I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Note: An extra chapter update for everyone to be enjoyed on Christmas Eve, it is a Bell Family tradition after all. I wish everyone a warm and happy holiday if you celebrate, and a warm and happy day if you do not. Thank you for gifting me your time and reading. I hope everyone is well and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Extended Family

Chapter 67 – Her First Real Christmas

Takes place before Chapter 143 of Family.

The wind howled, pounding on the windows and walls demanding to be let in. Snow collected heavily against the windows, frosting and chilling them. However, the fire within the home flared brightly, filling the space with warmth and light. The laughter that filled the air was just as warming if not more so.

"No!" Alicia cried, wiping tears of merriment from her eyes. "I don't believe it!"

Katie coughed from laughing so hard, sipping some juice to clear her throat. "It's true! Nate and Sam seriously tried to eat a noodle Bludger!"

"Gosh, why didn't we ever think of that?" George asked Fred.

"Right? There has to be a big market for edible Bludgers," Fred mused.

"How did they even make it?" Angelina asked, shaking her head.

Harry chuckled from the floor where he was currently wrestling with Dahlia, Hadley, and Hailey. "So they measured the dimensions of a practice Bludger and then prepared some spaghetti and formed it into a ball with red sauce. Tina is working on her Charms mastery and she enchanted it to zoom around."

"Why did they try to eat it when flying at them on brooms?" Alicia asked, shaking her head.

"Well what's the point otherwise of a Bludger?" Oliver grinned.

"Mummy says I'm a Bludger," Hailey said proudly.

"Yeah you are bun," Angelina said. She smiled when Hailey tackled Harry, knocking him over. "Case in point."

"You're much more adorable than a real Bludger," Harry said, hugging her. "I don't mind getting hit by you."

A severe gust of wind made the windows rattle and Alicia looked outside. "Winter's fierce this year."

"It sure is cold and windy," Oliver agreed. "No winter camping this year. Even I have my limits."

"Thank goodness for that," Alicia snarked and kissed him sweetly.

"It's good for Christmas time," George said. "Nothing more satisfying than crummy weather out there while spending time indoors with friends and family."

"Mum's going nuts this year with presents," Fred laughed. "I asked her why and she said it was the sprogs first real Christmas."

"What does that mean?" Katie asked. "They've had a few at this point."

"She said most don't remember the first few and this is the age where you start making real lasting memories," Fred explained.

"To be fair, we don't remember much under age six or so," George said, "but that might be due to all the head trauma we've had through the years."

"Self-inflicted?" Alicia grinned.

"And Bill and Charlie inflicted," George said seriously. "And Ron and Ginny as they got older. I swear, she learned the Trip Jinx early for a reason."

"Self-defense," Angelina laughed.

"Hmmm, Molly might be right," Oliver said after some thought. "I think three or four is the first Christmas I remember." He smiled softly. "I got a children's learning broom at that age."

"Of course you did," Alicia said fondly. "I got a toy potions set. Actually, I think I asked for that." Her smile was tinged with regret. "I think I was trying to be a good girl for the family." She hugged Oliver back when he embraced her firmly and gently.

"I think I was that age when I started really scrapping with my brothers," Angelina said with a wistful smile. "To see who could open the first present. They took it easy on me and I made them pay for it the next year."

"Aren't they like more than four years older than you?" Fred asked.

"Yeah, and they still fear her when it comes to fighting." George's eyes smoldered as he looked at her. "You are so damn hot."

"Ugh, keep it in your pants," Fred groaned, returning Angelina's rude gesture as she kissed George.

"I got my first necklace then," Katie smiled. "It was this shiny gold one that I only wore on special occasions but I loved it. I still have it too!"

"Papa?" Hadley looked up at Harry with concern. "Are you okay?"

Harry's face had gone still when he heard what Fred said. For a long moment he was still, lost in his memories. The memories had caused certain feelings to reemerge and they showed on his face. He blinked slowly a few times, coming to and realizing that the three little girls were staring up at him with concern and mounting fear. "I'm okay girls," he said, forcing his voice to be warm and calm. "Just thinking."

He smiled when they piled on him, hugging him tightly at the same time. "Thank you, bunnies."

"Love you Papa Harry," Hailey and Hadley said, their faces pressed into him.

"Love you Daddy," Dahlia said.

"I love you three so very much," he said quietly but sincerely back. He kissed them on their cheeks. "Don't you worry, I'm going to make sure you all have the best Christmas."

"We know," they said in unison with unfailing confidence.

-0-

"Is everything okay?"

Katie smiled at her mother. "Yeah, of course." She sighed softly at Samantha's look. "Okay, well, maybe something's not quite okay."

"Tell me."

"Harry's been weird the last couple days. A bit secretive if I'm being honest."

"It is the holidays. Maybe he's just being sneaky about plans and gifts and things. You know how he is with gifting."

"I do and normally he's like…teasingly sneaky about gifts. But it feels weird this time. Like…he's worried about something. I've asked of course but he just says he's fine."

"That's what he always says," Samantha snorted. She watched Bailey chase Dahlia around, enjoying the happy barks and excited squealing. "I was wondering why he didn't come over with you two for a visit."

"He said he had something to do at home."

"Does Dally know what's going?"

"No and that's another thing, he usually tells her if it's a gift thing. Mostly because he has trouble saying no to her over small things like that." Katie shrugged. "Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive."

"Well, you're sensitive to him usually so maybe not. If you can't get it out of him tonight, call me. I'll come over and between you and me we can get it out of him. And if need be, I'll call Andi."

"He can't resist the three of us," Katie smiled. "I'm sure it'll be fine." After another hour she called Dahlia. "We have to go Dally. Kiss Bailey and Grandma goodbye."

"Do we have to?" Dahlia asked plaintively but did as instructed, giggling when Bailey licked her face several times.

"We do. But don't worry, we'll be seeing them soon again and we're seeing everyone at Grimmauld on Christmas." She and Dahlia waved and said their goodbyes before stepping into the Floo together to take them home. When they emerged from the Floo fire place at their home and walked into the sitting room, they stopped and gasped.

The sitting room gleamed in the firelight from their regular fireplace. Sparkles and shining things floated in the air. Magical snow fell and dissolved above head height in a soft constant shower. Garlands of pine and holly lined the walls with sprigs of red berries dotting them. The air smelled sweetly of cinnamon and pine needles, fresh and clean. A tiny toy Hogwarts Express chugged along a track around the perimeter of the room, occasionally cutting through the middle. Music played softly on the wireless.

"Oh, welcome home," Harry said as he walked in.

"It looks like a snow globe exploded in here!" Katie laughed.

"It's so pretty!" Dahlia cried, clapping her hands.

"Is it too much? It's too much isn't it," Harry said, looking sheepish. "I just wanted it to be festive and pretty and…" his voice faded.

"Dahlia, will you be a good girl and take these into our secret hiding spots?" Katie set her daughter down and gave her a few shrunken parcels. "Take your time and be careful."

"Yes Mummy." Dahlia hugged Harry before scampering off.

Katie walked to Harry and took his hands. "Hey you, what's going on and don't say nothing or that you're fine."

Harry swallowed nervously. "Uh…well…it's stupid…"

"No it isn't," Katie said firmly but gently. "I know something's going on. Please tell me. And I'm not upset by the decorations. I love them and it must have taken you forever and I really appreciate it. But you've never gone this far before and I've noticed you've been a bit off lately. Tell me, please."

Harry sighed deeply. "It's…I'm just…I'm being stupid."

Katie waited for him to say more.

"I just wanted to make sure Dahlia has a great first real Christmas," he said wanly at last. "The first real one that she'll make memories of."

Katie tilted her head before going still. "Bloody hell," she said, realizing. "Oh, love, I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," he said softly. "I really liked listening to you guys talk about yours."

"I feel like a bitch," Katie said sadly. "That was really cruel of us."

"No! It wasn't," he said insistently. "Like I said, it was really nice listening to you guys share stories of that."

"I can't believe we didn't think about it," she said bitterly. She felt better when he hugged her.

"I barely think about it at all," he said. "Sometimes, it feels like it was all just bad dreams and the vast majority of the time, I don't spare it or…them any thought. But then something just pops up and well…yeah." He smiled weakly. "To be fair, it's been a really long time and I don't blame any of you at all."

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly.

He hesitated. "I…no. Not really. Just that…I think that was the first time I really realized that they…hated me."

She took his face in her hands and kissed him fiercely on the lips. "I love you heart and soul Harry James Potter. You don't need their attention. You have mine and we all love you utterly and completely."

He kissed her back. "I know and I'm thankful every day. Thank you. I love you with my all too. All of me."

She hugged him tightly, pressing her face into his neck. The air felt warm and the smell of the fire and the pine surrounded them. "Is it too late to change my Christmas present?" she asked.

"No?" He thought for a moment and snorted. "Unless you are asking me for their address then yes."

"One day I'll get it out of you," she said softly.

"Maybe, but not today. I don't want to ruin the holiday."

"No, they've done that enough." She sighed softly and kissed him several more times. "Nothing but happiness from now on."

"I can agree to that," he said with a soft smile. He grunted as Dahlia ran into his side at full force. "Oof! What's wrong Dally?"

"Are you okay?" she asked, eyes glimmering as she looked up at him.

He picked her up and kissed her cheek. "I am now, thanks to you and Mummy." He grinned as she messily kissed him back and hugged him tight. He moved so that he and Katie could sandwich her between them. "I love you both so much."

Katie wiped a tear away. "What do you think of the decorations Dally?"

"They're so pretty!" Dahlia exclaimed. "How did you do it?"

"I found a book called Household Holiday Charms," Harry smiled. "So I started casting when you and Mummy went visiting. Well worth the work, I think. Hedwig helped me with the garlands too and you should see her. Hedwig!"

Katie and Dahlia exclaimed with delight as Hedwig came swooping in. She wore a red Santa hat, shrunken to fit her and stuck to her head to prevent it from falling off. A tiny medallion of red holly berries and two green holly leaves hung from the silver chain around her neck and she had a pair of silver bells tied to her legs. She landed on Harry's head and danced up and down, filling the air with tinkling music.

"Oh my goodness, you are adorable," Katie praised.

"The medallion and the bells are from the Delacours," Harry smiled. "I found the hat and shrunk it for her. She loves them as you see."

Hedwig barked cheerfully, bobbing her head.

"Just perfect," Katie said.

-0-

"Hey, shouldn't we be getting ready for the Portree party?" Harry asked. He looked nonplussed when Katie pushed him onto the couch.

"Nope, it got rescheduled. I had a talk with Coach and we all decided to do it after Christmas. It worked out for everyone and I think everyone appreciates a little more flexibility and less worry."

"Oh that sounds nice."

"Today it's just going to be you, me, Dally, and Hedwig. We're going to stay right here and roast things in the fire and drink incredible amounts of cider and cocoa. The team is coming over to spend Christmas Eve together tomorrow and we're meeting everyone else at Grimmauld for lunch and dinner Christmas Day."

Harry smiled. "That sounds really nice."

And it was.

Despite his protests, Katie and Dahlia did most of the food fetching and preparation, insisting that he stay on the couch. Dahlia had put her plushies with him on the couch to keep him there. The table was covered in drinks and food and they could reach the fire with roasting forks. Hedwig, surprisingly, figured out how to adjust the wireless for them and sat plumped up beside them, demanding them to roast sausages to her desired doneness before she messily enjoyed them. Eventually Dahlia fell asleep on Harry's lap with Hedwig passed out on Dahlia's stomach.

"You're the best, you know that?" Harry whispered to Katie.

"So are you," she whispered back.

-0-

"Hailey, I told you to never run through the Floo like that," Angelina sighed as she walked out the hearth. "You won't always have AliMum to break your fall."

"Sorry AliMum," Hailey said sheepishly.

Alicia groaned slightly as she sat up and patted Hailey on the back. "Just be careful in the future dear," Alicia said with a smile. "And I will be sure to put Oliver in front of the Floo in the future as well."

Oliver snorted as he picked his wife and honorary niece up from the ground. "I mean, you should know better than to stand in front of the Floo like that too."

"Fair enough," Alicia said. She smiled broadly when Dahlia jumped up and down in the sitting room, with Hadley and Hailey joining soon after. "They look so adorable. I never thought I'd be one of those parents that bought matching outfits for my children, much less to match other children."

"Well they're basically sisters in all but blood," Angelina smiled proudly. She looked around the room with wonder and delight. "The room is gorgeous!"

"I told you it looked like a snow globe exploded in the best possible way," Katie laughed.

"Hey, that's an idea," George said.

"Oh yeah, we can do that for next year," Fred said enthusiastically.

"Do you pay for ideas that you get from others?" Oliver asked.

"If we overhear something, no. But if it's Harry, then yes. We add a finder's fee and profit percentage to his investor return," George said.

"Is that why it keeps going up?" Harry asked.

"You didn't know?" Alicia laughed.

"I just assumed business has been good," Harry grinned.

"Both really," George said. "Business is steady and booming and you come up with some good stuff."

Angelina looked to see the small girls occupied by the small toy train before reaching out and pulling Harry to her. "Sorry Rabbit," she said gruffly, burying her face into his hair.

"Really, it's okay," Harry said, hugging her back tightly.

"It really isn't," Fred growled. "We're gits for not thinking about it."

"It's okay," Harry repeated firmly. "I didn't even think about it until after we talked about it for a while and well, it's unfair of me to prevent certain topics and conversations just because of my past. I know that none of you will ever hurt me like that. Truly."

"You're a good man, Sir Harry," Oliver said warmly.

"I have good role models," Harry replied sincerely.

Alicia hugged him when Angelina let him go. "Is it too late to ask for a different Christmas gift?"

"If it's what you are thinking of, then yes. Besides, I'm pretty sure you will like what I got you," Harry chuckled.

"Wait a second, you two went to that place twice." Katie looked at the twins. "You remember how to get there, right?"

"I've been trying to get the location from them for a while now," Angelina grumbled.

"Look, we swore we never would go back to Dumbledore and McGonagall," George said unhappily. "Not without express permission."

"And let's just say once Harry gives said permission, I have a sack of things to use," Fred said peevishly.

"Maybe one day," Harry said. "But not today. I don't want them to ruin anything else."

"He said one day, not never," Alicia said. "I'm holding you to that."

Things were much sweeter after that.

Harry made a more hands-on Christmas dinner and everyone sat in the sitting room to eat. Everyone, even Angelina, cooed when Hedwig displayed her Christmas finery and laughter and happy chatter filled the air as they sat and enjoyed the moment.

They all decided to let the girls open their gifts first, all smiling bright at their excited squealing. Fred and George made them a music box each: a rabbit for Hailey, an owl for Dahlia, a cat for Hadley. The girls loved the large stuffed rabbit they got from Angelina, all enchanted to be warming and to release their favorite scents. Oliver bought them all a small silver box he bought on an international trip, large enough for small precious things. Alicia had made a set of learning quills for them to help with writing. Katie got them matching scarves with their initials embroidered at the edges. Harry had small bunnies made for them like the ones he had for Angelina and himself, tiny things that responded to their sister rabbits to shine when touched. They fit perfectly in the boxes that Oliver gave and they were over the moon at their gifts.

"How about the next to go is the next youngest?" Katie suggested.

"In mentality or literal years?" Alicia smiled.

"Too late," Oliver chuckled as the twins starting opening their gifts much to amusement of everyone else.

"Mentality it is," Alicia giggled. "Looks like you're last, baby bird."

"I'm fine with that," Harry grinned with the girls sitting on his lap.

"Ooh, thanks Katie! These Muggle business books are super useful," George said.

"I've been looking for this new advanced charms book too," Fred exclaimed.

They thanked Alicia profusely for a sampling of rare potions materials she had gotten from her contacts she made during her mastery. They fell over laughing at the joke books Oliver had found during a trip to Brazil for them.

"I'm getting you guys a combined gift this year, hope that's okay," Harry said.

"Depends on what it is," George teased. His eyes popped open when he opened. "Whoa! What is this?!"

"It looks really cool and feels super powerful," Fred said as he touched the thin piece of metal.

"It's a special lock," Harry said. "Two of them actually. You can fix it to anything and it's like your never-lock where it only responds to the one that sets it. But it's really protective and will stop pretty much anything. You have to use your magic to transfigure the metal front to form the pattern you want to unlock it."

"That looks like artificer level work," Alicia said as she looked at it closely.

"It is. From Artorious'."

"From Luxurious?!" The twins gaped at him. "He's the best artificer in the United Kingdom!"

"Tonks mentioned that Diagon was having a spat of thievery so I figured you guys could use something to keep the Wheezes super safe. One for the front door and one for the office or something."

"How much did these cost?" George asked, staring at the locks.

"Less than you think. His family are huge Portree fans and I'm talking up his granddaughter to McGonaMum for an eventual mastery."

"Thanks Harry," Fred said fervently. "We've been a bit worried about the break-ins too so this will be awesome."

Oliver went next and he enjoyed the big box of Weasley Wheezes. "Perfect to mess with the Puddlemere team," he grinned. "Oh I don't recognize some of this stuff."

"Experimentals and if you'd be so kind to remember the effects while taking notes…"

Alicia huffed and rolled her eyes while Oliver and the twins high-fived. Oliver greatly appreciated the new gloves and scarf set from Katie and laughed out loud when Angelina gave him a large set of fishing gear and accessories including a new hat with a big fish on it. He immediately put it on and Alicia sighed at the large open mouthed fish wiggling on the hat's top. When he opened Harry's gift, he grinned. "Ah, just what I've been needing," Oliver said, lifting out a new cup made in the shape of the Quidditch League Cup. "Hadley claimed the ones you gave me before as hers."

"Alicia told me," Harry smiled. "I figured it was time for a new one for you anyways."

"Where'd you two find this?" Alicia asked, surprised and delighted by the large tome.

"Color us surprised when we got a message from a gent in France asking us about one of our potions. Turns out he had been trying something similar and wasn't as successful. We did some talking and found out he's actually a researcher and not a rival," Fred explained.

"And Ollie recognized the name on one of his letters when he visited us so we asked him for a copy of his book for a fellow potioneer and he was happy to send us one," George said.

"That's very sweet of you two," Alicia said. "Thank you so much. I've been looking for this for quite some time."

"We'll let you know when he visits. He's been pretty great chatting to about potions stuff," George smiled.

"Do you know that there are many potion makers out there that would kill to be able to chat with this person?" Alicia asked.

"He's surprisingly got a great sense of humor," Fred laughed.

Alicia exclaimed with delight at the special materials case that Angelina gave her, something the other girl had seen while on a foreign game trip. It was rated highly for transporting delicate things. Katie gave Alicia a specialty light globe for her potions laboratory, one capable of producing different kinds of light and could float in the air, taking verbal commands.

"Oh, Harry, you didn't," Alicia gasped as she opened the last box. She pulled out a long flowing shawl. It was colored in shades of grey and black, the colors almost shifting by themselves as she draped it over her. "It's the newest Ellie's!"

"I told you you'd like it," Harry smiled. "And it folds into a scarf too when you don't need a whole large shawl. Warming of course with all sorts of protections."

"I adore it," Alicia gushed and kissed him. "Thank you, baby bird."

"Me next!" Angelina opened the box from Oliver. "Oh hey, this is great!" She looked at the oils and cloths with interest, shaking the small jars of powder.

"I got a gear kit during my second international tour," Oliver said. "Different environments wreak havoc on your gear and your broom and this stuff helps you maintain everything so you don't replace gear that's gotten cracked or damaged from going somewhere super humid to somewhere super cold or whatever."

Alicia's gift was a potions storage case, spelled to open for her and shrinkable without damaging the contents. It was highly rated for international travel and capable of holding a lot of vials and components. Katie gave her an embroidery kit filled with needles and thread and all sorts of needlework supplies, as well as an attached medic kit for puncture wounds.

"Ooh a pillow," Angelina said as she pulled out Harry's gift. "It's so snuggly!"

"Tug the sides gently," Harry encouraged.

She did and squealed when the pillow became a very large quilt. It was patchwork red with each square a slightly different shade and it felt warm to the touch. "Oh I love it! It's like the one we gave you!"

"Yeah! It's travel friendly as you saw. I remember you complaining about your last trip and how cold it was and how you had to wait for a while in the cold."

Angelina hugged and kissed him soundly. "Thank you, Rabbit," she said happily. "No taking this without permission bun," she said, waggling a finger at Hailey.

"You have to share!" Hailey grumbled.

"You've stollen most of my things as it is," Angelina grumbled back and stuck her tongue back at her daughter.

"Ooooh, thanks guys!" Katie ran a hand lovingly over the set of books from Fred and George. "These are brand new medical texts! Don't tell me, the authors are pranksters too?"

"Nah we asked Flourish to let us know when he got a set in," Fred said. "He's a prankster though and was more than happy to."

"Never woulda guessed it from looking at him," George chuckled.

Katie smiled at the medical case she got from Oliver. He had gotten it on a game trip to Japan and it was designed to be a medicine box they used in their history. It opened up like a small wardrobe and had drawers and containers and places for all sorts of things. She got up to put on the brand-new cloak Alicia got her, twirling in it and enjoying how heavy the material was but how light it felt when worn. The gloves and hat she got from Angelina matched perfectly and she loved how she looked and felt. "Now I'm super ready for winter," she said and hugged them.

"Guess it's my turn," Harry laughed. He smiled widely when the girls hopped off his lap and brought him his gifts one at a time. He grinned as he opened the first one and flourished the fishing rod with a twist of the wrist. "Thanks Captain!"

"Of course you got Harry a fishing rod," Alicia sighed and poked her laughing husband.

"I need a fishing buddy!" Oliver protested with a wide smile.

"It's actually funny how you got us locks," George grinned.

"Brand new product that. Portable never-lock box," Fred said to a delighted Harry. "Just perfect for things while you travel about or need to keep something safe in a locker room."

Harry smiled at the hat Alicia got him. It looked like a regular Muggle ballcap but it tingled when he put it on. "Perfect fit," he said and looked at himself in a mirror.

"Since you're wearing one more often, I got that done for you. Standard durability charms, warming and cooling as needed, color changing, and it goes with just about anything you'd wear. I was tempted by a fedora or something fancier but this will be more useful."

"It's doing something else," Harry said, looking up at the cap. He pulled it off and looked at his reflection. "Can't tell what though."

"I was told it had the best hair straightening and styling charms possible," Alicia frowned while the others dissolved into laughter. "Clearly, your hair continues to defy the laws of magic and is still unruly."

Harry hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Pretty sure my hair will resist everything forever. I love it, thank you."

Angelina clapped her hands at his obvious delight when he opened her gift. "It's a season-all! You pour in spices and it keeps them separate for you. You just think about what you need and twist the top and it'll pour out what you need."

"That's so awesome," Harry exclaimed. "How many can it hold and how much?"

"The seller said up to ten different kinds with a giant amount of each. It can hold more if you pour in less though but she said if you put too many, they mix a little inside so she wouldn't recommend more than fifteen max."

He kissed her. "It's perfect. Thanks!"

"Our turn!" the girls shouted and they ran back and forth handing out small things to each adult. Dahlia had drawn cards for them. Hadley had painted little animal figures for them. Hailey had braided yarn and cord together for bracelets. They all admired them and thanked each girl profusely for the gifts.

"Say, you three couples aren't fighting each other, are you?" Fred asked all of a sudden. "I just noticed you lot didn't give gifts in front of us. Or are they of a scandalous nature?"

"Bite your tongue," Alicia sniffed. "No, we just gave them separate to not take time away from us together and the little ones. Though I did give something Oliver a rather large inappropriate object."

"A positively turgid fishing rod," Oliver winked.

"Dear Merlin never say that to me again," George chortled.

"I gave George some unmentionables," Angelina snickered.

"And they're comfy," George said with satisfaction.

"Katie got me new pajamas and I can't wait to wear them later," Harry smiled.

"Oh did Oliver give you those earrings? I've never seen them before," Katie asked.

Alicia preened, showing them off. "Aren't they gorgeous? He picked them out without my input at all."

"I learn eventually," Oliver chuckled.

"I got Angie a thermos for liquid consumption. It also serves as a bat," George remarked.

"No one in Tornado Alley knows how to make a proper cup of tea," Angelina sighed. "It's been a life saver. I get cranky these days without a good cup. And it makes for a really good bat. Someone got 'accidentally handsy' when I was out the other day and I 'accidentally bashed his face in'."

"How was the tea after?" Fred smiled.

"Still perfect," Angelina grinned.

"Harry got me a flower," Katie said demurely.

"A flower?" Angelina gave him a look. "What, spend too much on the rest of us and not enough on your wife?"

Katie giggled and got up and walked to a slim vase on the counter and brought it over.

"I know that flower!" Alicia gasped. "That's a dream blossom! It'll never wilt or die if you care for it and it will vaguely smell of something you want if you have to decide on something."

"What? How?" Fred asked, looking at the flower with deep interest.

"Something about resonating with your magic and revealing a simple truth," Alicia said. "There are limits to its aid and its more for simple decisions."

Oliver leaned in and inspected the pearly white flower carefully. It seemed to glow with a soft light and the petals gleamed like a pearl did in the light. He took an experimental sniff and smiled as he breathed even more deeply. "Hey, some cinnamon in my hot chocolate sounds like a treat."

"No way." George sniffed and grinned. "Well what do you know. I was debating on either another sausage roll or a mince pie and I guess I want a roll more. That's incredible!"

"Where did you get it?" Alicia asked.

"There's a specialist in France. Met them on a trip and they were kind enough to cultivate one for me," Harry smiled.

"What do you smell most of the time?" Angelina asked Katie.

Katie's eyes smoldered and she leaned over to kiss Harry deeply.

"You're so sappy," Angelina laughed.

They continued to chat and laugh and eventually everyone left, wishing each other a Happy Christmas. The girls were so sleepy they did not even protest. As Harry and Katie cleaned up, Dahlia helped, yawning but pushing through.

"That's our good girl," Katie praised. "Now go get changed and brush your teeth. If you take too long, we're falling asleep before you join us."

"I can join you?!" Dahlia said, waking up with excitement.

"Of course! Christmas Eve snuggles. Hurry up, your parents are tired." She chuckled as Dahlia scampered off.

"We're not old though, right?" Harry asked.

"I'm not and if you ever call me that I'll make you regret it," Katie said seriously. That night she snuggled closer to Harry. Dahlia was wedged between them and already deeply asleep. Hedwig sat on the headboard of their bed, also asleep. "How're you feeling?" she whispered softly.

Harry kissed her slowly and sweetly. "Best Christmas of my life," he said whole-heartedly.

"Best Christmas of your life so far," she murmured back happily.

-0-

"You know, sometimes I worry if I spoil my daughter," Harry remarked, "then I see this and I'm not all that worried anymore."

"She has all of them eating out the palm of her hand," Hermione said admiringly.

Dahlia was sitting on Jean's lap, having made her way from Andromeda's, to Samantha's, and now Jean's. She had gotten gifts from all the guests at Grimmauld where the Potters, the Tonkses, the Bells, and the Grangers came with Sirius, Amelia, Susan, Remus, and McGonagall. Their combined Christmas gathering was a firmly entrenched and cherished tradition now and they enjoyed the company greatly. Dahlia had already spent time being carried by the grandpas and now she was spending time with the grandmas.

"Such a lucky girl," Lyla smiled. "Three sets of grandparents as well as honorary ones to dote on her."

"Yeah she is," Harry said quietly and thankfully.

"She is the first grandchild for everyone," Hermione said matter-of-factly. "That and she's adorable."

"Yeah she is," Harry said loudly and proudly.

"None of that came from Katie," Lyla sniffed. She jumped and squealed. "Hey!" she shouted, rubbing her rear. "You didn't hear me!"

"I have a sixth sense when it comes you bad mouthing me!" Katie shouted back from across the rooftop garden, putting her wand away. The sisters exchanged rude hand gestures.

"Oh the joy of being an only child," Hermione smiled.

"They're okay," Harry chuckled. "When one of them brings out some rope, then there's trouble." He whooped when Tonks walked up to him and enveloped him in her arms, hugging him tightly. "Oof! What's wrong Dora?"

"Just trying to give you lots of love in one hug," Tonks said, her voice tight. Her hair changed to soft black as she squeezed the air out of him.

He patted her back gamely. "I'm okay, really. Not that I don't want the hug. Katie told you huh?" He sighed softly at her nodding. "I'm great now, really."

"I know, I still want to love you properly," she said softly. She finally let him go, wiping her eyes on his shirt.

He barely had time for a breath before Hermione was hugging him. "It's really fine," he wheezed, hugging her back.

"No it's not," Hermione sniffled. "I mean yes, it is now, but well, you know."

"I do and I appreciate all the love," Harry said. "I was just…I wanted to make sure Dahlia knows how loved she is."

"As if she had any doubts," Lyla snorted and hugged him once Hermione let him go. "You're amazing Harry. Don't forget you deserve all this as much as she does."

"Thanks." He squeezed her fondly. "I just worry."

"We know," Hermione said dryly, making everyone chuckle. "But you really shouldn't about this."

"Katie should be the one worrying," Lyla said. "Worrying about keeping you and stuff."

Harry snorted. "Other way 'round really." He slid to her side with an arm around her shoulder. "Just in case she gets jinx happy again," he said to her look.

"Thanks," Lyla grinned. She took a deep breath. "YOU'RE MY FAVORITE SIBLING!"

"YOU'RE A BRAT!" Katie shouted.

"AND THAT'S YOUR FIFTH PIE YOU COW!"

Katie shrieked with outrage and she and Lyla ran around Harry a few times before Lyla ran off squealing with Katie in hot pursuit.

"Seriously, the joy of being an only child," Hermione laughed.

"I could chase you about if you want," Tonks offered.

"No thank you. I'd probably keel over before you get winded," Hermione smiled.

Harry draped an arm around both women and hugged them to him warmly. "For only children, I think we're doing okay," he said gently and happily. They watched the sisters run around for a while before he reached out and snagged Katie. "I'll hold her for you," he smiled to Lyla.

"Tonks! Take over!" Katie gasped.

"You got it! Come here little Bell!" Tonks tore off after Lyla and soon it became a game of Tonks carrying Dahlia over one shoulder and chasing after Lyla and Hermione with Bailey and Hedwig alongside.

Katie smiled and wrapped her arms around Harry. "Happy Christmas," she said softly.

"It really is," he replied sincerely. He drew her to him and they kissed beneath the falling snow, perfectly warm and content.

-0-0-0-

Arnie1701 - It was a fun chapter to write.

1529 - It really feels longer than a year. Thank you for reading.

dhaynes9942 - Thank you. That's a tough question. Some chapters were really hard to write and I was worried about them because they were fundamental changes like The Turning Point, The Scream, Eater of the Dead, and The End. That said, I am glad they were well received and I think I hit what I wanted for them and the way they felt. For Family, I think my favorite chapter was Match Repair because it was a truly absurd chapter and it really amused me to see Harry be the voice of experience and reason for so many people. For Extended, I think my favorite is either Bacon Bacchanalia or Speaking Without Words. Hedwig has become such a character that I adore and both chapterts came from a really silly idea and became something greater.

alix33 - Should try a chicken roast and some yorkies. I plan on doing that tomorrow.

mwinter1 - Happy Holidays and thank you.

jouve25 - Hope you had something good to eat.

Betty boop in tx - Thank you and I hope you also have a lovely and safe holiday.

iamchaos98 - Thank you. I think the chapter really hit the feeling I wanted to convey in the original Family fic. It was nice to see it as a, hopefully, natural culmination of the original story and how they are all living their best life. I work the day before and after the holiday but will have a quiet day tomorrow. Hope you have a good holiday.