A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 3: Chapter 7

Part 3:

Chapter 7 –

December 25th, 1996

Lia smiled at the faces sat around the table in the Weasley shack, her heart growing with each person that joined around today in a day of celebration. It was her first Christmas since remembering who she was, and she couldn't help but let herself feel thankful for all those that were with her today.

Her new friends and old ones, ones that she cherished both equally.

"You're looking a little soft today, sunshine," Sirius teased as his hand rested on her bare thigh, "is it my hand that's got you melting into a puddle?"

Lia scoffed at his ego, choosing to push his hand off her thigh, "no, love, it's actually making this dinner start to come back up."

A grin formed on her face at Sirius' hurt expression, and she turned her attention to the conversation at the table, not surprised that Fred and George were already goofing around with their food and transfiguring it into flying doves. She actually found it quite romantic and wondered why the boys still didn't have significant others of their own. They were successful with their magic shop, and she found that they grew up to be quite handsome.

"Boys, knock it off!" Molly screeched from her seat, her wand flicking to get rid of the mess around them. Lia giggled behind her hand and wondered how Molly ever could have birthed the few children she had a chance to meet once again. She was still awaiting the chance to see Percy again, but from what she had heard, he wasn't someone she would get along with despite caring for him as a child. And Charlie was too busy off in Europe working with dragons, something that Lia thought suited him perfectly.

"Moony, mate," Sirius looked across the table, "you feeling okay?"

Lia glanced to see her friend looking a little pale, his baggy eyes tired. The full moon had only been two days ago and despite Lia giving him her potion instead of Snape's, he was still having trouble adjusting to it this month. She had hoped that he would be feeling better for the Christmas festivities, but it seemed the opposite.

"I'm fine," he muttered, "I think I might go home soon and see Tonks."

The energized metamorphmagus had decided to spend Christmas with her parents, and despite Lia inviting them all here, wanting to see Andromeda again, they had politely declined the request. Remus had told her that they did something on their own every year, having a half muggle tradition of some sorts.

"I can go with you," Lia offered, hating seeing her friend in pain even after all these years, "we can cuddle together on the couch and watch movies until Tonks gets home."

Lia was glad to see that put a grin on his face after watching Sirius pout. "What about me?" He asked, his hand clutching tightly onto Lia's, "I want to cuddle with Moony too!"

She heard Harry laugh at his godfathers pouting, "you're sounding desperate over there Padfoot," he told him, sounding insanely similar to his father. It put a slight damper into Lia's festive mood, remembering once again that they had lost so many loved ones along the way, but she didn't let it stop her from enjoying her first Christmas with Harry in so long.

"I'm older than you, so I'd watch it kid," Sirius teased.

Rolling her eyes, Lia shot Remus a look who shook his head in response, "I might stay for a little bit until she gets home, then I'll head out," he replied, "but I want a rain check for that movie night, I miss those."

Lia nodded her head in agreement and looked to see Ginny and Hermione missing from the table, her brows furrowing in confusion. They had only been there moments ago when she last checked and she could see the bubbling romance between Harry and Ginny starting, wondering why the girl would leave him after gushing over his every move for the entirety of dinner.