Harry watched from the Gryffindor tower as Ron, Hermione, and Ginny helped the younger students into the thestral-pulled carriages.
He knew he certainly didn't envy his peers. They would certainly have a long journey to the Hogsmeade station in this weather.
What had been a steady shower of falling snow had quickly turned into a windy blizzard. The last trip to Hogsmeade had even been canceled due to the inclement weather. This forced most of the student body to finish their holiday shopping by owl order.
Harry had taken care of that long before the announcement of the Hogsmeade cancellation, for he doubted Dumbledore would have allowed him to attend. Better safe than sorry as far as he was concerned. He looked over at the common room portrait hole where his, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny's trunks all sat awaiting their journey to Grimmauld Place.
"Urgh, that had to be the most ridiculous job I've ever been forced to endure." Ron groaned loudly as he stepped through the portrait hole. Hermione and Ginny were quick to follow.
"Oh I don't know, I've always enjoyed this kind of weather," Ginny said, pulling off her frozen gloves. Harry smiled at her; he had always loved blizzards as well.
The portrait hole creaked open and Dumbledore entered followed be McGonagall. Dumbledore wore robes of shiny velvet. They were red with green holly that seemed to move freely
Professor McGonagall wore her usual deep green velvet but had a sort of Christmas wreath sitting atop her head.
"I see you're all packed," the Headmaster said cheerfully. "Ready for a fun holiday I'm sure." He pulled out what appeared to be one of Trelawney's pink cups. "Portus."
The cup illuminated with blue light for a moment, but just as quickly went back to its original rose. "Everyone place a finger on the cup; I'll send the rest of your bags after you," Dumbledore smiled.
Ron, Ginny, and Hermione all eagerly grabbed hold of the china; Harry did so only after a moment's hesitation. Merlin, he didn't want to do this…
Harry felt a pull at his navel and soon he was swirling in a kaleidoscope of color. The wind was rushing in his ears…
Suddenly the color and brightness faded and were replaced by gray and darkness.
"Oh, my babies!" The four of them were quickly bombarded by the ferocious hugs of Mrs. Weasley. "Good Merlin, you've already grown so much, right before my very eyes." She made her way to Harry and flattened his hair lovingly.
"Why don't you all get settled? I'll have lunch ready in a few minutes." As if she'd summoned them their trunks appeared behind them with a small pop.
Harry desperately tried to avoid looking anywhere but the floor as he drug his trunk up the stairs. Best way to deal with this situation, he decided, was to avoid it.
Harry entered the room he and Ron shared two summers ago. Ron flopped his trunk down on the dusty bed and started unpacking his things. He followed his friend's actions and slowly put his clothes in a wardrobe.
Ron stopped unpacking and stood still for a moment. Harry could feel Ron's eyes boring into the back of his head. Harry busied himself with neatly folding his robes.
"Are you gonna be all right here mate?" Ron asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Harry snapped. He'd stopped pretending to fold his clothes. "It's just a house, just a stupid house."
"You two," Mrs.Weasley beamed at him and Ginny while washing up the dishes," I always knew you'd be together." She dried her hands on a towel and pulled them both close in a hug.
"You're such a handsome couple," she sniffled. Harry looked over at Ginny through the crook of her mother's neck, she rolled her eyes dramatically.
When she finally pulled away she was blotting her eyes with the towel. "Now, why don't you run off, I have plenty to be doing around here?"
They both smiled indulgently and quickly ran up the stairs. It wasn't long before Harry pulled Ginny into the empty drawing room. They had no sooner closed the door than their lips were touching.
There was a fire burning somewhere deep inside his stomach. Just the touch of this girl sent his senses tingling; the world around him simply disappeared. He didn't have to worry about being in this house, being with these memories.
Harry felt a shudder role through him. Ginny pulled away, her hands still gently caressing his back. Her warm eyes looked up at him in concern.
"Are you all right?" She asked.
"I'm fine," Harry whispered. He went back to kissing Ginny with more passion than previously. I'm fine.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and George were all casually gathered around the drawing room sofa table, playing a game of exploding snap. It could hardly be considered a competitive match, since Fred and George seemed to be losing for the soul purpose of trying to singe off the others eyebrows.
Suddenly the door was kicked open by a flushed but happy looking Mrs.Weasley. She had numerous amounts of tinsel, mistletoe and holly flowing from her arms.
"Why don't you all help me put up some holiday decorations?" She asked. "Cheer this place up a bit."
Fred and George took no time in taking the bundle of mistletoe from their mother, insisting they would take care of that particular festivity.
Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione followed in hanging the shiny tinsel around the house in a slightly tacky yet cheerful manner. Harry tried to maintain a convincing smile.
Mrs. Weasley seemed much more cheerful then she had the previous holiday. Harry was beginning to think it had something to do with the glowing way she kept looking at him and Ginny.
After every corner had been hung with tinsel, every doorway donned with mistletoe, and no tree was left without ornaments, Mrs. Weasley sent them to get washed up before dinner.
The girls had gone up a while ago to get showers. Ron and Harry were currently drudging up the stairs heading to their room.
"So I reckon we ought to have Colin start for the game against Slytherin." Ron blabbered. "Harry are you even listening?"
Harry started. He had been standing still for a few moments staring blankly at a house elf head, a head that had a St. Nicholas hat sitting a top it.
"Earth to Harry…" Ron continued.
Harry looked at his friend. "Sorry, zoned out for a minute there. What were you saying?"
Ron chuckled, "I was saying…"
Ron's voice seemed to fade away.
'God Bless ye merry Hippogriffs…'
Harry nodded as he climbed up the stairs, oblivious to Ron's mantra.
'…Eat nothing but your hay…"
They had reached the door to their bedroom.
'The eagle and the horse were united in way play…'
"So what do ya' think?" Ron looked at him expectantly.
'To save us all from the dark lord's wrath…'
"Sounds great mate, I think I'm gonna go hit the showers myself." Harry abruptly slammed the bathroom door in his face.
'When Deatheaters go astray…"
Harry turned on the shower, hot.
'Go flying on a feathered wing…'
Harry steeped into the scalding rain. He let out a deep breath. Harry stood there just trying to absorb the steaming heat, letting it fog his brain. He wanted out of this house, he wanted out of these memories; he wanted that stupid song out of his head.
No, that was wrong, all he wanted was to have Sirius back.
The next day all of the teenagers, and even some of the adults acting like teenagers, had joined in on what had become an all out war of snow. Harry ducked as a speeding snowball came flying toward him at a speed no human strength could have made it achieve.
He found it extremely unfair that Fred and George were allowed to use their magic and the rest of them couldn't. Ron screamed a barbarian-like roar as he hurled a massive snowball towards one of his twin brothers, Harry couldn't tell which.
Fortunately, they had Mr. Weasley on their side and he had quite a few tricks up his sleeve.
"Celeritas," Mr. Weasley whispered under his breath. With that he handed the snowball to Harry. Harry smiled at him and chucked it. It flew across the snowy field at lightning speed and ran right into Fred's chest. Needless to say he was immobile long enough for Harry's team to over take the twins.
"Ah, the taste of victory," Ron gloated. "It's so familiar."
Hermione rolled her eyes. They were walking back to the house; Mrs. Weasley had called them in to get ready for Christmas Eve dinner. It was going to be decked out with Mrs. Weasley's best cooking. It was sure to be a full house tonight.
Harry tried to uselessly to flatten his hair, but it was to no avail. He plopped down on the sofa next to Ginny as they waited for the guests to arrive.
Fred and George had already left to pick up Angelina and Katie, their respective dates.
"Where are Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked Ginny.
"They seem to have snuck off somewhere," Ginny said slyly. "What, can't you spend a few moments alone with me?" She asked, batting her eyelashes.
"Ginny, you should know that's my favorite way to spend free time." He kissed her gently. She smiled at him, approving his answer.
"Who's Charlie bringing?" He asked.
"Who knows? His latest 'Girlfriend' I suppose," Ginny rolled her eyes. "No one's quite sure of her name yet, but I doubt anyone will take the time to see, he'll just bring some other girl by next holiday."
Harry laughed.
"Don't laugh, you," she said sternly, "I won't have you thinking dating a hundred girls is a good thing." She kissed him, "especially when you already have a girlfriend."
"No you see, I was only laughing at the sad life Charlie's living," Harry laughed. "He doesn't have the wonderful kind of relationship I have."
"What's that about my sad life, Potter?" Charlie walked in the house laughing. A slender brunette followed him in. Harry prayed she hadn't heard his last comment, but by the way she ogling Charlie, Harry doubted it.
"And what's this I hear about you dating my sister?" The red head asked. "I'll have to have a talk with you later young man," Charlie tried his best stern face, but failed pretty miserably.
"Looking forward to it," Harry grinned cheekily. Charlie ruffled his already dismally messy hair and joined his mother in the kitchen.
Ron and Hermione had finally decided to make their entrance. They trotted down the stairs hand in hand both looking rather flushed and guilty.
The front door opened a second time and Bill walked in with a stunning blonde on his arm, a blonde Harry was already acquainted too.
"Fleur?" Harry asked.
" 'Arry!" Her accent was as heavy as ever. She swooped down on him and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. Harry saw Ginny go red. "It is lovely to see you again. I am 'ere with Bill, we 'ave been seeing one another for quite some time now."
Harry raised his eyebrows at Bill, who blushed red. Ginny appeared not to have taken in any part of the conversation and continued to glare at Fleur. Bill was quick to usher Fleur into the kitchen.
He noticed Ron looking steadily at his feet; Harry could bet his Firebolt that Ron was purposely keeping his gaze from Fleur in order to appease Hermione. Seeing Ginny still looked so red, Harry figured maybe he should have done that too.
When the door opened for a third time, Harry was more concerned than happy on seeing the particular person. Remus came in, surprisingly hand in hand with Tonks. The tension in the room thickened an insane amount.
"Wotcher Harry!" Tonks smiled. Harry nodded. "Well I'll just go help Molly in the kitchen, kids do you want to join me?"
As the rest of the party left him and Remus alone it seemed to do nothing more than make the situation even more awkward.
"It's good to see you Harry," Remus said quietly.
Harry observed the werewolf keenly. He looked better, healthier, except for a rather large burn on the side of his neck.
"You too," Harry tried to smile; he'd seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. "How'd that happen?" He pointed vaguely to the burn.
Remus shifted uncomfortably. "Well you know, on a mission, curses flying everywhere."
Harry frowned; he heard the sound of the table being set. "Oh, we better get in there, sounds like dinner's about done."
Remus nodded and followed Harry into the kitchen. Harry helped to set the silverware on the table when he felt Ginny come behind him. He faced her and she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Harry stood there in shock for a moment; they had generally avoided public displays of affection since their very public announcement of their relationship. Harry assumed it might have something to do with Fleur being here.
When Harry regained his ability to move, he looked over and saw Remus raising his eyebrows in amusement. He was suddenly very aware how many red heads there were in the room. He took his seat and let Hermione finish setting the table.
Mrs. Weasley set the large ham on the table and dinner was served. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat together at on end of the table, with Bill and Fleur at the other. Harry was seated between Ron and Ginny, and Hermione was to Ron's right. Remus took his seat to the left of Ginny and Tonks followed, sitting next to the Werewolf.
On the other side of the table sat Fred and George with Angelina and Katie. Charlie and his brown-haired girlfriend took a seat at the end of the table.
There was a warm honey glow surrounding the table; everyone was cheerful and ready to dig into their food. The wind from the blizzard was whistling outside and made a beautiful picture out the window.
"Urgh, let's eat. I'm starved!" Ron said.
"Um just a moment," Bill had stood up, "before we all start eating I'd like to make an announcement."
"What?" Ron yelped, "Come on Bill, what are you, Professor Dumbledore?"
"Now Bill, we already know about that green wart on your toe," said Fred.
"Really Bill, we are trying to eat," George said pompously.
Bill glared ferociously, but when Fleur took his hand his anger seemed to dissipate.
Bill smiled and looked at them all, "Fleur and I are getting married."
"Oh! My baby!" Mrs. Weasley jumped from her seat and ran to her eldest son. There was a larger uproar; everyone was jumping from his or her seats congratulating the groom and bride to be.
No one was more ecstatic than Mrs. Weasley. Harry put his arm around Ginny's shoulders as they watched her talk, hysterically, with Fleur about wedding plans. Harry looked down at Ginny, she was beaming and looking relived.
"What's up with you?" He asked her.
"Well, I guess I was a bit jealous earlier. I thought Fleur was coming on to you or something. I'm just relieved I don't have to worry about her anymore," she blushed sweetly.
"What?" Harry asked shocked. "Girls don't come on to me, especially Veelas."
Ginny snorted. "Oh, please. One Veela down, the whole of Hogwarts to go."
Harry laughed and kissed her sweetly on the nose.
"I'm sorry to break this up, but I have my own announcement to make," Mr. Weasley
called over the crowd. Everyone watched him expectantly. "I'm going to be running for
Minister of Magic."
So, I know you all saw that Bill/Fleur thing coming, but i hope that last bit suprised you. I didn't get as many reviews last chapter so i hope we can increase that. Thanks for reading, now review.