Chapter Summary: It is Christmas Eve, and Harry and friends are preparing for one big Christmas dinner. However, just before dinner, Eugene comes home from work and tells Harry that they are to be hosting a prominent French family for the night- the Delacours- due to him wanting to get to know the French Minister better.
Chapter Twelve: Christmas
Harry and friends arrived in New York while Dumbledore and Molly were finishing their conversation, just outside the Flitwick Manor. Those who had not been to the Manor looked at it in confusion; it just looked like an old apartment complex with a small backyard smashed in between two other buildings. Hermione, Susan, and Harry all smirked at each other; they knew exactly where Flitwick Manor was, and the others were in for a surprise. Scarlett took out her wand, and tapped a complicated pattern on the brick wall, muttering the password as she did so. She stepped back, as the bricks fell away in a vortex-like illusion, revealing a long tunnel. The arched tunnel was lit with old-fashioned stone lanterns, and had a red carpet flooring.
Scarlett stepped inside, waiting patiently for the awed mutterings to subside, and soon enough everyone joined her in the tunnel, as the door closed behind them. They walked for about a minute before coming upon another door, this one made of glass with golden edges.
Scarlett turned to face the kids, smiling at them widely. "Ready to be wowed?"
Those who had not been there before nodded, excited.
"Okay, then." She stepped back and opened the door, allowing the kids to walk into what seemed like a whole new world. Maybe even a whole new dimension.
Much more different than the crowded suburbs of New York, the nature surrounding the Manor was rich in life, despite it being wintertime. Sparkling, feathery white snow blanketed the ground, dusting the tips of the trees and the roofs of the manor. The manor itself was situated right in the center of the "campus", for lack of a better word. A quidditch pitch was in the west side of the campus, and a ginormous pool was in the back.
Astonished by the pure beauty of the property, the kids looked around as they walked to the front door, taking in every inch of it.
"Wow," Anthony could only gape as he watched Scarlett open the door, admiring the sheer size of the house in front of him. Now, his house was nice, but not as nice as this. His family's dwelling was a small, two story home on Privet Drive, and there was nothing really too grandiose about it.
"I know, Anthony." Harry smiled at his friend, happy to be home. "I still am shocked sometimes as well. Here, who wants to go on a tour?"
After the tour, the kids all lounged about in the living room, talking earnestly. Mrs. Flitwick was in the kitchen, baking scrumptious cookies and pouring drinks for them. Eugene suddenly stumbled in through the fireplace, dusting off particles of coal as he landed, looking tired but happy.
"Hey, kids!" he grinned, kicking off his shoes. "I'm back, and I've got news!"
Harry and Holly ran up, hugging their father, before sitting back down again next to their friends as they listened to their father attentively.
"We will be having guests for dinner tomorrow night, other than Professor Reger. Due to an agreement between our Ministry and the French ministry, we will be hosting Minister Enrique Delacour-Lafayette and his family for Christmas Eve dinner. The object of doing this is to foster positive relations between France and England, and therefore I expect you all to be on your best behavior. Can I trust you all to do that?"
The kids all nodded, and Harry's eyes widened when he heard the name "Delacour-Lafayette," recognizing it from one of his many marriage contracts. He was looking forward to meeting Fleur, he supposed.
But enough of that, he thought.
"Hey, who wants to go and play quidditch?"
Christmas Eve
It had been an entertaining few days, and finally the eve of everyone's favorite holiday was upon them.
The Flitwicks and co. had spent all day decorating the manor, and everyone had willingly participated in a snowball fight in the afternoon, before heading up to their rooms in order to get cleaned up for dinner. Considering who was coming to dinner, it was going to be very formal, and Harry wanted to look his best.
It was this that led to Harry dressing himself into emerald green robes with crimson trimmings, and admiring himself in the mirror once he had finished. His multiple Lordship rings sparkled in the dwindling sunlight coming from the window, and the almost-faded lightning bolt scar on his forehead was not even visible. Humming to himself, he skipped out the door, nearly running into Hermione.
Hermione, like him, had gone all out for this occasion. Her usually curly hair was straightened, and some strands were pulled back, while the rest fell around her shoulders. She had decided to wear a light blue dress, with golden wedges, for an extra touch of sparkle. All in all, Harry would have been drooling if he did not have such good control of his emotions.
"Um, H-Harry? You're staring." Hermione stammered, as a blush formed on her cheeks under his scrutinizing gaze.
"Oh, I am?" Harry snapped out of his trance-like state, reddening furiously. "Sorry. Want to go down together?"
"Sure." She agreed, and he permitted her to place her hand on his right arm as they walked down the long, winding staircase together, making small talk.
Just as they reached the bottom of the staircase, the doorbell rang, and Harry grinned. He and Hermione looked at each other, and raced one another to the door, with Harry beating her by a second. Harry opened the door, and was immediately greeted by the sight of his old professor.
Now, Professor David Reger had been Harry's teacher for many years, and had known his adoptive parents for an even longer amount of time.
Even when Harry did not have one of his classes, the man still elected to tutor Harry in all his subjects, yes even wizarding ones. David had been one of the only Slytherin muggleborns in Hogwarts during his tenure as a student, returning to study muggle subjects and go to college as soon as he finished school. He had stayed in England for a few years, trying to find a good college whose staff were aware of the wizarding world, before deciding to move to America and getting accepted into Columbia University. After college, he applied for a job at his old muggle school before Hogwarts, Westwood Middle School.
During his first year, he had met the young prodigal son of two of his former Hogwarts classmates: Harry James Flitwick. The two had developed a strong bond of friendship over the course of Harry's time at school, exceeding the normal relationship between a teacher and that teacher's favorite student. They became so close that Harry was even able to call him by his first name.
It was this that led to him and his wife, Trista, being invited to Christmas dinner with the Flitwicks.
"Harry, my boy! It's been so long!" exclaimed the Professor, as he and his favorite student of all time greeted each other like old friends, much to Hermione's confusion.
"Likewise, Professor. And who is this lovely lady behind you, Dave?" Harry inquired, noticing the blonde-haired woman in a business suit standing behind his teacher.
"This is my wife, Anne. Anne, this is Harry Flitwick. The one I have been telling you about." David introduced the two, and they shook hands, greeting each other cordially.
"A pleasure, madam. Here, come inside. It's rather cold outside, wouldn't want you to catch a chill." chuckled Harry, leading them into the house. He introduced Hermione, and she and Anne hit it off instantly.
"So, I take it this was your first year at Hogwarts?" Harry nodded. "How is it going so far? What house are you in?"
"It is going excellently, and I am in Ravenclaw. Honestly, the only thing that is remotely bothering me is the old coot, Dumbledore." Harry growled the name, and David's eyebrows shot up in recognition.
"I remember him! He was a transfiguration teacher while I was a student there. You know, that's where I met your grandmother…" he trailed off, lost in the memories of the past. Harry nodded absentmindedly, and watched as David was greeted by the rest of the family. He was also introduced to all of Harry's Hogwarts friends, namely Hermione, Anthony, Susan, and Draco. Draco was instantly curious about this man, and proceeded to ask him and his wife all sorts of questions about the muggle world.
The Delacours arrived a while later, and were greeted just as enthusiastically as everybody else by the whole family. Harry and Fleur, everyone knew, would become great friends. Gabrielle and Holly instantly became quite close when they found out they shared multiple favorite hobbies together, and rushed off to do some painting. Eugene and Enrique, or "The Ministers Squared" as everyone called them, moved to a more private section of the living room, to discuss the current state of politics. Apolline joined the ladies in the kitchen to help with cooking.
Finally, after a tasty feast that lasted almost two to three hours, it was time for everyone to retire to their homes. Harry and friends said their goodbyes to the Delacours and Regers, and were all asleep thirty minutes later.
It had been a pretty good night.
Christmas Morning
"HARRY! PRESENTS!"
Harry groaned tiredly as he rolled over in his bed, trying to stifle the sound by pulling his blankets over his head. Anthony, the evil human being that he was, bounced on Harry's bed childishly, a wide grin on his face.
"Harry, the presents have arrived!"
Harry's eyes shot open, and he got out of bed rather quickly, putting on a bathrobe and sliding his feet into red slippers.
"Come on, slowpoke!" urged Anthony, and Harry glared playfully at his friend.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" grumbled Harry, joining Anthony in the hallway once he was ready. Laughing, the two slid down the stairs on their butts, trying to race each other. Needless to say, Harry won.
All the other residents of the manor were already downstairs, sitting at the kitchen table with breakfast already prepared. Grinning, Harry and Anthony sat down, and proceeded to eat as much food as they could because… food is delicious.
After breakfast, everyone gathered around the Christmas tree, and opened their presents.
From Tonks, Harry had gotten a gigantic box of sweets, including anything from Chocolate Frogs to Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. In return, he had given her an embroidered leather book bag, much like the ones he and Hermione had. Speaking of Hermione, she had given him an enchanted poster, on which was John Trumbull's famous painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He had given her a beautiful silver pendant, enhanced with protection charms, that had her initials engraved on the front and the crest of Houses Washington and Potter on the back.
He had gotten lots of excellent gifts, and given many more.
'Tis the season, after all.
A/N: Hey guys! The Queen here with an update to take your minds off of the terrible outcome of the American Presidential Election…
So, yeah.
We now have a fat orange carrot as our president.
Nice knowing you all. :(