A/N: I believe I forgot disclaimers… Okay, the whole Potterverse is ruled by Her Majesty, JK Rowling. I am but a lowly subject…..

Chapter 27: Merry Merry Christmas

"So, open the letter!" Nikki nudged Ianthé.

Ianthé opened the letter to find George's unruly handwriting. It seemed like it was written on a hurry.

InN,

W's dad been in India as a palace guard (for some Muggle experience). India's quite cool, full of mysteries. He happened to know a certain snake charmer. An extremely large snake had gone mental on him. Poor chap. W's dad needs a cup of chai tea right now to calm him down. Do you know where he got the snake? Or maybe why the snake went ballistic?

P.S. We're ordering mung beans right now. Pretty nasty stuff. Ugh.

"Just tell me exactly what happened," Edmond put down Ianthé's trunk when they arrived in the Herze mansion.

"Call the others. I need to tell you something important that has happened."

"What's the cause of this meeting?" Uncle Wilhelm's deep voice reverberated across the walls of the room.

"I got a tip that a Ministry worker has been attacked by a large snake in the Department of Mysteries."

Uncle Alfonse waved his hand, "We already know that, but we don't know who was attacked."

"Arthur Weasley. He was guarding something in the Department of Mysteries when a snake bit him."

Chaos erupted inside the room.

"Silence!" an old man (who still looked intimidating despite his old age) shouted.

Alexander Herze stood up, "We all know what this means. Weasley belonged to the Order of the Phoenix. The snake, obviously, belongs to the Dark Lord."

"What could possible be in there that You-Know-Who wants, Uncle Alex?"

"Something that could be taken by stealth --- an extremely powerful object that could either lead to his rise to power or even to his downfall."

"Papa, Arthur Weasley is in St. Mungo's. He needs a bit of help."

"What do you suggest we do?"

"Send Mother."

"Are you sure about this? Did your father agree to this?" Margeaux Herze walked towards the Dai Llewyn Ward.

"Mum, it's time for us women to do what is needed."

"If this is for the good of our family… then I shall not be afraid to do what is asked of me."

"For our family."

Margeaux nodded, "For our family." She entered the ward, leaving Ianthé outside.

Four people went down the staircase. Two of them were obviously Weasleys judging from their red hair. Another one, a bespectacled boy, had a striking lightning bolt shaped scar. The fourth had curly hair and is smiling at her.

"Ianthé, what are you doing here?"

"My mother had this habit of visiting St. Mungo's patients during the Christmas season."

"Her mother is known for her charitable work. It's just puzzling for you to visit us."

"I'm just returning a favor to a friend…"

Ron Weasley looked at Ginny and Hermione, who both shrugged. Harry just looked at Ianthé.

"Oh, you guys wouldn't know about it…"Ianthé dismissed her previous statement with a wave of a hand.

"How come we're never with you in our classes?"
Ginny Weasley slapped her brother on the back, "She's a Ravenclaw, you nitwit! Of course, you wouldn't have her in your classes. She's Hermione's classmate in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy… Hi, I'm Ginny Weasley." She offered her hand to Ianthé.

Ianthé took her hand and shook it.

"As you know, this dimwit is my brother Ron. This is Harry Potter."

Ianthé nodded as a sign of acknowledgement.

"Hey, I've seen you before… When I left…"

"… Lupin's office, yeah, that was me."

Margeaux left the ward, "Darling, it's time to go…"

"I'll follow you later, Mum…"

Margeaux nodded and left.

"I really have to go, but Ginny, can you do me a favor?"

Ginny nodded.

"Tell your evil twin brothers that the chai tea has been served to the palace guard but not to the snake charmer."

Ron looked at Ianthé as if she sprouted a second head.

"Bye!" Ianthé ran towards the door outside the ward.

I immediately went to Bulgaria after coming home from St. Mungo's. I was so excited to see Viktor again after being away from him for months. I took the ring off the necklace chain and wore it again on my left ring finger. It is hard for me to keep the secret of being engaged to the man I love, but I knew it's for the best. I just wish this thing with You-Know-Who would soon be over. I wish with all my heart, not only for the sake of my loved ones but also for the entire world as we know it.

Ianthé landed in a deserted square in the city of Sofia. A man was already waiting for her there.

"Ianthé!" Viktor Krum greeted her as he enfolded her in a tight hug, "I've missed you."

"And I, you," Ianthé said softly as she breathed deeply.

"How are things?" Viktor picked up Ianthé's trunk, and they walked towards the house.

"Remember the Weasleys? The red-haired family?"

Viktor nodded.

"Their dad was attacked by a snake inside the Ministry."

"Do you think it's…." Viktor opted not to continue his sentence as if finishing it could make You-Know-Who materialize in front of their very eyes.

Ianthé nodded to confirm his, no, their fear.

They reached what seemed to be a door to an ordinary apartment building. Viktor opened the door.

It seemed like the house grew from the inside. The entrance hall was cavernous with a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Viktor deposited Ianthé's trunk at the base of a large staircase of gleaming marble.

Ianthé smiled at him, "Where are your parents?"

"Having some quality time together…"

"That means we will spend our time here alone?"

Viktor nodded, "Except for Christmas dinner."

Oh dear……