Chapter 22 Christmas

Harry arrived home very late at night.

He found Penelope in the kitchen cleaning.

"Where's Ginny?"

"She finally fell asleep." Penelope said. "What happened?"

"Malfoy is back in Azkaban." Harry said. "Eric is alright. Hermione and Ron are staying the night at the castle."

"Good." Penelope said. "I'm going to head home. You won't mind putting Sirius to bed. I didn't want him to wake her. He's in the basinet in the sitting room."

"Thank you for staying with her." Harry said. "See you at Christmas."

"We owe you. She's watched our kids enough times." Caroline vanished with a pop.

Harry walked over to the basinet in the sitting room. Inside he saw his son sleeping very peacefully. Carefully Harry lifted him up and cradled him. Sirius was so precious. Harry walked upstairs and opened the door to the bedroom.

Ginny was fast asleep.

Harry placed Sirius in the crib and laid down next to Ginny.

"You're home." Ginny whispered.

"Everything is fine." Harry answered. "We got him. Sweet dreams my love."

The next day Harry had gone to see Malfoy. During the night he had answered all questions and had confessed to everything. He had tried to escape to take revenge against the Weasleys and the Potters for destroying his life all those years ago.

He was sentenced for life in the highest security section of Azkaban and complete removal of his magic immediately.

Harry knew that was the most painful method.

Two days later Eric found himself on the train home. Michael, Shawn, Eric and Olivia had managed to get a car to themselves.

While they were riding the train Eric told his friends everything that had happened. They all considered Eric to be very lucky to have been able to escape from all of that.

Michael and Shawn then filled Eric in on the rumors about Hogwarts. It would appear that Eric was caught by a crazed escaped convict who wanted to pick off Gryffindor students. He had been dragged into the very heart of the forest and had to fight his way against demented Centaurs, a large spider, not one but two oversized trolls.

After the story Eric understood why some of the girls, even the older ones were shooting him looks that were very suggestive.

"That explains the look Missy Hartman gave me." Eric joked.

"The only girl in this school hotter than Olivia." Shawn said.

Eric shot Shawn a dirty look. "Keep away from my girlfriend."

"He's in a relationship now. He no longer has a sense of humor. Good thing Olivia is into Quidditch. Otherwise you might forget how to handle a Quaffle." Michael joked back.

Eric would have said something, but Olivia seemed to find the joke funny.

The conversation then turned onto Christmas. Michael said his parents were having a large family gathering. He then asked if he could sneak over to Shawn's.

Eric said that they were going to have a full house at the Burrow. He said they were going to have the traditional Christmas celebration.

Olivia seemed to be very interested. She had told Eric that when she was younger her parents did not celebrate all day, only in the morning. They also did not have any traditions.

After reaching Kings Crossing Station they said there good byes and headed home.

Hermione had already set up an extra bed in the twins' room. Eric was glad that his parents did not do anything to embarrass him. They were supportive of the relationship.

One Christmas Day all of the family headed to the Burrow after a light breakfast.

Eric had never seen Olivia smile as much as she did that day.

After lunch he invited Olivia to go outside with him.

He grabbed his broom from the shed and walked over to the paddock. "No one will bother us out here. Everyone is too interested in their presents."

"That will be nice." Olivia said.

When they reached the patch Eric held the broom still so Olivia could get on. "This broom is not temperamental." He said reassuringly.

Olivia was slightly shaking as she mounted herself on the broom. She gripped the handle so tight Eric knew her fingers were white under her gloves.

"Not so tight. Just relax." He said putting his hand over hers. "You're not going to get bumped off."

Olivia loosened up a little bit.

"I'm right here." Eric said. "Now lower the broom handle a little bit."

Olivia lowered the broom handle and the tail end rose. The broom was now level to the ground, but Olivia still had her feet on solid ground.

"You're doing good." Eric said encouragingly. "Lift your feet and hook them behind you."

Olivia lifted her legs, but her original grip had returned.

"Easy, you're fine." Eric put his hand back on Olivia's. "Just stay like this for a moment. You're balanced well enough."

Olivia's grip loosened a bit. She was starting to get relaxed.

Eric looked at her on the broom. He knew when they started that Olivia was scared.

She had finally seemed more at ease.

Eric put his ungloved hand on Olivia's cheek. Despite how cold it was she felt warm. Eric leaned forward.

He almost could not believe he was finally kissing Olivia.

Along the edge of the paddock Hermione and Ron stood out of sight watching their son.

"I told you he was a gentleman." Ron said.

"I know. He learned it from you." Hermione replied. "We better let them have some privacy." Hermione said heading back towards the house.

"You were the one who wanted to spy." Ron reminded her.

"I know." Hermione answered. "Christine Lily did such a good job of bringing them together."

"I guess we should call her the Hogwarts Matchmaker." Ron said. "That hasn't been her only match. I talked with Carr for a little bit. It would appear she is trying to match him up with some a girl named Missy."

"I don't blame Harry for wanting us to keep an eye on her. I am almost curios what she said to Olivia." Hermione said.

"We better have some cocoa waiting on them." Ron said. "We'll have the talk with him tonight."

Eric and Olivia came in after awhile. Everyone had noticed how long they were gone. When they had entered the sitting room the family greeted them with applause.

"Two little love birds sitting in a tree." Both sets of twins were singing together. Fred and George appeared to be rubbing off some of their personalities to Elisabeth and Molly.

Olivia laughed. That laugh seemed to calm Eric in a way nothing else could. He did not fight back at all against the teasing.

At dinner they sat down and had a good meal.

"Here comes the traditional birthday celebration." Eric whispered to Olivia.

The lights were slightly dimmed. Harry and Ginny brought out the traditional birthday cake and placed it in front of Christine Lily. The family all sang happy birthday to her.

Afterwards full of food and fun they went back home.

Before they went to bed Eric and Olivia got some time alone. "Thank you for allowing me to come." Olivia said. "I really enjoyed today."

"I'm glad." Eric said.

Olivia put her hands on his neck. "I think this is the best day of my life." She leaned in placed her lips on his. Eric returned the kiss willingly. This had to be the best day of his life.

The End

Thank you all for reviewing I hope you enjoyed reading this piece. I will hopefully put up more of my stories in the future.