Christmas Surprises to Remember

Washington DC, 2029

"You're full of shit."

As he'd heard this many times before, from many different people for many different reasons, it didn't bother him. Coming from her, though, while he was being as serious as he could be, given his name, was a bit more difficult to handle than usual. "No, I'm not. It's my real name."

He watched as she rolled over to her side of the bed, reached to the endtable and lit a cigarette. Her dark hair, cut shorter in the back but with a long fringe that seemed to mostly cover one side of her face, was swept back as with one hand as she exhaled and held the cigarette in the other. "So the whole time we've been together and just now, before I'm supposed to meet your parents, over Christmas, now you tell me?"

"Had to wait until the case officially wrapped up, you know. My assignment's over, just finishing up paperwork this week." That wasn't a lie. He'd been loaned out to MACUSA for an undercover joint venture with the Aurors, under strict secrecy for several reasons. One was operational security, the second was him being cautious of using his real name due to who his father was. Something he'd learned the hard way before. "And since we've talked about, um, stuff, the future, you know, what happens after I've gone back to the UK, figured it would be best to start out..."

"Please." She took another drag off her smoke. "Think we're way past the 'starting out' phase. Not after this last year."

"Well, yes, you're right." He paused. "But everything about me, other than my name? You know that."

"Not so sure, really. Maybe you've been married before, couple kids. Hell, maybe you did some dirty things with centaurs or something."

"What? No." He moved up so he was sitting upright, back against the headboard. "How would that even work?"

"Magic finds a way." She turned to him. "So your dad really is Harry Potter?"

"Yep." He nodded. "He is. Is that a problem, Bren?"

A sarcastic snort came from her. "For me? No. My mom? Maybe."

He laid his head back on the headboard, feeling the coolness of the wood against his head through his hair. Her comment of 'maybe' regarding her mother made him think of what it'd been like when he'd dated while at Hogwarts, how there was one girl who had only lasted a month or so, as it'd taken him that long to figure out that she was only interested in the celebrity of dating him, not to mention the girl's 'requests' to have dinner with their parents at a magical restaurant. That was never going to happen, not with his dad at the Aurors back then.

Pulling at some of his Gryffindor courage he moved his head back to normal and looked over to her, sitting in bed, smoking, not bothering to cover up. "Is it because of the papers? We know the tricks to stay out of those. If that's what she's worried about." He watched as she began to laugh, rolling her eyes. "What?"

She stubbed out the cigarette on the ashtray, picked up her wand and dispelled the smoke from their bedroom. "Ok, I know I just work in the MACUSA offices as a mediwitch, but I've picked up a few things from you Aurors. So, humor me. Basics. What's my name?"

"Huh? Bren, where's this..." He stopped as she was tapping her wand on his thigh, very close to important body parts. "Fine. Bren Park-Jones. Happy?"

"Sorta. You know my parents live in Montana, right? You know what they do?"

"Some kind of magical farm with potion ingredient plants and some magic cattle, right?"

"More or less." She shifted in the bed lying down and propping her head up with a hand, elbow buried into a pillow. "Jones Ranch has been in the family for years and years. Mom came over to the US, bounced around a bit and started working with a company that works with hospitals. How she met dad. But she shortened her name, said it made filling in forms easier, but it took me years to figure out exactly why."

"So your mum changed her name. Why's this important?"

"Because it wasn't originally Park. It was Parkinson."

James knew he wasn't the fastest broomstick in the shed, that was his sister. He also knew that he'd been interested in the war his parents had fought in before he was born, and that there'd been a class he'd taken at the Auror Academy called The Dark Lord Era: Causes and Effects that'd shown him how much had gone on that his parents had never told him. As part of that class they'd reviewed all the official Auror documentation regarding not only the actual last battle at Hogwarts, but the post-war interviews with several individuals who had differing levels of involvement. One name had stuck with him; Pansy Parkinson, as she was the one who'd wanted to give his father to Voldemort.

Bren's mum was Pansy Parkinson?

"Get there yet?" Bren was sitting up now, lighting another cigarette with the end of her wand. "You are an Auror, so if you haven't I'm worried."

"Your mum is Pansy?"

"Yep. She uses her middle name here for a reason." She took a drag then exhaled. "So you can understand why the fact you just told me you aren't John Franklin but James fucking Potter is making me freak out a bit?" She flopped back into the pillow, careful not to ash on the bed. "Merlin's balls. We're portkeying out in the morning and you drop this shit on me now." After he didn't say anything, and she'd smoked a bit, she couldn't help herself. "What about the rest? Your family? All that true?"

"Well, I changed some names a bit. But yeah. Two brothers, two sisters. I'm the oldest."

"Must be nice, but being an only has it's advantages. Real names, then?"

"Me, then Al, uh Albus, he's two years younger. Lily, then Roland and Margaret. Mags. Roland and Mags are still at Hogwarts, but Roland's done this year. Mags is a first year."

Her laugh was definitely sarcastic. "This'll be fun, Christmas with Harry Potter and his family, while I'm living with his oldest son."

"Um, that's another reason why I had to tell you who I really am." He slid down in bed so he could be eye level to her. "Because I don't want to start this part out without you knowing things."

She reached over and stubbed out her cigarette on the ashtray, this time not bothering to dissipate the smoke. "This part?" She moved her fringe out of her face. "What are you talking about?"

He sighed. This was not going at all how he thought it would. "So I've traded letters on and off this year with my granddad. Asking advise. This isn't how I planned but since this has all gone a bit wonky, fuck it. He said to think with your head but act along with your heart, so I was going to ask you to marry me. Tomorrow, before we left. Probably at breakfast."

"Really." He tone was full of disbelief. "After a year?"

James shrugged. "He and gran weren't together very long before they got married. They've been together for ages."

"Humph." She laughed. "So one example is all you need to go on. Brilliant, Mister Auror, brilliant."

"You didn't say no."

"And I haven't said yes." She put a hand to him, resting on his arm. "How about this; if Christmas goes ok I'll give you an answer after that."

"So if my parents..."

"No, dipshit, if we do ok at Christmas. Fuck, maybe I should contact my parents...no, later. One gigantic surprise at a time, please."

-ooo-

As he sat in his office, there was more than one reason to be grateful that the Hogwarts term was ending very shortly; one he'd be back at home for the first time in ages, two, all of his children would be there for Christmas as James' work in America was done, and three he'd get to enjoy sitting in the family box at Wimbourne with everyone as Ginny coached in the Boxing Day match. More than that, though, there'd be no more Transfiguration parchment to grade, no more prefects to give reports, no more watching his youngest son sulk after breaking up with his girlfriend. A few nights at home, having a lie in most mornings with his wife next to him, that sounded perfect.

A knock on his door brought him back to reality. "Enter."

"Hi Dad."

Margaret, his youngest daughter, happily came in and half-jumped into the chair in front of his desk. "I take it someone's ready to go home?"

"Totally. I'm tired of all the rules."

He held back a snort, as even though she was well-behaved both at home and while at school, his daughter was nothing but a free spirit. Rules would be followed, grudgingly, but always complained about if they weren't 'fair.' Thankfully she wasn't one for the things from Ron and George's shop.

"Which rule this time?"

"Rules, not rule, Dad." Margaret moved her dark hair out of her face. "Did you know that according to Roland I can't even borrow his owl, not even once? He said it's an ownership thing and there's laws but I can't find anything in the library and I've read absolutely everything about owls. And Hogwarts limits pets, why can't I have a puppy here? Cats, but not dogs. Hagrid has a dog."

He should have known it would be about animals with Margaret. "Well, Hagrid is the Care professor, so he's not in the castle, so that's why he has his dog. The rules are there for a reason, but I'm sure Lily would help you look into that, you know how she is. As for Roland?" Harry sighed. The two were seemingly like oil and water. Plus it was just another example of why, out of all his children, his youngest son was sorted into Slytherin. "I don't think there's a rule about owls like that. He's just..."

"Being awful. Right." Margaret sighed, looking down, then brightened up considerably. "Maybe, as a Hufflepuff, I could get a badger."

That caused Harry to laugh in surprise. "Margaret, what do you know about badgers?" He held up a finger to stop her. "As pets?"

"Hmmm...dunno."

"There's probably a reason. Think about it and hit the books at home if you need to. Or you could send an owl to Al. Actually, just wait and ask him, we'll all be there for Christmas this year."

She brightened. "Even James?"

"Yes, he's coming home. He's job's done, so he'll be back."

Another short knock on his door followed by the door immediately opening brought Harry's attention away from his daughter, the question of who was at the door quickly answered by the entrance of his youngest son, who came in and sat next to Margaret. Before he could say anything he saw Margaret reach over and punch her brother in the arm.

"What'd I do?" Roland looked to his sister before giving his father an 'I didn't do anything' expression.

As Harry heard Margaret informing her brother about 'made up owl laws' he took them in; the sight still made him happy. After Lily was born he and Ginny had discussed having another child, deciding one more would be the perfect amount and Roland came along. The addition of Margaret much later was an absolute surprise to everyone. A very happy surprise. Deciding he'd heard enough he cleared his throat loudly.

"Are you two taking the train home? It leaves soon." Hearing 'yes' from Margaret but 'no' from Roland made things easier. "Ok, Margaret, you'd better get a move on, then." He watched as Margaret got out of her chair, nodded to him and then once again punched her brother on the arm on the way out.

Once they were alone he looked to his son. "Owl laws?"

Roland gave him a beaming smile as he moved his reddish brown fringe out of his eyes. "One of my better ones, just not how you think."

"So you're not just winding up your sister?"

"Well, yeah, but it's for her present. I got her an owl. Jensen's aunt raises them and I wrote to her. Gave me some options and I picked the perfect one for pipsqueak. A scops, tiny like her."

Harry sighed, taking off his glasses and setting them on the desk. "So you couldn't just give your sister a nice present for Christmas, could you?"

"Where's the fun in that? Plus, knowing her she probably hit the library and read up on owls trying to find the law I made up, so now she knows enough that when she gets it she won't kill it or anything."

"Remind me to stock up on some wine for your mum." He sat back. "Heard anything yet?"

Roland shook his head. "Not yet, just the usual. Mum's agent looked over what they sent and said I probably wouldn't hear anything more until after second term ends. Not too many teams take on new, rookie Keepers, so it'd be more of which team could help with development stuff." He paused. "Think Mum'd let me talk to..."

"Nope, she won't. Said it's against the rules."

Roland shrugged. "Worth a shot."

As Roland was quiet after that Harry also figured he'd ask, even if he knew the answer. "So why aren't you taking the train? Last Christmas ride home from Hogwarts for you?"

After a few moments Roland sighed. "Don't really want to see Erin and Miles together."

"Ah." Harry was right; it was bad enough to get dumped by your girlfriend, but when she broke up with you to go out with your roommate of seven years? He didn't blame him. "Ok, well, don't know about you but I think I've had enough of Hogwarts for a while. What say we pop over to Diagon Alley and do a bit of shopping? Need to get another present."

"Um, ok, but didn't you say you were done with your shopping?"

"I did, but we heard from James. He'll be back, but he's bringing a guest. Need something for her."

"Really?" Roland's tone held anticipation with a bit of teasing. "Some American bird?"

"Yes, she's American, but don't let your mum hear you say that, calling women 'birds.' Not good for you or me."

"Guy stuff, it's fine." Roland waved it away. "Maybe we should stop by the triple-dub, see what Ron and George have on?"

Harry put on his glasses, stood up and waved his wand over his desk, sealing it away. "We're going to have a nice, normal Christmas, Roland. No surprises. Except presents, that is. Come on."

-ooo-

"You live here?" Bren stood in the street, and looked around a bit more. It was an older, more Muggle area than she'd ever thought someone like James Potter would ever live.

"Yeah, lived here for a bit when we were all kids, um, not Roland and Mags, before Mum and Dad bought their place. Mum never really liked it but I thought it was amazing. Loads of stuff in there from when Dad inherited it, stuff you really don't want around kids. Always an adventure going into an old room and digging though trunks and desks and such. Never knew what you'd find. C'mon." He took a few steps forward then stopped. "Shite, almost forgot." He reached into his wallet and pulled out a card, handing it to hear. "Read that and then I'll take the card back."

Bren looked down. 'James Potter lives at 12 Grimmauld Place.' As she handed him back the card in her peripheral vision she saw a house slide into place. "Whoa, did not expect that."

"Neat trick, huh? Sorry you won't see it like it used to be, like something out of one of those old Muggle horror movies. Ok, that was just the attic, but still. It's all normal now." He saw the look she was giving him. "What?"

"Just trying to imagine what our house would look like if you're upset that your place is normal and all."

"Our house?"

"Maybe. We'll see. Come on, I'm cold."

"Ok, but as soon as we get inside we'll need to do one last thing. Security and all. Won't take but a minute."

After they made their way into the house, and once James had closed the door behind him, he put his hand on her to keep her from moving. "Can't go past the portrait there, not yet." He went over to the portrait, tapped his wand on the frame and stood there for a moment. After a bit he smiled brightly, began talking to the portrait but in low tones that she couldn't hear. Finally, though he held out his hand to her.

As Bren stood in front of the portrait, holding his hand, she took in the occupant. Seated on a very comfortable looking chair, in front of a fireplace in what looked like a modest, mostly Muggle home owing to the tv in the background, was an older witch with very curly salt-and-pepper hair. She wore a plain black robe over what looked like a pair of tailored black trousers and a cream sweater that reminded her of the cashemere one she'd got from her Granny Jones a few years back. But it was the look in the woman's eyes that got her attention; this was a witch that was probably not someone to cross, based on how the witch's eyes seemingly bored into her.

"Andromeda, this is Bren. She's my girlfriend and hopefully after Christmas my fiancee. I'm introducing her to everyone soon, but since she'll be staying here..."

"Andromeda Tonks." The portrait witch rolled her eyes at James. "Introductions are not a difficult process, James."

"Right, sorry." He took a deep breath then turned to Bren. "May I introduce you to Andromeda Tonks, neé Black. She is a family friend and the grandmother of Edward Lupin, my godbrother, who you will meet at Christmas. Andromeda, this is Bren Park..."

"Parkinson-Jones." Bren continued.

Andromeda's eyebrow raised. "Are you related to the Parkinsons from..."

"My mother is Pansy."

After a moment Andromeda smiled at the two in front of her. "You will certainly have an interesting Christmas, then." After a moment she reached over to take a sip of tea from the cup that had been painted on the table next to her. "Edith?"

Bren jerked back in surprise at the arrival of an elderly house elf. "Yes, Mistress?"

"James has brought a guest. Please help make her stay comfortable."

"Yes, Mistress." Edith looked over to James.

"Edith!"

Bren's eyes widened as James knelt down and hugged the house elf. After a moment she watched James get patted on the back as you would a small child. When he stood up she saw him look to her.

"Edith was Andromeda's house elf, and she decided to come work for me after Andromeda passed."

"No, I passed her employment to you in my will. And put in the part about you treating Edith well or she could quit."

Bren looked to the portrait who sighed in feigned irritation. Or at least it looked that way. "So he's not doing it right again, huh?"

Andromeda fixed Bren with a look. "Do you drink, dear?" Seeing her nod, Andromeda sat back. "Good, you'll need it. American, I take it?"

"Yes, ma'am. Born in Montana. I work for MACUSA as a mediwitch."

James felt a small tug on his hand. "Edith?"

"Albus is home but asleep, he got in two hours ago. Said he'd been up all night working. Should I let him rest or fix something for three in the kitchen?"

"Let him rest, we'll catch up soon enough. You don't need to fix anything, Edith."

The house elf put her hands on her hips. "You just got home and I've been here with nobody to feed except Albus every now and then. You look too skinny. I'll make tea and biscuits, for nibbles. Go. Shoo." She waved her hands at them and popped away.

"Well, you heard her, go." Andromeda also waved them off from her portrait. "James, should I keep this information..."

"Don't tell, please. We'll tell everyone at Christmas." He looked over to Bren. "Except probably Al, since he's here."

"Telling your brother about your fiancee first..."

"Oh no, we're not engaged." Bren held up her left hand.

"Not yet." James added quickly.

"Very well." Andromeda nodded and then stood up, smoothing her robe. "I believe I'll go see how Teddy is doing. It was very nice to meet you, Miss Parkinson-Jones."

"You too, ma'am." Bren nodded as Andromeda stepped out of the frame of her portait, leaving only the flames of the fireplace moving in the portrait.

James sighed happily. "She's still one of my favorite people. When I was little I ran away from home, went to her house. Don't ask me how I did it, I don't know and nobody has ever really figured it out. Don't remember much, really, but I do remember sitting with her in front of the fireplace and she let me eat biscuits, as many as I wanted. Then we played games along with Edith until it was supper and, I don't remember this, but that's when I got homesick and she had mum pick me up. Learned a lot from her and I still miss her, but I'm glad she's at least in the portrait."

Bren nodded along, smiling about thinking of little James running away from home, then she stopped. "She didn't say a thing about my name?"

"Ah, well, she'd understand more than anyone, I guess. I'll fill you in later. C'mon, I'll give you the tour and then we're gonna have to eat some biscuits."

The tour was surprising for Bren on several levels, physical being one of them. The house seemed to go on for ages, on multiple levels, and the rooms were all tastefully appointed; nothing fancy to her eye, but comfortable and nice but nothing like some of the houses she'd visited before with her friends from Ilvermony. As they had passed one closed door on the second floor she was not surprised when James had pulled his wand and set off an Auror alarm for a moment, then put his ear to the door. Not hearing anything he said it had to be Edith's work, as his brother's soundproofing spells weren't that good. His bedroom, the master, was nice but nothing like their apartment in America; tasteful furniture, pictures on the fireplace mantle of his family, she guessed, and two large windows that let in the lights of London.

They were standing there, looking out the windows, when a chiming sound could be heard.

"Biscuits and tea time." James held out his hand to her. "C'mon, it's not good to keep Edith waiting, especially since I've been gone so long."

She smirked at him. "Good to know who runs the house, a portrait witch and a house elf."

"Duh." James shrugged. "I'm not as smart as my sister but I do have some brains."

They'd just made it into the cozy kitchen and sat down when they heard a voice yell out 'Edith I'm off to Mum and Dad's, back on Boxing Day before the match. Happy Christmas!' and then the roar of the Floo.

"That was Al. Guess he'll get a surprise later, then." James picked up a biscuit, dunked it in his tea for a moment then savoured the bite. "I've missed these."

"You poor, deprived Auror. How have you survived?" Bren took a biscuit, ate for a bit, then nodded. "These are really good. Edith worked for Andromeda and made you these? Not surprised you ran away."

"Well, that was mostly because, from what Mum says, I was tired of being at home with Al."

Bren sat for a bit, drinking tea, then sat down her cup. "I don't do a procedure until I know about it, don't like walking in blind. So why don't you fill me in on your family, then? What they do, for starters. I know your dad is at Hogwarts and...well that's it, really." She reached for another biscuit. "I know your family is in the papers and magazines and stuff, but you can imagine why my mom didn't really read those things. When she did run across stuff about your family the topic usually changed pretty quickly."

"Yeah, makes sense. Al, who just ran out, he's a dragon keeper in Wales. My Uncle Charlie started a reserve there a long time ago and Al followed him. Lily? She works for my Uncle George, but not the joke shop. Have you ever heard of W-Tech?"

"Heard of them? Are you nuts?" Bren reached into her pocket and pulled out a mobile phone and put it on the table, then returned again and pulled out a second phone, this one with a white case. "First one's mine, second one's for work. W-Tech's the most...are you kidding me?" She sat back in the chair. "Your sister?"

"Yep. Told you she's smart. Don't ask her anything except the basic stuff unless you want to hear about runes and circuits and shielding and blah, blah, blah. She'll go on for hours. No wonder she was a Ravenclaw. Oh, and Al was in Gryffindor with me. Roland, he's a seventh year Slytherin, and if he doesn't muck it up might have a chance to play Quidditch professionally. Annoying as hell, youngest brother better at Quidditch, and he likes to remind me, too. Do you play?"

"No, Quodpot's the thing at Ilvermony and I wasn't interested in that, either. I do fly, though. Helped Dad round up bicorn often enough in the summers."

"Oh, Mags is gonna love you. Baby sister loves animals. Only Mum and Dad and my grandparents call her Margaret, she doesn't care either way. First year Hufflepuff but don't believe what they say about that house being the nice one, when she gets mad watch out. Ron, my uncle, says she's just like Mum." He paused. "You know about the houses, right?"

"Some. Mum never really liked to talk about her school, just that it was in Britain and had houses. Dad asked her about it when we were watching a movie once, and she said one house was like Slytherin. Picked up things about the other ones from some other mediwitches who had family over here." She saw him nod. "You remember Granny Jones, Dad's mom is a no-maj, right?"

"Muggle, yep. Just seems weird saying 'no-maj' but I guess 'muggle' isn't much better. Know some countries and places say 'mundane' or something else. Over here they'd be a mixed couple. What's he prefer to call them? Your parents."

"Mom and Dad." Bren looked at him with a deadpan expression for a moment before smirking.

"Thank Merlin that George won't be at Christmas. And I'm not sitting you anywhere near Roland."

"Your mom?" Bren thought about another biscuit but decided against it. "What's she do?"

"Oh, well, Mum's the Chaser coach for the Wimbourne Wasps. Played for Harpies until I came along, then wrote for Quidditch Weekly until Mags was almost ready for Hogwarts. Um, Boxing Day. Shit. Shit, shit, shit." He sat back and ran a hand rapidly through his hair.

"What's the issue? I know what Boxing Day is, mom's English, remember?"

"No, that's fine. It's just..." He sighed. "We'll all be in the family box for the Wimbourne Boxing Day match. All of us. There'll be pictures and..."

"Oh." Bren nodded. "I understand." She watched as James looked at her intently. "I guess my hair could use a trim, and maybe I should see if I can get some better..."

"Bren." James gave her a look, his chin tilted down. "I'm serious."

"No, you're James Sirius."

He snorted. "This is payback, isn't it? For not telling you until the other day."

"Oh absolutely." She put her head in her hand, tapping her finger on her lips as if she was pondering something. "Up to you if they print that it's your fiancee or your ex-girlfriend in the photos." Seeing him cringe she decided to give him a bit of a break. "Is there a backyard? Need a smoke."

"Back...oh, the garden. Sure. Need your coat, but I think you'll like it."

-ooo-

It had been a long day of practise, so arriving home via the Floo made Ginny sigh in contentment. The house was fully decorated for Christmas, with the tree all lit up, seemingly every surface filled with some sort of Christmas item, Christmas music was wafting though the house from the speakers Lily had installed and there was a wonderful smell coming from the vicinity of the kitchen. She thought about taking her things upstairs but simply couldn't wait, leaving them by the sofa by the Floo and made her way into the kitchen. As she got to the doorway she didn't say anything, just leaned against the doorway.

Harry's eyes moved towards her for a bit, a smile hinting at his lips, as he sat at the table with Margaret. The gingerbread house they were working on wasn't quite complete, and she could tell that it would be as lopsided and wonderful as they always were. It had been a tradition they'd started when James was old enough to help, and it was odd to think that Margaret was old enough to be at Hogwarts; soon she might not want to continue on the house project as the older children had all drifted away from the tradition.

"Looking good, Margaret." Ginny smiled as her daughter realised she was there. "Need any help?"

"Sure, Mum." Margaret got up and scooted her chair over so Ginny could reach the house. "Roof's always the tricky part."

"Always." Ginny sat down and started in. After a bit she looked to Harry. "Where's everyone else?"

"Roland and Al are out back on brooms. Lily owled a bit ago, she's caught up with something and will be by later. You know how she is, could be tomorrow." He worked on a roof piece for a moment before turning to his wife, a smirk covering his face. "I did get a quick owl from Teddy, though. Andromeda's met James' guest, so he's home. She liked her, from their quick conversation, so who knows. Haven't heard from him, though." Ginny kept eye contact with him, tilting her head a bit. He knew what that meant. "You remember what that was like."

Ginny glanced down to Margaret for a moment and then back to him. "I do. Do you know anything about her?"

"Nope, just that she's an American."

Margaret sat her gingerbread piece down quicky and looked to her mum. "James is bringing a girl to our Christmas?"

Ginny nodded. "He is."

Margaret nodded, thinking. "Make sure to tell Roland to be good." She paused. "Maybe she'll know about owl laws."

"Owl laws?" Ginny gave Harry a confused look. "Should I ask?"

Harry mouthed 'no' and shook his head. "It's fine. And I will definitely talk to Roland, Margaret."

"Good." Margaret seemed satisfied with that and continued on with the house.

-ooo-

Christmas Day

"Where do your parents live?" Bren stood next to the bed, putting on her earrings.

"Northumberland. Nothing around for miles, very private just like Dad likes it. It's an old place, old wizarding house. If you want to be bored to tears for a few hours ask Dad about it." James slipped a jumper over his head and stuck his arms through. "But then again, that might be a good one, keep you occupied and others away from asking too many questions."

"Really." Bren stood and gave him a glare. "Like we're not going to be the main attraction. You told them you're bringing me but pretty much nothing else. It'll be like setting a niffler lose in a vault." She went over and smoothed his hair down a bit in the back. "You did this to yourself, you know, not saying anything. Plus the whole fake name bit."

"That was for work." He said, somewhat irritated, not so much at her but at the realisation that he'd really be in for questions, and he'd done it to himself. "But I was ready for that, really. Just had no clue about your mum." If his mum was there to hear his tone he knew she'd recognise if from when he was smaller, and in her bad books.

Bren heard him mumble, almost under his breath. "What?"

"I just wanted to come here and show you off. Show them what a wonderful woman I met and was marrying. That's all." He looked to her, a blank expression on his face. "And now that might not even happen."

Bren felt her stomach drop a bit. She went over to him, putting her arms around his waist and looked up to him. "Listen, Chaucer, I'm here, right? Over here instead of Montana, with you."

He snorted. "You know my callsign?"

"Duh. Had a list of them in the med unit, in case you came in and we had to work on you. Lucky you, not allergic to anything."

"You read my file?"

"I read everyone's files, sweetie. It's my job. I know things."

"So how'd I get my callsign, then? All I know is it's some old Muggle writer. Nobody'd tell me anything, and never could be arsed to look it up."

She gave him a quick kiss. "Before your boss went into the Aurors he studied literature. So that's what you want to do today, talk about English writers?"

"No, we'd better go soon or they'll send someone. Hopefully Teddy."

"Teddy, you never told me about him."

"Ah, Dad's godson. Pretty much like an older brother. Andromeda's grandson. He's married to my cousin Victoire. Hey, I should ask Ted about Chaucer." James quickly filled Bren in. "Because Ted owns a bookstore. He'll probably know him. Blimey, maybe he's met him."

"Ask Teddy for an introduction. And 'blimey'? Really? I just thought that was one of those fake Brit things like 'cheerio, old pip' and stuff like that."

"Nah, my uncle Ron says it all the time. Blimey, not that other thing. And your accent is awful."

"Mom's pretty American these days, guess I never picked it up."

"Ok." Hearing Bren mention her mum made him think of his mum. "We'd better go soon, this is the high point in the year for mum. Dad, too." He paused. "You ready for this?"

"I am." Bren took his hand. "Floo over?"

"Yeah, suppose that'd be best." He looked down at her hand, her left hand, in his, but didn't say anything else. Instead he moved his fingers over her hand slightly.

"Hey." Bren watched him look at her. "I didn't say no. Do you have a ring?"

"Yep. Had it for a few weeks."

"Is it here?"

He nodded. "In my bag."

"Good. Ok, c'mon. It can't be bad if Andromeda didn't say anything, right? She seems like the type to tell you what she thinks."

James let out a very loud laugh. "Oh, absolutely. She always does that. Right, let me give Edith her present and we'll go."

As they headed down the stairs Bren looked over to him. "What did you get Edith?"

"Ah." His face brightened. "She'll love it. The hottest peppers and spices I could find. Can't eat a bit of it but she loves the stuff."

-ooo-

"Heya, Pixie, what's new?" Teddy sat down on the sofa next to Lily, a plate of iced Christmas biscuits on a small plate.

Lily adjusted her glasses and fixed him with a look. "General or specific?"

"General, please, I haven't studied."

"Sales are up, new products are coming along, I'm going to a conference in Berlin at the end of January." She moved her hair out of her face and pushed it behind her shoulders.

"Brilliant as always, I'm sure." Ted budged over to let Victoire sit next to him. He turned to his wife. "Heard anything yet?"

"No, not yet." Victoire noticed Lily's inquisitive look. "James and his guest."

"Can't believe he's back, and bringing someone." Lily shook her head in disbelief. "Who would ever willingly put up with him?" She watched Ted and Vic share a glance. "You two know something."

Victoire nudged Ted in the ribs, and after giving her a look he turned to Lily. "Fine, Ravenclaw smarty, we do. Sorta, but not really. Gran came through her portrait to our place, said she'd met her. Wouldn't tell me much but that she got a good impression, from the little time they talked, but made me promise to bring my camera."

"Pffft." Lily scoffed. "No need. Got the whole room covered, multiple angles. Set it up for Mum over the summer. It was her present last year."

"Work stuff?" Teddy saw Lily nod. "Figures."

At that moment, over the soft Christmas music, the sound of the Floo pretty much stopped every conversation in it's tracks. Margaret and Albus came into the room, followed by Roland and his father. Almost right after that, wiping her hands on her apron, was Ginny.

Harry watched James make his way into the room, holding hands with a woman with an interesting hair style, her height a bit shorter than his son,. They were both nervous, that was obvious, James even slightly pale. Feeling Ginny nudge him in the back he made his way over to them. "Happy Christmas and welcome home, James." After his son didn't take the obvious cue, instead just standing there silently, he figured he'd take the initiative. He held out his hand to the girl. "Hello, Harry Potter, glad you could join us."

That seemed to wake up James. "Dad, Mum, uh, everyone, this is Bren."

"Very nice to meet you, sir." Bren shook Harry's hand.

"Just Harry's fine, please." He looked to see that Ginny had stepped next to him, apron now absent. "My wife, Ginny."

As Bren and his mum met each other James took the opportunity to make a very, very quick glance around the room. Teddy and Vic were grinning like idiots, Lily looked puzzled, Roland shocked, Al somewhat impressed, and Mags? Besides being much bigger than the last time he'd seen his littlest sister she was beaming at him. He felt Bren tug him along slightly and realised that they were moving, taking Vic and Teddy's place on the sofa as they moved to another set of chairs.

They'd just sat down when Lily looked over to them. "Something to drink? Eggnog, butterbeer, wine, firewhisky, tequila, litre of vodka?"

Bren laughed a bit while he gave Lily his best older brother look. "Really, Lils? A litre?"

"Well she is with you, figured she'd need it."

Bren looked over to James' sister, red hair like their mom has, glasses like their dad. She liked her attitude. "Red or white wine?"

Lily shrugged. "Both, probably some rosé or champagne somewhere if you want."

"White's fine, thank you." Bren watched as Lily left, hearing James' muttering about how she didn't ask him what he wanted. "You can have a sip of mine if you're dying." She felt the sofa shift and looked over to see James' youngest sister now sitting next to her. "Hello there, Mags, right?"

"Yup, that's me. Bren, is that short for something?"

"It's not, my mom just liked it."

"So where do you live in America? It's so big on the map."

"Right!" James clapped his hands together. "Ok, you're all being nice and polite and not asking a million questions. What's going on?" James watched as all of his siblings, along with Teddy and Victoire, pointed to his dad. "Dad?"

Harry shrugged. "I didn't want her to think it was an interrogation, she's a guest."

Lily returned and handed Bren a glass of wine, a glass with a very generous pour. "Should I bring in the bottle?" She nudged James with her foot. "Unless you want that litre?"

"Stuff it, Lils." James sighed. "Fine, guess we need to tell you lot a story, huh?"

"So tell us a story, Jamie. Bren." Ginny sat on the arm of Harry's chair. "How did you two meet?"

From there James and Bren told their story, each other telling parts. They told them about how he'd gone to the MACUSA Auror department for his start of the joint venture, and part of that was his updating of his medical file. Bren wasn't the mediwitch who did his examination, but she was part of the process. They'd both noticed each other and nothing more had happened until later that day when they were both getting lunch. She'd walked by with another mediwitch to a nearby table and heard James tell his American Auror partner that the tea was terrible. She hadn't been able to help herself, as she knew how her Mom liked her tea, so she told him to go talk to the house elf cook with the blue uniform, that she could make a 'proper cuppa.' He'd thanked her, done that, and while later enjoying his tea he'd raised it up towards her in thanks.

That was the start, and from there, whenever he could, he'd drop by the mediwitch station asking about her, or talking to her if possible. They'd started seeing each other after that, and later when her roomate had been reassigned and her apartment was going to be too expensive to be there on her own, they'd discussed it and she moved into James' apartment. James had translated for Roland that 'her flatmate left and she couldn't afford the flat.' At that both Roland and Bren rolled their eyes, as Bren said she knew about flats and apartments and Roland told James he wasn't as thick as his older brother.

During the early parts of their tale Harry felt Ginny's arm go around his shoulders, softly, lovingly. When the part came about Bren moving into James' flat came, though, he felt her hand almost pinch him for a moment. He wanted to laugh, as Ginny had called it, that this was more serious than he'd thought, but he was waiting to hear a bit more before agreeing with her. He knew his son, after all.

"So then my assignment finished up and I figured I'd bring her her to meet everyone. Um, that's when things went a bit weird."

"A bit?" Bren took a drink of wine. "Tell them."

"James?" Ginny gave him a look. "What did you do?"

"Hey, it's not my fault. It's Dad's fault." Seeing Harry's eyebrows raise James sighed deeply. "Ok, not really, but, well, I had to use a fake name. Auror department insisted on it and MACUSA agreed. So right before we left I told her that I wasn't John Franklin like my ID and all the forms said, that I'm James Potter."

"Whoa." Every eye turned to Al. "Like something out of one of the books from Ted's shop. And you're still with him?"

Bren gulped. This was the moment she'd been dreading. After a big drink of wine, which did not go unnoticed, she blew out a big breath, her cheeks big like a pufferfish. "So I kind of had to tell him something, too. Bren Park-Jones, that's the name on my birth certificate. But I think you've heard in bits and pieces, my mom's not originally from America. She's from here. England. And she changed her name. Last name. She uses her middle name. I grew up with my mom, Elaine Park-Jones." She focused on James' mum for some reason. "But she was born Pansy Elaine Parkinson." She watched as Ginny's eyes went wide for a bit and then her lips just slightly turned up at the edges in a smile, the way James' did when he thought he was being clever.

"Fuck me!"

"Roland!" Multiple voices yelled at the youngest male Potter, who was smiling broadly.

"Hey, he gave me crap for being in Slytherin." Roland defense was half-hearted. "Ok, just some, but still."

Teddy's laugh broke the tension. "Merlin's pants, Gran was totally right. Very memorable Christmas."

As Teddy filled in everyone by what he meant, that Andromeda's portrait had met Bren, James felt Bren take his hand, squeezing it slightly. While Bren was telling her story he'd been focusing, for some reason, on Mags. She'd been confused, not understanding exactly what the issue was, but instead of focusing on him and Bren she was busy putting something on the biscuits that sat next to Roland. They locked eyes and she gave him a look that said 'well, are you gonna say anything?' He smiled and shook his head no very slightly, which made her smile and put whatever it was back in the pocket of her hooded sweatshirt.

Hearing a quick clap everyone turned their attention to Harry. "Bren, if you know some things, like I think you probably do, please don't worry. I mean, you know about Draco Malfoy, don't you?" He watched her nod slowly.

"A bit. She doesn't say much about her time at school."

"Right, well if Draco Malfoy and I can be polite to each other after all these years, I don't see why your mum and I can't do the same. I mean, I'm not going golfing with Draco anytime soon."

"That's because you're rubbish at it." Al looked at the others. "I've tried, he's hopeless."

"Still seems silly to me, but never mind." Harry turned back to Bren. "So tell us about your family. Any brothers or sisters?"

"Nope, just me. We live out in Montana, well, they do, I live in DC now. Dad's family has run the ranch for decades."

James hurriedly jumped in to fill in details. "They raise plants for potions, hospitals use them, and they have...bicorn. It's bicorn, right?"

"Yes, we have herds of bicorn. Oh, and he's got some new ones, some kind of animal from Romania, kind of like a horse and bicorn combined called a Thrum."

"Really? Thrums?" Al's excitement was obvious. "Charlie said they used them in Romania at the reserve. They're amazing, one of the only animals dragons don't care about. Probably taste awful. Is it cold in Montana?"

"Definitely, lots of snow. He's hoping he can eventually ride one and not fly as much. Said he's getting too old to fly for that long." She turned to Ginny. "James was disappointed I don't play Quidditch but I do fly, helped Dad with the bicorn herd, moving them to different pastures. Granny Jones loves watching us but swears she'd fall off a broom in an instant."

"Can't she fly?" Mags looked over to Bren. "Is she scared?"

"Nope, she's a no-maj. Sorry, Muggle. She doesn't have any magic. Well, except in the kitchen. Dad swears it."

"So let me get this straight." Ginny's eyes were bright. "Your mum, Pansy, married your father who has a Muggle mum, and she lives on a ranch with bicorn?"

"Um, yep. She does the books and the business side of things." Bren felt her stomach settle a bit. James' mum had said that in a tone of faint disbelief, but there was no hardness or anything close to anger in her voice. "I take it she wasn't like that at school?"

Ginny burst out laughing. "No! Not at all." A small blue light began to flash on her wrist. "Ok, almost time to eat. Everyone wash up, you twice, Al, and then it's food." She looked over to Mags. "And then presents."

They didn't join everyone, instead they sat there on the sofa, still holding hands. After a moment they looked at each other.

"How you doing?" James tilted his head down to her. "Better?"

"Yeah. Much. You?"

"Tons." Hearing a throat clearing James looked up to see Teddy and Vic standing in front of them.

Teddy gave Bren a questioning look. "How long are you staying, Bren?"

"I go back the 29th. Only got a week off." She looked at him, unsure where this was going.

Ted smiled warmly at her. "Make some time to talk to Gran. Trust me." He looked over to James. "No hints? What'd ya get me this year?"

"Same as every year. Rocks."

Vic laughed. "Good, our flower beds need shoring up. Come everyone, let's go."

The meal was a very enjoyable affair for everyone involved. It seemed as if all of the Potter kids had seemingly been waiting for this moment, telling all of the worst stories they had about James. Ted had tried to tell the story of James' running away, but Bren brushed him off, saying she knew that story, and asked for a better one, learning instead about James' first Hogwarts dentention. Harry had chuckled slightly, earning him a kick under the table from Ginny, as she still wasn't happy about the whole 'toilet seat fiasco' of his first year. Harry reminded her, quietly, that it was George's fault.

The only thing that was surprising for Bren, but somehow not James, was that during the meal smoke began to pour out of Roland's ears. As everyone tried to figure out what was going on James nudged Bren and glanced over to Mags. With a satisfied smile on her face Mags was ignoring the fuss over her brother's ears and was happily eating as if nothing at all had happened.

As the pudding came around, as well as the Christmas crackers, James leaned down and whispered to Bren. "So what will the Boxing Day picture caption say this year?"

She rolled her eyes, whispering back "It was always going to be 'yes' dipshit."

"Payback?"

"Duh."

"What's the statute of limitations on this?"

"Ask me in a few years."

James suddenly put his napkin on the table and stood up. "Back in a mo, need the loo."

Bren eyed him suspiciously as he made his way out of the room, seeing several glances towards her. "So-so bladder. It's in his file. For stakeouts."

That led to laughter and after a few moments James came back, seemingly very pleased with himself, and started in on his treacle tart like nothing had happened whatsoever.

Eventually Mags couldn't take it any longer and the family descended into the living room, gathering around the tree. Roland, for some reason, elected himself as gift-giver this year, picking out a large box from behind the tree as the first present and setting it down in front of Mags.

"Happy Christmas, sis."

She looked at him warily but then her curiosity couldn't be contained. As the paper came away she shrieked. "YOU GOT ME AN OWL!"

Everyone watched as there, in it's cage, a tiny little owl hooted and flitted about before settling back on the perch.

"Is that?" Ginny looked to her husband, who simply nodded. "For Merlin's sake, another one."

As everyone filled in Bren with stories about Pig, their Uncle Ron's owl who'd passed not too long ago, other presents were distributed. Books, Quidditch equipment, various items from W-Tech along with Quidditch tickets and restaurant gift certificates were opened, to the happiness of all. And then Roland put a present down in Bren's lap.

"For me?" She looked over to see Harry and Ginny nod. Tentatively opening the present taking care not to simply just rip up the paper like her mom had taught her, Bren found what looked like two large books. After a moment she corrected herself, one large book on the latest magical medical procedures and a medium sized, but incredibly nice photo album.

"Ted helped with the one, as you can guess." Ginny smiled at her. "But the other, I got that as a present one year and I always appreciated it."

"Thank you, I feel bad. I didn't get anything for you."

"You're here, that's enough for us." Harry gave his oldest son a glance. "Both of you."

"Um, you've got another one." James stood up and instead of going over to the Christmas tree he went over to the fireplace, moving aside a picture of his parents He came back over to her and sat down. "I think you know what this is, but you should probably open it. Just in case."

This time Bren didn't bother unwrapping it nicely. She ran her fingers over the top of the small, velvet case before opening it. "Holy shit." Ignoring the chuckles she took out the ring, with it's large, square cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds. "Damn, James."

"That's the response I was looking for. So officially, with witnesses and all?"

"Yes."

James took the ring from her and slid it onto her hand.

From there it all went into a sort of chaos. Happy chaos, but still chaos, with a small hooting owl in the background.

-ooo-

From there champagne was served, even Mags who got a tiny, tiny bit, as Lily told Bren she knew there was some champagne in the house somewhere. Plans were made for the Boxing Day match, and during the midst of this Teddy decided to have a private chat with James. Bren had been talking to Lily and Victoire when she felt her pocket begin to vibrate.

"Oh crap." She quickly pulled out her phone and saw the text from her mom. "Guess I should text my parents, tell them Merry Christmas and, um, everything."

"Hold on." Lily, without asking, pulled the phone out of Bren's hand. "You're still using this? These are ancient."

Bren shrugged. "MACUSA mediwitch, not private practice. Can't afford the new one."

"Pffft." Lily blew out a breath in a rude fashion. She was about to walk away when she stopped. "Care for an experiment?"

"Be careful." Victoire put a hand on her arm. "This is a dangerous moment."

"Shut up." Lily turned back to Bren. "This is an easy one. You've met Edith, James' elf, right?" Seeing her nod affirmatively Lily smiled. "Call her."

Victoire scoffed. "They're not married yet, just engaged. Like just."

Lily rolled her eyes. "That's why this is an experiment. Bren?"

"Ok, sure. Edith, can you come over, please?"

A sharp pop brought everyone's attention. "Miss Bren? You said yes?"

"I did." And even though she wasn't an Auror it didn't take much to figure it out. "James had you bring the ring over?" Seeing Edith nod Bren pointed to Lily. "I think she needs your help."

"See Vic? Nothing dangerous." Lily turned to Edith. "Can you go to my flat and bring one of the bright blue boxes on the desk? Not the green one, just the bright blue one, please. I really appreciate it."

"Of course."

It was only moments later when Edith returned, handed Lily the box and hesitated before popping away. Instead she turned to Bren "Mistress Andromeda will be very happy for you. I am too. Happy Christmas!"

As Bren and Vic looked at each other for a moment Lily was opening the box, tossing unneeded things away and then turned and put Bren's phone in her hand. "Ok, put in your admin password and then I can do everything."

"Um, ok." Bren touched the screen several times before giving Lily her phone. "Now what?"

"It's not instantaneous, give me a minute" Lily took out her wand, tapped Bren's phone and then what looked like a new phone. After a few moments she handed the new phone over to Bren. "Here, much better. This is the newest one, comes out around Valentine's. Now you can call your mum."

"But..." Bren paused. "I didn't think they worked that far?"

"Well, your old one wouldn't but this will. We got better satellites." She looked over to Vic. "You don't need this kind, yours gets to France just fine. America's much different."

Bren stared at the new phone. "So I can call my parents?"

Lily nodded. "Yep. You can. Oh, and don't worry about the plan. Family plan. I know people."

"Right. Thank you, this is amazing. I think I'll go outside to call them." Bren looked over to Vic. "Where do I go?"

"Here, I'll show you. Much too noisy to call in here." She led Bren through the kitchen and then down the hall a bit to a door. "Garden's through there, warming charms are on, you won't need a coat."

"Thank you." After a moment Bren walked outside and it was as Victoire had said, a warm, starlit garden. She stood there for a moment, trying to push down the nerves that had resurfaced, much worse than when she and James had sat down after arriving. The new phone was amazing, much better than her old one, and for some reason that wasn't exactly helping. Then she couldn't help herself, she'd told herself that she wouldn't the very first time she met James' family but if there was ever a time she needed one, it was now, before this phone call. Pulling out the pack of smokes from her pocket she lit one and inhaled, exhaling deeply, staring at the stars.

The cigarette was almost gone when she heard the door close behind her. She didn't turn, as it was probably James, looking for her. "I know I promised, but I needed one before I call Mom and Dad."

"Never really smoked, but I worked with enough Aurors that did, so I understand."

She turned quickly, as that wasn't James. It was his father. Harry freaking Potter.

"James was coming, but I asked him to give us a few minutes." He stopped next to her, looking at the stars.

They were quiet for a while, long enough for her to finish her cigarette and vanish the butt. She was just about to speak when she heard him.

"I don't know what your mum's life was like, really. I just knew her, well, who she was, at Hogwarts. She didn't like me very much and I can't say I liked her then, either." He paused. "But we were teenagers, at school, in an impossible situation. I've learned a lot since then, bet she has, too. Back then I really didn't like anyone in Slytherin, but later, in the Aurors, I got to know several. Still friends with many of them, even though I'm at Hogwarts now. Thank Merlin it's not like it used to be, on multiple levels. But the one thing I know now, that I really didn't understand then, was that everyone was scared. Everyone. Terrified, actually. And that night? When Voldemort was there, outside the castle? I understand why your mum said what she said. She probably wasn't the only one thinking it, just the one who said it. Fear makes people do a lot of things they regret. I have no idea if your mum regrets what she said, but she's definitely not who I thought she was at school if she could marry your dad and raise someone who my son wants to spend the rest of his life with."

She turned to speak to him but no words would come.

He looked over to her and nodded. "It's ok. I'm sure we'll all be together at some point, and I'll have this conversation with her, too. Hopefully without the smoke."

Bren let out a sarcastic laugh. "Mom's been on me for ages. 'How can a Healer smoke?' You'd be surprised how many do."

"Same here, kind of goes with the high stress, intense jobs with life on the line. Like I said, know a lot of Aurors who do. Whatever you do don't smoke inside the house, Ginny'd go mental."

"No problem there."

"Good." He was silent for a moment. "I was an only child, too. Bit overwhelming, isn't it?"

"Definitely."

"It's not so bad. Better than the alternatives." He paused. "Right, well you should probably call your mum and dad. I'm sure they'll be surprised to hear from you."

That made Bren laugh very loudly. "Oh, surprise is definitely the theme of this trip."

"Good surprises, though." Harry turned to her and after a moment hugged her. "Welcome to the family."

"Thank you."

After a bit they broke apart. "Ok, I'm sure we'll all figure out sometime to get together. Are you staying in America?"

"Probably not. Haven't really thought about it yet, or talked to James. A couple of days ago I thought I'd just be meeting everyone and then we'd figure out some long-distance thing for a bit. Not now, though."

"No rush." He paused for a moment. "I do know that the Hogwarts matron is looking to retire soon. Just a thought. I'll leave you to your call. Probably should go in, if I know Margaret her owl's probably flying around the tree or stuck up near the ceiling somewhere."

She stood there for a while looking at the stars, giving in on one more cigarette. It was half gone when she looked at her phone, bought up her contacts and pushed the button.

"Hi Mom, surprise and Merry Christmas! I got a new phone, it's not out yet, I'm still in England. Hi Dad! Merry Christmas! Just told Mom, I'm still in England, new phone." She paused and listened. "Ooh, I'll have Granny make that when I'm back. Um, I have some news I'm engaged." Hearing her parents reply she smiled. "It's him, but there's something I need to tell you, his name. It was a Auror name for his assignment, it's not his real name. His real name is James Potter." She waited as there was silence from her Mom but her Dad kept talking. Eventually he figured out something was up and was quiet. "Yes, Mom, it's that Potter His dad is Harry. I'm out in their backyard now, and before I called you we talked. I listened, mostly, but Mom? Whatever worries you have right now? Doesn't matter. Not to him. Really. Ok, I'll hold on."

Bren quickly fished out yet another cigarette as she realized they'd muted their phones. All of the anxiety that had gone away after Harry's words resurfaced and she imagined going it alone, having to choose James over her Mum.

And then she heard her Mum's voice. "I'm still here." And then all the anxiety simply melted away. "Yes, I'll tell them I need a bit more time. They'll understand. Ok, ok, I'll let them know. Thanks Mom, Dad. Love you too. Text me when you get the details."

She watched as the phone call went away on her screen and let out an immense sigh of relief, pausing only to have another drag She'd just about turned to go back inside when she heard a throat clearing behind her.

James.

"How long have you been there?"

"Not too long, didn't want to intrude." He was sitting on a small bench not too far away. "How'd it go?"

She walked over and sat down next to him. "Your dad came out before I called and set my mind at ease. But then when I called her and told her that I'm marrying you, well, I'm not sure how that went. I'll ask Dad later. But I told her some of what your dad said."

"And?"

She leaned into him. "I'm going to tell work that I need more time. They're coming over for New Year's."

"Brilliant." James watched the stars for a moment and then turned back to her, looking down to see the starlight reflected on her ring. "Brilliant"

A/N: A little holiday fun for the former Teachers' Lounge members and others. One of my favorite activities in that group was the annual holiday story writing gifts we used to do for each other. The thrum is from an old Charlie/Luna story of mine, and I couldn't resist that little reference for those who remember. The TL forum closed down but it still remains as one of the best online communities I've ever been a part of in any fashion. Yes, it's been ages since I've published anything but I'm still writing. I have a couple of novel length pieces that are about half done but still need work, and there are more woefully neglected things that need finishing. Eventually. Notes still exist for all those, including the last Professor Muggle piece. Someday.

Merry Christmas/Happy Christmas to all.