Chapter 17 : Surprises by the Bounds
Sometimes you'll drown it out with all your rage and thunder
Sometimes you'll drown it out with all your tears
There'll come a time when you'll hear it, and you'll wonder
Where in the world have I been
So listen with all your heart
Hold it inside forever
You may find all your dreams have already come true
Look inside and find the part that's leadin' you
('Cause) that's the beat of (a heart)
She awoke to warm lips pressing against her forehead. "Wake up, everyone is downstairs waiting to open presents."
Without hesitation Halle jumped out of bed. Remus was already dressed and she realized quickly that they had fallen asleep naked. Covering herself out of reflex Remus simply laughed. "Halle you are beautiful, and if you're going to be my wife, I think it's okay for me to see you naked." He winked at her as she pulled out a new bra and panties set followed by a pair of gray sweatpants and a white tank top. "You are so gorgeous." Remus pulled her into his arms after she finished dressing.
"It's only because I'm so in love." Halle replied kissing his lips then grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the door.
"If your parents knew you spent the night with me I'd be dead before Voldemort could get to me." Harry whispered.
Ginny giggled. "It's not like we did anything Harry, we just fell asleep together." Before he could object she pulled him out of bed. "Come on Harry, I want to open our gifts before next Christmas rolls around.
Halle and Remus were headed down the hallway when they ran into Ginny and Harry. Halle shot her brother an inquisitive look however received one of the same back from him. They simply smiled at each other as the four chatted on their way down the stairs.
The aroma of bacon, eggs, and pancakes filled the air as they stepped onto the landing. "We're all in here." Came the booming and cheerful voice of Sirius.
They walked in to see all of the Weasley's, including Bill, Charlie, and to the twins and Ron's displeasure, Percy. To the right of them group of red heads sat Dumbledore, Kingsley, Mundungus Fletcher - whom seemed to have already upset Mrs. Weasley - and Serverus Snape.
"Happy Christmas." The four seemed to say in unison. Seeing as there were no seats left on furniture they sat on the floor in front of a very cozy Ron and Hermione.
"Okay who's first." Mrs. Weasley said sitting by the pile of presents as she began to hand them out. "Ah, Sirius, this is from Arthur and I."
Everyone had finished opening their presents and were engaged in various conversations. Harry had given Ginny delicate necklace with a small emerald heart stone. She in turn gave Harry a strategy book for Quidditch and a silver band ring for his thumb that was engraved inside with All my love, Ginny.
From Halle Harry received a gift for him and Hedwig, a larger cage. After being at the Dursley's for a few days she immediately ordered it seeing that they didn't let him to let Hedwig out. Harry gave Halle a diary in which only the owner could read, but only after he swore to Ginny that it was in no way possessed with the former self of a dark wizard.
Though everything they got was wonderful, the one part of Sirius' gift was truly the best. He had had it hidden for such a long time that Sirius feared it was long gone or destroyed by Kreacher however while cleaning he came across the only picture ever taken of the twins together when they were babies. Everyone in the room grew silent when the two stood staring at the picture. Lily was holding Halle and James was holding Harry. They looked so happy and yet so sad.
After about ten minutes the two stopped hugging their godfather whom had tears glistening in his eyes. Though the moment was emotional everyone went back to their cheerful Christmas selves. Gathering around the large table, everyone sat down and feasted on Mrs. Weasley' fabulous breakfast.
"Ron, the food will still be there, there is no reason to shove it down your throat." Hermione nagged at the boy who could only mumble garbled versions of sentences.
Silence slowly crept over the group as they ate their meals so Halle was startled when there was a clearing of a throat next to her. She looked at Remus and began to become extremely nervous. She knew what he was going to do and she suddenly began to worry what everyone would think.
Remus stood up and faced everyone. "I have a Christmas surprise for everyone."
Halle began to drum her fingers nervously on the table.
"Oh my God!" Came the sudden outburst from Ginny. A glint of light had reflected into her eye drawing her attention to Halle.
Remus smiled at the girl who didn't say anything further but returned the smile.
"Well it's obviously no longer a surprise for Ginny." He looked down at Halle who smiled up at him. "For many years I've searched to find love, and after awhile I gave up and started believing that someone like me didn't deserve to be loved. I watched my friends fall in love, get married, have children, and all the while I've been jealous from the shadows. Love has found me though, without me looking for it, and I know that in these dangerous times nothing should be taken fore granted."
"With that being said," He reached his hand out for Halle's and helped her out of her chair. "I want you all to be the first to know that Halle and I are getting married."
"What?" "Is that legal?" "When did this happen?" "Am I missing something?" Came the calamity that was once the peaceful breakfast table.
Eyes immediately fell on Sirius who's look on his face matched his name, serious. After a moment he spoke. "Congratulations Moony. I'm happy for you two." He said smiling and reaching over and shaking his friends hand.
"May I remind you PROFESSOR Lupin that you are a teacher at Hogwarts and Miss Potter being a student will cause you to go under and immediate investigation from the Governors and an inevitable termination." Serverus Snape snarled.
Remus Lupin nodded. "That is why tomorrow I will hand my resignation into Professor Dumbledore."
"Will you really now?" Albus questioned with his usual twinkle in his eye. "May I remind you Serverus that though Halle is not of age to use magic she is of the age of consent, and if she has the approval of her parent or guardian there is nothing that can be done about it. However, Halle will be taken out of any classes or clubs in which Professor Lupin oversees."
"But the governors. . ." Remus began.
"Will be nothing but happy for people finding love in such horrible times." Professor Dumbledore finished.
Halle looked over at her brother for the first time who surprisingly smiled at her as he reached an arm around Ginny.
After a few moments of silence Molly Weasley spoke. "Well come on dear let me see the ring." She said excitedly and she hurried over and hugged the two.
Harry kissed Ginny on the forehead and looked at the picture that he had sitting next to him. There his parents were grinning up at him. He could only wonder what they would think about this marriage, but he was almost positive that their only concern would be their daughter's happiness.
After the breakfast plates had been cleared Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Halle and the twins all went outside to play in the snow. Remus watched from the window and smiled as Halle attacked Harry for pelting her with a snowball. He laughed as the two fell when she jumped on his back. It was at that moment that his usual thoughts of their age difference floated through his mind.
He was snapped from his thoughts when Sirius came up and stood next to him. "Amazing isn't it?" The raven haired man said.
"What's amazing padfoot?" Lupin replied eyes not wavering from Halle.
Sirius motioned outside at Harry and Halle who had teamed up with Fred and George and were now attacking Hermione, Ron, and Ginny. "They've lost so much, they have so much pressure on their shoulders, Harry especially, and yet they never waver from their illuminating existences."
"Illuminating. . . Sirius have you been reading a muggle dictionary?" Remus joked.
Ignoring his friends comment he continued. "They just found out they are twins, they lost their parents, and now the weight of the world rests on Harry's shoulders. Sure Halle is trying to help with that load but we all know that Voldemort chose Harry, not her." He paused. "And yet despite all of this, they have still managed to brighten up and change so many lives."
Remus's smile slowly faded and he turned to his friend. "Sometimes I don't think I deserve her Sirius."
Sirius patted his friends back. "No Remus I think you do. You deserve her more than anyone." He looked at the group of friends then back to his old schoolmate. "Come on Moony, we're too young to be standing in here and watching."
Two minutes later the men joined them outside.
It was 3 a.m. on the day after Christmas. Everyone was tucked into their beds and fast asleep with the exception of the men that sat around the fire.
"Should we wake her?" Sirius asked.
Albus's face looked grim as he simply flashed the raven-haired wizard a puzzled look. "I'm not sure what we should do Sirius."
"She needs to know." Remus insisted.
"It's the day after Christmas, what a present." Halle's now indefinite guardian stated.
"She has to know about them." Lupin replied reiterating what he had said before.
"Was it bad Albus?" Sirius asked the older wizard.
Dumbledore looked to the ground and nodded. "I believe he expected her to be sent home to them for the holiday."
"I feel like my entire life has been consumed by this war." Remus stated.
"Ever since Hogwarts." Black added.
"No one's lives have been consumed with this more than Harry and Halle. And now, with what has happen, I fear for her emotional well being." The headmaster said.
"They were good people. Let me see her when I went to visit and helped me out when I was in trouble." Sirius reminisced.
A loud pop sounded from the kitchen immediately followed by another. When the men turned and looked no one was there.
"Halle." Remus whispered making a mad dash to the stairs and up to her room. When he looked in it was just as he had suspected. Walking a few rooms down he looked into Harry's room to see Ginny Weasley snuggled up to indentations where Harry had been lying. Rushing downstairs Remus looked at the two men. "They're gone. She must have heard us and I'm sure Harry went after her."
Smoke still lingered over the house in the all too familiar form of the dark mark. Halle shivered when she appeared behind a bush across the street. The cool air however was not he reason that she had gotten chills. She swore that she could feel the evil in the air. A pop sounded next to her and she quickly pulled out her wand. When she saw who it was she allowed herself to breathe and then gave Harry and shove for scaring her. "What are you doing here?" She demanded.
"I'm not going to let you out on your own Halle, especially at a time like . . ." Harry was interrupted by Halle's gasp.
A muggle body bag rolled out on a stretcher followed by another. Halle began to shake uncontrollably and tears forced themselves from her eyes. Her breathing became heavy and Harry could've sworn he saw small sparks shoot from her hands. The starry night sky became incredibly dark and the only light was that of the street lamps. Thunder sounded as lightning streaked through the darkened sky. There was a pop and Halle was gone. Harry took one last look at the house and sighed. He knew where she had gone, and it was a place that he himself hadn't gathered the courage to go to yet.