A/N Hiya people! Chapter 13 is up and I hope you like it. I'm leaving for New York tomorrow morning so I won't be updating till at least Wednesday. Happy New Year everyone!

Chapter 13

Mommy Dearest

"Morning. What'd I miss?" Everyone looked turned towards Harry and smiled. Ron tossed a present to him in response and Harry caught it with amazing agility.

"What, no Happy Christmas?"

"Happy Christmas!" everyone chimed in.

'That's more like it." Harry grinned.

Harry tore the wrapping paper from his gift and stared at it with a small smile on his face.

"Well?"

"Mrs. Weasley, it's wonderful…like always." Mrs. Weasley beamed as Harry pulled the dark green sweater over his head.

"Does everyone else like their sweaters?" Mrs. Weasley asked. There were affirmations and overzealous shouts of joy all around.

Jenna stared at the knitted sweaters that surrounded her. As a joke, she put on a sad face and stated loudly, "No sweater for me?" A package was shoved in her face.

"Of course you get one, Jenna." Rhea grinned. Jenna slowly unwrapped a green sweater.

"I guess we match now, don't we?"

"I guess we do." Jenna smiled up at Harry before being pulled back into the pile of presents by…someone…

By lunch, the gifts had all been torn open, wrapping paper and ribbons covered the floor like a crinkly Christmas carpet, and absolutely everyone was wearing one of Mrs. Weasley's sweaters.

Desirée was chasing Rufus, Russel, and John around because they had stolen her wand and were now accidentally shooting red and blue sparks out of it, when a knock was heard at the door.

"Now who would be knocking at our door on Christmas?" Mrs. Weasley wondered aloud as she smacked Bill on the arm. Bill rubbed his arm and pouted, but answered the door all the same.

"Yes?" Bill asked nonchalantly.

"I'm here to pick up Jenna. I'm her mother."

Jenna heard these words, got up and hugged her mother. As she pulled away, her mouth dropped open.

"Mum? You dyed your hair! And why are you wearing sun glasses?" Elizabeth put a finger to Jenna's mouth and shushed her quietly.

"We'll talk about this later, Love." Elizabeth straightened up and smiled at the Weasleys.

"Thank you for inviting her to your home for Christmas; I hope she wasn't a burden."

"Oh, not at all. She was an angel." cried Mr. Weasley. Elizabeth forced a smile at the comment.

Hermione eyed Elizabeth incredulously. "Ron," she directed to her husband. "Where's Harry?"

Ron looked around and shrugged his soldiers.

"He probably went to the loo. Why?"

"No reason." Hermione continued to watch Elizabeth, making her noticeably nervous.

"We should really get going. Jenna?" Elizabeth uttered. Jenna's head perked up. "Go get you things, Love."

Jenna sighed and walked up the rickety stairs followed by a depressed Addy and Rhea.

A few moments later, Jenna returned to the front door with a large trunk supported by all three girls.

"Say 'Goodbye' to your friends, Jenna." Jenna hugged Rhea and Addy tightly for a second before letting go and waving 'goodbye' to the Weasleys.

They reached the car, and shoved Jenna things into the trunk. They got in and started the car without a word being spoken. The long drive back into London seemed longer with the perpetual silence that hung in the air. But when they reached their apartment, the words flew faster than a Firebolt.

"Mum, what's going on? You show up looking like an undercover agent, act rudely to my friends and their family, and you won't tell me why."

"I was not rude to the—"

"Yes you were and you know it."

Elizabeth sighed. "Jenna, there are things about this situation that you just don't know."

"Then tell me!"

"Just forget about it."

"No! Tell me!"

"You're too young. You wouldn't understand it."

"Try me."

"Jenna, go to your room. I don't want to deal with this right now."

Jenna fought back tears and ran to her room. Elizabeth sat down on a chair in the living room and began rubbing her temples with her thumbs.

"That was close. Should I tell her though? She is friends with the Weasleys now. And he's friends with them. That girl…Hermione…she probably already suspects. Oh, God…when did this get so complicated?

An hour later, Elizabeth carefully opened Jenna's bedroom door. The light was on and the blankets and sheets had been thrown around the room. Jenna was fast asleep on the bed, still in her green sweater and sneakers. Her hand clutched the star necklace.

Elizabeth smiled sadly and placed the tossed-aside blanket over Jenna. Then she pulled the desk chair up next to the bed and sat down. Elizabeth began softly stroking Jenna's unbrushed hair as she sang softly.

Hush-a-by, don't you cry.

Go to sleepy, little baby.

When you wake, you shall have

All the pretty little horses…

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