Seven: Father Christmas must be a wizard, right?
Sorry that this chapter has taken so long. The last year has been quite a wild ride on the work front, but on the personal front, unfortunately, some unexpected changes have come up that have left me with little to no time to write any more, or even to think about it.
This chapter was supposed to be released around Christmas (last year). However, I didn't want to keep you waiting that long, so here it is right now.
It may be that the next updates will also be a bit slower, as I will be studying in addition to my work, but there will always be some writing for relaxation!
Have fun and, as always, a big word of thanks for my beta!
Previously: Harry wanders into the land of the living with his body, while his mind is still not quite there yet. Ron and Draco share some thoughts, and enjoy each other's company, while they worry about Harry. Merle proves that he is that friend, and Daryl always knows what his lover needs at the end of the day. Teddy makes his way home for Christmas, and so the festivities can start. When it comes down to it; Harry just needs to trust in his family somewhat more.
Somewhere, really not too far from Harry's lands, Rick finds a place to put his people to rest. Or so he thinks. Maggie isn't so sure anymore.
Merle was convinced and wouldn't be dissuaded. Now that he knew magic was real and what it could do, he figured Father Christmas must have been a wizard one day, and they'd carried that tradition along with them.
The older Dixon was so convinced by this theory, as he remembered his grandmother's stories. It wasn't a major leap from all the other things she had told him over the years, and he often wished he'd visited her more. He always thought she was a bit eccentric, and she was, but he missed her simple outlook on things. She was one of the only people who believed in him, but because his father stopped going after a fight, Merle and Daryl weren't allowed anymore. She died a few years after that. He doesn't know what happened to her or her stuff, but he thinks his father probably sold it all just to get some cash.
Back to the party, he found himself debating with the smaller, dark-brown-haired wizard, who had been a good friend to Daryl and wasn't as bad as he'd first seemed. The darker skinned man was still a fucking snob, – Carol had forbidden him from calling people derogative names in a manner that had actually scared the pants off of him, so he tried to be a little bit better vocally – but he felt that their dislike of each other was mutual, and that they could tolerate each other when needed. Blaise – that was the name – looked at him with a sort of stunned expression while he gave his opinion quite clearly. He let Theo carry on discussing it while they were sitting in the little café where they were waiting for the Christmas songs to start playing in the background.
It was indeed the night before Christmas, and while George had joked that they would be visited by Scrooge for their bad behaviours – the Weasley loved listening to Carol who told that particular tale more than once to Sophia – while Theo had been raised that Father Christmas was a Fae warrior who'd had walked out of his realm to give back to the people. Harry had a soft smile on his face while he watched all the adults trying to make sense of their lives right now, while that warm hand on his lower back was barely visible to anybody but Merle.
Harry had just shook his head, and kept Father Christmas at a Muggle belief. Not that this didn't mean that the people around him wouldn't receive gifts or that he didn't believe in celebrating the holiday. He'd been hard at work all year for this very holiday even while the outbreak had happened. Harry knew he would surprise them all the next morning with gifts, but right now they were situated at his own little pub, where Ron and Merle were playing barkeep whilst arguing with Blaise and Theo whilst George was in charge of the music. The redhead mixed Muggle music with some Celene Warbeck, and various other artists that even Harry didn't know. He hadn't been raised with the wireless like others did, nor the muggle radio. At the Dursley's, music hadn't been his first priority, but he had been able to listen if Petunia didn't notice him humming along. Sirius had tried to teach him some about music, but Harry had had some other things to figure out.
The hand on his lower back kept him grounded, while Daryl close to his side kept him warm, comfortable, and loved, and so they both enjoyed the evening in relative silence. No need for heavy talk or changing things up. The drinks kept flowing, and the conversation lulled them all into a safe space that hadn't been around for quite some time.
Christmas morning turned out to be as joyous as Harry had envisioned it to be. These were the kind of days he had once dreamed of in his bedroom … or cupboard, as he saw the Dursley's finish their meals, and enjoy some holiday spirit. He barely told anybody about those days, because most people wouldn't understand, but Daryl had grunted something that morning to him that had just seemed to sum up his past experiences, and so he hoped that they would change the future for those who came after them. So that those in need, might find what they were looking for as Harry would do his best to spread the Christmas spirit all around.
With Draco staying over at Malfoy Manor with Blaise and Theo in Italy, Harry had sent Kreacher over with those gifts just after midnight through the floo, and now the Lord of the estate was enjoying Sophia's and Teddy's reactions to the pile of presents that had come for them. Both didn't believe in Santa anymore, but it was nice to give them that feeling of being loved, and that there was no war going on the outside of his fences – so to speak. Just the simplicity of wanting something, and getting it for Christmas. Both had taken their wish lists very seriously, and even if some of those things hadn't been realistic, Harry had made sure that one thing at least was available to them from their wish list.
The House Elves had gone out of their way, and the whole foyer was decked in holly, lights were strung up everywhere, and Harry was particularly enjoying the Bundt-cake that Kreacher had served him. He still was a bit suspicious of anyone else handling his food if he didn't make it himself, so now he was stuck eating it all by himself since Carol had surprised everyone with her creations. There were candles lit all over the house, the Christmas tree was shining bright, and the flames from the fireplace licked at the walls, dusting the old reception room in a soft pine green glow that came from the wallpaper. It had been snowing fiercely outside, and even Daryl had been glad not to be outside for the day. It was a lot colder than they had expected, but Ron had murmured some words at breakfast, after laughing at 'his lord' for a good while.
Harry had sent gifts over to Luna Park as well. Some chocolates, sweets, and a few packaged cakes Ron had found while scavenging. They had to be eaten soon anyway, so it was his way of extending an olive branch after the whole debacle. Allies were good, but people he could trust, were more important anyway, and some of them had wormed their ways into his heart real fast. They had received a radio transmission with a happy group of people, enjoying the leftovers from the wizarding lavish meal, and happy munching on the cakes and such so he figured his gifts were received well.
John and Vicky had gone over to celebrate with Mack, and Harry was glad to see them reuniting again. Gerard and Elaine were celebrating with one of their sons at their own apartment at the Castle - as Luna had dubbed it, since it had taken on to look like one – and he only noticed the elves that popped in and out to serve his mentor's family.
Luna and Neville had floo'd over to meet up with Neville's gran, who surprisingly had invited Xenophilius over for tea. It was good that people were trusting each other again. Harry was happy to see that even British Wizarding kind had it in them to make some small steps towards the future.
Sophia laughed as a chocolate frog ran from her hand over Teddy's head, while Carol adored the scarf Narcissa had gotten her. All smooth silk of course. Pansy had gifted the woman a full set of wizarding robes, so she could fit in with her daughter, and Merle pretended like he had just 'found' his gift at a jewellery store with the intention of giving it to 'his' Carol, instead of searching for a few days with Ron went unsaid by the others. The necklace was a delicate weave in in which the blacksmith had chosen to wrap white gold thread around yellow gold cord, creating an almost ship rope-like cord. It was beautiful, and a small pearl had been inserted in all the places where the necklace touched itself. All this led to a beautiful centrepiece; a fire opal in a marquis setting surrounded by tiny pearls.
Merle had just said that it looked pretty to him when he'd seen it, but he had no idea of the sort of jewellery he had procured for her. Nobody had told him, and Daryl had just shaken his head when Carol had unwrapped the gift that morning. Sophia had gotten the matching bracelet from him, that was proudly hanging from her wrist, and shone like a thousand suns every time the light hit her fire opal.
Harry had gifted both ladies a set of earrings that he'd found in one of his vaults. There usually was a lot of stuff with house signatures on it, but every now and then, he found something special without it that he would be able to gift to the ladies close to his heart. He had gifted Narcissa and Andromeda both a necklace infused with Black-magic, and for Pansy he had ordered a female version of a tie broch, as she seemed to love those. Luna never wanted anything from him, so he had settled on getting Xenophilius an interview with an old wizard from India that he'd met there on his travels while he searched for his wand, who believed in a old, dying branch of magic that others had forgotten. The thankyou-note said it all, and it made him a bit giddy.
It wasn't an obligation to get each other things, so some years Neville and him would still do the old-school thing by giving each other a book, or sweets, and other years they actually had a gift to give. This year they both had exchanged a rare bottle of brandy, without them both knowing. George had asked for sweets this year, but had gifted most of them some prank material or otherwise handy tool that everybody appreciated. All personalised to the receiver. Draco, Scorpius and Astoria had been the most difficult ones this year, so he had given them some gifts for the whole family, some leather gloves for Astoria – as he still didn't know her well enough to get personal – and some toys for Scorpius. For Draco, had had chose a delicate tie-pin that had been laying in the Peverell's vault, and the stones and magic on it were especially perfect for Draco because they matched his eye colour perfectly but added a secret protection to the man if he wasn't close enough to Harry or Ron, and it would warn them if something would happen to him.
Ron was now trading some cards with George, while the new watch on his wrist shone with a vengeance. A gift from Harry and Draco. The one his parents got him, had been badly damaged during the fight. All those years it had survived the war, his Auror training, his Auror days, and although it had been beaten up quite some, it had never broken down. Draco thought it might have been the heavy magics that had been used, or the fact that Ron had almost died, but even Gerard didn't know the right answer to that. George had tried to fix it for his brother, but the model had just melted down in his hands, giving him a nasty burn on his hand to cope with as well. Ron had been elated when he'd opened the package, and a single tear had escaped from his eye. George had smiled softly.
Merle had gotten a new special edition rifle from George, that had been infused by Luna and the inventor to the heavens and back, which made it use a special type of ammo that was more magical than actual gunpowder – and the hunter had already been to the newly erected gun range on Luna Park to test it out to his utter satisfaction. Ezra and Gabriel had looked at it with a longing and positive jealousy. It seemed to be exactly what Merle wanted, and the man was happy for it. Harry had just gifted him some special brews of beers from around the world, that he thought the man might appreciate, and Sophia had received anything from books, to clothing, jewellery and the likes from everybody. Even Pansy had given her a few dresses, while Vicky had gifted her some No-Maj clothing that had been infused with protective magics by George. Harry never understood how George did that warding work so easily, but he always admired the work. He understood that George and Theo had bonded over warding, so who knew what George would do with that new information.
Teddy had finally been gifted the broom Harry had bought for him, right before everything happened, and Harry had promised him to go flying together if the weather would settle down. Ron had been given a mystery package from Merle, that was the literal key to a present he would be getting later on – the Dixons had been mysteriously busy with that for a while, and although Harry wasn't in the know, Daryl had it let slip that they had hoped to have it finished, but they had some trouble finding some parts for the gift – Harry had a feeling that he was glad it wasn't his present. He didn't know if those two together would come up with anything decent.
Harry had received something much more small from Daryl, but with such a big gesture that if it had been him in any other year before this, he would have broken down in tears. Daryl had gifted him something wrapped in one of his many handkerchiefs with a soft smile on his face, that had Harry's hearth beating quite fast that morning.
They now sat silently next to each other on one of the large couches that the parlour held, Daryl's hand resting on the back of the sofa unconsciously brushing Harry's neck softly whenever he moved. The gift stood proudly on the cabinet in their bedroom, and Harry had been surprised by the level of craftmanship and detail that went into the little, wooden, hand carved figurine of a black dog. He had never told Daryl about the specifics, but it looked so much like Sirius' Animagus form that it was almost uncanny. It meant a lot to the wizard, and he had told his partner just that.
Harry had seen Merle look over at Daryl's hand more than once, but he still hadn't commented on it for now. Although Harry had dubbed on giving it, he had settled on giving Daryl a ring, one that matched those that he wore before if he believed the stories Merle told. It was not really a signet ring, more like one of those modern biker rings with the face of a grim reaper on it. Given their current situation, Harry thought it was very appropriate, and it had made Ron snicker while Draco had just rolled his eyes in true Slytherin fashion. Harry couldn't care less about that.
However, he had been quick to explain to Daryl that giving rings to wizards was not the same as giving rings to each other in the no-Maj traditions, and he only hoped that Sophia had already been given those lessons as well before he gave Carol or Merle the wrong impression. Somehow Daryl had been the first one in years where the thought of marriage had crossed his mind, but it definitely wasn't the right time for that right now.
The reason he had chosen to go with the gifting of the ring, was that a bracelet would be more of a proposal to Mother Magic than the piece of jewellery he had now given his partner. It had him up a few nights, but the dark-haired wizard had decided he just wanted to give his partner something nice, and luckily it had been received right. Daryl had given him that awful all-knowing grin, that not a lot of people got to see, and a kiss on his lips had confirmed that the gift had been received well. The fact that it had been on his hand not just a moment after receiving it, said enough.
Nobody else needed to know the true essence of the gift, or the stone that Harry had Vilnuk put in there, was quite something from out of this world. No need for that information to leak anywhere. No, this Christmas was perfect as it was. Dark magics were not on the forefront of any of their minds – except Harry's – and that's how it should be.
Christmas joy.
Christmas had gone by as if it was nothing, and Harry felt like had barely survived the Malfoy gala, as it was. To the wizarding world, he was still viewed as a long term bachelor, and there were many suitors, all in the hope that they would have a dance or the hand of marriage. As always, Draco and Narcissa kept them at bay, but he knew it wouldn't be for long that someone would get wind of his relationship one way or another, and then he needed to be ready. He figured that Blaise would come up with some solution if the time came.
For now, he was happy to be going through his paperwork since his vineyard in Tavarnusse - close to Muggle Florence - had some issues with Walkers that his Elves couldn't keep up with. The local caretakers had asked him for help, and he had sent a local team of hitwizards to help out, but he was already corresponding with the Italian ministry to get Bill over there for checking on the wards. Yes, he owned the place, but his employees still needed to have a work visa as strange as it was.
Not that Harry bothered with those rules in America, since it was Peverell land that had been claimed before America was the America it was now, but the land in Italy had been one of the Potters actually. The Black's owned another vineyard that made Wizarding brandy a few kilometres over. Having another business there, had been enough for Harry to finally cave in to hire people to check on his estates. Baroness Zabini personally vetted all selected members of the team, and he trusted her enough to hire them on the spot. He had just written a letter that Blaise could set up the contracts as he pleased. Not that it could hurt to have Bill supervise them if needed. The oldest Weasley was a marvel with spellwork, and he loved hired Bill not only because he trusted him, but he knew what the man could do if needed.
Daryl, Ron, and Neville were out towards Luna Park with Merle, so Harry had taken the time to get his affairs in order which was more than necessary. Again. Sometimes he wondered how he got anything else done. Gerard and him had spoken about liberating another Alley to get more wizards there, and maybe select a few to come live at his compound, but they both hadn't found the time. He knew from Eloise that her husband was busy with that project, so he hoped the man would contact him whenever necessary. There were a lot of things happening some days, and that made them forget about the rest way to easily.
"You should see it for yourself, Harry," Ron was sipping from a hot chocolate with cream while giving his report, with Merle next to him. Both lounging on one of the green sofa's that his office held, whose colouring was a stark contrast with the darker tones of grey wallpaper. Harry had elected to keep it close to that of the older Peverells.
"It was all sorts of normal, but weirder than anything else." Merle added with serious face, but that ever annoying smirk was still present. The man loved weird shit.
"He held Walkers in a cage, Merle, that on itself was strange enough." Ron shook his head with a sigh. Although Draco had wanted to keep him inside, Ron had started going out on missions more and more. Usually with Merle or Shane at his back.
"Alright, we'll make sure to extend our routes, and watch were they are before we take any action." Harry conceded. "They haven't expanded into 'our territory', I guess."
"Yeah, no, not really." Ron nodded. "I've already informed the council, but I wanted you to know as well. This guy isn't to be messed with."
"Should I have Ezra look into wherever Officer Dandy has set up camp? Dun' want Shane getting upset on us now." Merle's face had broken out into a full smirk now, and Ron shook his head.
"Bloody shark, you are, Merle."
The other just grinned, and made some laughing noise in the back of his throat that both men ignored.
"We can pinpoint them if needed, but none of them have ventured into our area's. If it changes, I will let you know." Harry answered, and Ron agreed with a single nod while he slurped on his hot chocolate. Some things never changed.
"Alrighty then!" Merle stood up, and brushed with a finger over an arrow that Daryl probably had left on Harry's desk for cleaning or repair work. "I'll be heading out." The oldest Dixon made a swift exit while Ron was reading through some paperwork, as he waved at Merle.
Harry supposed he should get the arrow back to Daryl, but he had been out hunting with Shane, Ezra, and Mitchell to show him the ropes. Their traps were mostly empty, since it was dead winter, but it was good to keep their runs up for later in the year. Getting to know the property, and lay of the lands in Mitchell's case.
Harry's supply routes through all his magical properties had started to flow again, now that people trusted his ward work, his name, his money, and mostly his promises. So he had something to work with again, and they needn't to be economical. People were allowed to bring their close family and friends whenever they chose to work for him, and he let them settle on his lands. It was mostly a double edged sword, since he didn't want to be responsible for everyone, but it did help other families in need, and it gave him the resources to maintain their live support as it was. The Master of Dead had felt bad about it, but Lucius had gotten those thoughts out of him immediately. It was all a bit feudal, but it worked.