This turned out less fluffy than I imagined, but do not worry it's still a little fluffy. Somehow some more George struggles got brought in. I think it turned it out well regardless. I hope you all agree.
Chapter Seven Christmas Cheer
"Ready?" Ella asked. She and George were standing before the large wooden door of her parent's country manor. Before he could answer, the door was flung over and Ella was pulled into a monstrous hug.
"Ella!" The huge man was laughing and nearly crushing her bones. When she finally released her daughter he looked at her guest. "And you must be George. We are pleased to have you with us!" He shook George's hand vigorously.
"Great to be here, sir," George replied grinning.
"Nonsense. Call me Thomas." Her father moved out of the way and revealed the smaller, blonde woman standing behind him. It was clear where Ella got her dark looks and genial disposition, as the woman stood there frowning. "This is my wife, Diane, and she has prepared a wonderful meal."
Ella stepped inside the manor and went to the dining room. They all sat down and Thomas immediately drew George into a conversation while Ella and her mother sat in silence.
They all finished eating when not another bite could be consumed. "Help me clear the table, Ella." Diane stood and Ella reluctantly followed her. The dished followed them to the kitchen and then they oversaw their cleaning.
George and Thomas could be heard roaring with laughter through the kitchen doors.
"So how is England?" Her mother asked tightly.
"I love it," Ella smiled, guiding the plates into piles. "I love teaching."
Diane sighed. "I don't understand why you left Paris. You father and I were providing for you and you had friends."
Ella let a plate bang down onto the stack of others. "I wasn't happy there. How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"You would've been happy there. If you'd married Pierre and settled down with him you'd be more than happy."
Ella put her wand back in her pocket. "You dishes are done, Mother." She stalked out of the kitchen and into the dining room.
She wrapped her arms around her father from behind. "I think it's time for us to go, Daddy."
He nodded, frowning, and walked them to the door. "Don't worry about your mother. She'll learn to accept your life soon." Thomas kissed Ella's forehead. "He's a good guy."
George had walked ahead a few steps and stood waiting for Ella.
"If you're happy I'm happy," Thomas said. He waved to George. "We'll have to get a drink at that pub you were talking about!" He called.
"Absolutely!" George smiled and wrapped an arm around Ella as she joined him.
"I'm sorry about today," Ella said as she crawled into bed next to George. She had packed up her necessities and was staying with him while the school was on holiday.
George looked at her from his pillow. "What do you mean? I had a great time with your dad." He yawned and rolled onto his back.
"I know. He really liked you." Ella was propped against the headboard.
"But your mum didn't, did she?" George stroked her smooth thigh under the covers.
"Don't take it personally. She doesn't like many people." Ella scooted down and put rested her head on his chest.
George kissed her forehead. "Love, you are much more worried about it than I am."
Early the next afternoon Ella and George were trying to arrange all of the presents that were to be taken to this family that day.
"Got it?" George asked over the stack he held.
Ella nodded. She watched George step into the flames. "The Burrow!" He shouted and then he was gone.
Ella stepped in after him and repeated his words. She came whirling into another fireplace and managed to hang onto all of the gifts she carried.
A large number of people cheered. "Nicely done!" Someone yelled. The packages were taken from her. "George dropped some of his." A smiling red headed man said to her.
Laughing, Ella looked at George who was pouting in the corner. "I had more than she did."
"Man up, little brother!" Another red-headed man with a scarred face and an earring clapped George on the back.
George walked over to Ella. "Would you like to meet everybody?" Ella nodded. "Roll call!" George shouted.
People came into the living room from all rooms of the house and lined up. They arranged themselves expertly as if they had met many people that way.
"Alright, we'll start with the heads of the clan," George pointed at his parents. They both had graying red hair. "Arthur and Molly."
"Our oldest brother, Bill." The man he was talking about was the one with the long hair and the earring. "His beautiful Veela, Fleur." He pointed to the gorgeous blonde beside Bill.
"You could say wife, George," Fleur said.
"I could." George grinned. "And their brood: The baby Louis is one, Dominique is four, and Victoire is six."
The children were beautiful like their mother. They all had her silken blonde hair and bright blue eyes.
"I'll be seven in May," Victoire said grinning at the newcomer.
"That's Charlie, who will forever be a bachelor I'm afraid."
Charlie was tall and lanky and looked to be good-natured. "That's the only way to be."
"He we have Pompous Percy." George laughed.
His brother didn't think it was funny as he huffed in an out of sort's manner.
"That's his wife, Audrey. The bundle is Molly who I call Junior." Audrey was a plain brunette woman who seemed to have the same boring sense of humor as her husband. Ella feared they might not get alone.
"Her name is not Junior. It's not funny George and I won't tell you to call her Molly again."
George waved him away. "You know you'll have to." He laughed again. Ella peered into the bundle at the baby who was only a few months old.
"I fit in next and then we have Ron and Hermione." Ron was tall and lanky like Charlie and his wife was a friendly looking, bushy haired woman. "Hermione doesn't normally look so swollen and grouchy but she is carrying the miracle of life for the first time."
"Ronald, I am losing patience with your brother." The friendly look on her face went dramatically to a mean look.
"Moving on," George muttered, before Hermione could verbally assault him. "The only girl Weasley, Ginny and her famous husband Harry Potter."
Ella knew who Harry Potter was, everyone did, and it was strange to be standing right in front of him in such a relaxed setting.
He blushed a little and Ginny laughed. "You don't have to give him any special treatment. He's used to changing diapers at home."
Ginny was a beautiful version of her brothers and like Audrey she also held a tightly wrapped infant.
"Their two boys are James, the ever talking three-year-old, and baby Albus."
Everyone was looking at expectantly at George to introduce his guest. "This is Ella Hawthorne. She went to school in France-"
"I remember you! Your parents are ze ones who gave ze huge donation for ze Twiwizard Tournament!" Fleur cut George off.
Ella flushed. It was true. Thomas and Diane had given generously to the school so they could participate in the Tournament.
"And she is now the History of Magic Professor at Hogwarts," George finished. He looked around. "Well have at it."
Ella looked back at George, confused, before his family came forward, firing off questions. She tried to answer them as best she could, but it was more overwhelming than her first day of teaching. She was asked about her family, her job, and if she knew anything about Muggles by Mr. Weasley.
The women and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley at least asked appropriate questions. Bill implied other things with his question.
"George brought you here so he must really like you." He gave her friendly, if a bit mischievous, smile. "What makes him like you so much?"
"Bill!" Fleur hit him lightly on the arm.
Ella decided that she wouldn't back down from his question. It wouldn't win her any points with his brothers. She looked at him evenly. "You mean besides the fact that I can carry on a great conversation, am taking on his whole family, and I'm not too hard on the eyes?" Ella smiled. "Well besides all that, let's just say your brother will never be bored and his bed will never be too cold"
George's family whooped and hooted, their laughter was a roar. Ella thanked the heavens that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had gone to the kitchen.
"She gets to stay!" Bill announced, laughing hard.
"Yeah, but don't forget she's keeping my bed warm." George pulled her close to his side. "I'm going to check on the food." George rubbed his stomach and walked into the kitchen.
Ella was then allowed to be a part of the conversation rather than having questions fired at her. She stood from the couch and tried to find the kitchen to get a drink.
"She seems lovely, dear," she heard Mrs. Weasley say. "It sounds like she had your brothers under control. None of the others handled them that well." Ella stopped not wanting to interrupt.
"She's something," George agreed. Ella smiled.
"So is she it? Are you going to ask her to marry you?" Mrs. Weasley asked. Ella was a little taken aback by those questions. She and George hadn't talked about getting married and it wasn't on the top of her list of things to do.
"Mum!" George exclaimed, sounding exasperated.
"What? We worry about you. Your father and I want you to be happy."
George huffed. "I don't have to be married to be happy."
"It's just been so hard on you since Fred passed, dear."
There was a loud bang and Ella jumped, assuming George had slammed his hand on the table.
"Of course it's been hard!"
Ella heard footsteps coming toward the door and she panicked. There was nowhere for her to go. George didn't ask her any questions; he merely snatched her hand up and pulled her toward the fireplace.
"I didn't mean to upset you, George!" Mrs. Weasley called.
"Where are you going?" Ginny demanded. "George! It's Christmas!"
George ignored her and threw Floor Powder into the fireplace, pulling Ella in after him.
"Diagon Alley!"
That night Ella was in the bathroom alone, washing her face and getting ready for bed. George had hardly said a word to her since they had fled from the Christmas dinner. When they had arrived at his apartment Ella had made some food for him and set it quietly in front of him.
"I don't like to talk about Fred," George said from his spot in bed.
Without looking at him Ella continued to remove her makeup. "I know you don't."
"Every time I'm at home my mum wants to talk about it. She wants to fix it and make everything go away." George sighed.
Ella walked into the bedroom and got under the covers. "She's your mother. She would do anything to make it better for you. I know it makes you angry when she tries, so next time you should say that you appreciate what she's trying to do, but that it isn't exactly helping. You should also say that you will come to her when you want to talk."
George pulled Ella down to rest her head on his shoulder. Her long, ebony hair fanned out on his pillow and chest. Without another word he kissed her on the forehead and stroked her hair until she fell asleep.
There you go! Tell me what you think. I love your descriptive reviews Sophie! Anyone else can feel free to give me their ideas and suggestions. I write for you guys! No hate comments or flames, but constructive criticism is always welcome!
Happy reading,
Avonmora