Chapter 35
"The Heart of the Matter"
Christmas Eve
_SOMEWHERE OVER ENGLAND_
All Harry could think about was why he didn't take the Knight bus, a carriage, a hippogriff, or even a car. He was pressed low against his broom flying to Holyhead to get Ginny back. He supposed he was hoping that the long flight would impress her, like some knight in shining armor. But it was snowing and Harry was freezing through his coat and was sure she would just think he was insane. She wasn't going to come crawling back because he was an asshole and he was not getting ready to spend his first Christmas married separated from his wife! So he leaned in closer to his broom and willed it faster.
_GINNY'S FLAT_
Holyhead
Ginny stood at her kitchen table, her hair falling out of a low loose bun, wearing a baggy sweat shirt falling off one shoulder and extra large pajama pants she inherited from Ron two years ago and were to comfy to give up. She was wrapping Christmas presents, thinking she had too many siblings and not enough wrapping paper. She had gotten back to London from Peru about four hours ago and had been home for three. She felt different after talking to the girls about Harry. She may love him but he may not be the one, he can't be if we're both not willing to live with the others choices.
The entire flat was dark except for the kitchen and the small glimmer of light that could be seen on the hall wall coming in from the living room where a three-foot Christmas tree stood on a table in the corner. She had hoped this Christmas would be different, a tree in every room of Grimmauld place, the fireplace mantles covered in garland and candles, they may have even hosted the Weasley Christmas celebration seeing as her git of a brother still wasn't setting foot at the Burrow.
Ginny sighed and instead began to think about what she was going to say when she showed up at Percy's tomorrow and everyone asks her where's Harry, oh I don't know off somewhere practicing the next unforgivable curse he's going to use on me, and then all her brother's led by her father would charge from the house with their wands raised on a hunt for Harry. That's not a bad idea, Ginny jumped when she heard something crash outside. She looked out of her kitchen window that had an awkward view of the balcony, so awkward she could have swore there was a dead hippogriff lying outside her back door.
_HERMIONE'S HOUSE_
Hermione sat at her vanity fussing with her hair. She had gotten home from Peru about three and half hours ago. She glanced at the reflection of her still unpacked luggage behind her and fused with her hair even more furiously. It was Christmas Eve and she could already hear her family downstairs breaking into a round of Jingle Bells as the snow was coming down harder outside her window. Dad's going to have me outside shoveling the driveway in the morning, she thought glancing at the snow gathering on her windowsill.
The point of the trip was to clear her head and try to get past her devastating break up with Draco, she sighed at her reflection. At least I stopped crying, but she dabbed some make up under her eyes anyway to hide any puffiness that still may have been left behind. But she found herself thinking about him even more, running that night on the roof over and over again in head. She grabbed a tissue, so maybe I haven't fully stopped crying, she thought catching the tears before they could stain her cheeks. She knew one thing that last time she broke up with someone she said she was going to take the time to be free and with herself but she wasn't sure who she was anymore. She knows she will always love Ron but she had the oddest feeling in her gut that she could never fully get over Draco. But this time she was going to date no one, I am going to be fully committed to myself, she thought putting on some lip-gloss. I have to love me first! "Ow!" she said aloud poking herself in the lip with her lip-gloss applicator that she was putting on with too much excitement. She put down her lip-gloss, took one last look in the mirror, she was wearing a red long sleeve v-neck sweater and black pants. She fastened a pleasant look on her face, its Christmas, and left the room to join her Aunts, Uncles, Parents, and Cousins in their fireside caroling…
_AIDAN'S HOUSE_
Kenmare
Padma flung her arms around Aidan's neck as soon as he opened the door, "I love you," she said kissing him.
"Please tell me what I did so I can do it again and again," he laughed between her kisses
She pulled away and looked into his eyes, "I love you for being you."
He titled his head to the side and looked at her concerned, he tucked her hair behind her ear, "are you okay?"
"I'm great, I see my friends having all these problems and wonder how I ended up with someone as perfect as you."
"I'm far from perfect…"
"Oh trust me I know," He laughed, "but you're so great to me…"
"I do what I do for you for one simple reason… I love you. I'm happy when you're happy," he kissed her, "not to mention your totally hot!" He laughed as she playfully hit him, "Your right for me."
"You think?"
"I know… now let's talk about you moving in, you basically already live here and why didn't you use your key," he said lifting her up into a hug carrying her into the house and closing the door with his foot.
"I probably should, my flat has become just an expensive closet," she said as he put her down. "As for the key I like the element of surprise." She raised her eyebrows up and down.
She untied the belt of her coat and undid the buttons. Aidan's jaw hit the floor. Padma was wearing black lacy lingerie with a red bow tied around her.
"Happy Christmas darling," she smiled devilishly
"You've been hanging around Mrs. Potter too much," he said looking her up and down
"Oh, well in that case," she began to close her coat, she screamed as Aidan picked her up and threw her over his shoulder and ran up the stairs.
_MALFOY MANOR_
"St. Barth is beautiful this time of year," Narcissa beamed over her mug of eggnog. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"
"You, Aunt Andromeda and a three year old on a beach at Christmas? I think not," said Draco playing with his own mug on the coffee table, "Christmas should be white and cold."
Draco was laying on the couch in the living room of Malfoy Manor with one hand behind his head the other hanging off the couch. He had had one leg on the couch bent and the other hung off. He was in his Christmas uniform… black. Narcissa was sitting at the other end of the couch facing Draco with her legs tucked under her. She was wearing this beige loose sweater dress that fell to about her knees. It was fluffy and luxurious and she had been wearing it around the house for years. Her perfect long golden hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and no makeup. She always looked fabulous without even trying. Her face looked mature but could never be described as old. She was over forty and had nineteen-year-old son and you could never tell from looking at her body.
"The beaches are sandy white and the pina coldas are frozen," she joked
Draco chuckled, "I think I'll stay here with our immaculately decorated Christmas tree," he said looking at the six-foot evergreen that stood in their living room.
Malfoy Manor was a beautiful place to begin with, the house was hundreds of years old with its medieval architecture and its gothic elements from the later renovations and there are albino Peacocks on the premises. If that doesn't scream stunning I don't know what does. But Christmas was a world in its own. The Malfoy's may not carol and sit around sharing favorite Christmas memories but with the way they went all out for the holidays you would have thought they were the blond hair version of the Weasley's, with better taste and more money of course. Trees in every room with presents stacked sky high, garland ran up the railings of all three stories, there was even snow failing in the foyer that magically never seemed to hit the ground. There was always eggnog, coco, and warm cookies that were all delivered by a magical toy train that speeds through the house only at Christmas. Just because they didn't act like a family didn't mean they couldn't appear to have a very Weasley Christmas.
"I don't want you to spend Christmas alone, at least spend it with Hermione or something," she suggested. Draco shifted uncomfortable on his end of the couch, "did something happen between you two?"
He sighed, "It didn't work out," he picked up the mug of eggnog he had been playing with and took a sip
"I'm so sorry Draco," she said genuinely, "I know it was new territory for you to care for someone like that."
"I didn't care," he lied, "just another notch on my bedpost," he took another sip of his eggnog and wished for something stronger.
"I know you don't mean that… that's such a Lucius response… sometimes you can be so much like your father," she rolled her eyes and pulled her legs out from under herself to stand. She shuffled her bare feet in the Persian rug to the liquor cabinet, "I know you wish that drink was stronger," she said pouring gin into her mug of eggnog.
Draco held out his cup, "you know me too well."
She smirked as she walked over and poured some into his cup. "Of course I'm your mother," she said resuming her seat
"Next you're going to tell me you changed my diapers," he chuckled
Narcissa smiled and took a sip of her Egg Nog, "believe it or not I did," she looked into her cup as if remembering a fond memory, "my mother, god rest her soul, always nagged me about getting a baby nurse telling me I was not beard to do such things."
"That's grandma for you…"
She shrugged, "she meant well… I do miss her though…. She may have been an insensible woman but she was still my mum."
"Things I remember about her weren't so bad," he grinned, "like when she would give me chocolate and you said I couldn't have any because I'd be to wired to go to sleep."
"That may have been good for you but as for me…."
"NARCISSA!" She was cut off by the slam of the front door and her name being bellowed
"Not now," she whined standing up from the couch.
Draco sat up into a seated position as a disheveled looking Lucius appeared in the living room doorway. If you count the absence of his cane and the house elf running behind him to take his coat he never took off as disheveled.
"Please go away Lucius," she said going for the gin bottle.
"We need to talk. This has gone on long enough!" He said entering the room. "I will not tolerate being shut out and sent away!"
Oh god! Let the battle begin, Draco thought leaning back on the couch waiting for his parents to acknowledge his presence.
"Well maybe you should have thought of that before you decided that it was okay to make decision that would tear this family apart! Better yet decisions that wouldn't even allow it to start! Twenty-three years! I have been married to you and I have yet to see you do anything remotely unselfish!" she shouted her eyes beginning to glaze over, her cheeks turning red and sweat forming on her brow because she drank too much. "Where is the Lucius I fell in love with the guy who would save his smile for me… I haven't seen him in years…"
The only smiling I ever saw Lucius doing was accompanied by an evil laugh, well there was that time with him and mum in the snow…
"…The boy who grew his hair down to his waist because I thought the Orsino Thruston was cute and he had waist length hair!"
Yuck, I can't believe my mother had a thing for the drummer of the Weird Sisters!
"I grew up! I thought you had too," he defended
He still hasn't cut his hair though, Draco reasoned
"I did grow up, faster then I wanted to," she sighed, "people say your soul dies when you become an adult I just never thought it would happen to me. Let me be honest with you Lucius," she took a deep breath, "I didn't want to marry you."
Draco and his father's eyes widened. This is getting good Draco readjusted himself ready for action
"You're- the one- who couldn't- believe why- I- would question- your love," he said brokenly.
"I do love you, I loved you then and for some strange reason and I still love you now. But I married you because my parents were pushing it and I watched them disown my sister… I loved what we had, just me and you and I wanted to do it on our own terms."
"You should have told me…"
"You wouldn't have listened," she looked down, "You were my love by day and Death eater by night and somewhere in between you took on the darker side of your personality." She looked back up at him, "and that is why we will no longer work!"
"Hold it!" Draco shouted rising to his feet. "This is ridiculously twenty three years cannot be thrown away on whim! She sacrificed her soul for you! All the little things that made her happy because she was scared and she loved you and most likely thought you would be the one to protect her!" Hermione ran to me when Weasel ended their friendship, he shook his head out of his thoughts. "And Mother his late hour dealings may not have been commendable but he pulled it together to be there for you… or at least he did now" I called her Mudblood in my darkest hour and hexed Ron for calling her that in my brightest, "Okay so perhaps he may have gotten too caught up in the world of Voldemort when it came to me but he got it together it may have been in that cold hard to read Lucius manner but he was there…"
"Are you finished," Lucius said looking at Draco as if he lost his mind.
"Yeah…yes, I'm finished with everything" he said leaving the room. Once in the hall he leaned against the wall. All that shit I just told them about sacrifice and I couldn't even do that for Hermione, all I had to do was trust she wanted me and not Weasel.
"Is young Master Malfoy alright," one of the house elves came up to Draco and bowed.
"I'm just fine Jinxy." He pushed off the wall, "I was just leaving." He began to walk to the front door. Jinxy walked along side him and retrieved his coat. "Thank you, Happy Christmas," he said opening the door and disappearing out into the snow.
_WEASLEY WIZARDING WHEEZES_
Diagon Alley Store
"English!" Ron shouted at the reflection of the dark haired, pointy nose man, named Oscar Pena the manger of the Barcelona store.
"I am speekin Inglés, senor! As I was saying, I need diez Headless sombreros, veinte wonder witch products…"
Ron hoped the veinte meant 20 because that's what he scribbled down, "which type of Wonder Witch products?"
"All they say was Wonder Witch. I not know what kind…"
"Monsieur Ron!" A female voice interrupted.
Ron put down his quill. "Hold on," he told Oscar. Ron couldn't understand why people so desperate to get the perfect Christmas gifts wouldn't actually say what they wanted. He tapped the mirror with his wand, "Stacy!" He shouted over his shoulder. Ron had somehow found himself stuck at Weasley Wizarding Wheezes on Christmas Eve trying to fill all the back orders to all five Weasley stores that all had to be at their owners homes by 6am, their time. What made it worst was he was having trouble understanding peoples accents and everyone kept calling him on the five-way mirror in the office that connected between the stores. He wasn't alone, Lee promised to only play songs he liked and Stacey Green a, 26 year old, healer student and part time Weasley Wizarding Wheezes employee agreed to work overtime to make sure all the orders were filled. She said she was Jewish, she had eight days of Hanukah she didn't mind missing one but really she didn't want to sit around with her grandparents and talk medical breakthroughs all night.
"Yes," she said sticking her head in the office door. Stacy was about 5'2" with curly dark brown hair which she currently had in a messy bun on the top of her head held together with a quill. Her shirt sleeves were rolled up and glasses perched on the end of her nose. Her forehead was glistening slightly due to the fast pace and lifting boxes into the floo.
"Can you please see if we have these items and begin flooing them to the Barcelona store," he asked apologetically.
"Sure but I haven't even gotten the second shipment for Paris out yet," she said entering the room, walking over, and taking the paper from Ron.
"Well I just heard Monique's voice, so I'm sure there's more," he sighed. Stacy quickly left the room while Ron made the image of the blonde woman appear.
"Bonjour Ron," she began talking immediately, "Before you send the next shipment I need to add a few things," Ron looked up as Stacey entered the room again with two huge boxes floating behind her. She through some floo powder in the fireplace…
"Wait there's more"
"Don't worry there's two more boxes," she said tapping the boxes that neatly stacked themselves with her wand and watching them disappear.
"What do you need," he picked up his quill again.
"It's not much ten Deflagration Deluxe boxes, 20 Basic Blaze Boxes, and one portable swam," she rolled her eyes, "Newt Scamander purchased it, au revoir." She disappeared before Ron could say anything but that sure sounded like a lot to him. He tapped the Mirror again so Oscar would reappear so he could continue to decipher his English into Weasley products. This was going to be a long night.
_ GINNY'S FLAT_
Harry had every intention of landing gracefully on the balcony of Ginny's Holyhead flat but unfortunately things didn't go as planned when he realized he was frozen to his broomstick. And crashed down making a loud noise that he was sure would scare the neighbors. The light flicked on in the living room, well at least I know Ginny heard me and I won't have see if she changed the locks, he though as Ginny pulled open the curtains that hung in front of the French doors. She rolled her eyes when she saw Harry and closed the curtains.
"Ginny!" he shouted and began to knock on the door.
"What do you want," she asked opening the door annoyed to see him on her balcony.
"I came to apologize…" he began
"Not accepted," she cut him off and attempted to close the door but Harry stepped in the way, "move!"
"Come flying with me," he looked longingly into her eyes
Ginny hated when he gave her that look, it always meant her caving in, "it's thirty below and snowing I don't think so," she said releasing the door handle and going inside.
Harry followed her in, "it doesn't matter the air feels better in the snow."
Ginny looked at him as if he had lost him mind and then glanced at his firebolt, "did you fly here?"
"Yes"
"Oh my god Harry you could have died! You probably have Pneumonia," she said rushing over to him and placing her hands on his icicle of cheeks. "Your freezing we have to get you warmed up," she said unbuttoning his coat.
"I'm fine," he said placing his hands on hers.
She pulled her hands away, "go change into something dry, I'll make you some soup." Ginny stocked off to the kitchen upset that Harry had the nerve to show his face. Yet somewhat happy to see him, out of the corner of her eye she saw him walk past the entrance to the kitchen to the bedroom. She really did miss him but she wasn't getting ready to tell him that. Harry had clothes there he had a key and knew the alarm charms. Of course he hadn't used any of them since before they were married and she didn't have the heart to throw his things out, she never changed the locks or the alarm in the small hope he might show up but after the unforgivable curse incident all that was going to change. She had just been too busy with work to get around to doing it.
She opened the canister that sat on her counter that contained tea packets and instant soup. Ginny doesn't cook, sure she knows her way around the kitchen somewhat but she preferred to never actually use her culinary skills. She always ate out because she was never really home or if she was at Grimmauld place Kreacher always cooked. So instead of letting the perfectly good space go to waste she used her kitchen for storage. God forbid someone turn on her oven, she keeps shoes in there. The cupboard over the sink was home to her many Quidditch gloves and all her contracts with her sponsors and what not were in the freezer. She only had tea and soup for midnight snacks and for when you're trifling husband comes crawling back apparently she thought pulling out a package of Chicken noodle soup and pouring it into one of the two bowls she owned and waving her wand over it. She watched as it magically turned into soup with steam wafting off of it and everything.
She picked up the bowl and went back to the living room and placed the bowl down on the coffee table. Harry came back in the room wearing dry clothes, "hurry up and eat the soup so you can leave" she said getting ready to leave the room
"Ginny," he stepped in her way
"Move!"
"No! Not until you talk to me," he took a step towards her
"I don't want to talk to you," she tried to go around him but he kept getting in her way. She pulled out her wand and held it between his eyes, "remember that chair I blew up? Don't make me use that spell on you." She warned
Harry gulped, "you wouldn't do that, you'd be sent to prison," He wasn't really sure if Ginny was even concerned with going to jail.
"At least it wouldn't be for an unforgivable curse!" she lowered her wand and began to pace
"I am so sorry ab…"
She cut him off, "HOW COULD YOU!" Harry had to take a step back he was scared. Her eyes were flaming her face was turning red.
"I wasn't thinking…"
"DAMN RIGHT YOU WEREN'T THINKING! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO LOVE ME!" Her eyes glazed over.
"I do love you!"
She snorted, "YOU DON'T THROW AN UNFORGIVABLE CURSE AT SOMEONE YOU LOVE!"
"WELL YOU DON'T WALK OUT ON THE ONE YOU LOVE WHEN THINGS DON'T GO YOUR WAY," he shouted back his hands balled in fist at his side.
"You called me a slut!"
"In the heat of the moment"
"It always does take the right moment for the truth to be unmasked," a tear fell from her eye.
Harry took a step towards her, he'd seen Ginny cry but it was for the death of Dumbledore, her brother, and when she was convinced she was going to prison for opening the chamber of secrets. She wasn't one to cry for love or anything of the sappy nature. She was extremely strong and that's one of the things he loved most about her, she was the only person in his life he never had to save. Here he was making her break down.
"Look," he began, "there is nothing I can say to justify my actions." He held his hand up to silence Ginny who was getting ready to protest, "I have said too many things and done too many things to you that I am extremely sorry about and no matter how much I apologize it will never be enough. I have had the craziest life and I'm only nineteen. I've lived in a cupboard, found out I had magical powers, that my parents were murdered by a ragging lunatic, that I was famous for doing absolutely nothing but living, then found out that it was up to me to save the world at the age of fifteen. I watched people I love suffer and die all around me. It's not exactly a fairy tale but some good did come of it. I got a family that is better than anyone that I could have been born into because I chose them. They are hand selected to perfection, if I do say so myself and most importantly they brought me to you. I've known you since you were an awkward eleven-year-old little girl and you became one of my dearest friends. I always cared about you Ginny and I eventually grew to love you. I never expected that I would fall in love with you, it hit me like a bludger but I would never trade the feeling for the world…" he paused. "What I loved most about you was the fact that I never had to save you…"
"Chamber of Secrets," she whispered
"That's different you were being controlled," he continued. "You're braver than me and you're always willing to fight, I panicked when I found out that I was supposed to be the one to kill Voldemort. And you asked when do we fight! You stand by me through everything, you put up with my annoying…" he really didn't want to admit what he was getting ready to say, "hero complex. Which I'm sure isn't the easiest thing to live with. But I just want to let you know I do and always will love you and you don't have to take me back… I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. But I'm here… " He stepped up to Ginny, she didn't back away this time, he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "It's better to have loved… right," he looked down into her glassy brown eyes. "I love you." He kissed her on the cheek. Grabbed his broom and headed back to the door.
No! Ginny he used an unforgivable curse! You are not to take him back! You can file for divorce on Monday… Harry did tell me to give the papers something to talk about… Screw it! Ginny ran to the back door as Harry took off. She hurried back inside slipped her feet in her shoes and threw on her coat. She grabbed her broom and went out onto the balcony. She climbed up on the railing and jumped, flawlessly swinging her broom between her legs and moving off into the distance at the outline of Harry. She knew it was dangerous to jump off her balcony but she did it all the time. If Eric ever found out he would flip, he's over protective and doesn't want her to get hurt and ruin her career. She lowered herself on her broom and urged it on faster until she could fully make out Harry's back and then she stopped. Just floating in midair, what the hell am I doing! It's freezing and he's the one who screwed up! She shook her head shamefully flying down to the ground at the thought of running after the man who used the imperious curse on her. She turned on her heal and disapparated.
_LUNA'S HOUSE_
"So what exactly do I do?"
"Just peer through the little hole right there." Luna said pointing at the peak hole at the top of the telescope and then taking a sip of her glass of wine.
"That's so cool," Demelza shrieked looking through the telescope. "That has to be the most beautiful thing I've seen… I should have paid attention in Astronomy."
"The clusters look so much better in the snow, just like…"
"Diamonds!"
Luna giggled, "Just like diamonds." They were looking at stars, in preparation for the New Year's edition of the Quibbler. Xenophilius has claimed that stars are really five point figures and the roundish rocks that muggle scientist consider stars are rocks that broke away from the moon during an explosion that happened millions of years ago and there remains are magnetically pulled to each on the fourth Thursday of every month and create five point figures that are truly stars. Tonight on the fourth Thursday of December the 24th Luna has proven her father correct… well at least about the five pointed figures anyway.
"They're gorgeous," Demelza said pulling away from the telescope, and reaching for her glass of wine, "you think I could develop a spell that will allow me to pull one out of the sky to wear on my finger," she held out her right hand and examined her ring finger.
"If you plan on shrinking it first, that star is probably bigger then this house," she spun around. They were on the roof of Luna's Ottery St. Catchpole home, with a bottle of wine a semi-circle outdoor couch, a fire pit, and a spell that kept the snow from falling in on them. Luna twirled around in the night air, the spell kept most of the cold out and fire kept them toasty. She was wearing her favorite pair of worn in jeans and a long sleeve white fluffy sweater, her blonde hair flowing loosely around her face and her radish earrings dangling from her ears and her pink bunny slippers on her feet.
"I think I could handle a rock that big," Demelza tucked her short black bob behind her ears. She was wearing a white t-shirt with a rainbow-striped sweater that fell to her knees with dark jeans and heals that were too high for snow.
"I'm sure you could," she laughed as she heard the pop of someone apparating and then knocking on her front door, "I wonder who that is," she went over to the edge of the roof and peered over the side, at the top of Ginny's red head. "It's Ginny," she said to Demelza. "HEY GINNY!"
Ginny took a step back from the door and looked up to see who was calling her name, "COME ON UP, IT'S OPEN!"
Ginny opened the front door and climbed the spiral staircase to Luna's room at the top. She climbed through the open window in Luna's bedroom and grabbed hold of the rope ladder that reached the somewhat short distance between her window and the roof.
"I chased him, I actually chased after Harry," Ginny began hopping over the wall onto the roof. "I don't understand he's the one who messed things up. Comes over makes a huge speech says it's better to have loved and goes flying off into the night!" She gave Luna a kiss on the cheek, "how are you guys," she walked over and kissed Demelza on the cheek then took her glass of wine out of her hands and chugged the rest of its contents.
"I'm just peachy Gin and sure you can have a sip of my wine," she said sarcastically taking her glass back and refilling it
"Sorry," she plopped down on the couch, "Aren't you supposed to be at your parent's house."
"Yeah right and listen to my Grandmother's never ending list of terms that all mean jezebel! I think not," huffed Demelza
"So what are you going to do for Christmas," wondered Ginny
"What do you think? I'm coming to your house," she smiled, "besides your brother Charlie is hot."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "He's only into dragons"
"Not for long," she smirked
"Anyway, the nerve of him showing up and thinking he could whisk me away…" Ginny changed the subject back to herself
"Well it obviously didn't work if you're here," Luna said sitting down next to her
"Obviously," Ginny leaned her head back so it was resting on the top of the couch, "What was I thinking…"
"That you love him…" Demelza sat down on the other side of her and handed her, her own glass of wine.
"Well yes but there's that whole imperious curse thing," she took a sip
"You have to let that go," sighed Luna
"It's illegal," pointed out Demelza
"Its love" countered Luna
Ginny stared at her loopy blonde friend, "Love? I can have him thrown in Azkaban!"
"You should have," laughed Demelza, "would have been great watching the boy wonder being dragged away for using dark magic, on his wife no less!"
Ginny chuckled, "you should have been in Slytherin"
"I always thought so," she grinned
"All I'm saying is that things happen in the heat of the moment. Your pre-marriage consummation, your proposal, you and Harry first ever getting together…."
"I don't appreciate the pre-marriage consummation comment and what does all that have to do with this moment!" She complained to Luna
"Everything!" She said rising from the couch, "When you decided to walk down the aisle and marry Harry both your lives became an open book to each other. Marriage is about intimacy far greater then what is shared in the bedroom. Based on yours and Harry's track record your relationship is based on rash reactions. If I recall correctly a blushing Ginny Weasley couldn't stop talking about the day when out of nowhere Harry kissed you and you ended up together. It happened in the heat of the moment, just like all the other aforementioned events and Harry's poor judgment. I know there is no speech that I or Harry could give to ever justify what he did but…."
"You could go on having fifty years of hot makeup sex," pointed out Demelza
Luna smiled, "true but I was thinking more like fifty years of pay back…."
"Like honey I've got a headache," Ginny placed the back of her hand on her forehead and fell on her side on the sofa in an over dramatic manner. They all laughed and Ginny gazed up at the night sky and all the snow that was falling towards her but never landing. The moon sparkled beautifully up above, "I have missed him…." She sighed. She noticed something moving through the night sky, she just thought it was an owl or something until it flew past the moon. She would know that messy haired silhouette anywhere. She looked towards the hill in the distance with smoke rising above it. Smoke she knew was coming from the burrow. She sat up quickly with her eyes widened….
_WEASLEY WIZARDING WHEEZES_
"We are in desperate need of food," sighed Ron after lifting a box into the fireplace.
"You go get some because I don't plan on trekking through the snow," Stacy said absentmindedly sorting through Wonder Witch Products.
"Ok, I'll find out if Lee wants something," Ron said heading for the stairs.
It's Christmas 1999, boy how the time flies. London is lying beneath a thick sheet of snow and it doesn't show any sign of slowing up. I can't wait for the morning! I really love white Christmas's. With Christmas come holiday carols of all sorts. Old classics and new ones to love, the Bent Broomsticks have remade a classic and personal favorite of mine and a young red head in the shop below me…
Lee was interrupted by someone shouting his name
"Lee! I'm going to get food do you want something?" Ron shouted up the stairs
Speak of the devil yes Ron. I'll have something in the sandwich family, surprise me. Lee answered into his microphone. Here are the Bent Broomsticks with their version of "God Rest Ye Merry Hippogriffs", Happy Christmas. I'm Lee Jordan and you listening to the fucking truth…
"I'll bring him back liver," Ron joked.
"I'm sure he'll love that," chuckled Stacy, as she turned up the radio to bop to the Bent Broomsticks upbeat version "God Rest Ye Merry Hippogriffs"
Ron smiled as he pulled on his coat, "I'll be right back."
_HERMIONE'S HOUSE_
"Oh dear we're out of wine," Mr. Granger said entering the kitchen and placing the empty wine bottles in the recycling bin, then taking a seat at the counter.
"I suppose it's for the best," Hermione was refilling the tray of Christmas cookies, "Aunt Helen has already sung "Silent Night" in the blues, Opera, and a rap rendition. I think everyone would prefer she not break into a show tune version as well."
Mr. Granger laughed, "Actually she informed us moments ago that she wished Cousin Kyle had brought his band so she could have done something reminiscent of Queen."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh, "We really don't need any more wine."
"Oh contraire, this is what makes for excellent Christmas memories," he smiled.
Crookshanks came prancing into the kitchen and shaking his head admitting the sounds of the bells that were tied around his neck with tinsel, he used his paw to try and swat them away. "Hermione why did you do this to the poor cat," Mr. Granger patted his knee beckoning Crookshanks to him who willing came and he lifted him into his lap.
"Because it's cute," she smiled
"But he doesn't like it," Mr. Granger said as he removed the tinsel and bells from Crookshanks lap who thankfully nuzzled his nose against Mr. Granger's cheek before hoping from his lap. "So back to the wine…"
"There isn't a store in the area open and the weather is a mess for you to drive into the city," Hermione informed observing her work on the cookie tray and deeming it satisfactory. When her father didn't say anything she looked up at him, he had a mischievous smile on his face. "You want me to apparate into London and get more wine, don't you," she whispered so no one would hear knowingly to her father.
"Yup and I think the fresh air will help take your mind off things," he said as if he knew everything.
"What could I possibly have to take my mine off of," she said turning her back to him to grab another try of treats to keep her father from seeing her nervous look.
"You've been moping around for over two months and then you jet off to the other side of the world with your friends for a week. I may not be hip to today's youth," Hermione chuckled, "but I do know the signs of break up and heartache."
"I thought I was hiding it well."
"Maybe to everyone else but for someone who knows you so well, you look as if you were just hit by a bus. All night you've been in another world," he said concerned
Hermione turned around to face her father, "I didn't want you and Mum to say I told you so."
"We would never say that"
"Mum would"
"Well she has her insensitive moments but she loves you so much. She wants the best for you and maybe Draco's not it… she might have been right in this instance, once a jerk always a jerk," he sighed
Hermione shook her head no, "I think he may be hurting just as much…. maybe even more than me." She said holding her tears in. "This break up was as much me as it was him," she smiled weakly not wanting to think about it anymore, "now I will go get more wine so we can continue to have a very happy Christmas."
Her father just stared at her with genuine concern, "you don't have to be so strong. It's okay to be hurt."
"I know but life goes on, I must keep moving with it," she snorted which turned to laughter as she clapped her hand over her mouth as the sounds of her Aunt Helen's singing filled the house again.
"Apparently she didn't need the band," laughed Mr. Granger.
"Apparently not, I'll be back in a bit," she hugged her father, "thank you Daddy."
He kissed her on the forehead before returning to the other room to sing back up with his drunken sister.
_DRACO'S FLAT_
Draco opened the door to his flat. He stood in the doorway as the light filled the room from the hall. He sighed and stepped in flicking on the lights with the snap of his fingers. He pulled off his coat, turning on the radio that was on the counter, and plopped down on the couch. It had been awhile since he freely entered his own house and just lounged about. Ever since Ron found out about him and Hermione he always entered and exited through his bedroom window. He never came out into the rest of the flat except to use the bathroom. He always left his share of the rent of the kitchen counter for Ron to take care of and just made sure he never had to have any contact with him what's so ever.
He waved his hand through the air wandlessly flipping through wireless stations. Everyone was playing Christmas songs and he wasn't in the mood to hear anything particularly cheery. He stopped on Lee's channel that was currently playing "A Dead Love" by Lucy Wales. Leave it to Lee to not only play strictly Christmas. But who doesn't love a pop singer like Lucy Wales that always sings about hatred and despair. I can't believe my father changed for my Mother. I can't believe his hair is that long because of Orsino Thruston! I suppose you do odd things when you're in love like agreeing to keep a secret that you knew from the start would ultimately tear you apart. Hanging out with people that you can't stand because you know she'll be there! Draco immediately stood from the couch.
"Fuck this!" He grabbed his coat and went out into the hall to disapparate.
_THE LEAKY CAULDRON_
"Next time just have Lee say your order on the air. I could have had it ready for you," said Tom as he packed up Ron's to go order. The Leaky Cauldron on Christmas Eve was full of life, people tossing back drinks and laughing and celebrating with friends into the night.
Ron smiled, "I'll have to remember that."
"Weasley products are popular this Christmas, eh?"
"Yeah, too popular I don't know what I was thinking agreeing to this," Ron ran a hand threw his hair.
"Family business, where is the master mind himself this evening," Tom, asked placing the final item in the bag and handing it across the bar to Ron.
"At our parent's house…"
"Why aren't you there?"
"I'll see them tomorrow at Percy's house," he said wishing this had never come up. "Oh you know the family thing can sometimes be a drag."
"I never found that," shrugged Tom, "Good evening Miss," he smiled at the young woman who was approaching the bar.
"Thanks Tom," Ron said as he turned to leave and then stopped.
Hermione stood there staring at him and he stared back, "excuse me," she said stepping around Ron. "Happy Christmas," she smiled at Tom. "Can I get couple bottles of white wine and a couple red?"
"Sure," he answered and went off to the wine cellar where the full bottles were kept.
Hermione kept her back turned to Ron although she knew he was watching her. He said some pretty cruel things to her and she was through trying to make up with him.
"Hermione…" Ron began
"Go away Ronald," she said still not turning around
"I just want to apologize…"
"It's not accepted"
"Can we please talk?"
"Alright, here you go Miss, nicely packed for you" Tom said returning with the wine, packed in a box with a handle "That will be sixty galleons."
"Thank you so much," she said while paying him, "have good holiday." She grabbed the box and started for the door.
"Hermione," Ron called after her
She turned around to face him, "I'm a filthy mudblood, remember," she shook her head and walked out of the pub.
Ron followed her out onto the muggle street, "Hermione you have to listen to me!"
"Why?" she stopped walking and turned around to face him, "After everything you said to me I should never speak to you again!"
"I was wrong," he began, "this is what we do we argue and make up all the time."
"Ha!" Hermione laughed, "I don't recall you ever being as disgusting to me as you were about Draco! And maybe Ron, I'm sick of it, did you ever think that I don't want to fight anymore," she sighed, "I am tired of living in the world of Ron the over dramatic selfish little boy who doesn't get it!"
"What don't I get Hermione," he shouted back, "that you decided to get involved with the bleach blonde ferret and think nothing would change, because it changes everything?"
"This has nothing to do with Draco!"
"This has everything to do with him," Ron countered.
"No! It's about us and it began way before he was ever in the picture! You aren't there for me…."
"So you ran for my enemy!"
"No, I just happened to fall for him!"
"Which completely destroyed any chance for us!"
"You destroyed any chance for us when you shut me out."
"I didn't mean to"
"I know you have issues that have nothing to do with me but with whatever's going through your mind regarding Fred. That's alright I understand that you have to cope but you should have told me and have let me go instead of letting our relationship be one sided," tears were forming in her eyes.
"I don't have anything to cope with it..."
"TELL ME!" She shouted as she began to cry. "Why won't you just tell me? You can talk to me Ron so stop denying and tell me! I know you told Harry but you won't tell me…."
"He's my best friend…"
"And what am I?"
He looked down, "you're my best friend too it's just different... I suppose since I realized that I'm in love with you I wonder what I can and can't tell you."
"You didn't think I'd understand that? The thing about being in a relationship with your best friend is that you can still tell them everything. As for realizing you love me it's a little too late," she sniffled
Ron looked up at her, "it's not a recent discovery. I knew that I would love you when I first saw you petrified. There were so many thoughts rushing through my head about what if you never came back and what if I never got to tell you and being so young it scared the shit out of me. The idea of this love grew every time you scolded me or you get excited and the night you walked me home from Percy's after I told my family I wasn't going to the funeral. I knew I was in love with you because you always know when to push me and when to just be there… Like I should be there for you and from now on I will be. I know you're not with him anymore and I'd like to try again."
Hermione feverishly wiped the tears that were escaping from her eyes. "I love you too. I always have and always will. But just because I'm no longer with Draco doesn't mean I'll be getting back with you," she turned on her heal and disappeared.
Ron stood on the lonely snow covered street...
_OTTERY ST. CATCHPOLE_
Harry was pressed low on his broom moving swiftly towards the burrow, he wasn't going to tell the Weasley's about him and Ginny. He was only going to make up a lie about a last minute endorsement meeting or something that sounds believable, but he really just felt like being around family. Harry was lowering down onto the property when he was literally knocked out of his thoughts when something pushed him out of the sky. He knew it couldn't have been a security charm because he had access to the property and whatever it was had long hair that was sprawled across his face.
He and whatever it was slammed into the ground with a thud, thankfully with snow to cushion the fall. Harry immediately pushed it off of him, jumped to his feet and pulled out his wand. "What the bloody hell are you doing?" He shouted at the shadow lying in the snow.
"Getting ready to ask you the same thing," said the dark figure getting up dusting the snow off themselves
"Ginny?"
"What are you doing? Have you lost your mind? You're going to tell my parents?" she looked at him surprised
"No, I wasn't but obviously you're the one that completely lost it. Body slamming me out of the air, hold on," he said something just occurring to him, "where did you come from?"
"I was at Luna's house and I saw you fly pass. If you weren't going to tell my parents then what are you going to their house for," she asked anxiously
"I just felt like being around family right now," he shrugged, "I figured I'd tell them you had a last minute endorsement meeting or something if they asked where you were."
"Oh," she said running her hand through her hair. She lost her ponytail holder when she jumped from her broom at Harry.
She and Harry stood there for a few moments silently, "so that was a pretty nice tackle," he said rubbing the arm he landed on.
"Sorry about that, I've had quite a bit of practice jumping from my broom." Harry smiled they were silent again. Ginny wanted to tell him that she wanted to try again but she was having problems getting the courage. Every time she thought she could say something she remembered that he used the imperious curse on her. She looked up at him and he was watching her with his bright green eyes.
"I know Gin," he whispered
Ginny wasn't sure if he was talking about what she was thinking about, "you know what?"
"That you can't forgive me… but you want to," he does know what I'm thinking about.
"But for reasons beyond me I'm willing to try."
Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. He kissed the top of her head. "I love you."
"I love you too," she said muffled into his chest. She pulled away from him and stretched up to kiss him, "let's go home," she said taking his hand in hers. He smiled as they walked hand and hand through the snow over to the burrow.
_HERMIONE'S HOUSE_
Draco reappeared at the foot of Hermione's driveway. He trekked up the snow-covered drive and onto the porch. He could hear some woman inside singing an awful version of a muggle Christmas carol and scrunched up his nose praying it wasn't Hermione as he rang the doorbell.
"Happy Chris…" Mrs. Granger trailed off at the sight of Draco. "Come crawling back have you? Well I don't think so!" She slammed the door in his face.
He rang the doorbell again and once again Mrs. Granger opened the door, "I really need to speak with Hermione," he stated firmly.
"No!"
"Please," he begged which was something he didn't do.
Mrs. Granger smiled, "NO!" And once again slammed the door in his face
This time Draco began pounding on the door with his fist and ringing the doorbell with his other hand, the door flung open once again. This time Mr. Granger answered it and stepped out onto the front porch closing the door behind him.
"Look I don't know what happened between you and my daughter but this raging lunatic act isn't helping your case," he said eyeing him.
"I apologize sir, I really just need to speak with Hermione," he said urgently.
"I'm sorry but she's not here, she stepped out for a moment," he explained.
"When will she be back?"
"Shortly, hopefully," he said surveying the weather, "It's getting quite nasty out here." Draco looked up into the night sky they both stood there silently just looking at all the snow.
CRACK! Draco and Mr. Granger both jumped startled by the sound of someone apparating.
"Why are you out here," Hermione said walking up the steps and stopping when she noticed Draco.
"I'll just take these inside," Mr. Granger said, meeting Hermione halfway down the stairs and taking the wine from her before returning to the house.
"What are you doing here," asked Hermione surprised to see Draco as she joined him on the porch. She was angry he showed up but at the same time she was just as happy to see him.
"I wanted to talk to you," he said looking into her eyes, "have you been crying?" He asked concerned.
"No, its cold, sometimes I get a bit rosey," she lied. Draco arched an eyebrow and she knew that he knew she was lying but he didn't press the matter further.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry…" he was cut off
"I'm the one that should be sorry, I was selfish."
"And I was insecure. All I had to do was trust in the fact that you wanted me and not Weasel but I couldn't."
"All I had to do was tell Ron from the beginning that we were together instead of letting this unfold into the over blown situation that it has," she nervously reached to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear but Draco beat her to it.
He let his hand rest on her cheek and wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her in close to him. She rested her head on his chest. "Hermione," he whispered
"I know," she sucked in her tears and wrapped her arms around him.
"Where does this leave us," he stroked her hair
"I don't know back to the beginning I suppose," she shrugged not removing herself from her position against his chest.
"The beginning is how we got ourselves into this wee bit of a predicament."
Hermione pulled back so she could see his face, "In the beginning we were enemies…." She sighed, "But in the beginning of us we were just friends."
"What if I want more?"
"What if I can't give you more?" She completely left his grasp. "I love how I feel being with you but I don't think I like who I am when I'm with you. I lied to my friends and I made you suffer and those aren't things that I'm proud of."
"I let you do it. I had plenty of chances to speak up."
She smiled slightly, "My childish antics prove I have some growing up to do and this time I'm going to do it… by myself."
"Granger you grew up long ago."
She shook her no, "not in the way I needed to. Knowing hatred and being on the front line of a war at a young age isn't the growing I'm referring to."
Draco sighed. He didn't know what coming to see Hermione was going to bring about. But he definitely didn't think it was going to be leaving things the way they were. He would have done anything to see her one more time. The warm glow of her brown eyes, every curl of her hair no matter how frizzy, and the way she looked at him and only him.
"My entire life came crashing down around me because I wasn't strong enough," she paused and thought for a moment, "no it's not that I'm not strong enough but it's that if it I admitted that I have feelings for you I knew… I know what that means. I will lose all my friends, slowly, but they will all disappear and that scares the hell out of me. I know I said it was time to start thinking about myself but I won't do it if that means losing Ron and Harry forever," she sniffled and smiled weakly, "their my boys and I can't imagine life without them."
Draco watched her carefully, "I won't ask you to give up your friends Hermione. I may not be the upstanding citizen like Weasel and Potter and I know that I am no better than them because I too asked you to make a choice between us. I can't take you away from the loves of your life. I love you too much to know that I was the cause of your endless unhappiness and I can't step over my peppy rivalries to try and befriend them, I'm just not that type of person… So, know that I love you with all my heart and I always will, if you ever need me all you have to do is say the words and I'll come running."
Hermione smiled as she let the tears fall from her eyes. Draco took her hand and pulled her into a hug.
_WEASLEY WIZARDING WHEEZES_
Ron dragged himself back into the heated building of Weasley products.
"What took you so long," said Lee taking the bag of food from Ron.
"The weather's awful, you try walking quickly through a foot of snow and counting," he complained hanging up his coat.
"The food run was your idea," he said rushing up the stairs before the song ended.
"I got the Paris orders completed," Stacy said digging through the bag.
"At least someone will be having a very merry Christmas," he said moping to the counter where Stacy had pulled out the food. She paused when she pulled out a bottle of fire whiskey and eyed Ron. After his little run in with Hermione on his way back through the Leaky Cauldron to Diagon Alley, he stopped to get a drink. "It's going to be a long night," he said to Stacy's look and then cracked open the bottle.
"Is there something you need to talk about," she asked
"No," he took a huge gulp of Whiskey, "why would you think that?"
"Oh, I don't know perhaps because you were fine when you left and now you look depressed and your drinking," she answered as if it was obvious.
"I'm fine," he lied, "It's Christmas eve, my brothers dead, I'm here in the dwelling of my deceased brother helping out in his dream business, I can never go home, my best friend married my sister and then tried to use the imperious curse to get her back, then I fell in love with my other best friend and when that failed she decided to date my arch enemy who coincidently is my flatmate. Moments ago the same girl informed me that we couldn't be together and that are relationship would never be the same… Lee and George probably have some sort of alcoholic beverages upstairs in their flat," he said looking at the last bit of Fire Whiskey left in the bottle thinking it isn't going to be an enough.
"If you were one of my girlfriends I would run up stairs and grab the nearest wine bottle, but I think I have a better idea," she smiled
"What?" Ron was getting ready to gulp down the last of his fire whiskey but Stacy took the bottle away.
"GO HOME!" she shouted as if it was obvious.
"I don't think so, now please give me back my drink," he said reaching for the bottle
"No," she swatted his hand away and gulped down the rest of the contents herself then tossed the bottle in the trash. Ron looked completely devastated. "You'll thank me later."
"I'll do something to you later but I don't think it will be a thank you, can you say hex," he narrowed his eyes at her.
"Ron where were you the last time you felt safe?" She asked dismissing his comment.
"I was feeling pretty good a moment ago when I had a bit of Fire Whiskey to look forward to," he said sarcastically.
Stacy rolled her eyes, "I meant that moment where everything was perfect, when nothing could harm you and you felt like you could go millions of miles away and that something would always be there when you got back."
Ron stared at the floor, he honestly didn't know. He didn't like the idea that he was actually thinking about this now instead of drowning his sorrows in alcohol. But come to think of it he hadn't felt that way in awhile. The last time was when, "I saw my mother the first time after I ran off. She pushed past all my siblings to hug me. She was so happy and she hugged me with such urgency, like if she were to ever let go of me I would disappear forever…."
"I think if you go home Ron you won't feel so alone. You'll find out that you're not the only one who hasn't healed yet," reasoned Stacy.
"They've all moved on," Ron ran a hand through his hair, "Bill's got a kid, Charlie's got new dragons, Percy's got a promotion, George has a successful business, and Ginny is a professional Quidditch player married to the golden boy of the wizarding world. My Dad still collects plugs and Mum never seemed happier."
"On the outside, I suppose it doesn't look like their hurting but I'm sure they are. They have to keep up appearances so life won't stop."
"How would you know," Ron said crossing his arms.
"Your brother has come in here a quite a few times talking about your mother crying," she paused debating whether or not she should tell Ron the next part and decided to do so, "George doesn't know that I know this but I have heard him in the back, he'll be working on a new product and he'll just break down."
Ron didn't know what to say.
"I believe that you're part of the reason you're family hasn't healed, they can't get over losing one love one because their losing another while he's still living," explained Stacy. "From the moment your brother died they needed you more than ever."
"When did you get so wise," he asked raising an eyebrow
She shrugged, "When I opened my eyes."
"Well my eyes have been open for quite some time and you want to know what I see..."
"If you say an empty whiskey bottle I'll kick your ass."
Ron chuckled, "I'd like to see you try." Stacy came from around the counter and shoved Ron, he stumbled a bit, "that's not going to cut it darling," he smirked in a very Malfoy way. Stacy took a swing at him and he caught her arm and turned her around.
"Let me go!" She laughed trying to wiggle free of Ron's grasp.
"Not so tough now are you?"
"Tougher than ever," she swung her leg backwards to kick Ron in his lower region but he let go of her and moved before she could hit him.
"That was a nice try Green"
"I got free didn't I?" She smirked and raised an eyebrow
Ron smiled and shook his head. She was right she got free and he an odd feeling she really could take him. She's brilliant. There probably isn't much she can't do. She's so caring, clever, and cute as hell. Stacy laughed as she took down her bun of beautiful brown curls on the top of her head repositioned it low on her neck. She pushed her glasses to the top of her head. Ron tilted his head to the side and just looked at her for a second.
"What?" She said looking at him as if he was crazy.
Ron walked straight up to Stacy. She really was short as Ron towered over her. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as Stacy's eyes widened. He leaned down and kissed her.
Stacy placed her hands on Ron's chest to push him away, but he put his hands on top of hers and she melted. He may be a physiologically troubled person, who's only nineteen and far too young for me but boy can kiss... We're both consenting adults right? Stacy thought to herself standing on her tiptoes and tangling her fingers in his hair. Ron deepened the kiss, he ran his hands down her sides and placed them on her bottom, Stacy squealed as he lifted her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he carried her over to the counter, he pushed all the food and merchandise off the counter and sat Stacy on top. She wasted only a second yanking his shirt over his head and then continuing the kiss. She moaned as Ron trailed kisses down her neck, he paused took off her shirt and continued as he unhooked her bra. She unbuckled his belt and undid his button and zipper on his jeans. He began to kiss her on the mouth again as he let her bra hit the floor. She began to lean back and pull him with her. He climbed up onto the counter on top of her….
_THE BURROW_
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS!" Ginny shouted when opening the front door to the burrow.
"Happy Christmas darling," Mrs. Weasley said rushing over to give Ginny and Harry hugs, "We weren't expecting you two until tomorrow at Percy's. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."
"Things have just been hectic," Ginny smiled, "We thought we'd surprise you."
"Gee, thanks for getting all spiffed up for us Gin," George said coming over and slinging his arm around Ginny's neck, leading her away from Harry, "you get all dolled up for those photos in magazines but not for your family. You could have at least worn the Weasley uniform!"
Ginny rolled her eyes, "I happen to like my old ragged sweats thank you very much."
"How's Auror training going son," Mr. Weasley said patting Harry on the back.
Harry couldn't help but smile, "Pretty good, I really can't wait for it to be over though." A small strawberry blonde hair wobbling girl in her pink handmade Weasley sweater with a V on the front caught his attention, "Oh my goodness, you're walking," he crouched down as Victoire wobbled over to him, he picked her, "you've gotten so big!" He bounced her around as she played with his glasses.
"They tend to do that when you aren't looking," smiled Mr. Weasley.
"This one likes to get into everything so you have to watch her," added Bill, "how's Teddy."
"He's great. We had an early Christmas breakfast this morning. He and Andromeda are going to St. Barth's in the morning," explained Harry.
"They should have gone to Nice again. Nice est tres beau this time of year," Fleur sparkled.
"We're going to my parents for New Years, so Bill can brush up on his French," she pinched Bill's Cheek
"Stop it you're making me blush," he said wrapping his arms around her and kissing her.
"Can you stop that, the sentimental crap is making me nauseous," Charlie rolled his eyes. He was in the corner decorating the Christmas tree.
"Don't put that there it won't be balanced!" order Percy
"And will someone else help me decorate the tree," complained Charlie, "If we do it Percy's way we'll still be in the same bloody spot by the time next Christmas rolls around."
Everyone laughed, "Excuse me for wanting to bring some order to the tree!"
"You're excuse," said George pushing him out of the way, "let the experts take care of this and go make yourself look pretty!"
Everyone laughed again, "Who wants coco?" Mrs. Weasley offered as she rushed off to the kitchen. The Weasley house at Christmas, they may not have much but it had to be the warmest house in the entire world. Fiery red hair, smiles, and of course the classic uniform of 's handmade sweaters, it was just as any other Christmas, somewhat with the absence of Fred things would never be the same. Now with Ron missing in action, they wouldn't even be able to rebuild their lives together.
George and Ginny helped Charlie finish the tree while Percy complained about the lack of artistic order. Victoire chased the cat, Bill and Fleur made themselves comfortable under the invisible mistletoe, and Harry sat on the couch while Mr. Weasley took his position in his chair and listened to how excited Mr. Weasley was about discovering that plugs were different in other countries.
_RON'S FLAT_
Ron walked in the front door to his flat. He leaned against the door and recounted the events of the night. Hermione heats me, check, shagged the help, check, never think of it again, check, he sighed. I don't know what came over me. Ron stumbled forward a bit as someone began pushing on the door.
"Weasel what the hell are you doing," Draco sneered fully getting the door open.
"Minding my own business," he spat back.
"Look here Weasel! In this relationship I do all the sneering, glaring, smirking, and witty evil come backs and you stand and stare blankly. Got it?" Malfoy hissed.
"Fuck off," Ron rolled his eyes and was going to retreat to his room but thought otherwise. "Malfoy, what the hell is your problem? Why do you hate me? Why have you made every day of my life for the past nine years a living hell? What did I ever do to you?"
"You were born," he said simply and crossed his arms.
"See! That's what I mean. I'm trying to be nice and you have to go and be nasty!"
"I don't need you to pretend to be nice to me, Hermione's not going to come back to you," he smirked.
"Maybe not but for reasons beyond me she may go back to you and I don't think I'll be able to live much longer not speaking to her."
"That's sweet. But our dear Hermione made it perfectly clear that she and I are through so you have nothing to worry about there," he unfolded his arms and started for his room, his last statement made him want to be alone… forever.
"So we were both blinded by her spell," Ron shook his head shamefully.
Draco stopped in his tracks and pivoted, "Well I didn't call her a slut and push her away when she needed me."
"I may have said some things I didn't mean in the heat of the moment…" Ron began
"It only takes a moment for the truth to be unmasked," he raised an eyebrow.
"And next you're going to tell me…"
"Drunken words sober thoughts," Draco interrupted, "You asked me to look after her"
"I did not! I would never ask you to do such a thing! But I'm sure as hell I never said to shag her!"
"She said I was better then you." Draco stepped out of the way as Ron lunged for him and hit the wall. "I seem to be having an extreme since of déjà vu." He rolled his eyes.
"Do you remember this," Ron swung at him, Draco grabbed his arm and twisted it around Ron's back as he struggled to get free.
"I do recall something of a punching match you had with my face at the Sighler…"
"I won that battle."
Draco smirked, "I think not! Look who still works there and I got the girl."
"HA! The one that threw you away," Ron chuckled and with that Draco pushed him across the room so he slammed into the wall yet again face first.
"You know nothing about what happened between me and Hermione!"
"She probably got sick of your malicious ways that are only a front to cover your true cowardice," spat Ron wiping the blood from his nose with the back on his hand, looking as if he was ready for the next round.
"I'll have you know Weasel that I am no coward!"
"You couldn't even be a man and admit to me that you were dating Hermione!"
"You wouldn't have been man enough to take!"
"I'll decide what I'm man enough to take!" Ron stated firmly his ears turning red.
"You do that Weasel," Draco started for his room yet again.
"Malfoy!" Ron shouted after him. Draco rolled his eyes and turned around, "Stupfey!" Draco was caught off guard and went flying back towards the door and slammed into the ground right in front of it.
On the first floor, of the building in flat number one lived the landlord Harold who was currently pouring he and his wife a cup of tea wearing his fuzzy pink bathrobe, stained undershirt, red and white dotted boxers, and house shoes.
"Bloody hell!" Harold shouted as he missed the cup and poured hot water on his hand, as there was a loud crash from upstairs. "Those boys," he rolled his eyes and carrying the tea into the sitting room where his wife was waiting for him. "Here we go dear," he smiled upon entering the room.
"AAAAAHHHH!"
"FUCK!" Harold shouted as he went crashing to the floor and his wife screamed as she fell from the couch.
"What was that," the blonde woman asked frantically pulling herself up from the floor.
"I don't know," he answered getting up from the puddle of tea and broken glass. "But I'll go find out."
BOOM!
"AH!" Harold's wife screamed once again and slapped her hand over her mouth as a loud noise came crashing through the building. Harold placed his hand over his heart to see if it was still beating before heading out of the flat.
Draco and Ron were circling each other with their wands at the ready in what use to be the living room. The coffee table was now firewood, the stuffing from the throw pillows was everywhere and the sofa was split in two.
"Have you had enough," Ron glared at Draco
"I'm just getting started," Draco smirked and used his free hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE!" Draco and Ron jumped as the door to the flat flew open and a red face Harold stood in the door. "WHAT HAVE YOU TWO DONE TO MY FLAT?"
"We're just redecorating," answered Draco slipping his wand into his back pocket.
"Redecorating my ass," Harold stormed into the room, "Why can I see into the bedroom!" He said eyes flaming pointing at the hole in the wall that was now another entrance to Draco's room.
"Renovations," Ron tried not to turn red.
"Ha! I want you two out! You look as if you've been beating the crap out of each other and I will have no domestic violence here!"
"I think you've got it all wrong…"
"Fine! Just a large lovers' quarrel, but not here! Mr. Wong told me there was some fishy stuff happening over here," he began pacing, "but I thought he was just insane, odd noises and people disappearing and reappearing in front of your door AH!" Harold screamed as the apartment suddenly filled with people in dark robes with green and gold emblems on them.
One grabbed Ron from behind and another grabbed Draco. Harold looked around at the men wide eyed. Of course Ron and Draco knew that it the Law Enforcement Squad (LES). They quickly rushed around surveying the area and about five immediately left through the front door. Ron watched as one of the men banged on Mr. Wong's door across the hall as he struggled to get free.
"Good evening sir, may I come in," the officer didn't even wait for a response before pushing into Mr. Wong's flat.
"Draco Malfoy, you are under arrest by the order of Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minster for Magic…" the man who grabbed Draco and pushed him against the wall and placed a spell on his hands that he was holding behind his back
"Minister for Magic what's going on," Herald interrupted
"… for the use of high frequency magic in a highly muggle populated area and the violation of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy."
"Muggle?" Herald interjected
"Ronald Weasley you are under arrest by the order of Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minster for Magic. For the use of high frequency magic in a highly muggle populated area and the violation of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy," the LES officer holding Ron slammed him against the wall as he tried to wiggle free and placed the same spell on Ron's hands.
"Alicia," the officer holding Ron called. "Call in the oblivator's."
"Yes sir"
"Alicia?" Ron looked at her surprised.
Alicia Spinnet leaned against the wall next to Ron, "Long time no see Ron," she smiled, "I would ask you how you are but since I'm here arresting you on Christmas eve I wouldn't say things are too hot. But it was nice seeing you, tell George I said hello."
"What's an oblivator," whined Harold, really just wanting to know what was going on, " and what are those people doing to my tenants," the sounds of LES officers banging on doors and people arguing there entry into their homes could be heard throughout the building.
"Come with me sir," Alicia shook her head, escorting the poor man from the flat. She figured she would explain a few things to him before the oblivator's arrived and wiped his and the rest of the residents memories.
_THE BURROW_
"Celesta Warbeck is a musical genius!" Mrs. Weasley protested.
"Whatever you say mum, but just because you have sentimental memories attached to the music doesn't make her any good," George said changing the wireless station to something that wasn't playing a "Cauldron Full of Hot Strong Love".
"It's those smelly hairy feet people that have got all you young people loopy," she leaned back in her chair.
Ginny laughed, "It's My Hairy Feet Don't Smell mum."
"It's all the same now isn't it," she began rocking in her rocking chair continuing her knitting. "Just make sure its not too loud Victoire is sleeping."
_THE FUCKING TRUTH_
It's 11pm one hour till Christmas and I just got word…
George stopped flipping stations on Lee's Show.
That about thirty minutes ago in a Muggle area of London Draco Malfoy and Ronald Weasley were arrest by the LES for reasons that have yet to be disclosed…
Mr. Weasley immediately stood from his chair and rushed for his coat as Mrs. Weasley dropped her knitting needles.
"That bloody idiot better have finished with the orders!" George stated angrily switching off the radio.
"Shut up George," said Mr. Weasley, "I'll go over to the Ministry and see what's going on."
"I'm coming with you," Mrs. Weasley stood
"I don't think that's such a good idea and besides it's after hours they aren't going to let any visitors in," explained Mr. Weasley calmly.
"It's my child! And you work there!" She said with a mixture of heat and panic
"Even still, I'll contact you as soon as I find out what's going on."
"I'll come with you," said Percy, "Perhaps I can be of some assistance getting answers." Mr. Weasley nodded and they hurried from the house.
"Wait up," Harry grabbed his coat and ran after Mr. Weasley and Percy.
George started for the coat rack and began to pull on his coat, "Where do you think you're going," asked Mrs. Weasley
"I'm heading over to the store to make sure that git of brother of mine finished his job before he ran off and got himself arrested! I do have business to run and I do pay him!" He headed out the door.
_MINISTRY OF MAGIC_
Law Enforcement Office
Holding Cell #2
"This is all your fault!"
"Weasel shut up."
"We'll have to stand trial"
"Shut up"
"They'll snap our wands in half"
Draco rolled his eyes, "please shut up"
"They'll send us to Azkaban"
"WEASLEY! Shut the fuck up! We are not going to prison, there will not be a trial, and they are not going to snap our wands in half! If you don't stop your bloody whimpering I'll make you wish you were in Azkaban!" Draco leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes.
They were being held in a magic proof cell in the Ministry while the LES awaited further instruction. Draco was sitting on the bench against the wall as Ron, pressed his nose against the small window in the door and whimpered.
"I never thought I would be arrested," Ron sighed and took a seat on the bench opposite Draco.
"Your best friend is Harry Potter he attracts trouble it was bound to happen," Draco said with his eyes still closed.
"You're one to talk… death eater," Ron hissed.
"I hope that wasn't supposed to be an insult because that was pathetic."
"It's a wonder you've never been arrested."
Draco didn't open his eyes and smirked, "I can be quite clever when I want to."
"You're an arrogant smug bastard!"
"And you're a dim witted, clueless ginger top!"
"Well I'm already in the custody of the law…." Ron mused out loud before lunging for Draco. They began to wrestle on the floor getting any punch, pinch, or hair tug in where they could. As the door to the cell opened, they both froze in their unruly state and looked up to see who was casting the shadow over them.
"Happy Christmas Kingsley," Ron said innocently.
Kingsley smiled and shook his head shamefully, "It was a happy Christmas indeed Ron, until I got word that Arthur's boy seems to be using a massive amount of magic in a muggle area and if I had any special way I'd like to handle it. So naturally I told them to arrest you just as any other unlawful witch or wizard. I enjoyed so much being called away from my family celebrations at my brother's house, a superb way to spend the Holiday."
Draco pushed Ron off of him, "sorry for the inconvenience sir"
"Shut up," Ron hissed at Draco, "it's your fault we're here anyway!"
"It's not! Just because you…."
"SILCENCO!" Kingsley waved his wand and silenced them both before the bickering could escalate. "Enough!" Kingsley stated firmly, "I have no idea why you two were fighting and quite frankly I don't care! But this living arrangement you two have will immediately cease! It was poor judgment to begin with! You have risked the secrecy of our world! I believe this is the third time for you Ronald." Draco smirked as Kingsley eyed Ron, "and you can wipe that smirk of your face Draco because you are no saint yourself." Kingsley sighed, "I don't know what to do with you two. I could have thrown in Azkaban…."
"RON!" Mr. Weasley shouted coming up behind Kingsley in the doorway. "What the bloody hell has gotten into you?"
"Nice to see you Arthur," said Kingsley stepping aside to let Arthur in. "So you've heard"
"It's all over the wireless that these to idiots were arrested," he said waving his finger at them, "One of the officers filled me in on the details when I arrived." He explained. "Ronald Weasley what don't you understand about no magic around muggles? Is it really that hard to grasp? Answer me when I'm speaking to you boy!"
Ron was hoping Kingsley wouldn't remember the silencing charm he had put on him because he thought his Dad was angry when he didn't tell his family where he was after the battle but this might be a bit worst he thought and didn't want to say anything to muck the matter up further.
"Oh that's my fault," Kingsley said removing the charm
Shit, Ron thought to himself, "I was defending myself."
"More like getting the crap beat out of you," Draco commented
"Have you looked in a mirror you don't look so hot yourself," Ron shot back
"At least I'm not a bumbling twit!"
"Greasy ferret!"
"Weasley king!"
"SCILENCO" Mr. Weasley yelled as he waved his wand, "you two fight like an old married couple."
Kingsley chuckled as Ron and Draco glared daggers at each other. "You two are going to have to have a hearing and most likely stand trial. Not only have you violated local law but international law as well and I cannot turn my head."
Mr. Weasley sighed, "You think that the Wizengamot will send them to Azkaban."
"I should most certainly say not!" Kingsley and Arthur turned around as Lucius came strolling into the room.
"Ah, Lucius how was Bulgaria," Kingsley asked genuinely although inside he was rolling his eyes. Arthur raised an eyebrow as if to say that's where he's been.
"Lovely thank you, what's going on? When one of the Weasley clan sends owls to my wife that my son was arrested I become concerned, I must make sure it wasn't a citizen's arrest."
"No one in my family would tell the likes of you…." Arthur trailed off and turned around to see Percy and Harry looking through the window on the door that leads into the room with the holding cells. Their eyes widen and they quickly ducked, "except perhaps Percy."
"It seems your boys decided to have a dueling match in their flat in the middle of a muggle area," informed Kingsley
"You've been living with a Weasley?" Lucius fumed, "I assumed you had a flatmate working that crummy job but honestly Draco! What were you thinking?" Draco just stared at his father, "What are you gaping at boy! Answer me when I'm speaking to you!"
"Oh sorry," Arthur waved his wand to remove the spell.
"Father I have no idea what I was thinking, I suppose I fell and hit my head," Draco said simply
"Living with you wasn't so fun either," Ron rolled his eyes.
"At least I don't leave wet towels on the bathroom floor!"
"Slimy git!" Ron shot back.
"Takes one to know one!"
"SILENCEO," Lucius bellowed as he waved his wand, "I knew I should have dragged you home from the start because now you've become fond of a Weasley!"
Draco wished they hadn't confiscated his wand or threw them into this magic proof holding cell because his wandless magic was of no use either and he wanted to remove the silencing charm himself and protest that ridiculous claim.
Arthur rolled his eyes, "When do you suppose this hearing will take place?"
"Paper work will have to be filed, Thicknesse and the Wizengamot will have to be informed and of course none of it will be touched until after the Holidays…." Kingsley mused. "Until it's all sorted out I will allow them to be release in the custody of their parents while they await a hearing date."
"Great, Draco let's go," Lucius hissed as Draco pulled himself up off the floor and left the cell dragging his feet, his father pushing him on faster mumbling about how foolish Draco has been. "Honestly Draco what were you thinking? Have you completely lost your mind? What have I told you about being careless? When we get home…"
"I'm not going to St. Barth's," Draco whined
"You'll go where I say you go," Lucius stopped walking, "how are you talking?"
"I'm gifted," Draco kept moving towards the lift, "you know Aunt Andromeda and Teddy will be there as well."
"Yes"
"You don't like her."
"I never said that and we'll make do."
"Mum threatened you didn't she?"
Lucius didn't say a word, just lifted his chin higher in the air. Draco chuckled. Well at least I can just lie on the beach and get drunk…
"Ron, come on," Arthur sighed. Ron just shook his head no seeing as he still couldn't talk and he knew his father was referring to the Burrow. "It's either you come with me now or you stay here in this cell until your hearing." Ron stood from the floor and took a seat on the bench as if to say he was staying. Arthur chuckled, and then his face turned completely red as he bellowed, "RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY GET YOUR ASS OUT OF THIS CELL RIGHT NOW!" Ron shook his head no as he slowly inched farther back in the cell, Mr. Weasley fully entered the cell grabbed Ron by the arm forced him and pushed him out. "I apologize Kingsley for this entire night I can assure you it will never happen again." He said grabbing onto Ron once again so he couldn't make a run for it while exiting. "I want all my children out of the Ministry now!" Mr. Weasley shouted once outside of the cell room he didn't even stop to look to see if Percy and Harry were following as he continued to drag Ron towards the lift.
Harry heard Mr. Weasley say that he wanted all of his children out of the Ministry but he was catching up with Alicia Spinnet and he really didn't think that included him, so he continued his conversation and figured he would meet them back at the burrow.
When Mr. Weasley got on the lift Percy got on right behind him, Mr. Weasley counted heads and then stepped in the way of the lift doors so they wouldn't close. "HARRY!" He yelled.
Harry's eyes widen as he heard his name bellowed, "Got to go," he said to Alicia and ran like the wind towards the lift because he never heard Mr. Weasley this angry in his life but was happy to be counted as one of his kids.
Once Harry was on the lift and the doors closed Mr. Weasley began, "You ungrateful lot, what have your mother and I done to deserve this? It's Christmas for Christ sake! My entire family will be at home whether they are jail bait, arrogant Minister wannabes, hero complexity ridden pre-aurors, mastermind pranksters, underpaid bankers, dragon lovers who don't write home enough, or Quidditch stars too big for their family! Your mother and I have put up with too much in too short of a time and all the nonsense will cease from this moment on! We don't need it! We're all suffering but that was our boy! Our baby! You will stop putting us through the torment of wondering if we will ever be a family again and just do it! I've gone gray because of all of you," when Voldemort had returned it was obvious that Mr. Weasley had began to age in the face but over the last year and a half gray strands had began to appear in the bit of perfectly red hair he had left on his balding head. "Its Christmas God damn it! You will all plaster smiles on your faces and act as if you're having the time of your bloody lives got it!" All three boys shook their heads yes scared to do anything else.
Ron could feel sweat forming on his brow. He didn't know if he would be able to make it to the burrow without hurling but he didn't want to torment his parents any longer maybe they couldn't heal because of him or all his siblings really. It's time Ron. He whispered to himself trying to stay calm and keep the contents of his stomach down, it's time…
"The Heart Of the Matter" India Arie
Originally Performed by Don Henley
PLEASE REVIEW! The feedback is greatly appreciated.
