A/N: All of the characters contained herein belong to Ms. Rowling.
"Does this mean what I think it does, Moony?" Harry asked, a smile lighting his face. His guardian's awkward blush was all the answer he needed.
"Does what mean what you think it does?" Ron asked, still puzzled. Harry shook his head.
"Hermione's right. You are thick. Look where we're standing, Ron," Harry said. Ron looked around, taking in the rings, necklaces, and other baubles glittering in the display window's cases. Comprehension dawned at last.
"Ohhh," Ron said. "Well what're we waiting for? Let's go." He ushered both Harry and Remus into the small shop. At the sound of the small, tinkling bell announcing their entrance, a tiny whirlwind of a witch bustled up to them.
"Good day, gentlemen. What can I help you with this beautiful winter's morning?" she said smiling.
"Hello, Madame Tiffany. How've you been?" Remus said. The tiny witch looked at him a moment with narrowed eyes, then gasped, and threw her arms around him, hugging him.
"Remus Lupin! Its about time you came back in here. When I think of the number of times you and your friends came in here... So very sad about poor James and Sirius. They were such nice boys. Of course, I never could bring myself to believe that Sirius would do what they said he did. I even refused to put those horrible wanted posters up in my store when he escaped. Oh, but listen to me go on. The ramblings of old age I'm afraid," she said smiling. "What brings you here today, Remus?"
"I.. um... need to purchase a ring, Madame," Remus said a trifle nervously. The witch beamed at him.
"A ring? A very special ring?" she asked. Remus blushed yet again, feeling once more like the almost painfully shy school boy she'd known. She laughed gaily. "I remember when you boys came in here with James for the very same reason. Come this way," she told him.
"This is where my dad bought Mum's ring?" Harry asked.
"Among other things. He dragged us in here every Hogsmede weekend to get something for Lily. Usually she threw it back in his face, until they actually started dating of course. Your dad was a nervous wreck when we came in for the ring, though," Remus said.
"Remus, this is James and Lily's son?" Madame Tiffany asked. At Lupin's nod, she clapped her hands in delight. "Oh my dear boy! I'd hoped you'd come in here some day. You look just like James, which I'm sure you've heard a thousand times. Remus, the rings are right there. We have a few that are very unique. I'll be right back."
The witch bustled into the back of the shop, while Harry and Ron watched with wide eyes. Remus chuckled at the looks on their faces.
"Believe it or not, she's slowed down some with age," he said drily as he began to study the rings in the case Madame Tiffany had indicated. Harry and Ron moved to stand on either side of him and peered down at them, as well. Harry quickly realized that the tiny witch was right. There were some truly amazing rings here.
"Well I know where to come when I'm ready to get Hermione a ring," Ron said without thinking. His face immediately took on a bright red hue, as soon as he realized what he had said. Harry grinned.
"Trying to tell us something, mate?" Harry asked, his eyes twinkling.
"Shut up, Harry. What about that one, Moony?" Ron asked, pointing to a gold band with a heartshaped pink diamond set into it. Harry had to admit, it was beautiful.
"It's nice, but..." Remus shrugged. "I'll know it when I see it."
"Not finding anything?" MadameTiffany asked, as she flitted back into the room.
"No, Madame. Tonks is a very, very unique and special woman. Her ring has to be just as unique and special," Remus said. Madame Tiffany paused a moment, as if thinking, then her eyes began to twinkle.
"I have just the thing!" she exclaimed and once more disappeared into the back of her shop. She returned moments later, handing Remus a box. He opened it and smiled.
"It's perfect," he said.
Harry and Ron leaned in for a look and couldn't help but agree. Nestled in a simple white gold band was a large fire opal. Shades of pink, red, yellow, and blue seemed to whirl and shift under the stone's surface making it appear to change colors at will. Harry had never seen anything like it and was certain that Tonks would love it.
While Remus paid, Harry and Ron wandered through the store trying to find gifts for Ginny and Hermione. After a brief search, Ron found a charm bracelet for Hermione, but Harry was having no luck finding something for Ginny.
"I'm sure she'll like whatever you get her, Harry,"Remus said.
"I know. I just want to find something that says how much she means to me," Harry replied. He was rather aimlessly browsing the various displays, when a glimmer from a case near the back of the store caught his eye. He walked over to the small display of necklaces and smiled. It was just what he wanted.
"Madam?" Harry called. She came over to assist him and he indicated his choice.
"Ahh... you have your father's excellent taste, I see," she said, lifting the necklace and holding it out to him. Suspended from a fine gold chain hung a crystalline sphere. Harry watched as tiny lights flickered and danced in it's depths, as if the light of a thousand stars were mirrored there. Harry reached out and touched it, feeling a curious sensation of warmth.
"I'll take it," he said decisively. Madame Tiffany beamed at him.
"I should have known," she said. "The witch I bought this from told me that this crystal was special. She insisted that it was a protective talisman and that it would find it's rightful owner. I thought it was a load of poppycock myself, but here it has sat for almost 17 years."
Harry and Ron paid for their purchases, and left the store, promising to come back again. Quick trips to Madame Malkins, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Scrivenshafts, and Honeydukes allowed the three to finish their shopping. Harry even picked up a pair of thick blue socks for Professor Dumbledore. They were just in time to meet the girls for lunch at The Three Broomsticks, after which they returned to the castle.
Remus and Tonks left them at the gates, while the foursome continued on to Gryffindor Tower. Much to Harry's delight, the rest of the day was spent in the common room talking and munching on chocolate frogs. Harry was lounging on the couch, with Ginny snuggled up in his arms, when Neville approached them with a frown upon his face.
"Harry, do you think I can get some help with this defense homework?" he said. Harry lazily opened one eye. He was not pleased with the interruption, as snuggling on the couch with Ginny had become his favorite pastime of late, surpassing even quidditch. Nevertheless, Neville didn't ask for help often, and he was one of Harry's closest friends.
"Is it something that can wait, Nev?"he asked. Neville shook his head, giving Harry a significant look. Harry frowned and nudged Ginny, who moved, allowing him to sit up. Bending down, Neville showed Harry a page in their defense book. A note had been scrawled there in Neville's untidy hand.
"Luna and I saw something today in Hogsmede. We need a meeting."
Harry's frown deepened, as he pretended to consider what was in the book.
"I think this is something I can demonstrate better than explain, Neville. Why don't we take this to the room of requirement?" Harry said. "You guys coming?"
Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, not really knowing what was happening, but sensing that something was afoot, rose and followed.
"What's going on?" Ron asked, as soon as they were out of the portrait hole.
"Not here," Harry said. He took out his coin and activated it. Using the Marauder's Map, which, after Malfoy's escape, Harry had begun to keep with him at all times, they stealthily made their way to the room of requirement. It wasn't past curfew yet, but Harry did not particularly want to answer any unnecessary questions. He waited until the entire group had arrived before sealing the door. Hermione then put a silencing charm on it.
"What's this all about, Harry?" Padma Patil asked. It was Neville who answered, however.
"I asked for the meeting. Luna and I saw something in Hogsmede. It may be nothing, but..." Neville shrugged.
"Go on, Neville," Harry encouraged.
"We were just coming out of Dervish and Banges when we saw a big group of Slytherins go by," Neville said.
"That's nothing unusual," Justin said. "They always move in packs like that."
"True, but what they said was unusual. They were talking about how they were late for their meeting. Luna and I sort of casually followed them. They went to a cave outside of town. We took down the names of everyone we recognized," Neville said handing Harry a piece of parchment.
"It wasn't just Slytherins either. There were Ravenclaws, a Hufflepuff, and a Gryffindor there also," Luna said, her voice much harder than it's usual dreamy tone. Padma Patil gasped.
"It was Pavarti wasn't it?" she asked. "She was supposed to meet Lavender and I for lunch and she didn't show up. She's not been acting herslef lately either. She's been forgetting things and has even skived off Divination." Padma bit her lip, her concern for her twin evident in her face.
"I'm sorry, Padma," Hermione said, putting an arm about the other girl. "We don't know how deep she's in or if she's even involved of her own free will. She could be under the imperius."
"Were you able to hear anything that was said?" Harry asked.
"Not much. We didn't want to get too close and get caught. Luna did think she heard them say something about the Hogwarts Express though," Neville said. Harry's eyes widened at the implications of that.
"You don't think they're going to attack the train do you, Harry?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know, Ginny. I definitely think that I need to get this infromation to the headmaster, though. Does anyone have anything else we need to know?" he asked. They all shook their heads.
"All right then. Everyone get back to your common rooms. I need to go get myself thrown in detention," Harry said grimly.
People left in twos and threes. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny left last, after trying to convince Harry to let them join him. Once they were gone, he went in search of the person most likely to give him detention, Professor Snape. Harry took the Marauder's Map from his pocket and quickly located the potions master near the astronomy tower. He swiftly headed in that direction, carefully watching Snape's dot on the map. Positioning himself around the corner from the corridor the professor was coming down, he began to enchant one of the statues there to insult anyone who happened by. He finished just in time.
"Go wash your hair, you big nosed git!" the statue of a beautiful witch shouted as Snape approached. Harry saw the potions master stiffen and turn, heading directly for the statue.
"Legilimens," Harry whispered, hoping this worked.
"Professor! Over here!" Harry projected, praying desperately that Snape picked up his thoughts. "I have information for Professor Dumbledore. Give me detention."
"Lumos!" Snape hissed, illuminating the corner where Harry hid. "Well, well, well, Potter. Caught in the act, I see. Enchanting valuable statues? Really, Potter. Even your father had more finesse than that. The headmaster will want to see you. Come along."
Snape grabbed Harry, propelling him firmly along to Dumbledore's office. Harry did his best to appear outraged, and even attempted to pull his arm out of Snape's grip when they passed a group of whispering Hufflepuffs.
"Fainting Fancies," Snape said, and the gargoyles leapt aside. He and Harry ascended the staircase and found Dumbledore seated behind his desk, as if he had been waiting on them.
"Ahhh... Severus... and Harry! What brings you here this evening?" he asked.
"Potter wished to speak with you, Headmaster," Snape said. "He seems to think he has something you should know."
Dumbledore turned his questioning gaze towards Harry, who quickly relayed Neville's information. When he finished, he handed the headmaster the list Neville and Luna had compiled. Dumbledore frowned, shaking his head sadly. Snape leaned over the professors shoulder to study the list, as well.
"Headmaster, I've noticed Ms. Patil has been... different recently. Her potion making has not been what it normally is and she spends less time talking with Ms. Brown. I suspect that she may not be acting of her own volition," Snape said.
"Padma seemed to think the same thing, sir," Harry offered.
"I shall alert the staff to keep a close eye on her," Dumbledore said. "We'll need to make other arrangements to return the students home for the holidays, as well. I should think that I can arrange for portkeys from Hogsmede with the Minister. Thank you, Harry. Thank Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lovegood, as well." Harry nodded and, sensing his dismissal, returned to Gryffindor Tower.
Harry tried not to dwell on the knowledge that Neville had provided as the final few days before Christmas passed. He suprised himself by how excited he was about the upcoming holiday. He was actually looking forward to returning to Grimmauld Place. When the morning before Christmas finally dawned, Harry was one of the first ones up. He immediately roused Ron so that they could finish their packing. Both boys then went down to the common room to meet Hermione and Ginny. Together, they made their way to Dumbledore's office, dragging their trunks behind them.
Unlike most of the students, who, thanks to the warning Neville and Luna were able to give, would be taking portkeys, Harry and the others would be flooing to Grimmauld Place. When they entered Dumbledore's office, Tonks and Remus were already there waiting on them.
"Wotcher all! You lot ready then?" Tonks asked cheerily. She wore her hair in a long braid of interwoven red and green today. In place of her usual Wierd Sisters t-shirt, she wore a white shirt emblazoned with a Christmas tree. The lights on it twinkled and a silver star winked at its top. Harry couldn't help but grin at Tonks' display of holiday spirit.
"I think we've got everything," he answered for the group. "Merlin knows Ginny's trunk is heavy enough." Ginny stuck her tongue out at him playfully. Tonks giggled.
"All right then, we'd better get going before poor Harry strains his back," she said, her eyes twinkling.
They each took turns entering the floo. Harry was the last of the foursome through. Stepping out of the fireplace at Grimmauld Place, he found himself wrapped immediately in Mrs. Weasley's motherly embrace.
"Oh Harry dear, welcome home," she told him.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley. It's good to be home," he said, suprising himself. He could never recall this feeling of home associated with anyplace but Hogwarts. While he was pondering this new emotion, he was nearly knocked to the ground as something or, more specifically, someone hurtled themselves at his legs.
"Harry Potter, sir! You is home! Dobby has worked hard on Harry Potter's home. Dobby and Mrs. Weezy has made it cheerful for Christmas," the elf said enthusiastically. Looking down Harry couldn't help but chuckle. Dobby was wearing his very own Weasley sweater. It even had a letter "D" knitted onto its chest. On his feet he wore his usual mismatched socks, most incongruous of all, however, was the bright red Christmas ornament he had affixed to the stack of hats piled precariously upon his head. Harry smiled down at him.
"Happy Christmas, Dobby. Are you enjoying your stay here?" he asked the elf.
"Oh yes, Harry Potter. Dobby loves it here. Mrs. Weezy is knitting Dobby his very own sweater, and Dobby has a family to care for again. Dobby never wants to leave," Dobby replied.
"Wouldn't you miss Hogwarts though?" Harry asked.
"There is lots and lots of elves at Hogwarts, Harry Potter. Dobby misses having his own family," the elf admitted. Harry stared at Dobby for a moment considering. He had felt, for quite a while, that he had been imposing on Mrs. Weasley, asking her to care for Grimmauld Place. This could solve everyone's problems.
"Dobby, would you like to stay here and work for me like you do for Professor Dumbledore?" he asked. Dobby hurtled himself at Harry's legs once more, clearly delighted at the idea.
"Oh Harry Potter sir! Dobby would be so happy," Dobby squeaked. Harry smiled.
"I'll talk to Professor Dumbledore tomorrow. You'll have to accept pay though, Dobby, just like at Hogwarts," Harry said. Dobby nodded, his ears flopping.
"Children, why don't you take your things to your rooms while Dobby and I get lunch started. The rest of the family should be here any minute," Mrs. Weasley said. The four obediently did as Mrs. Weasley said.
"Couldn't have gotten Dobby to do this could you, mate?" Ron huffed as he dragged Hermione's trunk up the stairs.
"Ronald! Dobby shouldn't have to haul our luggage around," Hermione said indignantly, flouncing past them. Ron and Harry exchanged grins. Ron loved igniting Hermione's temper almost as much as he loved Hermione. As soon as the trunks were stowed safely in the appropriate rooms, they returned to the kitchen.
They entered to find it filled with people. Bill, Fleur, Percy, and Penelope were sitting at one end of the table talking with Tonks, who was happily sitting in Remus' lap. Charlie, the twins, and 'Dung were in the corner sharing a story, which, judging by their snickers, Mrs. Weasley would not have approved of. Mr. Weasley, Moody, and Kingsely were having a serious discussion about who would win the next quidditch cup, which Ron eagerly joined. Ginny and Hermione went to assist Mrs. Weasley and Dobby who were piling dish after dish upon the already laden table.
Harry looked around the room, so filled with life and love, and couldn't help but wish Sirius could have been there. A part of Harry wanted to retreat then, to go to his room and hide, but as he turned to go, he was stopped by the memory of Sirius. He could see his godfather last Christmas laughing and singing at the top of his lungs. Sirius would've loved this. He would have been right in the thick of the merrymaking, and he'd have wanted Harry there with him. Harry took a deep breath, blinked back his tears, and went to sit next to Remus and Tonks.
"All right you lot, eat up," Mrs. Weasley said. "We have a lot to do if we're to make this a proper Weasley Christmas."
"Aww Mum, you're not going to pull out all of those ornaments we made when we were kids, are you?" Bill asked warily.
"Well of course I am, dear. It wouldn't be Christmas without them. I had Dobby pop over to the Burrow yesterday and get them," she said, beaming. Bill groaned, Ginny giggled, and the twins exchanged mischievious looks.
"I'm missing something aren't I?" Harry whispered to Ginny. She smiled, nodding.
"Bill's not exactly umm... artistic," she said. "All of his ornaments are quite unique." Harry grinned, noticing that Ron was also looking rather alarmed.
"What about Ron's?" he asked. Ginny's eyes twinkled with barely contained mirth.
"Orange. Ron has a definite fondness for orange," she giggled, then turned to her mother. "Mum, I think we should make new ones for this year. After all, Harry, Hermione, Penelope, and Fleur should all have one. Remus and Tonks too."
"I've already thought of that Ginny, dear," Mrs. Weasley replied. "Dobby is getting everything set up for after lunch." Ron, Bill, and Charlie immediately began to protest.
"Mum, I really think that I'm too old for this," Bill said.
"Errr... shouldn't one of us be patrolling or something?" Charlie said.
"Homework! I've got loads of homework. Right Hermione?" Ron said hopefully.
"No, Ronald. You don't, besides, its a very nice tradition," she responded. Fleur, meanwhile, was pouting prettily at Bill.
"But Bill, tradition iz very important. Don't you want to share your family's customs wiz me?" she said, looking up at him with luminous eyes. Bill sighed.
"OK Mum. I'm in," he said, looking less then pleased. Fleur beamed at him. Charlie put his hands behind his head, grinning.
"And that, brothers dear, is why this Weasley is still firmly unattached," Charlie smirked. Mrs. Weasley snorted.
"Yes, well, it wouldn't kill you to find a nice girl and settle down Charlie Weasley! Out galivanting after dragons of all things! One thing! One thing I ask of you, at Christmas..." she said rising and putting her hands on her hips.
"You win, Mum. I'll make an ornament," Charlie said, putting his hands up in surrender before she really got going. Mrs. Weasley smiled at him.
"I knew you would, dear," she told him.
As soon as lunch was over, they retreated to the drawing room. Garlands of evergreen swathed the ceiling, tied with bright red ribbons. A huge tree stood in the center of the room, waiting to be decorated. Boxes of ornaments were stacked on the floor, each labeled with the name of a different Weasley. A large table had been set up near the tree. It was covered with pots of paint, bottles of glitter and glue, brightly colored bits of paper, ribbon, and cloth, as well as a small box full of glass balls.
"C'mon Harry," Ginny said, leading him over to the table.
The rest of the afternoon passed with a great deal of laughter and merriment. Harry soon found out that Ginny's assesment had been right. Bill was definitely not artistic. Fleur didn't seem to mind, however. Harry had to stifle a laugh when Ron immediately reached for the orange paint. He was not sure what exactly his best friend was painting, but it was very, very orange. Harry had been unable to resist teasing Ginny when he discovered that the majority of her ornaments seemed to feature angels, with messy black hair and bright green eyes. The twins, as usual, outdid themselves by making ornaments depicting everyone in the rather extended family group. Like the paintings at Hogwarts, each ornament held a little bit of their subject's personality. Much to Harry's amusement, the Ron and Hermione ornaments had to be separated when they wouldn't stop arguing with each other.
After all of the ornaments were made, they were carefully hung on the tree, along with those of years past. Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Harry were then set to work making garlands of popcorn and berries. Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fleur, and Penelope, meanwhile, enchanted sparkling faerie lights to twinkle amongst the tree's branches. The twins, after holding a supsiciously long whispered conversation, tossed a small white ball up in the air. It promptly exploded, causing snow to gently fall from the drawing room's ceiling.
"Boys! Do you have any idea of the mess that is going to make? It will melt all over the carpet," Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, her eyes flashing. The twins beamed angelically at her.
"Not to worry, Mum," Fred said.
"It won't make any mess at all," George told her.
"Disappears altogether about fifteen minutes after it's fallen," Fred said.
"It's our newest product... Weasley's Winter Wonderland," George added. Mr. Weasley laughed in delight.
"Brilliant boys. It's sure to be a best seller, " he told them.
As the afternoon melted into evening, Order members filtered in and out, dropping off gifts and wishing everyone a happy Christmas. Dobby brought in sandwiches and several different types of biscuits for everyone, as well as steaming mugs of chocolate, much to Remus' delight. Harry took a bit of good natured teasing from the Weasley brothers when Ginny, out of habit, snuggled up to him on the couch. He didn't mind it at all, however, and, rather bravely, informed them that they should get used to it.
Before he knew it, Mrs. Weasley was ushering them up to bed. He and Ron walked Ginny and Hermione up to their room. Smiling down at Ginny, he gave her a gentle kiss and wished her goodnight. He then had to drag a very reluctant Ron away from Hermione and up to their room.
The two boys quickly readied themselves for bed. Ron was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Harry, on the other hand, found himself unaccountably restless. He tossed and turned as he thought about how much his life had changed since his last Christmas. He still missed Sirius everyday, but he was happy with his life. Ginny meant more to him then he had ever thought possible, and he'd found some sense of family with Remus and Tonks. There was the prophecy to worry about, of course, but he refused to dwell on it tonight.
Finally deciding that sleep was futile, Harry rose and quietly exited the room. He tiptoed through the sleeping house and into the kitchen. Rumaging through the cabinets, he located some of the biscuits from earlier. Snatching a handful and pouring himself a cold glass of milk, he decided to take his midnight snack into the drawing room. He loved the tree set up there and thought it was even more beautiful than the ones at Hogwarts. When he got to the door, however, he was stopped by a low murmur of voices from within. Silently, he opened the door a crack and peered in. Remus and Tonks sat on one of the couches watching the enchanted snow fall and talking quietly.
"Are you sure you don't mind going out for a little while tomorrow to see my mum and dad?" Tonks asked.
"Of course not, love. I've known Andromeda and Ted forever. They're good people. I was wondering though, what would you think of bringing Harry with us? I think he'd like to meet your Mum," Remus replied. Tonks grinned.
"Shame on you, using Harry as a distraction," she teased him. "Seriously though, I think Mum would like that. She thought the world of James and Merlin knows she never gave up on Sirius. She fought tooth and nail for him when he was in Azkaban. It broke her heart when he died. She knows how close Harry and Sirius were. It will probably help them both." Remus nodded, his eyes distant. Tonks sighed.
"You miss him still don't you?" she softly queried. Remus gave her a sad smile.
"Yes, I miss them all. I probably always will. When James and Lily died..." Remus paused and his eyes filled with pain. "When they died, I thought I had lost everyone I had ever cared about, everyone who had ever cared about me. James, Lily, Peter, Sirius, and Harry... I'd lost them all in one fell swoop. It was the darkest time in my life. I shut myself off completely, moving around aimlessly doing whatever odd jobs I could get. When Dumbledore offered me the Defense job, it was a second chance for me. I got to know Harry and found out the truth about Sirius and Peter. It was like the morning after a twelve year long full moon. There was still pain, but I knew everythig was going to be all right again."
"Oh Remus," Tonks said, gently reaching out and touching the side of his face. "That must have been so hard for you." Remus gave her a lopsided smile, covering her hand with his own and nuzzling into it.
"I survived it. I got my best friend back, and Harry," he said.
"And then you lost Sirius again," Tonks murmured.
"And then I lost Sirius again, but not before I found you," Remus said. " You literally stumbled back into my life so full of light and laughter. After having gone through so much darkness, I was fascinated by you. I fought it. I used every argument I could think of. I was entirely too old for you, a poor outcast werewolf. I was set in my ways and had nothing to offer someone so young and so beautiful. I'd changed your nappies for Merlins' sake. Padfoot though, knew that I'd fallen for you and he wouldn't let me off the hook so easily. He found excuse after excuse to throw us together."
"That sneak!" Tonks exclaimed. "I'd wondered why he kept volunteering us for things together. Not that I was complaining. I fell in love with you when I was five years old and you gave me a chocolate frog," she grinned unrepentently. Remus chuckled softly.
"I thank him everyday for helping me to get you Nymphadora. When Padfoot died and Harry shut himself off the way he did, I don't think I could have made it through again without you. You became my strength. You were what kept me living, and gave me what I needed to reach, Harry." Remus rose then, and knelt before Tonks. Reaching into a pocket of his robes, he pulled out a small box.
"It's not a chocolate frog,but..." he said, opening it up and revealing the beautiful ring inside. Tonks gasped and her hands flew to her mouth, as her eyes filled with tears. "Nymphadora Tonks, I love you, from the tips of those tripping toes to the top of that bubblegum pink hair. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
Struck completely speechless, Tonks could only nod before throwing herself at Remus and kissing him. Smiling, Remus pulled away.
"Is that a yes?" he asked. Tonks giggled.
"Absolutely, Moony-mine. Yes, yes, yes! You're stuck with me now," she declared, pulling him back to her and kissing him once more.
Silently closing the door behind him, a widely grinning Harry returned to the kitchen to finish his milk and biscuits. The drawing room was obviously going to be occupied for a while.
A/N: Yay! Another chapter down. I hope you enjoyed it. Many, many thanks go out to Danielle for moderating, my son Will for being my beta, and all of my wonderful, wonderful readers for your reviews. I'll have the next chappie up ASAP. It is the long awaited animagus chapter at last.