December 11 - Snow time

"Well now," Molly said. "Are you all ready to go play in the snow?"

"Yes!" the children yelled.

"You head on out and have fun and I'll have hot cocoa and biscuits when you come back in." She opened the door and the kids ran past her out into the back garden where the snow had been lowered by about half so they could move about easily. To no one's surprise, almost all ten immediately ran further back to the snow that hadn't been lowered. They plowed through the drifts laughing and beginning to throw the snow at one another. Several of them picked up big handfuls and tasted it.

"Go on you two," Molly said to Harry and Draco, shooing them out the door after the children. "Go show them how to play out there."

"They don't look like they need our help," Draco commented.

"Besides what do either of us know about playing in the snow?" Harry asked. "I was never able to until I got to Hogwarts."

"Hey," Draco said insulted. "I played in the snow as a child. I can show them how to make a snow fort or build a snowman."

"Without magic?"

"Believe it or not Lucius didn't allow me to use magic for anything other than my lessons."

"Well then let's go. You can teach me too."

Draco nodded and headed out the door.

"No casting warming charms," Harry decreed. "That takes the fun out of it."

"Why?"

"Because then we won't enjoy the hot cocoa as much when we go back in, and you don't want to miss out on Molly's hot cocoa. She's fabulous at it."

"Good to know," Draco replied and pulled his hat down tighter over his head. "Is it ok if I at least waterproof my gloves so my hands don't end up sopping wet and frozen? They'll still get cold."

Harry considered. "Yes, as long as you do mine too."

"Why can't you do your own?"

"My wand is in the house. I didn't think ahead like you did."

"One of those differences growing up Muggle. Your go-to for things isn't automatically magic."

"And magic has its advantages," Harry noted. "There are things that Muggles can use to make materials waterproof, but they make the clothing more expensive or you have to do it yourself and invariably you miss a spot. Petunia and Vernon made sure Dudley's stuff was all waterproofed. It had usually worn out or been washed out by the time the clothes got to me. Don't know why I brought that up. I don't want to be a downer. Let's go build a snowman."

Harry and Draco each had their own method of building a snowman. Harry preferred to pile the snow up and shape it in place continuously adding more snow as he went with help from the kids, while Draco made a snowball and began rolling it across the lawn patting snow into it as he went. Finally, he settled it in one place and began a second ball. Conor drifted over to help him followed by James and Caela. Freya and Marcus decided to try and build their own snowman and the rest continued to help Harry.

Soon two large snowmen stood on the lawn with one smaller one between them.

"We need more little ones," Teddy said.

"Why Teds?"

He pointed to the two big snowmen. "That's you and Draco."

"So now we need one for each of you," Draco said with a nod. "Excellent idea Teddy. You can each make your own, except for Freya and Marcus who can make another one together."

Harry stood back and watched the kids build. "Look," he said to Draco, "of course, Conor is building one just like yours."

"James is trying but I bet he gives up and uses your method. It is easier."

"But not nearly so perfect a snowman when it's done."

"What's going on out here?" a booming voice called from the door. "Why is there an army of snowmen in the back garden?"

"Uncle George! We're building a family," Freya explained.

"You gotta make one too," Fiona told him.

Ron popped out from behind his brother. "Does that mean I get to build one too?"

"Uh-huh."

Before long the children had made snowmen for themselves and each member of the Weasley family, as well as Hermione and Angelina. They began again throwing snow at one another until Ron showed them how to ball the snow up and throw it that way.

A snowball fight of little kid epic proportions began until the children were all collapsed in the snow laughing and panting.

George flicked his wand sending a snowball into the back of Ron's head. Then he sent another and another. Harry froze suddenly remembering a similar event from years before. His eyes grew wide. His jaw dropped. He began to laugh and laugh, ending up bent in half and falling over in the snow in gales of laughter.

"It's not that funny, mate. He's been doing that to me for years. Ever since he learned how," Ron griped. "Even complaining to Mum doesn't help. It got worse when Ginny learned how to do it."

"No, no…" Harry wheezed between laughs sitting up and wiping his eyes. "It's not that. It's… he… they…" He fell over again in hysterical laughter.

"What is going on?" Draco asked, concerned. "What did you slip him? Some new candy? I thought you'd stop testing products on unsuspecting people, or did he consent? He's been in an odd enough mood lately I could see him saying yes."

George held his hands up. "Not my fault. I didn't do this. I swear! Mum would still have my head if I tested on the family without warning. I don't even have anything new to test right now. I didn't do anything."

"Except hit me in the back of the head with a snowball."

"Ronald," the older brother sighed. "Get over it. It was a couple of snowballs. It's not like I hid a rock in the center first."

"How many times have you done that?" Draco asked.

George sniggered. "Too many to count."

"And only to me," Ron groused.

"Oh no," his brother argued. "We did it to Percy too, just not Ginny because even Dad would have killed us for that, and then when she was old enough to defend herself she was too dangerous."

As they talked, Harry settled down, again sat up, and wiped his eyes. He brushed the snow out of his hair and looked at the three men. He pointed at George.

"You and Fred," he began. "You lobbed snowballs at the Noseless Wonder."

"We did not, though I wish we had. What an absolutely fabulous idea," George commented.

"Oh, but you did. He wasn't yet the Noseless Wonder, he was the Bodyless Wonder, or the Body-sharing Wonder then. You sent snowballs bouncing off the back of-"

"Of Quirrell's turban!" George shouted with glee and jumped up and down. "Merlin's balls! We did! We nailed moldy Voldy with snowballs, and we never even knew. Bloody hell Fred wherever you are I hope you just heard that. That has to be the best thing we ever did."

"That…that's… I have no words," Draco stammered and laughed. "That's simply amazing. That's just too funny for words."

Ron cackled. "Even I have to agree that is awesome!"

"What are you all going on about out here?" Hermione asked crossing the back lawn. "Grandma Molly says she has snacks for anyone who'd like to come in out of the cold for a little while," she called the children who immediately stood up and ran for the back door.

"Now, tell me what's got you all laughing so hard you look like you've been crying."

Harry told her what he had remembered and soon she too was bent over in a fit of laughter.

As they all crossed the lawn back to the Burrow back door Draco dropped back next to Hermione.

"I could use your help on a few things if you have time."

"Certainly, what do you need?"

"You're not too cold to stand out here a minute or so longer?"

"No, I'm fine."

"I'm working on Christmas presents for Harry."

She smiled. "Ah, Ginny mentioned that. I wish I had ideas for you, but I really don't I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I have an idea but I need help getting it."

"Something Muggle then."

"Yes." He told her about Harry's setup in number eleven and asked for her assistance finding the show he had enjoyed.

"I don't know that show, but my father might. Once we know I can help you find it."

"Thank you. There was one other thing, I don't know if it's possible or even if he'd want it done, but I was looking at the tapestry the other night."

"Harry hates that thing," she told him.

"I thought so, considering most of it is covered. Do you think though, if I could repair it, restore everyone burned off and add everyone missing he'd appreciate it? I'd make sure he was added as Sirius's heir which would also mean the children would be added. Would he still hate it? I don't want to upset him."

She considered, twisting her lips in thought. "I don't know. I don't know if he'd like it, but I do think he would appreciate the effort. Do you have any idea how it could be fixed?"

"No, I'm going to ask my mother though. Maybe we can come up with something. I just wish I could take her to see it, that would help."

"If you think you absolutely need her to see it let me know."

"Why?"

"I can look into her exact sentencing," Hermione said. "Maybe we can find a way to stretch it to include family homes. She is a Black and it is an old Black family home. It may not work but we can try."

"Thank you, Hermione."

"You're welcome Draco. I should tell you I tried to repair it myself. Nothing I did worked. I'll send you a list of the spells I tried if you'd like."

"That would be very helpful. Thank you again."

"You're welcome again," she smiled. "Now, let's get inside before all the good biscuits are gone."