Yay! This only took me two days to completely write and revise! I'm so happy with myself!
This actually seems to move a bit faster then the usual chapters, but it is just as long. Promise!
Btw, summerluck, I hope this chapter satisfies your Kodiak moment needs for now. :D
--Chapter 19-Christmas Rose--
I opened my eyes half way. All I saw was white. Blinking a few times, my vision cleared enough that I could tell I was looking at a ceiling. I wanted to get up and see what was going on, but I was so tired and comfortable, I couldn't bring myself to stay awake much l o n g e r. . .
The second time I woke up, there was someone in the room with me. Groaning quietly, I shift to lean on my elbows.
"I'm sorry! Did I wake you?"
"Hermione? Oh, no, I don't think so." I glanced around taking everything in. . .the purple walls, the bookshelves, a cluttered desk. . .my bedroom? "I'm home?"
"You have been for a few days now. You over exerted yourself and passed out. You've been sleeping like a baby ever since."
Baby. . ."Where's the baby?" I demanded.
"With Tonks. He's fine, Enna. I looked him over and he's healthy aside from a slight runny nose. We got him cleaned up, fed, and comfy."
"Gotta get up," I mumbled to myself and struggled to sit up. Hermione gently pushed me back down.
"Stay put. I'll tell your parents that you're up." Hermione cheerfully left the room. Crossing my arms, I grumbled about being bedridden twice in one year.
"Good to see that you're awake!" Mrs. Weasley walked into my room carrying a tray filled with food. Mum followed, Isis' baby in her arms.
"Molly, I could have--"
"Nonsense, you've got your arms full dear." Mrs. Weasley placed the tray on my beside table.
"Hi, Mum."
"Enna!" Mum gave me a one armed hug, and a kiss on the cheek. "Oh, hon, it's good to see you up! How are you feeling?"
"A bit dizzy, but otherwise alright. How's the baby?"
"Didn't trust Hermione? He's fine, love." I sat up and held out my arms. Mum carefully gave him to me.
"Hey, sweetie," I murmured, kissing the top of his head. "You still need a name don't you?" I frowned in thought. Something was bugging me. I watched mum play with the edge of the baby's blanket for a moment before I spoke up, "Mum?"
"Yes?"
"Before Isis, the baby's mother, died, she had me promise to make sure her baby stayed safe. I was thinking, I'm too young to claim responsibility for an infant. But, do you think--well, I've always wanted a brother!" I finished hopefully.
Mum grinned slightly, "I have grown quite fond of this little guy, you know." Mum lightly touched his cheek. "Does he have a name?"
". . .He looks like an Ian don't you think? Ian Bennett?"
"Ian Bennett Lupin," Mum tested the name out. "It has a nice ring too it."
I smiled down at the sleeping baby. "Welcome to the family, Ian."
As it turned out, we'd made it home a day or so into Christmas Break (very good timing I think). And this year we were going to have everyone here at the Glen for Christmas. They were going to arrive sometime Christmas Eve, and stay through the weekend.
Dad brought home a Christmas tree after he dropped Perry off at his house. Mum and Hermione decorated the tree. Even though I wanted to help, I was only allowed to watch. I held the baby and drank hot cocoa while they trimmed the tree.
Speaking of Ian, dad was quite happy about the idea of adopting him after he got over his initial shock. I was quite happy with the arrangement. I wouldn't have to go back on my promise, and I got a new baby brother! Pretty good Christmas gift in itself, no?
Christmas Eve morn, I woke up when someone came crashing into my room. I sat up to yell at whoever it was, but as it turned out, it wasn't just one person, but all my friends.
"Guys!" I threw my arms around the neck of my nearest friend (Angelique). "Don't you know not to wake someone up like that?"
"You really need to stop causing all of these overly emotional reunions, Enna." James complained as I hugged him.
"Oh, do I now?" I laughed and gave Maddie a bone crushing hug. "Good to see you, Mads."
"Twice in one year is quite enough," Ricky concluded and kissed my cheek when I hugged him.
"Ok, fine."
"Sure, agree with him," Sirius grumbled quietly. Maddie smacked him over the head.
"Hey, William," I smiled and gave my ex-boyfriend a hug. He looked a bit surprised, but returned the hug nonetheless.
"Anyone for pancakes?" Veronica asked. "I saw Aunt Ginny making som--" Veronica didn't even got to complete her thought before everyone rushed out of the room. "Geez!" she rolled her eyes and followed her cousins and siblings out of my room.
"Hungry?" Ricky asked me.
"I could eat, yeah." I stood up, and took a step, forgetting that I was still a bit dizzy. "I am so pathetic," I moaned and sat back down on my bed.
"Hardly. Come on, En." Ricky pulled me up, and helped me walk down the hall.
"Still feel pathetic," I grumbled. "So, were you able to handle being Head Boy all on your own?"
"No, I was an utter failure."
"Was there any need to be sarcastic?"
"Um, no. I just felt like annoying you."
I gave Ricky a sharp jab with my elbow. "Seriously!"
"Okay, okay. It was admittedly harder without you, but I handled everything just fine."
"That's good to hear."
"Enna! Ricky!" Ginny called. "If you don't hurry, all the food'll be gone!"
Smack!
A snowball hit the window, leaving a smear of white on the pane of glass. Looking rather sheepish, Harry, Ron, James, Sirius, and Everett were waving at me. I laughed and waved back.
We had all just finished lunch. Mum, Mrs. Weasley, Fleur, and Angelique had gone out to finish some last minute shopping. Everyone who was willing went outside to have a snowball fight, and the little kids were in the back building snowmen. I was inside with Hermione since I wasn't allowed to leave the house yet. She said that snowball fights had always been more Harry and Ron's thing then her's.
"Cocoa?" Hermione touched my shoulder lightly.
"Sure, thanks."
Hermione went over to the stove to pour me a mug full. "Anything wrong?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, what you went through was quite an--"
I held up my hand, "I'm not thinking about it until after Christmas."
"En, I don't think that's a good idea. Repressing emotions--"
"I wanted to go outside but dad wouldn't let me," I sighed.
Hermione gave me a pained look. "You shouldn't exert--"
"You know something? I'm sick of hearing that! After the thing in Hogsmeade! All this spring, and now, during Christmas! I can even go and enjoy the snow!
"I hate being bedridden! It's so boring, and I've read all my books five times over at least! I--augh, I need to go do something. . .Anything besides sitting here. . " I stood up and walked out of the kitchen. Stalking my way upstairs, I felt a bit bad at yelling like that. Hermione didn't deserve it, but I was so sick of being treated like I was made of glass.
"Hey, En!" Ricky called after me. With his long legs, he easily caught up with me. His cheeks and nose were still bright pink from the cold.
"What do you want?" I grumbled.
His grin faltered. "I thought you'd like some company. Where are you headed?"
I cocked my head to the side. "I guess to see Ian," I responded when I heard the baby's cry from upstairs.
"I'll get him." Ricky dashed upstairs. "Take your time!" he called back.
"Him too. Sheesh!" I thought, annoyed. It took me a few minutes, but I made it to Ian's bedroom.
Ricky was sitting on the the rocking chair, Ian cradled in his arms. He was talking softly to him. "You see," he continued in a soothing voice, "you've got a pretty good deal here. Though I'm sure Isis was a great mum, Tonks isn't half bad herself. She's very clumsy, that's for sure, but she's funny, and a really nice person. She use to change her nose's shape to entertain us when me and my friends were little."
Touched on my mum's behalf, I went to sit next to Ricky. There was a nice cushioned chair next to the rocking one. Ricky glanced at me, but gave no other inclination that he knew I was sitting there with him.
"And Remus isa really smart guy.He's given me help on a few of the subject I have trouble with over the summer. In fact he's better then a lot of professors, because he never gets annoyed when you don't understand something at first. Plus, he's one of the original marauders! How can you beat that?
"And you've also got a big sister now. Her name's Selene, but I guess you'd know her as Enna, huh? Though she doesn't flaunt it, she's brilliant like her dad. She's a right klutz as well, but that's Enna for you. She's an amazing person." Ricky concluded, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"You mean that?" I asked softly.
Ricky looked at me, eyes serious. "Of course." I blinked a few times in surprise. It was probably the sweetest thing anyone's ever said about me. Without thinking, I leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the mouth.
"Oh my gosh!" I jumped up, shocked at what I had done. I turned to leave, but Ricky grabbed my hand with his free one.
"Enna," he protested.
"No, I'm sorry. I should go!" And with that I left the room.
"Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!"
"Oh, hot cocoa! Yay!"
"Told you Ange likes Christmas gifts more than Mads."
"Someone wake mum! Natalie's trying to rip open everyone's stuff."
The gift rush seemed even more hectic then usual in our small living room. I sat a safe distance away to make sure I didn't loose a limb. After all, it would be a shame considering I'd kept them all safe during full moon.
I got my usual books, chocolate, and clothing. Sadly, I couldn't find a gift from Ricky under the tree. I wondered if it had to do with what had happened the night before. We hadn't spoken since.
The rest of the day went pretty well. We invited Missy's family and Perry's family to spend Christmas with us. They showed up just around noon. Aiden followed a few minutes later.
"Aiden! Merry Christmas!" Mum, her hair a festive short red with green tips, greeted him at the door. "Come for lunch? We've got enough food to feed an entire team of Aurors."
"Harry invited me. I hope that's okay."
"Perfectly fine. Molly loves any excuse to bake."
"Aiden!" I gave the young Auror a rough hug. "How are you?"
Aiden gave me a small smile and looked me over. "Better. How about you?"
"Pretty good."
"How's the baby?"
"Mum and dad have agree to adopt him! I've already got a name picked out."
"Really? That's news. Good news of course. What name did you pick out?"
"Ian. . .Ian Bennett Lupin. Bennett after Isis obviously."
"Enna!" Grandma called. "Come and bring your gifts upstairs! We need the room."
"I'm coming, Grandma. See you soon, Aiden!"
Arms stuffed, I awkwardly made my way upstairs. When in my room,I dropped everything on my bed with a slight groan. Was it me or had books gotten heavier?
I set to putting all my new items in their proper places. Books on bookshelves, clothes in drawers, chocolates in mouth. . .
With a sigh, I folded my second to last item--my newest (teal with a pretty blue design on the sleeves' hems) Weasley sweater and put it in my dresser drawer. I didn't know why, but I felt sad. Depressed even. I inspected the cover of the Sherlock Holmes novel James had given me before placing it on my bedside table.
That's when I noticed the rose.
It was abeautiful rose. The bloom was deep orange at the base, fading to a soft orange at the top, and it had deep pink edges. Next to it was a slip ofparchment, and there was a thin silver ring on the stem of the rose.Upon a closer inspection, I saw that the rings band had an intricate star-and-moon design.
I picked up the parchment, and opened it. On it was a neatly written note:
"Dear En,
I figured that you'd rather recieve this gift privately. I was going to give it to you myself (this evening when everyone was. . .calmer shall I say?), but since we'll be 'avoiding' each other for the next few days, I decided to leave it here.
The rose is an Everlasting Rose. It's one of Uncle Fred and Uncle George's new products. They let me raid their newest items a few weeks ago, and this rose made me think of you. As the name implys, the rose will never wilt.
Now the ring. . .you may be wondering if I'm trying to kill you. The answer is no! The ring's made of white gold. All the beauty of silver without the allergic reaction.
I hope you like them. I'll talk with you soon.
Love,
Ricky"
--Anne here! Yes, Ricky's note was the end of the chapter. If you're curious as to what the rose really looks like, Yahoo! Image Search: pink and orange rose. The rose I'm thinking of is the first and third picture. XD I'm dorky, I know.
Oh! Any Danny Phantom fans reading this? If so, I actually have a possible oneshot in the works for that particular fandom (I'll still be working on this story, don't worry). First I've got to, like, triple check it to make sure the characters arestill in chacter.Bleh. It's a cutelitte ficlet though.
And now that I've bored you, I've got to get going. Til next time!
your grateful author,
Anne