Harry awoke Christmas morning looking at the snow falling past his bedroom window. This was the third Christmas in his life that he remembered truly looking forward to. The first one was because he wouldn't have to spend it with his relatives, and this one was because he would spend it with relatives. This was the first year of hopefully many more in which it would be just him, his sister, and his grandfather. Well there was still the issue with Pansy Parkinson, but she went and spent the night with Daphne. It looked like the Greengrass Family would adopt her after the holidays.
He jumped out of bed and threw on a dark blue robe over his Snitch covered pajamas. The excited boy then barreled out his door and down to his sister's room. He busted open the door without knocking to see Willow throwing a robe over her own butterfly covered pajamas.
The smiling redhead looked up at her childish brother. "Your excitement woke me up from a dead sleep."
Harry just ran forward and grabbed Willow's hand. He thin began pulling her down to the Drawing Room were the Christmas Tree and presents were located. His sister didn't protest to much as she figured there was no point. Both Sir Huggs and Cuddles fallowed as they were eager to get by the fireplace in the Parlor now that their Mistress's body heat had left the covers.
Upon entering the Drawing Room, both siblings saw Victor Whitehall setting in a conjured green arm chair close to the tree. He looked just as happy as Harry at the thought of spending Christmas with family once again. The holiday had never been the most joyous affair when his three sons were alive, thanks to stupid Pureblood Doctrine, and after they died the old Wizard just considered the 25th of December to be just another day.
Victor never bothered to respond to Christmas Cards he received and after a while they stopped coming. Only the Pureblood families that wanted his fortune bothered to continue sending cards. Usually the Malfoy Family's card arrived days before anyone else's did.
Victor smiled at his grandchildren. "Why don't we pass out the presents and open them together?" Both children saw that he was already trying to hand them the ones he bought.
Willow grabbed the two presents she bought for Harry and Victor, then traded them for the presents her brother and grandfather got her. Opening Victor's gift first the girl found a lovely fur coat that appeared to be made of a dark silvery short thick hair. Giving her grandfather a questioning look he explained. "Frost Grizzly." She opened Harry's and saw he had gotten her the gloves to match.
Willow ran her hand through the fabric in wonder. Frost Grizzlies were said to have the softest fur in all the world and the Wicca could feel why. The magical bear could only be found in the Alaskan and Canadian Wilderness. It was on average three times the size of normal Grizzlies, possessed the ability to turn invisible at will, and could walk on top of snow so it never left any footprints.
Willow hugged Victor who had opened the Always Warm Mug that she had got for him. On the glass was a picture of a Werewolf howling at the moon. He thought it was a nice gift. Harry had gotten him a small wrist watch like the Weasley Family's clock that showed him were both his grandchildren were at all times.
Willow then stood next to Harry as he opened the small box her present to him came in. Inside was a glasses case that could be enchanted to always summon back the owner's glasses should they lose them. The boy with now perfect vision looked at Willow awkwardly. "I bought it before your eyes fixed themselves." She explained with a smile. Harry laughed and hugged her.
Victor passed him a small box that he handled with care. He watched his grandson open it knowing just how much this gift would mean to him. Inside was a gold pocket watch that had a stag, a wolf, a dog, and a rat engraved on the front. Opening the front Harry saw words engraved on the inside. 'To James from Sirius, on this the day you make Lily the happiest Witch alive. May your love last forever.'
Harry closed the watch and stared at the front engraving. Looking at Victor he asked. "Were did you get this?"
"It was taken as evidence from Godric's Hallow after the Halloween night your parents died." The old Wizard explained. "I had a Watch Maker fix it up so I could give it to you. From what I have been able to find out, the watch was a wedding present from Sirius Black to James on the day he married Lily."
"Sirius Black gave are father this watch?" Willow clarified.
"Yes." Victor said forcibly. "Regardless of that fact, this was James Potter's watch and I know he would have wanted Harry to have it."
The young Wizard had misty eyes as he hugged his grandfather. Despite the time pieces origin's, it was still one of the best gifts he had ever received.
After that it was a whirlwind of flying paper and boxes as both children opened presents. Willow received a green sweater with a large silver W on the front from Molly Weasley and Harry received one that was scarlet with a gold colored H on the front. The Weasley Matriarch had sent Victor a scarf that had a silver, green, scarlet, and gold pattern going down it. He laughed good-naturedly and wrapped it around his neck.
There were other simple gifts from various families trying to kiss up to the Potters that just annoyed the siblings. Victor, who was getting fed up with the Old Families trying to match their various members with Willow now that Vincent Crabbe was out, didn't even bother to open several gifts that he knew were from families trying to gain favor. One of the worst ones was Augusta Longbottom, she sent him a gold smoke pipe that made the tobacco last twice as long and always stay lit.
Willow received several perfumes and makeup kits from her Slytherin friends and Hermione gave her a book entitled 'Famous Parseltongues That Had Nothing To Do With Dark Magic'. Ron and Ginny sent both her and Harry large amounts of chocolate and Hermione gave the famous boy a box of Magical Peppermint Teeth Whitener.
A long box hidden behind the tree caught Willow's eye. She saw it was addressed to Harry and handed it to him. "Who's this from?"
Harry grabbed the package and opened it. Inside was a brand new Firebolt just like the one he received from the Parkinson Family for his birthday. Victor looked at the broom curiously before asking. "Why would someone send you a Firebolt when you already own one?"
The black haired boy turned to his grandfather and explained. "No one really knows I own a Firebolt sense I use my Nimbus 2000 still. I didn't see any reason to use the Firebolt when my Nimbus worked just fine."
The truth was really he had mixed feelings about using a gift from a Family he hated. He didn't feel that way about Pansy anymore sense she became actual friends with Willow, but he still kept her at arm's reach because he had no real idea where she stood in the whole Pureblood nonsense.
Harry placed the broom off to the side as Willow picked up the wrapping paper to have a second look. "No name. It doesn't say who it's from."
Victor shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe they just forgot to add a card or something."
Willow didn't say anything but couldn't figure anyone forgetting to put their name on something as expensive as a Firebolt. She then noticed a solid black wrapped package the size of Harry's head with her name on it. She opened it up and saw a dragon statue made of pure black diamond.
"Wwwwww." Victor gave a loud whistle. "That cost a pretty gallon."
Willow had to agree with him. The piece was polished smooth and looked almost alive despite the fact it wasn't enchanted to move. In a way it made it much more beautiful that way. She noticed a small scroll rolled up and held in its right claw.
She opened the note and read. 'Dearest Willow, I hope this gift finds you well and wish you and your wonderful family a Happy Christmas. Despite the exquisite beauty of this dragon it holds no candle to you. Truly yours, Domnin Olegovich.'
Irritated, she passed the note to Victor. The old Wizard read the words with cold eyes before committing. "Smooth talker, that one. I don't like him though; he is far to fake."
Harry read the note next. "What are you going to do Willow? He obviously expects some kind of reply."
"I'll send it back with a thank you note saying that it was too expensive for me to except." Willow explained simply before repackaging the statue and setting it aside.
The small family then made their way to the Dining Hall for breakfast. It was a small affair sense the House Elves were putting all their attention into making the Christmas Feast. Everyone would be coming over to Whitehall Manor sense it was the largest place to gather. However, before the dinner Harry was going over to the Weasley's at lunch time and Willow was going to the Greengrass's.
Willow looked at the Witches and Wolves painting frowning. On the canvas the Witches were drinking a dark liquid and the wolves were running around in circles excited. She truly hated this painting sense it represented a dark time in magical history. Victor noticed the look his granddaughter was giving the painting and asked. "Is there something wrong Willow?"
The redhead realized what she was doing and looked away quickly. "No Grandpa, nothing at all."
Both Victor and Harry noticed Willow eat her breakfast quickly, refusing to look up again, before jumping up and saying. "Well I'm off to Greengrass Manor. If you two need anything just contact me."
Whitehall watched Willow run out of the room concerned. He turned to Harry and asked. "Do you have any idea what that was about?"
Harry turned and gazed at the painting over his shoulder frowning. "No, I know that Willow knows something about this painting that she hasn't told anyone, but I have no clue as to what it is. Kind of like the dog statue that the Malfoys gave her on our birthday."
Victor grumbled to himself then sighed exasperatedly. "I know why she doesn't like the statue and I don't blame her. As you know Harry, Ulick Gamp was our first Minister Of Magic. The Ministry itself was established to help hide magic from the Muggles. However, before his time Muggles knew magic existed and several magical families were treated as Lords."
"The Gamp Family was known for excessive cruelty regarding how they would punish Muggle Criminals caught breaking the laws of their lands. One preferred method of execution by Byron Gamp, Ulick Gamp's grandfather, was to entomb Muggles in that dog statue to starve to death. He made it worse by placing the statue in his own Dining Hall so the Criminal could smell the dinner that he ate every night. An enchantment on the statue made the pore soul's cries for mercy sound like the baying of dogs."
Harry looked sick at the explanation. "Why the hell did Lucius Malfoy give Willow that statue?"
Victor seemed to think over his answer before explaining. "A lot of Wizarding History has been sugar coated. The only people that could really tell you that story are old Purebloods. You won't find it in any history book that I know of, but apparently Willow found one somewhere. Malfoy probably figured your sister would be ignorant of the statues history and he could get a laugh at her expense."
Harry looked down at his half eaten plate wondering about those pore people that died at the hands of Byron Gamp. "I'm guessing not everyone that died in that statue were actual criminals."
Victor sighed sadly, giving Harry a thoughtful look. "That I could not honestly answer. From what I heard though I don't think Gamp executed innocent people for entertainment. He was known for cruel enforcement of his laws in which he governed his lands by. He believed being cruel made others reconsider breaking the law when they saw how criminals were punished."
Victor seemed to shake himself out of his depressing mood and gave a smile to his grandson. "I'm sorry Harry, this is not something we should be discussing on Christmas. However, I will say one thing more because it needs to be said. Ulick Gamp was a good and kindhearted man despite his grandfather, which was why he was chosen as are first Minister Of Magic."
Running a hand threw Harry's hair, which caused the boy to frown, the elderly Wizard said. "Today is a time to spend with family and close friends. Why don't you run along to the Weasley's? I think I'll stay hear and read a book. We still have our Christmas Feast to look forward to."
Harry flattened his hair as best he could then went to reach for his dirty plate, but stopped. He still forgot about the House Elves sometimes. The first time he had cleaned his room the Elves had been heartbroken believing they had done something wrong. They had apologized profusely for whatever they had done to upset him, and promised that if he let them know what it was they would never do it again. Trying to explain to the small creatures that he was just accustomed to cleaning his own room had been difficult.
Harry stood up, hugged his grandfather, and left. A little while later Victor heard the Floo going off and knew his grandson was gone. He called Misty to clean the table then left to read a book by the fireplace in the Parlor. Upon entering the old Wizard noticed both of Willow's snakes curled up by the hearth enjoying the heat.
Victor sat in his favor armchair and began to read one of his favorite books on Goblin Rebellions, when he heard his fireplace chime out an urgent signal. He glanced at one of the glass snake eyes in the mantle to see who was trying to contact him. The small glass eye indicator showed two names in green smoke, Charles Braner and Marcy Goodman.
'What could those two want to speak with me about so urgently on Christmas Day?' The old Wizard thought as he waved his wand to allow his legal representatives into his home.
After leaving the Dining Hall, Willow went to her room and changed into a thick red robe and Unicorn boots. She then opened a rift to the front of Greengrass Manor.
Unlike most magical houses that Willow had visited, Greengrass Manor was in the middle of London. It was squirreled away on a magical street just off Diagon Alley, opposite of Knockturn Alley, called Merlin's Lane. It was basically a street lined with twenty one house, ten houses on each side of the street and one on the very end.
Snowmen walked up and down the road waving and singing carols. Multicolored fairies circled roof tops and chimneys. Almost every house had the smell of Christmas Dinner wafting from it. A few had even been charmed to look like they were made of gingerbread. The Greengrass Family had decided to keep their house gingerbread free.
Willow walked up to the front door and knocked loudly. It was answered quickly by a rather fat little elf dressed in a very white clean pillowcase. "G'morning miss and Happy Christmas. Welcome to the noble 'ouse of Greengrass."
Willow walked inside quickly because she was cold. Looking down at the little elf she said. "Thanks, can you please let Daphne know Willow Potter is here?"
The little guy gave the redhead a large smile before saying. "They're expecting you ma'am. Right this way please."
Willow fallowed the funny elf from the small entrance way to a lovely furnished Parlor. The entire room was red oak from floor to ceiling. Deep red leather antique armchairs, a sofa, and a love seat decorated the floor around a solid oak table. Both side walls were floor to ceiling bookcases and the back wall was a lovely fireplace with a silver mantle engraved with roses.
"Please miss 'ave a seat. Me lady will be along shortly." The elf informed Willow.
As he began to walk out Willow called out to him. "Sorry, but what is your name please."
The elf turned around shocked. No one asked his name unless they wanted something, but Lady Potter wanted to know it because she just did. "Pots ma'am, Pots the House Elf." With that the little guy vanished.
Willow sat down in one of the armchairs at the foot of the coffee table. She looked up at the mantle curiously and saw that there were names engraved on the rose steams and a few in the rose petals. Standing up and walking closer she saw that it was a family tree of sorts.
"The names of blood born Greengrass family members are inside the rose petals and the steams contain those who married into the family." Willow heard Daphne say as she walked into the room.
The Wicca turned to great her friends, but the words caught in her throat. She had known that Pansy and Tracey would be present but not Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle. She gave Daphne a hard glare which didn't go unnoticed by the six Slytherins.
"Ah yes, there was an emergency meeting called at the Ministry. I don't know what's going on but several members of the Wizengamot were brought in. These three are to remain here with use until the meeting is over." Daphne explained.
Willow's expression turned from angry to curious. "Do you have any idea what the meeting is about?"
Everyone shook their heads no except for Malfoy. "My Father didn't give me any details, but he seemed extremely agitated."
Everyone began to take seats around the table. It wasn't until everyone was seated that Willow realize the dilemma. The sofa and the love seat were on each side of the table as well one armchair on each end. Draco and Daphne sat in the chairs and the two goons sat by themselves on the sofa, while Tracey and Pansy sat on the love seat. The only place for Willow to set was between Goyle and Crabbe. Annoyed with the arrangement the redhead sat down without comment.
"Pots!" Daphne called out loud. There was a loud pop as the House Elf materialized out of thin air.
"You called Ms. Daphne?" He asked in way of greeting.
"Bring us tea and biscuits." The blonde girl demanded of the elf. Pots hurried away to do as he was ordered.
Willow turned to her host. "Will Astoria be joining us?"
"No." Daphne stated. "She is exchanging gifts with some fellow housemates at the moment and won't be back till later."
Pots returned and placed a tray on the table with a full biscuit tin, a plate of finger sandwiches, and a tea pot. He bowed low to Daphne and popped away. Everyone busied themselves fixing tea.
As everyone settled back into the seats, Tracey got a look on her face like she just remembered something big. "Has anyone heard about what happened in Ravenclaw?"
Pansy had a cold look in her eyes. "Oh yes I've heard. It was a scandal involving one of the sixth year boys. Apparently, he may have been using a Lust Potion to assault some of the girls in his house."
"Who was it?" Willow asked already knowing the answer.
"Brice Pronfeather." Pansy stated coldly.
Willow felt the Slytherin boys on either side of her tense up. Judging by Draco's emotions, he knew the dangerous ground this conversation was heading. Far as they knew only Snape was aware of where they acquired the Elixir Of Sweet Dreams and everyone else thought it had been Simon Parkinson. They didn't know Willow knew about Pronfeather's involvement, but they were aware that she knew about the Sweet Dreams Potion. It would be suspicious if two people associated with Hogwarts used the exact same Lust Potion at the same time.
"It's worse than just the Ravenclaws. I heard two Hufflepuffs and a Gryffindor also came forward with accusations." Daphne said.
Willow looked towards Pansy and asked. "Do you know what potion was possible used?"
"No." Pansy said. "Dumbledore is supposable keeping its hushed up as to avoid anyone else getting dirty ideas. Apparently, Flitwick had heard one to many rumors about Pronfeather and had called the supposed girls together in a private meeting. After they began telling similar stories about their courtships, Flitwick realized something darker was going on. After confirming accounts with Sprout and McGonagall, who he asked to question their own female students out of concern, they realized Pronfeather must be using a Lust Potion."
"How do you know so much?" Draco asked suspiciously. He was also trying to come up with a way to change the conversation.
"My Father is on the Hogwarts Board and I overheard him telling Mother." Daphne explained.
Willow felt a strong surge of jealous anger coming from Tracey. The redhead noticed the angry girl looking back and forth between Daphne and Pansy. 'She's probably mad that Daphne shared something with Pansy that she hadn't shared with her.'
The Wicca figured the only way the blonde and black haired girl knew without anyone else knowing, was if they had overheard the Greengrass Lord and Lady talking sometime after the Malfoy party. That was the night Pansy decided to stay with the Greengrass family until after Christmas morning so the Potter siblings could enjoy their first holiday together with Lord Whitehall.
"So, what's going to happen? Were they able to determine if the girls were enchanted beyond reasonable suspicion?" Willow asked curious. She wondered if Dumbledore would try the forgiveness crap again and let Brice Pronfeather off easy.
"Madam Promfrey was able to analyze the girls' individual magic and determine without a doubt that they were enchanted. Unfortunately, despite it being obvious who enchanted them, it can't be proven that Pronfeather was the culprit. He claims that they came on to him and there was never any signs that a potion was in use." Daphne said in disgust.
"You can't be serious." Tracey asked outraged. "What's he trying to say, someone gave them the potion as a joke, and he was just another victim!"
Willow felt her power growing in anger. If Dumbledore let Brice off she would kill the old crackpot and the little bastard. "They're not going to punish him at all?"
Daphne gave a hallow laugh. "Dumbledore actually came through this time. He told Lord Pronfeather and his Solicitor that Brice may not have known about the potion, but he knew physical relations of a certain nature were strictly forbidden on the grounds of Hogwarts. Sense the girls were not in full control of their actions they wouldn't be punished, but Brice Pronfeather was expelled immediately."
"That's it?" Willow asked coldly. "He raped six girls that we know of and all he gets is expelled. He should be in Azkaban."
Draco sighed at the naive girl's lack of understanding. She had no idea how the Wizarding World worked. "I don't doubt, as I'm sure no one else does ether, that Brice Pronfeather is the guilty culprit. However, it would not be beyond the scope of some fool with a grudge against the Pronfeather family to take advantage of the fact Brice is young and stupid. Some asshole could have enchanted those girls to trap Brice, at least in theory."
"That's why the idiot is getting off with only expulsion because the next Wizard or Witch in the guilty position might actually be telling the truth when they say they are innocent. If the next person is allowed to go free when Brice is punished fully, especially if the amount of evidence is roughly the same, then it sets a bad precedents. It's not what you know it's what you can prove."
Willow sat quietly between goons one and two pouting. It wasn't like she hadn't realized all that, but it still pissed her off that Draco threw it in her face. It really bites that even in the Wizarding World there were still ways to get away with crime.
The group fell into an uneasy silence after Malfoy's speech. In an effort to break the tension Daphne asked Willow. "So, did you get anything nice for Christmas?"
"I did get a lovely fur coat and gloves from my grandfather and brother. Someone also gave Harry a Firebolt, but he still has the one from Pansy and her dad he never uses so it will just probably go into storage as well."
"I wondered about that?" Pansy said slowly drawing out her words suspiciously. "Why doesn't Harry use the Firebolt I gave him for his birthday?"
Willow gave Pansy a smile to put her at ease even as she ignored the jealous angry coming from Draco. "He never felt comfortable using it when he had a perfectly good broomstick still. He decided to keep it as a backup just in case his Nimbus ever broke or something."
"Well now the Great Harry Potter just has a backup to his backup." Draco said snidely. Both his goons gave halfhearted chuckles. Apparently they were smart enough to know when to laugh but too stupid to really get the joke.
"Opposed to the Slytherin Quidditch Team getting top of the line broomsticks and still losing every game they play against Gryffindor." Willow said blandly giving the rich brat a look that clearly said shut up.
Draco looked angry but said nothing more. Tracey, in an effort to help the uncomfortable Daphne, asked Willow. "Did you receive anything from an admirer? Perhaps a young and unattached Russian Wizard?"
This caught Willow's attention. She looked at Tracey startled until she realized, by the curious looks on her friends' faces, that all three girls must already know about the dragon statue. 'One of the Russian brothers must have told Daphne, and then she informed Tracey and Pansy.'
Folding her arms across her chest, Willow stated simply. "Yes, I received an awfully expensive statue and romantic note from Domnin Olegovich. However, I plan to return it sense the piece is far too extravagant for me to except."
Daphne had a sad shocked look on her face. "I'm sure it's fine if you keep it Willow. The Olegovich Family is one of the wealthiest in all of Russia. They can easily afford it."
"Please," Draco said arrogantly. "The Olegovich are known as ogreish fools that couldn't manage their way out of a wet paper bag, much less a business or a bank account. Father predicts that in the next one or two generations the Olegovich will lose most of the money and influence they have in Russia. They have lost to much business to overseas competitors as well families here in England such as ours. They have no real income coming in and too much wealth going out."
Daphne was glaring at Draco while Crabbe and Goyle were trying to look important and imposing. Willow looked between Draco and Daphne figuring that each was trying to set her up with their families desired match. Taking a quick glance at Crabbe's left hand she noticed that he still wore his Snake stylized promise ring. The little idiot was still hoping that somehow the wedding would still take place.
Looking at her blonde Witch friend, Willow couldn't help but feel sympathy. She understood pore Daphne's personal motives all too well, besides just her family wanting a closer relationship with the Potters. From what Victor had found out after the Malfoy party the description Draco gave was accurate. The Olegovich were stupid fools that would lose everything in the end. Daphne would be stuck all alone in Russia with her failure of a husband, but if Willow married Domnin than they could at least be stuck with each other.
What Victor also found out was that Domnin has been considered something of a prodigy in terms of magical skill and intelligence. He could already speak three languages, Stegnov could only speak some broken English along with Russian, and was already trying to manage his family's finances. If it wasn't for the fact he was the younger brother than Domnin would actually make a decent Lord.
Willow was wondering if the younger brother would end up as Lord anyway. With Domnin being such a much better candidate than Stegnov, there Uncle could try and do some legal maneuvering to make it happen. The problem was that good ole Uncle Raskalov was not the true Lord and would have to hand over the title soon to the rightful owner when Stegnov became seventeen in two more months. If this turned into some deadly family squabble than Daphne could get caught in the crossfire. The Wicca didn't put it past the ambitious younger brother to murder the older one for power.
"Be that as it may, I'm not really looking for a husband right now." Willow said smiling at Daphne. She then turned an annoyed glare to Crabbe. "My last one came with a lot of headaches and aggravations that I don't want to repeat."
Vincent had a sour look on his face that clearly showed what he thought of Willow's sarcastic remark and Gregory clearly agreed with his friend. Draco noticed Crabbe's hand clinch into a fist. The Malfoy Heir slowly began to reach for his wand in preparation to defend the redhead. Not that he thought she needed it. The fact was that Crabbe would have a better chance of surviving his magical attack opposed to the Wicca's.
Before anything could happen though, Pots popped back in quickly with an urgent look upon his face. "Master Malfoy, Master Malfoy, your father has sent word for you and Masters Crabbe and Goyle to head to Malfoy Manor immediately. The meeting is over sirs."
The three boys stood up quickly. "Thank you for the tea Daphne." Draco said formally. He gave his two goons a quick look and they grunted out their own thanks. All tree left by the fireplace.
When they were alone Pansy asked Willow. "So, you have absolutely no interest in Domnin Olegovich what so ever?"
Willow thought about her answer and wondered just how trustworthy her friends were. She trusted her fellow Witch Slytherins but had no idea how they would react to the news she was gay. 'Oh well.' She thought. 'Better to find out now rather than later.'
"I have no interest in boys at all. I can appreciate the view of a handsome man but there is no attraction. I have much more attraction to girls."
Willow watched as the lightbulbs began to slowly turn on in her friends' minds. Judging by facial expressions they all came to the same realization at about the same time. Daphne and Pansy had faces of open shock while Tracey looked thoughtful.
It was Pansy who recovered first and blurted out. "You must love sleeping in the girls' dorm then."
There was a long awkward pause after Pansy's statement. Suddenly Tracey let out a hissing snort as she tried hard not to laugh. This caused the dam to break as everyone started laughing out loud. The girls were holding their sides as Pots popped in once again.
"Ms. Willow?" He asked nervously testing the name. He had never really tried addressing anyone by their first name in a more than formal way unless he had no choice. Such as when Lucius Malfoy and Draco would both visit at the same time, he called Malfoy Senior Lord Malfoy and his son Master Draco.
Willow finally stopped laughing and gave the little overweight elf her full attention. "What do you need Pots?"
"Sorry to disturb the young misses, but Lord Whitehall has asked you come home early Ms. Willow." The elf explained apologetically.
Willow thanked him and he left. She then stood up and addressed her friends. "Are you guys still coming to Christmas Dinner?"
"Yes, we'll be there." Daphne said still giggling. "It well probably be just us three sense my parents and sister are going to the Malfoy's. They had wanted me to go as well, but I was able to convince them to let me come to your house."
Willow hugged everyone then left by a hole in space. She stepped out of the Greengrass Parlor and directly into hers. Victor was standing by the fireplace deep in thought. It seemed he had made the Floo call then just stood there waiting. "What's wrong Grandpa?"
Victor turned quickly to look at his granddaughter as her portal closed behind her. He gave her a smile that didn't reach his eyes, causing Willow to instantly go on guard.
"I'm glad you're here. I have just heard from associates that a raid was conducted on the Weasley's home a few minutes ago."
The Wicca felt her heart speed up. "What happened? Is Harry ok? What about the Weasley family?"
"Everything is fine." Victor quickly reassured the redhead. "The American Aurors received information that a Death Eater was hiding on the premises. They had the go ahead from the International Confederation Of Wizards to conduct police action on British soil sense it's possible someone in the Ministry was trying to cover up a serious crim."
"Who gave them information and why is the Ministry Of Magic being suspected?" Willow asked shocked.
Just as Victor was about to explain he didn't know, the fire flared green and two people walked out. One was Harry and the other Leroy Gibbs.
"You ok Harry? What about the Weasleys?" Willow asked quickly.
"I'm fine and so are the Weasleys." Harry explained quietly. He then walked to an armchair and sat down lost in thought.
Victor turned to Gibbs. "Well, what's this all about?"
Gibbs looked at everyone in the room before dropping the bomb shell. "Today, Peter Pettigrew was captured alive at the Weasley's residence. It looks like Sirius Black is innocent of all the crimes he was accused of and someone high up in the Ministry might have known all along."