Christmas Part 2

Now a different kind of chaos erupted in the Weasley family.

Feeding Time.

I was a little fearful as I watched the other children demolish stacks of food. I knew that there was plenty for everyone, but the rate the food was distributed to plates was astounding. I knew that James and Fred could pack away at meal times, but it appeared that their grandmother's cooking was their favorite. I was not too hungry since I was still very much nervous about being around new people, but Missus Weasley quickly remedied my half full plate with a stern look. I heard a murmur of skin and bones as she shoveled on more potatoes and more cuts of chicken. I caught Albus smirking at me out of the corner of my eye.

I placed myself between Hugo and Albus at a table in the den. The cousins and siblings were all having conversations with themselves. I sat quietly beside an equally quiet Hugo. He would nudge my elbow every now and again. Everytime he would do it, I would look at him and he would pretend like he was paying mind to his food. I finally realized the game and when he did it again, I nudged his elbow back. A secret smile tugged at the corners of his lips and I felt my heart melt. Hugo was not the most social, but he had his little games he liked to play and it really felt like he was a little brother.

While my plate did not get cleaned, I felt full. I started making designs in my mashed potatoes. I listened to the Potter/Weasley clan converse. I could hear laughter come from the kitchen where a huge table barely held all the married couples. A voice I did not recognize would float through the doorway every now and again. It was a softer male tone and sounded jovial. I grew intrigued with the who it could possibly be. I had a guess that is was Mister Weasley just because I had heard the other males speak earlier when I was being introduced to the family. Well, I had not heard Mister Scamander speak also, but I imagined his voice to be particularily soft and quiet.

"You best finish all that before grandmum comes in here and scolds you." Albus whispered into my ear. I groaned softly and rubbed my stomach. I could not possibly fit another bite in my mouth.

"I'm full. If I take another bite, I will burst. It will be the greatest magic trick I could ever pull." I whispered back. Albus chuckled under his breathe as he stole a chunk of chicken from my plate.

"There. Now it will be easier." he said before he cut a piece and started eating again.

"How can you keep eating?" I asked, amazed at how he could still shovel food into his mouth.

"I'm a growing boy." he replied simply. I rolled my eyes and turned to Hugo.

"Hugh, you like mashed potatoes, want to take half of mine?" I whispered to the skinny boy. His eyes brightened.

"I was just about to go get more!" he replied as he started scooping my mashed potatoes onto his plate.

"Glad I could save you a trip." I commented with a gentle smile. I had sat with Hugo Weasley enough times during dinner to know that one of his preferred foods were mashed potatoes. If there was a bowl of them, he would hog them all to hisself. I was no help in the matter. I would send a glare to the nearest Hufflepuff and steal away a vessel of them if there was none by. Maybe that is why I was never popular at their table.

"Now hurry up and eat what you have, silly girl." Albus murmured after he swallowed the last of the chunk he had stolen. I scowled at him playfully.

"Fine. But when I explode, I am going to blame you." I muttered miserably as I watched Albus take another piece of chicken. So, I sucked in a deep breathe and started to tuck into the rest of my food.

And finish I did. Just barely though. I had to choke down a bite or two, but I cleaned my plate. After the last piece of chicken Albus had stolen vanished, he set his cutlery on his plate and leaned back in his chair. The damned fool did not even have a bulge in his stomach. I instantly grew jealous and irritated with him. Hugo ended up going back for more mashed potatoes. I heard noises of approval from Missus Weasley. I honestly liked the witch. She was over bearing and bossy, but I could tell that she loved her family and they were the most important people in her world.

After we cleaned up our plates, I hung around in the kitchen. Ginny caught sight of me trying to look inconspicuous. I pretended not to have seen her, but when she coughed loudly and drew the attention of all the other mothers, I chanced a glance. She was glaring at me and jerked her head towards the den. I slumped my shoulders in defeat and slowly made my way to the gathering of children and men.

I slithered into the den and placed myself next to Rose. She gave me a half smile and sent her a wink. My over stuffed belly ached and began rubbing it. The circles did not soothe the stretched feeling, so I laid down on my side and placed my head on Rose's thigh. I heard her giggle as I took her hand and placed it on my hair. Taking the silent cue, she threaded her fingers through my hair and ran them through the strands. I felt my belly begin to relax and I sighed in content.

"And where is this witch that seems to have adopted my Gin bug as a mother?" I heard through the hazy lull in my head. I did not even realize my eyes had drifted close.

Rose tugged on a few strands of my hair and I slowly sat up. I looked around and saw all eyes on me. A few of the kids were smirking at me and the adults were smiling knowingly. My eyes rested on an older man with greying flaming red hair. His frame was thin and long and he had rounded glasses. His eyes were soft and bright. I could see knowledge behind them and a thirst for more. His brown irises were twinkling with happiness.

I instantly wanted to trust this man.

Hold that thought. I never want to instantly trust anyone. Especially the male gender. But his kind face and warm eyes did not make me want to run away. His gentle smile and patient posture did not send my heart into a beating frenzy. Arthur Weasley radiated with kindness. Now I understand where the Weasleys and Potters get all their open hearts and understanding ways from. This man. The patriarch of their family.

"Hello, sir. I'm Calesta Manslayer." I said as I stood up. He motioned for me to step forward.

I was at the back of the room with a sea of red heads blocking my path. I resisted the urge to sigh. So, I began to tiptoe my way through bodies. I avoided fingers and toes as best as I could. Well, that is a lie. I purposefully stepped on Freddie's fingers just because I could. I am sure that he did something to me that required some kind of retaliation. And if not, well, then I just did something that required retaliation and I would expect as much on the train back to Hogwarts.

"Ah, well, look at you." Mister Weasley said as I stepped in front of him finally. I saw him eye my hair with interest, "Muggle potion for coloring hair?" he asked.

"Botched coloring charm." I replied. The older man chuckled, amused at the misused magic.

"It is lovely to meet you, young lady." Mister Weasley said in his soft voice. I smiled nervously.

"It is very nice to meet you also, Mister Weasley. You have a very wonderful home. I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like it." I said while fighting with my hands to stay still, "It has character." I added because my mouth would not stop moving. Mister Weasley laughed at that.

"Yes, well, housing seven children, it needed to have character." he responded with a sparkle in his eyes.

"Thank you for allowing me to come to Christmas dinner." my voice had dropped a notch. He nodded his head and stood up.

"I would never let a child go lonely on Christmas." he whispered and started to reach for my arms.

I froze. I watched in slow motion as his thin hands came farther into my personal space. How the hell do you tell a kindly older man not to touch you without yelling it? My palms went clammy. Do you step away to prevent contact? I felt my fingers curl into small fists. What the fuck do I do?

A hand pressed lightly in the middle of my back.

"Granddad, mum told me that you have begun fiddling with a radio that can play little shiny discs for hours?" Albus' voice distracted Mister Weasley from his thoughts of either hugging me or gripping my shoulders in a comforting gesture. I saw his eyes go wide as if he had forgotten his project.

"Yes! They are similar to records, but there are no ridges! It is fascinating!" Mister Arthur replied with bright eyes, "I found one in a raid." he whispered conspiratorially to Albus and I. I had not relaxed my posture yet and Albus could feel the unyielding muscles in my back through my shirt.

"I recall that you asked where the loo was earlier, did anyone tell you where it was, Cal?" Albus asked me loud enough for his grandfather and I to hear. I shook my head negatively, "Oh, I'm sorry. We must have been distracted with grandmum's cooking. I'll show you."

"Poor girl. You are a good friend, Albus." Mister Weasley looked at his grandson with pride. Albus excused us with a murmur.

I tried to tell my feet to move, I really did. But they were rooted to the spot. I felt the hand on my back apply more pressure until he was practically shoving me out of the room. My fingers were beginning to cramp from their taut position. My teeth were beginning to ache from being clenched so tightly. Albus led me up some stairs and then into a room on the first landing. I glanced around and it was obviously a boy's room.

"Cal, I need you to listen to me." I heard him murmur as Albus closed the door. I tried to nod my head, but my neck muscles were too tight. Albus sighed and stepped in front of me so I could see his hazel eyes in the dim lighting, "You are fine." he whispered as his hands came up to rest against my jaw.

His thumbs began to rub my cheeks lightly. I concentrated on his eyes. His eyes were calm and unwavering. The flecks of brown and green helped ground me to the present. The pads of his thumbs left warm trails on my skin. I felt my stiff fingers uncurl. I timed my breathing with the puffs of air that fell over my lips. Albus observed the changes in my posture and a small smirk appeared on his lips.

"Nothing to worry about." he murmured. I flicked my eyes to his lips as they moved. Had they always been that smooth?

I slid my gaze back to his eyes and brought my hands up to lightly clasp around his wrists. I felt his steady pulse under my finger tips. It reminded me that I was among friends. It reminded me that I was safe. His warm skin was vastly different to the cold, slimy flesh of my nightmares. The moist puffs of air on my lips were a far cry from the cold air that surrounded my body in the dark corners of my mind.

"Better?" he whispered so softly, it was like a breeze in the summer. I slowly brought my forehead to his and closed my eyes when we connected. I pulled in the sent of mint, cool, fresh air and leather gloves through my nose. I had to swallow to wet my thoat before answering.

"Yes." my voice was breathless and so quiet. I opened my eyes and saw that he was still staring at me.

"Still a soft voice and a pretty face." Albus murmured. A slow smile spread over my features. I felt my eyes crinkle. A quick wink was sent towards me and I really did feel better.

"Thank you." my tone was still quiet because I did not want to break the calm atmosphere.

"I'm always here." he replied before his head pulled away slightly to place a lingering kiss on my the crown of forehead. I leaned into the action.

"Good."

"Are you ready to go back?" Albus asked, his lips still touching my skin.

"Not yet." I replied before I stepped forward and let go of his wrists. My arms encircled his torso and I felt him take a sharp breathe before wrapping his arms around my shoulders. Except for the one time I touched his arm, I had never initiated any physical contact with Albus. This must have been shocking.

I stood there, encased in his warmth, reveling in the comfort. I listened to his breathing. I listened to his heart beating. I breathed in more of his sent and I felt so light. I felt like I could fall asleep standing with Albus holding me so gently. He let me stand there. He let me feel his back under my palms through his shirt. He and I were comfortable just being right here, in the boy's room.

It was comfortable.