Chapter Thirty - Let There be Light

There was a media frenzy going on back home when Harry and Ginny got back from their trip. She had known it was coming, and hadn't told Harry about it, wanting to surprise him. Marauders Institute was having a new product launch in just a few weeks.

The week before school would be starting again, a new line of magical lights was going on sale. There were tabletop lamps, and lights that could attach to the ceiling. There were floating lights, and portable lights, and even big spotlights. Sure the WWVN and other inventions were much more exciting compared to just plain old lights, but how many candles were currently in every school, every public building and store, and in every home? These little devices drew just a tiny fraction of power from the Wizards and Witches around them, and Hermione estimated they'd last somewhere around ten years before needing to be replaced. Marauders Institute had quietly been producing them for months, and sales forecasts through to the end of the year were simply staggering.

Hugo had his first birthday, and Albus had his third. There were parties for each boy; Hugo's on the island, and Albus' at their cottage. Lisa and Megan were regular visitors at the house, and Teddy and Stewart would get Harry to come and practice with them on the Quidditch pitch at the Residence as often as he could. Teddy wanted to be a Seeker or Chaser, and Stewart wanted to be a Beater. Albus and Carolyn would play together when Harry or Ginny were at the residence, and James would watch his hero playing Quidditch with his father, wishing they'd let him join in, even if those bludgers were kind of scary.

The kids got their Hogwarts letters, and Harry and Ginny took Teddy, Stewart, Lisa, and Megan to Diagon Alley to shop for everything they'd need. There were other volunteers who helped out with the other children from the residence who would be going to Hogwarts too. Harry took the boys for new school robes and clothes. They went to Olivander's for their wands, and then went on to pick up the long list of books, Potions supplies, quills, and parchment they would need. Harry looked the other way as the boys picked up some select purchases from George's store. They met up with the girls for lunch, and then spent the afternoon back at the Residence playing on the Quidditch pitch.

Teddy stayed at the cottage on the last day of summer, and Harry and Ginny would be taking him to the train in the morning so that he could ride to the school with Stewart and the other students. Ginny's little red sports car would not fit all of them, so she took the two girls with her, and Harry piled all of the trunks and assorted other gear into 'his' boring dark coloured sedan. They ended up bringing James with them too, but left Albus and Lily with Winky while they were gone.

Harry and Teddy were up late after the others had gone to bed. Teddy had been worried about his first day at school, and Harry had talked quietly with him, calming the boy's nerves as much as he could. Teddy was worried about which House he'd be in, and about living in the dorms instead of with his grandmother for the first time. Harry had told him that his mother had been a Hufflepuff, and his father had been in Gryffindor - and a prefect, if he remembered correctly. He told Teddy about how much he had loved living in the dorms, but then his perspective might have been a little screwed up considering what 'home' had been for him.

They reached King's Cross Station with time to spare, and the girls had gotten there in their little red sports car well ahead of the boys. The trunks were loaded up on trolleys, and they all headed for platform nine and three-quarters. Teddy and Stewart watched as the girls went first. Harry had laughingly told them that they should always let the ladies go first. The boys rolled their eyes, but were both secretly relieved to have an excuse to watch someone else go through first so they could see what to do without having to admit they didn't know.

The platform was still exactly like Harry remembered it, and he was smiling as he walked along with Teddy, Stewart, and James. The boys were looking around excitedly at the train and all of the other students on the platform. They stopped near a car that was just starting to fill up, and it was time for the goodbyes. Harry and Ginny hugged all four kids. Lisa and Megan put their trunks aboard, and then went to find their friends. Teddy and Stewart followed them, both boys showing that they were nervous now.

"You're going to have a great year," Harry told them. "We'll see you at the Christmas holidays." When the boys had gotten on the train, and moved out of sight, Ginny put her arm around his waist and gave him a hug.

"We've done pretty good, Harry. Remus and Tonks would be proud of their boy." Harry picked James up and hugged them both.

"I'd hope so, 'cause he's a pretty great kid," he answered. The three of them watched the train pull out of the station, and then they headed back to the cars. James wanted to go with Mommy in the 'fun' car, so Harry had a solitary trip back home with time to think about the past eleven years with Teddy, and to spend time remembering Remus and Tonks for a while.

The morning of September third, an Owl Post was waiting with letters from Lisa and Megan for Ginny, and a letter for Harry from Teddy. When they had the kids started on breakfast, they both sat down to read their mail.

Dear Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny,

Stewart and I both got sorted into Gryffindor, just like my dad, and you guys! Our beds are beside each other in our dorm room too. We got our schedules today, and had our first classes in DADA, Transfiguration, and Potions. I lost five points for Gryffindor 'cause I forgot that I wasn't supposed to call grandma, grandma except when we're in her rooms. Professor Tonks is a tough teacher.

Our favourite teacher so far is Professor Williamson for DADA. He makes the class fun, and we can laugh at the girls mooning all over him. I have to go do homework now, because Professor Tonks has told all of my other Professors to let her know if I don't have my work done.

Write to me soon.

Teddy

Harry handed the letter to Ginny, and then poured himself another cup of coffee. He reached out and snagged the little candy that James had just tried to give his little sister, and looked at it suspiciously.

"What's this, James?" he asked, and James tried to look innocent.

"I just thought that Lily would like to have some candy, daddy," he said, and Harry looked at him steadily.

"And there wouldn't be anything that would happen to your sister once she ate it?" he asked, and James looked down at the table and mumbled something unintelligible.

Harry smiled. "I kinda thought so," he said, and then, just to goof around with his oldest son, he popped the candy into his own mouth, and watched as Ginny and the kids laughed at him while the smoke poured out of his ears for a few minutes.

Ron moved into his new role as an assistant coach for the Cannons. His first challenge was losing Demelza for the season, since she and Dennis had decided that having their first child was a higher priority than the success of the Cannons season. They'd been scouting for a Keeper for over a year, and had found a good one from Beauxbatons. The marketing department weren't disappointed that he was also extremely good looking and single too. They recruited a new Chaser, and were hopefully ready for the new season.

Their first game was at home against the Wasps. It was a low scoring game, won by the Cannons thanks to having a good Keeper and a great Seeker. The team might not be the high scoring powerhouse of previous years, but Ron and the other coaches made the changes that played to their defensive strengths this season, and put the job of winning the games squarely on the shoulders of their veteran Seeker.

Harry and Teddy sent Owls back and forth throughout the fall. Stewart and Teddy both made the Gryffindor practice squad as a Beater and Chaser respectively, and so Harry and Ginny sent Stewart a Firebolt of his own. James, Albus, and Lily joined Harry for his regular visits to the Residence, and sometimes they'd bring Carolyn back for a sleepover at their house. Victoire had made a few friends there too, and would sometimes come with them, and sometimes have Bill or Fleur take her to hang out with those friends.

When he was busy with Wizengamot or Phoenix Foundation business, Harry would leave the kids with Winky, or Ginny would take them to the daycare at Marauders Institute for the day. Lily was sprouting up, and she made friends both young and old with everyone she met. She laughed a lot, and loved to hug and kiss - especially her Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, and all of the rest of her family. James definitely did not like those hugs and kisses, and Albus would just smile and hug her back.

The Weasley clan was called in to St. Mungo's in mid-November to welcome Frederica Weasley into the family. Marietta had given birth to the little girl in the very early hours of the morning, so by the time Harry and Ginny got there with their little clan, there was already a line-up of well-wishers patiently waiting for their chance to see the new baby and proud parents. Albus and Rose found a corner to play in while they waited, and Lily ran straight for Grandpa.

James stood around with Nicolas. When their turn finally came, Lily climbed up on the bed beside Marietta, and gave little Frederica a kiss. Ginny hugged her brother and sister-in-law, and she and Harry took short turns holding the adorable little girl. James, who was already bored with the whole new baby thing, walked around the room wearing his headless hat. His Uncle George was laughing at him, which just egged the budding prankster on even more. Mum soon informed them that their time was up, and they took Albus, Lily, and the headless child home.

Ginny rolled over in bed, and put her arm around Harry. She kissed him softly, and watched as he opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"Good morning," she told him brightly. "The kids are still asleep," she added, suggestively. "Why don't you and I sneak downstairs and read our Owl Posts before they get up?"

Harry laughed, and gave her a hug. "Gee, for a minute there, I thought you wanted me to lock the door and let you take advantage of me." She laughed at him.

"We'll have to make time for that later - it's going to be busy enough today without starting out late - no matter how much fun it would be." They heard Lily stirring, and Harry sighed.

"You go read your letter first, and I'll go get our little princess ready for her day." Ginny kissed him, got up, and went down to the kitchen. She made the tea and coffee, then sat down with her letter, and began to read.

Dear Ginny,

It is my pleasure to advise that your PBP Investments account managers have approved your annual incentive for the year ended November 30, 2009. Marauders Institute had another record year, thanks to your magical lights and the continuing success of the GameWizard, WiComm, Translocator, and WWVN product lines. A transfer has been made to your account in the amount of forty-three million galleons. Thank-you again for the wonderful research you're doing at the institute.

Sincerely,

Molly Weasley

Account Manager - PBP Investments

Ginny smiled as she thought about the changes that had happened in her family's lives since Harry had become a part of that family. They all lived in nice, but modest homes when compared to the standards of some of the 'old money' Wizarding families. She loved their house, and wouldn't change it for the world, but she also didn't miss being poor anymore, and she loved the fact that nobody in her family would ever have to worry about money again either. Harry came into the kitchen with a smiling Lily in his arms.

"I take it from seeing that smile that you're pretty happy with your incentive this year."

Ginny laughed at his understatement. "I was 'pretty happy' with that first bonus. I'm not sure there's a word that can describe what to feel about amounts like this." She took Lily from Harry so he could grab a coffee and go over his own reports.

Dear Harry,

PBP Investments and the Investment Partnership had another exciting year, topped off with the successful magical lighting sales during the closing months of the year. After another few consecutive years of growth, we are going to hold off on allowing new investment in the partnership, because we need to once again absorb the phenomenal growth, and re-invest the significant profits from this year. We have exciting plans for the coming year, and are looking to further diversify our holdings into new ventures in different markets.

The Phoenix Foundation finances are strong, and both the Wizarding and Goblin communities are benefiting from your efforts. The Investment Partnership has decided that we want to be a bigger part of this, and we will be adding an additional twenty-five million galleons to the foundation's account for the coming year. I have included your financial summary, and my annual incentive authorization form for your review and approval. This owl will wait for your return post.

Fleur Weasley

CEO - PBP Investments

Harry handed Fleur's letter over to Ginny, and continued with reading the financial summary.

Annual Financial Report - PBP Investments

Year Ending November 30, 2009

Beginning Balance PBPI: 11,829.75 million galleons

Beginning Charity Balance: 276 million galleons

Beginning Balance - IP: 3,930.5 million galleons

New Investment: 600 million galleons

Total Beginning Balance: 16,636.25 million galleons

Profits:

Marauders Institute 4,300 million galleons

Property Division 890 million galleons

Goblin Ventures 460 million galleons

Other Investments 250 million galleons

Total Profit 5,900 million galleons

Less incentive (40 percent) 2,360 million galleons

*Pending approval of projected incentives.

Less Non-Profit Vaccine: 5 million galleons **One Million vaccinations delivered during business year..

Profit after incentives 3,535 million galleons

**Investment Partnership receives 27.23 percent of after-incentive profit, Charity receives 1.66 percent of profit

Ending Balance PBPI: 14,092 million galleons

Charity Account: 586.25 million galleons

Less Expenses: 286.25 million galleons

Ending Balance - Charity: 300 million galleons

Ending Balance - IP: 5,493 million galleons

Total Ending Balance: 19,885 million galleons

Harry signed Fleur's incentive authorization and sent it back with the Owl. He idly wondered how close she was to becoming the Wizarding World's first billionaire Witch. Ginny reached out for the summary, and Harry handed it over. The boys came tumbling down the stairs while she was reading it over, so Harry got breakfast ready for all of them.

"I see they won't be allowing any new investment in the partnership this year," she said after finishing going over the report. "I guess I'd better find somewhere else to put my incentive money to work." Harry smiled and nodded.

"Maybe you and the other girls should put together your own partnership and go into investments for products specifically for Witches," he suggested. Ginny stopped and looked at him for a very long moment.

"That's a really stupendous idea, Harry," she told him.

Harry laughed. "Just remember to tell Fleur that if your new company looks like a winning investment to make sure PBP gets in on the ground floor," he told her. Ginny kissed him, but the wheels were already turning, and he could tell she was already getting fired up about his suggestion.

"Can you take care of the kids?" she asked him, a bit distracted. "I have to make a few WiComm calls."

"I can do that," he agreed. "I'm guessing we won't see you until after the party. Me and my big mouth." Ginny kissed them all, and then went off to set up a meeting and get ready to go to the Institute for the day. Harry turned to his children and smiled at them.

"Who's up for a morning at the Residence, lunch in Diagon Alley, and shopping in London in the afternoon?" he asked them. Three little hands shot up, and Harry made his own WiComm call to see if Victoire would like to come spend the day with them too.

Ginny got back home for story time, and after the kids were tucked in, she curled up on the sofa with Harry and they talked about their respective days. Harry had taken the kids, including Victoire, to the residence, where they played with the kids for the morning. They took Carolyn with them when they left to go out for lunch, and then went shopping for nearly three hours. The girls each picked out an outfit or two, Albus bought a new book, James added another dragon to his collection, and Carolyn and Lily each got a new doll.

They had an afternoon snack, then made the return trip via the Residence and Victoire's house to drop the two girls off before going home to the Cottage. Ginny told him about the meeting she'd put together with Fleur, Mum, Hermione, Luna, Penelope, Mandy, and Natalie. They had all loved Harry's idea, and were putting three hundred million galleons into Witch Investments.

"Fleur plans to get another two hundred million from PBP Investments and the Partnership," she told him. "We also managed to fit a party into the day, and I did a little research too." Harry had closed his eyes as he listened to Ginny tell him about everything. He felt her kiss him, and he looked into her eyes.

"It's later," she said softly. "The kids are asleep. Why don't we go up to bed, and you can lock the door."

James was absolutely bouncing off of the walls. Teddy was coming to stay with them for a whole week during the Christmas Holidays! He had really missed Teddy while he was away at Hogwarts.

"Relax, James," his father told him for the second or twentieth time. "He'll be here soon."

Harry watched his son, and he was probably just as excited as James was. He'd spent at least a couple of days a week with Teddy nearly all of the boy's life, and he'd found it hard being separated from him for the last few months. He'd stayed here with the boys while Ginny went to get their four Hogwarts students. She would be dropping Lisa, Megan, and Stewart off at the Residence, and then would bring Teddy home with her to the Cottage. The weekend was booked with shopping trips and a Christmas Party at the Burrow, and then Harry would have Teddy for the whole week to hang out with him and the kids.

Teddy and Ginny were almost back to the cottage. He loved school and his friends, and everything that was going on there, but he was really glad to get to spend some time with Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny. Grandma was going to go spend most of the next week at their house on the island, and then go back to Hogwarts for Christmas. That thought made him think about Stewart, and the other kids at the Residence. He fingered his pin. He'd been the only first year that had one of the Phoenix Foundation pins, and it automatically earned him some points with some of the older students who had gotten them last year - especially since his pin had two emeralds.

When they finally got home, he ran inside, and hugged Harry, shook James' hand, and hugged Albus and Lily. James quickly claimed Teddy, and took him upstairs to the guest room he'd be using for the week so Teddy could drop his things off and get settled in. When they came back downstairs, Harry and Ginny had lunch ready for them, and they sat down to listen as Teddy told them all about school so far.

Gryffindor had lost a close game to Slytherin in their first match of the season, but Teddy and Stewart were both doing good playing on the practice team, and he loved getting to play nearly every day in practices. He was doing good work in all of his classes, and Professor Slughorn had asked him to be in the Slug Club. He joked that having Harry Potter for a Godfather did have a few advantages, even if it did mean having to put up with a short little prankster like James - who had just been caught trying to slip another treat from his junior skiving snackbox to Lily. When lunch was over, Ginny went to work for the afternoon. Harry, Lily, and the boys picked up Victoire on the way, and went out to spend their afternoon at their favourite mall in London.

The Saturday shopping event began, after a breakfast prepared by chefs Harry and Teddy, with picking up Victoire, Lisa, Megan, Stewart, and Carolyn. They went into Diagon Alley first to get the school supplies that the four Hogwarts students needed for when they went back to school, and then to pick out some of the Christmas gifts on their shopping lists.

When they were all finished there, Ginny popped some Translocators on their purchases, and sent them back to the Cottage or to the kid's Residence rooms so they didn't have all the packages to carry around with them when they went into Muggle London.

They had decided to split up when they got to the Mall, since shopping for clothes was high on the girl's list of things to do, and not so much a highlight for the boys. Harry actually managed to get his group focused on taking care of the present buying first, and by lunchtime they had picked up presents for Percy (The name Harry had drawn), and for the collective nephews - Art, Nicolas, and Hugo. They also picked out gifts from the boys for Ginny, Victoire, Lily, Lisa, Megan, and Carolyn.

The girls got together with them for lunch, and then Lisa, Megan, Stewart, and Teddy were cut loose to do their own thing for the afternoon. The boys took James with them when neither could look at those disappointed puppy dog eyes and walk away without him. Lisa and Megan made Victoire's day by inviting her to go with them.

Ginny and Harry took the other kids to do more shopping, and then they spent an hour or so building teddy bears. There were a few tired youngsters that went back to the Residence and Cottage respectively at the end of the afternoon, and two exhausted grown-ups.

There was just nothing better than Christmastime at the Burrow! Charlie and Nathalie couldn't come this year because they were busy with the first Christmas at the new Residence, which they'd named The Dragon's Lair, but everyone else would be there. The afternoon was filled with animated conversation, lots of laughter, and children playing.

The grown-ups were treated to a repeat performance of last year's 'Twelve Gifts at Christmas' song. Marietta couldn't be positive that the song had made a difference in sales, but skiving snackboxes and puking pastilles were certainly hot items this year. Kreacher and Winky were again unanimously selected to be the cooks, and 'the boys' were voted to be the clean-up crew (Kreacher, and the under-seventeen's excluded).

When dinner and the cleanup were done, the gift exchange began to the delight of the kids. There were toys and jewellery, and clothes and the annual jumpers from Grandma Weasley. Harry and Ginny gave Mum a family ring that had the birthstones for two parents, seven children, six spouses of those children, ten grandchildren (including Teddy), and eleven diamonds so there was room to grow with more grandchildren or great-grandchildren. It was a beautiful ring, but it did take three complete circles of stones to fit all thirty-six of the stones on the ring. They were all entertained for a while as the ring was passed around and each person tried to guess which stone was for whom.

After the gifts had all been opened, the adults settled down to visit with each other for the evening, and the kids played with their new toys. George had been a hit with them by giving James and Teddy each a 'No-Shirt' and a pair of 'Legless Pants', which both worked liked the headless hat, and sent all of the kids and most of the adults into fits of laughter as James would one moment be walking around with invisible legs, and the next with nothing between his head and his waist. Teddy put them both on so he looked like a floating head with feet and hands.

"Hey look! I'm a nobody! Get it? A No-Body!" Teddy announced. That had James, or at least the half of him that was visible, on the floor giggling uncontrollably.

Harry was cuddled up with Ginny in bed later, after they'd gathered their gang up and taken them home.

"This was another absolutely wonderful day," she told him happily. "And we're really just starting the holidays too." Harry kissed her softly, held her close, and fell asleep to the sound of her breathing, and the sweet smell of her hair.

Ginny was working from Monday to Wednesday at the Institute, so after Harry and the kids had breakfast with her, and saw her off to work each morning, they spent those three days playing, visiting the Residence, or going on outings. Victoire was a regular visitor to the cottage every week, but she came and spent every day with them during this week. Harry was pretty sure that Teddy just might be the reason why she was so interested in spending time with Lily and her other cousins.

There was one more shopping trip where Harry took the whole gang on the condition that Teddy and Stewart took James around, and that Lisa and Megan spent the day with Victoire, leaving him with Albus, Carolyn, and Lily. The play days at the Residence included a swim, Harry getting pounded at GameWizard, and one very cold Quidditch match that the 'old guy' managed to win for his team, despite being up against a Hufflepuff team Keeper, a Gryffindor practice squad Chaser and Beater duo, and three other House team Quidditch players. Victoire, Lisa, and Megan cheered on that team, and booed him when he caught the snitch.

Wednesday was the last day of work at the Institute. Mandy had decided that this year the place was going to close down completely for the Christmas holiday - absolutely no sneaking in to work for the next four days. The Marauders Institute social committee was putting on a Christmas dinner and dance on Wednesday night. This time, they booked the largest ballroom at Mum's London hotel and conference centre - the Emerald City Centre.

Teddy, Stewart, Lisa, Megan, and Victoire were taking care of the Potter and Weasley clan kids at the Burrow so that even Grandma and Grandpa could go to the party. Winky and Kreacher were supplying the kids with their meal and treats for the night. Harry and Ginny dropped the kids off at the Burrow, and then went back to the Cottage to get ready for their evening out.

The hall was able to hold five thousand people, and it was sold out. Harry and Ginny were put at a table with Mum, Dad, Bill, Fleur, Percy, Penelope, Ron and Hermione. Mandy, Natalie, and Luna were at a table right next to them, along with their respective husbands. There was a lot of laughter in the room while everyone was socializing before dinner. The social committee had created a hilarious situation by mixing the consumption of alcoholic beverages with Christmas party favours courtesy of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

There had been some other changes that Mandy had been making at the Institute, and one of the most notable was evident tonight. They were a small contingent, only two tables, but the Goblin couples that were attending certainly attracted attention! Mandy had been one of the first managers to take advantage of the new Goblin Bill of Rights and started hiring Goblin researchers and metal smiths. Time would tell if it was going to pay off, but it was looking pretty good so far.

Mandy gave the welcoming address, including a strong suggestion to ban 'shop talk' for the night. Dinner was served, and everyone sat down to enjoy their meal and the pleasant conversation with friends and family that went with it. They all danced late into the night, and then went back to the Burrow to pick up sleeping youngsters and their worn out sitters.

Harry was cooking breakfast for the large gang they had at the cottage this morning. Teddy, Stewart, Lisa, and Megan had all stayed overnight after their work the previous night, so he had nine to feed today. While he worked, he was thinking about the upcoming evening and the Christmas day parties that would be happening at all of the Residences tomorrow. He couldn't go to all of the places, so he had gone to Ron and asked him to see if the various professional Quidditch leagues would be willing to jump in and help out.

This Christmas, The Harpies were taking Dumbledore House, the Quiberon Quafflepunchers would be sending players to the residence in France, the Tarapoto Tree-Skimmers would visit the children in South America, and the Fitchburg Finches were going to surprise the American children. Nathalie's residence was getting Viktor Krum and some of the players from the Bulgarian National Team.

While Harry had been thinking about children, the starving gaggle of little Witches and Wizards in the Cottage had started showing up in the kitchen, and so he dished up pancakes, eggs, sausage, and toast to the ravenous bunch. The big plan for the day was a trip to Chudley for the morning to browse through the shops there, followed by lunch at the Diner, an afternoon on the island playing at the beach, and dinner back at the Cottage. They would all be over at the residence for Christmas Eve.

When they got to the island, Victoire and Michael were there with the Delacour family, who were spending Christmas on the island together, so they joined the other children to play in the water, and on the beach. The older kids went out on the jet-skis, and they played out in the lagoon for most of the time they were there. Teddy also took Victoire, Michael, and James out for rides. Ginny and Harry did their best to hide their amusement at the smile on Victoire's face from having a legitimate excuse to put her arms around Teddy and hold on tight, while their Godson was completely oblivious to the affection she tried to hide from him.

Susan watched in delight as some of her kids put on a Christmas pageant for the other kids and their guests on Christmas Eve. They sang songs, put on little skits, and told Christmas ghost stories. She loved her job, and all of the children here. Two of the first children to come here and who were now adults, had even come to work for her.

Harry was sitting with Albus beside him, and Carolyn in his lap, as they watched the show. Susan smiled, thinking about the day she'd met with him and asked for a job here, and had been surprised to have him then ask her to be the manager. She didn't know how he managed to find the money to build and run all of these places, but she was glad he did.

What was most surprising to her, though, was that he came here at least once, and usually twice a week all year round. It was one thing to be able to raise money like he was probably doing through his connections in the Wizengamot, but it was being here and connecting with these kids that made the real impact with them - even if he was a truly horrendous GameWizard.

Susan kept in touch with the other Residence managers, and so knew that because Harry didn't have enough time to go to all of the places, he had recruited some of the professional Quidditch teams to help out at the other places. There were lots of Witches and Wizards out there that probably thought that Harry's defeat of the Dark Lord was his biggest achievement, but Susan knew that what he was doing here with these kids was way bigger, and she was thankful every day to be part of it.

Ginny was playing GameWizard with some of the teenage girls, and saw her husband playing dolls with Carolyn and some of the other little girls. They would giggle at him when a toy dragon would suddenly swoop down and snatch a doll and fly away before circling around to deliver the doll safely back to her owner, or when he'd hide his face when they changed their doll's clothes. He was such a big kid! The sound of her BroomRacer crashing took her back to what she was supposed to be doing, and she got back into the race, trying to catch the other racers who were now far ahead of her.

James watched his hero, Teddy, as the young man went out of his way to play with the younger boys, or help them with anything they needed. Teddy and Stewart hung out with the other older boys too, but James was getting old enough to see that Teddy was different than most of those other kids. He really cared about all of the kids here, and did what he could to help - whether that was being a friend, or just spending a few minutes playing with a little boy or girl to make them smile. James decided that night that he was going to work a little harder at doing that too.

Teddy was cooking breakfast this morning. He'd quietly gotten James, Albus, and Lily up and talked them into surprising their parents by cooking for them. Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny came into the kitchen, having woken up to the smell of coffee and food. Teddy practically burst with happiness when he saw the surprise and smiles on their faces.

"You keep doing things like this," Aunt Ginny told him as she hugged and kissed him, "and we're not going to let you go back to Hogwarts!" Uncle Harry gave him a hug too, then poured cups of coffee, and they all sat down to eat, urged on by James, who wanted to get to the opening presents part of the morning.

Even with breakfast coming before opening presents, it was still very early in the morning, since Teddy had not been able to get James to sleep in. The gift highlights had been a very cool game for Teddy, and a pair of 'real' BroomRacers for James (toy brooms with BroomRacer action figures that would race around the room). Albus got his own flying, and fire-breathing dragon, and Lily loved her stuffed, 'talking' hippogriff the best.

Ginny and Harry both assured their kids that they liked the gifts from them the best. There was chocolate, perfume, and a sweater for Ginny, and a box of Ton-Tongue Toffee, a new bedtime stories book, and a TeenWizard doll for Harry. Teddy had to go over to Hogwarts for the rest of the morning to have Christmas with Andromeda, but would meet them at the Residence for the afternoon, along with all of the other student and Professor volunteers from the school.

Harry had thought that the show the kids had put on the previous night was so cute that he'd talked them into an encore performance so that all of the volunteers could watch it. During the afternoon, he'd noticed that James had begun to imitate Teddy by spending more time helping out with some of the kids who were younger than him. He maybe couldn't do too much yet, but he could help a little girl get a drink, and a little boy having trouble with a button, and Harry was happy that his oldest son was starting to get involved. Hopefully he'd never have to know first hand what it was like to be an orphan, but he could learn to love and have compassion for those less fortunate than he was.

It was a pretty busy afternoon for Harry. Now that he had his very own TeenWizard, he didn't have to borrow a doll to play with the little girls, and they thought it was very funny that a grown-up boy would have his own dolly. He took some teasing from the teenaged boys too, but could tell that they thought it was pretty cool that he could do stuff like that without looking like a sissy.

They were all called into the dining hall for the gift exchange, which this time also included the pins and emeralds for the volunteers. The smiling faces of all of the children was what made all of the work worthwhile for Harry and the other volunteers. They enjoyed another wonderful dinner, and then Teddy headed back to Hogwarts with Andromeda, and Harry and Ginny took their kids home for a long winter's nap.