Standard disclaimers apply!

I do not own Harry Potter. I have nothing to do with Scholastic, Warner Bros or Bloomsbury. I'm not JKR and I am certainly not making any profit out of this.

Christmas Eve

Minerva truly hadn't known what to expect when she had received the invitation to celebrate Christmas Eve at Grimmauld Place – in fact, she'd initially been reluctant to accept; she simply could not abide the place in its previous form. Frankly, it gave her the willies.

She most certainly hadn't been expecting this when she stepped out of the fireplace in the parlour.

Slender Victorian columns had replaced the wall between the parlour and hall, adding proportion to what she had personally considered an unattractively narrow room. The effect was enhanced by the replacement of the dank silk wallpaper with a simple finish of ivory paint and subtly moulded cornices.

Even the floors, she noticed as Percy approached her with a glass of wine, had been stripped of the threadbare carpet to reveal highly polished and intricate walnut parquet.

"Good evening, Percy," she accepted the glass with a smile. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas Professor," Percy said in his usual formal fashion as he led her to the small knot of people talking beside the large Christmas tree. "I'm so glad you could come."

oOo

The room was slowly filling up as new guests arrived; and already full of the clink of glasses, happy talk and sudden bursts of laughter. Percy was settled comfortably between Hermione and Andromeda, thoroughly enjoying listening to George teasing their father about his love of muggle tools – including a spirited imitation of his excitement over the nail-gun. Arthur took the teasing with good grace, as he always did, and -

Percy's attention was diverted by Ron and Harry's cries of greeting at the fire-place. Neville had just arrived with Hannah Abbot, to be quickly followed by Mrs Longbottom and ... Oh Merlin! It's her! Percy cleared his throat nervously and surreptitiously smoothed down his already immaculate robes.

The girl from Flourish and Blotts!

Light brown hair that hung down her back in waves and soft hazel eyes, a smattering of freckles across her nose and a beautiful shy smile. He'd been trying to work up the courage to speak to her for weeks now; but always turned into a stammering fool, so instead of attempting conversation he always paid for his (increasingly frequent) purchases, and then fled back to the safety of his office.

But this was it! The perfect opportunity! Mrs Longbottom seemed to be speaking to her in a reassuring manner as she pulled her into the room. Oh no! They were coming this way ... he wasn't ready! He didn't even know her name! Turning to Hermione he opened his mouth, but then closed it again with a snap. How could he ask about her without sounding like some sort of desperado? Even worse, Professor McGonagall was eyeing him knowingly – was he really that transparent? – and clearly trying her hardest not to laugh.

Patting him on the knee, Professor McGonagall smiled kindly and muttered "Audrey Abbot" from the corner of her mouth before schooling her face into a welcoming smile.

"So nice to see you again, Augusta," Professor McGonagall embraced Mrs Longbottom and then turned to Neville, Hannah and Audrey. Audrey ... Audrey Abbot ... Standing quickly, Percy felt slightly lightheaded as introductions were made, and knew his ears were burning when he took her hand briefly ... Audrey's hand ... and told her he was pleased to meet her.

oOo

Oh god, oh god, oh god! It's HIM! It's Percy Weasley and there are all these people and ... oh god, Augusta's dragging me RIGHT OVER THERE!

The woman was like a train! There was no stopping her as she said hello to various people and continued to make a bee-line toward the group of people sitting around the Christmas tree. Audrey just knew she was going to make a fool of herself, end up with parsley in her teeth or drop wine down her front ... at least I had the presence of mind to wear a dark colour.

Audrey managed a quiet, but she hoped sincere, "Hello" and "Merry Christmas" as they were introduced and knew she was blushing furiously when he shook her hand.

oOo

"Would you like a glass of wine, Audrey?" Percy was relieved that his voice came out sounding relatively normal. He had to lean forward and strain to hear her "Yes, thank you" over the volume of the room, and studiously ignored the surprised (and slightly suspicious) look on Georges face when Professor McGonagall suddenly expressed a keen interest in being taken on a tour.

"You must come along with us," Professor McGonagall insisted as she tucked Audrey's hand into the crook of her elbow. "If you will, Percy?"

"I – I ... yes! Of course!" Percy handed Audrey her glass, feeling his ears burn - yet again!- when their fingers brushed, and fervently hoped that this time he could keep the stammering to a minimum.

oOo

Things were running very smoothly indeed. The hot food was hot, the cold food was cold, the sweets were sweet and the drinks were flowing. Everything was as it should be and Kreacher was happy to see life back in the old house.

Oh, the stories his old Granny would tell him, when he was a little elf in training! Stories of glittering parties, grand balls and beautiful gowns! Of children sneaking down from the nurseries in their night clothes to hide behind the newel posts and peek at the dancing – the same children who were inevitably discovered by Granny herself and sent back up to bed with a secret supply of sweetmeats bulging in their pockets.

There hadn't been many parties when Kreacher was the Black family elf. That last had been when Miss Cissy was married to Lucius Malfoy – and what a grand affair that had been! How he had worked to make sure she had the happiest and most beautiful of days.

But he couldn't sit here reminiscing! Master Harry's good friend, Hagrid, had just arrived with a very large woman and more elf-made wine was needed from the cellar. Kreacher had work to do!

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Yes, that was Mr and Mrs Weasley at the end of the last chapter!