Chapter 16— Deck the Halls, Or the Brother.


"We’re being stared at again," Ginny said spooning up a bit more ice cream. She and Harry had decided to have dessert in a small, warm café.  They got seats by the window so they could watch the passersby on the street.

“Well,” Harry rested his elbows on the table and smiled fondly at her. “I wonder how many of these Muggles have seen robes.  We’re also decidedly not French.”

“But this is Paris,” Ginny pointed out. “Aren't they used to foreigners?”

"Not really stunning ones.” Harry plucked his cherry off the top of his ice cream and deposited it in Ginny’s bowl. 

“You’re barely touching your ice cream, Harry.” 

“Guilt. Florean would be mad at us for getting ice cream anywhere but his shop.”

“Can we ask them if they have Owl Pellet Crunch?” Ginny asked innocently. “Or maybe some Leapfrog Lime for Chloe?”

“And here you were just commenting on how people were staring at us,” Harry said reaching across the table and taking her hand. “You’re just a troublemaker at heart. Typical Weasley.”

“Speaking of Weasleys, I hear you’re going to have a whole lot of them at your house, oh, I’d say around December 25^th.”

“Yes, Christmas is at Havenwood,” Harry confirmed.  “I can finally have you all at my house for a change.”

“Chloe is going to have a ball.  Her very first Christmas with the new family. I’m sure you’re just as excited.”

Harry fished through his robes, Sickles and Knuts falling out before pulling out a few Muggle notes. The waiter came over and investigated the notes with a frown.

“No,” he said shaking his head.

Ginny was puzzled. “Isn’t that Muggle money?” she whispered.

Harry seemed to remember what the problem was and whispered back. “Muggles insist on having different types of money for their countries.”

The waiter watched this conversation with the utmost suspicion and glared at Harry.

“Watch,” Harry said holding up a twenty-pound note. He folded it twice and then opened his fist to reveal the money in the correct currency.  “Tada,” Harry said playfully.

The waiter applauded. “Un magicien!” he exclaimed, quite delighted. 

Ginny was biting her lower lip to hold in the laughter.  Harry nodded at the waiter indulgently. “Yes, a magician. You just don’t know how correct you are. Are you ready, Gin?”

She nodded and waited until the waiter was out of earshot. “And here you were commenting how I was the troublemaker. I’m sure your little magic trick isn’t exactly legal. Transfiguration right in front of a Muggle.”

“I only break the law to entertain,” Harry said, defending himself with a smile.  He draped her cloak over her shoulders and kissed her cheek.  “You’re lucky he didn’t want me to saw you in half. ”

“Saw me in half!” Ginny was horrified. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a Muggle thing,” Harry said drawing her into an embrace when they were outside.  “I don’t think I could do it anyway.”

“Why?” asked Ginny as she lavished his lips with small light kisses.

“Because I love you, of course,” Harry said simply. “Isn’t it obvious?” 

“Yes,” Ginny said hugging him tightly. “It is obvious. And I love you too, Harry.”

~*~

Harry upset his coffee cup and it quickly flooded the table.

Ron leapt from his seat before the coffee could spill over on him,
"Clumsy git," Ron laughed.

Harry, who was really hoping to avoid coffee-scented robes for the rest
of the day, had scrambled up also. He furtively tried to clean up the
mess by waving a quick hand over it.

A waitress bustled over and smiled brightly at him, "Don't worry about
it, Mr. Potter," she said cheerfully pulling out her wand.

"I'm sorry," said Harry still trying to help her.

"No problem, Mr. Potter," she said finishing up and indicating them to
sit down again, "I'll be right back with a new cup of coffee."

"So, how come I have to help you Christmas shop?" asked Ron.

"Because you don't like to shop, and I don't like to shop, therefore
we'll get done twice as fast."

"You never did well in mathematics, did you?" sighed Ron.

"I was too busy saving the world," replied Harry sardonically. “Very time-consuming.”

“Smart aleck.”

“I want to get Ginny something really special,” Harry said thoughtfully. “Any ideas? I just can’t think of anything.”

“Well, you spend enough time with her, you should know. She’s always at Havenwood,” Ron said shrugging. 

Harry noticed Ron’s tone sounded a bit tetchy. “What’s wrong with her spending time at my house? Weren’t you worried about her just a few weeks ago?”

“I don’t think she’s in any condition for a fling,” Ron said crossly. “I don’t know if you noticed, but the latest woman to throw herself at your feet actually car—“

Taken aback, Harry wasn’t quite sure what to say. “What?” 

"You heard me," said Ron crumbling his biscuit.

“Loud and clear,” Harry said irritably. “Apparently you’re just a little bothered by this.”

“Just a teeny bit, Harry.” Ron’s voice was surprisingly controlled for the look he was giving Harry. “I’m drawing the line at my family.”

“I haven’t done anything to your sister to hurt her!” Harry exclaimed, not believing his own ears. Was Ron his best friend or not?!

"You mean anything besides getting her into bed," spat Ron.

"What?!" Harry fought to keep his voice down; this was definitely wavering on the verge of becoming an enormous scene.  “You just crossed your own line there!”

"You think that the entire family doesn't see it?”

"See what? See that I care about her?"

"I thought someone like you would have consideration enough to realize
what he was getting into! You parade on back into Ginny's life...sweep
her off her feet...make her fall in love with you, and you think you'll
be able to make a clean break for it now? Planning to toss my sister
to the curb? I'm not going to sit around and watch this happen!".

"Make Ginny fall in love with me?" said Harry sarcastically, "Oh yes, I
had it all planned out! Why don’t we just count all the people’s hearts I’ve broken? Come on Ron, get real!"

"That's right. We all saw right through that, with the flowers...the
ball...using your fortune to win her over!" Ron slammed his hand on the table angrily.

People were beginning to look over at them, murmuring and pointing. 

"That's not true!" shouted Harry.

Ron drew himself up from the table, "You know...I thought the family
meant more to you than this, Harry!"

He had done it. He had played his last card. The insult that he knew
would infuriate Harry. "You don't understand!"

"The hell if I don't!" Ron shouted back.

"If you would shut up for five bloody seconds I could explain!"

"There's nothing to explain!"

"I haven't slept with your sister! Not that it’s any of your business! I was under the assumption I was dating Ginny, not Ginny and you.”

"Haven’t slept with her yet."

"Would you grow up?”

"Come on, Harry, this charade isn't fooling me!"

"Fine!” Harry shouted. “That’s fine. But how’s this little piece of information, you prat, I love her!” 

Ron threw some money on the table and stalked out of the coffee shop. 

~*~

(Coble’s Cove—Sirius’ House)
 

”I have a lunch meeting,” Percy said impatiently glancing at his watch. “Can we kindly get on with whatever we came here to discuss?”

“We were about to discuss what to do about Harry and Ron, and you’ve got twenty minutes to spare,” said Bill narrowing his eyes. “Sit down. Family first. Hermione is really upset about this.”

“If they don’t get this resolved by Christmas, Mum is going to be in fits,” Charlie said shaking his head.

“Let’s review, for my sake anyway,” Sirius said taking a seat. “Harry is mad at Ron because Ron overreacted in—“

“And made a complete public spectacle of themselves,” Percy interrupted.

“Ron’s mad at Harry because, well, I guess he’s not really used to the idea of Harry and Ginny,” Sirius continued, not listening to Percy’s comment.

“I don’t think they’re really all that angry with each other, just being stubborn gits,” Charlie said, playing with the hole worn in the knee of his trousers. 

"I agree with Charlie,” Bill nodded, “and we aren’t going to let them spoil Christmas. Especially for the kids.”

“Well we'd better do something,” George said huffily. “I'm sick of Ron moping around. It's like someone's died. He came in the joke shop for some Christmas gifts and he didn't even FLINCH when Fred and I dropped the new Acromantula model on him from the ceiling."

Fred looked very put out. "Talk about a disappointing reaction. We put it up especially for him."

"I don’t think dropping a giant spider on your brother is going to help things," Sirius replied with a grin.

"They weren’t trying to help, they were trying to knock some sense into that thick skull of his," Charlie said helpfully.

"We didn't even get a flinch, a twitch, or girlish scream.” George did look quite dejected.

"I just don't see what the big deal is," said Bill. "I, for one, like
the idea that Harry and Ginny are a couple. It’s about time, actually.”

"Not to mention how happy Harry has been. He's finally able to have a
somewhat normal life.”

"Besides, Harry is probably the best brother-in-law we could get...
Neville was a great bloke, don't get me wrong, he was very...ah... What's the word?" said Fred.

"Timid," laughed Charlie, "I'll never forget the time we talked him into playing the annual Weasley Quidditch match. Poor fellow."

"Screamed like a banshee when that Bludger hit him, and he fell off
his broom," said George. “Had to pull him out of the creeping tendril bush, didn’t you, Bill?”

"Aaaaaaaayiiiieeeeeeeeeee," screamed Fred in imitation.

The boys roared with laughter.

"Righto," said George, "Harry's a great chap. Good at Quidditch too. I
think he and Ginny are great!"

They all grunted in agreement.

"So how are you going to convince his best friend of this?" asked Sirius.

"Beat it into him," said Charlie with a smile, looking up from under strands of hair that had flopped into his blue eyes. 

"Please tell me you’re joking.” For a moment, Sirius had a very mischievous gleam to his eye, but then he remembered to chide Charlie. 

"Now, now, Dad and Mum wouldn't approve of us ganging up on Ron," said
Percy, waving his hands like a referee.

"That's why we aren't going to tell them, Percy," said George with a snort, "And unlike you, we don't tell Mum every little thing we do."

"Enough," interrupted Bill with the usual authority of oldest brother,
"Percy's right. We just want him to see that it isn't so bad that Harry and Ginny are an item. So we'll chat with him for a bit."

"And when that doesn't work?" asked Fred crossing his arms.

Bill gave them a smooth look, "Then we'll smack him!" 

~*~

The genuine 1871 sketch of an early Quaffle fell from the wall in Ron’s office, and he heard the glass break in the frame with a loud crack. 

Ginny seemed rather peeved about something, as she saw fit to slam his door in such a fashion.

“You!” she growled, pointing right at Ron.  Her cheeks were so red, that Ron was suspicious that she might start breathing fire.

“Hi, Gin,” Ron said testing the waters with a nice reply. “Got a little vigorous with the door, eh?” 

“How dare you!”

Ron was thankful most of the office had gone out for lunch today.  If she kept that volume, she’d cause a Banshee to go deaf. 

“Gin?”

She strode across the room, her eyes narrowing into slits.  “Don’t you Gin me! You better start explaining right now, Ronald Weasley, or I’m going to curse you through the window!”

Oh, oh. He bet Harry had gone crying to her, and she was here to defend his honor. Probably best to play dumb. “What in the world are you going on about?!” he exclaimed. 

Ginny slammed a Daily Prophet on his desk.  “Don’t you dare play dumb with me!”

Ron glanced down at the paper. “What?”

Ginny made a frightening lunge for the letter opener on his desk, and Ron slammed it in the drawer just in time.  “Ginny! Simmer down! Have you lost it? You just can’t come in here and destroy my office!”

“Oh, REALLY?!” Ginny screeched. “But you can just come on in and destroy my relationship with Harry?!”

Ron glanced over the article. “Fist fight? What fist fight?”

“I don’t care what they exaggerated!” Ginny exclaimed. “You'd better apologize to Harry or I’ll….”

“I have nothing to say to Harry,” Ron crossed his arms.

“What is wrong with you?” Ginny shouted. “He’s your best friend! It’s none of your business to tell him who he can and cannot date. And you REALLY have no business telling me who I can see.”

“I’m looking out for your best interests!”

“Your interests, definitely, not mine and Harry’s!” Ginny shouted. 

“Ginny, I just have a bad feeling about the whole thing…really…if you two would just slow down and look things ov—“

“Ron! Would you grow up! I can take care of myself!”

“I’m not apologizing to Harry, what I said needed to be said!”

Ginny turned bright red and clenched her fists. “Fine! I’ll say what I need to say then!” she shouted. “Get your nose out of my business! It is none of your concern WHAT Harry Potter and I do!” 

“You’re my sister, I have plenty of say,” Ron bellowed. “You’re only doing this to get over Neville.”

Oh.  That had been the wrong thing to say because Ginny fell dangerously silent. 

“Ron,” she said in a very flat controlled voice, “if you ever say such a thing to me again, I will never speak to you as long as I live.” 

“You’re getting too worked up over this, Ginny!  Would you please get a clear head about things!”

“I NEED A CLEAR HEAD?!” Ginny shrieked, pointing at the article on the table. “I speak for Harry and myself when I say, SOD OFF!!”

She snatched his Chudley Cannons paperweight and launched it at the wall, shoved off all his papers and work and even managed to kick the desk, before storming out of the office and slamming the door yet again. 

Ron grit his teeth as his paperweight shattered against the wall.  One thing was for sure, Ginny hadn’t been that explosive since before Neville died. 

~*~

 

 

---

Chapter 17-  A Caroling, Chaotic, Confrontational, but Cheery Christmas.

(Christmas Eve)

"What about the reindeer?" asked Chloe, as she arranged the cookies on
the plate.

"What about them?" asked Harry, placing a glass of milk next to the
plate.

"Won't they be hungry?"

"Father Christmas feeds them before they leave," he explained.

Chloe looked horrified and gave Harry a disdained look. "That is NOT
fair, Daddy!"

"What?" he said, a little shocked at her outburst.

"They have to fly with ALL those presents around the world. Father Christmas gets
treats at the houses and they get stuck waiting outside in the snow!" exclaimed
Chloe, sincerely concerned for the mistreated reindeer.

Harry was faintly reminded of Hermione's attempt to fight for the house
elves. Not another one! Chloe should have a chat with her about starting a Reindeer Liberation Front. He grinned as he ran a few prospective acronyms for the organization in his mind.

R.A.L.F. Reindeer Awareness Liberation Front.  Harry almost laughed outloud. An acronym sounding like Ralph was almost as funny sounding as S.P.E.W.. 

"Daddy! Why are you smiling? The poor reindeer!"

"Uh, sorry, Angel," said Harry, coming back down to earth and working on a sympathetic look.  It wasn’t working….

"Do reindeer like peanut butter?"

"I've heard they especially like peanut butter.”

Chloe looked satisfied with that response. "We can leave peanut butter on apples for them. And a pail of milk."

"A pail? Of milk? Wouldn't they prefer water?" he asked hoping to sway her opinion.

"Don't be silly, Daddy! You never have water with peanut butter!" She laughed and tugged on his robe sleeve. 

“Who is going to make these apple peanut butter… things?"

"We are!" Chloe cried, elated.

Harry imagined the reaction from the house elves when they strolled into the kitchen again. He and Chloe had made the cookies themselves earlier today and he was quite sure he would be taking another bath today if this was anything like the cookie incident.

~*~

"Tell me again, Daddy!" said Chloe pleaded.

"You must like this story an awful lot," said Harry, stretching his legs
out onto the coffee table.

"Please?" begged Chloe making big eyes at Harry.

"Pretty please?" Another voice chimed into the conversation.

"Ms. Ginny!" cried Chloe, jumping off the couch to greet her.

"Hi, Gin," said Harry, standing up also, "this is a very pleasant surprise."

Ginny looked up and smiled at him after she had hugged Chloe.

"May I take your coat?"

"Sure," said Ginny unwrapping her bright blue scarf and letting him help her out of her matching coat, spotted with snowflakes. Harry kissed her cheek lightly and walked off with the coat.

"So, ahem. What have you and your daddy been doing today?" said Ginny, hoping to cease the giggles coming from Chloe.

"We baked cookies! We also made reindeer treats," informed Chloe, pointing to the plates on the table.

"Yes, the house elves were a little surprised to see us in a Christmas baking spirit. They were a little...taken aback with our version of holiday baking," added Harry, shouting from the coat closet.

Ginny laughed. "You two made cookies? I'm sure Father Christmas will really appreciate it."

"That's what I said!" cried Chloe.

"Why don't you have a seat Ginny?" offered Harry, as he sat back down on
the couch.

"Well, I just stopped by for a short visit," smiled Ginny, "but..."

"But, sit down and hear the rest of the story with us," finished Harry.

"What's the story about?" asked Ginny as she sat on the other side of Harry.

"The beginning," Chloe said promptly, crawling into his lap.

"All right then, one last time. You have to go to sleep after this one, okay?"

"If I go to bed earlier, will Christmas be here sooner?"

"Yes," said Ginny. 

"Are you going to bed early today too?" asked Chloe curiously.

Ginny saw Harry grin for a fraction of a second. She flushed slightly under his gaze. "Yes. I have to go home and make sure the Christmas tree lights work."

Harry cleared his throat and concealed another broad grin. "Now, where do we begin, Chloe?"

"The part that says Father Christmas is really a wizard!" Chloe said with glee. She then
immediately fell quiet, eager to hear the next part.

"Right," laughed Harry. "He is really a wizard. The Muggles believe that he is a little magical, but they don't really know what he is. That's why he can visit the Muggle children too. "

"Tell the best part, Daddy!" piped up Chloe again.

"Best part? I'm afraid I don't remember which part you like best….”

"The chim-man-ney!"

"Chimney," said Ginny unconsciously correcting her.

Harry squinted for a moment, remembering. “When he climbs out of his sleigh onto the roof, he takes out two things. Remember what they are?"

"The toys are in one bag!" said Chloe. “And Floo powder in the other!”

"Right, then he…." Harry stopped. “Then he—hmm-- I don't remember. What's the next part, Ginny?"

Chloe looked quickly at Ginny. "Do you remember, Ms. Ginny?"

Ginny couldn't say no to Chloe’s pleading eyes. "Then he takes a big pinch of Floo powder and tosses it down the chimney to cool the fire, like any respectable wizard."

"Why doesn't he get taken somewhere else by the Floo powder like we do?" asked Chloe.

"Because, most of the houses he visits are Muggle houses and they aren't connected to the Floo network. Plus, for him to go anywhere, he would have to yell out a destination. Father Christmas is always very quiet, so he just uses the Floo powder to cool the flames," explained Ginny.

"Oooh," said Chloe. She looked over at their fireplace for maybe a glimpse of some boots hanging out of it. "Then what?"

"Then he takes out his wand and puts a shrinking spell on himself and hops right down the chimney!"

"Then what happens, Harry?"

"He goes back to his normal size and says another spell, which is—“

"Lumos!" cried Chloe.

Harry nodded. "Yes! He lights his wand so he can see in the dark houses. Then he creeps over to the Christmas tree, and he--"

"Leaves presents!" Chloe cheered.

"Then what?" asked Harry.

"He finds the most comfy chair and has milk and cookies! Right?" said Chloe.

"Absolutely right. Then after he's full from all those cookies, he waddles back to the fireplace. But, he's too fat to climb back up, and he can't climb up a chimney if he makes himself small again. So what does he do?"

"Apparates to the roof!"

"Do you remember why he doesn't just Apparate into the house? Wouldn't that be easier than going down the chimney?"

Chloe giggled. "Because the Muggles made up that silly story about the chimney. They don't know about Apparating, so he has to fool them when he comes down in their house. They don't know that Father Christmas really is a wizard!"

"Perfect," praised Harry.

"Very nice story," added Ginny.

Harry stood up and stretched. "Now it's time for bed for all the little girls and stuffed dragons who are wanting Father Christmas to pay a visit tonight."

"Goodnight, Ms. Ginny!" said Chloe hugging her and holding Norbert out for Ginny to pat. 

"Can we really get up as early as I like tomorrow?" said Chloe following Harry up the stairs to tuck her in.

"Within reasonable hours, yes," commented Harry, rumpling her hair.

"What's reasonable hours, Daddy?" interrogated Chloe as they turned at the first landing on the stairs, and continued up.

~*~

Ginny didn't get to hear the rest of the conversation because they had headed up the stairs and out of earshot. She casually flipped through a photo album and about ten minutes later Harry jogged back down the stairs.

Ginny set the album back down. "Is she asleep?"

"Are you kidding? Would you be if you were five and it was Christmas Eve?" laughed Harry.

"Probably not, " she admitted. "So, where did you hear the wizard version of Father Christmas?”

"I read it somewhere, I reckoned it would be a good thing to tell, since the Dursleys never seemed to tell me anything along the lines of him bringing things for me."

"I'm sorry. That must have really been awful as a kid growing up with them."

"Well, I did like Christmas. I could usually play with whatever Dudley would break and forget about.”

Ginny shook her head sadly. "Well, you have all sorts of Christmas’ left to make up for all of that."

He sat down next to her and took her hand. "This one is already making up for half of them," he said.

"It is nice," she commented laying her head on his shoulder. "This one seems happier for everyone."

Harry put his arm around her and dimmed the lights all except for the Christmas tree. Less than two months ago, he had seen her standing in his foyer practically running back home, and now the same place but different time, she was here with him….

"What would you like Father Christmas to bring you?" he asked as he closed his eyes lazily.

Ginny seemed to think this over for a while and was quiet. Finally she replied, "I don't think I really know."

"No sled?" said Harry in mock amazement.

"No!" she laughed.

"You aren't going to get all philosophical on this question are you, Gin?"

"Fine. You tell me what you want for Christmas then."

Harry looked down at her beautiful brown eyes, and felt his heart give a leap in his chest. "I want a bigger Christmas tree than Dudley," he said, his face completely deadpan.

Ginny looked over at the towering fir in the living room, then back at Harry, grinning. "I think you got your Christmas wish then."

Harry looked very proud of himself. "Yes, that's the great part."

"Give Harry Potter a big tree and he's happy. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't easy to shop for then.”

"Seriously?" he said looking her straight on.

"What seriously? That you're easy to shop for?"

"No, do you want to know what I really want for Christmas?" he said quietly.

"What?" said Ginny softly, as he rested a hand on her face and leaned in to kiss her.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Ding-Dong!

Ginny's eyes flew open and Harry drew away.

"Now who is that?" he muttered, trying very hard not to look annoyed.

"IS IT FATHER CHRISTMAS?!" shrieked Chloe's voice from upstairs.

Harry and Ginny glanced at each other and laughed. The lights in the room were pulled back up again.

"No, Chloe, it isn't yet," Harry called back.

Chloe's face peeped out between the banister and her pajamas with feet swung between the rails. "May I come down and check? Please, Daddy?"

Harry shrugged. What the heck, it was Christmas Eve…. "Yes, you
can come down, Chloe."

Knock! Knock! Knock! Ding-Dong!

Percy, Penelope, and all eight of their children were standing in the doorway. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were with them also. But that wasn't the shocking part. All of them were sporting Victorian clothing from head to toe.

The men all had top hats on with their knee breeches and matching coats. All the girls had on very old fashioned dresses with bonnets on and had muffs to go with their cloaks.

"Er, hello," said Harry not exactly sure of what to say to them.

"Deck the halls with boughs of holly!"

Chloe looked up at Harry in amazement.

"They're carolers," he explained with a smile.

Harry looked from one matching caroler to the next.

Mr. Weasley was positively elated with the whole scene. Harry assumed this was his idea to begin with, since they were all dressed in old-fashioned Muggle clothing.

Mrs. Weasley was holding Baby Henri who also matched everyone except for the absence of a top hat. She seemed to be mildly enjoying herself also.

Penelope was being perfectly neutral as usual, and smiled pleasantly at her children as she sang along.
 
Percy looked rather cross in his top hat as he sang with the group. He kept glancing around to see if anyone could see them causing a scene.

Mortimer, the eldest of Percy's children stood to his father's right and was an exact replica, same attitude and air of distinction. Mortimer was the only child that Harry had ever met that was seven years old going on thirty.

Catherine, the next oldest, stood by her mother and daintily sang every word.

Meghan was singing, but she seemed to be trying to untie her bonnet without her parents noticing, much less Catherine.

Four-year old Kyle was having his own glorious time as he danced a little jig as he sang. Kyle always seemed to be in his own dreamy little world, happy and agreeable about everything.

Little Hunter was trying desperately to keep his top hat on, as it kept slipping down over his eyes. Poor little blighter, thought Harry, he was always trying to make up for the fact that he was small for his age.

Then the two-year old twins, Madeline and Alexandria, were singing for all they were worth, but couldn't seem to remember any of the words except for the Fa-la-la-la parts. But, they screamed that part enthusiastically when it came around.

After they'd finished, Harry, Ginny, and Chloe clapped politely.

"Very nice!" laughed Harry.

Mr. Weasley beamed, "Isn't it wonderful? I read a Muggle Christmas book, and Muggles do this door to door!"

Mrs. Weasley adjusted her bonnet. "Ahem...well, Arthur wanted to spread some Christmas cheer with the grandchildren...and he went all out...to say the least."

"I think it's a great idea, Dad," Ginny said.

Percy sighed. "I don't mind taking part in some Muggle traditions, and in fact it rather gives people a good impression of us. But is it really necessary to go traipsing about in these Muggle
costumes? Imagine what the public eye will think, seeing the Minister of Magic running amok on Christmas Eve performing a side-show!"

"Mummy! Meghan has her bonnet off!" screeched Catherine out of the
blue.

"Meghan, darling, put your bonnet back on," said Penelope calmly.

Harry nearly spoiled their little scene of Christmas joy by laughing at Meghan's face. She had all the proper attire, as the others, her curly red hair was even tied neatly a bow...but the scowl on her face that she had for Catherine certainly didn't have the intent of "Christmas
 spirit.”

He choked back his laugh and invited them all in for hot chocolate.

"Hello, Chloe sweetheart! When are you going to come over and play at my house with the grandchildren?" asked Mrs. Weasley kindly.

"Your house looks very festive!" commented Percy to Harry as he removed his top hat and looked around at the Christmas decorations.

"Thank you," said Harry.

"You should really give tours Havenwood during the Holiday season, people would really love to see the inside of your home. It would go over well with the general public.” 

"Tours? Of my home?" said Harry incredulously, doing a double take to see if Percy was really serious. 

"Why of course! All types of famous people do that sort of thing. I heard that one headmaster of Hogwarts was famous for his Christmas decorations. I know it wasn't Dumbledore, but I think it might have been—“

"It's a first-rate idea, Perce, but I think I value my privacy a little too much for all that," said Harry closing the subject the quickest way possible.

"Paying Harry and Chloe a visit, Ginny dear?" asked Mr. Weasley sipping his hot chocolate.

"Er. Yes, Dad, I was. I had just popped in, too, for a short visit," said Ginny blushing darkly and busied herself with her hot chocolate.

There came shrieks of laughter from the children as most of them had foregone the hot chocolate and went after the bowl of marshmallows which had been set out. Then they went to investigate some of the presents already set under the tree from the many shopping excursions that Harry had been on.

"This one has my name on it!" gleefully exclaimed Hunter recognizing one of the handful of words he could read.

"Children! Manners!" chided Percy loudly.

All of the children stood up guiltily and faced Percy.

"I told you we wouldn't be allowed," Mortimer whispered loudly to his
siblings.

"It's okay. It is Christmas Eve after all, just as long as the presents stay wrapped. Besides, there will be more from Father Christmas, right?" said Harry quietly siding with the children.

Percy hesitated. "Well, if Uncle Harry says it's okay... and I do suppose it is Christmas."

The children bolted off to go look at the tree again and the laughter commenced.

"Aren't you afraid they'll work out what some of them are, and ruin the surprise?" asked Penelope.

"Well, that's only a fraction of the presents, and no, I don't think they'll be able to guess what they are, I've taken a few little Do-not-open-until-Christmas precautions.".

"What do you mean prec--"

There was a deafening noise from the living room.

"ROOOOOOOAAAAAAR!"

The children scattered away from the tree screaming in fright. There was chaos for a good minute or so until Harry walked over and picked up the Christmas gift that sat abandoned in the middle of the living room floor.

He turned and faced the wide-eyed children and grinned. "I told you not to try and open them yet. I've got a few spells on some of these," he said patting it and setting it back under the tree.

Meghan was giggling uncontrollably along with Chloe. "Make it do it again!" Meghan cried with glee.

The other children looked horrified at the mention of that idea, and two-year old Alexandria shook her head vigorously in a no sign. Hunter peeped out from his fingers over his eyes and gazed warily back at the tree.

"I told you it wouldn't be allowed," voiced Mortimer again.

Catherine leaned over from behind her grandmother's skirts and made a face. "It was Madeline, Uncle Harry."

"Enough, Catherine," said Mrs. Weasley.

"It's quite all right, lesson learned," said Harry shortly, "and no, Meghan and Chloe, I don't think we need anymore roaring boxes this evening.”

Ginny muttered something along the lines of "evoking lasting psychological trauma", as she patted Kyle's head who had run to her lap for refuge.

"Fred and George will be sorry they missed that one," chuckled Mr. Weasley

"Speaking of which, Father, shouldn't we be going out again? It's going to get too late for the children," said Percy.

"Why don't you, Ginny, and Chloe come along with us, Harry dear?" suggested Mrs. Weasley.

Harry smiled. "Well, it was bedtime for Chloe, but I think the rules can be bent a little for some caroling."

"Chloe can have my bonnet!" cheered Meghan loudly, above the other children.

"Chloe may have her own bonnet, Meghan, but that was very generous of you to offer yours to her," said Percy taking out his wand to conjure up some clothes for the three of them.

Meghan pouted slightly and retied her bonnet again.

"What size top hat do you wear Harry?" asked Percy. He still looked slightly annoyed about this whole ordeal.

"To be honest, Perce, I don't buy too many top hats," laughed Harry.

~*~

Chloe Potter opened her eyes slowly; she kicked her covers sleepily and yawned. Bright realization struck her immediately.

"Wake up, Norbert! Wake up! It's Christmas!" she said snatching up her stuffed dragon and jumping up and down on the bed.

Chloe ran down the hallway to her daddy's room, and dove onto his bed and snuggled next to him.

Harry didn't wake up and put his arm around her and mumbled something incoherent.

Chloe looked back and forth between Norbert and Harry, who was still sawing logs.

"He's asleep," she explained to Norbert in a whisper. "We should really wake him up and tell him it's Christmas."

Chloe wriggled from Harry's grasp and took a flying leap off the bed. She tiptoed to his side of the bed and poked him with Norbert's snout. "Wake up, Daddy!" she screamed.

Harry groaned and pulled a pillow over his head. "What the bloody hell are you doing, Ron? Leave me alone!"

Chloe's eyes widened. Uncle Ron? Leave him alone?! Didn't her daddy know what day it was?

Not to be discouraged, Chloe slung Norbert over her head and hit her father over the head.

"WAKE UP, DADDY! It's CHRISTMAS!!!!" she shrieked.

Harry nearly fell out of bed. "What!? What?! What's going on?!" he yelled, panicking.

Chloe smiled sweetly at him. "Merry Christmas, Daddy!"

Harry stared at her for a second and then he finally got his bearings sorted out. Of course, putting his glasses on helped also.

"Merry Christmas," he yawned and rumpled her hair.

"Norbert too!" she said.

"Merry Christmas, Norbert," said Harry methodically patting Norbert on the head as he glanced at his bedside clock. "Do you two know what time it is?"

"A reasonable hour?" said Chloe hopefully.

"Six in the morning is debatable," he commented swinging his feet over the edge of the bed.

"You weren't waking up," said Chloe.

"I wasn't?"

"No, you were dreaming...you called me Uncle Ron and," Chloe lowered
her voice dramatically, "Daddy you said a swear word! You said bloo--"

"Chloe Grace, don't you dare," he said hastily, "How about we go and see if Father Christmas has paid us a visit?"

Chloe's face lit up. "Come on Daddy!" she said pulling his hand as he
stood up.

~*~

Joyful chaos...was the best description of Harry's living room that morning.

The living room was bursting at the seams with presents and people all comfortably crammed together in a huge circle. The children could hardly contain themselves. Harry found much entertainment by watching all the kids squirming as they all waited for everyone to arrive. But, what kid wouldn't find the towering piles of presents exciting?

It had been decided that Christmas morning was to be a casual affair, so everyone was told to come as they were. Which meant...show up in your pajamas and make yourself at home.

Percy of course had taken this to mean that his family would sport matching red pajamas, with the first initial of the wearer's name monogrammed on the right side. (This was much to Meghan's dismay!)

Chloe still had on her warm, fuzzy pajamas with feet, and Harry had finally managed two decent looking braids.

Fred and George, although they lived separately had unintentionally managed to wear the exact same shirts. Harry figured it had to be some sort of twin thing, although he did own the same shirt, which read 'Gryffindor House Team.'

Hermione wore a proper dressing gown and Ron shuffled in with, -what else- maroon pajamas complete with matching slippers. Harry noted that he sat on the opposite side of the room from him, and had barely muttered a hello to him, although he was acting perfectly normal to the rest of the family

Harry also went the comfortable route and wore his dark green pajama bottoms and C.I.A. t-shirt (Confederation of Innovative Aurors).

Harry couldn't help but smile as Ginny sat down beside him in pastel lavender nightdress with tiny white flowers embroidered on the neckline.

Now that they were all here...Harry spoke up.

"Happy Christmas!” he yelled above the noise.

A chorus of greetings answered him, and Harry couldn't stand to let the children wait any longer.

"Well...are we going to open presents?!" he said.

The children squealed and dove into the presents. Harry leaned back on his hands and watched it all...completely enveloped in joy as he watched Chloe tear open a present. Her face was amazing...the belief of Christmas still shining in her eyes.

"I got paints! I got paints!" yelled Meghan, leaping up and down with a new art set.

Even dainty Catherine couldn't restrain a shout of happiness as she opened a package filled with dress up clothes.

"Fairy Tales!" cried Chloe hugging a gilded book to her chest, with a picture of fluttering fairies on the cover.

"Look at them," laughed Ginny, poking Harry and grinning.

Mortimer gave a yelp of surprise as he pulled the cover off a present revealing a gorgeous tawny owl, "I got a REAL owl!"

The other children gave impressed 'oooohhhs' as they turned and saw Mortimer's present. They soon returned their attention back to their own presents.

The little twins were perplexed over their present.

"What this?" demanded Alexandria, the more vocal of the two.

Arthur beamed, "They're tricycles! Muggle children play with them!"

Molly laughed, and set Madeline on the seat of her tricycle and showed her the bell.

Madeline rung the bell, and her eyes opened wide with delight.

"Madeline's!" she announced as she rang the bell on her trike.

Mr. Weasley was elated, "I told you they'd like them," he said to Molly.

Chloe unwrapped a fish aquarium from Ron and Hermione and she was already reciting to them from one of her favorite books, "One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish," chanted Chloe and Hermione together. Ron looked on smiling...but utterly lost.

Hunter and Kyle were having the time of their lives playing with the set of pretend dueling wands they had received.

"AAaaah! You got me Hunter!" said Kyle dramatically pretending to collapse into a heap of wrapping paper.

Since the children were busy playing with the toys they had just opened, (even though there were still plenty more to unwrap...) the adults took the opportunity to pass their presents out to each other.

"How lovely!" cried Hermione holding up a set of robes Ginny had bought for her.

"Why, why, how amazing!" proclaimed Mr. Weasley upon opening his gift of an electric can opener, "What does it do?"

"Opens cans," laughed Hermione.

"How ingenious!" marveled Mr. Weasley poking at it...already itching to take it apart.

"Thanks, Charlie!" shouted Harry as he ripped open a new set of Quidditch balls.
"We're playing after dinner!" grinned Charlie.

"Hear, hear!" said the "grown up" twins hooting with anticipation of a Quidditch match.

"Why Molly! This is exquisite!" said Penelope admiring a finely sewn quilt and held it up for all to see.

Molly flushed and smiled at Penelope, "I knew you'd love the colors dear! I just love pretty quilts myself...I had to make at least one this year!"

"Oh, Mum! Thank you!" said Ginny opening another quilt, "It's beautiful!"

"These are fantastic Harry!" said Bill pulling on a pair of new calf-high black boots, "My others have just about had it!"

Charlie looked at Bill's boots closely. "I hope that isn't dragon hide!"

"It's not," said Harry working on opening another gift, "It's charmed cow leather...made to be as strong as the dragon hide ones. More dragon-friendly."

"Wow!" gaped Ron, unwrapping his present. It was a large frame, with an original Chudley Cannons robe, neatly tacked and displayed.

"Well, I decided if you're going to display all that ridiculous bright orange all over your study, I thought it should at least be displayed properly," smiled Hermione.

"You're the greatest!" said Ron kissing Hermione.

"Do my eyes deceive me, or did I really have the honor of receiving a famous Molly Weasley jumper?!" said Sirius holding a navy blue sweater up.

"Well, you are part of the family," smiled Mrs. Weasley.

"Your knitting needles must have caught fire this year," said Remus doing a quick head count as he opened a sweater and admired it. "Thank you, Molly!"

Molly sighed, "My word, yes! I don't mind a bit, although if our family gets any bigger I might have to recruit an assistant. Then again, I won't be making three quilts at the same time again!"

"Three? I thought there were only two," said Ron.

"Three! Thank you Molly!" said Hermione admiring hers that she just opened.

"Here's two more, this looks like it's to Harry," Sirius raised an eyebrow as he read the next portion, "From Ron."

"What?" said Ron looking up sharply, "I didn't g-"

"Hush dear," said Mrs. Weasley.

Sirius read the other package and looked amused, "This one is to Ron, from Harry."

"Hermione," snorted Ron, "This is in your handwriting," he said reading the tag.

Harry noticed that the tag on his present was also in Hermione's handwriting, but he didn't say anything.

The air was very tense as the whole family watched them carefully, as they opened their gifts.

"Socks," said Ron flatly, "just what I wanted. Thanks, Harry."

"No, thank you, for my socks," responded Harry tonelessly.

"Really, thank you, Hermione...for meddling," snapped Ron.

Hermione, who had been looking hopefully at both of them, started crying.

"You idiot!" said Charlie. Ginny rushed over to comfort Hermione.

"Now children," scolded Mr. Weasley loudly, "There is no need for all of this on Christmas morning!"

Harry knew he was talking about them, rather than the real children...but then again, they would always be children to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

Catherine's lower lip quivered, "Why is Aunt Hermione crying? And why are people calling Uncle Ron an idiot?"

Hermione was clutching yet another lace handkerchief that Ginny had provided, and was trying to act as nothing had happened, "Oh Catherine, I'm not really crying! I thought that Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron were fighting and that makes me sad. But I was wrong," she said quickly, to avoid upsetting the other children.

"Uncle Ron and Daddy can't fight," said Chloe, "They're best friends. Best friends don't fight...."

"That's enough, Chloe," said Harry softly.

Harry felt extremely guilty as she looked up at him with a confused expression.

The silence in the room was deafening, as they all looked at each other...very uncomfortably.

Ginny stood up and grabbed a present from under the tree. "Harry, this is from me."

Harry's face lit up as he unwrapped the canvas. "Chloe! Come here and look at this!"

Chloe still clutching one of her new books ("A Child's Encyclopedia of Dragons" from Charlie) came and leaned over on her tiptoes to look at the painting.

"Does it move?" she asked suspiciously.

"No," laughed Ginny, "Not this one."

"Aren't the little girls in the painting pretty?" asked Harry.

Chloe looked thoughtful. "Yes. But Ms. Ginny should've drawn her shoes
in."

"What?" laughed Ginny.

"Well, it would be more real, Ms. Ginny. Because that's what you do. When we all lay on the rugs, you walk around us and make sure we stay quiet. Your shoes aren't in the painting and no one will know that you do that now!" explained Chloe.

"Oh. Well, maybe next painting I'll add my shoes in," said Ginny, "I mean, we really want it to be realistic." She grinned at Harry and poked him in the ribs.

Meghan nodded seriously, and was examining the painting also, "I don't usually sleep on the blue rug, mine is almost always the purple one."

"Okay, you little critics," laughed Harry, "I happen to love the painting, and with Ms. Ginny's shoes or not, it's going to hang in my study."

"It's your painting, Daddy," pointed out Chloe.

Harry nodded, "Yes it is. Thank you, Ginny, it's a wonderful gift."

Harry leaned over and kissed Ginny's cheek, and most of the family members smiled or chuckled. With the exception of Ron, of course, who was still being uncharacteristically quiet.

Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box and turned to Ginny.

Half the adults leaned forward expectantly and Mrs. Weasley made a small squeaking sound.

"Oh Harry, it's beautiful!" said Ginny lifting the box.

"What’s beautiful?!" said Ron craning his neck nervously.

Hermione reached over and swiftly hit him in the arm, meaning to make him shut up.

"The bracelet Harry got me, you nut," said Ginny holding it up.

"A bracelet?" said Mrs. Weasley a little disappointed.

"A bracelet?" said Ron blankly. "Ooohhhh, a bracelet!" he repeated. 

"It's a Charmed Charm Bracelet," explained Harry putting it on Ginny's wrist.

"What does that mean," said Ginny admiring it.

"Do you see the little schoolhouse charm?" said Harry.

"Yes."

"Well, there's a spell on it. As long as you wear that bracelet, your Nursery School will be safe."

"That's so wonderful," said Ginny, hugging Harry and kissing his cheek. “You’re so thoughtful!” 

Harry blushed and the children tittered.  “Thanks.”

~*~

Christmas music swelled above the noise of talking and laughing in the parlor.

It was much later in the evening and after an eventful day of using new Christmas gifts, the family was ready for dinner. They had all changed into their nicest Christmas attire and visited in Harry's parlor, waiting for dinner to be announced.

The children sat in a circle playing with a bright red ball that they passed to each other, laughing with anticipation of receiving it.

"That Quidditch set is fantastic," said Charlie

"That's a lucky set, we flattened your team!" laughed Harry.

"Unfair!" protested Charlie, "You had the twins on your team! They
have loads of experience flying with you in a team!"

"Over a decade ago!" exclaimed Harry

"We had Bill and Percy, come on now," laughed Charlie.

"And me," said Ginny putting her hands on her hips.

"Yes," said Harry, putting his arm around her, "You had an excellent
Keeper.…"

"You would've won by more except for Remus accidentally hitting Sirius
with that Bludger," pointed out Bill. "Face it Charlie, we were being flattened..."

"That was no accident," Remus grinned.

"Remind me to put them on opposing teams next time," said Harry shaking his head.

There was a loud cracking sound as the ball the children were playing with exploded and showered them with confetti and glitter, especially little Alexandria who had been holding it at the time. The children squealed with delight and put it back together to start the game again.

Penelope shifted Henri on her hip and continued talking to Hermione and Mrs. Weasley, "You've done so much work for that school already, Hermione, I can't imagine why Dumbledore just doesn't retire and appoint you headmistress."

"Well, it's not just his opinion. The Ministry has to approve it, and the remainder of the teaching staff also, "said Hermione knowledgeably. 

"My dear, the Minister for Magic is your brother-in-law, I think he's going to put in a good word for you," smiled Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh, I would hate to be appointed just because of my connections with the Ministry, " said Hermione looking appalled.

"Oh no!" said Penelope quickly, "Everyone knows you'd be perfect for the job. Besides, I doubt Percy would really appoint even his sister-in-law, if he thought that she wasn't qualified. You know how he is," she added with a fond smile. 

"Who knows, in a few years, I might not even want to do that. Dumbledore isn't going to be retiring anytime soon anyway. He absolutely adores that school...and he'll stay there as long as he can."

"What about Professor McGonagall?" said Penelope curiously.

"Oh, Professor McGonagall has expressed more than a few times that she
would never want to be anything besides a Deputy Headmistress."

Harry looked down and one of his house elves bowed deeply. "Dinner is
ready, sir."

"Thank you Ibis," he said smiling, "You and the rest of the staff will
find some packages in my main library. Merry Christmas."

Ibis bowed again. “Merry Christmas."

Harry opened the doors leading to his dining room, and the table was filled with food.

After they were all seated and staring fixedly at the Christmas dinner delicacies in front of them, Harry spoke up from the head of the table.

"Who would like to say Grace?" he said, very pleased at the sight of his dining room table packed with family.

Percy cleared his throat and lifted a finger. "Actually, Harry, the children and I have rehearsed something small for the blessing."

"Why am I not surprised?" whispered Ginny leaning over from Harry's right side.

Harry grinned. “Let's hear it then!"

The family reached out and took the hand of the person next to them and they bowed their heads solemnly.

"Go ahead, Mortimer," prompted Percy.

"Dearest heavenly Father, we take this moment to pause and thank you for everything you have bestowed upon us this lovely Christmas day," Mortimer recited importantly.

Catherine added on. "First of all, dear Father, we would like to thank you for this time we have been able to spend with our family, and we will cherish it always," she said perfectly.

Percy looked up after the long pause. "Meghan!" he whispered loudly.

Meghan jumped, a curl falling on her forehead. "Thank you for this food," she said quickly.

"Meghan," said Percy, "It's 'Thank you for the bountiful feast, that you have laid before us, oh exalted Lord,'" he corrected in a stage whisper.

Meghan gave him a look. "Thank you for the food," she repeated.

Harry heard a very indelicate snort come from Hermione as she fought to keep from laughing out loud. Ginny's shoulders were shaking from laughter and she bowed her head even more, to disguise the broad grin on her face.

"That will do, Meghan," said Penelope quietly. "Carry on, Kyle."

"Thank you, dear Jesus, for the people who so thoughtfully prepared this meal for our...our.…”

"Nourishment," said Percy. "Okay, Hunter."

Hunter furrowed his brow. "Thank you for the greatest gift that we
could ever.… Thank you for the greatest gift that we…we—“

And with that, three-year old Hunter burst into noisy tears.

"Good gracious!" said Mrs. Weasley, "Hunter, what ever is the matter?"

"I forgot!" wailed Hunter, huge tears plopping on his dinner plate, "And now...we'll never get to eat, because I can't finish my paaaaarrrt."

The table erupted into laughter.

"The poor thing," gasped Charlie, laughing heartily. "He thought we'd never be able to eat."

"Oh Percy, they're just so young for all those big words," said Mr. Weasley wiping his eyes.

"I think we've been blessed enough," Harry finally managed to get out. "Let's eat."

"Amen!" shouted Sirius still laughing.

~*~

"So, is it true that you and Ron are looking at houses in a different
area?" asked Charlie.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, we've just accumulated so much stuff, our house has just become so small," she smiled.

"That house? Small?" laughed Ginny.

"I think Hermione just wants a house with a library," grinned Ron.

"Do you want to live in a different area?" asked Harry, cutting up a piece of turkey for Chloe.

"We love this area over here, and all the property near Hogwarts is really beautiful also," said Hermione.

"How about a nice house in the country?" asked Mr. Weasley, "like the Burrow."

"Dad, don't get me wrong, I love living by the chickens and everything...."

"Ronald," warned Mrs. Weasley.

"Well, you all needn't worry for a good while. Believe me, Hermione will research an area for months before she even decides if it's a proper place to move into in. Nothing happens with spontaneity around her," Ron sighed.

"Pardon me, Ron. I'll just have us buy the next shack we come across. When it falls down around our ears, you can spontaneously pay to have it repaired," snapped Hermione.

"Now dears, it's Christmas," said Mrs. Weasley softly.

"Are you saying I have bad taste?" said Ron ignoring his mother.

"No, I'm saying you act too much on silly little whims of yours. One of these days you're going to be sorry you dove into something without looking!"said Hermione as she stabbed at some Brussels sprouts her plate.

"Don't you think that all your research gets old after awhile?" yelled Ron.

"Ron, Hermione," said Harry coolly, as the children stared open-mouthed at them.

"Do you ever think that your leaping into things gets chaotic sometimes?" said Hermione in a tone that was quickly crescendo-ing to ear splitting volumes.

"They're tuning up..." whispered George poking Fred with a knowing grin.

"You need a little chaos in your life, I have never seen the day when you have just decided to do something at that split second!" said Ron with a smirk.

"Chaos? You want chaos?" said Hermione slamming her fork down.

"Uh-oh," whispered Charlie.

"Yes, I'd die laughing seeing you try!" bellowed Ron to Hermione.

"FINE!" said Hermione standing up and pitching her napkin from her lap.

"Hermione," said Ginny wringing her hands, and glancing nervously at Harry.

"I'm pregnant!" screamed Hermione right in Ron's face, "How's THAT for spontaneity, you inconsiderate prat!"

Ron seemed to be trying to speak, much less...breathe...as he stared wide eyed at his wife, who was still boiling over with fury and on the verge of more tears.

"That's..that's..." he stuttered.

"That's wonderful!" shrieked Mrs. Weasley.

"That's...that's..." said Ron again.

"You're going to be a dad!" said Mr. Weasley slapping Ron on the back.

"I'm a-a-a-a what?" said Ron

“A dad, Ron,” laughed Charlie.

"Think of that," said Bill, gazing upward as if in the future. "You might actually turn responsible."

"Fat chance!" laughed Fred.

"A baby," muttered Ron, apparently still turning the idea over in his mind.

"Yes, a baby," said Hermione, now smiling at Ron, "our baby."

"Are you sure it is Ron's?" said George thoughtfully, "Cause if not, we could really have a fighting chance for a Weasley with something besides red ha-"

"George Amadeus Weasley!" shrieked Mrs. Weasley, "How dare you accuse Hermione of something like that!"

"I-I-I-I don't know what to say," stuttered Ron.

"Excellent!" cheered Fred. "We should have more announcements like this, if they simply just shut you up!"

"Actually Ron doesn't have much of an argument with that spontaneous thing, because SOMETHING was obviously happening spontaneously," said Charlie chuckling into his wine glass.

Percy wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Now really Charlie, mind the children!"

Hermione patted Ron's arm. "Ron, I know you really didn't mean all that about the spontaneity. I was a silly argument. I forgive you."

Ron was still in a daze. "We're having a baby?"

"Yes," smiled Hermione.

"This calls for a toast!" cheered Bill.

"That's right! Give a toast Harry!" called Fred.

"Me?" said Harry.

"It's your house!" pointed out Lupin.

Harry stood up and thought a moment, a little embarrassed, especially after all that had happen between him and Ron this week. Nevertheless, he thought, he should forgive him for a few moments, and congratulate his two best friends, "To the newest Weasley," began Harry. "May he or she be just as chaotic as both parents."

"Cheers!" chorused the table clinking glasses and laughing.

Harry made his way over to give Hermione a hug.  As he did so, Ron had turned too quickly to give his mother a hug, and his glass went sailing.  Right onto Harry.

Harry cleared his throat and attempted to calmly wipe the pumpkin juice that was dripping all over him.

"I hope this kid has Hermione's brains..." said Bill to Ron and handing a napkin to Harry, "because we all know you don't have any."

"Thanks for the apology," said Harry shortly.

Hermione hit him sharply. "Ron!" she hissed, "Apologize to him!"

"I'll apologize the moment he apologizes to me," replied Ron shortly.

"I've had enough," sighed Harry, "I'm going upstairs to change. I'll be back down after awhile. Go ahead and start dessert without me."

He tossed the white napkin splotched with orange onto his plate and turned to stalk upstairs.

The family was very quiet.

"I'm going after him," said Ginny pushing her chair back sharply.

"Good idea," said Penelope quietly.

"Upstairs? Alone? While he's changing!?" said Ron glaring at her.

Ginny turned slowly. "Yes, Ron, alone! Why don't you tag along and see if you can rip the relationship apart with some more tacky comments," she said very calmly.

Ron didn't reply. They all watched Ginny walk gracefully to the dining room door, and then most ungracefully slammed the door shut as hard as she could.

"Aunt Hermione?" piped up little Hunter after it became silent.

"Yes?" said Hermione.

"Is the baby in your tummy, like Henri was in Mummy's?"

"Yes," smiled Hermione.

"How did it get there?" asked Hunter curiously.

 
"Well you see, it all starts when two people go upstairs, alone," muttered Ron a little too loudly.

"Pie anyone?" called out Mrs. Weasley loudly, and hoping to silence Ron and Hunter both, she plopped two slices of pie down in front of them.

~*~

 

Thanks to Anne for betaing and all the readers who reviewed!

 

Disclaimer: The acronym RALF is probably not mine. If it does belong to anything at all…I do apologize profusely to any RALFers for using it in an insulting manner.  For anyone that didn’t get the joke, from where I’m from the word “Ralph” is a synonym for throwing up. Yes, please don’t throw vegetables at me, I love stupid jokes. Of course, Dr. Suess’ “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” is not mine.

 

“Have you hugged your stuffed dragon today?” Join Chloe's Bookshelf

---

 

Chapter Eighteen

 

 "This chapter is brought to you by the letter M."

(December 27th)

"Won't you talk to him?" pleaded Hermione looking up from her book suddenly.

"No," said Ron shortly.

The silence resumed. The fire crackled softly, and Crookshanks purred in Hermione's lap.

"Please," said Hermione softly.

"No," said Ron as he waved the table with the chess set toward him.

Hermione slowly turned a page, and looked up again. "But Ron," she began.

"Hermione, I won't have you stressing over this, it's not good for the baby," interrupted Ron, as he watched his white pawn scream in terror of the advancing black knight.

"If you don't want it to stress me out, why don't you resolve it?" snapped Hermione.

"Because I didn't start it," said Ron calmly setting the white pawn aside.

"Ronald Weasley!" said Hermione loudly. Crookshanks leapt off her lap with an irritated yowl. He turned his pug face toward them, menacingly glared, then he stalked out of the room, tail twitching.

"I wasn't the one who decided to have Harry take advantage of my sister. That was all Harry."

"If you won't listen to me, I'm not speaking to you either, Ron Weasley. You can sit on this thing for as long as you like, but I, for one, am happy for Harry and Ginny. "

Snapping her book shut, Hermione hmphed at Ron and stalked out of the room, rather like Crookshanks.

”You're being childish Hermione!" shouted Ron, so that his voice carried to the stairs.

"I'm not being childish," yelled Hermione, marching right back down the stairwell "I'm tired of trying to make you see the obvious!"

"You're not the only one," snorted Ron.

"You are so--" said Hermione gritting her teeth.

"So what?" said Ron looking up, half interested.

"SO STUBBORN!" yelled Hermione.

She fumbled for her wand and the throw pillow Ron was resting his elbow on, exploded in a huge poof of feathers.

"Is that the best you can do?" laughed Ron, waving away the feathers.

"SLEEP ON THE COUCH!" bellowed Hermione, stamping up the stairs.

"Sleep on the couch," mimicked Ron after he heard her begin to climb the stairs again.

The couch springs suddenly twanged loudly, and burst out from the fabric.

Ron winced. She'd heard that. 

"Pregnant women," snorted Ron, pulling another throw pillow off his chair and tossing it on the floor to lie on. "She's getting way too worked up over this."

~*~
(December 28th )

Sirius' favorite place in Havenwood was the atrium. He made his way down one of the brick pathways and admired the quiet solitude among the plants and trees. He looked up, and through the sparkling clear ceiling, and saw that the sun was beginning to set.

He was feeling a little apprehensive about going into the main manor to talk to Harry. He didn't know if he was doing the right thing or not. He glanced back at the main doors leading to the manor and made up his mind, and resigned to sit underneath a tree off the pathway. He reached up and pulled off an apple.

He leaned back and closed his eyes as he bit into it.

"Most people come through the front door, or at least Apparate somewhere in the main manor," said a voice.

Sirius jumped a mile and his eyes flew open.

Harry was standing over him with his hands on his hips with a huge grin.

"Harry! You didn't have to startle me!" said Sirius catching his breath.

"Startle you?" laughed Harry. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I'm the one breaking and entering."

"I didn't break anything," said Sirius a little smugly.

"Well, no, but only a handful of people know how to get past the spells around Havenwood and usually you all announce your arrival. What was I supposed to think?"

"That one of your dear, dear, **no comma friends was coming to see you," said Sirius.

"Perhaps give me a wave next time then?"

"You didn't have to sneak up on me- with that whole silent ambush thing. I hate that, it gives me the willies."

"I am stealthy, like cat," said Harry with a good imitation of a foreign accent.

"You are stupid, like mule," replied Sirius tossing an apple at him.

"Sheer jealousy," said Harry catching it and sitting down next to Sirius on the grass.

"Not in this lifetime."

"So, what's going on?" asked Harry.

"Um, well," muttered Sirius, "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"So, why didn't you come to the main part of the house?" smiled Harry.

"Where's Chloe?" asked Sirius avoiding the question.

"Playing with Meghan at Molly and Arthur's."

"Oh."

"Well, you can go get her if you like, she'd be thrilled to see you."

"I think I'd better get this out of the way with you first," said Sirius, looking uncomfortable again.

"If you don't mind me being straightforward, could you please make it quick...I have a previous engagement."

Sirius looked up and noticed for the first time, Harry's attire. He was wearing crisply pressed dress robes with the Confederation of Innovative Aurors Crest embroidered on the right side.

"What are you all doing right smack in the middle of the holidays?" he asked.

"Well, there seems to be a considerable drop in people wanting to make careers as Aurors."

"Gee, I wonder why?" grinned Sirius, "Perhaps they don't want to be reminded of the times before the fall of Voldemort?"

"Ha, ha," said Harry rolling his eyes. "We do more than fight second generation Death Eaters, thank you."

"I know," said Sirius, "So what are you and the Confederation going to do about this 'considerable drop'?"

"Well, we've decided to hold an open conference for any student, regardless of year, to come hear us speak and ask us questions."

"During a school holiday?" laughed Sirius.

"You laugh, but we're already expecting about 250 people."

"250 people? How is that possible? Hogwarts is onl-"

"We've also invited many foreign schools to the event."

"What could you people possibly be talking about that would make them want to all become Aurors?"

"Um, well, it's not exactly all of the Confederation officials talking."

Sirius grinned. "They're making you talk aren't they?"

Harry sighed. "Yes. Apparently I have some sort of influence on young people.”

"Because you're Harry Potter, and they've reckoned that they could draw in a pretty good-sized crowd to hear you speak."

"Right," said Harry leaning back into the grass and covering his face.

"You're going to wrinkle your robes," Sirius pointed out.

Harry didn't move. "So, what did you come here to talk about?"

"You and Ginny," replied Sirius.

"Oh, not you too," groaned Harry. "Have you teamed up with Ron now?"

"No, I haven't, but I did want to ask you something."

"Ask away," mumbled Harry lazily.

"How serious is this?" he asked.

"Serious enough to make Ron uncomfortable," replied Harry plucking a blade of grass.

"That's vague, and you know it. That could mean a good number of things."

"No, Sirius, I am not sleeping with Ginny," said Harry monotonously, "and by they way, I know where babies come from, even though I never got the smashing opportunity to have that 'little talk' with you, or anyone else for that matter."

"Quit being a smart aleck. I didn't want to know if you were sleeping with her. I wanted to know if you're even considering marrying her."

"Feeling a little blunt?" gaped Harry, taken by surprise.

"Yes or no?" persisted Sirius.

"Why are you asking me this?"

"Because, well, I thought something should be given to you first."

"What? Directions?"

"Stop kidding around. This is serious."

"Fine. I won't kid around with you. Yes, I want to marry Ginny."

Sirius grinned. "That's so wonderful."

Harry nodded. "Okay, okay, what's going on?"

"You might want to give this to Ginny then, said Sirius, pulling a box out of his robes.

Harry sucked in his breath sharply. "Wow," he said in stupefaction.

"It was your mother's," said Sirius letting the ring catch the sunlight.

"It's beautiful."

"Yes, it is. Your mother absolutely adored it. She was very proud of it."

"My father had extraordinary taste when it came to picking out rings," said Harry still amazed.

"Wrong. Your great-great-great-grandfather had extraordinary taste when it came to picking out rings."

"You're joking. It can't be that old," said Harry cautiously touching it.

"I'm not joking. Lily told me about how it was passed down generation to generation in the Potter family. That's why she was so proud to own it. It was quite literally a privilege."

"Not to mention a nice-sized diamond. Whew," said Harry.

"Yes, it seems that all the Potters must have been rather well off."

"I never even thought that my mother's wedding ring would still be around. I mean, I guess I assumed it was destroyed," said Harry softly holding the ring in his hand.

"It's yours now," said Sirius.

Harry closed the box. "Thank you. It means so much more to give Ginny this. I-I-mean, I have so little family keepsakes to share, it's.."

"I understand," said Sirius simply, and he hugged Harry.

~*~

(December 29th)

Ron was not in a good mood. In fact, he hadn't been in a good mood in awhile. Hermione still wasn't speaking to him. Well, it wasn't complete silence--it never was with Hermione--but she was being extremely short with him. Ron reckoned it was wise not to pester her into speaking her mind; he might get an earful. And Ginny.  Ron had received an owl yesterday from her with an envelope full of family pictures. Ron was horrified when he saw that Ginny had decapitated him in all the pictures.  The cutouts of his head all looked very shocked and his arms in the picture kept reaching above his shoulders and then shrugging. 

He was deep in thought over his solitary chess game--Hermione was still too angry to play with him--when all five of his brothers Apparated right in front of him, all five looking extremely mad about something.

"What's going on?" Ron gaped, still trying to recover from the surprise.

Hermione got up from her chair and swiftly left the room after murmuring a hello to them all.

"Hello, Hermione," all of them responded politely and waited for her to leave the room.

Ron's eyes widened, "Hermione! Where are you going?"

"Out," was her curt reply.

"We want to talk to you," said Bill. “Ginny did the right thing and owled me about this. As eldest brother, I have decided to hold a small conference."

"Okay," said Ron, deciding this was a good time to be agreeable as many sets of brown and blue eyes leered at him. 

"I'm afraid we've come to inform you that you're an idiot," said George.

Percy gave George a curt look. "No. We've decided that we would like to change your opinions regarding Harry and Ginny."

"Same difference," said George.

"Hermione has already spoken to me about this," said Ron moving a chess piece.

"Oh, but you see, Hermione has spoken to us also. She and our precious little sister have been very upset about all of this, so we think you need a bit more convincing," said Charlie, glaring at Ron. 

”That isn’t fair of her to send you all here to gang up on me!” argued Ron.

George laughed. “It isn’t fair for you to attack Harry. We’re protecting Ginny.”

"I'm protecting Ginny!" said Ron hotly.

"Did you ever begin to think that Ginny might be old enough to fend for herself?" said Charlie.

"She's twenty-four! An adult! She doesn't need to be babied by you," said Bill. “You forget, she's also been married before!”

"You aren't really doing this to protect Ginny," said Percy succinctly.

"Don't you want them to be happy?" said Bill tapping his foot.

~

"Atta boy," said Charlie clapping Ron on the shoulder, "We knew you'd come around."

Ron looked up from the floor. A deep purple bruise quickly swelling up around his eye, and he allowed his brothers to pull him to his feet again. 

"Okay. I'm an idiot. It's just...it's Harry...and Ginny! Doesn't that make any of you a little uncomfortable!?" Ron moved his fingers a bit making sure they all worked.

"You don't have to love the idea of Harry and Ginny snogging and things like that," said Bill.

"That was unnecessary, Bill," said Percy, flinching along with everyone.

"You're doing this because you love Ginny and Harry. You want them to be as happy as you and Hermione," finished Bill, with a smile.

"Imagine what Harry thought when he realized you'd be boinking Hermione," added Fred.

"Fred!" said Charlie, gagging.

"I was JUST saying... because that might make Ron feel better," scoffed Fred.

"Besides, look at Percy, we've got living proof that he's been boi—" began George.

 

 

"Don't be crude!" said Percy haughtily.

"…and quite a lot, too. I never thought he had it in him," George finished with an evil smile.


"Yeah... that really made me feel much better.” Ron wrinkled his freckled nose. "Just like this shiner on my eye does."

Charlie’s blue eyes showed nothing but innocence.  "It shut you up didn't it?"

"Most fists tend to do that," said Ron massaging his jaw.

"I'm sorry," shrugged Charlie. "You weren't shutting up."

"So you think you can talk to Harry?" prodded Bill.

"Yes," sighed Ron, "I hope he'll listen to me."

"I don't think you should smack Harry in the face if he doesn't listen," Charlie put in thoughtfully.

"Oooh, would Ginny ever be mad at you..." snorted Fred with laughter.

~*~


"What's next?" asked Harry.

"The letter M," said Chloe.

"Yes, M is nice and easy," said Harry lifting his wand and moving it in the shape of a letter M. A thin glimmering silver M remained in the air. 

Chloe turned her head and studied his M for a moment, and held her toy wand confidently as she made a smaller purple M next to Harry's. She looked up expectantly and smiled.

"Very good," said Harry, "First rate M, right there."

There was a pop and Ron Apparated right into the living room.

Harry turned and stared at Ron for a moment; an awkward pause ensued. Ron could see that Harry was trying to decide what exactly he was doing here.

"Hello," said Ron to them.

"Hi!" Chloe smiled brightly.

"Hello," said Harry flatly, turning back to the letters floating in the air.

"What're you two doing?" asked Ron.

"Practicing wandmanship, and perfecting Chloe's penmanship," replied Harry.

"We're drawing shiny letters in the air, it's FUN!" quipped Chloe. "I've even got a toy wand! It only draws letters though. No real magic until I'm eleven."

"That's a very good M," praised Ron.

"Well, I'm very good at letters and words," said Chloe.

"Really? What words have M at the beginning?" asked Ron.

Chloe thought a moment. "Muggle and magic and…."

"Misunderstood," said Harry, looking straight at Ron.

Ron colored. "Look, I just came over to say that I'm...."

"You're not going to stay and play, Uncle Ron?" said Chloe sadly.

"Chloe," said Harry sharply, "he's not your real uncle. You don't call every friend of yours an un—"

"I'd be honored to be Chloe's uncle," said Ron quickly.

 "What?"

"I said, I'd be honored to be Chloe's uncle. I'll always be her uncle and, well, your brother," said Ron. He nervously picked lint off his robes.

"You mean to say that you're not mad anymore?" said Harry slowly.

"I owe you an apology, Harry," said Ron.

"No, you don't," began Harry, "I can sort of see where you were coming from. I'm sure I would've done the same thing in your situation."

"No, you wouldn't have. I was just being stupid about it."

"Let's just drop it okay?" said Harry, not wanting to hear anymore.

"I just don't want to get in the way of you and Ginny being happy."

"Ron, I'm serious, let's just assume the argument never happened," said Harry shortly.

Chloe gave a heavy sigh. "Does this mean that we're not going to get to the letter N?"

"Sorry, Chloe," laughed Ron, "I'll go and you and your dad can start at it."

"You're welcome to stay and perfect your handwriting," said Harry.

"Please?" begged Chloe.

"Can I make the N?" said Ron, pretending to consider.

“Yes!” Chloe said handing him her toy wand. “You can even use my wand.”

"Hey, Ron," said Harry curiously, "where'd that bruise come from?"

"Um…" Ron turned red and shrugged.

 

 

~*~

 

(December 30th)

The door to the shed shook violently as Harry approached it. There was a hissing sound and purple smoke seeped from the cracks in the door. He swallowed, and took a step backward. His hand was shaking as nearly as much as the door as he reached out to knock on it.

The door flew open, catching Harry off guard, and he stumbled backward into the snow.

Mr. Weasley stood with the purple smoke billowing around him, coughing quite loudly. He sported what looked like a Muggle doctor coat, with plaid golf pants and an… Elvis concert shirt? He would have looked just like a mad scientist…if it weren’t for the cowboy hat perched on his head.

"Harry!" cried Mr. Weasley enthusiastically offering him a hand out of the snow. "Hello! Did you come down to have a look at some of these Muggle artifacts?"

"Hi," said Harry, still staring at the cowboy hat.

"Come on in, old boy!" said Mr. Weasley steering Harry toward the shed. "The smoke is nearly out now! Just a little unexpected distraction! Sometimes these Muggle artifacts do funny things with a little bit of magic!"

Harry choked a little as the smoke caught in his nose, "I can see that."

"Have a look at this! Just have a look at this!" said Mr. Weasley practically clapping his hands with delight as he pulled out another cowboy hat. He displayed it to Harry as if it were the crown jewels and promptly plopped it on Harry's head.

The hat slid down a bit and it was a little musty, but Harry really tried to look grateful. "Er. Thanks. Who’s Dr. Cornelius?" he asked as he read the monogram on the doctor's coat.

"Oh, I don’t know, but it's fantastic isn't it? I had a friend from the American Magical Embassy send me some of those hats, when I saw pictures in a Muggle history book! He sent the coat too."

"What a shame we don't have these in England," said Harry hoping he sounded sincere as he took off his hat and pretended to examine it.

"Oh! I'm glad you're here! I need your opinion on this new artifact I've been working on!"

Harry stepped over the items strewn about the floor. Never in his life had he seen so many toasters, stereo speakers, light bulbs and the like just lying about. Carefully avoiding the walls, which were also precariously hung with Muggle items that looked ready to topple at a moments notice, he shuffled over to Mr. Weasley.

Harry put his cowboy hat stealthily behind him, hoping the out of sight, out of mind trick would work with Mr. Weasley. "That's an awful lot of wires," he said blankly, not having any clue what it was.

Mr. Weasley's face fell. Harry couldn't help but feel slightly guilty, like he had disappointed a small child.

"You don't have even the slightest idea of what it could be?" said Mr. Weasley prodding the contents of the box.

"Well, um, let me see it," said Harry taking the box and fishing through it. "Why are all these wires poking up?"

"Sometimes if you work a little too much magic on Mug-"

"Ah," said Harry smiling, "I know what it is."

"Do you really!?" said Mr. Weasley.

"It's a Muggle alarm system."

"Do you know how they work?" asked Mr. Weasley hopefully.

"Oh, they're pretty simple, I think. It looks like you have most of the parts here."

From the keen look that Mr. Weasley gave him, Harry knew that he wouldn't be leaving without explaining the mechanics of an alarm system.

"What is this for?" said Mr. Weasley holding up the part with the most wires hanging out.

"That's called a keypad. It's like the brain of the system. It probably needs batteries."

"Oh, excellent! I have a whole collection of batteries…. And this?"

"That's a speaker. It makes the siren sound."

"Now, what about this? Is it a light?" said Mr. Weasley holding a piece up to his eye.

"Sort of. It's called a laser. It sends an invisible beam of light out and when something walks into the light, it makes the alarm sound."

"Invisible?" said Mr. Weasley with awe. "I didn't know Muggles could do that!"

"Well, er, not exactly invisible, you can see them under certain circumstances."

Mr. Weasley was already laying the pieces out on the table and working with them. Harry took a breath, perhaps now was the time to bring up his question.

"Mr. Weasley?" he said.

"Yes, Harry?" said Mr. Weasley staring at the speaker for a long time.

"I've done a lot of thinking and I think I wa-"

"Now what is this for?" muttered Mr. Weasley. "I'm sorry, Harry, you were saying?"

"I know it's sort of soon to bring this up," began Harry again. "But, I want to know if I have your blessing," said Harry hoping Mr. Weasley would catch on.

"Oh yes, bless you and Chloe, we love having you two around. You are just like family!" said Mr. Weasley completely missing the point and smiling fondly at Harry.

Harry ran a hand through his hair and suppressed a heavy sigh. There was really no getting through Mr. Weasley when he was fixing Muggle things.

"You might want to turn that battery around," suggested Harry politely, as he thought of another tactic.

"Right," said Mr. Weasley nodding, "I always get them backwards."

"So, I've decided that I'd like nothing more than to...." began Harry again.

Click.

The scream of the alarm was deafening and Harry and Mr. Weasley clamped their hands over their ears.

"ISN'T THAT FANTASTIC?" yelled Mr. Weasley absolutely thrilled.

"I WANT TO MARRY GINNY!" screamed Harry.

"WHAT?" said Mr. Weasley.

The window panes were shaking with the noise and a few items toppled off the shelves.

"I WANT TO MARRY GINNY!" yelled Harry again.

"WHAT?" said Mr. Weasley even louder.

Harry could barely think with the noise ripping at his eardrums. His head was beginning to pulse painfully.

"I WANT TO MARRY GINNY!" hollered Harry as loud as he could.

Unfortunately, at the very moment he started yelling, Mr. Weasley had cut off the alarm, and Harry had ended up yelling right in Mr. Weasley's face in the silence.

Harry colored dark red and covered his mouth. "I'm sorry," he managed to croak.

"That alarm is stupendous," grinned Mr. Weasley.

"Sir, did you hear me? It would be my greatest honor if I could have your daughter's hand in marriage," he said extremely quickly.

"Yes, young Harry, I heard you," said Mr. Weasley puttering around the shed again.

Harry thought it would be a rather rude to say, "Well?" so he remained quiet.

After a bit of tinkering with a toaster oven, Mr. Weasley looked up and studied Harry.

"Do you want some help?" offered Harry nervously. He had never felt this uncomfortable around Mr. Weasley.

"You have my blessing, Harry," said Mr. Weasley kindly.

"I do? I've got your blessing?! I mean, er, thank you!" stuttered Harry.

"Well, why wouldn't you?" grinned Mr. Weasley. "You're already like another son to me!"

Harry was so happy he gave him a huge hug and accidentally knocked off Mr. Weasley’s cowboy hat.  Harry grinned sheepishly and replaced it on Mr. Weasley's bald head.

"Thank you!" said Harry.

"Go on inside and tell Molly, she'll have a fit if she doesn't hear it from you!"

Harry grinned and shut the door to the shed, and made his way to the main house.

~

"Molly?" he called opening the back door.

"Daddy!" shrieked Chloe running into the room and leaping into his arms.

"Chloe!" he said swinging her around as she laughed with delight.

Molly appeared holding a drowsy twin, and from what Harry could tell, it appeared to be Alexandria.

"Hi, Alexia," he said kissing her cheek.

Alexandria's eyelashes fluttered sleepily and she put her thumb in her mouth.

"She's worn out," explained Molly, "I'm taking care of the girls today, while Penny took the boys out shopping for new clothes. Madeline fell asleep at the lunch table half an hour ago."

"She knocked over her milk glass too," announced Catherine coming into the room.

"Oh, I didn't realize you had all the girls today, I thought it was just Meghan and Chloe. I hope she wasn't any trouble."

"Chloe? Oh not at all. Now Meghan and Chloe together...that's trouble," laughed Molly.

"We're not in trouble are we, Grandmum?" said Meghan bouncing into the room.

"Oh no, darling," laughed Molly, "Gram was joking with Uncle Harry."

"We were playing Hide and Go Seek," began Chloe, "and we got locked in the attic!"

Meghan brightened. "Uncle Harry it was so fun! Grandmum was yelling for Grandpa! We weren't worried. We asked the ghoul in the attic if he wanted to have a tea party with us, because we found a tea set in a trunk, but he just threw the hat Chloe gave him. So we left him alone!"

Chloe continued at the same speed as Meghan. "But it was a GOOD hat Daddy, one with flowers on it and everything. So, Meghan and I decided that playing tea party in the attic by ourselves would be really boring! So we decided to play Aurors and bad wizards! That was really fun!" she said happily.

Molly sighed heavily. "I heard them screaming, I didn't know what to think. I didn't know they were pretending. I nearly ripped down the attic door."

"Well, Molly, she looks fine to me," he laughed.

Meghan who was in fine condition also nodded. "Oh yes, we aren't afraid of anything."

"Anything," echoed Chloe.

"Mummy is going to be mad you got locked in the attic," said Catherine.

"Now, now, Catherine darling, have a biscuit." Molly kissed the top of Catherine's head and handed her a biscuit.

"Why don't you three go play upstairs in the nursery for a few more minutes while I talk to your Grandmum?" suggested Harry.

The girls nodded and Harry set Chloe down and she scampered off with them.

Molly continued to rock the now sleeping Alexandria in her arms and looked up at Harry, "Something on your mind, dear?"

"Yes," said Harry flushing red again, this time from happiness.

Molly smiled. "Well, let's hear it then."

"I asked Arthur if I had his blessing to marry Ginny," said Harry quietly.

Mrs. Weasley gave an appropriately surprised reaction, and Harry was afraid for a moment that she would wake up Alexandria.

"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley squeaked, "Oh, Harry! That's so wonderful! Oh, gracious there is SO much to do! Think of all the family Chloe will have now! Oh my! This is the best news I've heard in a long time! When are you going to ask Ginny!? Have you thought of a wedding date? Oh, Harry! I'm so happy!"

Harry was still smiling broadly, and he looked down at his boots, very embarrassed, "I haven't asked her yet. I wanted Arthur's permission first."

"Harry! You are such a gentleman! I could kiss you! Oh, forget it! I WILL kiss you!" said Mrs. Weasley kissing Harry's forehead.

"Would you like to see the ring?" said Harry.

"YES!" squeaked Mrs. Weasley again, "Oh, this is so exciting!"

Harry laughed. "You're going to wake Alexandria."

Molly looked down quickly and then bustled out of the room to set Alexandria down on the couch.

"Okay, let's see it," she said clasping her hands together.

Harry opened the box, and he was pleased with the more than audible gasp from Molly.

"It was my mother's. It's been in the Potter family for several generations, apparently."

"It's...it's...breathtaking!”

"Do you think Ginny will like it?"

"Of course she will," she said with obvious approval.

Harry smiled. "Good to know. Thank you so much for watching Chloe today," he said.

"Oh, darling, you are more than welcome. Besides, she really IS one of my angel grandchildren now," said Molly becoming excited again.

"Chloe!" called Harry loudly. "Time to go home!"

After a few seconds, the girls had come downstairs and Chloe waved goodbye to her playmates.

"Bye, Mrs. Weasley," she said sweetly, "Thank you for letting Meghan and I play with all your hats!"

"You're welcome, Chloe darling. You can call me Grandmum," said Mrs. Weasley planting a kiss on Chloe's cheek.

Harry picked up Chloe, waved, and they Apparated out of the room.


~*~

"But I don't know how to ice skate!" protested Harry, gazing warily at the frozen pond on the Havenwood property.

Ginny's brown eyes sparkled. "Come on! Now's a great time to learn."

"It's dangerous," he said glancing at Chloe who was busy trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

"Not in the least. I put every safety charm imaginable on that ice," said Ginny linking her arm through Harry's. "Besides, aren't you Harry Potter!? Since when do you refuse to do things because they're dangerous?"

"Since I came into possession of my beautiful five-year old daughter," he said hoping to sway her.

"Not only is that utter nonsense you're filling me with, you're forgetting that your beautiful five-year old daughter isn't scared of learning something new!"

"Can we try now?" pleaded Chloe giving up on catching snowflakes.

"Yes," said Ginny firmly, and with a huge smile she pulled Harry out on the ice with her.

Harry screwed his eyes shut and flailed his arms.

Ginny stood completely still, holding his arm.

"Harry," she said calmly. "You're standing, there's no reason to scream."

Chloe shrieked with laughter from the snow bank. "You're funny, Daddy!"

Harry cautiously opened one eye and looked down at his feet. "Oh."

"Very good," laughed Ginny.

"Ginny, I have to say, that I really hate this, but I'm doing this because you want to...and I really prefer Quiddi—aaah!” Harry shouted again.

"We are moving. Very slowly, might I add. No reason to scream," said Ginny calmly.

"I am on a blade on ice, that is freezing cold water underneath, and you expect me to NOT be nervous about this?"

"You hurtle from about a hundred feet in the air straight towards the ground, on a broom, and THIS makes you nervous?" chuckled Ginny.

"This is different."

"I'm going to let you go. Just skate very slowly."

"No, you are not letting me go," said Harry clutching her arm more tightly.

"Yes, I am letting go."

"No, you're not."

"Oh yes, I am," she said smiling brightly at him.

"What if I say please don't?" said Harry pleadingly.

"You'll be fine," said Ginny.

"I will not."

"I'm not going to just teach you all day, Chloe wants to learn too!" she laughed.

"Stay on the ground, Chloe," shouted Harry while laughing. "It's awful out here!"

"Daaaaddddy," wailed Chloe becoming impatient.

"I'm letting go."

"Oh no."

"Yes."

Ginny let go of Harry's arm and skated away backwards to watch him. Harry looked extremely awkward in the middle of the pond, trying to move towards her. Ginny giggled as he gave her one last pleading look and resigned himself to moving...extremely slowly.

Chloe grasped Ginny's hand eagerly. "My turn?" she begged.

Ginny showed Chloe how to move forwards slowly, and fortunately, the child picked it up immediately. Rather than wanting Ginny to stay by her side, Chloe was begging Ginny to let her try skating by herself.

Ginny finally let go and Chloe was so eager to skate off, that she tripped over her skate and landed with a thump on the ice.

Harry nearly fell over from his spot in the middle of the lake trying to turn to see if she was okay.

Chloe shook her braids and pulled herself right back up and smiled cheerfully at them. Soon enough she was making steady little circles around the pond.

"Come on, Daddy!" she laughed. "It's fun!"

 

“Don’t turn your ankles like that!” Ginny shouted to him. 

Harry looked down at his skates, lost his balance and threw his arms around like a frantic windmill. He landed on his backside with an oof. 

 

“Ow," he laughed.

"Oh, you're so pathetic," said Ginny helping him up. "Come on. It's easy Harry. Let's try again."

"I'll hold your hand Daddy!" volunteered Chloe carefully skating toward them.

"I'd appreciate that," said Harry taking her hand and Ginny's. "I think I can learn if I have both my girls helping me."

~*~

Ginny turned the page of the book quickly and continued reading.  Chloe clutching Norbert tightly leaned forward with her mouth open. 

 

“And Maleficent said, ‘Now shall you deal with me, old prince, and all the powers of hell!’ and transformed herself into an evil fire-breathing dragon!”

 

Chloe gasped and clamped her hands over Norbert’s ears. “What happened to Prince Phillip!?” 

 

Ginny displayed the glossy picture of the ferocious dragon and Prince Phillip battling. 

 

Chloe drew her blankets up to her chin, eyes as big as saucers.  “I-I think this story isn’t Norbert’s favorite. He’s scared!”

 

Harry chuckled from his corner where he had been sitting and listening. “And what is to come of the beautiful Princess Aurora?” 

 

Ginny smiled at them and took a deep breath before reading on.  “Nearly defeated, Prince Phillip looked around desperately for anyway to defeat the dragon. It seemed all hope was lost….”

 

“He has to find hope,” Chloe interrupted desperately. “He’s a prince! He just can’t lose hope…it’s his job to have it!”

 

“When suddenly—“

 

Harry grinned. “Good! We needed a suddenly!”

 

“Daddy! You’re interrupting!”

 

“When suddenly Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather appeared just in time!” 

 

Chloe sat up, her hair mussed and she was wildly excited. “Hurrah!”

 

“The fairies combined their magic and said, ‘Now sword of truth fly swift and sure,
That evil die and good endure!’  When the magic hit Prince Phillip’s sword, he threw it right at—“

 

“Wait, Ms. Ginny!” Chloe exclaimed, throwing a pillow on top of Norbert. “Norbert won’t like this part!”

 

“Shall we skip ahead a bit then?” Ginny smiled.  “For Norbert?”

 

Chloe nodded.  “He says thank you.”

 

“Prince Phillip climbed to the top of the tallest tower and saw the beautiful princess Aurora asleep in her bed.  He leaned over and gave his true love a kiss and the princess awakened.”

 

“Yay!” Chloe clapped and looked at the picture Ginny showed her. 

 

“When the whole kingdom woke up from their long slumber, they learned that Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip were to be married.”

 

“And they lived happily ever after,” Harry said, getting out of his chair and stretching. “Nice ending.”

 

Chloe nodded and pulled a pillow off of Norbert. “It wasn’t really a real dragon, Norbert. It was the evil witch Maleficent in disguise.  I’m quite sure Prince Phillip wouldn’t kill a real dragon.” 

 

“I’m sure he wouldn’t either,” Ginny remarked, closing the book and putting it on Chloe’s night table. 

 

“Suppose I didn’t wake up for years and years like Princess Aurora,” Chloe said with a big yawn. “Would a prince come wake me up?”

 

Harry kissed her forehead and pulled her blankets up. “Yes, I’ll be your prince.” 

 

Chloe shook her head. “Oh no, you’re Ms. Ginny’s prince. I’ll have to have someone else, Daddy.”

 

Harry grinned. “One princess per customer?”

 

“That’s right,” Chloe confirmed.

 

“Goodnight, you silly girl,” Ginny said kissing Chloe’s cheek.

 

 ~*~

 

Harry quietly closed Chloe’s door. “I hope you didn’t mind reading that whole story.  I usually do it… but you seem to be a greater novelty now.”

 

“I don’t mind at all. I think I do a better Princess Aurora than you do anyway,” Ginny teased. 

Harry nodded.  “You do.  Would you like something to drink?” 

 

“No, I’m fine. I’ll stay and keep you company if you’re having something.”  Ginny looked at him curiously.  Which she did have good reason to, as he had never asked her that before.

 

When they got to his parlor, Harry poured himself a glass of wine, not really paying attention to exactly what bottle he selected.  “You know,” he said sitting down, “Chloe really loves you.”

 

“And I love her,” Ginny replied simply.

Harry took another good gulp, very aware of the ring box in his robes. “I also really love you," he said.

"And I really love you," she replied again.

"Oh," he said, after awhile.

Ginny ran a hand through her coppery red hair. "Are you okay? You seem troubled about something.”

"Oh no. Well, um, not really."

"Well, um, not really?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," he said.

Ginny burst out laughing. "Harry, you really don't need alcohol at the moment."

"No kidding.”

Ginny walked over to his chair, set his glass on the table and gave him a firm kiss on the lips. "Better?" she asked.

"Mmmm. If I say not yet, will you do that again?" he asked hopefully.

"Yes," Ginny laughed.

"I love you," he said softly after they pulled away.

"Goodnight," she said, pulling out her wand.

”Goodnight?!" Harry repeated, his eyes flying open. 

"Goodnight," nodded Ginny, kissing his cheeks.

"I’m sorry, was it something I said? Ginny!"

"No, Harry, don’t be silly.”

"Yes it was!" Harry protested. “What’s wrong?”

"Harry, honestly, it isn't you. I just have things to do."

With that, Ginny Apparated out of the room.

Harry frowned. "Great."

~*~

Ginny curled up on her couch and frowned into the fire. "Hermione, I really hated doing that!"

Hermione's face broke into a smile. "Ginny, he'll get over it."

"Well, I couldn't help it! Things have never been that awkward between us."

"Awkward? How so?"

"Oh, you know... I think he wanted me to stay the night," said Ginny shaking her head. “I just don’t know….”

Hermione coughed. Oh no. Ginny really did have the wrong idea about poor Harry.

"Are you sure?" said Hermione, attempting to sound oblivious.

"Well, you know, Harry never drinks... but then right there, he just knocks back some wine, and starts acting nervous as a frog in a apothecary!"

"Maybe he was just tired."

"Oh come on, Hermione. He was practically stuttering. When have you ever seen Harry Potter nervous?"

"Well there's the time at the Tri-wizard tournament, and then the time when we thought that he was the Heir of Slytherin, and th—"

"Hermione!" sighed Ginny. "That's not what I mean."

Hermione shrugged, "Ginny, I'm sure there is a logical explanation for all of this."

"I did come up with a logical explanation, remember?"

Hermione sighed. "Maybe he meant to talk to you about something else?"

Ginny shook her head. "I don't think so."

"Don't worry about it, Ginny," soothed Hermione.

"Night, Hermione."

"Night, Gin."

~

"Is she gone?" whispered Harry, peeking cautiously at the fire.

"Yes," said Hermione sitting down at the table with Harry and Ron.

"She thinks I wanted to sleep with her," said Harry beating his fist on the table, and laying his forehead down on it.

"Cheer up, Harry," said Ron, "If you had proposed to her then, it would have gone really badly."

"He's right, you know," said Hermione patting Harry's back. "Plus, look on the bright side, she really has no idea that you want to propose to her!"

"She thinks I just wanted to sleep with her," repeated Harry, with a muffled voice. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Well, um, I'm thinking you do want to," pointed out Ron.

"Shut up, Ron," Hermione sighed.

"How did you propose?" said Harry, still not lifting his head.

"It was unexpected," began Ron.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Hey, Hermione, let's get hitched, " she quoted blandly.

"Are you serious?" said Harry raising his head a little.

"Dead serious," said Hermione with a smile.

"You said, 'Hey, Hermione, let's get hitched'?" said Harry looking at Ron. Harry was beginning to feel a little better about his situation.

"Something along those lines," Ron shrugged.

Harry buried his head in his hands again, and this time his shoulders shook from silent laughter.

"Stop laughing," said Ron becoming defensive. "At least I PROPOSED to her, and that means I'm still one up on you."

"Hitched?" snickered Harry.

Hermione laughed and kissed Ron's cheek. "Darling, it was terribly romantic, until you started to talk."

"What happened?" said Harry subsiding his laughter.

"We were at the most beautiful bridge. It was summer time, and we were watching these swans glide across the water," reminisced Hermione.

"And, I looked over at her, and sort of blurted it," finished Ron.

"After I got over the initial shock of being asked to 'get hitched', I said yes, of course," smiled Hermione.

"I was so happy I nearly fell backward over the bridge," laughed Ron.

"I feel sort of stupid asking this, but, um, how did Neville ask her?" said Harry carefully.

Ron snickered. "Don't worry, I think she asked him. If I remember correctly, he just stood there gaping with the ring in his hand."

Hermione smiled. "Poor Neville, there's another that was never good at words."

Harry smiled. "So, my best bet is a romantic atmosphere?"

"Flowers," added Ron.

"I didn't get flowers!" said Hermione turning to look at Ron.

"Um, I forgot," said Ron, "You were lucky I remembered the ring."

Hermione sighed again, and shook her head. "Ronald Weasley, you are such a romantic."

"Harry's the tall, dark, handsome one," said Ron with a grin.

"Ron, you're taller than me," said Harry stretching.

"Just have a speech prepared," laughed Hermione, "I don't know how well Ginny would take to something like 'Let's get hitched'."

"So you think she'll say yes?" said Harry nervously.

"If she doesn't, she's not in her right mind," said Hermione smiling.

"Thanks, you two," said Harry, "I've got to be getting home, I told the house elves to keep an eye on Chloe for a few minutes. I'm sure she's fine, I added a few more spells on the house and her...but I'd really feel better if.…"

"Go on," said Ron.

"Bye," said Harry.


 

~*~

 

Author note: Sleeping Beauty doesn’t belong to me. It first belongs to the Brothers Grimm and then adapted version I used is from the Walt Disney version, only because the actual fairy tale version doesn’t have a dragon.  I found the storyboard and quotes HERE.

 

Special thanks to Anne who combed this over for Americanisms galore!

 

“Have you hugged your stuffed dragon today?” Chloe's Bookshelf