Amid a flurry of owls that carried holiday greetings, party invitations, and Christmas gifts, a single envelope was delivered to the Potter household by a Muggle mailman. After Ginny closed the front door, she puzzled over the return address. When recognition set in, she considered just for a moment getting rid of the envelope before Harry got home. She so wanted this Christmas, their first as man and wife, to be perfect, and she was afraid that whatever was in this letter would take away some of her husband's joy.
Sighing, Ginny placed the envelope on the kitchen table with all the other deliveries and went back to her Christmas cookies. She'd almost forgotten about it when she heard the tell-tale pop of Harry apparating from the Ministry. She protested when he grabbed her around the waist, but then she greeted him with a rather exuberant welcome home kiss.
Moments later they were both laughing, and Ginny was trying to dust some of the flour from Harry's robes. Harry's laughter faded, however, when he spotted the plain stamped envelope.
"This came today, then?"
Ginny worked to keep her voice even and pleasant as she replied, "The postman was quite amused. He seemed to think this house was vacant."
Harry only nodded as he slit the envelope open. A short note fell out first.
Dear Harry,
I found these in the bottom of a box that mum had shipped to me when I moved into my new place. I thought you might want them. Hope you are well. Merry Christmas.
Dudley
Reading over her husband's shoulder, Ginny asked, "That's your cousin, right? I met him at our wedding."
Harry smiled a bit at the memory of Dudley Dursley attending a full wizarding wedding. He became more somber when a thin stack of pictures fell from the envelope into his waiting hand.
On top was a young Lily Evans wearing a very pretty dress as she looked up adoringly at her older sister. The next was a slightly older Lily wearing shiny new robes and sitting on what Harry guessed was her very own Hogwarts trunk.
It was the last picture that made both Harry and Ginny catch their breath. On the back, in faded girlish handwriting, were these words: Me and Sev with our Hogwarts letters.
Harry felt Ginny's arms go around him as he turned the photo over. Even though the picture showed signs of age, both could see the excitement and youthful promise on the two children's faces.
With a look of apology, Harry touched his forehead to Ginny's. "I need to…"
She stopped him. "I know."
"I'll be back soon."
When Ginny nodded, Harry took a pinch of floo powder from the jar on the shelf and threw it into the flames. In a clear voice, he said, "Hogwarts," but in his head he wondered how in the world Snape's portrait would react to this photograph.
Author's note: I still own nothing, and I have to admit that this one isn't my favorite. I kind of wrote myself into a corner, so to speak, having the last word in the story be the challenge word. Oh, well…