Longbottom Manor was fully decked out for Christmas.
While Harry was personally more impressed by the decorations around Firewall, it was still a beautiful display. The ballroom of the manor was spectacularly decorated and an elegantly dressed group of classic musicians was providing light, festive music.
"Lord Potter."
"Lord Valli," he greeted, bowing slightly.
"Are you enjoying the festivities?"
"Well," he answered honestly. "If Dowager Tremblay tries to drag me in for a third waltz, I may be forced to use my emergency portkey to escape."
Lord Valli let out a small, controlled laugh.
"I should like to see her expression should that happen."
"It probably won't," he grumbled. "I'll never be able to shake her off long enough to trigger it."
"Your presence here has stirred them all up," he told Harry honestly, chuckling into his champagne glass.
"That was the goal, wasn't it?"
He inclined his head in agreement.
"It does seem to be serving it's purpose," he responded. "The whispers I have heard have been positive."
"I've only had to make a few overt statements on the werewolf measure," Harry said. "The consensus seems to be generally positive, from what I can see."
"Indeed," Lord Valli agreed before turning his head slightly to look over Harry's shoulder. "Ah, my wife beckons."
"Enjoy your evening, Lord Valli," Harry said with an incline of his head. "Happy Holidays."
Harry mingled his way through the party after that, slowly making his way back towards his table. Neville and his date for the evening, Hannah Abbott, were already seated beside Ron and Hermione. Harry noticed that his friend was looking happily flushed tonight, complimenting her pretty pink robes.
"…and we had a wonderful chat with Eugenia Jenkins about squib rights and the pureblood riots of the 1960's," he heard her say to Hannah.
"Eugenia's one of my Gran's oldest friends," Neville said. "I think they went to Hogwarts together."
"They're both quite accomplished witches."
"I'm sure she was flattered if you said as much."
"She looked ready to adopt Hermione by the time we left," Ron said with a snort. "But her husband wasn't a half-bad bloke. They knew my grandparents. Probably yours too, Harry."
"Maybe I'll talk to them after the dessert course," he said with some curiosity.
"Where's your date?" Hannah teased.
"Susan and I came together as friends," Harry said tightly. "She's not my date. And she's in the bathroom."
"Uh huh, uh huh," the Hufflepuff said.
"For Merlin's sake, it was Amelia's idea. It can't be a date if her aunt set it up."
"I mean some people have whole marriages set up by their guardians so," Hannah shrugged. "Could be."
"Why are we talking about marriage now?" Harry squawked.
They all had a laugh at his expense, enjoying his flustered expression. Susan approached the table just as they were catching their breath.
"What's so funny?" she asked innocently.
"Nothing!" Harry said hurriedly.
That just set their friends off again, Harry's flummoxed expression only growing as Susan tried to figure out what she missed. From a couple tables down, Amelia and Augusta watched their wards with warm expressions.
"Tonight is going well," the elder Longbottom remarked quietly.
"It is," Amelia agreed. "The children look more relaxed than I've ever seen them."
"Is it fair to call them children anymore?" Augusta wondered.
"No," Amelia answered as she remembered the words of Lord Li. "Our children aren't children anymore."
"They're our future," her friend said, eyes never straying from the table of youths constantly being visited by their friends and future Wizengamot peers. "Tonight gives me more hope than ever for our future — look at the connections there."
Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zabini stopped by for mere moments to give apparently cold greetings. The two adults knew how to read the group by now though and saw the veiled smiles and winks.
"We need more nights like this."
"I'll toast to that," Augusta agreed as she raised her glass. "To more nights like this."
"To the future," Amelia said as she quietly clinked her glass to Augusta's.
After that, the Longbottom winter ball continued without a hitch.
…
Christmas Eve at Firewall was quite the production, to say the least.
"Hey, that one's mine," Drew protested.
"No way, give it back," Lucas yelled.
"Can you even read?"
"Can you?" his brother cast back accusingly.
"Boys!" their mother huffed with exasperation.
A lot of the muggle families wanted to leave Firewall on Christmas day to visit relatives, grandparents, and friends on the mainland. Because of that, Christmas Eve became the day for the great gift exchange between all of the castle's occupants as well as the huge feast.
"Can I open it now?" May Li asked in a patient tone.
"No."
"How about now?"
"No."
"How about now, mama?"
"No," her mother said with less patience.
"We have to wait for everyone to settle and have their presents in hand, May," her father explained calmly.
"Okay," she said placidly.
Her mother breathed a sigh of relief at her apparent understanding.
"How about now?" May asked a moment later.
"May!" her mother scolded.
"Why don't we go get everyone a hot chocolate from the table over there?" Su suggested, standing up and taking her sisters hand.
"Can we get some cookies too?"
"Sure."
"And extra whipped cream?"
"Well it is Christmas, isn't it?"
May squealed with excitement.
"When are you guys leaving?" Harry asked his redheaded friends from a calmer corner of the huge sitting room.
"Ron's got a genius plan," Ginny admitted.
"He does?" Harry asked with a raised brow as he looked at Hermione to confirm that.
She shook her head in the negative none-too-subtly and rolled her eyes with slight exasperation.
"Well we're still keyed into the Burrow's wards," Ron explained. "So I figure we just sneak in late tonight in our pajamas, sleep in our beds, and come down to breakfast on Christmas morning."
"What?" Harry asked in a deadpan voice.
"It's a solid plan," Ginny defended.
"You're in on this nonsense too?" he asked with a disappointed tone. "I wouldn't expect this from you, Gin."
"Desperate times and all," she shrugged before explaining. "I figure mum will be so stunned by us showing up, she'll panic over not having enough breakfast and she'll be too busy cooking to really tear into us."
"By then we figure dad will try to keep the peace in the spirit of Christmas," Ron said. "Plus, we got everyone in on it."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"The twins are going to sneak in with us, no shenanigans, and slip into their old rooms. Percy's gonna come too, Penny convinced him."
"Wait, Penny is in on this too?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Oh yeah," Ginny confirmed. "We figure if she's with us, mum'll be thrown off her game even more and she'll want to put on a good showing for company."
"Wow," Harry said. "What about Bill and Charlie?"
"Eh," Ginny winced.
"Well, Fleur's not exactly keyed into the wards like Penny is," Ron said with a matching wince.
"Ouch."
"Yeah," Ron said awkwardly. "Mum's still being a little stubborn about welcoming a, you know," he glanced around nervously before whispering. "A Frenchy into the family."
Harry and Hermione let out twin snorts. Leave it to Mrs. Weasley to have a problem with Fleur being French rather than with her being a magical creature. The matronly woman had no problem with veela, apparently, and it was only the French-ness that she took offense to. Quintessentially English, that woman.
"I hate when you two do that," Ron muttered. "Stop being on the same page about this."
"Sorry," Harry apologized insincerely.
"Anyway, he's going to show up during or after breakfast with Fleur and Charlie, since mum thinks he's been staying with Bill and Fleur in the flat they no longer have," Ron explained since they were all staying at Firewall as well.
"I see," Harry said.
"That'll be an added distraction from tearing into us," Ginny pointed out. "This plan has merit, I think."
"It'll at least get you through to opening presents," Harry admitted. "You'll bring mine as well, right?"
"Your present is part of the plan too," Ginny snorted. "Don't be ridiculous."
"You got her jewelry, right?" Ron clarified.
"Yeah, a charm bracelet."
"See, that'll really butter her up," Ron said with a resolute nod. "Hopefully she'll be a bit softer by the time we're done opening gifts."
"You guys know you're not going to be able to sneak back here, right?"
"Eh," Ron tilted his head in a so-so way. "Maybe."
"Ron thinks Mum should realize that he's almost an adult and she should trust him a bit more, yada yada," Ginny said with an errant wave of her hand. "Mum'll never buy that load of crap though."
Ron rolled his eyes skywards. "It's worth a try."
"I'm with Ginny on this," Harry disagreed. "Mrs. Weasley's gonna have you locked up in the basement before you finish even suggesting leaving Grimmauld Place again."
"My parents are staying at the Burrow, Harry," Ginny reminded.
"Oh, right," he remembered. "They only stay at Grimmauld in the summer for your safety, huh?"
"Yeah, they don't worry as much when we're all away at Hogwarts," she answered. "They don't want to stay there year round."
"I don't blame them," Ron said with a shudder. "Grimmauld place is terrible."
"Definitely," Harry agreed.
"Mum tries to brighten it up a bit when she can," Ginny shrugged. "She's succeeded. Sorta. Kinda."
"That place needs more help than Mrs. Weasley alone can manage," he said with a shake of his head. "Sirius has thought about burning it down for the insurance money."
"I don't think he has insurance, Harry," Hermione said slowly.
"Oh," Harry realized. "Maybe he just wants to do it for the personal satisfaction then."
"Yeah, maybe."
"Shh," Ginny said. "The gift exchange is starting. I'm really curious about how some of the gifts from the muggle world are received."
They all quieted down to watch as people opened them in groups of two or three while others waited for their turns with tea, hot chocolate, and small fingers snacks.
As Harry watched the gap between the muggle parents and the wizarding parents be bridged a little more, he again reflected on how happy he was to be here. Yet again, he couldn't help but think this was one of the best holidays he'd had.
…
Christmas morning on Firewall island got off to a sleepy start. On the far side of the island, a family of two woke up in their cozy round rooms and met upstairs.
"Ready, poppet?"
"Yes, Daddy," she said happily.
Together, they raised their wands and tapped the bright lantern in front of them. Luna's wand set off dark green sparks while her father's set off red ones. After a moment, the normal color of the light gave way to a steady red and green pulsing.
"Merry Christmas!" Xeno cheered.
"Merry Christmas!" Luna said, releasing a bang of confetti that made her father laugh and clap.
"Let's go downstairs and see if the Fae left us any presents to unwrap!"
In the large castle across the island, several other families were waking up in their rooms and suites with sleepy yawns and bright eyes.
"Presents!" Sarah Bulstrode cheered with uncharacteristic vigor.
"Come on," Millicent said with a bright smile none of her peers would recognize. "Let's go wake up mum and dad!"
"Nice try, girls!"
The two sisters squealed before spinning around to see their parents standing in the doorway of the bedroom.
"Aw," Sarah said with disappointment. "No fair!"
"Should we get back in bed then?" Edith asked her husband lightly.
"We could do that," he agreed. "If they want the chance to wake us up, of course."
"Or we could just open presents," his wife mused.
"Presents!" Sarah cheered again, disappointment quickly wiped away.
Similar scenes were repeating themselves up and down the various halls of Firewall Castle. Laughter and the sounds of happy children were ringing down the stone corridors.
"You're opening that monstrosity last, boys," Mrs. Tolipan said sternly.
"But mum…" one of the twins tried with a whine.
"Can't we just-"
"Do not touch that present, Drew Michael," she said firmly.
"But can't we please just-"
"Nope," she shook her head.
The present in question was a lurid orange box with green ribbon. That ribbon seemed to be the only thing keeping the box from popping open as it shook and wobbled threateningly. There was oddly tinted smoke seeping from the cracks.
"Now you stay well away from it," she warned. "And that goes for you as well Lucas Brandon."
"Yes, mum," they said with disappointed pouts.
The box looked like it might burst at the seams if anyone so much as touched it. A giant WWW on the tag told Mrs. Tolipan all she needed to know; anything from those Weasley twins needed to be handled with care and probably opened outdoors.
"Not a half bad idea," she muttered to herself. "Maybe I should make them open it on the balcony."
"But we can open it?" Drew checked, overhearing her.
"Yes," she sighed. "After we open everything else. The last thing I want is another one of those paint spells that transfers to everything you touch."
"You looked real lovely with rainbow skin, mum," Lucas said with a remarkably straight face for a boy his age.
"You two will be the death of me," she sighed.
"So, presents?" Alice asked, already eyeing a long flat box she was willing to bet was jewelry.
"Yes, presents."
Alice snagged her present quickly while her two brothers stared at the giant WWW box with sparkling eyes.
"Why don't you start with the present from your Aunt April?" Mrs. Tolipan suggested, redirecting their attention quickly.
"Okay!" they cheered immediately.
Harry could hear the sounds of Christmas joy as he made his way down the corridors in his comfortable, Gryffindor themed pajamas. It was a short enough walk from his rooms to Hermione's which is where he'd been invited to spend Christmas morning. He knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer.
"Harry," Mrs. Granger greeted as she pulled open the door. "Merry Christmas!"
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger."
"Come in," she said. "We've just got the tea set out."
He stepped into the family suite, a cozy room with a kitchenette and small balcony. The tree was setup near the balcony doors and a tea service was setup around the tables and chairs near the fireplace.
"Merry Christmas, Harry!" Hermione said as she came over to give him a hug.
"Merry Christmas," her father said with a smile.
"Thank you for inviting me over here this morning," he said genuinely.
"Of course," Emma Granger said with a warm smile. "I know Hermione thinks of you as a brother; you're welcome to spend any holiday with us."
"Dobby dropped off your presents not too long ago," Hermione said with a nod towards the large pile gathered around the tree.
"Did you give him his present?"
"Yes," Hermione answered. "He seemed very happy."
"I never thought I'd see a chap so caught up by a couple of board games," Dan remarked as he shook his head and leaned back in his chair.
"Hermione's been working very hard to get the house-elves to relax a little and take some time off from duties around the castle," Harry explained.
"They've really taken to board games," she explained. "I started with the simple ones for children but it seemed like they might like something more complicated."
"On an unrelated note, house-elves have apparently added stakes to the games by putting up their chores," Harry said with a mischievous grin.
"Like the loser has to do more chores?" Dan asked with an understanding expression. "We used to do that on game nights."
"No, no. It's the opposite," the young man told him with a shake of his head. "The winner gets more chores."
Dan blinked as his understanding expression faded away. "I love those little guys but that is mad."
"They're absolutely hooked," Harry said.
"Wait," Emma asked slowly. "Are you saying Hermione gave the house-elves a gambling addiction?"
"I did not!" her daughter protested immediately.
"You kinda did," Harry told her.
"I did not!" Hermione protested more insistently.
Dan and Emma shared a look with Harry that said they clearly didn't believe her.
"So what did you give him this time?" Harry asked with a sly look. She looked away from him pointedly and refused to answer.
"Sorry and Monopoly," Dan answered for his daughter with a grin. "I'm curious to see what they make of Monopoly. It's a real estate based game so it's easy enough to add stakes to."
"You think so?"
"Sure. If the house rules say you can barter, I bet they do that too," Dan chuckled. "Not long before they're trading chores for railroads and utility companies."
"Monopoly sounds like a weird game."
"Have you never played?" Dan asked Harry curiously.
"My relatives weren't one for game nights," he said easily. They did actually have a collection of games but he was never allowed to play with them. Hermione, able to guess at his thoughts, shot him a look that spoke volumes about what she'd like to do to his relatives.
"Great game, we should play sometime," Dan said simply, already knowing enough about Harry's childhood to guess at why his daughter looked vengeful.
"No, we shouldn't," Emma said firmly. "That game tears families apart and makes enemies for life."
"It does?" Harry asked with wide eyes.
"When you play like Dad does?" Hermione asked. "Yes. The family counselor recommended we remove it from circulation during game nights. I should point out that we only had to see the counselor because of game nights."
"Merlin…"
"It's all in good fun though," Dan muttered peevishly.
"I think the Creevey's run a game night in the large parlor sometimes," Hermione said to Harry. "I'll write us in next time so you can try it."
"Write me in too," Dan whispered.
"Do not," Emma said sharply. She could obviously hear him fine as she was sitting right beside him. "I like the Creevey's and I'll not have you and your Monopoly madness turn them against us like you did the Stewarts."
Harry have Dan a wide-eyed look.
"What did you do?" he asked with a slightly slackened jaw.
"I won," Dan answered with a remorseless grin that slid off his face when his wife and daughter gave him angry twin glares.
"But at what cost, Daniel?" Emma huffed. "At what cost?!"
"At all costs," he grumbled very quietly in a petulant tone. "That's how you win, dammit."
"Sally Stewart was only nine years old," Emma scolded.
"Did he kill her or something?" Harry whisper-hissed to his friend.
"Only her spirit," Hermione muttered.
"To this day, she's still a very jaded, cynical little girl," Emma told him with a fretful expression.
"Bloody hell…"
"Don't worry about it, she deserved it," the younger brunette said with an uncharacteristically dark tone.
Harry gave both her and Daniel a look of quiet fear.
"Ahem," Emma cleared her throat. "Shall we start opening presents?" she asked.
"Yes," Hermione said excitedly as her eyes darted towards a particular present.
"Normally you're willing to wait for after breakfast," her mom teased. "What's different this year?"
"Nothing," Hermione said hurriedly. "It's just that we're going to breakfast after in the dining hall so. Nothing stopping us right?"
"It couldn't be this big box here, could it?" Dan asked as he lifted up a red-wrapped box with silver stars.
"Why, is that the one from a Mr. Ron Weasley?" Emma asked with fake ignorance.
Harry hid a grin as his friend began sporting a chagrined blush.
"I think it is," her dad said with a grin.
"Oh stop it," Hermione huffed. "Give me that!"
"I think we should offer our guest the first present," Emma said. "Manners, manners."
Harry laughed outright as his brunette friend let out a growl of frustration and made a grabbing movement towards the box her father moved out of her reach at the last minute.
"No, no," Harry chuckled. "Hermione can go first, it's fine by me."
"Well if you're sure," Dan hedged.
Harry didn't have the chance to reassure him because Hermione made a successful grab for the box. Her smug expression as she snatched it set off another round of laughter before her mom waved her on.
"Go on, open it."
"Okay, okay."
Hermione eagerly opened the box and looked at it with some confusion.
"What is it?" Harry asked curiously; he hadn't talked to Ron about what he was buying for his girlfriend though he had helped with Mrs. Weasley's gift.
"I'm not sure," she said with a confused look. "There's a booklet and a lot of leather pieces, it looks like. Oh and some weird tools?"
"What the hell did that boy get her?" Dan asked Emma offhandedly as his amused look began to fade. He gave the box a deeply suspicious look, wondering if he should preemptively confiscate it.
"Shush," his wife said as she watched their daughter dig around the wrapping paper.
"Oh wait, there's a note."
"Read it out," Dan said tersely.
"Dear Hermione," she began before trailing off with a light blush. A moment later (and a few hurriedly read-over lines she was not going to read to her parents) she began to read aloud again. "Oh, he says it's a book binding kit. He thought I could make books out of my notes from each year for each subject so I can study for NEWT's easier."
"So you can make your own books?" her mom clarified.
"Yes," Hermione said, looking very interested as she thumbed through the booklet.
"That is right up your alley," Dan admitted; that ginger boy seemed to understand his daughter well enough.
"It is very thoughtful," Hermione agreed, already rewriting her study plans in her mind to compensate for this new tool.
"You can play with your new toys after we finish opening everything, Hermione," her mom reminded with fond amusement.
"Right, after," she said as she shook her head.
"Here, Harry," Dan said as he took one of the presents from the pile. "You go next."
"Thanks," he grinned.
The next hour was a montage of happy smiles, thanks, and the messy decimation of tons of wrapping paper. Afterwards, Harry called his personal elf to move his presents back to his room and help clean up the mess a bit.
"Merry Christmas, Dobby," Harry said with a grin as he saw the hand-made glittery Christmas sweater and hat the elf was sporting.
"Merry Christmas, Master Harry Potter sir," Dobby said with visible excitement, practically bouncing. "The elves would likes to be saying they be loving their new Christmas gift!"
"I'm glad," he grinned. "Is it big enough for everyone?"
"Mippy be making a schedule," Dobby answered. "So everyone's can be working and playings and then playing and workings."
"That's sensible."
"What did you get them?" Dan asked curiously.
"Since Hermione's got them playing games, I figured they could use a designated game room," he answered. "So Maxwell helped me fix up the top floor of Xeno's old tower. Everyone else hates taking all the stairs to get up there anyways."
"The elves be really loving the pit of balls," Dobby said enthusiastically. "And we's be popping so lots of stairs is no problem!"
"You gave them a ball pit?" Dan clarified.
"Yeah and a climbing jungle. I figured they might like to play with more than board games," he explained.
"Good idea, Harry," Hermione smiled.
"Yeah, good idea," Dan agreed. "It might help with the gambling problem my daughter caused."
Hermione shot him a dirty look.
"Dobby be cleaning up this messy for the Grangeys," Dobby declared. "Breakfast feast is being done soon, it is."
"You're going to join us downstairs right?" Harry checked.
"Yes, Master Harry," Dobby said with a bounce. "All the elves is being very happy to attend breakfast. We's sits with all the little miss and misters."
The house-elves had taken a surprising liking to the children since the majority of them were muggle-raised and thus uniquely unprejudiced. Apparently, some of them just think of the elves as weird looking kids due to their similar sizes and often treat them as such.
"Okay, we'll see you there then Dobby," Harry smiled.
"I feel bad leaving him up here to clean up our mess," Emma fretted.
"Don't feel bad," Hermione said, surprising Harry. "He loves to help and he'll probably be done so fast he'll beat us downstairs."
She'd changed a lot when it came to elves as she got to understand them better. She still planned to champion their rights; whether or not they wanted freedom, they shouldn't be abused the way Dobby was by the Malfoy's.
"He definitely will since I think I'm going to go change into actual clothes before I go to breakfast," Harry agreed.
"That's a good idea," Dan said.
"We'll meet you down there?" Hermione asked.
"I'll save you a spot," he confirmed.
Harry went back to his room to put on a pair of slacks and the new Weasley sweater he was touched to receive. Hermione had also received a new light pink sweater with a gold H on it which she put on for breakfast.
The two members of the Golden Trio who remained on Firewall couldn't help but wonder how things were going a couple hundred miles away with the Weasley family in the Burrow…
…
"Arthur!" Molly called up the stairs as she took the sausages off of the stove. "Breakfast!"
She tried to sound cheery as she said it but it was hard waking up to an empty house. Normally by now there would be a stampede of hungry children barreling into the kitchen for Christmas kippers and presents.
Now though…Molly sighed heavily.
"Arthur!" she called again.
"Coming!" her husband called.
She heard a set of feet making their way down the steps heavily and nodded in satisfaction. Like her youngest son, her husband was slow to wake. With two plates balanced in her hands, she turned around just as the kitchen door swung open.
"Morning, mum," Ron said with a yawn as he slid nonchalantly into his usual spot.
Another set of feet on the stairs had her eyes turning towards the door with stunned confusion; they sounded too light to be her husband. Ginny bound into the room in her pajamas looking like it was any other normal Christmas day.
"Merry Christmas, mum," Ron said as he took in her soundlessly moving lips.
"Merry Christmas, Ron," she said mechanically.
"Merry Christmas!" Ginny echoed cheerily.
"Ginny," Molly managed to get out in a slightly strangled voice.
"Merry Christmas, Mollywobbles!" Arthur said cheerily as he entered the kitchen.
He stopped short when he saw the surprised expression on his wife's face. His own expression slowly shifted to match as he took in the sight of his two youngest children.
"Ron? Ginny?" he asked in confusion. "When did you get here?"
"It's Christmas," Ginny said with a look of innocent confusion. "Where else would we be?"
That seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back for Molly as she let out a great, shaky huff of air. They recognized it as a sound that normally preceded tears or screaming or both. Arthur had to rush over to take the plates from her hands as she swayed slightly in surprise.
"Is she okay?" Ginny asked in concern.
"I think she's just had a bit of a shock," her father answered in a tone that said he thought it should be obvious.
"Is that going to be enough for everyone?" Ron asked as he looked at the food.
Ginny rolled her eyes and their mother let out an even more incredulous, strangled noise somewhere deep in her throat.
"Merlin, Ronald," his sister huffed.
"What?" he asked defensively. "Mum makes the best Christmas breakfast."
"Did someone say Christmas breakfast?" a new set of voices interjected.
"I think someone did, Gred."
"Surely they wouldn't start Christmas breakfast without us, Forge."
The twins were wearing matching, pinstriped pajamas as they practically sashayed into the room.
"Merry Christmas, mum and dad!" they chorused together.
"And to you two twerps as well, we guess," Fred tacked on.
"Thanks," Ron said as he rolled his eyes.
"No need to worry, Forge," one of the twins said. "Doesn't look like they've started breakfast at all."
"Those two tiny plates probably wouldn't entirely feed Ron."
The twins banter seemed to be enough to shake Mrs. Weasley out of her trance as she swiftly turned on all of her children. Inwardly, Ron hoped they weren't laying on the 'feed me, feed me' routine too thickly. They just needed to keep her focused on things other than interrogating, scolding, or punishing them.
To their immense relief, they were drawn into huge hugs rather than facing a live-action howler. Painful, rib-crackingly tight hugs that felt more aggressive than cuddly but hugs nonetheless.
"Did I miss breakfast?" Percy asked as he poked his head into the room.
"I hope not," Penny could be heard from somewhere behind him. "Your mum does the best bubble and squeak."
"Percy, Penny?" Molly gasped before prying herself away from Ron.
Ron gasped as well but he was gasping for breath, his face currently as red as his hair from lack of air. Ginny didn't look much better as her hair had been mussed beyond belief by their mother's clenching fingers.
"Merry Christmas, mum," Percy said as he accepted her hug after a large, preemptive inhalation of air.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Penny said shyly.
"Oh come here, dear," Molly said as she drew the former Ravenclaw into a tight hug.
"What are all you children doing here?"
"Never mind that, Arthur," she said with a hint of panic. "We have to make breakfast for everyone."
"I'll go fetch some eggs from the coop," Ginny volunteered.
"I'll need a cabbage for the bubble and squeak as well."
"Can I help, mum?" Ron asked as he and his siblings shared covert looks.
"Peel these potatoes, dear, quick as you can," she answered as she began banging around various pots and pans.
"We'll set the table," the twins volunteered.
"We'll put the kettle on," Percy said as he handed the aforementioned kettle to his girlfriend while he busied himself with pulling out the tea, milk, and sugar.
"Yes, yes, you do that dear," Molly said. "Ginny, bring a coat. It's biting cold out!"
"Yes mum," she chimed as she shared a hidden smirk with Ron.
Yes, their plan was definitely working. She had to admit, Ron was smarter than she often gave him credit for.
While they were only postponing the haranguing that was definitely coming their way, their plan was still working. They'd have to face the music later but for now, most of the Weasleys were together for breakfast and in a couple hours, they would all be together for presents and Christmas dinner. Plus, the arrival of Charlie, Bill, and Fleur would buy them a couple more hours of peace and harmony.
"Yes," Ginny thought to herself as she hurried out to the chicken coop then to the warded, year-round vegetable garden. "This is a very good Christmas."
…
"Merry Christmas, Padfoot!" Harry said later that evening before dinner.
"Merry Christmas, pup!" Sirius said cheerily. "Did you get the present from Remus and I?"
"I doubt a temperature controlled flask had the Remus seal of approval," Harry laughed.
"No, the book was from Remus," the former prisoner said with a roll of his eyes. "Nerd."
"At least I'm educated, mutt," Harry heard from offside the mirror.
"Merry Christmas, Remus!" he called.
"Merry Christmas, Harry," Remus said as he came into view beside Sirius. "How are your holidays?"
"They've been good. Are you getting the news?"
"I cancelled my Prophet subscription; constant owls wouldn't be welcomed here," Remus answered.
"We get our updates through the journal; that Colin boy is more informative than most of the papers," Sirius said.
"You're not wrong about that."
"He's definitely got a future in the media," Remus said.
"How are things there? Are you celebrating Christmas?"
"They celebrate Yule here," Remus answered. "We were welcomed to the bonfire last night and to the breakfast meal today. There's not much of a gift exchange though."
"It's still more festive than any of my Christmases growing up," Sirius pitched in. "So it's far from my worst Christmas."
"Any news?" Harry asked curiously.
"Sort of," Remus answered with a sigh. "I think they're testing us."
"How do you mean?"
"They need another moon to deliberate."
"Oh so you'll be back for New Year's?" Harry asked excitedly.
"Not quite," Sirius said with a hint of disappointment.
"They want us to wait here for that month and spend the full moon with them," Remus answered. "Afterwards, they'll give us their answer."
"Sounds like they're testing your patience," Harry said. "And trying to get a better read on you, maybe."
"I thought so too," Remus said. But their neutrality or alliance is worth that much."
"So you're both gonna stay?"
"Correct," Remus agreed.
"You don't mind staying up there for another month, do you?" Harry double checked. "If you want to come back, you should."
"No, this is important," Remus said with a shake of his head.
"And we're well-fed and pretty comfortable," Sirius said. "I'm even trying to make friends."
The widening eyes of Remus and dramatic facial expressions behind Sirius' back clued Harry in to exactly how well that was going. His resulting laughter gave Remus away and started a playful fight between the Marauders.
"Okay, okay," Harry laughed as he watched the disjointed scene through a thoroughly jostled mirror. "I'm starting to get motion sick over here."
"Sorry," Remus said sheepishly as he straightened the mirror.
"What are you all dressed up for?" Sirius asked once he straightened his precious hair, glaring at Remus for daring to muss it.
Harry was wearing one of his nicer robes over his Weasley sweater and had even slicked up his hair a little.
"I'm going to crash dinner at the Burrow," he admitted.
"Really?"
"Ron thinks it'll make Mrs. Weasley happy and they do always say I'm welcome," he shrugged.
"Molly thinks of you like a son so I'm sure you'll be welcome," Remus agreed.
"I'm pretty sure Ron and Ginny are just trying to postpone their own tongue lashing."
"That sounds likely," Sirius snorted. "I don't blame them — the vocal range on that woman is impressive."
"We'll let you go to dinner then, Harry," Remus said. "We'll update you if we hear anything else."
"Alright," Harry said with a nod. "Merry Christmas! Good luck with Sirius, Remus."
"Merry Christmas," Remus said with a smile. "And thanks — I'll do my best to keep him in line."
"Merry Christmas, pup," Sirius said with a grin. "Love you!" He then turned to Remus to smack him one for saying he'd keep him in line like Sirius was some sort of wayward child.
"You are a wayward child!" Remus huffed when Sirius said as much.
"I resent that!"
"You mean you resemble that, I think."
"That's slander!"
That was the last thing Harry heard as the mirror cut out and the image faded. The smile on Harry's face didn't fade, however, as he absorbed Sirius' farewell. He's not sure he'd ever heard those words from his godfather before even if he obviously knew they were true.
"Love you too," he said to himself.
He was still smiling as he went over to answer the knock on the door to his rooms.
"Hey, Hermione," he greeted.
"Hey," she returned. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah," he answered. "Let me just grab the gifts."
"I thought you already sent a present with Ron," she said in confusion.
"Yeah but I found a couple muggle things for Mr. Weasley," he said. "And some muggle kitchen stuff I thought Mrs. Weasley might like."
"You're trying to butter them up, aren't you?" she asked perceptively.
"Maybe."
She let out a small laugh before shaking her head.
"Let's go," she said lightly.
"Hey, don't act like you're not trying either. You're wearing your Weasley sweater, aren't you?"
"This is the first one I've gotten," she said a touch defensively. It had been something of a sore point seeing as Harry got one every year since they were 11 but she had tried not to take it personally because she knew Mrs. Weasley had done it because of Harry's poor family situation. "I want to make sure she knows I appreciate it."
"You sure you're not trying to butter up your future mother-in-law?" Harry asked skeptically.
"Shut up, Harry," she said, turning a little red.
"Uh huh."
"Let's go," she said again as he spun around.
"Alright, alright," he laughed as he grabbed the bag of presents he'd prepared earlier. "I'm right behind you."
…
The Burrow looked the same as it ever did the Harry's eyes. The Christmas tree visible in the window was the only difference.
"Why do you look nervous?" Harry asked Hermione.
"I don't know," she said anxiously as she picked at her sweater.
"You'll unravel it before we get inside at the rate you're going," he pointed out.
"You're right," she grimaced. "I just hope she's not upset that we're crashing Christmas dinner."
"Ginny sent a patronus an hour ago that said there's definitely more than enough food," Harry reminded Hermione.
"I'm not worried about the food."
"Well not having enough for everyone would be the only thing to upset Mrs. Weasley. They apparently really wound her up about breakfast but seems like we're clear for dinner so," Harry shrugged. "Let's go."
Hermione let him lead her up the winding path to the Burrow until they were both stopped in front of the door.
"You want to knock?" Harry asked, stalling for time.
"Now who's nervous?"
"Right," he said, taking a deep breath. Then he knocked.
There was an immediate clamor from inside and what sounded like a dog barking.
"Did they get a dog?" Hermione asked Harry in confusion.
"I don't think so," he said slowly. "Though I guess a cute puppy might've softened Mrs. Weasley up as well."
"That does not sound like a puppy," Hermione frowned.
"Fred! George! You cut that racket out this instant!" they heard from right behind the door.
On cue, the barking noise disappeared.
"That explains it," Hermione laughed.
The door swung open and Harry put on his best grin as he took in the sight of a festive, slightly flour-covered Mrs. Weasley.
"Happy Christmas Mrs. Weasley!" he said loudly.
"Merry Christmas," Hermione said, smiling nervously.
"Harry, Hermione," she said in surprise before moving out of the doorway quickly. "Come inside, hurry now. Get in out of the cold, dears."
"We're sorry to intrude," Hermione began.
"Nonsense," Molly cut her off immediately.
"Harry, Hermione," Arthur said with a wide grin. "Everyone's welcome on Christmas!"
"And you two are welcome anytime," Molly added. Some tension fell out of Hermione's shoulders at that.
"Harry! Mione!" Ron called out in excitement. "You're here!"
"Hey, Ron."
There was a long round of extra-tight hugs before their cloaks were swept off their shoulders and their Weasley sweaters were admired all around.
"Don't tell me you two have brought more presents," Molly said with a hand on her hip. The pose drew attention to the gold bracelet adorning her wrist. It was covered with numerous tiny dangly charms.
"Just a couple things," Harry promised. "I'd already bought your gifts when I saw a few small things in the muggle world that made me think of you both."
"He's sucking up, he is," Fred called from the couch.
"Yeah," George agreed. "Where's our extra gifts?"
Arthur took the bag happily after hearing that, extreme curiosity on his face.
"Can I-" he began, looking at his wife eagerly.
"Go ahead," she said with a light chuckle.
Harry could see that stress had taken its toll on the Weasley matriarch. There were bags under her eyes and she looked thinner than she had before. Today had clearly done her well, however, as she had been smiling the entire time Harry had seen her.
"This one's for you," he said as he handed her the box.
"Why don't we all sit?" she suggested. "Dinner's not for a few minutes yet and everything's under warming charms anyhow."
Ron immediately made room for Hermione in his oversized chair, easily fitting the two of them.
"Hey," he whispered to her with a soft smile.
"Hey," she returned, settling into her seat.
That was all either of them needed to say; they'd seen each other the day before but he had missed her this morning and all throughout the day. He'd been wishing she was there as he played some of their traditional Weasley Christmas games.
Harry took a seat across from them and politely greeted everyone. As far as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley knew, he didn't see Charlie, Bill, Percy, Fleur, or Penny that often.
"Merry Christmas, everyone."
Mr. Weasley had already torn into his box as he was walking towards his seat and was now oo'ing and aw'ing over a quite odd metal pot.
"Is this a pot? Or maybe a bucket?" the older redhead asked as he tried to figure out the use of the wooden handle and attached lid. He grabbed a package of what seemed to be regular corn and examined it closely, holding it up next to the pot as if it might clarify things. "Is this some sort of gardening tool?"
"No, Mr. Weasley," Harry answered with some amusement. "It's a whirley pop machine."
"Whirley pop?" he repeated, easily getting the nonsensical name right.
"It's for popping corn, Mr. Weasley," Hermione answered easily.
"Ohh," he said immediately.
"There's an instruction manual," Harry said. "You'll have to put the pot on the stove and add some of the stuff from the kit but you'll be able to make popcorn for everyone, muggle-style."
"This is amazing," Arthur said with bright eyes. "Thank you, Harry."
"Maybe you should read the manual too, Mrs. Weasley?" Harry tried to suggest lightly. "It's pretty much a recipe, after all."
"Don't worry," Molly said with a small smile. "I will."
"Open yours, dearest," Arthur prompted as he scooted closer to look curiously.
"Oh, alright then."
She opened her present without much ado, pulling out a few different items with a little confusion.
"What's this?" she asked curious, holding up a butter knife with little holes in it.
"It's a butter knife," Harry answered. "The holes are to help spread butter better when it's still cold or really just in general."
"They keep their butter cold?" Arthur asked curiously.
"Most people do, I think."
Harry supposed a lot of things in the wizarding world were just kept under stasis charms unless they were meant to be enjoyed cold like ice cream.
"Those are whisks and some heat-resistant spatulas," he said as she pulled out a few items. "You can probably use a spell to make them work automatically easy enough."
"Thank you, Harry, this is very thoughtful," Molly said genuinely.
The whisk would probably be nicer for large batches of eggs than her trusty enlarged fork. And he was right about easily spelling them to do their tasks.
"And that's a French Press coffee maker," Hermione said as she pulled the last device out.
"You add a scoop of the coffee grinds from the black and gold bag in that box," Harry explained. "Then you add hot water up to the line and stir. After four minutes, you press the top down and then you can pour."
"How interesting," Arthur said as he looked at the complex metal pieces inside the clear, tall teapot like device.
They spent a few more minutes socializing and showing off some of their gifts before Mrs. Weasley shepherded them into the kitchen.
"Come on now, everyone," she urged. "The food's done."
"Coming, mum," Charlie said as he came back downstairs from the bathroom.
"It smells amazing in here," Bill complimented.
"Like always," Ron said dreamily as he looked at the food piled up on the table.
"Are we expecting more people, Mrs. Weasley?" Harry asked jokingly.
"Oh I hope not," she fretted. "I'm not sure I'd have enough dessert for everyone."
That made everyone laugh.
"I'm sure that won't be a problem," Arthur said with a fond laugh.
"Wait, there's dessert too?" Fleur tried to ask in quiet incredulity.
Everyone could still hear her, however, and that set off another round of laughter as they all took their seats.
"Thank you for having us, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said before starting to serve himself.
"Yes, thank you," Hermione agreed. "I know we were unexpected."
"Like I said, you're always welcome here," Molly said surely. "Now, who wants ham and who wants lamb?"
"I want both!" Ron said immediately.
"Of course you do," Percy remarked with a shake of his head. "Of course you do."
That set off another round of laughter and grins.
"What?" he asked. "I can't be expected to pick between them, can I?"
He looked around for an answer before beginning to look a little horrified.
"I don't have to pick between them, do I?" he asked with fear in his voice that set everyone off again.
Mrs. Weasley gave him a double portion that brought a grin to his face.
"Thanks, mum," he said around his first mouthful of mash.
She looked around the room with a warm smile. All of her children were under her roof again, even the children she'd adopted into her heart rather than birthed. Today had been a wonderful day.
That night, the Burrow was full of happy stomachs and good cheer.
…
"I'm not sure how we escaped," Harry gasped as they landed in the foyer of the medical wing.
"You triggered your emergency portkey?" Hermione asked once she gained her bearings and looked around.
"What else was I supposed to do?" he asked, looking at her as if incredulous that she disagreed with his decision.
"No, no, you made the right call."
"Damn right I did."
"You act like we were almost involved in a hostage situation."
"We bloody well almost were!" he insisted. "I love Mrs. Weasley but she almost cracked my ribs with that goodbye hug."
Hermione hid a wince at that, shifting her shoulder slightly. Her torso felt a little bruised already and she just heard something creak around her collarbones so he wasn't wrong about that.
"And I have never seen someone pack a box of to-go pudding and tart so angrily while interrogating and scolding pretty much everyone except Bill, Charlie, and Fleur."
"I think Fleur actually won some points with Mrs. Weasley today just by not being part of the problem," Hermione laughed a little. "I bet Percy regrets being part of the breakfast crew, eh?"
"Oh for sure," Harry said. "I don't think they realized she'd connect the dots on him being in contact with Ron and Ginny, which is apparently the equivalent of aiding and abetting fugitives."
"Underestimated their own mother," Hermione shook her head with a tsk'ing noise. "That woman raised Fred and George for God's sake."
"Right?" Harry agreed with a rueful twist of his lips. "I almost feel bad by how betrayed they looked as we left."
"I think Ron was more upset that you got the last bit of pudding."
"Yeah, Mrs. Weasley looked pretty upset when he said that out loud though."
"Yeah," Hermione said, trying not to laugh for her boyfriends sake even though he wasn't there to see it. "There's no way Ron and Ginny are getting out of there before Hogwarts starts back up."
"Oh definitely not," he agreed immediately. "We'll be lucky if we see them on the train."
"We'll be lucky if we see them on the train for seventh year," she snorted.
"Lucky Mrs. Weasley had to let you go when you said your parents were waiting for you."
"Yeah," she said. "Though I'm not sure she believed your excuse that they were also waiting for you."
"Seemed reasonable to me."
"You sounded pitchy."
"That's because I could barely breathe, woman."
"Oh, right."
"I promised my parents I'd join them for a bit of tea and cake before it gets too much later," Hermione said. "They had dinner with my aunt but they're probably back by now."
"Alright," Harry agreed. "I hear something happening in the great room so I'm gonna go check it out."
"I think Drew and Lucas are trying out a few things from the gift box they got from the twins."
"Oo, I should bring mine too."
"Just try not to bring the castle down."
"No promises," he joked.
"Merry Christmas, Hermione."
"Merry Christmas," she said, kissing him on the cheek before heading upstairs.
Harry heard a loud bang that had his ears perking up. He definitely wanted to know what was going on in there; it sounded fun. He was sure his godfather would agree that there's no better way to end Christmas than with a little mischief.