if I want to do the Order just yet."
Remus, catching onto her sensitivity, quickly changed the subject to his stomach. "Well then, I'm absolutely starving! Whose ready to order?" Seeing Kaitey's appreciative smile he gave her a discreet wink. "Um, excuse me waitress? We'd like to order now please. I think I'll have a butter beer and umm… how about some of that Christmas roast?"
Opening their menus the rest quickly gave their orders and thanks the waitress.
"So, this place is nice. I don't think I've ever been here before. But I'd heard it was a dance club." Kaitey looked at Remus trying to keep the conversation going.
"Well," he said propping his chin on his wrist, "the back half of it is." He pointed to the back of the tavern where there were two rather large black double doors. "I think they've put a silencing charm on that wall. Diana and I come here sometimes."
"So where is she tonight? I'd expected you to bring her with you."
"She wanted to spend the Christmas holidays with her family, seeing as how right after she'd have to go right back to Hogwarts to finish teaching her students. She's a wonderful Defense Against the Dark Arts teach you know." He smiled slight thinking of his fiancée. "Well when she told me that she wanted to go see her family I just said I'd rather stay here with you lot." He gave her an affectionate nudge. "Besides they're an awfully boring bunch…. Wouldn't want to miss all the excitement here."
"Well it wouldn't be Christmas without all of us here. I mean…." Kaitey's voice faltered slightly and she gave an apologetic smile, trying not to dampen everyone else's Christmas with her own problems.
"It's alright mate," Remus smiled down at her and gave her an affectionate hug as the waitress delivered their food and drinks.