Mischief not so Managed

11: Eventually

Lia:

He had kept my stupid hankie in his pocket since that Quidditch match weeks ago. "yeah, I, yeah, I did keep it" he said half confidently. He reached a hand towards my cheek and swiped away a rouge tear that had tumbled down my cheek. "I'm sorry that you had to go through this". I didn't pull back, I just stared into those deep green eyes.

"thank you" I whispered as he brushed a stray hair out of my eyes. He leaned in slightly and my heart skipped about seventy beats.

"you know underage wizards and wine don't mix" I jumped back, hitting my head against the banister. Sirius stood watching the two of us.

"way to ruin the mood" George groaned.

"don't worry" I smiled, trying to ease some of the tension "I'm not sharing"

"George, your brother said something about a surprise" Sirius mused. George looked back to me.

"hold that thought" he said, pecking my on the cheek, which proceeded to turn about as a bright red as the coat I had been wearing earlier.

"oh, I'm holding it" I chuckled, as George stood and raced up the stairs, Fred came charging out of the kitchen and followed him.

"please don't break anything" Sirius called after them. he held out the bottle. "care for a refill"

"no, I think I'm good" I smiled "I'd prefer not to get drunk, considering Molly has done such a beautiful day for us"

"where's your Mum?"

"certainly not sober" I said looking at my feet "she's at home, drinking, she only does it one night a year" I added, as if it made it any better.

"you're welcome to stay till you go back to school" he said warmly. I gestured to my trunk and bags tucked into the alcove down the hall.

"She's way ahead of you" I drained the last of the glass.

"she'll be okay"

"I know" I nodded "I should've stayed with her, maybe I'll go home and come back". I said standing up and brushing off my dress.

"Lia, Lia" Sirius said soothing me "you've done this for long enough, I'll send Tonks out in the morning" he took the glass from my hand "anyway, I think you're supposed to be holding a thought"

"yeah, I guess so" I smiled, walking back towards the kitchen.

"Lia?"

"yeah?" I turned.

"Happy Christmas" he smiled.

"You too" I replied warmly.

The kitchen was full of life as Remus and Ron were engaged in a game of wizards chess, that Remus was loosing badly. I picked up the parcel I had left down earlier and unwrapped the brown the paper. The sun had long ago fallen in the sky and there were stars twinkling in the sky beyond the kitchen window. I pulled off the last of the paper. A beautiful pair of deep purple gloves sat in the paper. Made from thick wool with my name embroidered on the inside. I looked up to find Molly pouring Arthur another glass of wine and smiled brightly at her. She just winked and nodded. "Ladies and Gentlemen" Fred appeared in the doorway, "if you would all retire to the living room for the evenings entertainment". We all looked around suspiciously, but Molly went first pushing Arthur ahead of her. Followed by Ginny and Harry, Remus dragged Ron from the match and Tonks linked her arm in mine while she held a bottle of wine in the other. Gasps sounded ahead. The living room looked very different to how it had earlier. The furniture had disappeared and there was little lights hanging from the ceiling. Hermione rushed in behind me and her jaw dropped to the floor. An old-fashioned gramophone sat in the corner, George beside it fixing a record to the stand.

"Harry Christmas everyone" he smiled. Molly looked up to the sky enraptured by the whole surprised. Arthur moved his chair in front of her and took her hands and began to dance to the big band music George had chosen. Fred grabbed Hermione's hand and spun her around, laughter rattled out of her as they began to dance to the music. Ginny, who had never been one to wait for an invitation yanked Harry into the middle of the floor, next thing I knew, Ron jumped on me and pulled me in too. We laughed and danced for what felt like hours. 

Hermione and Ron had long retired to bed and Molly and Arthur were following them. Remus had pulled Sirius from the couch where he had been sleeping and Tonks helped him carry him up the stairs. Harry and Ginny had danced all night and Harry, ever the gentleman walked her to her room. Fred had snuck a bottle of firewhiskey from the kitchen and was apparently headed for the roof.

"You think that's smart?" I asked as he slipped from the room.

"no, but sure sounds exciting" he smiled wickedly before heading up the stairs. It hit me then that George and I were the only ones left. I turned to him as he changed the record and some slower music played.

"my lady" he said in a funny accent bowing comedically low, "could I have the pleasure of a dance"

"Why Sir" I exclaimed in an equally ridiculous accent, giving him a deep curtsey "the pleasure is all mine". I walked towards him and slipped my hand into his. His other arm fit perfectly around my waist. He spun me in a dramatic circle.

"well someone has moves"

"I'm full of surprises" I laughed as we swayed to the music. It felt like time slowed down just for a moment as we danced. The music had stopped, I don't know how long ago. My head was tucked in against George's chest. I could hear his heart so clearly. I let out a small yawn.

"come on, I'll get you set up upstairs, I can apparate you home in the morning" he said looking down at me, I pulled back and looked up at his freckled face.

"actually" I said drawing out every syllable "I'm staying, till we go back". I swear, George Weasley's smile was the widest I'd ever seen it.

"we'll isn't that just a wonderful Christmas present for me" he smiled. Just as that thought from earlier was about to be unheld, an owl tapped on the window.

"we'll get there eventually" I thought as George pulled away to open the window.

"it's for you" he said, handing me the letter. I slit it open with my nail pulling the parchment out.

"it's from Mum"