Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OCs (Katherine, Septimus, Serenity, Helena, Christoph, Elisa, Henry, Nick and any name you don't recognize, and isn't from the HP universe) are entirely my own.
Chapter 25: A Family Christmas Part 3
Wednesday, December 23rd, 1998 (Scotland):
"Are you sure you are ready for this Headmistress?" Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt asked, as he stood beside Professor Minerva McGonagall, who was staring at a large wooden door. The two stood quietly for some time in the Headmistress' office; the only noise around them was from Albus' old silver instruments that whirred and blew small puffs of smoke. Minerva had been using the office since the day after the final battle, but the room beyond the door in which they stood before, had yet to be entered.
As try as she might, Minerva couldn't bring herself to enter that room before this moment. It was the Head's private quarters, but no one had set foot in their since the last Headmaster's death. She had cried so many tears since Severus and her niece's, Katherine, deaths, that she just couldn't bring herself to rifle through their personal belongings. Which was why she had warded the doors to both of their private chambers in the dungeons, preserving them from the outside world. But with the Head's quarters, she knew she had no choice.
"As I will ever be Minister," Minerva sighed, as she slowly pressed forward; grabbing the silver door knob in her hand. Gradually, she turned the handle and pushed the door opened. The old door groaned and creaked with protest as it opened fully for the first time in nearly seven and a half months.
Silently, Kingsley lit the fireplace, emitting a soft orange glow to the darkened room. A thick layer of dust had settled over the quarter's furniture. Books were still piled high on side tables; a half bottle of Odgen's Firewhiskey rested on the coffee table in front of the fire.
Drapes over the windows still drawn shut, blocking the midday sun; journals laid strewn on the floor on the right side of the large four poster bed. Green linen sheets that looked to have been pushed back hastily and a black silk nightgown was thrown across the back of a chair. Creases in their pillows still shown the spots where their heads had laid gently just hours before.
The large mahogany wardrobe stood tall in the corner of the room. Its' doors still hanging wide open, revealing several pairs of black robes, a dress robe and a few gowns, that were now dulled by the dirt that had settled on them. Boots and heels lined its' floor, and heavy woolen cloaks hung on hooks on their doors.
The matching dresser was in a similar state of disarray. Drawers were pulled open; a white blouse peeking out of its' confinement. A small jewelry case sat on top of the dresser; its' lid lifted revealing a matching sapphire necklace and earring set.
"What do you wish to do with their belongings Minerva?" Kingsley asked, as Minerva waved her wand and silently drew back the curtains. She quietly studied the room once more before breathing a long and shuttered sigh.
"I do not know," the Headmistress said softly, as she quickly blotted her tearing eyes with a handkerchief. "A part of me still cannot bare to get rid of their possessions."
"You are not the only one to feel that way," Kingsley said, as he picked up an old tome to inspect its' cover. "Arthur, Ms. Granger and myself have placed numerous wards over Severus' old home on Spinner's End, to protect it from looters, but none of us dared go inside quite yet."
"Then I guess we will do the same here," Minerva sighed. "Shrink their belongings and pack them away. We will place them in their dungeon quarters and reward the portraits."
"All of it?"
"Yes, all of it," Minerva said, running her fingertips along the opened jewelry case. "Except for this. I believe it should be returned to someone who Katherine deemed important to her."
Thursday, December 24th, 1998 (Wiltshire, England):
"Bobbin!" a cold, clear voice rung through the sitting room of Malfoy Manor. A small pop announced the presence of the house elf, whose large tennis ball size eyes stared up at his mistress.
"Yes, Good Mistress Narcissa," Bobbin said, bowing slightly to the witch before him. "What can Bobbin do for good mistress."
"Take this list and make sure that it is completed before six tonight," Narcissa Malfoy said, as she stood near the large fireplace, going over the long, handwritten list in her grasp. Carefully the house elf took the list from her, and disappeared with another pop.
The witch was just as beautiful as she always had been, but the last six months had been anything but kind to her. She had lost a lot. Friends. And family. Both her and Draco had been placed on house arrest for a short time after the war, that the Minister had lifted a week before the start of the new school year. But her husband Lucius, hadn't faired so well.
With the Dark Mark still branded on his left forearm, Lucius was taken into custody soon after the battle. As Narcissa, Madam Pomfrey and Headmistress McGonagall returned from the Shrieking Shack that day, the Aurors arrested Lucius and placed him, along with several other surviving Death Eaters, into holding cells at the Ministry.
He had been allowed to attend Severus and Katherine's funeral, but the Aurors escorting him to and from the service. And finally on Tuesday, June 30th, Lucius was brought before the Wizengamot. But even with statements given by Harry Potter, himself, Lucius still found himself headed to Azkaban. Luckily only for two years; which was a lot shorter sentence than most.
So Narcissa had lost her husband for two years; at least he would come back. But she had also lost a sister; a brother-in-law, that she had never really known; and a niece, that she had never met. And of course...
"Mother?" Draco asked, startling Narcissa from her thoughts as she gazed intently out one of the large manor windows.
"Yes, darling," she said, her eyes never leaving the path that lead up to the house.
"Why is Bobbin setting the table for five?" Draco questioned.
"Well, two for us of course," Narcissa explained. "And then Andromeda has said that she will join us, and will be bring little Teddy with her. And of course Katherine and Severus will be joining us as always."
"Mother..." Draco started; his eyes creasing with worry and concern for his mother's frame of mind. This hadn't been the first time that this had happened. His mother had been in denial ever since their funeral; often she would send letters to Hogwarts or Spinner's End thinking that they would respond, or sometimes she would even see them walking the grounds towards the house. But once again when she would realize that they were not there, Narcissa would break down. "The professor are..."
"Coming early," Narcissa said, her gazes still on the drive. "I told them to come early so that Katherine and Severus could get settled into their room before dinner."
"No, mother," Draco sighed, placing a hand on his mother's shoulder. "The professors are..."
"Oh, there they are," Narcissa said smiling. "Coming up the drive. Oh, and it looks like the Headmistress is with them. Come Draco, lets tell Bobbin to set one more place and then greet them at the door."
"Mother!" Draco called out to her, as Narcissa hurried from the room and to the main entrance of the manor. Narcissa wasted no time in throwing open the front doors, but the smile she had been wearing faltered. But Katherine and Severus were not standing on the other side of the door; there was only Minerva McGonagall.
"Hello Narcissa," Minerva greeted the younger witch, with a small, sad smile. "May I come in?"
"Of course," Narcissa said. She turned to let Minerva through, but her eyes searched the grounds for where Katherine and Severus had gone.
"Minerva? Where did Katherine and Severus go?" Narcissa asked, turning her eyes towards the elder witch. "They were walking with you when you were coming up the drive. Where did they go?"
"Narcissa," Minerva said softly, as tears began to form in her green eyes. "Severus and Katherine are not with me. My dear, they're gone. You know that."
"No," Narcissa breathed, looking back out to the drive. "No. They were there with you. I saw them. Walking next to you; arm and arm."
"Mother," Draco said, placing a hand on her shoulder again and trying to lead her away from the door. "The Headmistress is right. They're gone, remember mother."
"No..." Narcissa whimpered, as her eye steel blue eyes still searched the grounds. "They owled earlier. From Hogwarts."
"Narcissa, dear," Minerva said quietly. "I am the one who owled you from Hogwarts. Remember? I told you I would be bring this to you." The elder witch gently pulled out an elegant jewelry case from her cloak and placed it in Narcissa's hands. "I think she would have wanted you to have it."
Carefully, Narcissa opened the box, revealing the sapphire pendant and earrings that she had given Katherine as Christmas presents the past two years. The memories began flooding back into her mind.
The Forbidden Forest .
Severus' plea for her to find Katherine.
Katherine's pregnancy.
Katherine announcing Severus' death.
Katherine protecting her and her family during the last stand in the castle.
Katherine's departure to retrieve Severus' body.
Minerva, Poppy and herself finding Severus' and Katherine's forms in the Shrieking Shack.
The blood. So much blood.
The funeral two days later.
The black granite stone.
The mahogany caskets.
Tears. She could feel them. Cold and wet. Running down her pale cheeks.
Narcissa's knees gave way, and she sunk heavily to the floor. The tears were real; spilling out of her blue eyes. Draco quickly knelt next to her and pulled her into his arms, as she began to sob heavily. The jewelry box slipped from her fingers, causing the necklace and earring to tumble out onto the ornate rug that adorned the hall.
"Gone," Narcissa whimpered between sobs. "Gone..."
"They may be gone mother," Draco whispered gently, as he pulled one of his mother's hands to his chest. "But they will always be with us in here."
Thursday, December 24th, 1998 (Amadahy):
"Katherine," Severus sighed, as he sat back into his chair and closed his eyes. "You outdid yourself."
"I don't even think I can move," Septimus muttered, as he sprawled himself out on the couch, with one arm resting over his eyes and the other on his stomach.
"Oh it wasn't that much," Katherine said, as she sank down in her chair, with Serenity in her arms. "Besides, we'll be having another meal bigger than mine, tomorrow at Christoph and Elisa's." The comment only left the wizards groaning from their seats, at the mere thought of more food. Katherine had gone with a traditional Christmas eve dinner, of roasted turkey, boiled potatoes and gravy, chipolatas, buttered peas and brussel sprouts, chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce and, of course, flaming Christmas pudding and brandy sauce.
"Ohh...no more food," Septimus mumbled.
"Not tonight anyway," Katherine smirked, as she tapped Septimus' foot with her hand. "Come on Sept. Get up and hand out the presents."
"Do I have to?" Septimus asked. "Can't we just levitate them over to us?"
"No," Katherine chuckled. "Come on. Up with you." Septimus groaned as he gently rolled himself off of the couch and made his way to the Christmas tree. The seven foot tall tree stood in a corner near the fireplace. They had retrieved in two days earlier and brought the Balsam Fir home, decorating it with red candles, silver baubles and a silver star on the top. Four green stockings hung from the fireplace's mantle; each adorned with their names written in silver thread.
Septimus began passing out the gifts, and slowly the pile around the tree diminished until each one had been handed out. They went one at a time, each opening one gift before the next person could go. Septimus had gone first, unwrapping his new broom servicing kit.
"I really needed a new one," Septimus smiled. "My old one is almost empty. Thanks!"
In the end Septimus had received not only his servicing kit, but a new pair of Quidditch gloves, "Quidditch Through the Ages" by Kennilworthy Whisp, several pounds of sweets that he planned on taking back to New Salem with him, and a few new sets of clothes for his continuing growth spurt.
Katherine smiled happily at her gifts. A box of her favorite fudge and chocolate turtles, along with a new Eagle Self-Inking Quill from Septimus. From Severus she received a new midnight blue robe set and an ornate silver picture frame that held a picture of Septimus and Serenity sitting together in front of the Christmas tree.
"When did you take this?" Katherine asked, as she blotted her eyes with a tissue.
"This afternoon, while you were busying yourself in the kitchen," Severus smirked. He, himself, held four gifts on his lap. A box of cashew brittle and two dragon hid journals from Septimus. From Katherine he received a box of luxurious crystal vials that were made for experimental potions, and a new pocket watch, since he had never replaced the one that had broken on the night of the final battle.
Even Serenity had received a few gifts of her own. A plush snowy owl from her brother. And from her parents, a few cloth baby books and a handmade blanket, that Katherine had knitted herself. But there was still one more thing...
"Sept," Katherine said quietly, as she began rocking Serenity to sleep. "I think you missed a present back there." Septimus frowned at his mother, before getting up once again from the couch and going to inspect around the tree again. His eyes widened at the sight of a box wedged up between the tree and the wall, which he knew hadn't been there before.
He slid the box out and returned to the couch. The long slender package was wrapped in gold paper with a green bow, and a tag that read 'Happy Christmas Septimus. Love Mum and Dad." Slowly Septimus, slid his fingers along the paper's seal, carefully unwrapping the box.
Katherine and Severus watched intently, as their son ran a careful hand over the black box; fingertips stopping on the gold embossed letters that read 'Firebolt II." His mouth was hanging open like a fish out of water. Quickly, he popped the lid of the black box, and took in the sight of a brand new, mahogany handled broom, pillowed in a bed of black velvet.
"A Firebolt II," Septimus whispered, running his hand lovingly along the dark wooded broom. "How...? There's only one hundred being sold in the U.S."
"We have our sources," Severus smirked.
It was well after eleven in the evening before Septimus retired for the night. The boy had fond over his new broom since opening it, wishing it wasn't so late so he could have tried it out. Katherine had put Serenity down a half an hour earlier, and now her and Severus were readying themselves for bed as well.
Severus emerged from the bathroom to find Katherine standing at their bedroom's French doors. A gentle snow had started to fall again, adding more to the several inches that already covered the ground. Severus exhaled deeply, as his right hand gently patted the pocket of his pajama pants. He felt the squared edges of a small ring box, and exhaled once again before slowly making his way over to his wife.
Katherine was standing with her back to him; her body wrapped in her green robe and her blonde hair had been undone from its' earlier up do. Gently, Severus slid his arms around her waist and brought her back against his chest. He buried his nose into her golden locks, inhaling deeply only to smell the ever familiar scent of cherry blossoms.
"Katherine," Severus murmured, as he gently turned her around in his arms.
"Hmm...?" Katherine hummed, as she turned her face up towards his. His dark eyes met her ice blue ones, that danced and sparkled in the candlelight.
"Septimus wasn't the only one who missed a gift tonight," Severus said. Katherine frowned at his comment, then felt him push something into her hand. Katherine's frown only deepened as she glanced down to find Severus releasing a small green ring box into her hand.
"Sev, you didn't have to..."
"I know," Severus said, cutting her off. "But you deserve to have it." Slowly, Katherine held up the box in front of her, noting the ornate silver 'P' inscribed on the lid. She glanced back up at Severus, meeting his soften black orbs once more, before carefully opening the lid. A small gasp escaped her lips as her eyes came in contact with the emerald and diamond ring cushioned in black velvet.
"Sev," Katherine whispered. "I don't know what to say. You shouldn't have..."
"I know Katherine," Severus said softly. "But I believe it was always meant for you. Look on the inside of the lid." Her eyes glanced up away from the ring and her eyes seemed to widened further.
"For my dearest Katherine
on our first anniversary.
All my love,
Severus"
"Sev..." Katherine shook her head, looking back up into his obsidian eyes. "I don't understand. Our first anniversary isn't until March."
"I realize that," Severus smirked. He knew Katherine was tired, as her mind wasn't as sharp as it usually was. "That ring belong to Katherine Winifred Prince, given to her by Severus Arcadius Prince, who is technically now...the first."
"Oh Sev," Katherine breathed, as he took ring from the box, and then gently grabbed her left hand. Gracefully, Severus slid the silver band onto her left hand's ring finger. He smirked once again, at the small gasp Katherine released, as she not only watched, but felt as well, when ring magic resized itself to fit her finger perfectly.
"Will you?" Severus asked, as he lifted her chin up to look into her blue orbs once again.
"Will I what?" Katherine frowned.
"Marry me," Severus said.
"Sev," Katherine chuckled lightly. "You do remember that we are already married, right?"
"I do," Severus said, his eyes never leaving hers. "But I want to do it right this time. That is why, when we do the counter-curse on the day of our anniversary, we will also renew our bond."
"Really?" she asked softly, as her eyes began to well up with tears. Severus nodded, smiling lightly at the sight of her.
"Then yes. I will marry you...again," Katherine said, before rising on her toes slightly, and brushed her lips across his. "And, I believe, you also have one more present to open."
"Oh?" Severus eyebrows rose slightly, as he watched Katherine carefully set the ring box aside, then grab his hands and place them on the cords that held her robe closed. He glanced up at her face one last time, before gently pulling at the knotted cords. The green cloth fell open loosely, exposing nothing but pale flesh beneath.
"Happy Christmas Sev," Katherine said, smiling seductively at him and letting her robe fall to the floor. "Elisa cleared me the other day when you and Septimus went into town."
Severus let out a groan, and pulled Katherine into a tight embrace. Her arms wrapped around his neck, as his lips descended on hers. Her hands were twining their way into his shoulder length hair, while his eagerly slipped inside her robe and began caressing her sides lightly. He moaned heavily, as Katherine grounded her hips against his.
He broke the kiss, momentarily, so he could pick her up and carry her to their bed. Katherine was breathing heavily, as Severus gently placed her into the bed of green linen. Her ice blue eyes never left his obsidian ones, as Severus slipped out of his pants.
Katherine shifted herself to the center of the bed, as Severus slid in next to her. Eagerly his mouth descended on hers once again, as he pressed his naked body close to hers. Their moans lost within each others' mouths, as their hands began to roam again.
His thumbs lightly brushed over her nipples, before cupping them fully. Katherine moaned and arched her back; the touch sent waves of pleasure through her groin. Severus' lips left hers, and began brushing them down Katherine's neck to her breasts. One of his hands left her breast, and slid lower to her mound, exploring her heated, wet nether lips.
Katherine's breasts smelled of milk. Serenity was only three weeks ago, so of course Katherine was still breastfeeding her. His teeth gently tugged at one of her nipples, causing a few drops of milk to appeared. He swiped his tongue across the tit before beginning to descend his full mouth on it, but was stopped by a pull to his hair.
"Sev," Katherine panted, as Severus shifted his eyes and face up to hers. "If you don't stop now, you will let down my milk. And I need to be able to feed our daughter in a few short hours."
"Alright love," Severus murmured, as he gently rolled them over, pinning her beneath him. She spread her legs wider, allowed Severus to cradle himself between them. His cock stood erect and proud against the juncture of her thighs. He moaned heavily, at the feeling of his erection pressed tightly against her hot, wet center.
Katherine reached up and pulled his mouth to hers once more, as she ground her hips against his manhood. At the sound of her whispering his name as she moaned from the contact, Severus wasted no more time as he slowly began to slid into her. She arch up into him, stilling for a moment as his member began stretching her newly healed core.
As soon as Severus was wholly in, he stilled as well, relishing over the flexing and gripping of her inner walls. Only when he felt her relax, did he then start to move again. Severus began thrusting in and out at an unbearably slow pace, making sure to hit that special spot each and every time.
"Ohhh..." Katherine moaned inside his mind, which nearly made him lose control right there and then. And they only became louder in his head, as she quickly neared her climax. "Oh. Oh Merlin...Sev...Oh SEVERUS!"
Upon hearing her shout his name in his mind, he lost the control he was fighting so hard to keep. His pace quickened; his balls lightly slapping her bum with each thrust. Severus' pace only prolonged Katherine's climax, as she continued moaning and screaming his name in his mind.
Severus' buried his head in the junction of Katherine's neck and shoulder, as she continued to shudder around him. Suddenly, Severus sank his teeth into her flesh, as his body went rigid. Between the pain and pleasure, Katherine came again as Severus' seed shot deep within her. He collapsed on top of her, breathing heavily against her shoulder.
"Forgive me," Severus' murmured against her skin, as his lips brushed against the spot that he had bitten down on. He had not broken the skin, but the bruise that was left was quickly turning from red to a deep purple.
Katherine ran her hands up his back and into his hair, as Severus silently summoned a healing salve for her bruise. Gently he rolled off of her and applied the cream. With a satisfied smirk, he noted Katherine's eye drooping, and pulled her into his arms.
"Happy Christmas, love," Katherine mumbled into his chest.
"Happy Christmas, indeed."
Thursday, December 25th, 1998 (Amadahy):
"Merry Christmas!" Elisa and Christoph greeted them, as Severus, Katherine and the children flooed into the Fuerst home, a half an hour before Christmas day lunch was to be served. Helena quickly grabbed Septimus, and disappeared into the den; while Katherine handed off Serenity to her father, and turned to follow Elisa into the kitchen.
"Christoph," Severus sighed, as he shifted his daughter in his arms. "There's a cot in the bag Katherine brought. Do you mind finding it and unshrinking it for me?"
"Not a problem," Christoph chuckled, as he began searching the handbag for the crib. He found it quickly, and enlarged it, before placing it next to one of the chairs in the living room. "Glühwein?"
"I beg your pardon?" Severus frowned, as he placed Serenity in her cot.
"Mulled Wine, Severus," Christoph smirked, as he summoned two glasses and a bottle of the mulled wine to the coffee table.
"Is it like British mulled wine?" Severus asked, as Christoph poured him a glass and handed it to him.
"In a way," Christoph contemplated, as he poured himself a glass. "Elisa starts with heated red wine, then spices it with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, citrus and a bit of sugar." Severus took a hesitant sip, letting the wine sit on his palate before swallowing and letting its' warmth overtake his throat. He could taste the oak of the wooden barrels that the wine had aged in, along with the spices and the citrus. "Good?"
"Very."
At exactly noon, the two families gathered at the large dining room table. Platters of roast goose and roast carp; bowls of roasted potatoes, kale, brussel sprouts and red cabbage; mounds of marzipan and Lebkuchen; and plates of rye bread, Christstollen and Dresdener Stollen.
The meal was filled with laughter and conversation, but Severus noticed that Katherine had suddenly gone silent as the chatting continued on around her.
"Katherine..." Severus said, reaching his mind out to hers. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Sev," Katherine replied, as she smiled softly at him. But Severus didn't believe a word of it. Her mind was turning so much that he could actually feel it. Slowly, he reached out and grasped her hand underneath the table.
"Katherine..."
"Narcissa," Katherine whispered in his mind. "Do you think that Draco and her are ok?"
"As long as they have each other, they will be," Severus answered, but a part of him wondered the same. He couldn't even begin to image what type of Christmas their friend and godson were having this year. But as he looked around the table before him, he couldn't help but smile softly at the thought of it being his first real family Christmas.
After dinner, the families gathered in front of the Christmas tree in the living room. Presents were exchanged; Nick and Henry eagerly ripping the wrapping paper, as Katherine and Severus traded gifts with Elisa and Christoph.
The four adults watched intently, as Septimus handed Helena her gift. He was already holding his own gift from her; tickets to the next professional Quidditch game, the Fitchburg Finches versus the Moutohora Macaws. She smiled softly at him as she began unwrapping the emerald green paper, revealing a flat, square box.
Lifting the lid carefully, her hazel eyes widened at the sight of the bracelet. Without hesitation, she launched herself into Septimus' arms, squealing with delight.
As the afternoon wore on, Severus and Katherine sat snuggled together on the loveseat, with Serenity, sleeping in Katherine's arms; while Christoph and Elisa occupied the couch, and all four kids were on the floor in front of the fire, playing a game of Gobstones.
The wireless played Christmas songs quietly in the background as the fire crackled and popped. The snow blew outside the large picture window, collecting on the ledges, as the sky grew darker and darker.
It definitely was a wonderful first Christmas together.
a/n: Yup, okay...late again. Anyway, Chapter 26 has already been started, so I'm hoping for finishing it within the next two weeks.
A big thanks to Missyick, Grumpirah, RemaSofiRuin, AdaYuki, lightbabe, Mira Severus Sirius Black-Snape, xxyangxx2006, lexiloo124 and 'guest' for their wonderful reviews! Thanks again!
