Chapter 14 Christmas

The weeks that followed Ginny's wedding were quiet. Neville had refused to allow Ginny to return to school, telling her that her time would be better spent learning how to manage their home. Professor McGonagall allowed him to floo home every weekend so that he could spend time with his bride.

With Christmas fast approaching, Harry and Hermione made plans to spend their first Christmas together as a family with their 'family'. Since Narcissa, Snape, and Draco were already staying at Godric's Hollow, they invited Luna, her father, and the Weasley's. Not surprisingly, Neville declined stating that he and Ginny were going on a belated honeymoon to Egypt. The rest of the Weasley's accepted as did Luna but her father declined.

On the last Hogsmeade weekend before the holidays, Harry stayed behind with the twins while Hermione did her shopping in peace. Draco and Luna had gone along for Harry's peace of mind. He didn't like Hermione going anywhere without him especially since the Quidditch match. So they compromised. Hermione could get Harry's present without him there and Draco went along for protection. Harry spent a wonderful afternoon with Robbie and Raven. Both had learned to crawl early and were now trying to stand on their own by pulling themselves up. Baby gibberish and giggles was the language of the day. When Hermione returned they both had to tell her about their day, in their own way. She listened to every word and asked all the right questions.

An early present arrived for Harry and Hermione from Sarah Brown through Mr. Prewitt. An ultra sound photo of the baby and a brief message of thanks. Also to tell them that they were having a girl and that both of them were fine. After much debate and discussion they settled on the name of Laura Elizabeth for their daughter. Hermione couldn't wait to hold her.

The last day of term arrived and Harry and Hermione decided not to take the Express. Instead they apparated home leaving Draco and Luna in charge of the train ride. Narcissa was waiting at the front door when they arrived. Both babies reached for their 'Nana' who took them and gave them buzzing kisses on their cheeks causing them to giggle. As soon as the others were settled Harry left to meet the Express at Platform 9 ¾. He wanted to make sure that Lucius Malfoy didn't show up and cause some mayhem. As he waited for the train Harry's eye never stopped moving, even when the train rolled in and steam was everywhere. Harry waited until all the students left the platform before he, Draco, and Luna apparated home.

That night after dinner everyone started to decorate the house for the holidays. Harry, holding Robbie, allowed his son to guide his wand in placing the ornaments on the Christmas tree. While Hermione and Raven decorated the mantle and doorway and the stair rail in garland and babbles. Narcissa and Draco were busy placing Fairy lights on the tree and in the garland. Luna was busily helping Agie and Winky in the kitchen preparing several different treats. Severus, showing his artistic side and Dumbledore's inner child, carved an intricate nativity scene out of Never Melt Ice. He also placed Forever Snow in drifts around the house and Everlasting Icicles on the garland that Hermione and Raven placed around.

The two youngest members of the house had the biggest and shiniest eyes that Harry had ever seen. Both would not stop the gibberish and seemed to be pointing things out that they found fascinating. Hermione received an early present when both imps called her 'Mama' and pointed at the Fairy lights. Everyone was surprised at those two for saying something legible and it went straight to Hermione's heart. She hugged her two imps with tears in her eyes.

Harry went to help Hermione put the two to bed and came across a familiar sight. He watched from the doorway as Hermione, holding both babies on her lap, read to them from a book that was floating in the air in front of them. As she finished a page it would turn by itself so that she never had to let go of one of the children. He knew that she cherished this time with them as she opened their mind to her love of books and magic. Tonight though she seemed to have an extra glow about her, something that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Gradually the two little one fell asleep and Harry took his son and placed him in his crib with a gentle kiss good night.

Getting ready for bed Harry sensed that Hermione wanted to talk about something but was nervous about it and couldn't seem to find the words. It wasn't until they were in bed and the lights were out that she spoke.

"Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you remember what you said when we got married?"

"About what specifically?"

She rolled in his arms until she was practically lying on top of him. "About when we both would be ready for a wedding night?"

Harry couldn't see her but he could feel the nervousness in her at the boldness of her question. "Yeah."

"I'm ready for one." She sat up and Harry felt her taking her nightgown off and return to his arms. They got very little sleep that night.

Harry woke up tired but feeling better than he had in quite a while. "It was amazing what love can do" he thought. Hermione was still in a deep sleep with a smile on her face, one that he put there. Placing a gentle kiss on his wife's cheek he got up and took a shower.

After checking on the twins and finding that Narcissa and Luna had them under control feeding breakfast to the laughing babies. Harry made his way down to the kitchen to make a breakfast tray for himself and Hermione. As he started to head back upstairs Draco stopped him. "You look exhausted." Harry smirked. Draco couldn't miss the satisfaction that oozed from Harry over that statement. "I hope you two don't plan to spend ALL day in bed. What would your children think?"

"That they might have another sibling soon?"

"That's way too much information Potter."

Harry laughed. "What do you want Draco?'

"I was wondering if you wanted to go to Diagon Alley with me for some shopping. I need to do all of it and I promised Mother that I wouldn't go alone."

"I think that I could do that since I haven't done any either. How about after lunch?"

"Fine as long as you don't forget and get caught up in trying to give your children a sibling."

Harry laughed as he went back upstairs and into the master bedroom. He noticed that Hermione wasn't in bed and that the shower had just shut off. The bathroom door opened revealing his wife in nothing but a towel. Harry didn't remember eating breakfast.

He did remember to meet Draco after lunch and together they flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and made their way to Diagon Alley. First stop was Gringotts where both of them visited their various vaults. Draco only needed to get some money, but Harry wanted to get a couple of things that he had seen listed on the main inventory list. A set of books written by Rowena Ravenclaw was for Hermione. Harry had found out that it was the only set in existence. He also wanted to get three sets of jewelry for the other three women in his life. Each set had a necklace, bracelet, and earrings and had various protection and safety charms placed on them. He felt that Narcissa, Luna, and Fleur would love them. He gave nothing to Ginny since he still hadn't forgiven her for trying to kill Hermione. He doubted that he ever would.

Once out of Gringotts Harry let Draco take the lead and simply followed. The first place that Draco went to was a very expensive jewelry store. Much to Harry's surprise Draco bought a very expensive diamond ring. It looked like a rose just starting to bloom and the stem wrapped around the finger as the ring itself. It looked very delicate and beautiful. Harry shot his friend a look.

"Yes I'm planning on popping the question, so don't ruin it."

"Decided that you needed a 'keeper'? And I wouldn't dream of ruining this. Hermione would have my head not to mention your mother."

Draco scowled at the reference to his new nickname as Harry laughed and Draco joined in. "Do you think she'll like it?"

"I think she'll love it not because of the ring but because you are the one asking."

"How did you ask Hermione?"

Harry went into detail on how they ended up getting married. Draco just shook his head. "Figures that it had to be something so drastic that made you realize your feelings for each other."

"Have you discussed this with Narcissa?"

"Mother's over the moon about it. She's having a hard time keeping her excitement contained. As a matter of fact she told me that this would be her Christmas present." Harry started laughing again as he could imagine Narcissa saying exactly that.

"What are going to do for next year? Give her her own grandchild to spoil?" The look of almost horror on Draco's face set Harry laughing again.

Their next stop was a magical toyshop. Here Harry found a baby sized Quidditch set that would be perfect for his active son. The settings for each ball could be changed as he grew older. A very large realistic dollhouse, complete with furniture and family was perfect for his daughter and her quiet playing. Draco, in a stroke of genius, got the two rascals baby brooms. Hermione might have a fit but Harry wasn't complaining. He would have boughten them himself if he thought he could get away with it but he knew Hermione would have a fit so he was glad that Draco bought them. That way Hermione couldn't complain since they were a gift.

They both bought several different and rare ingredients for Severus and Harry also found a rare potions' text in Florish and Blotts that he was sure that the man didn't have. Draco found a copy of 'Wizarding Customs and Their Histories' for Hermione thinking that it might be useful to the family later in life. They split briefly to buy the other's gift and agreed to meet outside the Daily Prophet office in half an hour. Harry headed to Quidditch Supplies and bought Draco the latest Firebolt edition thinking that it was only fair to keep the competition even between them as far as brooms were concerned. He then went to Madam Malkins' to buy an extra gift for Hermione that no one else was going to see and was highly embarrassed but very pleased with his purchase.

Harry arrived before Draco. Watching the shoppers as they passed he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen and that someone was watching. Draco arrived with a smirk on his face. They made their way back towards the Leaky Cauldron when it seemed that everyone had just disappeared, leaving the street practically empty. Lucius Malfoy stepped out of the entrance to Knockturn Alley, onto the street.

"Draco, I am so disappointed in you."

"I could care less Father."

"You are such a sad disappointment to me and you will be punished for you insolence and attitude. I have raised you better than that. Now where is your mother?"

"Somewhere where you will never find her."

"You WILL not speak to me in that way. I AM your father and you will treat me with the respect that I deserve."

"You lost my respect when you tried to sell me to that madman you call Master."

"You will not disrespect our Lord, Draco. His punishments are worse than mine and He is very angry with you. He has promised that he will not kill you, as you are my only heir, but you will wish for death before he is finished. You will learn your place. IMPERIO!"

The spell struck Draco in the chest before he had time to move and for a moment Harry thought that the elder Malfoy had succeeded but Draco successfully shook the curse off.

"Nice try Father but I'm stronger than that" and the two Malfoy's faced off. At that point about twenty Deatheaters entered the street from where Lucius had been standing. Spells, hexes, and curses flew and within fifteen minutes Diagon Alley looked like a war zone. Fred and George had arrived within a couple of minutes after the first spell fire. By the time the Aurors and other Order members arrived most of the Deatheaters had been captured or were dead or injured, leaving Draco battling his father. Harry made sure that no one interfered with the father and son duel but also that Lucius wouldn't get away.

Harry, in an inspiration, caused a slight disturbance by shattering a store window. The sound had distracted the elder Malfoy allowing Draco to subdue his father.

They spent the next hour explaining to Moody and other Ministry officials about what had happened and refusing to go to St. Mungo's for treatment. Harry even brushed off the Minister, wanting to just go home. Finally they were allowed to floo home where they were met with the anxious faces of their families. The women of the house had heard about the battle on the Wizard Wireless. Draco pulled his mother aside and told her everything that happened, Harry told the others. He had to listen to Hermione's lecture as she healed him and then proceeded to snog him under the mistletoe.

Christmas morning dawned as Robbie and Raven were the first to awaken. They seemed to have sensed that this was a special day and both decided to prank the adults of the house by levitating all the beds about a foot from the floor and dropping them. Harry had blamed Draco for the prank while Draco said that it had to be Harry. None of the adults believed that the two imps of the house could do that strong of magic until they were caught levitating presents towards themselves. The household was gobsmacked at the display of power from the almost seven month olds. Draco had to whisper to them to leave Aunt Luna's present on the tree as a surprise. Draco had tied Luna's ring onto a ribbon and hung it on the tree for her to find, making it into a Hot/ Cold game in having her locate it. When she did find it, no words were spoken as she silently slipped the ring on and kissed Draco within an inch of his life.

That's how the Weasley's found them. Fred and George teased Draco like mad until Angelina and Alicia put a stop to it by threatening to take away their 'comfort' until their weddings. They finally asked the two to marry them this morning. Never had Harry seen Fred and George behave so quickly.

Gifts were exchanged. Draco had given Harry Puddlemore United season tickets and Narcissa had created a family tree tapestry for the Potter family. The Weasley's, along with Neville and Ginny, had given Harry and Hermione a week at a Wizarding hotel in Spain as a sort of belated honeymoon. It included a portkey to and from their destination, leaving that night. Bill and Fleur graciously offered to watch the twins saying that they were in need of practice for the upcoming months. The shock of that news wore off and many congratulations were given. Dobby and Winky had been in on the gift for they had packed Harry and Hermione's bags for them and Dobby had even included Harry's special gift. The family wouldn't hear of the couple saying no and told them that they needed some time alone, away from everyone else, so Harry accepted. Dinner was filled with laughter and love and all agreed that this was one of the best Christmas' they had ever had.