A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry, I know it's been a long time but school has been a priority. I just wanted to let you know this will most likely be the second last chapter, so if there is something you really would like to see happen send me a PM now, before you read the chapter. Thanks! Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 8On the way to King's Cross, Kiera and I were filled in on the Weasley family Christmas tradition.
"First we go to our separate homes," Lily said.
"Chris will come to our house, and Kiera, you'll go with Hugo, Rose, and Scorpius to their house."
"Tomorrow, we all go to our grandparent's house for the rest of the break." Rose said. I nodded on confirmation, while Kiera looked off into space, at the grey desolate day. I hoped the weather didn't spoil the day.
When we arrived at King's Cross I started to get nervous, the realization that I was about to meet possibly the most famous wizard of all time and the woman who had birthed Lily Potter. I saw Albus walk towards a man with black hair and glasses (who after further inspection looked exactly like Albus) and a woman with bright red hair. Lily took my hand and squeezed it, and led me towards them.
"Mum, Dad, this is Christina Brown." She told them. Albus stood to the side looking uncomfortable. Mrs. Potter smiled at me warmly, while Mr. Potter looked at me with, what can only be described as, intrigue.
"Hello Christina, I'm Ginny Potter." Mrs. Potter said shaking my hand. I nodded feeling absolutely petrified.
"I'm Harry Potter," Mr. Potter said also shaking my hand. I smiled nervously. They started walking towards an old, blue Sedan. As we put our bags in the trunk, I snuck a look at Albus. He wouldn't meet my eyes. When we piled in, Lily strategically placed herself in the middle of the back seat. After we had arrived at the small, old-fashioned house, I realized that either Albus hadn't told his parents that we were dating or he was so embarrassed that he couldn't bear to talk to me. I was going to go with the first one, because his parents had been truly receptive of me. I then became extremely aggravated, but I tried to keep it hidden, but I sure didn't fool Lily and if her mother was anything like Albus had told me she had noticed too.
Lily pulled me up to her room, nodding her head as her mother told her to come down at five for supper, and that James would be arriving at half past four. We arrived in a room with peach walls and a cream bed, but they could have been red and green for all I was aware of. I closed the door behind me, dropped my bag on the chair by the desk and glared at her. She wouldn't look me in the eye either. Suddenly, and unexpectedly I felt tears rolling my down my cheeks. I wave of emotion washed over me, in a high tide. It took all of my strength not to burst into tears, letting the whole world know I was crying. Lily took me in her arms and hugged me for a long time. When I had finally stopped crying, I looked Lily in the eye.
"Did he not tell them that we were together?"
"No," Lily said shaking her head.
"Why not, is he ashamed of me?" I asked.
"Of course not, he just really doesn't know how to. They would be so concerned because of what happened last time he had a girlfriend, they probably would have to tear the mickey out of you."
"But they'll have to know sooner or later." I said.
"Don't worry, once James will tell them, whether he means to or not." Lily said laughing to herself. I didn't exactly understand but I assumed I would find out soon enough.
When four thirty rolled around, we heard a tell-tale crack from downstairs. When we went downstairs there was a young man standing beside Albus. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were also there.
"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" he said, his eyes sparkling. Lily ran to him, giving him a bear hug like I'd never seen. I stood shyly beside the island in the kitchen. It was odd, he was so unknown to me, yet I knew so much about him.
"Christina, I imagine?" I nodded.
"Albus has told me so much about you." He said winking.
"Likewise," I answered. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Mrs. Potter was whispering to Mr. Potter.
"There is no doubt in my mind that you have heard something about me. All bad I suppose,"
"Not all bad," I said with a smile. He winked. He reminded me of Albus but more confident and extroverted. Lily pulled both of us to the living room, Albus went to follow but Mrs. Potter called him back, saying she wanted to speak to him.
It was a new concept for me, there being no T.V. in a living room or in the entire house at all.
Wizarding families in North America all generally had them, yet here in England it was rare for a wizard or witch to even know what a T.V. was. I supposed it was a good thing, kept the art of conversation alive and well, and would stop a person from sitting around all day. It was still odd for me to see the furniture facing each other, and not all facing one direction.
"So what's Albus' deal?" James asked.
"He didn't tell Mum and Dad." Lily said.
"Didn't tell them what?" he asked."
"Oh just little old me," I answered bitterly. James looked amused.
"You didn't see that coming?" he asked me.
"I can honestly say I didn't," I told him.
"Well now you get a nice, long, awkward talk with Mum and Dad." He looked like he was going to start laughing. I sighed. When would it ever end?
"So James, what have you been up to?" Lily asked. I stopped really listening. I started waiting for someone to come get me. Sure enough, five minutes later Albus stuck his head through the door and asked if I "could come out here for a second?" I got up and James told me to have fun, I gave him a dirty look, that being all I could muster from the immense fear I was feeling.
As I walked out of the room I silently decided to pretend that I had no knowledge that he hadn't told his parents about me.
"Christina," Mrs. Potter greeted me.
"Hi," I answered nervously.
"I'll cut the chase then? Harry and I had no knowledge that you and Albus were in a relationship."
I was about to act shocked when I saw Albus' face. He looked so guilty, and panic-stricken, I just couldn't go through with it.
"Yes, I could see that." I said.
"Well, we wanted to let you know that we are fine with you two dating, but we also to know that you shouldn't forget Lily." Mr. Potter said.
"How could I forget Lily? For one I've never been so close to a person, the way I am to Lily, and for second I don't think she'd let me forget her," I stopped abruptly, remembering who I was talking to.
"That's good to hear." Mrs. Potter said. We all walked into the living room together. I wasn't sure who I was supposed to sit beside now. Albus sat down beside Lily, and there was an empty seat beside both of them. Lily saw my worried face and moved over. I gave her a thankful look and sat down between them.
That night Lily and I didn't stay up as late as we thought we would. We woke up at the same and for the first time in Lily's life, she told me she just wanted to go back to sleep. I told her to go ahead and I took that as an excuse to use the shower in the bathroom attached to her room. It had only been about fifteen minutes when I was finished. I pocked my head out the door to see if anyone was up yet and found James to be doing the same thing. He winked, I smiled and re-entered Lily's room. I decided to wrap my presents while she was asleep. I bought everyone Muggle books that I had thoroughly enjoyed. I'd gotten Lily Twilight; Albus The Alchemist; Hugo Inkheart; Rose The Two Princesses of Bamarre; Scorpius City of Bones and Kiera (even though I knew she wouldn't read it) The Lovely Bones. I'd already sent Aunt Mariah a pair of earrings and a box of chocolates. I'd thought really hard about what to get Beth, when I had walked by a Muggle shop right outside of Diagon Alley and saw a locket that said Sisters are Forever, that's why I keep you by my heart. On the inside there was room for a picture. I had a picture from when we were little, Aunt Mariah had taken it. I knew it would be a perfect gift. I sent my parents a Gryffindor scarf each along with some Honeyduke's candy.
I'd just finished the presents when Lily woke up.
"Well good morning to you." I said. She smiled and looked at the digital clock beside her bed.
"Is it really nine o'clock?" I nodded my head.
"I don't think I've slept that late in my life!" she said incredulous. I laughed. That wasn't a hard truth to believe.
"Do anything useful while I was asleep?" She asked.
"Wrapped presents," I answered.
"Damn you should have done mine while you were at it." She said.
"It'll only take you five seconds." I told her.
"True, you do love to do things without magic don't you?" I shrugged my shoulders.
A/N: I've decided to abolish the rule of no magic outside of school for those who do not live in muggle populated areas.
"That's how I was raised."
"So what should we do now?" Lily asked me after changing and using a Refresh spell.
"Breakfast?" I suggested.
"We'll have to make it ourselves," Lily said.
"No problem, I can make pancakes for six easy." I said with a smile.
Lilly had wanted to make them using magic, 'It'll be faster' she said, but I knew that it would not be done as well with magic. It takes human control to create the best. As I prepared the batter from scratch, Lily watched in, what can only be described as awe. I laughed as she tried to make a pancake. I tried to show her how, but she told me she would rather just observe.
While I made the pancakes, I asked Lily what she did in the summer when she was the only one awake until nine thirty.
"Please," she said. "There is a reason I love to read you know." I laughed.
About five minutes into the pancake making, James came strolling into kitchen.
"No magic?" he observed looking confused.
"Good morning to you too." I said with a chuckle.
"Christina doesn't use magic with anything that other people will consume, see, or receive." Lily explained matter-of-fact. I rolled my eyes.
"Hungry?" I asked James.
"Ravenous," he answered.
"Accio plate," I said. James gave me a funny look.
"Well how am I supposed to know where you keep your dishes?" He laughed.
After Lily and James had had about five pancakes, and myself two, I cut them off.
"There are three people left in this house who still need to eat you know." Lily rolled her eyes.
"Yes, Mother" she said with a laugh.
"We don't want them to get cold." James said and I smirked.
"A simple warming spell would do the trick."
"Would do the trick for what?" Albus asked appearing in the kitchen.
"Warming pancakes." James said gesturing to the plate of them on the counter.
"Who made these?" he asked gathering a plate and placing three pancakes on it."
"Why no one other than your lovely girlfriend," James told him.
"Really, I didn't know you could cook." In my head I thought 'Hugo does'.
"And without magic to boot!" James added. I blushed and Lily rolled her eyes again. I laughed to myself.
After Lily's parents had come to breakfast, and showered me with embarrassing compliments on my cooking, we readied our things to go to the Weasley household.
"Not Hugo's house, our grandparent's house." Lily explained to me.
"There will be about thirty-one people there, including you, Kiera and Scorpius."
"Your family is massive!" I said in shock. Lily chuckled.
"That would be the reason Gram knits everyone's presents, much less expensive." She said with a wink.
My stomach was starting to turn. I knew I shouldn't be nervous; Lily, Albus and Hugo would navigate me through their family, but I still worried about being accepted. It was something that I always worried about. I suppose it was because my parents always pushed upon me that it was the most important thing. I knew they were wrong, but some part of me couldn't let go of it.
We were traveling by Floo powder, not a particularly new way of travel for me but I wasn't exactly comfortable with it either. Mr and Mrs. Potter both went first, confidently saying 'The Burrow'. James and Lily soon followed, leaving me and Albus. As I went to take some Floo powder Albus pulled me towards him. He kissed me long and hard, and some how I felt almost repulsed, not that I let it show. I blushed when he looked at me.
"I'm sorry," he said looking sincere. I shook my head.
"You were already forgiven." I told him before stepping into the fireplace and saying, as confidently as I could, 'The Burrow'.
The home that I stumbled into had a warm and cozy feeling to it. It wasn't as crowded as I had been an anticipating, but there were a fair amount of people. All of these faces I knew save two. Those two faces I assumed were those of Grandma and Grandpa Weasley, who were smiling as they talked to their two grandchildren who had most recently arrived. I also saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Hugo and Rose's parents. As Albus arrived behind me in the fireplace, I began to worry again, there were four people to meet. I saw Hugo, Rose, Scorpius and Kiera sitting on assorted furniture, talking to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I looked up at Albus, certain that terror was displayed on my face.
"Please, they are nothing to worry about. The person to worry about meeting is James, and you handled that perfectly." He told me smiling. I grinned.
"Albus Potter! Come over here and introduce me to this lovely lady beside you!" a voice from a across the room said suddenly. Albus grabbed my hand as he laughed and walked towards his grandmother.
"Hi Gram," he said hugging her and kissing her cheek.
"You feel thin, are you eating enough at that school?" she said to Albus, he laughed.
"Well make sure you do," she said turning to me.
"Hello dear, you must be Christina," I smiled shyly.
"Hello," I said.
"You, Kiera, Rose, and Lily will be sleeping in a room upstairs, Lily will show you. Your things should be up there by now."
"Thank you," I said nodding.
"Have a good time dear," she said turning to the kitchen. After a quick introduction to Grandpa Weasley, Albus and I went to sit down with the rest of the group. Although there were already ten people there, there looked like there would be room for quite a few more people. Although I had felt nervous before, I felt comfortable here with all the people I knew, and even the two I didn't.
"You must be Christina," Mr. Weasley said. I nodded and smiled.
"You must be Hugo and Rose's father," I said. He chuckled.
"That would be correct." He smiled.
"Well the, I assume you know who I am," Mrs. Weasley said to me.
"You would be their mother," I said, she nodded.
"You've been well informed," she observed.
"I like to be," I said. The conversation drifted back to what it had been before Albus and I had come. I spoke when was spoken to, and followed the conversation to the best of my ability, but I didn't speak often. Sometimes I found myself staring at Hugo, but if he ever saw me I never found out. Eventually I was snapped out of my daze.
"Do you want to go check out our room, Christina?" Lily asked me. I nodded and got up to follow her.
"I'll go too," Rose said.
We entered the small bedroom with three beds somehow shoved into it and a mattress taking up all the other room on the floor.
"Who's sleeping on the floor?" I asked.
"I am," Lily said desolately.
"No you're not," I said.
"Then who's sleeping on the floor, Miss Know-It-All?"Lily asked me with her hands on her hips.
"I am," I told them both.
"Gram, will never allow that." Rose told me.
"I don't care; just tell her I want to." I said stubbornly. Lily just rolled her eyes, giving up.
"OK, it's your funeral if Gram doesn't agree." Rose said. I rolled my eyes and started making the beds.
When we came back downstairs there was a boat load of more people there. Lily pointed out that her Uncle George, and his wife and kids were there along with Uncle Percy and Uncle Bill who both had their wife and kids with them, and Uncle Charlie. After being introduced to everyone I had yet another reason to be envious of Lily. She had all this family, most of which was around her own age, and at any given moment she could send an owl to someone to vent or talk to. I'd never had anything close to that until I came to Hogwart's. When I was younger I had always felt alone. I'd only become friends with Paige when we were 13 because we had been forced to be lunch partners. I thank the teacher who gave me her a million times over, but it is still sad to think about. At first I was disgusted for leaving Paige all alone, but funny enough just as I went to Hogwart's a girl from another school in Europe came to Canada, almost too ironic to be true but there it is.
Dinner at the Weasley household was nothing to sneeze at. Of course the house wasn't nearly a mansion, the dining room now where near a banquet hall and the manners less than custom, but I was already in love with the Weasley way of life. The food and company made up for the other things that hadn't really mattered in the first place. Never in my life had I attended a more lively Christmas dinner.
After dinner, Albus took my hand and led me outside.
"What do you think of my family then?" He asked.
"I think they are absolutely fabulous!" I said, laughing after I said it. He laughed too and I sighed. I was living a lie. I knew I was utterly and irrevocably in love with Hugo, yet I led Albus on to think that I loved him in a way that I could never love him now. Why was I hurting this sweet boy who I did love, just differently? I needed to end this soon. I shouldn't do it here but I couldn't stand hurting him anymore. I wouldn't have to tell him that I wanted Hugo over him, I would just tell him that I didn't look at him the same way I had before.
"What are you thinking about?" Albus asked concern dominant on his face but I could also see confusion in his face. I let the pained expression I had been trying to hide from him come full force on my face. His expression became worried. I sighed. I took his shoulders and moved him so he was standing squarely in front of me. Then I took three paces backwards. His expression had switched to mostly confusion and some concern. Nothing ever could have prepared me for what happened next. I was about to tell him, the flood of words about to crash the dam that was my closed mouth, when a cry of "Crucio" resonated through the cold winter air and a flash of light pierced my body pulling me to the ground. The pain engulfed my body first; when it reached my mind all was gone. All but the excruciating pain. All my senses were engulfed by this pain. I think I screamed for them to kill me, to end the pain. After the months and years of pain, I heard the most wonderful voice I'd known and he sang my saving song.
"Petrificus Totalus," And all went black.