Hey, everyone! Mystery Critic here, back at you with another chapter of Ma Fleur! I hope you all enjoyed the Yule Ball last chapter, it was amazing for me to write, so much fun. I also hope that I don't lose any fans because of Fredmione; I didn't plan on it but I fell in love with it. So, it's happening. I hope I get more fans because of it, too. Anywho, that's pretty much it. As for the disclaimer, I don't own Harry Potter, nor any of the rights affiliated with it. Now, grab your baked chicken, your soda (pop, fizzy drink, or whatever you call it), and enjoy chapter twenty-six of Ma Fleur!

Chapter 26

Italics – French

Waking up with a yawn, Harry turns over to find an empty bed. Sitting up in confusion, he looks around the room to find it empty. Crawling out of bed, he pulls on a robe and walks into the sitting room of the apartment to find Fleur writing a letter. Walking up behind her with a smile, he wraps his arms around her shoulders and kisses her cheek.

"Who's the letter for, love?" Harry asks, peeking over her shoulder.

"It's for Madame Joanne." She explains, holding Harry's arms to her. "I was writing to tell her why I won't be coming to see her this Christmas. I always see her on Christmas day around noon, and we have coffee and talk. It's the first time I won't be seeing her on Christmas in several years."

"I'm sorry, love." He says, hiding a smirk. "If there was anything I could do, I would. However, you should finish that letter later. Our family is coming through the floo at any moment."

"You're right." She says, standing up with a smile. Turning around, she kisses Harry deeply, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Happy Christmas, Harry."

"Happy Christmas indeed." Harry responds goofily. Grinning madly, he walks back to the bedroom to change while Fleur waits by the fireplace. A few moments later, the fireplace flares to life, emerald flames dancing across the logs.

"The party has arrived!" Sirius yells, stepping out of the floo. "Oi, where's my pain in the arse godson?"

"Keep your bloomers on, Padfoot," Harry says with a chuckle, stepping out and straightening his jumper. "I'm right here."

Pulling his godson into a hug, Sirius laughs as he pats him on the back. "Happy Christmas, Harry." He says, stepping back to give Fleur a small hug. "And Happy Christmas to you as well, Fleur."

"Joyeux Noël, Sirius." She says, pecking him on the cheek. "'Ow are you enjoying your freedom?"

"Well, it's not as exciting as being the most badarse escaped convict in England, but it's alright," He says with a smirk. "I've got money and almost no responsibilities!"

"Almost? There's the Wizengamot, which the Black family is now a part of again since you've been cleared of all charges;" Harry scoffs, raising an eyebrow as he counts off on his fingers. "There's taking back control of House Black, its assets, and making sure you find a girlfriend who doesn't want to kill you. Oh, and there's me!"

"You?" Sirius scoffs playfully. "Please, you're Jaques' problem now."

"Oh, is 'e now?" Jacques says, stepping through the fire and causing Sirius to squeak in fear. "Maybe I should not let you see 'im again, non?"

"Jacques, buddy, mon ami!" Sirius says nervously. "You wouldn't do that to me, would you?"

"I don't know..." He says, winking at Harry. "You said 'e's not your problem. Why should I let a stranger see my son?"

"Stranger?!" He says, feigning shock. "I am mortified, monsieur! How dare you insinuate I am a stranger to this wonderful young man!"

"I thought you said I was a pain in the arse." Harry counters.

"No one asked you, pup." Sirius retorts, smirking at Harry. "This is a matter for adults."

His face hardening slightly, hurt plasters itself onto Harry's face at his godfather's words.

"'Arry, are you alright?" Apolline says, walking up to her son after seeing his face. "What's wrong, my love?"

"Harry, you alright?" Sirius asks somberly. "What is it?"

"Padfoot, I know you didn't mean it that way, but adults haven't had my best interests at heart for very long." He says. Fleur, Apolline, and Gabrielle wrap their arms around him comfortingly. He smiles weakly at them before turning back to Sirius. "I know you didn't mean to say anything to upset me, but please, don't say that around me again, okay?"

"You got it, pup." He says, walking forward and pulling his godson into a hug. "I didn't think of that, Harry. I'm so sorry."

"It's alright, Sirius," He says, hugging his godfather back. "I forgive you."

"So, to make it up to you, what do you want?" He says, clapping his hands and rubbing them together excitedly. "Anything you want, you name it. Think of it as a Christmas/I'm sorry I was an idiot present."

After thinking for a moment, Harry smiles maliciously. "Well, there is one thing I'd like."

"I think I'm going to regret saying that;" Padfoot says, chuckling nervously. "What do you want?"

"Spar with me." He says simply.

"You mean like a duel?" Sirius asks in confusion.

"No, I mean a spar." He corrects. "A physical fake fight with weapons. Staffs in this case."

"Harry, why do you want to fight 'im?" Jacques asks.

"Not so much fight as much as kick the tar out of him to release a little pent up energy." He says innocently. "It's sparring, like in martial arts. Completely controlled practice fight, no one gets hurt. Besides, I know he has sword fighting experience. He can use a wooden sword instead. I just prefer a staff."

"Harry, how did you know?" Sirius asks curiously.

"I've read some journals I found." He says simply. "The Black Family has always trained their children in the Dark Arts and sword training from a very young age."

"If that's what you want, alright." He says, smiling at his godson.

"'Arry, are you sure you'll be safe?" Apolline asks, placing her hand on his shoulder. "I don't want you getting 'urt."

"I won't, maman. I promise." He says, hugging her. "Besides, it's more exercise than anything. Plus, if we can draw a crowd, we can prank anyone who tries to stop us. Just think, Padfoot. Getting Professor McGonagall to let us keep fighting. Can you imagine? The one thing she never allows, and she can't intervene."

"A dueling ward..." Sirius mutters, his grin widening. "That's genius! A Christmas prank on McGonagall! The Marauders have never pulled a successful prank on that lovable old battle-axe!"

"Shall we, oh ye of the padded foot?" Harry asks, gesturing outside.

"Absolutely, oh ye of bratty children!" He responds, turning to walk out. "By the way, Happy Christmas."

Harry places his hand on Sirius' shoulder and shimmers them out onto the courtyard adjoining the Great Hall. Moving away from him, Harry grins at his godfather before casting a Sonorus on his voice. "To anyone who wishes to see, Sirius Black and I, Harry Potter, will be fighting in the courtyard right outside the Great Hall."

Dropping the sonorus, Harry conjures a wooden staff and sword. Tossing the sword to him, Harry waves his hand in Sirius' direction, making the sword appear real. Doing the same to his staff, he makes it look metal before grinning at his godfather with a wink. As students come filing out, Harry's face hardens into one of faux anger and he adopts a battle stance.

"No one may interfere!" Harry calls out, waving his hand and erecting a dueling ward around them. "This is a matter of family honor, and interfering will have consequences!"

"Mr. Potter, please stop this foolishness!" McGonagall pleads in exasperation. "Whatever the problem is, surely this can be resolved without you thrashing Mr. Black."

"Oi, I resent that!" He exclaims, pointing to Harry. "How do you know I won't win?"

"Because you could never beat James, Mr. Black." She explains.

"That was in muggle fighting!" He whines back. "I have training with a sword!"

"Not as much as I do, Sirius." Harry says before charging forward.

Leaping out of the way of a downward strike, Sirius drops into a clumsy roll to evade the blow. Standing back up, Sirius barely manages to block an arcing swing from Harry's staff. Stumbling back, Sirius takes a deep breath and takes a stance of his own, lowering himself down and decreasing his vulnerability.

"Let's test that theory, pup." He smirks, charging at Harry. Lunging shallowly, Sirius's blade is deflected quickly as Harry swings his staff to the side. Moving back quickly, Sirius dodges a body blow Harry attempts with a jab of his staff. Moving forward again, Sirius rains down several quick swings towards Harry, all of them blocked easily by his staff.

Growling in frustration, Sirius swings wide with the sword, trying to get a painful blow in on his godson. Ducking under it at the last second, Harry brings the butt of his staff up into Sirius' stomach. As he doubles over in pain, Harry rolls over his back and turns around, delivering a swift kick to his godfather's rear.

"Damn it, pup!" Sirius growls, chuckling at his humiliation. "How'd you get so good?"

"The Mórrigan is a right bitch of a trainer." He says, drawing gasps from several people.

Flashback, one of Harry's training sessions

"Damn it!" Harry growls, picking himself up from once again being beaten into the ground. Cuts, bruises, and blood cover most of his body while Babd simply brushes an imaginary bit of lint from the shoulder of her robes. Smirking at Harry, she gestures a finger for him to charge once more. Harry swings his staff wildly at the goddess with each word. "Why! Won't! You! Just! Get! HIT!"

"You are undisciplined!" She snaps at him, twirling behind him and slamming her staff into the back of his neck.

"You are too quick to anger!" She yells again, slamming the butt of her staff into his stomach. He cries out in pain as the blow sends him sprawling back onto the ground.

"But most of all:" She slams her staff down onto his back every time he tries to stand back up. "You! Are! WEAK!"

"Babd, that's enough," Merlin says, putting a barrier between them. "He's defeated."

Scoffing, Babd rolls her eyes and turns to walk away. "Mortals. So pathetic."

"Stop..." Harry wheezes, pushing himself up shakily. "I'm not done..."

"Harry, stop!" Merlin pleads, moving forward before he's stopped by Lugh.

"Merlin, look," Lugh says, pointing to a swirling purple aura forming around Harry's feet. "Is that...?"

"It's Revival of Nemain!" Merlin exclaims, turning towards Babd's shocked expression.

"I have to get better..." Harry mutters, the wounds on his body beginning to heal. "I have to get stronger. If I don't, I won't ever be able to defeat Voldemort. I can't let that happen. I won't! I refuse to be weak anymore!"

An explosion of power erupts from Harry, a purple crow forming behind him before enveloping him in a pulsating aura around him. Holding his hand out, the staff flies into Harry's outstretched hand. The instant it touches his hand, he disappears. Spinning around, Babd barely deflects his blow in time before he disappears again. Appearing beside her, he strikes out in a series of spinning blows, each of them blocked by Babd.

"That's it, mortal!" She cries out, a grin spreading across her face. "You've discovered our power! You're worthy of it! Use it and turn this battle around!"

Striking out with her staff at a blinding speed, Babd's eyes widen as Harry ducks under it and reappears behind her all in the same instant. With a roar of power, Harry slams his staff into Babd's back and sends her flying face-first into the dirt. Dropping to his knees, Harry sighs in exhaustion as the aura dissipates, leaving him barely able to hold his eyes open. Looking up, he sees Babd standing above him with a smirk on her face.

"Even after that, I couldn't win..." He whispers, falling forward.

Kneeling, Babd catches him and holds him up by his shoulders before smiling warmly. "You did win." She says, grinning. "That was my sister's last resort spell, the Revival of Nemain. You know that I'm Babd, but I have two sisters. Morrigan, the battle queen, and Nemain, she's known as the goddess of battle frenzy. The Revival of Nemain is a spell that borrows the magic from the planet to heal you and refill your power for one last blitz attack. However, because of the immense power it gives you, it drains that power very quickly. In addition, all the wounds that were healed will come back twice as severe with ten times the pain.

"It has an enormous downside, and it's only to be used as a last resort. If the opponent is too powerful, defeating them would mean sacrificing your own life. The same applies if your injuries are too extensive. This spell must be only be used for an emergency where you must be prepared to die to avert it." Nodding in understanding, Harry sighs as his eyes begin to drift close. "One last thing; from this day forward, you have proven your worth. I will not be any easier on you, but you have earned my respect... Harry."

Smiling in victory, Harry passes out in Babd's arms, a smile on his face. "Now do you believe me, Babd, Boreas?" Merlin asks, pointing to Harry. "Now do you believe Ananke? This boy, this powerful young boy, is stronger than any of us could imagine. Now, do you believe that he could be the prophesized opposer to Balor's return?"

"With what I'm seeing now, it's entirely possible." Babd admits, looking down at the unconscious boy in her arms.

"I can't help but agree." Boreas nods, staring at the boy in shock. "He still has a long way to go, but he just might be the one."

"A very long way," Babd agrees with a nod. "Dagda guide us that he does not fall to the call of Carman and her sons like the one before him."

End of flashback

Ducking under another swing from Sirius, Harry brings his staff under Sirius' feet, sweeping them out from under him. Landing on his arse, Sirius groans as Harry holds the end of his staff in front of his godfather's face. "Do you yield, Sirius?"

"In your dreams, pup!" He cries out, knocking Harry's staff away with his hand and tackling Harry to the ground. Rolling around for a moment, Harry pushes Sirius off of him with his legs before standing up and discarding his staff with a grin. Motioning for his godfather to charge him, Sirius chuckles. "Finally, some physicality! Let's go, Harry!"

Charging forward to meet his godfather head-on, Sirius shifts into Padfoot at the last second, sliding under Harry's legs. Turning around, Harry ducks under a large hairy dog jumping over him. "Sirius, trust me. This isn't a fight you want to attempt." He says, pointing at his dogfather. Snarling in response, Sirius barks and charges at Harry again. Sighing, Harry drops to his hands and knees. "I warned you."

Growing in size quickly, Harry's bones and organs reshape as he reforms into a nundu. Roaring at the approaching grim, Harry glares with his teeth bared at his dogfather. Whimpering in absolute terror, Padfoot trips over his legs and stumbles onto the ground. Shifting back into Sirius, he stands up and screams. "Harry, how in the name of Circe's sublime tits is your animagus a nundu?!"

Shifting back into himself, Harry stands up with a chuckle. "I wanted it to be."

"WHY?!" He shrieks.

"Lethality," He says, his face hardening. "You know what's coming, Sirius. I refuse to stun and disarm. I've been training for war, and I am aiming to kill."

"Harry, you know I'm behind you one hundred percent, but... A FUCKING NUNDU?!"

"If it makes you feel any better, I'm actually twice the size of any nundu, four times stronger, and about ten times faster." He says with a grin. "Basilisk venom, phoenix tears, and god magic, to answer why."

"Harry, you're going to give me a heart attack one day..." Sirius, says, running his hand through his hair.

"That's the plan, old man." Harry responds with a smirk.

"Bratty little git."

"Old arse prat."

"Gentlemen, is the duel finished?" Dumbledore asks, disappointment on his face.

"Oh, there was never any duel, Professor," Harry says, grinning like a madman. "We just wanted to get away with fighting on school grounds in front of McGonagall. Something no Hogwarts student has ever done."

Cheers erupt from every house as McGonagall purses her lips at Harry, trying to hide her amusement. "Love you, Aunt Minnie!" Harry says, smiling brightly at his favorite teacher.

"Detention, Potter." She says.

"For what?" He whines.

"Lying to me." She says, wagging her finger at him sternly. "You told me if anyone interfered, there would be consequences!"

"Yeah, you would have gotten hurt by the duel!" He says, throwing his arms up. "I haven't lied at all! I just wasn't specific about the kinds of consequences!"

"You admitted to doing this to get away with fighting on school grounds." McGonagall says in exasperation.

"Yeah, meaning I circumvented the rules and what I did was not breaking any!" Harry responds.

"You said it was a family matter!"

"Unfortunately, the mutt is my family." Harry grumbles, pointing at Sirius.

"Oi, I resent that!" He cries out.

"You resent everything."

"True."

"Saturday, detention, you're cleaning all the animal cages." McGonagall says, turning to walk away.

"But I didn't do anything!" Harry whines again.

"Welcome to the wonderful world of pranks, Mr. Potter." She says, throwing a smirk over her shoulder.

After a brief moment of silence, Sirius places a shaky hand on his godson's shoulder. "Harry?"

"Yes, Padfoot?"

"Did McGonagall just pull a prank on you?"

"I think she did, Padfoot," He says, shaking in place. "I think she did."

"I'm scared..."

"Me, too..."

~Fleur~

Once everyone is settled into the magically expanded apartment, Harry flops down onto the couch with a sigh, relaxing into the comfy fabric. Snuggling up to him, Fleur sighs happily as she nuzzles him.

"I love you, 'Arry." She says, smiling up at him.

"I love you too, Fleur." He says, leaning down to kiss her.

"Where's my kiss, 'Arry?" Gabrielle says, hopping into her brother's lap.

"Oh, how could I forget my precious little bird?" Harry says, placing his lips onto his little sister's cheek. Giving her a quick kiss, he proceeds to blow a raspberry on her cheek, making her squeal with laughter. Fleur reaches over and begins to tickle her baby sister, tears of mirth rolling down her cheeks as her older siblings are relentless in her torture of fun. "You won't escape, little bird!"

"Maman, help me!" She cries, giggling as she tries to escape their grasp.

"You'll be fine." Apolline says, waving her off.

"Traitor!" She cries, erupting into laughter again as Harry begins tickling her. "Papa, 'elp your little girl!"

"I'm coming, sweet'eart!" Jacques cries dramatically, scooping Gabrielle out of Harry's arms and running away with her.

"Dad, come back with my little bird!" Harry cries out, flicking his wand into his hand. "Rictusempra!"

The Tickling Charm hits his father and he drops to his knees with laughter as the charm spreads across his body. "Papa, no!" Gabby feigns horror, turning to Harry approaching with wiggling fingers and a fake evil laugh.

"Alright, zat's enough, 'Arry," Apolline says, placing a hand on her son's shoulder. "Come, it's present time."

"Presents!" Gabby cries, running into the living room to everyone's amusement.

"Were we ever zat young, 'Arry?" Fleur asks playfully, turning to kiss her mate on his cheek and pulling her into the living room. "Come, show me what you bought me."

"Yes, dear." He responds with a chuckle. Sitting on the couch with Fleur in his lap, Harry waves his hand and a present for each of them flies into the room. "Gabby, you first."

Ripping open her present, she opens the box before she gasps in shock as she pulls out an animated stuffed Abraxan horse. "'Arry, I love it!" She squeals in delight, hugging it close when it nuzzles her. "Zis is even better zan ze crystal bird!"

"I'm glad you enjoy it." He says, watching happily as she chases the stuffed animal around the room. "Fleur, your turn."

Smiling at him, she reaches over to the box but is interrupted by a knocking at the door. Waving his hand, the door opens and Hermione, Katie, Neville, and the twins walk in. "Happy Christmas!" They all cry out. Smirking, Harry waves his hand and a box flies into the twin's hands, one in Neville's, and one into Hermione's, while an envelope flies into Katie's hands.

"Happy Christmas to you all, too." He says, pointing to Hermione. "Go ahead, you lot! Open them!"

Tearing into the paper, his friends all gape at the insides of their presents before Hermione shrieks as she carefully pulls out a leather-bound book. "Harry James Potter, do you even know what you just gave me?!"

"I do believe it's one of Merlin's journals, yes." He says, smiling innocently. "Why, what's the problem?"

"This must have been a fortune!" She shrieks.

"Not at all, Merlin gave it to me." He said, smirking. "Remember? I'm his pupil?"

"Oh, right." She says sheepishly, looking down at the book before looking back up at him and grinning madly. Fleur steps out of the way just in time for Hermione to jump onto his arms and hug him tightly. "Thank you so much, Harry!"

"Harry-" Forge says.

"Buddy-" Gred continues.

"You know we'd never tell you no-"

"But two thousand galleons for a joke shop..."

"It seems a bit much." They finish in unison.

Snapping his fingers, sparks appear on their rears and cause them to jump up with a pair of girlish squeals. Waving his hand, the bag of galleons freezes in midair as the coins begin to fall out before reversing their path and returning to how they were in the box.

"It's not a donation, my good sirs;" He says, standing up and putting a hand on each of their shoulders. "It's an investment. I'm here to tell you I'm funding your shop to be made partner."

"Equal three-way split-" Gred says, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Or no deal!" Forge finishes, mimicking his twin's action.

"Deal!" Harry says, shaking both of their hands at the same time.

"Harry, I can't accept this!" Katie squeaks, holding up a piece of paper. "He bought me a Firebolt, it'll be here by owl next week!"

"So?" He says, shrugging. "It's just a broom."

Opening their mouths to argue, both Katie and Hermione's mouths are covered by one of the twins.

"Don't argue, girls:" Harry says with a smirk. "Non-refundable gifts."

Turning towards Neville, he sees Neville staring into the box. "Harry, this is too much..." He mutters, pulling out a tree with leaves that are multiple different colors. "This is a Miniature Copycat Oak!"

"What's a Miniature Copycat Oak?" Hermione asks, looking at the small tree.

"It's a magical plant that has leaves which can perfectly and permanently copy the properties of any other leaf, magical or mundane!" He says, gaping at his present. "They're worth a fortune!"

"Happy Christmas, everyone!" Harry exclaims. "Fleur, it's your turn."

Opening the box, she gasps softly as she pulls out a flame dancing inside an orb. "What is it?"

"I created it myself," He says, smiling at her. "I call it a Flame Shift. It can take the form of anything you want. Watch. Show me, Fleur."

The flame turns into a likeness of Fleur inside the globe and starts dancing around, shooting little sparks from its fingertips and ending its elaborate dance with a curtsey.

"'Arry, it's amazing..." She whispers, transfixed.

"Well, of course, it is," he says, turning her face to look in her eyes. "You were the inspiration."

Fleur lunges forward, kissing Harry passionately as they fall back on the couch. Harry's hand shoots out and catches the orb without removing his lips from his girlfriend's. After a few moments, she pulls back ever so slightly and lays her forehead against Harry's.

"Zank you, my love." She whispers, smiling warmly. "It's ze best present I 'ave ever received."

"You're welcome, Fleur." He says, sitting up with her in his arms as she watches the globe with fascination. "Maman, dad. Your turn."

Opening up their gifts, Jacques pulls out a set of matching framed photos while Apolline pulls out a binder.

"The binder is for family photos in the future, and it already has the ones we've taken so far," Harry explains, looking away. "I couldn't think of anything to get you that would mean anything more than family."

Stepping forward, they wrap their arms around their son and hug him tightly. Harry revels in how amazing the sensation of family and home is, appreciating every instant he's in their arms. "I love you both so much..." He whispers, tightening his grip on his parents. "Thank you for showing me what having parents is like."

"Zank you for coming into our lives,' Arry." Jacques says.

"We 'ave been just as blessed with you as we 'ave been with Fleur and Gabby." Apolline continues, kissing his forehead multiple times. "We will always be grateful for you being our son. We love you so much, 'Arry."

"I have one more present for everyone, one more for my family, and one more for Fleur." He says, waving his hand. A small box floats into the room and lands in front of everyone.

"Oi, what about me?" Sirius cries out. Harry waves his hand and a bottle of very old and expensive Firewhiskey floats into the room. "Yeah, that just about works. Shutting up."

"Everyone, these are emergency portkeys and will shield you against almost every curse and hex under the sun." He says, waving his hand as a multitude of rings fly out of the box, one landing on each person's hand. "Merlin and I made them ourselves. The portkey will take you to an undisclosed location that no one but me knows about. Please, use them as a last resort. Just touch the gem on the ring and say Potter Manor, and you'll be brought there."

"Thank you, Harry." Sirius says, smiling proudly. "These are dead useful."

"By the way, Gred, Forge, meet Padfoot:" he says, smiling at their shocked expressions. "Padfoot, meet Fred and George, the frontmen of the next generation of Marauders. I think you have some talking to do."

"Quite right, boys?" He says, gesturing to the living room. "Hermione, Katie, come with me. They need privacy, and I need help keeping these two under control."

"Thanks again, Harry." Katie says, ruffling his hair.

"Agreed, thank you, Harry," Hermione says, hugging Harry. "Happy Christmas."

Smiling at his family once everyone else is gone, Harry holds out an envelope to Jacques. Opening it, Apolline, Fleur, and Gabrielle all read it along with Jacques. As they reach the end, they all turn towards him with tears of joy in their eyes.

"I know it's just in name, but what do you think of Harry James Potter-Delacour?" Harry says, tears forming in his eyes, too. They all rush forward, letter forgotten as they embrace him in a group hug. "I love you all, and I will never be able to repay all you've done for me."

"You do every day just by being you, 'Arry," Fleur says, kissing his forehead. "Never change, understand?"

"Yes, dear." He says, chuckling warmly. "Oh, that reminds me. Fleur, your last present is this."

Holding out a small box, he pulls out a small silver ring with an emerald in the middle. Fleur squeaks in astonishment as he holds her hand. "It's a promise ring." He explains, blushing bright red with a few beads of sweat on his forehead. "We're a bit too young to be getting married, or even engaged for that matter. So, I figured why not get you a promise ring to show you I'm nobody else's but yours until we're ready.

"This is my solemn oath to you, Fleur. I'll recite it again when the time comes, but I vow now and forever to love you, to honor you, and to be yours and only yours. As long as you'll have me, I'll stay by your side, through all hardships. I love you, Fleur, and with this ring, I make this promise. Will you accept this ring?"

"Yes, 'Arry..." She whispers, tears falling down her cheeks. "Yes, I will. I love you, 'Arry."

"I love you too, Fleur." He says. Sliding the ring on her finger, she admires it for a moment before kissing him softly, a kiss of happiness, appreciation, and love. As they finish their kiss, the family embraces once more, celebrating the best Christmas for years to come.

Well, that was chapter twenty-six, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed it! I was smiling throughout the entire ending, and I hope the chapter received some squeals of happiness, some awws of admiration, and some peals of laughter. This was an incredibly wonderful chapter for me to write, and I had a huge smile on my face the majority of the time I was writing it. As usual, constructive criticism is always welcome, and flames will be used to roast chestnuts on an open fire.

Remember something during now, the holiday season, or any day of the year. Never give up on family. I don't just mean your blood, because family doesn't end in blood, nor does it begin there. Family is the ones who are always there for you, who always help you in your time of need, or any other time. Family are the ones who support you and love you, no matter what. Remember this lesson, everyone; family is everything. This is Mystery Critic, signing off.