Chapter 20:
"Severus and Kiki are getting a wonderful Christmas present," Harmony said, walking into the living room with some hot chocolate. Her children swarmed her and she carefully paced out the mugs before handing a bottle filled with warmed chocolate milk to her youngest. Remus was finishing some touches on the tree the family had just decorated after the children finished decorating Christmas cookies at the Blacks earlier. "Even if they are picking her up in time for Christmas Eve."
"She'll be able to come to the group party," Remus said, taking his hot chocolate. He took a sip and kissed Harmony's cheek. "I think Sirius may dress up as Santa again."
"Oh no. Every time he does, trouble usually accompanies him," Harmony groaned. "How about you dress up as Santa?"
"Why don't we get the real Santa?" Lily asked, looking at her parents. Jamie and Rawlins were also staring at him. Remus handed his wife his hot chocolate and leaned down to talk with Lily.
"Santa can't be seen, right? That's why we have to be sound asleep in our beds on Christmas Eve night, right? That's why many of us dress up as Santa—bringing his joy to our families and friends for him." Lily nodded and kissed her dad's cheek. Remus stood back up and put his arm around his wife, who had picked up Alida. "This is going to be a joyful Christmas," he murmured into her hair, kissing the side of her head. She merely smiled in response.
Sirius sat down on the couch, holding little Molly. The baby girl, now seven months old, tried to grab his ponytail. "No, little one, I don't think so," he said in a sing-song voice, moving his hair from her little grasp. Molly pouted but Sirius started to play peek-a-boo with her and she perked up. Harry was playing with James and Giachi, while Arden stayed near Bianca and Ginny. "So, who says I bring out my old Santa suit?" Sirius asked, now stroking Molly's curling red hair. Bianca, Harry and Ginny groaned. "What?"
"I think it's time someone else wore the red suit, dear," Bianca said. "Someone who doesn't overdo the eggnog? Someone whose wife doesn't have to make sure he feels up other married women."
"Or his cousin," Ginny added, giggling at the memory of an indignant Tonks and very furious Riley.
Harry, who was holding a squirming James under one arm and keeping a swinging Giachi away with the other hand, spoke up. "Sirius can brush off his old Santa suit."
"Thank you, oh godson of mine."
"Harry, are you sure you want him to it again? The last time, he hit on me and I thought you were about to slug him," Ginny said.
"I was thinking I could wear the suit instead," Harry replied. Bianca and Ginny smiled, the later rushing to hug him. "I guess it's settled. I'm the new Santa."
"I was wrong. You are no godson of mine," Sirius said jokingly. With that, Harry released the two Black boys as their father lunged for him. The two wrestled on the floor while their wives sighed:
"Men!"
Kingsley and Addie charmed their way into working the kitchens at the fancy restaurant where the Malons' company Holiday party was being held. They were able to keep an eye on the young Serena/Sam while never alerting Lucius or Narcissa to their presence. The plan was all set. Kinglsey and Addie would stay in there until the Malons left. Once that happened, a small group of Aurors would ambush them and take them to the American Bureau of Magic (ABM). American Obliviators would start their work on those at the party and the limo driver. Those at the apartment building had already forgotten the Malons, "Natalie" and "Eddie." Severus and Kiki were waiting with Draco at the ABM, all prepared to get their little girl back. And on Christmas Eve eve…
"It all seems so magical," Addie said, dreamily.
"Well, we are magical."
"Shut Kingsley. It's so romantic. Actually, they are so romantic," she nodded towards the Malons. "Who knew Lucius could be so romantic?"
"I didn't think he would ever be loving and tender."
"Look at him with Serena. She adores him."
"Only because she thinks he's the only father she's ever known. Sam adores Severus just as much."
"I think you're a little too invested."
"What?"
"Don't make me repeat myself, Kingsley," Addie said, turning to face him. "You're very good friends with the Snapes. Kiki' s on your team…maybe you're thinking too much of their own good?"
"What are you talking about?" Kingsley growled. This frightened Addie for bit, but she wasn't an Auror for nothing. She pressed on.
"What about that little girl in there? The one we are about to separate from the only parents she thinks she has ever known. Even once Serena regains her memories as Sam, isn't it still going to be traumatic? She'll now know two sets of loving parents—don't even dare argue with me, Shacklebolt; those people out there are NOT putting on a show. And you know it. Who is she going to choose? Does she even get a choice."
"Of course she'll get a choice after her memories are restored and she'll choose Severus and Kiki!" Kingsley boomed. He then looked outside to see Sam run up to Narcissa. The woman bent down as the little girl asked her something and Narcissa nodded. Sam smiled and skipped off merrily. Narcissa stood up and Lucius snuck up behind her, snaking his arm around her waist. She giggled and the two returned to their friends. Kingsley sighed.
"I see your point. Maybe I am a little too invested in this case, but unlike you, I know Sam Snape. She adores her parents, especially her father. And they adore her. She's going to go with the people who raised her for six years, who fought to give her a world full of goodness and light, not the people who kidnapped her and raised her for four months." Addie nodded and they continued on with the night according to the plan. To Kingsley, the plan was perfect. To Addie, it was extremely flawed but she wouldn't dare voice that opinion again. She valued her life too much.
The music was blaring, the food was good and the company was enjoyable. Lucius Malfoy could hardly believe what he was thinking, even after coming to terms with the fact that muggles weren't always bad. But here he was, laughing at one of their jokes. Not because it was polite, but because he actually understood it. Perhaps he now knew the reason why Arthur Weasley was so fascinated with them? He gave a mental chuckle as he realized he now knew more about muggles than Weasley did. After all, he's lived with them and like one for three months. That had to be more than Arthur ever did.
Lucius had been talking business with some other coworkers when their boss walked over to them, wearing a big red Santa hat. Lucius had noticed him down a few shots earlier and knew the liquor was starting to get to the billionaire as he sauntered over. "Boys, boys," he said, the smell of alcohol clearly on his breath. "It's our Christmas party. There will be no talk of business. Just like old Fezziwig!" Laughing at his own joke, the man turned to Lucius. "Especially you, Luke. You have that lovely wife and darling daughter to think about!" With that, he muttered something about another shot and walked off.
Lucius shook his head at looked over at Serena, who was doing some dance called the "limbo" with the other children. Two of the DJs were holding a stick as the children went under and Serena was still in as one of the smallest as they lowered the stick. He remembered reading "A Christmas Carol" to her recently, watching her fall asleep and thinking he didn't need three ghosts for his second chance. She had done that. He smiled as the DJ declared her the winner, gave her a plush reindeer and started the next song. Serena hugged some of her friends before running to show her father her prize. "Daddy, look!" she said, allowing herself to be scooped up. "I won."
"Of course you did," Lucius said, smiling. "You're my daughter." Serena giggled as he started to tickle her. "Let's go show Mommy, okay?" Serena nodded and the two went to find Narcissa. After showing off the reindeer, Lucius pulled Narcissa out on to the dance floor for a slow song. Serena remained near Kate and Pete, who continued to coo over the little girl and her prize.
The night was winding down and people started to leave. Kate and Pete were in the process of calling Lars and getting everyone's coat as Nora said goodbye to those who were still at the party. A sleepy Serena was being rocked by Luke as one of the last songs played for the night. She clutched her reindeer close, sometimes muttering something about a "Leo." He didn't think too much of it as Pete handed him Serena's coat. Once his daughter was bundled up, he put his own on. "Is Lars downstairs waiting for us?" Nora asked, her coat already buttoned. Kate nodded and the five left the party.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Kingsley and Addie saw the couple getting ready and quickly got out of their outfits. They snuck out into the alley where they put on their robes. Addie thought she saw a cat but screamed when she realized it was a rat. Kingsley put his hand over her mouth, told her to be quiet and kicked the rodent away. They walked around some junkies that called the alley their home and met up with Tonks, who was had been sitting in a nearby diner. They stood outside, pretending to make idle chit-chat, but watched the door of the restaurant for the Malfoys. A limo pulled up and a man got out, opening the door. Kate and Pete were the first people out and in before the Malfoys came out. "Now," Tonks whispered and they rushed across the street with a lot of other people.
"Is there a riot going on?" Kate asked her husband, noticing the people swarming around the limo. "What ever do they want?"
"I don't know," her husband responded. He stuck his head out the top of the limo and called out to his friend. "Luke, get Nora and Serena inside the limo. Now!" However, one of the people closed the limo door and it was locked on both sides.
"Pete, the door is stuck!" Pete pulled back in and the window closed. No other window would wind down as Lars was also pushed into the driver's seat. He too couldn't get out and the three of them watched the scene outside unfold, barely able to hear anything and unable to help.
Outside, the Malons found themselves surrounded. A sleepy Serena didn't know what was going on and her eyes were too heavy for her to open. "Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Fudge, you are surrounded," one of the American Aurors shouted. Ace rolled his eyes as it was quite obvious the two were surrounded. "Sorry," the man said. "I've just always wanted to say that."
"Fine. Let me take over. Malfoy, please, hand over Samantha Snape and all will be well," Ace said.
Lucius scoffed. "I don't know who you are talking about. My name is Luke Malon and this is my wife Nora. And who is this Samantha Snape? I think you have our little Serena confused with someone else's daughter. Now, if you don't mind. My family, our friends and I would like to go home. It is getting late and we are tired from the party we just went to."
"Don't try to pull that, Malfoy, we can recognize you," Ace said. "You too, Mrs. Fudge. Now come with us quietly. Stop making such a scene."
"I am not making a scene, good sir, you are. Now, if you would leave us alone to live our lives it would do everyone some good."
Ace called over his Aurors. "Looks like Plan A is failing, which we kinda figured it would. We're going to Plan B."
"Sir," Addie spoke up. "I don't think Plan B is very wise."
"Plan B is all we have, Monroe," Ace said with Kingsley shooting her a look that clearly read "Don't start that again!" She nodded and Ace whispered Plan B to the leader of the American Aurors. He seemed to think it was a bad idea as well but Ace felt it was the best course of action. Resigned, the man motioned to his Aurors and the plan went into action.
Kingsley and Ace led the Aurors who grabbed Lucius while Addie was in charge of those apprehending Narcissa. Tonks pulled Serena out of her father's arms as the others magically bound the couple. The motion jolted Serena out of her sleep and she was very confused and frightened about what was happening around her. Her parents were being bound, strange people ran all around them, Kate and Pete were trapped in the limo with Lars and some strange pink-haired lady held her. So, she did the only reasonable thing any six year old would do in her situation. She screamed. Loudly.
Tonks flinched from the strength of Serena's screams and silently cursed as the girl began to flail about. "Let me go. You're a stranger and I'm not supposed to talk to strangers! Who do you think you are holding me like this?" Serena said and Tonks couldn't tell who had more influence over the little girl in that statement: Severus or Lucius. Serena kept twisting trying to get out of Tonks' arm. "Let me go!"
"Sam, honey, it's me, Tonks," she cooed. "Remember?"
"No. My name is NOT Sam, just like I told that little girl and her family and I don't know you!" Serena said, still squirming. "Help me! Help me! Somebody! Police! Call 911! I'm being kidnapped!"
"No, no, you're not being kidnapped. We're rescuing you. Lucius and Narcissa kidnapped you. I'm going to return you to your real parents," Tonks continued to explain. Serena blew her a raspberry. "Now, none of that!"
"Mummy! Daddy!" Serena screamed. Ace motioned for Tonks to move out with Serena and she did. "Mummy! Daddy!" she continued to scream down the block. At the end, Tonks apparated but the little girl's screams could still be heard.
Meanwhile, Narcissa and Lucius were putting up a good fight. "Let me go! Do you hear her? She's scared…I need to go to her! She needs her mother!" Narcissa screamed at Addie. "She wants me!"
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Fudge, but you need to come with me," Addie said. A burly Auror came over and jerked Narcissa around, dragging her down the sidewalk.
"My little girl! Serena! Lucius, save Serena!" Narcissa screamed at her husband. "She needs to be returned to her mother!"
"Yes, she does. Mrs. Snape will take good care of her once she's Samantha again." With that, Addie watched the Auror apparate with Narcissa. She turned back to face the chaotic scene.
"How dare you!" Lucius roared at everybody. "You've scared my little girl! This will scar her for life!"
"I don't think it'll be as bad as what you've probably done to her, Mr. Malfoy," Ace snapped back.
"I've never harmed a hair on her head. I've been a good, loving, gentle father to her. Now, unhand my wife and daughter!" Serena's screams fell on his ears. "Look, she wants me, she needs me. Let her go…please. Return her to me! Serena! SERENA!" He watched as Tonks disappeared with his daughter.
"Mr. Malfoy, please," Ace said through gritted teeth, handing the man to Kingsley. The wizard continued to struggled watching as Narcissa was jerked around.
"Stop it! Don't hurt her! I will be complaining!" However, once Narcissa was taken, he stopped fighting. "Fine, you won this battle. But I will win the war!" With that, he allowed Kingsley and Ace to apparate with him.
Addie was the last one of the Aurors at the scene, most apparating with Kingsley and Tonks. Now, only Obliviators remained behind from the ABM. They rushed past her, quickly hitting everyone at the party and those in the limo. One female Obliviator with long brown hair stopped next to Addie. "There was probably a better way to have handled that," she said.
"There was. Everyone involved was a little too emotionally attached," Addie said. "But what is done is done. Now, I have to go to the New York ABM before World War Three explodes between the Aurors, the Snapes and the Malfoys." With a nod from the American Obliviator, Addie was gone. Once the Obliviators cleared out, no one remembered that there had been a Luke and Nora Malon and that they had had a little girl named Serena. Everything in New York was erased for them and now, they had only to face England.
A/N: Whew! Only two more chapters to go…I think. I hope. Anyway, next week is finals but I should be able to update. After all, what better way to relieve stress? And for anyone who thinks this scene was chaotic, wait until "Serena" meets Kiki and Severus! --Mac