Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own anything:)
"And here's a hand my trusted friend,
and gie's a hand o' thine.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
for auld lang syne."
-Robert Burns
"Does everyone have a gingerbread man?" Molly asked, her hands on her hips. There was a chorus of exuberant "Yes!"s, the most exuberant coming from her flour covered husband who was holding their daughter in his lap. "Okay, I want to still be able to see the table after you're done so the icing needs to stay on the plates. Remember to share." Each Weasley nodded obediently but began eyeing prized decorations greedily, small hands twitching in anticipation. "Okay, go ahead." A flash of little fists followed and she rolled her eyes. It was the same every year. She sat at the head of the table and started knitting a jumper for little Ron who was being coached on proper biscuit-decorating protocol by his elder brother Percy.
She surveyed her family lovingly. Despite the level of noise and chaos, this was a love-filled family afternoon. It had been a couple months since the end of the war but it was still such a welcome treat to have her husband home during the day any day, let alone a Tuesday. Now it was the little things that could cheer her. Things like Fred giving George and impromptu hug or Bill sharing the bowl of multi-colored sprinkles with Charlie without asking could put a smile on her face. She no longer needed the constant assurance of her family's safety to make her happy. But it had all come at such a terrible cost. Even under the sincere layer of contentment lay a constant inner mourning.
She felt her eyes well up and she quickly set down her knitting and left the room. The cool December breeze whipped around her and she felt her chest hitch. She brought her hand up to her mouth, stifling the sob that came up. It happened at least once a day, a quiet, quick cry before she was able to go about her day. Last year, Gideon and Fabian had been here decorating gingerbread men along with her sons. Their voices had added to the mileau and they had helped the younger ones get icing all over themselves. She could still see their bright, happy faces laughing one of Charlie's silly jokes or at the twins' increasingly devious tricks. The hardest thing was that she still wasn't quite sure which she would rather have, last year or this year. She couldn't decide if, given the choice, she would choose to have her brothers back at the expense of her family's safety. She knew which Gideon and Fabian would have chosen. They would be angry with her for even pausing to debate.
It had been so hard. Ginny was barely a month old when they recieved the news. It had come from her father who had arrived on their doorstep in the middle of the night, eyes blood shot. A member of the Order had told him. The following month and half had been agony. She was grieving and worrying and losing sleep all at the same time. That fateful Halloween night had not come soon enough . . . for so many reasons. She felt incredibly guilty for thinking so. James and Lily Potter had lost their lives and little Harry, her own Ron's age, had lost his parents but she wouldn't have been able to last much longer.
She batted her tears away and took a deep breath before stepping back into the kitchen. "Arthur Weasley! Don't you dare give that baby sugar!" She exclaimed, glaring at her husband. In the end, life goes on. Inexorably, life goes on.
A/N: Sorry it's been so long! I've been traveling home and seeing friends and family. I'm not sure if I'll get everything out before tomorrow night but before the twelve days of Christmas are over, I'll get out the final four chapters:) Thanks for reviewing and I hope you liked this slightly more melancholy chapter.