Ginny calmed down when Remus explained it had been him and not Harry who had decided not to wake her the night before. Still, she continued to shoot Harry death stares as she listened to the update on Sirius.
"So how did you get here, anyway?" he asked. "Remus was going to meet the train."
"Dobby brought me. Nev told me about last night. I decided to go the Room of Requirement after breakfast, to work out my frustrations with you. Dobby showed up, and said he could bring me here. I went and grabbed my bags and well, here I am. Oh, I brought your bag too. Nev gave it to me," she said huffily. She was not going to forgive him in a hurry.
"Oh Ginny,you are such a good friend. You're the best, isn't she Remus?" beamed Harry, trying to get a smile from her. "You're funny, a great Quidditch player, so pretty and-"
"Stop it. I'm mad at you," said Ginny, nudging him and trying not to smile.
"I don't know what you mean, Ginny. Do you, Remus?" asked Harry, blinking his eyes. Remus smirked, trying not to laugh as he shook his head. He hadn't seen Harry this playful before.
"Oh I see, it's the guys against the girl, is that it?" asked Ginny, having fun despite her intention to stay mad. "Git."
The sound of someone tripping over something in the hall stopped the men from answering. "That would be Tonks," sighed Remus, mentally reminding himself to move the hall table. Tonks bumped into it every time.
"Morning all," she said cheerfully. Her eyes landed on Ginny. "Hi, I'm Tonks, Sirius' cousin."
Ginny nodded happily. "Thank Merlin for you. I was outnumbered by these guys, so I'm pretty happy to meet you. Do you want some breakfast?"
"I'll help," said Harry, jumping up. Kreacher, who had been quiet in the corner, shuffled out to help.
"Ooh, I like her. Yeah, that'd be great, thanks. How's Sirius this morning?" she asked as she sat down.
"Sleeping peacefully. He still has the bandages on, but he took all the Blood Replenishing potions all right last night. Hopefully he'll be up and around tonight, or tomorrow."
Tonks nodded her thanks as Ginny put a cup of tea in front of her and then one for Remus. She turned back to help Harry. He nudged her with his hip and she nudged him back. They were talking in a low voice only they could hear. Kreacher was sighing and shaking his head. They weren't aware that Remus and Tonks were watching them. As Ginny burst out laughing, Remus and Tonks looked at each other and raised an eyebrow. Remus wondered where the quiet boy with the weight on his shoulders was. This Harry was acting like a normal teenager, which made Remus really happy.
Harry dished up the food and Ginny put the platters on the table. She had already put plates and cutlery out. "I'll just dash upstairs and see if Andromeda wants anything. That way I can check up on Sirius," she said.
Harry sat at the table. "Eat, eat," he encouraged. He buttered a couple of slices of toast and placed one on the plate next to his.
Ginny came back as Remus and Tonks were praising his cooking. "It's nothing, just breakfast. I used to do it all the time at the Dursley's." He was blushing, not used to the praise.
Ginny sat down next to Harry. Harry put some food on her plate, and she got him another cup of tea. "Thanks," she said, smiling as she picked up her toast that Harry had buttered.
"No problem," he said. He actually liked cooking for them all.
"Sirius was stirring. Andromeda said it's a good sign. He may even be down later today," said Ginny happily. "So, what happened to him. Nev couldn't tell me, he just said you had a nightmare about Sirius being attacked and he took you to Dumbledore."
Harry nodded. "I've been having these dreams for weeks. I'm sliding down a long hall, trying to get to a door. I've made it through the door once before, and I was sliding through a room with lots of shelves. It kind of ...glitters. I can remember loooking for row ninety seven. There were a lot of...I don't know what they are, but they look like Muggle snow globes. Yeah, globes, or-"
"Orbs? Sounds like the Department of Mysteries," said Tonks.
"Yes, that's it. Dumbledore spoke to one of the portraits, Phineas. Said Sirius was guarding the door to the Department of Mysteries. Something about a prophecy. He's got all the Order on guard duty," said Harry. "Your Dad took over from Sirus. Tonks got the word and got to Sirius quickly." he told Ginny.
Ginny smiled at Tonks in thanks. "Is my Dad all right? There were no more visits from the snake?"she asked worriedly.
"I haven't checked in yet. I can make a fire call to the Burrow to check, if you like?" she offered. Ginny nodded gratefully and she got up and left the kitchen to go into the loungeroom.
"I wonder what this prophecy could be about, and why does Voldemort want it so bad," mused Harry. "Is there anyway we could get in there?"
Remus sighed. "Harry, Albus has called a meeting of the Order. Hopefully he'll have more information. I'll ask him myself if someone can get in there and have a look around," said Remus.
"I don't see why I can't join?" asked Harry. Ginny nodded eagerly, her mouth full.
"That's for Sirius to decide. I promise I'll tell you everything I learn at the meeting," said Remus.
"When is it?" asked Harry.
"Tonight. At Hogwarts in the headmaster's office," said Remus. "So, what do you want to do today?"
Harry shrugged. Ginny perked up. "Let's decorate the house for Christmas. It will be a nice surprise for Sirius. We can even bake some Christmas biscuits."
"But we haven't got a tree or any decorations. I don't know how to make Christmas biscuits," said Harry.
Tonks wandered back into the kitchen, and overheard Harry's last remark. "Ginny, your dad's fine. He's home and eating a hearty breakfast that looked nearly as good as the one we just had. Now, I don't need to start work for a bit, I could go and get you a Christmas tree and some knick knacks to go on the tree. If you can write up a quick list I'll even go grocery shopping for you."
"Oh, thanks Tonks, that would be great. We don't need many decorations, we can make our own. We do it all the time at...home." Ginny sighed at the thought of Christmas' past at the Burrow. It had always been her favourite holiday, and this year would be so different.
Remus and Harry exchanged a look. They knew it would probably be hard for Ginny.
"Gin, do you want to check with Kreacher, see what ingredients and food we have for Christmas?" asked Harry.
Ginny nodded and turned to talk to Kreacher. He had been completely different since turning over the locket Horcrux to Sirius, who had vowed he would destroy it for his brother.
Harry indicated with his head that he wanted to talk to Remus out in the hall They got up and left and went into the hall.
"Remus, most of the Order will be at the meeting tonight, right?" Remus nodded.
"Good," said Harry. "Do you think you can..." he whispered in Remus' ear.
Remus smiled. "If he's there, consider it done." They went back to the kitchen where Ginny was finishing off a list. "Here. Thanks for doing this, Tonks."
"No worries. I'll be back soon," she said. "Don't miss me too much." She said this with a sly wink to Remus, who flushed. She walked to the fireplace and flooed away.
"Come on," said Ginny, grabbing Harry's hand. "Dishes, then let's get this house ready for Christmas."
"Kreacher will do the dishes," said Kreacher.
"Thanks Kreacher. Say, do you know if there are any family decorations still here?" asked Ginny.
"Kreacher thinks there might be some in the attic. Would you like me to check?" asked Kreacher.
"Yes please," said Harry and Ginny together. Kreacher immediately left the room.
"Come on, let's go exploring. See what we can use to decorate the tree, or see what can use to make our own," said Ginny, grabbing Harry's hand.
Remus smiled as he watched them go. It was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, after all.
Sirius looked amazed at the difference to his family's old gloomy house. Tonks had come past, to tell them there was no word on Sirius' attack from the Auror department. She and Remus had just left with Andromeda, for the Order meeting.
Sirius watched as Harry and Ginny finished trimming the tree. Kreacher had found some of his families traditional decorations and they'd used the best ones. They'd made the rest, cutting out figures of broomsticks and quidditch hoops, of snitches and candy canes, of dogs and wolves, of stags and lillies.
"There," said Ginny proudly. She held up at star she had cut out and decorated. Sirius and Harry murmured their appreciation. With the WWN on in the background, and the smell of Christmas biscuits and egg nog in the air, Sirius considered this the best Christmas he'd ever spent at Grimmauld Place, and told them so.
Harry nodded. "I know what you mean. My aunt used to go all out at Christmas. Yet on the day, there was never anything under the tree for me. The first presents I got were from your Mum," he told Ginny, who nodded.
"I remember. When Ron wrote home, saying he didn't think you were expecting any presents from your Muggle relatives, well, Mum started making your jumper that very day," laughed Ginny, remebering how she'd picked out the colour of the wool.
"Dumbledore gave me my dad's cloak that year," mused Harry. "And I found the Mirror of Erised."
"What's that?" asked Ginny.
"It's a mirror that shows your hidden desires. When Ron looked in it, he saw himself as Quidditch captain and Head Boy," said Harry.
"What did you see, Harry?" asked Sirius.
"I saw my family," said Harry softly. "My Mum and Dad. Other people too, waving at me. There was a red haired girl, and some kids, three I think. Don't know who they were. Merlin, I must have gone back to look into that thing every night for a week."
Sirius tried to hold back his tears. He watched as Ginny hugged Harry from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning her chin on his shoulder. He leaned back and rested his cheek against hers.
"Christmas biscuits are ready, Master Sirius," said Kreacher, breaking the spell. He placed the tray on the small table and backed away.
"Stay, celebrate with us," said Ginny. "I wish Dobby could be here too."
POP. "Did Harry Potter's Miss Wheezy have need of Dobby?"
"Oh Dobby, good, you're here. Can you stay and celebrate Christmas Eve with us?" asked Ginny.
Dobby looked startled, as did Kreacher. "Begging pardon, you want us,"-he indicated him and Kreacher- "to stay and just...be here?" Both house elves looked confused.
"Yes. Can you, or are you needed back at Hogwarts?" asked Harry.
Dobby still looked unsure. "Dobby can stay for awhile."
"Good. Come in, unwrap your present," said Harry, handing him a present. Dobby looked bewildered, and Kreacher looked almost scared when Ginny handed him one too.
"Go ahead," encouraged Sirius, as Kreacher looked his way.
"Is Master giving Kreacher clothes?" he asked sadly.
"No," chorused Harry, Ginny and Sirius together.
Dobby opened his. "Oh, 'tis socks. Dobby loves socks," he said, pulling them on straight away. One was orange and one was green.
Kreacher's gasp drew their attention from Dobby to him. "Master Regulus," he sighed.
"My friend Dean drew it," said Harry. It was a small charcoal drawing, taken from the Slytherin Quidditch team that had won the house cup that year. Harry and Ginny had picked out a nice green and silver frame for it.
Kreacher stared at it in wonder, then back to the others. He bowed. "Master Sirius and his friends are too generous. This makes Kreacher a very happy elf."
"Merry Christmas, Kreacher, Dobby," said Ginny. Dobby beamed at her, then Harry.
"Dobby must be returning to Hogwarts, but if Harry Potter and his family should be needing Dobby, please just call Dobby's name. Happy Christmas to you all." With a pop, he was gone.
"Kreacher would like to retire for the night. Is there anything the Master still needs?" asked Kreacher shakily.
Sirius shook his head. "I'm good for now, thanks Kreacher."
"We'll look after the old dog," grinned Harry. Kreacher bowed and left the room.
"Old dog, am I" growled Sirius, winking.
"I wonder what's happening at the Order meeting?" wondered Harry.
They sat in silence, thinking about it.
"I wonder if Remus will take Tonks out for a drink or something, after," mused Ginny.
"What?" asked Sirius and Harry, looking at her.
"What? She likes him. I can tell, and I think he likes her too," said Ginny.
"Remus and...Tonks?" asked Sirius. He shook his head. "I don't see it."
Ginny smirked. "Trust me."
The floo flared and Remus stepped out. He smiled as he saw Sirius sitting up and looking happy. "Wow, the tree looks great. You look good, feel okay?"
Sirius nodded. Remus let out a sigh of relief.
"So, where's Tonks?" asked Ginny, nonchalantly.
"Oh, we went for a coffee after, and I saw her home. You know, safety and all that," said Remus, not meeting her eyes.
"Interesting. Very interesting," smirked Ginny, shooting Harry and Sirius a victorious look.
"Safety? She's an Auror, for Merlin's sake," said Sirius, amused. Remus flushed.
"These are dangerous times," said Remus, defensively.
"I think it's very chivalrous of you, and I'm sure Tonks appreciated it," said Ginny. She jumped up. "Egg nog?"
Remus nodded, looking around. "You've done a great job here. The house feels-different."
"It looks good, doesn't it," said Harry, smiling as he looked around.
"It feels like a family Christmas," said Sirius.
"Well, we are a family now, aren't we?" asked Ginny, handing him a cup of eggnog. She placed a hand on his shoulder before handing the other one to Remus.
"Yeah, we are," grinned Harry, looking around the room.
It was a fun Christmas Day. After Remus had filled them in on the Order meeting the night before, Sirius demanded there be no mention of prophecies, or Voldemort or anything bad. He declared the day a day of fun, and Harry and Ginny happily agreed.
They'd exchanged gifts, each happily surprised that the others had got them gifts. Sirius laughed when he opened his. Ginny and Harry had asked Colin Creevy, a Gryffindor who followed Harry around with his camera, to take some funny photos of them, and they put them in a frame. "So you don't forget us when we go back to school," grinned Harry.
"Oh, you're both pretty unforgettable," smirked Sirius, as photo Harry poked his tongue out and photo Ginny did bunny ears on photo Harry.
Harry gave Ginny a broom servicing kit, and she gasped as she handed over his present. He opened it to find-a broom servicing kit. "Great minds," he grinned. Ginny hugged him and Harry had to admit, it felt good.
Sirius had given them both a wand holster, and he also gave Harry a special penknife. "It opens any door," he said, grinning. Harry pocketed it with a grin.
Tonks and Andromeda came over with Remus for lunch. Harry and Ginny had some elf made wine with lunch and got a bit tipsy. Ginny got giggly while Harry stared goofily at everyone.
Ginny got a huge surprise when her brother Bill flooed over. She jumped into his arms and he hugged her tight. The others left the siblings alone to give them some privacy.
"Harry asked Remus to ask me last night. Of course I said I'd come. Charlie would have too, if he'd come home for Christmas this year," said Bill.
He stayed for a light tea, then reluctantly said he had to return to the Burrow. He brought out a few presents for her. "From Mum and Dad, the twins, and me and Charlie."
Ginny cried when she opened a Weasley sweater in green. "Oh Mum," she sighed. She gave him some presents to take back to the Burrow for her family. She buried her head in Harry's shoulder after Bill left. "Thank you," she whispered to him.
Harry, Sirius and Ginny ended the evening up on the roof and watched the stars come out. Sirius had cast a Notice-Me-Not charm and several warming charms. They settled back with hot chocolates and marshmallows.
"It's been a great Christmas," sighed Harry.
Ginny, resting her head on Harry's shoulder, nodded in agreement. "We forgot the mistletoe. We could have got Remus and Tonsk to kiss. After all, that's the Christmas rules." She giggled.
Harry and Sirius exchanged amused looks. "Are you sure she didn't get back into the wine?" chuckled Sirius.
Ginny giggled again. Harry grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
"Wow, look at all the stars," said Ginny. She huddled closer to Harry. "I see Sirius," she said, pointing.
"Sirius Black, what do you think you're doing?"
They all turned to see Poppy Pomfrey staring haughtily at him.
"Stargazing, Poppy," he said.
"Into bed with you, you old dog. You need your rest and I've got some more potions for you," ordered Poppy.
"Yes ma'am," said Sirius. "Night kids. Thank you. It's been a great day." He kissed Ginny on the top of her head and patted Harry on the shoulder.
"Night Sirius," they said. They heard Poppy lecture Sirius all the way back to his room.
Ginny looked back at the sky. Harry looked at her. In the moonlight, with lights from nearby houses and the street lights, her face was aglow.
"Happy Christmas, Gin," he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
Ginny turned, and his lips landed sort of on hers. "Oh," she said, surprised, and his lips moved and fell on her's perfectly.
They kissed gently, softly for just a few seconds. Harry pulled away, looking in her eyes. He seemed worried about her reaction.
Ginny smiled at him tenderly and put her head on his shoulder again. He leaned his head against hers, and they stayed there for another hour.