AN: Oh well, I just realised that I haven't updated for a looooong time. So time to fix that! Here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it, even if I have no beta anymore (and for the last few chaps I won't try to find one ;-) )

Chapter 20 - Christmas

The next day, Hermione, Ron and Ginny took the Hogwarts Express. Harry would come directly with Bella shortly after them with a portkey.

Ginny had gotten used to her new wardrobe that she had bought together with Harry and it was now finally the time to show it to her mum. She wore a similar outfit as she had done the day she had bought it.

Of course her now usual trench coat, her black dragonhide boots and a nice make-up with a blood red lipstick. Only this time she wore thicker tights under her mini-skirt as it was much colder now and she wore a long sleeved jumper which was like a second skin and it was also black but it had large red lips imprinted on it which were formed like a kiss.

Again it showed off her nice figure and the heads of the male students turned towards her where ever she went.

She had dated a guy already but it was nothing serious. But Harry was right with his first assumption. All guys she had met so far were courageous but to her surprise only few of the 'brave house' had asked her. Probably they feared they were too near by Harry and Ron for their liking. Ginny took it with humour as she wasn't really interested in any guy of Gryffindor.

But she was a little bit nervous about the reaction of her mum.

She did wear her earring, the present of Harry and Bella and a nice silver chain and again a chain around her skirt.

Hermione must have guessed her thoughts, because she smiled and whispered, "It will be alright, Gin."

She didn't knew how wrong she was.

Bill met them at the station together with Charlie to take them to the burrow. Bill grinned as he saw his little sister, "Well, who is that?" he teased her, but he hugged her instantly, "Nice outfit, Gin. I hope, Ron keeps a beater bat at hand."

"No need for that, Harry scares them away with only a look and Ron is not much better." Ginny sighed and rolled her eyes.

Bill hit Ron on his shoulder, "That's our brother! Look out for the little devil!"

Charlie was still staring at her, "That is our little sister?" he asked incredulously, "What happened to her?"

"Harry's girlfriend." said Hermione and grinned, "Harry and her took Ginny on a shopping trip on his account. And I would say, it paid off."

Charlie nodded, "She is hot! Our little Ginny is really hot!"

Ginny squealed and hugged her second oldest brother.

They were brought to the burrow by a ministry car.

They Weasleys plus Hermione were awaited by Molly, Fred and George and Arthur of course as they got out of the car.

"Oh oh! That look is promising nothing good." Bill muttered as he helped Ginny out of the car.

Well, Molly waited until they were actually in the burrow before she exploded on her daughter.

"What are you wearing?" she bellowed.

Ginny was shocked, "What? What are you meaning? These are nice clothes."

The Weasley-Boys took a step back at the explosion that was surely to come, all but Bill who took a step towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Mum, calm down!" Billy said seriously, "These are nice clothes."

"What! Keep out if that, Bill! That are no nice clothes..."

She overheard the crack, that showed Harry's and Bella's arrival at the door.

"... such clothes... these are maybe used by a whore, not by a nice girl like I thought you are!" Molly bellowed.

Ginny stared wide eyed at her mother and tears began to ran down her cheeks "Mum?" she asked quietly but Molly was too enraged to notice that.

"Who... who has done that... where got you the money for that? Don't tell me you have indeed..." she accused her and Ginny buried her face in her hands and sobbed heavily.

An icy voice pulled Molly off her rant: "ENOUGH!" Harry bellowed.

Molly's head shot around and her eyes widened, as she looked in the cold green eyes of Harry and the piercing blue and violet eyes of ..."Bellatrix! Was is she doing here? I never invited that dark evil witch!"

A wave of dark magic rushed to the room as Harry took some steps towards Molly... "I will answer your questions in the order you asked them... firstly, it was my girlfriend who helped Ginny to choose her clothes. Secondly, I was the one who paid for it, because Ginny is like a little sister to me and I simply wanted to make her happy. AND SHE WAS HAPPY UNTIL SHE ARRIVED HERE AND HER OWN MOTHER CALLED HER A WHORE! You BIASED BITCH!"

Molly gasped at that but Harry didn't give her a chance to say something.

"How could you do that to her? How could you altogether call such a nice girl a WHORE! Are you crazy? If you ever call her remotely something like that in my presence again, I will show you how much she means to me and you will feel it as the pain you caused her with your stupidity!"

"How dare..."
"SHUT UP!" Harry bellowed and another wave of raw magic swept through the room.

Molly was taken aback by the rage in the voice of the teenager and slowly she became afraid.

"Now to your last question, You did in fact invite Bella. She is my girlfriend and much much more as I do love her more then anything else. You told me, you would welcome her to your home, as you did to me. Well, it doesn't look that way to me. Actually it looks like we aren't welcome here. As I'm looking for a nice Christmas with my loved ones for once, I will take her with me and leave. MOLLY WEASLEY! I would never had thought you would turn against your own children! Shame on you!" he spat accusingly.

With that he turned to Ginny, "I'm sorry, that you had to endure that, Gin. I would understand if you want a place, where you could collect your thoughts and find some peace for your mind. If you want to, you can come with us of course."

Molly gasped again, "Arthur! Do something!"

But she was shocked to the bone about the accusing glare of her own husband, "I will do something! You will instantly apologize firstly to our guests AND to Ginny! Honestly! How could you call our own beloved daughter a whore? She is only wearing modern clothing, as many teenagers do! And there is nothing offending about her clothes. All is covered nicely and I find, it looks very good, Ginny. And I in the opposite of you do trust her. You said yourself, she should loosen up a bit!" Arthur said. Nobody had seen Arthur Weasley so enraged ever.

"And now, as she does so you insult her!" Arthur bellowed.

Tears were running down Molly's cheeks, as she began to realize what she had done.

"I trust her, that she won't run through Hogwarts and shag every bloke who crosses her way like you seem to think! She is far too clever and a too good character for that!" he yelled.

Molly began to sob heavily and turned to Ginny but she wasn't anymore next to Bill.

She turned around and found her protectively hugged by Harry and heavily sobbing.

Harry had just turned to Bella, "Sorry, love. I hadn't imagined such a reaction. We should go and enjoy a quiet evening together."

She nodded and kissed him in his cheek.

"Ginny?" Harry asked.

She nodded and whispered "Take me with you please."

"Harry!" Arthur pleaded.

The black haired teen locked up with steely eyes, "I'm sorry, Arthur. Thank you for your support. But I don't want to cause distress in your family. It is clear, that the woman I love is not welcome here, so to avoid problems on both sides we will leave. I think, Ginny needs only some time to cool down. It isn't every day, that you get to hear such low insults from your own mother. She will be back tomorrow in the morning, the latest before lunch." Harry said and activated the portkey.

Ron had hugged the whole time his shocked girlfriend. Now he took her hand and asked, "Do you want to come with me in my room?"

She nodded with tears running down her cheeks and they left without another word. Bill glared at his mum and turned to Arthur, "Dad, thank you for your support. But I will leave as well. Maybe next Christmas is more enjoyable." With that he dissapparated.

Fred looked to George, "Too bad we don't know where Harry really lives."

His twin nodded, "We didn't even get the chance to tell our little sister, how hot she looks."

"Yeah, she looked absolutely stunning."

"Better we head up and write a letter then and tell her that."

"Sure thing, Bro." With that they left.

Molly sat heavily down on the couch and buried her face in her hands.

Arthur and Charlie sat down on both of her sides. Arthur laid his arm around her and hugged her while Charlie placed his hand on her shoulder.

She sobbed heavily.

"What have I done?" she sobbed.

"Well, to be honest, you have surely blasted that Christmas." Charlie said seriously, "You have hurt Ginny very deeply. She was totally excited to show you finally her new clothes and did talk about nothing else the whole way. And I have to tell you, that Harry, Dad and Bill were right, there was nothing wrong with her outfit. You also have hurt Harry for sure, even if he doesn't show his emotions anymore. You have hurt the one young man who has so much done for the whole world, but especially for our family. He saved our sister this very year a second time from the hands of Voldemort, he did save dad last year and I have a feeling, he has done much more already. Did you ever think about it, before you insulted his girlfriend? Did it occur to you, that there have to be reasons why he loves her? And even if you still have your problems with that, it is his life, his relationship and his decision! You have told him repeatedly, that he could bring his girlfriend and he did warn you some times! What you did was a slap in his face. And then, Les... Bellatrix. She was hurt, Mum! I would never have thought that, but you have hurt her feelings. Mum, she has saved our ass in the ministry along with the Dark Avenger, she did help in the counter attack! She has done already much good AND she was freed of all charges."

"Yes, and both, Harry and Bellatrix helped to improve the wards of Hogwarts! Again he is protecting Ginny and Ron and they are going to add new wards in some days as well." Arthur said.

Molly was still sobbing, but she looked uncertainly up, "Thank you for your honesty. Both of you. It did hurt... but I did need that, didn't I?"

Both nodded seriously.

"I'm so sorry." she said utterly defeated.

"You need to tell that Ginny, Bellatrix and Harry, not us."

"But how... how can Ginny ever forgive me for that? It may be our last Christmas together or a last quiet Christmas... I mean we are at war and we all are involved!" she said, "I want to be together with her... and with Harry... he is even more in danger... I want both here..."

She gulped, "And you are right about Bellatrix. Sure, she is annoying... but you are right, she has done much good already. She sure is welcome here."
Arthur sighed, "Well, I don't know about that. We all know, that Harry isn't forgiving anymore, and if I should take a guess, that is even more so if his love is involved."

"Does he really love her?" Molly asked.

"Much more than that." came Hermione's voice from the door, "They are soulmates."

"And if I should take a guess, even if you give him and Bella a written invitation, they won't come." Ron said seriously, "He has suffered too much to care about empty promises anymore."

"Soulmates?" Molly gasped, "But, it wouldn't be an empty promise..." Molly said hurt.

"No, but your first one was." Ron said quietly, "And he isn't a type for second chances, at least not anymore."

New tears ran down her cheeks and Hermione hugged her friend as she needed support now. She too wanted to be with Harry, as she knew very well, that the final battle was near... but she couldn't abandon Ron's family. Her emotions must have shown on her face, because Molly looked guiltily to her and said, "I'm so sorry, Hermione. It is my error, that you are apart from him now."

She sighed, "What can I do now?"

"Well, for sure you have to apologize to all of them. I don't know how though. And I don't know, how we can convince Harry to come back." Arthur sighed, "Because Ron is right. Harry doesn't forgive anymore. He has enough worries as it is."

Hermione sighed, "There may be a way."

Molly's head shot up and she looked hopefully to the brown haired young witch, "Whatever it takes! Please, tell us!"
Even Ron looked questioningly to Hermione.

"Well, you won't have a chance to convince Harry. You have to apologize of course. But you could maybe convince Bella. She loves him dearly, even if they both show it not really in public. You have to convince her, that she is welcome here. Then you will have to convince her honestly, that you want Harry here with you and why it is so important for you and your whole family. If you can convince her, she will get him to come and accept your apology. She convinced him to start anew with us as well."

Ron nodded, "That is my Hermione!" he said with a smile, "That is the only way. I don't really like her as well, but I know, he loves her and she him. If you want him here, you will have to convince her. And you should do it instantly."

"How? Nobody knows, where that blasted Manor is!" Molly swore.

"True, but I know someone who can find it." Ron said with a grin, "Even if that is still not easy."

"Who?" Molly asked floored.

"Fawkes."

"You both are geniuses!" Molly said and jumped up, "He will find them in no time."

"There is still a problem." Ron sighed.

"What?" Molly asked.

"Fawkes is a creature of light." Hermione explained, "And maybe he won't look for them. He even hesitated to help Harry to find Ginny."

Molly's eyes widened, "Well, we have to try."

She hurried to the fireplace and called for Dumbledore. She explained the situation and travelled by floo to Hogwarts. There she had some convincing to do, but finally Fawkes agreed to carry three letters to Harry, Ginny and Bella.

The three hurt people sat in the dimly lit living room of the manor and a cosy fire in the fireplace spread warmth throughout the room. Harry sat in the middle and on his left side sat Ginny curled up and snuggling to his side. He stroked slowly her back to soothe her. On his right side sat Bella and leaned closely against him. He had his right arm around her waist and kissed her gently.

"My mum hates me." Ginny sobbed.

"Ginny!" Harry said forcefully.

She looked up with her moist eyes.

"Molly doesn't hate you! She is only a bit biased and was shocked to see her little daughter this hot. She loves you, Ginny and I bet she is sorry about what she had said and I think, she is worried at this very moment and wants you back."

"Do you think so?" she said hopefully.

"Of course Ginny. She is your mother and she does love you. She was only a bit surprised and has to get accustomed to your new style." Harry said and smiled.

"I hope so." Ginny said in a defeated voice.

Harry chuckled and grinned with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"What?" Ginny asked and even Bella turned curiously to her love.

"I bet she is only envious, that you have such nice and good looking clothes. Maybe we should take her on a shopping trip as well."

The three looked for a second at each other and burst out into laughing.

"Oh Harry, what should I do without you?" Ginny said thankfully and hugged him.

"Chase after some more boys of course." Harry said and winked.

"Oh you!" Ginny said and slapped him on his arm.

Bella said reproachfully, "Harry, what have you done to Molly's little daughter and pride?"

They laughed again as a red magnificent bird appeared with a flash, let three letters fall to their supposed laps and landed at the side of Ginny. He sang his song and looked very surprised for a bird, as Harry or Bella didn't shudder in indisposition. Both smiled as the powerful song rushed through them. Ginny stroked his feathers, but the bird kept his eyes on Harry with a questioning look. Harry grinned and held his arm up. Fawkes was visibly curious and flew over.

"Fawkes my dear boy." Harry said with mirth in his voice, "I bet you ask yourself, why you doesn't affect us in a bad way. Well, Bella and me are a dark wizard and witch. We have killed, we have tortured and we have delved in the blackest arts. Yes, we are merciless, revengeful and unforgiving. But we are not evil. Our hearts are surrounded by steel but we have still hearts. We do love, but we give our love and trust very carefully and finally, we do fight for the good, not for the light, not for the dark, but for the good."

The bird looked apologizing at the dark haired teenager and rubbed his red head against Harry's cheek.

"It's alright, I forgive you, Fawkes. I know, that you can feel the darkness radiating of us, I don't hold it against you."

Bella and Ginny stared disbelievingly at that display of friendship between an animal and the powerful wizard and were astounded to see the emotions in the eyes of the ancient bird, at first surprise, than understanding and then thanks.

"Well, my old friend, could you do me a favour?" Harry asked.

The bird looked up to the green eyes of Harry.

"I wanted do do something later in the evening, but as you are here now, maybe you could help me and give us your blessing?"

Harry leaned over to the birds head and whispered something. The bird let out an excited thrill and spread his magnificent wings before he took flight and circled above them and sang a powerful encouraging and loving song. The girls shuddered in excitement, as the powerful magic of the song rushed through them.

Harry got up and turned around, so that he faced Bellatrix.

"As I said, I wanted to do this later in front of all the people who matters to me, but there is no time like present." He said and grinned.

He knelt done on one knee and took Bella's hand in his.

Ginny gasped and Bella stared wide eyed at the young man.

"Bella, I do love you with all my heart. You were there for me, as I needed someone, you trained me and helped me to prepare for my burden as all others abandoned me. You were the first one whom I could wholly trust and I thank you for all that. But you also showed me the meaning of love. In more than one way, you made a man out of me, a little scared, shy and insecure boy. I feel only complete, if I'm around you and know, that you are well. Our bond gives me peace and the strength to carry my burden. If I'm with you, cuddle with you or only snuggle up against you, all doubts, all fear and all insecurity is erased instantly. I know, we have both our moments and we had and will have fierce rows, but I don't want it in another way. I need a strong woman at my side, a woman who knows what she wants and a woman who can held her position against me if I'm moody or brooding and you are that woman. I love you for that and because you don't see me as the boy who lived or the saviour or crap like that. You see me, as I'm and nothing more, but also nothing less. I don't want to be without you anymore. Would you do me the honour and become my wife?"

Bella had moist eyes, as she knelt down in front of him and hugged him fiercely. She nodded, "I love you as well and I'm honoured, that you want to make me your wife. Of course I want."

Harry shoved her gently away and got a small box out of his robe. He flicked it open. Inside on dark blue velvet were two silvery rings. They were actually made of white gold and on their small bands was a celtic pattern engraved which was curled around the words 'eternal love' which were written in gold.

He took the smaller ring and placed it on her finger. She did the same with his and then they kissed. Fawkes changed his song. He sang a song which they had never heard before and it was much more powerful than anything they had heard before. The love they felt was multiplied during this song and they felt their bond strengthen. They felt a tingle rushing through them and finally it seemed to concentrate on their fingers, where the rings were. Warmth spread through the rings and as they separated from the kiss and looked curiously at the rings, they saw, that the celtic pattern and the words seemed to be in golden and red fire. It wasn't hot, but it looked magnificent. They knew somehow, that Fawkes had indeed blessed their love and engagement and the fire on their rings would burn as long as their love would last and if it were for Harry, it would last eternally.

Bella and Ginny had tears of happiness running down their cheeks as Fawkes finished his song and with a final thrill disappeared in a red flame.

"I'm so happy for you both and that you deemed me worthy enough to be a witness to this, is the best present you could give me." Ginny said deeply moved.

She hugged Harry, as the both got up from their kneeling position and after that she hugged Bellatrix for once without hesitation and Bella hugged her back in the same way.

"Well, it seems to me, that someone came to his senses." Harry said more coldly with a look to the letters. He took his and laid it unread on the desk. Than he sat down and pulled Bella to his lap where she landed with a surprised squeal.

She slapped him on his head before she kissed him again. Then she took her letter at the same time as Ginny did and both looked uncertainly at the letters. But Bella looked up to Ginny and smiled reassuringly at the red headed girl, "I'm sure, Harry was right. Molly will surely apologize to you."

"But... even if she does... what shall I do then?" Ginny asked disturbed.

"Do you love your mum?" Bella asked.

Ginny nodded.

"Do you want to be with her and your family?"

Ginny sighed and nodded.

"Then your question is answered." Bella said with a smile.

"What about you?" Ginny asked with a thankful smile.

"Well, I guess, I should read it." Bella said and opened the letter.

Harry looked questioningly at his fiancé as she had finished her letter.

"Well?" he asked.

"You have some very insightful and caring friends, Harry." Bella said with a smile.

"I thought it was from Molly." Harry said.

"It is. She apologized to me and told me her regrets about her insulting me, you and Ginny of course. But she also told me how much she wanted YOU there and she is hoping, that we all come back to the burrow, now."

"Fat chance!" Harry spat.

"HARRY!" Bella scolded him.

He held his hand up and looked to Ginny. She had again tears running down her cheeks.

"She says she is sorry about her reaction and she made it clear, that she loves me and she wants me to come back. She even says, that she knows very well, the she had hurt me deeply and she doesn't expect me to forgive her instantly. She promised me, to ignore her disliking for my clothing and... she said, she will do anything to regain my love."

"And?" Harry asked.

"Harry you prat! I do love her despite her rant!" Ginny said forcefully.

Harry chuckled, "That was what I wanted to hear. Now, do you want to go back now or in the morning?"
"I..." she looked uncertain for a moment, but then she became determined, "I want to go back instantly BUT..." she interrupted him as he got up, "... I'm not going without you both!"

Harry's head turned around and he pierced her with angered green glowing eyes but the expression changed to mirth.

He hissed mockingly, "Traitor!" then he turned around to Bella, "And what have you to say about that?"

She placed her fists in her hips and scowled at him, "That is easy. We will go and take you with us, with or without your consent." Then she grinned.

But shortly after that she became serious again, "Harry, that is your family, there are your friends. Don't hold a grudge about such a silly argument. You are better than that. You need your friends and they need you. Don't forget, that we are at war and the final battle is near. It may very well be, that some of them will not make it and now is maybe a last chance to spend time with them."

Harry sighed and nodded, "You are right."

"I'm always right!" she said and laughed, "Besides, I want to rub the ring in her face and that she had missed the betrothal of her seventh son because of her stupidity." she added with an evil glint.

He hugged her and kissed her. Then he turned around to Ginny and said, "Well, I'm outnumbered. My friends knew what they did, as they told Molly she had to convince Bella to convince me."

Ginny grinned, "You are whipped."

"Sure, I'm." Harry said and shrugged.

"Now, how about a shocking entrance then?" Harry asked with an truly evil look as he called his staff.

"Do you think that is wise?" Ginny asked and gulped.

"She said in her letter, she knows, that I have helped them in the ministry." Bella said seriously, "And she knows, that Harry has saved you some times. If we appear like that, they will realise, that we have saved them much more often as they thought and I think, they deserve that."

Ginny nodded, "You are right about that! That was one thing, that hurt me the most, as she turned on you both despite of all, what you have done."

"Well, Harry, we should make a detour and gather Bill. He had left after the argument." Bella said as she skimmed her letter again.

"Sure thing." then he turned to his love, "Well, Ginny shocked them already with her outfit. If I come in as Dark Avenger, I will shock them too. What about a shocking outfit for you?"

Bella nodded, "What do you have in mind?"

Harry smiled evilly and she took a step back, "Oh no! HARRY JAMES POTTER! NO! NO WAY!"

"Ah come on!" Harry teased her, "That will even strengthen her regrets, that she kicked you out before she could get to know you."

"you will pay for that!" Bella hissed, before she disappeared to their room to change.

"Harry! What are you up to?" Ginny asked and was floored as Bella came back some minutes later "Oh my God!" she whispered.

There was much tension in the burrow. Except Bill and of course Percy who had still not apologized to his family, the whole family was gathered in the living room again. There was only quiet talking and Molly had apologized to all family members, but the twins made it clear, that their acceptance depended on Ginny's reaction. Ron and Hermione had already forgiven her, as they had guessed the reaction of Molly.

Charlie and Arthur had forgiven her as first ones.

"What if they don't come?" Molly asked again.

"Molly, don't underestimate Bellatrix! She is exactly like Harry and if she sets her mind on something, nobody can stop her. She will convince Harry and we all know, that Ginny loves you as you love her. She will come back." Hermione assured her.

Suddenly they felt darkness rushing through their bodies.

The Weasleys gulped and shuddered, only Hermione smiled despite the evil feeling.

"They are coming." Hermione said.

The black cloud was forming and three people and an owl appeared. As the cloud dissipated, they looked stunned to the tall wizard in the dark red cloak.

"What is he doing here?" Molly stammered.

"Well, you have invited me... the Dark Avenger or, 'That Thing' as you called me once." the wizard said in a reverberating voice.

Molly blanched, "Not again!" she said defeated, "Whom have I insulted this time?"

The wizard laughed and lowered his hood, "Only me, Molly." Harry said in his normal voice.

"I thought so, as you arrived here with Ginny and Bill, Harry. I'm sorry for that and I realise now, that you and Bellatrix have done even more for us, as we have thought."

"Where is your girlfriend?" Molly asked, this time in a lovely voice.

The owl swept from his shoulder and landed on the floor before she changed back into her human form.

This time all looked stunned, as they saw the beautiful woman who stood in front of them. The black haired slim girl wore a shiny deep blue silk dress which went down to her knees and enhanced her lovely figure very well. Her shoulders were bare and two small straps held he dress in place. She also had a decent make up in her face and a light pink lipstick.

She looked simply wonderful. Molly gasped as she saw Bellatrix in this outfit.

Harry stepped beside her and laid an arm around her small waist.

"Would you already stop your staring at my fiancé?" he asked with a mischievous spark in his eyes.

The heads shot towards him.

"What?" Molly gasped, "Your fiancé?"

Ginny squealed, "Yes, she has just proposed to her. Oh it was so wonderful."

Then she ran to her Mum and hugged her, "Mum!"

Molly hugged her back and said, "I'm sorry, that I ... insulted you. I love you. Can you forgive an old stubborn woman?"

Ginny nodded.

Molly looked up to Harry and Bellatrix, "I.. I congratulate you and I want to apologize to you as well. That is a lovely dress, Miss Black."

Bella smiled, "Thank you and I accept your apology. And I'm sure you are disappointed to hear that, but I don't like such dresses. It is only a favour for my beloved fiancé. And please, call me Bella!"

Molly looked hopefully at Harry but he had still a hard look in his eyes.

"You are very lucky, Molly." Harry growled, "And that four times. Firstly, you have to thank Hermione and Ron who surely gave you the hint to convince Bella, because if you had asked me, I would have said no. To be honest, your letter is still unopened on the desk at home. Secondly you have to thank Bella, because she accepted your apology and convinced me indeed, thirdly you have to thank your daughter, because she forced me to come along and finally, you are lucky, that I'm in a happy mood, because Bella just agreed to marry me. So you are lucky and I forgive you this one time."

She separated from her daughter and hugged him fiercely.

"I'm so sorry, Harry." she nearly sobbed.

Then she separated and gave Bella her hand, "Welcome to our extended family, Bella and call me Molly please."

After the tension was over, the others congratulated the both of them.

"Say, Mr. Dark Avenger, did you plan to propose to her today?" Hermione asked a little bit disappointed.

"Hey! That silly name came from you brats, so stop to call me that! I'm not interested, that this comes out. And yes, I was going to propose her this evening anyway. But as Fawkes delivered your letters, I used the chance and asked him for his blessing and he gave it to us." Harry said with a proud smile.

"What? Fawkes blessed your engagement?" Bill asked astounded, "That is a powerful blessing indeed. There are legends about magical creatures who blessed the love of wizards, but they are very old. It is said, that they form a bond between the couple."

"They bond already existed between us, Bill." Bella said with a true smile, "Through my emotions I gave him messages about the Deatheaters as I scouted for him in my owl form."

"But you are right about Fawkes, Bill. He strengthened the bond between us and... I tell you, love is a fine thing, but I have never felt it such intense as I did as he blessed us with his song." Harry said.

"It is a true wonder." Hermione said with a proud smile, "In two ways. The first wonder is, that he gave his blessing and the second is, that he gave it to two known dark or even black wizards."

Ginny snickered, "Well, I wondered if Harry is insane, as he began to explain a bird the difference between dark magic and evilness, but then I understood."

"It is a very intelligent bird, that is a fact." Hermione said.

"Now, let's celebrate Christmas and the engagement of the two lovebirds." Molly said excitedly, "And the feast is becoming cold already."

As they sat at the large table and were finished with their dinner, Molly got nervously up and said: "May I have your attention, please?"

Instantly all chatter stopped and all looked to Molly.

She looked apologetically to her youngest child and only daughter.

"We all are gathered here to celebrate Christmas, the day of love and for us, the day of family. We even have the members of our extended family here, Harry, his fiancé Bellatrix and of course Hermione. And I was the one, who nearly blew the holiday and for that I'm sorry. But not only that, I did today the unforgivable, I insulted my own daughter in a way, I normally wouldn't insult an enemy and I will never forgive myself for that."

Ginny had tears running down her cheeks, the same as Molly.

"I want again to apologize to you, Ginny. I did you very wrong and I know, I have hurt you deeply. I, for my part, do find your clothes very... provoking, but I realise, they are very ... hot as you young ones say. I don't like it, but you are growing up and have the right to decide for yourself. I will never say anything against your clothing again."

"Thank you, mum." Ginny sobbed, "And I do forgive you and I love you."

Molly went over to her and hugged her.

Then she got back to her place, but she didn't sat down.

She looked now to a moved Bellatrix and Harry took her hand and pressed it reassuringly.

"Bellatrix, I... I don't know, how I can apologize to you. I did tell Harry repeatedly that he can bring his girlfriend along without worries. But as he did so, I insulted you. Of course, I didn't know it at that time but that is no excuse. You did help us often enough already and I was wrong, very wrong. I don't really know you, but I can imagine, that you don't forgive easily or trust easily. I hope, one day you can..."

Bella grinned, "You are forgiven, Molly. I'm used to get a... rather cold welcoming. That only changed with my Harry. I didn't expect you to welcome me with open arms. In fact, I feel very welcome here now and aside from Harry, that is very new to me. So, no further apologies necessary and thank you for your welcome."

Molly smiled a honest smile and Bella smiled back.

"You know, with that nice dress and that beautiful smile..." Molly said but Bella scowled and interrupted her.

"Please, don't finish that sentence! I'm not a girly type and I don't wear fancy dresses. People see me as cold, dangerous and they avoid me like the plague. I like it that way. If ever, only my most trusted friends will get to know my real self and for now, that is only Harry and my Sister, Cissy." Then she turned around to a chuckling Harry, "And I will get you for that!"

Harry nodded, "I know, Talon."

Molly chuckled as well, "As you wish, Bellatrix. Now... Harry, I know, you didn't show anything, but I know, I have disappointed you too and that hurts me as much as my insult to Ginny. I know very well, that I can't say anything, that will make you forgive me. You have changed too much and again, I know, that is necessary for now. I can only tell you, that it means very much to me, that you are here at this special day together with your fiancé and the rest of my family, because you are family. I hope, someday you can forgive an old stubborn woman and I hope, we all will see better days, where such a cold and ... well, cruel behaviour is no longer necessary. I... I'm very sorry, that I did miss your proposal to the woman you love with all your heart and I know, that is my error and my error alone that all the others missed it as well. And for that, I want to apologize to all of you." said Molly again with tears in her eyes and sat heavily down on her chair. Arthur hugged her gently and kissed her on her cheek.

Harry didn't show any emotion at all and Bellatrix sighed at this. She was sorry, that Harry had become so cold. She knew, partially it was her doing, but she also knew, it was indeed necessary. She did also acknowledge, that she was already changing to the better, thanks to Harry and his caring friends and family. Harry seemed once more to feel, what was going on in her head, as he turned around to her and smiled reassuringly. "It will be alright, love. It will be alright." With that he kissed her gently on her lips.

They spend a joyful evening after that and Molly begged them, to spend the night at the burrow.

"You can use Percy's room." she said to Bella, and then she sighed and turned to Harry, "Well... uhm... of course... uhm... you can sleep together with your fiancé in the room."

Harry grinned at Molly, "Why so shy, Molly? You know, we did even speak already about children."

Molly gasped and blushed, which in turn caused Harry and Bella to laugh.

Then Bella turned to Harry with a wicked glint in her blue, violet streaked eyes, "You told me, you wanted to wait until after the final battle."

"Yes I did." he said.

"Well, maybe we should stop to have sex until then." she said with a devious smile.

Molly blushed even more.

"You wouldn't do that, would you?" Harry asked shocked.
"Test me!" Bella said with an evil grin.

Harry scowled, "You know, if you keep it that way... Well, then I can't wait, until Riddle comes to Hogwarts. I think, I will have to go after him then."

Bella gasped, "Don't you dare!"

"You said, you would stop to have se..." said Harry, but Bella interrupted him and kissed him.

But then she slapped him, "Alright, we will have our sex despite the fact that our children have to wait then!"

Then she turned to Molly and growled, "I can do what I want, he still gets the better of me."

Harry grinned and kissed her again.

The others had watched this display stunned to the bone and blushed.

Only Bill laughed heartily.

Still, Harry and Bella left after a tasteful breakfast and of course after the exchange of gifts.

AN: I try to update faster but I don't make any promises ;-)