No I still own nothing that you recognize only what you don't! ;)

I am sorry I didn't get this posted in time for Christmas(that was my orginal plan) time just ran out. Though those of you who celebrate Old Christmas I am getting it posted in time! At least that was what my mother always told me when I was a little girl that Old Christmas was on the 6th of January! Anyway I hope you enjoy this, Christmas is a very magical time of year I think and I just had to write about that speacial magic!

Chapter Thirty-five

A Christmas Family

The next several weeks went by in much the same way. The four friends moved their tent from place to place, mostly remote forests or barren moors, once a day. At night they always kept someone on guard, always taking turns. When they weren't moving, or on guard, they were studying the Dark Magic books. Taylor's spell to change the words from the Ancient language to English allowed all of them to study the books. What they found was an assortment of spells and jinxes ranging from simple levitating spells to extremely complex and dangerous ones that claimed to ward off death.

"Well, we know why You-Know-Who was so interested in these books," Hermione said after reading one such spell.

"Yeah, but he didn't find the one for Horcruxes in these books." Harry said as he closed the one he had.

"There are probably other Dark Magic books similar to these. Besides I don't care how he made the Horcruxes, we just need to be able to destroy them." Taylor said from behind her thick volume.

"There hasn't even been one mention of a horcrux in all these books. This has been a waste of time!" Ron grumbled as he too shut his book and rubbed a hand over his face.

"No it hasn't been a waste of time. We have learned a lot about Dark Magic and how it works," Hermione corrected before she continued reading.

"Well I need a break. I'm going out to stretch my legs," Ron said as he put his book down and stood up, stretching the stiffness from his body.

"Wait up mate I'll join you," Harry called as he too stood and put his book on the table.

The two boys had been gone out of the tent for a few minutes when Hermione set her book down also. "You know Taylor, tomorrow is Christmas Eve."

Taylor glanced up at her friend a little bewildered at the comment.

"I have just been thinking about maybe doing something special."

Closing her book, Taylor narrowed her eyes at the other witch, wondering what she had planned, as she said cautiously, "Like what exactly?"

Hermione glanced up at the door to the tent before she scooted closer to Taylor and whispered, "Well I know Ron is really missing his family and Harry is going crazy without Ginny… So I was thinking maybe we could go to the Weasley's for a while Christmas Eve."

"And when Mr. and Mrs. Weasley refuse to let us leave again, then what?" Taylor asked with a raised eyebrow.

Hermione sighed and leaned back into the sofa, "Yeah, I keep running into that road block too."

"Unless we go somewhere else besides the Burrow…" Taylor trailed off as an idea started to take shape.

"But where?"

"Well what about Fred and George's joke shop? We could get a message to them that we are going to stop by and they could tell Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. I think the twins know that what we are doing is important. Besides, as long as it is just Mr. and Mrs. Weasley we should be able to get away from them. We are going to need more supplies soon anyway." The idea was sounding even more appealing by the minute as Taylor worked out some more details in her mind.

Hermione pondered the plan out loud, her voice becoming more excited as she thought through it. "We could send a Patronus to Fred and George so that they know it is from us. They would probably have all the supplies that we might need right there. If not it wouldn't be hard to get them. The joke shop is partially warded and if we go in disguise, no one will even notice a couple of more shoppers on Christmas Eve."

"It would serve several purposes. One we could gather some information on the Ministry and what has happened since the census is over. We haven't heard a thing one way or the other out here. Plus we might even be able to find out if or when Hogwarts will reopen, ("Yeah and if muggle borns like us are allowed back!" Taylor griped) …exactly. That is something we need to know so that we can plan our next move. If Hogwarts isn't going to reopen or if we aren't allowed back it will change our current plans for sure."

"What are you two planning now?" Ron asked as he stepped back into the tent.

Hermione smiled and explained what she and Taylor had been talking about.

"You want to go to Fred and George's joke shop? On Christmas Eve? Are you nuts?" Ron asked incredulously.

"No, I don't think so. Look Ron, we are going to need food supplies very soon, unless you are willing to go hungry. Plus we need to find out what has been happening at the Ministry. Going to Fred and George's would serve both purposes." Hermione replied calmly.

"It will be very dangerous. What if someone sees us? We were lucky to get away from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and the Order last time. We probably won't be as lucky this time." Harry pointed out. Still he had to admit, at least to himself, that the plan was very appealing. Any possibility of seeing Ginny had a strong effect on him.

"We thought of that. We could disguise ourselves and in the crowded shop we could easily blend in. Besides, as long as it's just Ron's mum and dad there, do you really think they will try to stop us? We are all of age, well, as far as they know anyway," Taylor added. She could tell that Harry and Ron were both wavering.

"It will be Christmas Eve. Maybe the risk is worth it to see family then," Hermione said softly. The other three knew that Hermione was worried about her parents and that even though they were staying with the Weasley's at the Burrow, she was worried that something was going to happen to them. If they went to the joke shop she would be able to at least hear whether her parents were all right or not.

The four were silent for a long moment as they thought about the idea. It was tempting to all of them as well as being extremely dangerous. It was Ron who summed it up best and helped the others come to a decision.

"Well we don't seem to be making much headway here. We haven't done anything but read those books for the last three weeks. We aren't any closer to coming up with a plan to get that Horcrux away from Umbridge, or finding any more Horcruxes. We are soon going to have to change our game plan, if we plan on going back to Hogwarts in a couple of week's time."

That night they discussed their idea with Dumbledore's portrait and while he cautioned them about the dangers, the portrait agreed that they were indeed in need of certain information and their best bet at getting such was to get in contact with someone from the Order.

Fred's answering Patronus appeared only twenty minutes after Harry sent his to the twins informing them that the four of them would be at the joke shop the following night.

It was dark and snowing lightly as the four friends apparated to the alley behind the joke shop in Diagon Alley. They had used several charms to disguise their appearance, making them barely recognizable, even to each other.

"Remember, we need to stick together. If we should get separated or if things go wrong, remember our meeting place. Alright, ready?" Harry asked quietly, and after the others nodded he started off carefully toward the front of the joke shop.

Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes was lit up like a muggle Christmas tree with bright lights and Christmas decorations galore. Even the inside of the shop was decorated festively and the delicious smell of spiced apple cider filled the air, making the shop feel warm and cozy on the cold winter night and though it was nearly seven o'clock on Christmas Eve, the joke shop was crowded with customers. No one took much notice of the four teens when they entered the store.

They had decided that Hermione would go with Harry and that Taylor and Ron would stay together. Taylor wasn't sure that it would make a whole lot of difference, as she looked around the packed store and a curtain of long blond hair fell over her face. She wasn't sure why she had to be the blond but Hermione had said that it would go best with the pale blue eyes she was now sporting. With an impatient hand she pushed the long blond hair off of her face and back over her shoulders. Ron's now pitch black hair and pale white face looked down at her and nodded toward the stairs. Taylor nodded and she made her way through the crowd as Ron followed close behind.

Once up on the second story, Taylor could see the whole store and she studied the faces in the crowd, almost missing the strawberry blond with a pony tail and mouse brown hair on Hermione and Harry as they wound their way toward the back of the shop. A deep voice from around the next display had Taylor's heart pounding wildly.

"…I don't know Bruce. If I was getting a present for my girlfriend I wouldn't be getting it at a joke shop! Your Mum might get a really good laugh out of those fake wands, but I doubt Charlotte will think they are funny."

"What did you get your girlfriend for Christmas, Greg?" A teasing male voice asked from behind the display of fake wands and cauldrons.

Taylor inched closer trying to listen to the answer, while pretending to look at the display.

The deep male voice laughed before answering, "As if I would tell you, cousin! I also didn't leave it until the very last minute." The deep voice sobered as it continued. "It is bought, wrapped and safely waiting until I see her again."

"So do you think she will come over? You haven't heard from her since school let out have you?" The other male voice asked.

There was a sigh before the deep voice answered. "I don't know, but if she doesn't I'll just give it to her when we go back to school."

"Man, cousin! You sure do have it bad for that little redhead don't you?"

"Shh! Dammit Bruce!" the deep male voice dropped to an angry whisper that Taylor couldn't hear from the other side of the display. Then a few seconds later, two tall males came around the display and headed down the stairs.

Taylor watched as Greg walked down to the first floor with his cousin. She fought the urge to call out to him, knowing it would be dangerous, plus in her disguise he wouldn't even recognize her. A sad smile played at her lips. He had as much as said that he had gotten her a gift for Christmas. One he'd bought and wrapped and now had safe somewhere to give to her. An ache throbbed through her chest, at the same time her heart soared. Never before had someone other then Harry and her friends bought her gifts. And never a wizard who made her heart pound and palms sweat.

"Come on we can't stand here all night." Ron said quietly beside her as he pulled on her arm. Fighting the urge to stay and stare at the tall Hufflepuff's retreating back, Taylor moved around the upstairs to another display on the opposite side of the shop. She was able to catch one more glimpse of the Head Boy as he went out the front door with his cousin, Bruce, and an older wizard that looked like Bruce and could have been Bruce's father.

By seven fifty-five the shop was nearly empty, only a couple of last minute shoppers were left besides Harry and the others. The two Weasley twins were eyeing the four strangers as the last of the shoppers left the store.

"I'm sorry folks but we are closing." George said as he approached Harry and Hermione.

Harry smiled as he answered, "So soon? Here I thought we had ourselves a date this evening."

George did a double take before a grin covered his face. "Do you think the apples are green?"

"If the oranges are red," Harry answered.

"Well hell Harry! That is some disguise!" Fred exclaimed as he locked and sealed the front door before he made his way to his twin's side.

"You could have fooled even Mad-Eye with that get up!" George chimed in.

"That was the plan," Harry said as he shook the hand of each twin.

"It's good to see you guys are safe. Mum's gonna be so happy to see you all," Fred grinned as he led the way up the stairs to the loft above the joke shop.

It was another few minutes before Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny arrived by floo giving the four friends enough time to remove their disguises.

"George and Fred, I hope you have a good reason for insisting that we floo over here at this time of night!" Mrs. Weasley chided as she stepped from the fireplace. "You know it is dangerous to be traveling around at night!"

"We know Mum..." Fred began to explain but Mrs. Weasley caught sight of Ron and Harry standing beside the far wall and her excited cry drowned out any reply he could have given.

"Ohhh! Ron! Harry! Thank Merlin!" Mrs. Weasley cried as she rushed over and hugged the two boys fiercely.

Mr. Weasley quickly joined his wife and clapped his hand on Ron and Harry's shoulders. "Ron, Harry, are you boys all right?"

Taylor stood beside Hermione and as soon as Mrs. Weasley let go of the two boys she turned and hugged the both of them, crying and asking them if they were all right and how glad she was to see them all.

"Yeah, we're fine Dad." Ron said and Harry echoed the sentiment.

"It's so good to see you. We've been so worried!" Mr. Weasley said thickly.

"It's good to see you too, Dad." Ron replied, his voice just as thick.

"Aww Mum, I told you. I am fine," Ron said as his mother hugged him again, and he awkwardly patted her back.

"Molly, let the poor boy breathe. Why don't we all have a seat, so that we can talk?" Mr. Weasley said calmly as he guided his wife to a chair and sat her down.

Ginny had already hugged her two best friends and her brother and was now standing holding Harry's hand. The two of them sat on the large sofa with Ron and Hermione. Taylor sat in a chair and the two twins drew up a soft cushy chair for themselves.

It took almost an hour to tell their story to the Weasleys, or as much of it as they could. Mr. Weasley told them that Mrs. Briggs had relayed to him that they had been at her cottage, and that Mr. and Mrs. Granger were fine and staying at the Burrow.

The talk then turned to what was happening at the Ministry and the four friends learned that the Ministry hadn't yet passed any new laws from the information that they had gathered during the census. Also that Hogwarts would indeed reopen in January, and that for now everyone was going to be allowed back. They speculated some on what the Ministry was up to, but without any facts it was just that, speculation.

"I don't suppose you are here to say that you are coming home for the rest of the holidays are you." Mr. Weasley asked gravely.

"No Sir," Harry answered firmly.

Mrs. Weasley gasped, "Surely you don't plan on going off alone again, do you?"

"Yes Mrs. Weasley we do." Harry replied, "We still have some things that we need to do before school starts again."

"But surely it can wait until you finish school in the spring?" Mrs. Weasley cried.

Harry sighed, but it was Hermione who answered. "No, it can't wait. We only hope that we will be able to get it done before Hogwarts starts again. We just wanted to see you on Christmas is all, and to let you know we are all right."

For a little while they talked about Bill and Charlie and how they were doing and some of Ron's other family. Remus was very worried but okay other wise and Moody had stopped looking for them after he had talked with Mrs. Briggs about their visit.

It was nearing midnight when Harry finally asked Mr. Weasley if he knew where Umbridge lived. Mr. Weasley didn't know but he was extremely curious as to why Harry wanted to know that information.

The sound of a clock chiming midnight brought home the fact that it was time for Harry and the others to leave.

"We need to get going." Harry said as he slowly stood up, pulling Ginny with him.

"Oh, can't you stay a little longer?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she too stood up. "You could all come back to the Burrow and we could have Christmas together. You can at least stay until dinnertime."

It was Taylor who spoke up, "I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, but we can't."

"But you are all just children! It is too dangerous for you to be off all alone again!" Mrs. Weasley cried as her voice started to rise.

"We are all of age. And we stopped being children a long time ago." Taylor said quietly but firmly.

Mr. Weasley put his arm comfortingly around his wife as he looked at the four young adults that stood before him. Gone from them was the look of innocence, replaced by a look of determination and acceptance that spoke of maturity beyond their young years. "Yes, you were all forced to grow up way to young."

"Here's the supplies you asked for Harry." Fred said as he handed a bag to him. "I'll take it out of your share of the earnings!" a grin creasing his face.

"Thank you Fred." Harry said with an answering smile. "That will be great."

"Any time partner!" George put in.

It was a teary goodbye as Mrs. Weasley hugged them all tightly several times, and Mr. Weasley made them promise to stay safe. Harry was able to sneak in a quick goodbye with Ginny as Taylor and Hermione distracted the Weasleys for a few moments.

Harry pulled his invisibility cloak out and threw it over the others. It was a tight fit to get the four of them under the cloak, but being careful and moving slowly they were able to make their way out of the dark joke shop. Just outside, they all linked arms and Hermione apparated them to their next campsite on a lonely snow-swept moor.

When the wards were in place and the tent set up the four friends sat in silence around the little table with a small smokeless fire warming them.

It was a long time before anyone spoke.

"Well that was a lot harder then I thought it was going to be." Ron said softly.

"I'm sorry," Hermione whispered shakily. "I thought it would be a good idea to see them on Christmas."

Taylor scooted her chair closer to her friend and wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "It was a good idea 'Mione. It was a very special evening, spent with family."

The four friends were quiet for a little while longer. Just the moaning of the wind could be heard on that silent night.

"I'll take first watch," Taylor said at last. "It must be nearly three by now. You guys get some sleep." Gathering up her cloak and things, Taylor slipped out of the tent into the cold night. The night was black and she could only see a few feet out into the darkness, but she conjured up a stool and sat down, her mind too busy for sleep.

Taylor heard the others quietly getting ready for bed and then the creak of the bedsprings and soon the soft snores from Ron.

Taylor remembered back to the Christmases of her youth, at her uncles. They had been happy times, and very magical. The magic that even muggles can feel at Christmas time. It wasn't long before she started to wonder if it was possible to bring some of that special magic to her brother and two best friends, and an idea came to her. There were no trees out on the moor so Taylor picked up a twig from the ground and set to work transfiguring it into a little Christmas tree. It took her over an hour of painstaking work but when she was finished the little tree sparkled, the decorations on it simple. Slipping into the tent she set the miniature Christmas tree on the table. A quick look around and she transfigured a little gift for each of her friends to put under the tree. Satisfied she went back outside to keep watch again, a warmth in her heart that had nothing to do with the warming charm that she used to ward off the cold winter night.

It was then, as she sat thinking of the simple gifts that she had just transfigured inside the tent that a handsome face and a deep male voice invaded her thoughts. It was thoughts of the Hufflepuff that kept her company until the sky began to lighten and a muttered curse came from inside the tent followed by a thump.

"Aw hell Taylor. I'm sorry. I overslept! Why didn't you wake me?" Harry asked groggily as he stumbled out of the tent pulling his cloak tightly around him.

"Don't worry about it. I'm not really all that sleepy anyway. You go do what you need to do, then I'll go in and get you some hot chocolate." Taylor grinned up at her brother.

A half hour later, Taylor had bacon frying and was mixing up pancakes when Hermione and Ron joined her. The tiny Christmas tree sitting on the table filled the tent with soft light and the four friends had an enjoyable Christmas morning talking about their past Christmases and the special things that they had received.

A/N Well there you have it what I thought a simple Christmas might be like while they were hunting Horcruxes... what did you think? As I was re-reading it through I did notice something that wasn't very clear. (there are more then likely more if so let me know!) It was the fact that Dumbledore didn't know about Hogwarts reopening... in my head I knew he would know that and he likely told them in a round about way but he wouldn't of known where Umbridge lived and for him to start asking those sorts of questions would of been suspcious... hopefully that clears that up. I find, because maybe I have only written a couple of storys that I have the answers in my head but don't get them down in writting very well, or I am trying to convey something and forget to clear up another point. As well with their disgusies... I elaborated on the glamour spell to include changing hair and eye colour but not their voices that is why Fred and George knew it was Harry when he spoke. Anyway hope you enjoyed.. let me know what you think!

Thank you to everyone who has read this story so far! Thank you as well to all of those who have alerted or favorited this story and those who have taken the time to review! It means so much to me! Thanks to my bata barbc! Without her efforts this story wouldn't be finished let alone as good as it is!

So until next time, cytpotter.